Thailand's Flood Situation Is Easing, But Still Worrying

[Jai Dee]

Flood situation in Lad Krabang and Nong Chok has improved

The Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Mrs. Bansophit Mekhavichai, said the flood circumstances in the areas of Lad Krabang and Nong Chok have improved, and officials in the capital have successfully salvaged all main transport routes and housing estates.

Following high tides and floods in certain areas of Bangkok, Mrs. Sophit said the situation will gradually improve from now on because the tides should not be over two meters from the normal sea level. However, the water flowing from the North to the capital is the only factor that can directly exacerbate the water situation. Nevertheless, officials have laid more sandbags along the water barriers to curb this potential problem, and they are closely monitoring the situation, especially during the high tides on November 6th to 10th.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Sophit said the water situation in Taling Chan and Bang Kun Thien is still worrying, as deluges are being released through Nonthaburi Province and across the canals. However, the Bangkok authority is working hard to drain the stagnant water even though it may take a considerable amount of time.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

10,000+ are flood-affected patients

The Ministry of Public Health has informed that there are over 10,000 flood-hit patients, and most of them are suffering from Hong Kong foot.

Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongvirot said mobile medical teams have been dispatched to aid patients who are physically and mentally unwell in flooded areas of the provinces of Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, and Nonthaburi. Water barriers have also been constructed around the hospitals, and Md. Prat is confident that the officials will be able to handle the situation.

He indicated that there are 590, 630 flood-stricken patients since August 27th. 261,168 of them have Hong Kong foot, 83,928 have rashes, 65,826 have fever, 38,182 have depression, 20,020 eye conjunctivitis, 12,204 have been bitten by poisonous animals, 10,906 have diarrhea, and 98,342 have suffered from other diseases.

Hospitals in different provinces along with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization are expediting in producing medicines to distribute to the public free of charge.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 October 2006

[mouse]

Take a look at http://www.weather.com/maps/news/epacdefau...lite_large.html I think that we may be hit with the last of the big rains this years.

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister will not prosecute people who razed water barriers in Ayutthaya

Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya has affirmed that he will not legally reprimand people who destroyed the water barriers in Ayutthaya Province, while expressing his understanding for them as they have been affected from the flood crisis for a long time.

Mr. Aree said the locals in Ayutthaya have to deal with stagnant water for a long time, and the water barriers were demolished to release the floodwater. However, the government is ensuring that people in those areas are still unified, and it will continue to develop a clear understanding with the affected residents on this issue. Officials have been reminded to release the floodwater to alleviate the situation.

Nonthaburi Governor Phranai Suvarnarath said the provincial authority has known in advance the torrents from Ayutthaya will flow into his province, but plans have been devised to deal with the consequences. People have also been warned on this issue. In the meantime, the province of Pathum Thani has suffered the most impact, as the provincial authority did not know in advance about the torrents from Ayutthaya.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives help the inundated victims

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has divided the compensation for flood-affected farmers into three phases.

Mr. Thira Sutabutr, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, revealed the details of the inundated victims’ compensation, saying there will be three main steps. The first step is to pay the compulsory cost for the damage farmlands, e.g. 243 baht per rai. The second step is to adjust the compensation fairly by setting up committee to justify and circumspect the payment. Finally, the last step is to compensate those who donated their lands for the bailing of flood water.

For the current situations, there are more than seven million rais of land affected by flood water with 5 million of which were severely damage by flood water. However, the details for compensation will be finalized again on 2nd of November.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Education Minister to visit flood-hit schools

The Education Minister, Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-arn, will visit the flood-ravaged schools, while preparing two measures to aid them.

Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-arn stated that firstly, the Education officials will visit the schools that are able to reopen on November 3rd, and they will determine the items that need to be repaired and what kind of assistance they can offer to those institutions. Secondly, the Education officials will travel to the flood-hit schools that could not reopen as scheduled, and they will seek ways to compensate their losses. Schools that have been slightly affected from the flood crisis can temporarily transfer their students to learn in other nearby schools. However, if the situation is very serious, the schools’ directors may have to decide whether they will postpone their opening dates longer, but the students will have to make up their studies in the future.

