Thailand's Flood Situation Is Easing, But Still Worrying

[Jai Dee]

PM’s Office Inspector examined a dam damaged by flood in Lamphun

Changthong Opassiriwit (ชั่งทอง โอภาสศิริวิทย์), Office of the Prime Minister’s 1st Region Inspector said that the state will pay for the repair of the dam at Mae Tha River in Lamphun Province (แม่น้ำทา) after it was severely damaged by the recent flood.

Mrs Changthong also said that she will monitor the Royal Irrigation Department’s budget proposal for the dam construction after submitting it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and follow up on it until the ministry has approved the budget. The dam has become a major issue as local residents and farmers rely heavily on it for daily consumption and agriculture.

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

[Jai Dee]

Inspector to the Office of the Prime Minister urged Uthai Thani office make plans to solve inundation

The Inspector-General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Nathi Premrasmi (นัที เปรมรัศมี) travels to Uthai Thani province to perform his state inspection. He will inspect the flood-relief efforts in the province and the restoration of public utilities after the floodwater has subsided.

Following Mr. Nathi’s arrival, he listened to the summary report of the works being implemented by the provincial officials. He has ordered them to submit the operational plans for solving the flood situations to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont so the budget will be allocated accordingly.

The operational plans incorporate public health, public utilities, agricultures, fisheries, livestock, residences, schools, religious places, and clinics.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

FAD says 89 archaeological sites seriously damaged by floods

The Fine Arts Department Director-General, Mr. Arak Sanghitakul (อารักษ์ สังหิตกุล), has revealed the total number of historical sites throughout the country, ruined by the current flood. 89 archaelogical sites were reportedly affected.

According to Mr. Arak, the damaged archaeological sites in the central region including the provinces of Ayutthaya, Angthong and Singburi have been accounted for as severly damaged by floods totaling the number to 63 sites. Meanwhile, the 22-damaged ancient sites in 7 Northern provinces have also been damaged but less serious than those in the Central region. Moreover, the damages include those in each northeastern province and 2 provinces in the South.

He added that restoration costs were initially estimated at 400-million baht. However, the exact amount of the damages will be finalized after the water level returns to its normal state.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Overall flood situation in BKK is improving

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said the overall flood situation is alleviating since November 10th, but Thawi Watthana and Taling Chan districts are still encountering high floods.

Mr. Apirak said people residing along Chao Phraya River and Bangkok Noi Canal have been more relieved after the flood problems have become less severe. However, the flood circumstances in certain areas, especially Thawi Watthana and Taling Chan, have yet to ameliorate because the officials are diverting water to the eastside of the capital.

The Bangkok Governor said officials in different districts of Bangkok are carrying on helping the flood victims albeit the subsiding water level. Most relief efforts are directed to renovating local houses and inspecting the inundated areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

MOAC to complete compensation process to flood victims within three months

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) expressed confidence that the compensation process for the flood victims will be completed within three months and announced new compensation criteria.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Permanent Secretary Banphod Hongthong (บรรพต หงษ์ทอง) revealed that he had ordered all relevant units to speed up the compensation process as Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had insisted that the government agencies should complete it within three months.

At the same time, Mr Banphod announced new compensation criteria for farmers. Farmers whose produce was completely destroyed will receive compensation as follows: paddy fields at 414 baht per rai, crop farms at 579 baht per rai, and orchards at 789 baht per rai. Those whose produce was partially affected but can be revived will get 142 baht per rai for rice fields, 161 baht per rai for crop farms, and orchards and other types of plantation will receive 161 baht per rai as well.

As for residents who need to transport their production equipments and output to other areas to avoid inundation, the ministry will help subsidize the actual hiring wage for transportation by 50%.

In addition, it will give money to farmers to buy chemicals, substances, and equipments used to protect and prevent pests at market prices.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Ubon Ratchathani sets up speedy mobile units to relieve flood-affected farmers in remote areas

Ubon Ratchathani Agriculture and Cooperatives Official Sawart Sutthi-akarn (สวาท สุทธิอาคาร) disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives ordered all provincial departments to set up speedy mobile units to provide assistance to disaster-affected farmers in the remote areas more effectively.

These speedy mobile units consist of the ministry’s officials who will survey damages and needs of the victims to find practical solutions to the problem.

