Thread: Bangkok Flood News

Bangkok Post : Flood death toll rises to 661

Flood death toll rises to 661

• Published: 30/11/2011 at 10:37 AM
• Online news: Local News

A total of 661 people were confirmed dead in the floods that inundated Bangkok, many provinces in the Central Plains, North, Northeast, East, West and the South, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said on Wednesday.

Three people, two from Mae Hong Son and one from Uttaradit, were confirmed missing, according to the department.

The floods still prevail in Bangkok and 14 other nearby provinces, affecting 4,827,958 people, it said.

The provinces are Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Lopburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakhan, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao and Bangkok, said the department.

The floods caused by recent heavy rain also still prevail in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Yala and Pattani, were nine people have been killed and another 437,312 people affected, it added.

Of the total fatalities, three were in Narathiwat and two each in Songkhla and Yala.

Bangkok Post : Western front 'dry' in 20 days

Western front 'dry' in 20 days

• Published: 30/11/2011 at 07:44 PM
• Online news:

Veera Wongsaengnak, chairman of flood management of the Flood Relief Operations Command, revealed today that the water mass up north is declining steadily and this period will not see high tide, which is good to drain remaining floods on the western front, which should not take more than 20 days.

There are about 2,700 million cubic metres of water mass on the western front. The drainage capacity to both Tha Chin and Chao Phraya river is about 67 million cubic metres a day.

Even though the floods on the western front can be drained within 20 days, retained floodwater still exists in low-lying areas, which will need to be drained to main canals before flowing to Chao Phraya river. This is the case for Bang Kruay and Bang Bua Thong in Nonthaburi.

Meanwhile Froc director Pol Gen Pracha Phromnok revealed that after consultation with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, it was agreed that Phraya Suren sluice gate would be opened at 1.3m height. After assessing the situation that such height does not adversely affect the flood situation, the gate may be opened higher upto 1.5m.

Dr Anond Snidvongs noted that on the eastern front, Khlong Rangsit sees declining flood level steadily and the Royal Irrigation Department will coordinate the opening of Khlog Rangsit gate down to Khlong Hokwa so as to help expedit waterflow from Lam Luk Ka and Rangsit areas. It is expected that by December 5, the flood situation will be under control.

About the opening of Big Bag, Dr Anond said it has done its duty and can be removed now that thw floodwater has receded from the main roads.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Main Thonburi Canals Still Bloating

UPDATE : 30 November 2011

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has reported that water levels in most major canals in the capital have receded.

However, the four main canals on the Thonburi side of the city are still bloating.

Earlier today, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, reported that the water level in the Chao Phraya River in Bang Sai District of Ayutthaya Province was measured at three meters above the sea level, receding by six centimeters from the day before.


The high tide at 12:13 P.M. was measured at 2.07 meters.

Meanwhile, the floodwater at Canal 2 sluice gate has fallen by five centimeters.

The water level at Thawee Wattana floodgate and Premprachakorn Canal has also dropped by three centimeters and six centimeters respectively.

About the flooding situation in Bangkok, the water level in Saen Saeb Canal has receded by between one and three centimeters while the water level in Prawet Burirom Canal remained unchanged.

Many parts of Don Muang District are still flooded.

The floodwater in Bang Khen Canal has dropped by between four and six centimeters.

The water level in Bang Sue Canal has lowered by two to four centimeters.

On the Thonburi side of the capital, even though Thawee Wattana Canal has seen water level receding, Mahasawat, Bang Prom, Bang Chuek Nang and Bang Waek canals are still bloating.

At the same time, many parts of Lak Si, Bang Khen, Sai Mai, Ladprao, Kannayao, Klong Samwa and Minburi District are still flooded as in Thawee Wattana, Talingchan, Nong Khaem, Bang Khae and Pasichaoren districts in Thonburi area.

At around 2 A.M. today, a group of locals in Lumlukka District led by Sa-ngiem Samranrat lowered the Phraya Suren sluice gate from 1.5 meter to 97 centimeters, citing concern for those who live downstream from the gate in Sai Mai District.

However, Sa-ngiem announced that he will raise the gate back up to 1.5 meters today.

He even put himself in charge of all sluice gates in Bangkok, saying that authorities have failed to manage the flood problem.

Moreover, he said that he will not negotiate with either the BMA nor the Flood Relief Operations Center, believing that he is more experienced than both of them.

Reconsider travel to Thailand? Really?