Beside the assessment, Prof. Dr. Wichit said the Ministry of Education will also help the flood-affected students accordingly. The ministry will gather relevant information by coordinating with other agencies so that it can create measures to solve the problems.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 October 2006

[Scott]

Now I guess we wait and see what happens with the typhoon. Updates are appreciated.

[Jai Dee]

The Cabinet prepares for the high tide during Nov 9th-10th

The Cabinet today discussed plans for dealing with the high tide on November 9th and 10th, and also approved an Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry proposal to spend temporary budgets to compensate farmers whose farmland has been damaged by flood.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister M.R.Pridiyathorn Devakula (ม.ร.ว.ปรีดิยาธร เทวกุล), said that the Public Health Ministry and the Interior Ministry reported to the Cabinet the flood situation, including their relief operations for flood victims. The ministries reported that the inundation in the North was beyond a crisis level. Besides, the Cabinet issued measures to deal with another round of high tide expected on Nov 9th and 10th.

As for plans to restore buildings damaged by floods, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have been assigned to carry out the matter.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Sea tides will reach the highest level of 2.20 meters from its normal level on Nov 8

The Bangkok Governor, Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, reckoned the sea tides will reach the highest level of 2.20 meters from its normal level on November 8th. However, he insisted that the flood situation is returning to normal. At the same time, a number of officials in Bangkok have been assigned to restore the flood-hit areas in other provinces.

Mr. Apirak said high tides are expected to occur between November 6th and 10th. However, he believed the situation will affect the residences as much as the previous high tides, while rain has ceased to fall. Furthermore, the water from the North is continuously reducing in quantity, and most of the inundated areas are starting to recover, especially in the East. As a result, the Flood Mitigation Center in the East has closed down so its officials can go aid the flood-hit residents in other provinces.

The officials in Bangkok have repaired the inundated routes along different schools in the East, and only a few of them are still being restored in Nong Chok area. Mr. Apirak insisted that schools will be opened on schedule.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 31 October 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bangkok Governor has closed down the Inundation Center after the flood situation in BKK has improved

Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, the Governor of Bangkok, has closed down the Rescue Center for Inundation in Bangkok as the flood situation in the capital has improved. Thus, he can dispatch his team to other neighbouring flood-affected provinces. All involved units are ready to handle the rising tides in the central region between November 9th and 10th.

M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakula, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, said the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Interior are doing their best to help the flood victims. Currently, the flood situation in the North has been solved.

However, the officials are preparing to deal with the escalating tides during the beginning of this month. The Cabinet also has a backup plan for the expected inundation in the central region.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives discloses report on inundated farmlands

Mr. Thira Sutabutr, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, reported the final statistics of the inundated areas in Thailand from August 1st to October 26th, 2006.

62 provinces were affected from the flood disaster, and they have received a compensation of two billion baht in total.

Mr. Apirak Kosayodhin, the Bangkok Governor, said the high tides during November 6th to 10th 2006 will raise the sea level by 2.20 meters from the normal level.

Nevertheless, he believes that the high tides would not affect the households like the previous one because rainfalls rarely take place during this period.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Inundation situations are getting better in most provinces

Mr. Banyat Chansena (บัญญัติ จันทน์เสนะ), Deputy Minister of Interior, said that there are currently only 15 provinces left confronting severe inundation, those provinces are located in the North, the Northeast and the Central region.

The situation in other provinces has improved because the water level in the Chao Phraya River has already dropped to lower than the river bank.

While the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has hastily diverted the flood water in the city area as well as those highly populated communities to prevent deterioration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Inundation around Chao Phraya River is ameliorating

The water level in Nakhon Sawan Province is now lower than the riverbank and tends to decrease continuously later on. As for Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat Province, the water level continues to drop gradually, and it is expected to lessen within the riverbank level by the 12th of November. Moreover, the water level in Rama 6th Dam is also sinking, but the floodwater that is flowing through Bangsai District in the province of Ayutthaya still maintains its level. However, it is forecasted to reduce soon.

In addition to the flood situations, the Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission said 545 schools have not yet opened because they are still affected from the inundation. However, those schools are expected to open within November 15th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Education Minister leads executives from five core organizations to visit flood-hit schools

Education Minister Wichit Srisa-arn (วิจิตร ศรีสอ้าน) has led executives from five core organizations to visit flood-hit schools in Pathum Thani (ปทุมธานี) and Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี) Provinces.

