Thread: Bangkok Floods, 28th October, 2011-Exodus in full swing

Armed forces, ministries, BMA rally to save city - The Nation

Armed forces, ministries, BMA rally to save city

The Nation October 28, 2011 5:03 am


The military will deploy another 50,000 troops, 1,000 vehicles and 1,000 boats to fight off floodwaters from Bangkok, the Defence Ministry said yesterday.

The First Army Area will defend Bangkok, and the Navy Siriraj Hospital, where His Majesty the King is receiving treatment, and Thawee Watthana district,

The Air Force will be in charge of Don Mueang airport compound and the government Flood Relief Operations Centre, said ministry spokesman Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng.

There are around 10,000 troops already deployed throughout the country, he said. Military reservists may be mobilised as extra helpers to assist regular troops when needed.

In already-flooded areas, the function of mass communications, traffic, tapwater and electricity must be protected.

Evacuation, when and where needed, will be conducted by the Defence Ministry under the Science Ministry’s supervision. Shelters are provided by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration at more than 100 of its sch
ools in 23 districts.
Restoration and repatriation of evacuees will be conducted by the military, the BMA and relevant agencies.

The plans were yesterday worked out by the military council and would be likely approved by the prime minister before implementation, Thanathip said.

Yingluck denies she is shedding tears - The Nation

Yingluck denies she is shedding tears

The Nation October 28, 2011 5:03 am


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appeared tearful yesterday when asked if she had anything to tell Bangkok residents as she continued leading the fight against one of the biggest floods to hit the capital.

Yingluck, blinking back tears, said: "I want people to know that I have good intention and willingness. I will not be disheartened."

When asked if she had been crying often since the floods hit crisis level, Yingluck insisted she had never become emotional. "Pictures [looking like I've been crying] published earlier were just taken from a different angle. I've never cried because in my position, I need to be strong," she said.

As the reporter continued, asking if the PM was smiling with tears in her eyes, Yingluck laughed.

She admitted that the flood situation in the capital had hit the crisis level.

"The government has been trying to fight against nature, the force of water, strengthening embankments and facing protesters. I ask the people to understand, because I don't want to have to use the law to control the masses,'' she said.

Yingluck added that moving the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) out of Don Mueang Airport would be the last resort even though the complex was plunged in darkness this morning after some generators short-circuited due to the flooding. "The generators will be fixed within the day. It was a minor issue. Taking care of people is my first priority," she said.

She added that once all the refugees had been moved out of the centre, she would consider moving operations out of Don Mueang. "I don't want to move out in a panic because the FROC system has not yet been set up," she said.

Asked if she feared public uprisings against FROC and her government in light of the difficulties they must brave through, Yingluck urged people to understand that the operations centre was set up in a hurry and had to deal with prevention and rehabilitation

"I understand that everybody, especially Pol General Pracha Promnok, who heads FROC, has hardly had any sleep," she said.

Bangkok Post : Vibhavadi looks like ghost highway

Vibhavadi looks like ghost highway

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 12:48 AM
• Online news:

After finishing work near midnight, the old Bangkok Post reporter went home on a motorbike via Ratchadapisek Rd. Upon entering Vibhavadi Rd, the traffic was getting thinner and thinner.

Once passing Kasetsart intersection, there was hardly any traffic. In fact, there was no vehicle coming into Bangkok on the inner expressway of Vibhavadi at all. Looking ahead, the reporter could not see any vehicle in front either. At the exit to the parallel road to Pakkret, there was a barricade barring any car going further along the inner expressway. However, this did not deter the old reporter from riding his motor-bike further to investigate flood situation ahead.

At the Lak Si intersection, a traffic policeman was there to make sure that none went further along the inner expressway. The reporter was allowed to get in after telling the policeman that he wanted to investigate the flood situation.

Riding further for about 1km, the flood was there. Vibhavadi was turned into a shallow canal. The flood water did not seem to creep downwards towards Lak Si compared to the level this morning when the old reporter pedalled his mountainbike to this area. It seemed BMA could drain off water at the same rate as fresh flood water replenishment.

Satisfied, the reporter went to investigate Government Complex entry road at Chaengwattana 5. The entry was still flooded by Klong Prempachakorn overflowing its banks, but the level declined a little. There was a little water escaping from the drain linking with Khlong Prempachakorn. However, the level was down as well, making for damp surface on the road. It seems the BMA succeeded in draining some water from the canal.

Cars, pickup trucks, tour buses are still single parking and double parking on any elevated roadway on Chaengwattan Rd including on Rama IV bridge, leaving only one narrow lane for navigation. The number of parked vehicles has declined a little though.

The next stop was to inspect water level at Pakkret Municipality, north of Nonthaburi. At about mid-night the water level rose about 1 cm from the morning level. Another record high. It is the highest in living memory.
The current is moderate. It takes about 2-3 hours for the water mass from Pakkret to reach the heart of Bangkok.