November 30, 2011 - 1:52PM


The government's warnings about visiting Thailand due to flooding seem out of date. Photo: Getty Images

Smart Traveller is now smarter. At least, that's the idea now that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has relaunched its travel advisory website, smartraveller.gov.au.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, KRudd, was on hand last week to spruik the new site, saying it would "help Australians make smart choices about where, when and how they travel overseas".

The old site has been streamlined (translation: had all the useless junk stripped out of it), there's now a dedicated mobile site, plus a DFAT Twitter feed and instructional videos on YouTube.

There's also a new ad campaign to go with the relaunch, urging Aussie travellers to "register, subscribe, insure" – as in, register your plans with Smart Traveller before leaving the country, subscribe to the website's updates, and get travel insurance.

All good advice. But just how useful is the website now?

I've criticised smartraveller.gov.au before, not least for its stupid spelling, which makes it Smart Raveller, or Smart Rave Ller – ie, not very smart at all – but also because its dire warnings of danger overseas too often sound like the kind of thing a hand-wringing parent might say, not an all-knowing government agency.

That's still going to be a problem.

But let's do the good stuff first. The new mobile website is a great idea, provided you have WiFi access overseas. With a few jabs of your finger you can have up-to-date advice on the country you're travelling in, plus addresses and map references of your nearest embassy should anything go wrong.

It also makes it easy to register your whereabouts if you decide to change your plans, or if there's a problem in the area you're travelling through.

The once ugly, unwieldy regular website has now been cleaned up, making it easier to quickly access the information you need.

It's all good. My only problem with Smart Traveller now is with some of the teeth-clattering warnings. There's some useful, sound advice on the site, but it's far from perfect.

Some of the information seems out of date. Thailand, for example, is listed as "exercise high degree of caution", and "reconsider your need to travel" in certain areas. That's largely due to the floods that have affected the country.

That information, however, was issued three weeks ago. Surely things might have changed slightly since then?

And some of the information seems overly frightening, if a little vague. Back in Thailand, there's a warning that "political demonstrations ... have resulted in fatalities in recent years. Firearms, grenades and small explosive devices have been used at various locations."

Right. Um, which locations again? (No mention of gun crime in the USA section though.)

Turkey, meanwhile, is listed as "exercise high degree of caution" largely due to a terrorist attack in Ankara last September. "Terrorist attacks can occur anywhere at any time in Turkey," Smart Traveller says. Yowser. Count me out.

Indonesia, too, currently has a code orange "reconsider your need to travel" slapped on it, citing more threats of terrorist attacks and other violence. Bali, in particular, is a "priority target" for terrorists, which is enough to put anyone off their Bintang.

The reality, however, is that plenty of travellers are visiting supposedly dangerous countries right now and not experiencing any problems, just as travellers are inevitably getting themselves robbed or bitten by wild animals or stuffed into jail cells in seemingly harmless countries.

Travel can be unpredictable like that. And I don't mean to play down the warnings on the site – this stuff is real. But it's not going to happen to everyone. Not even close.

That's where Smart Traveller's three steps – register, subscribe, insure – become great advice. It's an extra layer of protection for those choosing to go against the dire warnings of terrorist doom.

Read more: Reconsider travel to Thailand? Really?

Dry islands |in the deluge - The Nation

Dry islands in the deluge

CHULARAT SAENGPASSA December 1, 2011 1:00 am


How did Pak Kret, Lat Krabang and Samut Sakhon avert disaster? Willingness to cooperate, for one thing

Against all the odds, Samut Sakhon province, Bangkok's Lat Krabang district and the Nonthaburi community of Pak Kret managed to dodge the worst flood in half a century, remaining almost completely dry "islands" thanks to a combination of public unity, smart response and unwavering spirit.

"Our people are supportive" is how Samut Sakhon Deputy Governor Apichart Todilokvej puts it bluntly.

When the huge volume of run-off from the North engulfed Nakhon Pathom and northwest Bangkok in October, it appeared certain that neighbouring Samut Sakhon was next. It was right in the floodwater's path.

"Many analysts said we'd have to take water from Bangkok's western zone, Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi, as well as Pathum Thani," says Apichart. "And, given that Samut Sakhon is only about 872 square kilometres, they guessed the floodwater here could be up to three metres deep."

The citizens didn't sit back and wait. From early October there were weekly planning meetings.

They tallied the amount of water expected and surveyed the landscape to identify the best drainage routes. The 73 canals in Samut Sakhon running north to south would be crucial, so dredging began.