Mr. Wichit, together with Permanent Secretary for Education Charuanpon Toranin (จรวยพร ธรณินทร์), Secretary-General to the Office of the Basic Education Commission Khunying Kassama Worawan Na Ayutthaya (คุณหญิงกษมา วรวรรณ ณ อยุธยา), Secretary-General of the Vocational Education Commission (VEC) Weerasak Wongsombat (วีระศักดิ์ วงศ์สมบัติ), and other representatives from relevant units inspected of the damage of flood-hit schools.

At the same time, they handed out survival kits to teachers, students, and people in the areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

RID to reduce the volume of water released from Pasak Dam in preparation for the high tide next week

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will reduce the volume of water released from Pasak (ป่าสัก) Dam in preparation for the high tide next week.

Speaking on the water situation in the Chao Phraya (จ้าพระยา) River today, RID chief Samart Chokkanapitark (สามารถ โชคคณาพิทักษ์) said that the speed of water flowing through Nakhon Sawan Province is measured at 3,136 cubic meters per second, decreasing by 92 cubic meters per second. At the same time, the water volume at Rama VI Dam in Ayutthaya (อยุธยา) Province has reduced to 138 cubic meters per second, decreasing by 116 cubic meters per second.

Currently, RID officials are reducing the volume of water released from Pasak Chonlasid Dam in Lop Buri (ลพบุรี) Province as a measure to deal with the high tide expected during Nov 6th-10th. The measure is expected to last for 3-4 days.

Mr. Samart added that the department is draining water out of the fields on the western side of the Chao Praya into the river, as well as into the Tha Chin (ท่าจีน). The move may affect people living in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom. But he reaffirmed that he will keep those people to be least affected.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Tony Clifton]

Looks like winter is here. The wind usually blows from the South through our living room and has now been coming from the North for a few days. Let's hope the rains stop.

[Jai Dee]

Flood situation causes damage worth 100 million baht to small industries

Permanent Secretary for Industry Jakramon Pasukvanich (จักรมณฑ์ ผาสุกวนิช) stated that flood situation has already caused the damage worth 100 million baht to small industries.

Today, Mr. Jakramon presided over a ceremony to distribute fiberglass boats and survival kits to flood victims. The equipment and relief packages will be passed to flood victims in five provinces, including Nonthaburi (นนทบุรี), Sing Buri (สิงห์บุรี), Ayutthaya (อยุธยา), Ang_thong (อ่างทอง), and Suphan Buri (สุพรรณบุรี) by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The Permanent Secretary said the flood has damaged 200 small industries, worth 100 million baht. However, large-scale industries have not been affected due to their flood preventing systems.

Mr. Jakramon informed that as a preliminary relief measure, the ministry will exempt general business fees for industrial entrepreneurs.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Boonsrang to propose long-term flood solutions to PM within a few days

The Supreme Commander and a member of the Council for National Security, Gen. Boonsrang Niempradit (บุญสร้าง เนียมประดิษฐ์), will propose long-term flood solutions to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont within a few days.

As Chairman of the Flood Assistance Center, Gen. Boonsrang said that in the central region, the water level starts decreasing while officials are planning to restore flood victims’ mental and physical conditions.

Gen. Boonsrang said that the meeting seeking long-term flood solution has already concluded measures which will be presented to the premier within these two days. He said that the implementation will be started right after the Cabinet’s approval.

He also said that with the cold weather approaching, officials have drawn up plans to assist people affected by the cold as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Education Minister in rush to help 500 flood-effected schools

Education Minister Wichit Srisa-arn (วิจิตร ศรีสอ้าน) acknowledged the summary report on the flood-ravaged schools in the province of Pathum Thani. He said that Pathum Thani is one of the many provinces that have been dealing with flood-affected schools, and 10 schools are unable to operate in a consistent basis.

More than 1,200 schools throughout the country have been damaged from the inundation, and the cost of damage is over 1.6 billion baht. The Ministry of Education has allocated a budget to help the schools to resume their operations quickly, especially during the urgent period. For the long-term period, a restoring plan and preventive measures must be developed. One of them is the establishment of dams at the schools that are located nearby the rivers. Besides, the budget allotment on this matter should see no problems as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has emphasized on this assistance.

