Sukhothai fights flood, as barrier on Yom breaks

[Lite Beer]

Sukhothai fights flood, as barrier on Yom breaks
The Nation


Soldiers and rescue workers evacuate people, and their beloved pets, from homes in Sukhothai

SUKHOTHAI: -- FLOODS have wreaked havoc in 25 provinces and claimed eight lives over the past two weeks.

Five of the flood-hit provinces - Sukhothai, Nan, Chaiyaphum, Tak and Nakhon Sawan - are still inundated.

"The economic zone of Sukhothai is now under water," Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department director general Chatchai Phromlert said yesterday.

A wide section of embankment by the Yom River collapsed yesterday, sending more water into Sukhothai town.

As of press time, the section that had collapsed was 60m long - up from 10m.

Floodwater has ravaged more than 2,800 rai (1,107 acres) of farmland in Sukhothai and affected more than 500 families.

The province's Sri Satchanalai, Sawankhalok, Sri Samrong, Muang and Kong Krailat districts have been declared flood disaster zones

Relevant officials have been trying to reach flood victims via flat-bottom boats.

Army Colonel Sirichan Nga-thong said the situation looked set to worsen as more run-off from Phrae province, upstream, would reach Sukhothai within two days.

Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in his capacity as Army chief, has instructed all military units to help improve the country's water drainage by removing weeds from waterways.

With flooding in several northern provinces, the flood risk in provinces downstream is expected to rise soon.

The Yom River is a branch of the Chao Phraya, which runs through the Central region and Bangkok.

Darongkorn Somton, who heads the Chainat-based Irrigation Office 12, said he had recently alerted the governors of Chainat, Uthai Thani, Sing Buri, Angthong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, and Lop Buri about flood threats.

"Businesses and people living along the Chao Phraya River, in particular, must closely monitor the situation," he said.

Darongkorn said the water volume moving into the Chao Phraya Dam in Chainat was clearly growing.

"In fact, the river has started overflowing in some districts of Ayutthaya and Suphan Buri provinces already," he said.

To prevent a serious impact on downstream provinces, Darongkorn said his office would try to limit water discharged from the dam at around 1,100 cubic metres per second.

Initially, it was reported that the water-discharge volume would rise from 631 cubic metres per second to between 1,300-1,400 cubic metres. At such rate, the water level of the Chao Phraya would rise by one metre on Monday.

"With a water discharge of about 1,100 cubic metres per second, the water level will increase by between 30-40cm," Darongkorn said. "But the level may rise even more under heavy rain."

The Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms for most parts of the Central region and the Chao Phraya basin, this weekend.

Chatchai said flood victims could seek help from his department by calling the 1784 hotline.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Sukhothai-fights-flood-as-barrier-on-Yom-breaks-30242646.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-06

[IMA_FARANG]

At such rate, the water level of the Chao Phraya would rise by one metre on Monday.

----------------------

I don't have enough knowledge to know what that statement means, or WHERE on the Chao Phraya it will increase by one meter.

But I don't like the sound of that.

We will have to wait for see what happens I guess.

[pisico]

At such rate, the water level of the Chao Phraya would rise by one metre on Monday.

----------------------

I don't have enough knowledge to know what that statement means, or WHERE on the Chao Phraya it will increase by one meter.

But I don't like the sound of that.

We will have to wait for see what happens I guess.

The essence of Thainess. WAIT and see what happens. Wait until something breaks, then, repair or replace if it is strictly necessary to save face and/or money. Floods are a yearly occurrence in Thailand for eons. What are the consequences of a flood?

But in LOS half arse solutions are always under the weight of Thainess.

In the 9th. century, the Khmer, had already developed and operated a water catchment system that prevented Angkor from being flooded and retain water for the dry season in that city of 1 million people at the time. They did it without massive foreign investment and know how.

Why can't Thais ground water heaters, electric installations in hotels, ATM machines and swimming pools? Why tires on buses and lorries are not inspected regularly and systematically to protect life and property? Why wait until rains bring the inevitable floods, etc., etc., etc.?

Sometimes, with all the political bickering and posturing, I feel living in Lilliput.