"Our province's strengths are efficient local administration, a great private sector and a united people," Apichart says.

The plan for safeguarding the province was laid out and no one protested, so that the work could proceed without interruption. "That unity of opinion allowed us to tackle problems faster."

Governor Jullapat Saengjan even removed houses that were blocking the waterways. Again: no complaints.

Citizens filled sandbags and helped with the canal dredging. Many joined purpose-built Facebook pages such as Chumchon Khon Ban Phaeo (Ban Phaeo Resident Community) to see what else needed to be done. Others participated in a campaign called Arsa Pa Nam Long Talay (Volunteer to Bring Water to the Sea).

Meanwhile the private sector devised its own ideas, including the digging of a 100-metre "artificial canal" alongside Klong Bang Nam Jeud to help speed the floodwater along.

All this effort resulted in at least four-fifths of Samut Sakhon staying dry, in dramatic contrast to its neighbours.

As soon as it was clear that much of the province was safe, authorities shifted focus to the sections that did flood. Apichart says people living in the inundated areas received "adequate food and clothing". A 15-day operation to drain the floodwater began last weekend.

Pak Kret's chances of avoiding the flood catastrophe initially seemed even worse than Samut Sakhon's. Accomplishing that involved what Mayor Wichai Bandasak calls "Mission Impossible".

Sandbag walls went up along its borders with Sam Khok district and Bangkok's Don Mueang district and lined 17 kilometres of the Prapa (Waterworks) Canal that passes through the municipality.

Officials, residents, monks and teachers erected another one on the west bank of the Chao Phraya to block any overflow.

"We developed a flood-prevention plan in June," Wichai says - long before anyone knew the perennial deluge would be so severe. The Bt100-million scheme extended to having backhoes on standby at sensitive places along the floodwall in case there was a leak.

Unlike the authorities in Samut Sakhon, those in Pak Kret did face some opposition from citizens who were upset at being inconvenienced. "We asked monks to talk to them," the mayor says.

Wat Salak Nua assistant abbot Phra Padungsak Kositthammo says everyone finally agreed to support the plan - and even allow their homes to be flooded if necessary to save "downtown" Pak Kret. "We were ready to sacrifice," the monk says.

Residents packed sandbags, guarded the walls and cooked meals for flooded neighbours. "We asked those in the dry zones to prepare food and help deliver relief items," Wichai says.

The overall result was impressive. The floodwater reached only 2,500 of Pak Kret's 80,000-plus families.

"We sent food and other essentials every week," the mayor says. "We gave them boats and built footbridges above the floodwater."

People in Bangkok's Lat Krabang community also amply demonstrated a readiness to collaborate for the general good. Locals turned out in full force to help dredge the canals. In the end, although many areas were submerged, the crucial zones remained dry, and peaceful co-existence was the rule.

"To brave a crisis you need unity," says Dr Komsan Makeesee, head of the flood-watch centre in eastern Bangkok. The deputy dean of engineering at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology says the centre explained the situation to residents as part of its crisis plan.

"Understanding the details ensures that people won't cause problems," Komsan says. "If they know exactly what's going on, they can help monitor the water level."

The centre emphasised public participation and got factory workers in the Lad Krabang Industrial Estate involved as well. "We engaged all parties, including the staff at Suvarnabhumi Airport. We pointed out that if the community flooded, everything else would likely succumb too, so it's best to join hands."

Laman Saraphan, one of the district's village heads, was pleased to see King Mongkut's Institute offer shelter to flood refugees. "They also helped drain the floodwater very effectively. We received a lot of help!"

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Flood Waste, Gold for Garbage Pickers

UPDATE : 1 December 2011

The recent floods have caused major losses in the nation's history, but for some people whose income comes from others' unwanted items, the crisis has provided an opportunity to earn the highest income they've ever made.

Tons of flood-ravaged home furniture and appliances continue to be dumped in several areas across Bangkok since the floodwater began to recede.


This has presented lucrative opportunities for a group of people who make their living by collecting and selling trash, as well as for those looking for extra cash while unemployed due to the crisis.

Many people are making more than 2,000 baht a day, almost 10 times their normal income, and some have even found precious belongings in the mountains of waste.

A lot of people are not making an effort to go through their trash to salvage what may still be usable, as they have much to do to repair their homes and get their lives back to normal.