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Department in Ubon Ratchathani will act as a coordinating center of the local mobile units, disseminating information and data among them.

These newly set up units are expected to start their operation in the near future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Ayutthaya wants more biological agents to solve bad smell from stagnant water

Ayutthaya province is requesting for more biological agents for eliminating the unpleasant smell from stagnant floodwater.

Ayutthaya Governor Cherdphan Na Songkhla said 200,000 residents in 42 tambons in 11 districts of Ayutthaya have been disturbed by the recent inundation. In addition, he said the stagnant water has caused an unpleasant odor to the extent that the villagers could not utilize or consume them. He said biological agents are being distributed to the local people so they can use them to eliminate the bad smell of the water. However, the supply is not enough for 10 remaining districts. People can donate biological agents to the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, and they can call 035 - 335740 for further details.

Mr. Cherdphan asserted that the flood situation in his province will return to normal by the end of this year, adding that the officials are urgently draining the stagnant water out of the inundated plantations so farmers can start their cultivation.

In addition, the public health officials are taking care of the local people’s health conditions in order to deal with the flood-related diseases.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's royal development project to aid flood-hit families

The officials under the royal development project to restore the flood-affected families of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn are aiding the family members in the inundated areas in Bang Pla Ma district, Suphan Buri province.

Mr. Kriangkrai Kanongdetchart (เกรียงไกร คะนองเดชชาติ), the Deputy Director-General of the Department of the Agricultural Extension, said the officials earlier helped the flood-hit local villagers in the five provinces of Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, and Pathum Thani. He said Bang Pla Ma in Suphan Buri is the final destination of the six pilot provinces so different agencies will be able to assist the victims in other provinces accordingly.

Related agencies on this relief effort include the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Education, and Kasetsart University. The officials under these agencies have already restored the living conditions of the flood-affected people under their administrations.

In this occasion, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has graciously dispatched HRH Royal Guards to support and tidy up the households and various public places.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

PWA reduces water charges and prepares measures to manage drought

The Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) will reduce the water charges by 30 baht per month for each flood-stricken household across the nation.

Mr. Nakhon Jirasawetkul (นคร จิรเศวตกุล), the PWA Deputy Governor, said the relief measures will be used in the 46 flood-affected provinces of Thailand. He said PWA customers can still use water as usual. The PWA also provides 97,512 bottles of water along with food items to other people who are not its customers. The officials are also assessing and renovating the inundated areas.

Mr. Nakhon said further that the PWA has also prepared the measures to deal with the possible drought crisis next year, adding that his authority has 228 water production areas nationwide. He insisted that water will be adequate during next year’s drought in the country, including important tourist attractions such as Samui, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Pol.Lt.Gen. Suwat hands out financial aid to assist flood victims in Ang Thong

Pol.Lt.Gen. Suwat Chanittikul (สุวัฒน์ จันทร์อิทธิกุล), the Director of Narcotics Suppression Bureau, has provided financial aid and forces to help restore flood-stricken areas in Ang Thong (อ่างทอง) Province.

At Ang Thong City Hall, Pol.Lt.Gen. Suwat has acknowledged Ang Thong’s flood situation reported by Mr. Wiboon Sanguanpong (วิบูลย์ สงวนพงศ์), Ang Thong Governor who said that some provincial areas, especially agricultural areas, are still submerged. Mr. Wiboon said that farmers cannot produce agricultural products.

Pol.Lt.Gen. Suwat has handed out 200,000 baht of financial aid and led authorities to help clear and restore area hit by flood in Taladkruad (ตลาดกรวด) Sub-district, Mueng (เมือง) District, Ang Thong. 501 households in Taladkruad Sub-district are reportedly suffering from flood situation, while its 490 agricultural areas have been damaged.

This afternoon, Mrs. Pornpen Keyanon (พรเพ็ญ เกยานนท์ ), President of Thai Navy Wives Association”, and her members will provide 1,000 survival kits, including water and food to help flood victims in Yan Sue (ย่านซื่อ) Sub-district in Ang Thong.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 23 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

11 provinces remain affected by flood to some degree

The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has reported on the situation of flood at present, where 11 provinces remain affected.

Throughout August 27 until November 24 a total of 5.176 million people in 47 provinces were affected by flood. 296 people died. Damage to farmlands is estimated at six million rai. The damage estimate so far amounts to 6.9 billion baht.