[BSJ]

"I don't have enough knowledge to know what that statement means, or WHERE on the Chao Phraya it will increase by one meter." That would be upstream I would think. A one metre increase in river height at Bangkok in one day would be a major disaster.

[catweazle]

Another more pressing matter to be dealt with instead of pi$$Ing on western tourists, expats and investors with out of proportion visa and immigration rules and regulations, destroying people's businesses along the coast and the many more overacting to show that "we are cleaning up here now!" The true and life threatening problems remain untackled while tourism and small/medium businesses will be taking a nose dive in the years to come...

[Robby nz]

Level in CP river at Singburi has risen from 7.3m yesterday morning to 7.9m this morning.

No problems here till it gets to about 10m.

[Robby nz]

Another more pressing matter to be dealt with instead of pi$$Ing on western tourists, expats and investors with out of proportion visa and immigration rules and regulations, destroying people's businesses along the coast and the many more overacting to show that "we are cleaning up here now!" The true and life threatening problems remain untackled while tourism and small/medium businesses will be taking a nose dive in the years to come...

You are right of course, in the 3 months since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term.

But I suppose the army have been handicapped by not having 350 billion baht off budget borrowing to tackle the problem.

[Eric Loh]

The locals on Yom River have been resisting against Govnment water management plan against the flooding for years. The Kaeng Sua Ten dam has been in the main subject and resisted by environmentalists and locals. The headmen has go around asking locals to lean to live with the floods ignoring those who suffered. Some kind of compromise must be agreed amicably or we can expect the flooding to continue. Perhaps now is the best time for the NCPO to arbitrate and settle the impasse.

[poohy]

Sad news for flooded folks but I presume this will alleviate the drought? a few weeks ago I remember reading dams we worryingly low

or will it be the case we had the floods and still the dams are low as it seems it just running off and not going to water catchment

[pisico]

Another more pressing matter to be dealt with instead of pi$$Ing on western tourists, expats and investors with out of proportion visa and immigration rules and regulations, destroying people's businesses along the coast and the many more overacting to show that "we are cleaning up here now!" The true and life threatening problems remain untackled while tourism and small/medium businesses will be taking a nose dive in the years to come...

You are right of course, in the 3 months since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term.

But I suppose the army have been handicapped by not having 350 billion baht off budget borrowing to tackle the problem.

Quote: "...since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term." End of quote.

CORRECTION: ...That ALL previous administrations failed to address... is the real fact of life.

True that Democrat party since 1995 has not be elected by the bulk of Thais (those uneducated, non-Bangkokians, non-Farang, non-elite) until the coup in 2006 installed them in office, but they all (reds, yellows and pinks) bear responsibility in this particular instance.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

[robblok]

Another more pressing matter to be dealt with instead of pi$$Ing on western tourists, expats and investors with out of proportion visa and immigration rules and regulations, destroying people's businesses along the coast and the many more overacting to show that "we are cleaning up here now!" The true and life threatening problems remain untackled while tourism and small/medium businesses will be taking a nose dive in the years to come...

You are right of course, in the 3 months since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term.

But I suppose the army have been handicapped by not having 350 billion baht off budget borrowing to tackle the problem.

Quote: "...since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term." End of quote.

CORRECTION: ...That ALL previous administrations failed to address... is the real fact of life.

True that Democrat party since 1995 has not be elected by the bulk of Thais (those uneducated, non-Bangkokians, non-Farang, non-elite) until the coup in 2006 installed them in office, but they all (reds, yellows and pinks) bear responsibility in this particular instance.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

Of course not.. if you have only been 3 years in power in 20 then clearly the other pary PTP is to blame. Nice to try to blame the Democrats too.

[bkkjames]

Rob, any sight of the flood waters at your place yet?

[robblok]

Rob, any sight of the flood waters at your place yet?

Right now I am living 8 meters under sea level (back in Holland for a short while). So id hope not it would be worse as in Thailand if dykes go here.

But to be honest I am not worried about my place at this time at all. Except from 2011 we get reports of this every year and sure some places near us that are a lot lower have problems. But in all those years 50 or so(according to people living in the area) except 2011 we had no problems there.