The Education Minister also said 12th grade students, who have to take ONET examinations but are affected from their schools’ delayed resumption, may have to study temporarily at other schools nearby.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Aiding funds for inundated victims especially students

The Secretary-General to the Office of the Basic Education Commission, Khunying Kassama Worawan Na Ayutthaya, said her agency is ready to aid the flood-hit schools under four conditions.

A financial assistance worth from 50,000 to 300,000 baht will be given to each flood-affected school in order to solve immediate problems. Moreover, those troubled schools will be able provide lunches for their students for at least two months. Another condition concerns the purchases of survival kits, school uniforms and other necessities. At the same time, the government will allocate a budget to compensate the flood-affected people. For instance, students who have not lost their family members would receive 2,000 baht of compensation each.

However, further discussion will take place to finalize the policy.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Inundation in Ayutthaya still causing damage to the area

Inundation in Thung Jao Jed area which covered Lat Bualuang District, Sena District and Bangsai District in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is still a matter of concern as the water level is increasing by 2-3 cms. daily.

Rising water follows the damage of numerous dikes in Sing Buri especially in Muang District. More than 60 meters' length of the dike were invaded by flood water. Even though the Irrigation Department hastily bails out the water by opening the Watergate in Phraya Bunlue Canal to let the water drain out to Chao Phraya River and Tha Chin River and other neighboring provinces such as Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom as well. But the flood water still overflows in the area. Victims have been affected by flood for more than two months already while facilities and aid still lack.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

HM the Queen worried about the physical and mental health of inundated victims

Due to the lengthy inundation in Thailand, Her Majesty the Queen is concerned over the public health. With this acknowledgment, the Ministry of Public Health has dispatched physicians to help those inundated victims.

Dr. Mongkol Na Songkhla, the Public Health Minister, said that the inundation has persisted in the central region for quite a long period of time, and five provinces are still dealing with the flood situation namely Sing Buri, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Suphan Buri and Ang Thong.

As a result from this long-lasting inundation, the physical and mental health conditions of people have suffered as well, making their lives uneasy. Her Majesty the Queen has then ordered the Ministry of Public Health to take good care of the people’s health and prevent them from contracting contagious flood-related diseases. Moreover, Her Majesty has ordered the Department of Mental Health to rehabilitate the mental health of all affected victims.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

All involved institutes will join the meeting today discussing for the solutions for inundation problems

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives will have a meeting with relevant units today (Nov 6) to discuss solutions to all flood problems. The ministry has a conclusion for the total budget to compensate the flood victims. Previously, the expected budget was about 1.7 billion baht, and this amount of money will be used to compensate inundated farmlands in 60 provinces of the country.

About 6,700,000 rais of land were ravaged by the floodwater. Currently, the budget must include the compensation for those who have sacrificed their lands for draining the deluge.

The proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet meeting to further discuss on the allowance of this financial aid.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Number of patients affected by inundation increases daily

Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongvirot has sent out more than a hundred mobile medical units to treat the inundated victims in numerous villages around Thailand.

The Permanent Secretary said further that the number of patients is increasing at about 10,000 people daily, and the total number of patients since August 27th, 2006 is over more than 630,000 people.

Diseases found in most of these patients include athlete’s foot, rashes, muscular aches and flu.

Epidemic diseases that are cause by the inundation include conjunctivitis with 21,092 patients and diarrhea with 11,557 patients. However, public health officers have strictly controlled these epidemics already.

They have guaranteed that the epidemics will not widely spread throughout the area.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM calls a meeting with relevant units to solve flood crisis

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont this morning called a meeting with relevant units to solve consequences of flood crisis and to assist flood victims.

At 9.00 hours, the Prime Minister presided over a meeting aimed at following up the assistance provided to flood victims, as well as post-flood relief. The meeting was held at the Government House and attended by relevant units and ministers.