Bangkok Post : 50,000 troops sent to protect vital locations from flooding

50,000 troops sent to protect vital locations from flooding

Sukhumbhand unsure how bad city will be hit

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Around 50,000 troops have been deployed in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces under an action plan to protect important establishments from inundation.



The Defence Council yesterday approved the plan which was drawn up in line with a cabinet resolution made as the floods continued to cause havoc in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces, Defence spokesman Col Thanathip Sawangsaeng said.

The action plan has four steps _ protection, stabilising the situation, evacuation and rehabilitation.

Apart from 50,000 soldiers, 1,000 boats and another 1,000 trucks are now deployed in the operation in close cooperation with the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

He said if the floods hit important locations, resources would be used to ensure that communications, power, water and transportation were not disrupted.

If evacuation becomes necessary, more than 100 schools in 23 districts have been prepared to house flood victims. They have a capacity to accommodate 10,000 people.

"We have unit commanders who can coordinate directly with City Hall and the Interior Ministry," Col Thanathip said.

According to Col Thanathip, the armed forces are the designated core units responsible for the relocation of flood victims back to their homes.

Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa yesterday said troops are working around the clock to protect vulnerable spots, especially the flood embankment in tambon Lak Hok of Pathum Thani.

He said there had been no reports of flood wall breaches, but there had been some surges of floodwater over flood dykes.

He added that the military is preparing to carry out evacuations today and tomorrow when high tides are due to reach a peak.

Meanwhile, City Hall yesterday chaired a meeting with representatives from 55 organisations from the industrial, business and tourism sectors to clarify the flood situation and get their opinions.

Private entrepreneurs demanded that the authorities tell them when the northern overflow would reach Bangkok, how much water there would be, and how long the city would be submerged.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra admitted City Hall could not yet answer these questions, but he believed the floods would not last more than a month as the city had a highly efficient drainage system.

He explained that although the government's Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) had estimated that up to 16 billion cubic metres of northern runoff is coming toward Bangkok, the question of how much water from this amount would strike the capital remained unanswered.

The doubt arose because some of the water would drain into rivers and canals upstream before reaching the capital.

He said if all city areas were under water, the degree of flood damage would vary.

Chai Srivikorn, the president of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA), said the government should "do its homework" better in solving the flood problems and providing more accurate and clearer flood-related messages to the public so that they could better prepare themselves for what was to come.

He warned that if the flooding lasted for more than one month, Ratchaprasong intersection, one of Bangkok's busiest shopping districts which rakes in about 5 billion baht in revenue each month, was likely to be affected by the deluge.

Bangkok Post : Chatuchak vendors clear out but millions of baht still at risk

Chatuchak vendors clear out but millions of baht still at risk

Owners are rushing to save prized furniture, exotic animals from damage and death

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Most of the stalls in Chatuchak market are empty after vendors evacuated to safer ground.


Patcharee Pratubkeaw, 35, the owner of the Thong 9 fish store at Chatuchak weekend market, located in a flood-risk area on Phahon Yothin Road, said she could lose several hundred thousand baht if the deluge hits. SOMCHAI POOMLARD

When Vibhavadi Rangsit Road started flooding last week, Chatuchak Market announced a plan to shut down the popular shopping spot this weekend, and possibly longer if flooding continued.

Staff have erected barriers around the market's perimeter and all gates have been closed leaving only the main entrance for merchants to retrieve their belongings.

Rung-arun Thawandi, 34, a clothing store owner who was on the last leg of moving his goods back home said: "We've been waiting anxiously for a couple of weeks now.

"We've had warnings and I've seen enough examples of what can happen so I am not taking any chances."

Thanin Dasadachan, 45, owner of Paka Decor, said he had almost 40 million baht worth of furniture at risk.

He has managed to move about 60-70% of it upstairs but there's little he can do about the heavier pieces such as a teak bench.

He said much of the heavy wooden furniture can withstand water damage. He is most worried about his lamps and chandeliers.

Mr Thanin plans to close his store until the water recedes. He has chained most of the furniture to the shop, and employees and security officers will be on guard against thieves.

"I've done all that is possible. I pray for the best but whatever happens, I'll just have to deal with it," he said.

Some were sceptical initially but the mass exodus has made it hard for vendors to remain at ease.

Relocating live animals is no easy task since the animals, especially aquatic ones, require special facilities to keep them _ a luxury which some vendors simply do not have.

Patcharee Pratubkeaw, 35, owner of Thong 9 fish store, said she does not have a farm or facility to relocate her fish.

She stopped taking new orders two weeks ago and has tried to process deliveries as much as she can, but there are still over 1,000 fish left at her store.