36 provinces are already free from flood. 11 provinces remain affected to some degree. These comprise Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Sara Buri, Suphan Buri, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Bangkok.

Regarding the inundation in Bangkok's eastern area, the situation has already returned to normal except for areas beyond the water barrier erected along the Chao Phraya River. Bangkoknoi (บางกอกน้อย) and Mahasawad (มหาสวัดิ์) canals have caused flooding during high sea.

Yesterday the Prem Tinnasulanond Foundation presented 11 million baht of donated money to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, so the latter could use it for assisting those along the Chao Phraya River who remain affected.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister says officials are urged to speedily drain water out of areas in preparation for the high tide

Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) stated that the government will speed up in draining water out of flooded areas in preparation for the high sea level, while believing that flood problems will be solved within three months.

Referring to the current flood circumstances, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has urged officials to solve the problems within three months. 11 provinces are still facing severe flood situation. However, officials have reported that the situation is improving.

Officials have been urged to speedily release water out of flood-stricken areas in preparation for the high sea level expected to happen on December 25th to 27th.

The government has prepared additional financial support for each province to restore the damaged areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 November 2006

[Jai Dee]

Gen Boonrawd visits flood-stricken victims in Nakhon Pathom

Gen. Boonrawd Somthas (บุญรอด สมทัศน์), the Defence Minister, paid a visit to the flood victims in Nakhon Pathom (นครปฐม) Province. He also offered financial aid to 15 flood-stricken schools.

Gen. Boonrawd and his entourage inspected flood situation in Nakhon Pathom Province, led by Mr. Preecha Butrsri (ปรีชา บุตรศรี), Nakhon Pathom Governor and Air Vice Marshal Wirot Nisyan (วิโรจน์ นิสยันต์), Commissioner of Flying Training School.

In addition, Gen. Boonrawd has handed out financial aid and survival kits to 15 flood hit schools and local residence.

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

[Jai Dee]

Pathumthani seeks long term flood prevention measures

Pathumthani Governor Mekin Methawikul (เมฆินทร์ เมธาวิกูล) said at present only Lad Lumkaew (ลาดหลุมแก้ว) district is still experiencing inundation. The province is now evaluating how much damage the recent flood has done to the province so that officials can estimate the costs.

Mr Mekin has assigned each district to set up subcommittees responsible for different tasks to help estimate the damage and mobilize budget resources to compensate the victims.

The governor called on local residents to take part in inspecting damage reports submitted by each household. In regards to restoration once the water recedes, the province aims at solving the problem of stagnant water, renovating damaged residences, and restoring people’s occupations especially agriculture.

It will also encourage people to grow floating plants as Pathumthani is lower than the sea level. The province is encountered with flood problems each year. However, he believes that the water will recede by December 10.

The governor added that the province is seeking a long-term flood prevention measures by eradicating water weeds and zoning residences whose constructions intrude rivers and canals.

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

[Jai Dee]

Locals in Suphan Buri still enduring flood problems

Flood-affected villagers from the districts of Bang Pla Ma and Song Phi Nong in Suphan Buri province ask the government to ease their troubles and devise a plan to solve the flood problems in the long run.

Although the flood situation in Suphan Buri is improving, stagnant water can still be seen in many farmlands and households. Villagers in Bang Pla Ma have to put up with the flood situation for two months. Despite the assistance from the public and private sectors, they are still waiting for their living conditions to return to normal so they can raise their farm animals and cultivate their crops. Worse off, they do not have adequate funds, and they would like the government to provide them with alternative careers for the time being so they can use the earnings to repair their farming tools.

As for Song Phi Nong, rice plantations are still submerged in many areas. A local villager said flood problems have recurred annually, and the people in the district are desperate for the government to develop a long-term plan to solve the continuous flood occurrences.

Next week, survival kits will be distributed to the flood-hit villagers in Suphan Buri.

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

[Jai Dee]

RURAL BACKLASH

Farmers upset over huge floodwater diversions

RID accused of failing to drain land and not planning for overflow from North

Questions have been mounting over the Royal Irrigation Department (RID)'s water-management plans from farm owners who "agreed" in mid-October to allow floodwater to be diverted onto their lands to "save Bangkok".