One small scrap dealer noted that his trade value has reached an average of 100,000 baht a day over the past few weeks since the floods have eased.

He remarked that many garbage pickers have visited him to convert their collected waste into cash.

Although this year's floods had a devastating impact on the country's economy, the situation has created an opportunity for many low-income earners to cash in on others' unwanted items, proving that one man's garbage is indeed another man's gold.

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Royal Irrigation Department Renovates Nakhon Pathom's Pomelo Orchads

UPDATE : 1 December 2011

The Royal Irrigation Department has launched an effort to renovate Nakhon Pathom's flooded pomelo orchards, a key cash crop in the province.

Director General of the Royal Irrigation Department, Chalit Damnoeonsuk, said that his agency is in the process of installing additional water pumps for 5,000 rais of pomelo farms in Nakhon Pathom's five sub-districts under the "Rescue Samphran-Koh Songkhanong Pomelo Orchard" project.


Chalit said the operation consists of two parts. One is to build a levee around the 6-kilometer radius of Songkhanong Island.

Another is to install 20 water pumps to quickly drain the floodwater from the area into Tha Chin River.

He said eight water pumps have been installed so far, and the pumps will support the drainage efforts and flood prevention measures operated by local administrative bodies in the province.

The department chief added that four devices will be installed at the Nang Than shortcut canal and 10 others under Pho Nangkaew Bridge to expedite the drainage of floodwater to the river.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Flood Eases While Many Areas Suffer From Rancid Floodwater

UPDATE : 1 December 2011

Although the flood situation in Buddha Monthon and Nakhon Chaisri districts have improved, many areas still contain high volumes of rancid floodwater.

Meanwhile, residents and vendors from the Don Wai Market gathered to build sandbag walls to drain stagnant floodwater from the market.

The flood situation in Buddha Monthon and Nakhon Chaisri districts continue to improve after a month of flooding.


However, many areas still contain high volumes of floodwater, some areas with as much as 1.5 meters.

At Lan Tak Fa-Salayanam road, the floodwater has decreased and is now at 50 to 60 centimeters.

Large vehicles can now pass this area.

However, orchards and rice farms along the road remain submerged under two meters of water, causing them serious damage.

The village remains submerged under one meter of water, and locals still must travel by boat.

Nevertheless, the big problem for the moment is the rancid smell coming from the large amount of waste associated with stagnant floodwater that cannot be drained out of the area.

Officials have installed two additional large water pumps at the Klong Yong Floodgate to quickly drain the floodwater from Nonthaburi Province into Tha Chin River.

Yesterday at the Don Wai Temple in Samphran District of Nakhon Pathom Province, residents, vendors, and the executives of Don Wai Temple School gathered to build sandbag walls around Don Wai Temple, Don Wai floating market, and Don Wai Temple School, before draining the stagnant floodwater to Nakhon Chaisri River.

Phra Mae Tee Thammanan, the Abbot of Don Wai Temple, disclosed that the assembling of local residents to recover the areas of Don Wai floating market was to prepare the space for the celebration of His Majesty the King's Birthday on December 5, and to prepare for the school opening day on December 6.

It's expected that the floodwater will be completely drained from the area over the next three days, after residents have suffered from more than a month of flooding.

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

11.30 Pic White House community, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, water [at] 1.50m deep, was 3m! bit.ly/uGeFVg #ThaiFloodEng RT [at]Reporter_js8

ภาพภายใน มบ.ไวท์เฮาส์ อ.คลองหลวง จ.ปทุมธานี ระดับน้ำลดลงเฉลี่ยเหลือ1.50ม.(จาก20ต.ค.อยู่ที ่3ม.) http://pic.twitter.com/RruSffZX

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

11.38 Pic-Half submerged phone-booth, b4 completely covered, White House, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani bit.ly/vVD5E6 #ThaiFloodEng

ภาพตู้โทรศัพท์หลังจากน้ำลด ภายใน มบ.ไวท์เฮาส์ อ.คลองหลวง จ.ปทุมธานี http://pic.twitter.com/Pn91Cy1w

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

11.45 Pic-Locals crossing what was a football pitch by boat, White House, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani bit.ly/vDXYEb #ThaiFloodEng

ชาวบ้านมบ.ไวท์เฮาส์ จ.ปทุมธานี ลงทะเบียนยืมอีโค่โบ๊ทและใช้งานทันที บริเวณสนามฟุตบอล http://pic.twitter.com/UXaquDKO