[NCFC]

Imagine if Yingluck was in office during this current flood devastation. TV would be in meltdown by now.

[rubl]

The locals on Yom River have been resisting against Govnment water management plan against the flooding for years. The Kaeng Sua Ten dam has been in the main subject and resisted by environmentalists and locals. The headmen has go around asking locals to lean to live with the floods ignoring those who suffered. Some kind of compromise must be agreed amicably or we can expect the flooding to continue. Perhaps now is the best time for the NCPO to arbitrate and settle the impasse.

Apart from the Water Management Plan we also had emergency repairs after the September 2012 flooding.

It would seem that in January 2013 Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk revealed on Sunday that he will seek an approval from the Cabinet for 50.1 million baht in a special budget to construct and restore flood walls and levees along the banks of the Yom River at in Sukhothai province.

http://thaifinancialpost.com/2013/01/21/natural-resources-ministry-to-propose-thb50m-levee-restoration-project-in-sukhothai/

I can't find the follow up on this. Maybe you can help, dear Eric?

[jaidam]

Imagine if Yingluck was in office during this current flood devastation. TV would be in meltdown by now.

Well it does provide for an interesting comparison. Note the rescue boat of the Prayuth govt does NOT say on the side, "for the use of redshirts only", like the rescue boat much photographed during Yingluck's great flood did. Interesting.

[pisico]

Another more pressing matter to be dealt with instead of pi$$Ing on western tourists, expats and investors with out of proportion visa and immigration rules and regulations, destroying people's businesses along the coast and the many more overacting to show that "we are cleaning up here now!" The true and life threatening problems remain untackled while tourism and small/medium businesses will be taking a nose dive in the years to come...

You are right of course, in the 3 months since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term.

But I suppose the army have been handicapped by not having 350 billion baht off budget borrowing to tackle the problem.

Quote: "...since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term." End of quote.

CORRECTION: ...That ALL previous administrations failed to address... is the real fact of life.

True that Democrat party since 1995 has not be elected by the bulk of Thais (those uneducated, non-Bangkokians, non-Farang, non-elite) until the coup in 2006 installed them in office, but they all (reds, yellows and pinks) bear responsibility in this particular instance.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

Of course not.. if you have only been 3 years in power in 20 then clearly the other pary PTP is to blame. Nice to try to blame the Democrats too.

Of course not?

Democrats during the last post 2006 coup had time and energy to craft 2 major scam scandals: 1 rubber, 2- Palm oil. Among many other failings.

Floods are not a novelty in Thailand. Floods take place every year.

If Democrats are so lily white, why during that time they did not enact emergency procedures to lessen the impact of the flood that had been in the making for several weeks? Instead, they flocked to coffins to summon spiritual help from their ancestors (as Abhisit and company did) after which they returned to their political campaigns. The Democrats deservedly lost that election and it was YS the one who had to deal with decades of negligence from all political parties. That of course does not exonerate her for the failings during her tenure.

Yes, Democrats also bear responsibility for the lack of measures to prevent or lessen the impact on human lives and property during their administration.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

[rubl]

Yes, Democrats also bear responsibility for the lack of measures to prevent or lessen the impact on human lives and property during their administration.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

Yes, as well as all coalition partners, politicians in general and up-to-a-point the Thai population.

So, Did Sukhothai get the 50 million Baht budget they talked about in January 2013? The budget supposed to make repairs.

[Eric Loh]

Yes, Democrats also bear responsibility for the lack of measures to prevent or lessen the impact on human lives and property during their administration.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

Yes, as well as all coalition partners, politicians in general and up-to-a-point the Thai population.

So, Did Sukhothai get the 50 million Baht budget they talked about in January 2013? The budget supposed to make repairs.

Rubi, couldn't find any updates of the 50M budget. Really a small budget to repair and restore the levees. Current news do offer some clue as reported only one section of the levee was broken through and flooding not near the intensity of the 2011 flood. So the 50M did the job. A larger plan that include the controversial dam is needed.