Owners complain that the RID flooded their land, but did not drain it afterwards and failed to give them proper information.

Chawalit Boonmee, a resident of Ayutthaya's Bang Ban district, believes that if the irrigation authorities had made proper plans to cope with the overflow of water from the North, his three rai of land would not have been so badly submerged.

"I don't understand why the irrigation department did not release water stored in big dams long before the arrival of Xangsane," said Chawalit, referring to the typhoon that hit Thailand in early October.

When the Xangsane typhoon hit the Philippines in late September, the Bhumibol, Sirikit, Chao Phya and Pasak Jolasit dams were already at full capacity from torrential monsoon rains that hit northern Thailand from early that month.

Chawalit believed if the dams had reduced their water levels before Xangsane hit the country on October 2, it would have been unnecessary to flood the central plains.

Chawalit lost all his longan and mango trees to the flood and had to leave the first floor of his home when it was inundated with 1.2 metres of water in early October. The waters only completely receded two weeks ago.

Head of the RID, Samart Chokkanapitak, argued that his department did in fact reduce the water levels in its Chao Phya and Pasak Jolasit dams - and also asked Egat to flush water from its Bhumibol and Sirikit dams.

"The problem is that the heavy downpours occurred behind the dams, not in the reservoir areas," he said in a telephone interview.

Samart said that if the Yom River - a major river in the North which joins the Ping, Wang and Nan Rivers in Nakhon Sawan to form the Chao Phya - was dammed, the situation in the Chao Phya basin would not have been so bad.

Samart said water was diverted to the central plains not because it was beyond the ability of his department to control water in the Chao Phya River basin, but because owners of the land volunteered to allow their land to be flooded, as they wanted to help protect the capital.

On October 12, one day after His Majesty the King granted permission for the RID to divert water from Chao Phya River basin onto his land in Ayutthaya's Thung Makham Yong and Thung Phu Khao Thong areas to help absorb the deluge before it flooded Bangkok, Samart claimed that residents in the nearby areas agreed to allow the RID to divert a huge volume of water on to their own farmland - to follow His Majesty's initiative.

But Boonnoi Kuamontri, a 42-year-old resident of Ayutthaya's Pak Hai district said: "It was not done on a volunteer basis. No one came and asked our opinion, we were only informed by the municipality that the RID would be diverting water onto our land."

Boonnoi, who is disabled, said his family's land was part of Thung Chao Ched, one of 18 areas of the central plains where the RID diverted water to.

Boonnoi said he was willing to follow the initiative of His Majesty, but the RID should at least have given people time to prepare themselves.

"What kind of request to be a volunteer was this? We were informed in the evening, and when we got up the next morning we were surrounded by water," said Boonnoi, who questioned that if the RID was so expert in water management why did it not inform them about water diversion plans long before they flooded their land.

The same thing happened to farmers in Sena district.

Thurian Kamphaengthong, a 63 year-old rice farmer, said no one had informed her that her farmland - located in Thung Sena - would be used as a water retention area.

"I heard on the TV news that my land was included," she said, adding that she did not have enough time to harvest her rice paddy grown on her five rai plot.

Further doubts over the RID's abilities were also voiced by an orchid grower in Suphan Buri. Suchart Dokrak said although he was informed about the plan to divert water onto his orchid, local irrigation authorities failed to tell him how much water would be diverted.

His 10-rai orchid and 40 rai of fish ponds and orchard areas were swamped by three-metres of water. He still has no idea how the RID will drain the water off his land.

RID chief Samart said it was impossible for his department to calculate the quantity of water in such situations, adding that the water came not only from the irrigation system's diversion programme, but was also overflow from the Chao Phya and the Tha Chin rivers.

He also blamed a broken earth dam in Sing Buri as a major source of additional water inundating the farmlands.

According to Samart, only 500 million cubic metres of water were diverted from the irrigation system, the rest was overflow from the two rivers.

He said his agency was not to blame in this case and asked that the public understand the situation and for flood victims to be patient.

Source: The Nation - 6 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Not completely drained till 15th

The floodwaters, which had devastated so much of the North, Northeast and Central Thailand over the past few months, would not completely drain from the central plains until December 15, officials say.

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Samart Chokanapitak said the prolonged inundation was caused by the physical nature of the Tha Chin River which had many bends.