The ministers participating in the meeting includee, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ), Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Khunying Thipawadi Meksawan (คุณหญิงทิพาวดี เมฆสวรรค์), the Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Mr. Thira Sutabutr (ธีระ สูตะบุตร), Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน), Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsrang Niempradit (บุญสร้าง เนียมประดิษฐ์), and Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Banphod Hongthong (บรรพต หงษ์ทอง).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Transport ministry to repair the routes and revive floods victims within 3 months

The Transport Minister, Admiral Thira Hao-charoen, consulted with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont about the measures to help the flood victims. Following this meeting, Admiral Thira revealed that they have come up with a conclusion by setting up a subcommittee to exclusively solve the problem and revive the victims within three months.

The Ministry of Transport will urgently repair the routes and the initial measure. According to the initial assessment of flood-stricken areas under the administration of the Department of State Highways, the State Railway of Thailand and the Department of State Countryside, the total cost of damage is approximately 3.3 billion baht. However, the water damage cost is excluded.

However, the Transport Minister admitted that the ministry is currently obstructed with the budget issue, so it has to use the central budget at hand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Prem expresses his concern on flood sitation in Ayutthaya

The Privy Council President and Statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda (เปรม ติณสูลานนท์) expressed his concern on flood situation in Ayutthaya Province, while requesting relevant officials to quickly restore mental conditions of flood victims.

Today, at 11.00 hours, Gen. Prem and his entourage visited Bangnomkho (บางนมโค) Temple in Sena (เสนา) District in Ayutthaya to inspect flood situation in the area. He acknowledged working obstacles and rehabilitation plans drawn up by the provincial officials . Later on, Gen. Prem observed flood situation along the Noi (น้อย) River and handed out survival kits to flood-affected people.

As for the flood situation in Ayutthaya, he said that the water level starts decreasing, and the government is gathering details to provide assistance to farmers.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

1st Regional Army continues helping flood victims in 7 central provinces

Lt. Gen. Prayuth Jan-ocha, the First Regional Army Commander-in-Chief, said seven provinces in the central region of Thailand are still in trouble with the inundation. Recently, the high tide in Nakhon Pathom province was so terrible that Lt. Gen. Prayuth ordered the local officials to urgently help the victims. The hazard mitigation centers have been established in the army headquarters of each province, and they would cooperate with the provincial offices and relevant units to provide relief efforts.

Lt. Gen. Prayuth also said the armed forces are ready to help revive the areas after the flood situation returns to a normal state. However, the revival will require financial resources. Thus, the army will have to confer with the provincial offices and relevant units for clear solutions.

The First Regional Army Commander-in-Chief has reinstructed the armed forces to do anything to help the flood-affected people in all areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Inundation in Ubon Ratchathani will be resolved within three months

The Inspector-General of the Prime Minister Office, Mr. Kamol Suksomboon, together with his team of officials traveled to Ubon Ratchathani province to observe the inundated areas.

Five sub-districts in 17 districts of Ubon Ratchathani have been affected from flood, and the total cost of damage is over 67 million baht. However, the current water level has descended and will probably reach its original state soon.

As for the relief efforts, the provincial authority continues to distribute survival kits and other necessities to the affected people. Compensations have been given to the local organizations. Officials are still assessing the ruins in the agricultural and fishery sectors.

Over 700,000 baht have been donated to educational institutes to reconstruct the damaged buildings. Inspection of households will be conducted once the floodwater level has dropped.

The provincial authority will try to solve all flood problems within three months.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Rajaprajanigroh Foundation distributes supplies to flood victims in Nakhon Prathom

The Rajaprajanigroh Foundation under the Royal Patronage will be distribuiting relief packages to flood victims of two districts in Nakhon Prathom.

Disathorn Watcharothai (ดิสธร วัชโรทัย), the Deputy Secretary-General of the foundation, and his team will offer relief packages to flood victims in Nakhon Prathom Province on November, 16. Two thousand households of Banglen District (บางเลน) will receive supplies at Wat Bangphainart (วัดบางไผ่นารถ) and 2,000 of Nakhon Chaisri District (นครชัยศรี) at the district’s meeting hall.

So far, the Rajaprajanigroh Foundation has helped 98,910 households affected by flood and all supplies distributed are estimated at 73,332,300 baht. The foundation will also consider granting scholarships to young people whose parents have ceased from the disaster.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 November 2006