[rubl]

Yes, Democrats also bear responsibility for the lack of measures to prevent or lessen the impact on human lives and property during their administration.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

Yes, as well as all coalition partners, politicians in general and up-to-a-point the Thai population.

So, Did Sukhothai get the 50 million Baht budget they talked about in January 2013? The budget supposed to make repairs.

Rubi, couldn't find any updates of the 50M budget. Really a small budget to repair and restore the levees. Current news do offer some clue as reported only one section of the levee was broken through and flooding not near the intensity of the 2011 flood. So the 50M did the job. A larger plan that include the controversial dam is needed.

'only one section broken through' therefor "the 50M did the job" ?

Not even sure yet the 50M was actually granted and if how much was actually used for 'repairs'.

[marcusd]

This is THAILAND. Where it floods is FLAT. What do we expect? No water will sit around and all evaporate?

There is a,lot of water that falls from those clouds.

I wish we had some in my country of Australia in many parts where we could use JUST ONE DAYS worth of what they get here.

But this is the TROPICS and each years the same.

So why do we get upset? It will rain and sometimes too much too fast and it will flood. And soon thereafter it will dry and people will lose everything but they will be there next time it floods too.

As people live near waterways people will continually get wet. END of story.

Sad fgor those who flood but if you sit on the mouth of a volcano one day it may erupt.

[MadMac]

Not good, we're planning to drive from Roi Et to Chiang Mai, passing Pitsanulok/Sukothai on the 12 and 11 highways. within the next few days. Are there any updated flood maps available online?

[robblok]

Another more pressing matter to be dealt with instead of pi$$Ing on western tourists, expats and investors with out of proportion visa and immigration rules and regulations, destroying people's businesses along the coast and the many more overacting to show that "we are cleaning up here now!" The true and life threatening problems remain untackled while tourism and small/medium businesses will be taking a nose dive in the years to come...

You are right of course, in the 3 months since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term.

But I suppose the army have been handicapped by not having 350 billion baht off budget borrowing to tackle the problem.

Quote: "...since the army took over they should have completely sorted the flood situation that the previous Govt failed to address during their term." End of quote.

CORRECTION: ...That ALL previous administrations failed to address... is the real fact of life.

True that Democrat party since 1995 has not be elected by the bulk of Thais (those uneducated, non-Bangkokians, non-Farang, non-elite) until the coup in 2006 installed them in office, but they all (reds, yellows and pinks) bear responsibility in this particular instance.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

Of course not.. if you have only been 3 years in power in 20 then clearly the other pary PTP is to blame. Nice to try to blame the Democrats too.

Of course not?

Democrats during the last post 2006 coup had time and energy to craft 2 major scam scandals: 1 rubber, 2- Palm oil. Among many other failings.

Floods are not a novelty in Thailand. Floods take place every year.

If Democrats are so lily white, why during that time they did not enact emergency procedures to lessen the impact of the flood that had been in the making for several weeks? Instead, they flocked to coffins to summon spiritual help from their ancestors (as Abhisit and company did) after which they returned to their political campaigns. The Democrats deservedly lost that election and it was YS the one who had to deal with decades of negligence from all political parties. That of course does not exonerate her for the failings during her tenure.

Yes, Democrats also bear responsibility for the lack of measures to prevent or lessen the impact on human lives and property during their administration.

OCD can be as blinding as Thainess.

They just had a few years the PTP had the majority of time so they have the majority of the blame. Too bad that logic is something that geta lost on red supporters.

[Tokay]

Another year, another bunch of cities with floods, another group of politicians yapping hot air.

Never saw it coming.

[BillyBobThai]

Take politics out of the equation as much as possible, give flood control over to the Thai army.

In the U.S., this is what we have and it works fairly well.

[rubl]

Take politics out of the equation as much as possible, give flood control over to the Thai army.

In the U.S., this is what we have and it works fairly well.

With FEMA as the American version of FROC or WNDMC ?

[ratcatcher]

"Swim you suckers, no more floods next year"

"Where's Yingluck this year?"

[Local Drunk]

flood.jpg

"Swim you suckers, no more floods next year"

yom.jpg

"Where's Yingluck this year?"

Regarding the latter: no EM ummm... balls.