TAN_Network TAN News Network

PM inspects flooding in Nonthaburi; governor speeds up Bt5,000 compensation payout and hopes to drain all water in 4-5 days

Electricity authority to visit Nakornluang community in Phaholyothin Soi 32 (Senanikom 1) to help inspect electricity after flooding

Students,reps from Insurance Assoc give advice on seeking insurance payout to Flood victims from 9am-4pm at Chulalongkorn Univ's evac ctr

Suvarnabhumi Airport asks those who parked their cars there to escape flooding to remove their cars by Dec 6 or else they'll be towed

Toll on Eastern Ring Road at Thanyaburi and Tubchang toll booths being collected since midnight

Biz_TheNation Biz_TheNation

The Mall (Bangkae) re-opened today after severe flood forced it to shut down for two weeks

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

12.00 Pic- Water level [at] Om Noi intersection, just off bridge, still flooded bit.ly/vFNJUT #ThaiFloodEng RT [at]mahoub

ระดับน้ำแยกอ้อมน้อย ช่วงลงสะพาน [at]thapanee3miti [at]Kitti3Miti [at]ThaiPBS [at]js100radio http://pic.twitter.com/iY7yoMjG

Bangkok Post : Don Mueang airport 'dry'

Don Mueang airport 'dry'

• Published: 1/12/2011 at 12:26 PM
• Online news:

Flood levels in Bangkok's Don Muang district have receded and Don Mueang airport is now dry, police said Thursday.

The police said there was no floodwater on Song Prapa Road, from Don Muang temple to Pracha Uthit intersection.

However, the flood level from Pracha Uthit intersection to Sri Saman Bridge was about sidewalk level.

Flood levels on Weru Wanaram, Kosum Ruamjai and Cherd Wuttakart roads were about 10cm.

Don Mueang airport was now dry. People who left their vehicles on the airport grounds can now drive them back home, police said.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority was also providing free bus rides between Pracha Uthit intersection and Mor Chit skytrain station.

Sai Mai district chief Ratchapol Boonrod said that flood levels in three housing estates in Sai Mai had fallen from 60cm to 50cm.

"After Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra instructed officials to raise the Khlong 2 sluice gate to 1.30m, the flood levels in Annex, Sirindhorn and Napawan estates declined," Mr Ratchapol said.

District officials will urgently drain the water out and the result should be clearer in two days, he said.

"Removing the big sandbag barrier on Chantarubeksa Road today would not likely affect Sai Mai district," said Mr Ratchapol.

Bangkok Post : BMA hopes all of Bangkok dry by NY

BMA hopes all of Bangkok dry by NY

• Published: 1/12/2011 at 04:51 PM
• Online news: Local News

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said on Thursday he hoped that all of Bangkok will be completely dry by Dec 31, to welcome in the New Year.

He said more pumps had been installed to drain water from flooded housing estates and communities into the drains or nearby canals.

Eight private organisations had provided the city administration with total of 30 water pumps.

It was hoped that these water pumps, combined with the 20 pmps of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Department of Drainage and Sewerage and another from the Department of Disaster Relief and Prevention, would drain water out the city area completely by Dec 31.

Bangkok Post : PM: Nonthaburi dry in 4-5 days

PM: Nonthaburi dry in 4-5 days

• Published: 1/12/2011 at 03:57 PM
• Online news: Local News

Flooded areas in Nonthaburi will return to normal within five days, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Thursday.


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo by Kitja Apichonrojarek)

"I've instructed officials to install more pumps to drain water [in Nonthaburi] and it will take four to five days to restore the situation," Ms Yingluck said.

Local authorities will then revive the areas, she said.

Nonthaburi Governor Wichian Phutthiwinyu will then review the financial assistance of 5,000 baht per flood-affected household. Households that were heavily affected would receive no more than 30,000 baht each, she said.

"Initially we'll spray mosquito repellents, treat wastewater, collect trash and build appliance repairs and kitchen centres. There'll be postponement of debt payment," Ms Yingluck said.

The government was doing its best to quickly drain the flood and wanted people to return to their flood-affected homes before the New Year, she said.

"The government may not deal with many problems properly but we're doing our best. Our work may not satisfy everyone but we'll try to compromise," said the premier.

Bangkok Post : Pumps shifted to priority areas

Pumps shifted to priority areas

BMA targets districts that can be sealed off

• Published: 2/12/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Large pumps are being redeployed in areas which remain flooded as many parts of Bangkok start to recover from the disaster.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday pumps were mobilised from the government and the private sector to drain floodwater from flooded communities.