Samart said the bends slowed the flow of the river, delaying the run-off into the ocean. A further impediment, he said, was at the mouth of the river in Samut Sakhon where sediment had built up. It would take a long-term plan to remove this obstacle after the flooding had died down.

Since October, a huge volume of water had been diverted from the Chao Phya and Tha Chin river basin to the central plains in order to protect Bangkok.

The Tha Chin is a tributary of the Chao Phya and runs from Suphan Buri through Nakhon Pathom before spilling into the Gulf of Thailand at Samut Sakhon.

The RID has been able to drain water from the plains on the eastern side of the Chao Phya River, mostly in Sing Buri, Lop Buri and Angthong. Only a few areas of the provinces are still inundated.

But problems remain in the provinces located to the west of the Chao Phya that are sandwiched by the Tha Chin.

With the Chao Phya on one side and the Tha Chin on the other, more than 694,000 rai of land in Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi had been inundated by water diverted from both rivers.

More than 100 RID water pumps had been installed in the central plains to divert water from farmland back to the rivers through tributaries and irrigation canals. Three tunnels were dug by the RID and Army engineers to link Thung Chao Ched and the Chao Phya River. Before the tunnels were created, the water in Thung Chao Ched could not run directly into the Chao Phya as it was blocked by the Sena-Bang Sai Road. For the Tha Chin, two tunnels were dug to link Thung Praya Bunleu and Thung Prapimol to the river.

Though he could not give an estimate of the volume of water covering the central plain, Samart expected the flooding in the northern areas to be gone by Sunday, while the southern areas should be clear by December 15.

Source: The Nation - 6 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Public Health warns against leptospirosis in submerged areas

Permanent Secretary of the Public Health Ministry Md. Prat Bunyawongwirot (ปราชญ์ บุญยวงศ์วิโรจน์) revealed that he has instructed public health provincial officials across the country to speed up surveying the areas as the ministry has been alerted of leptospirosis, a water-borne disease.

Local volunteers will help them carry out the task.

In addition, officials will be dispatched to various areas to educate the flood victims about leptospirosis, another way to prevent the spread of disease after the water has receded.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 6 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Flood victims in Lopburi province calls on state to provide relief

Flood victims in Lopburi province are calling on the state to expedite aid processes in terms of road infrastructure and public utilities.

The Lopburi municipal area is reported to have been inundated by flooding for more than 2 months, and local residents are appealing to authorities to expedite aid processes. Efforts by the district and sub-district administrations in distibuting aid packets have relieved local suffering, but local residents say that their primary need is the return of public utilities, plumbing, and electricity.

Six subdistricts and 33 villages are reported to be inundated in the Lopburi municipal area, with over 431 households afflicted. Local authorities have implemented short-term solutions by hiring agriculturists at a rate of 145 baht per day in order to minimize the flood impact on local employment. Long term solutions will include occupational training.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 7 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Bt28 billion proposed from govt. to help flood victims

Director of the Bureau of the Budget, Vudhibhandhu Vichairatna (วุฒิพันธุ์ วิชัยรัตน์) announced conclusions reached by 13 committees in charge of rehabilitation programs for flood victims in 47 provinces at the Government House. He said he will request a 28 billion baht proposal from the government to provide aids to those affected by inundation. If the budget is approved, the bureau can allocate it to all relevant government units within one day.

At the same time, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chakan Sangraksawong (ฉกรรจ์ แสงรักษาวงษ์) said all 47 provinces should quickly submit their reports on damages to the ministry in order to receive the financial assistance in time.

Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry Supa Piyajitti (สุภา ปิยะจิตติ) affirmed that the flood-hit provinces can ask for more budget in case of emergency. So far, the ministry has approved a budget of 100 million baht,an increase of 50 million baht, to eight provinces. It has also cooperated with financial institutes to support the victims financially.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 7 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Supreme Command Headquarters invites people to donate goods for victims of flood and cold hazards

The Supreme Command Headquarters is opened for the general public to donate clothes, financial aids and consumer goods to help the people who have been affected by flood and cold weather.

The Supreme Commander, Gen. Boonsrang Niempradit, who is also the chairman of the flood relief committee, presided over the donation ceremony, and received donated items from Gen. Poldej Julasen, the chairman of Nice Apparel Company Limited. They will be given to the flood victims and people who have been suffering from cold weather.