The drainage started in communities which could be sealed off and water was being pumped out into nearby canals.

The operation was launched yesterday in Kosumniwet housing estate in Don Muang district, Chaeng Watthana 14 Road and Khehachumchon Thung Song Hong community in Laksi district, and Ram Intra 1-39 roads in Bang Khen district.

Floods there should disappear between Dec 5 and 14.

Similar operations in other heavily flooded areas will be launched when water levels in nearby canals drop.

MR Sukhumbhand said water could not be pumped out of Sethakit housing estate in Bang Kae district because the level of Khlong Thawi Watthana canal remained high and the housing estate was too large to be sealed off.

However, he assured all areas of Bangkok would be dry by Dec 31 as tides from the sea were not so high and the levels of canals in the capital were declining.

He said sluice gates in Bangkok would be gradually opened to release floodwater from nearby provinces in order to drain floodwater in Bangkok at the same time.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi who is assistant director of the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) said yesterday the government was removing big sandbags in northern Bangkok to accelerate flood drainage.

He expects the task to be finished within two weeks.

Meanwhile, a group of Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka residents, led by Sa-ngiam Samranrat, raised the Khlong Lam Mor Taek sluice gate to 2m from 50cm yesterday, a source said.

Pol Maj Sa-ngiam is a red shirt leader and a political office holder at the Prime Minister's Office.

The residents reportedly said they would lower the sluice gate if Bangkok's Sai Mai district and Sukhaphiban Road 5 were affected by floodwater.

The source said the city administration later lowered the Khlong Lam Mok Taek sluice gate back to 50cm.

Also yesterday, about 200 people blocked Phahon Yothin 48 Road where they live in Bang Khen district to put pressure on the BMA and the Froc to speed up drainage of floodwater which has submerged their areas for a month.

The road closure caused heavy traffic, prompting traffic police to be sent to direct traffic in the area.

The furious residents agreed to disperse at 5.30pm following negotiations with Anond Snidvongs, the Froc's water management adviser, who promised to work with the BMA to open the Khlong Lat Phrao sluice gate wider.

In Laksi district, angry residents of Chaeng Wattana 14 Road yesterday agreed to end their protest after floodwaters on their road finally receded.

The Administrative Court yesterday ordered the Froc and the BMA to set guidelines regarding the opening of Khong Maha Sawat sluice gate.

The court also rejected a request asking it to suspend the government operation to salvage Highway 340 (Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri) and Kanchanaphisek Road.

The salvage operation of the highway has already been completed.

Earlier, Todsiri Poolnual, a representative of flood-hit residents in Nonthaburi's Bang Bua Thong district, asked the court to stop the BMA from managing the sluice gate that affects the water levels between Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

She also sought a court order to suspend the salvage operation of Highway 340.

Mr Anond insisted the Froc would not shut down and transfer its duties to the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management or the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development.

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

9.30 Pic-Floodwater-sliproad from Ratchaphruek entering Kanchanapisek bit.ly/voIkeV #ThaiFloodEng RT [at]vunsai

Bangkok Post : Airport head defends staff

Airport head defends staff

Cars moved to make way for flood relief

• Published: 2/12/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The director of Don Mueang Airport yesterday defended his staff who moved cars from the second floor of the airport's parking garage to the ground level, only to see them flooded.


This is what happened to the cars that were moved.

Don Mueang Airport director Kanpat Mangkhalasiri was responding to complaints through the media that people's vehicles had been left in floodwater in the airport compound although they had originally been parked properly on the second floor of the car park building at Terminal 2 to avoid floodwater.Capt Kanpat said between 30 and 50 vehicles had been towed away because they were blocking and preventing flood relief logistics efforts. The vehicles were moved to the ground floor before floodwater started washing into the Don Mueang Airport compound.

"No one has complained directly to AoT [Airports of Thailand Plc]," he said. "Motorists parked their vehicles at Don Mueang Airport and more than 100 vehicles were flooded. They understand the situation and have accepted it."

Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said yesterday the AoT would investigate the complaint.

He did not say whether the AoT should be responsible for the flood-damaged vehicles.

A total of 166 vehicles were still on the ground floor at Don Mueang airport yesterday and they are in the process of being salvaged.

Deputy police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen took a team of mechanics and insurance company staff to salvage the vehicles.