Gen. Boonsrang said a document has been delivered to each province, ordering the local officials to prepare human resources and tools to renovate the damaged areas. In addition, he said the army would like to invite members of the public to donate clothes, money, and consumer goods to help the fellow people who have been hit by flood and cold hazards.

They can make their donations at the Flood Relief Center in the Supreme Command Headquarters.

For more information, please call 0-2575-6607-8.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 7 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM's Office leads entourage to inspect flood hit Suphanburi Province

Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Thirapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร์ เสรีรังสรรค์) has handed out survival kits to flood victims in Song Phi Nong (สองพี่น้อง) District in Suphanburi (สุพรรณบุรี) Province.

Associate Professor Thirapat has led his entourage, including Mr. Pramote Rathwinij (ปราโมช รัฐวินิจ ), the director-general of the Public Relations Department (PRD) and representatives from the Permanent Secretary to Prime Minister Office, to visit Suphanburi Province this morning. He said that the water level in Song Phi Nong District remains high. He and his member have handed out 872 survival kits to flood affected people and promise them that more help will be coming soon.

In a conversation with Prof Thirapat, flood victims conveyed their sufferings to the state authorities. Residents said they need urgent help in draining water out of their agricultural areas.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

RID confident that flood situations in 10 provinces will return to normal within this month

Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is confident that the floods situation in 10 provinces will return to normal by the end of this month, adding that the construction of more reservoirs is not likely to begin soon.

Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department, Samart Chokkanapitak (สามารถ โชคคณาพิทักษ์) said the 10 provinces which are still submerged include Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, and Nonthaburi. The flood water in these provinces have been pumped out since December 15, later than expected, due to technical problems of the release of water at the Tah Jeen (ท่าจีน) River.

Regarding the 7 billion baht of budget approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to RID, Mr Samart said the department will spend the budget money on the existing water management projects, most of which are initiated by His Majesty the King. At the same time, RID will construct more pump stations at canals in Bangkok including the Southern Hok Wa (หกวา), and the Prawes (ประเวส) canals.

As for RID’s project to construct more reservoirs to prevent flooding, the director-general said RID has to assess impacts of the new reservoirs thoroughly before starting the construction. The Thai National Water Resources will cooperate with RID to supervise the project.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 December 2006

[Jai Dee]

Monetary assistance will reach flood-affected farmers before Feb. 15, 2007

All flood affected farmers will receive monetary assistance worth 6,305 million baht totally by February 15th, 2007.

The assurance came from Deputy Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and Cooperatives Chakan Sangraksawong (ฉกรรจ์ แสงรักษาวงศ์). He said the money will be transmitted to farmers via the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. It is part of the 22 billion baht fund on post-flood relief, approved at the Cabinet meeting this week. Out of that total, 6,737 million baht was allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, 6,305 million baht of which will be used in direct assistance to farmers and 432 million baht in rehabilitation plans after flood has receded.

According to Mr. Chakan, a total of 5.3 million rai, or about 2.12 million acres, of agricultural land has been damaged by floods, affecting about 600,000 farm families.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has coordinated with governors of affected provinces about the assistance, under which assistance in cash will be transferred to farmers through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives. The monetary transfer is expected to be completed by February 15th next year.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 December 2006

[astral]

Not to worry.

The water has all run down hill to the south of Malaysia.

[Jai Dee]

Interior Ministry plays no part in organizing a charity concert to help the flood victims

Interior Ministry spokesman Panadda Disakul reiterated that the Ministry of Interior is not involved in organizing a charity concert to help the flood victims. The authorities in Bangkok and every province have been assigned to quickly arrest the organizers of such event and report them to the ministry immediately.

ML Panadda said a number of people have been asking for the tickets of this charity concert, which is scheduled to be held on December 30th at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road between 17:00 and 21:00 hours. The concert organizers claimed that the money from the sales of the tickets will be used to purchase medical supplies and consumer goods for the flood victims.

However, ML Panadda asserted that the Ministry of Interior absolutely plays no part in this concert, and it could lead to a misunderstanding. He added that the revenues from this event may be misused for personal benefits.

The officials will warn the general public of this case, to prevent them from being misled.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 December 2006