He said vehicles with first-class auto insurance would be towed and repaired for free and vehicles with less insurance coverage or without would be towed to garages for free.

The vehicles towed down from the car park building would get the same treatment, Pol Gen Pongsapat said.

Police will also wash the vehicles that were flooded in the airport for free, he said.

Panthep Chaiparinya from the General Insurance Association said most vehicles on the ground at the airport were inundated and repairing them would take more than a month.

Panumas Saksongmuang said he had left his car at the airport on Oct 20 in the belief that it would be safe from floods because the government's Flood Relief Operations Command was located there. Then he and his family went to Lamphun.

On Oct 30 he was shocked when the government ordered the car owners to move vehicles from the airport.

Mr Panumas said travel difficulties prevented him from retrieving his car from the airport. He said he would have to gradually buy used parts to repair his car because he could not afford an immediate full repair.

He asked the government to arrange for cheap parts and garages with reasonable prices for flood-affected motorists.


Drying out
Receding floodwaters have cleared areas around the hangar at Don Mueang airport. Salvaging the airport is expected to be an arduous task involving large mobilisation of manpower and budget. The water levels in areas surrounding the old airport are slowly returning to normal. RATTASEEMA PONGSAN

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

10.18 Pic-Phetkasem road, before Phutta Monton Sai 5, still heavily flooded bit.ly/uIddPg #ThaiFloodEng RT [at]primmi3

Bangkok Post : Accused flood donation hackers caught

Suspected flood donation hackers caught

• Published: 2/12/2011 at 10:50 AM
• Online news:

Police on Friday arrested two suspected hackers who stole more than five million baht from bank accounts for donations to help flood victims.

Rungroj Maddeen, 31, and Marisa Ranjuanjit, 25, were arrested in Nakhon Si Thammarat after they were caught stealing money donated through television and radio programmes, the police said.

Workpoint Entertainment, a media entertainment company, previously reported to the police that a group of hackers breached into its system to steal the donated money.

The police believed financial information from more than 10 media programmes had been hacked by the suspects.

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Commerce Ministry to Tackle Goods Shortages

UPDATE : 2 December 2011

The Commerce Minister has implemented various measures to solve the goods shortages problem in the flood aftermath, including giving a green light for condensed milk manufacturers to import canned milk.

Commerce Ministry Permanent Secretary Yanyong Phuangrach said canned the shortages on condensed milk will be alleviated soon, after the ministry has allowed the Nestle Carnation and the Mali Milk brand to import 144,000 cans.

It's expected that an additional 10 million cans will be imported.

Yanyong clarified that the floods forced the closure of Rojana and Bang Pa-In Industrial Estates, which led to the shortages.

He added that other manufacturers unaffected by the flooding, namely Alaska, Palace, Ship, and Falcon are increasing their production capabilities as assistance measures.

Meanwhile, he insisted that the increasing demand for housing materials will be met in the wake of flooding.

However, it's likely that bricks will be scarce, as production sources in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya were seriously affected by the disaster.

As of now, the ministry has asked unaffected factories in Ratchaburi and Nakhon Pathom to double their output.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Oishi Group Anticipates its Slump due to Floods

UPDATE : 2 December 2011

Oishi Group has revealed that the flood forced the closure of its factory in Navanakorn Industrial Estate and its 23 outlets nationwide.

The company estimated a loss of at least 200 million baht and expects this year's turnover will decline to 4.2 billion baht.


Oishi's executive vice-president for food, Paisarn Aowsathaporn conceded that the company has halted its production as the floods severely struck the Navanakorn Industrial Estate.

With the water now receding, the company is expediting to assess damages and begin restoration.

He added that floods forced the closure of its 23 outlets, forcing a loss of about 200 million baht in assets, while total revenue is expected to drop from 4.5 billion baht to 4.1 to 4.2 billion baht.

Paisarn noted that Oishi Group plans to spend 450 million baht to add 30 new outlets next year.

Their total income is anticipated to rise by 30 percent, compared to this year's figure.

Meanwhile, Oishi will kick off a campaign titled “Oishi...Brings Happiness Back to Thais” to lessen the distress of Thai nationals.

One of the activities for the campaign is to offer food at the Oishi Buffet and Oishi Express in Bangkok's branches free of charge for one hour on December 11.

Those who are interested in the campaign can register at 11am on December 10 at the Siam Discovery Center.

Those who join the campaign can donate money to the Chaipattana Foundation to help to flood victims.