If the store is flooded she could lose stock worth several hundred thousand baht. Ms Patcharee said a power cut would inflict the most damage. All the shops rely on one giant pump to feed water to each store. If electricity is cut, the pump would stop oxygenating the water in the tanks.

Mr Tor, from another fish store at the market, is determined to beat the flood.

He has built a wall of sandbags and stored large amounts of water and food for his fish, as well as petrol for a water pump and the generator.

Tanapat Matchaykulwanit, 34, Top Arowana Agency fish store owner, said relocation is crucial to his business because a single super red arowana can cost up to 6 million baht. He has more than 100 fish at the store.

"I have lost two homes to the flood already. I have to move my fish. Fortunately, I have a farm outside Bangkok," Mr Tanapat said.

He had suspended imports from Indonesia and Malaysia and customers had picked up most of their fish.

He expects the rest of the fish will be relocated soon to his farm in Bang Pakong, which is better equipped to withstand the flood.

Suthep Ngamrabiab, a 38-year-old exotic pet and reptile store owner, said that his animals could be moved to a raised platform in the market, safe from the floods.

Bangkok Post : Evacuation camps set up for residents fleeing city

Evacuation camps set up for residents fleeing city

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

The Flood Relief Operation Command has prepared shelters in nine provinces for Bangkok residents if the flood situation forces them to flee.

Among the nine provinces are Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Chachoengsao and Samut Sakhon.

In a televised address last night, spokesman Tongthong Chantarangsu said that Froc's preparations are for the worst-case scenario.

To speed up the evacuation, he advised communities to select a gathering point for residents. He said the Froc will issue a warning in advance and give the residents at risk of flood time to prepare if evacuation is called for.

He said in the worst case scenario the flood in Bangkok will last from 15 days to one month.

The announcement came as the flood situation deteriorated in several parts of Bangkok.

At least 85 per cent of Don Mueang Airport was under 50 centimetres of water.

Don Mueang Airport, which houses the Froc headquarters and an evacuation centre, suffered blackouts twice yesterday because of the rising floodwater.

The deluge surged into the entrance of Terminal 2 at about 4pm after a strong flood current destroyed a floodwall in the northern part of the airport.

Don Mueang airport director Kanphat Mangkhlasiri said he was concerned that floodwater might flow into the area where the airport's electricity distribution system is located.

He has asked the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to urgently repair the floodwall before floodwater reaches a wider area and before another massive volume of water reaches Bangkok.

Despite the grim situation, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has insisted that the Froc will not be relocated.

The flood level on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road was over 60cm in some spots, turning it into a grand canal and forcing public buses to be suspended.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday issued evacuation warnings to residents in all areas of Sai Mai and part of Thawi Wattana districts.

High tide in the Chao Phraya river continued to wreak havoc on riverside areas in Bang Phlat, Bangkok Noi and Phra Nakhon districts.

The governor advised city residents to keep abreast of the flood situation, saying evacuation is likely to be recommended in several areas.

He suggested that the best solution would be to remove the floodwalls along Canals 9 to 13 and focus on pumping water out at 50 million cubic metres per second.


That a (dam) BIG Pump ! may be the biggest in the world hmmm

Here the biggest :

World’s Biggest Water Pump Under Construction In New Orleans, Would’ve Been Cooler Four Years Ago

The Army Corps of Engineers has broken ground on a serious construction project: a 150,000-gallon-per-second, $500m pumping station charged with keeping the city of New Orleans a little, uh, dryer than it has been in the last few years.
The pump is just a small part of a larger $14bn plan to seal up New Orleans' levees and bolster the city's disaster preparedness, but it's without a doubt the most visually impressive. PopSci's thrown together a couple of diagrams to give us a sense of scale, and trust me, they're necessary—see that little white thing next to the diesel engine? That's a full-sized human being. There aren't a whole lot of companies that make combustion engines that cartoonishly huge, so my money's on something from a company like Wartsila-Sulzer, which makes engines like this to spin the props on ultramassive cargo ships, and conceivably, pumps:

At any rate, the pump is expected to be operational—and NOLA slightly safer—by 2011. More at [PopSci]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...bhavadi-stable

Pakkret highest ever, Vibhavadi stable

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 08:33 AM
• Online news:

This morning, the old Bangkok Post reporter pedalled his mountainbike from his home on Chaengwattana Rd to investigate flood situation on Vibhavadi Rd at Lak Si again.


BMA draining water from Vibhavadi at Wat Laksi canal.

At Lak Si intersection, there is no flood. Riding further for about 1km along the local road, the flood is there. Vibhavadi is turned into a shallow canal. The flood water does not seem to creep downwards towards Lak Si compared to the level yesterday morning when the old reporter also pedalled his mountainbike to this area. It seems BMA could drain off flood water into Wat Laksi canal at the same rate as fresh flood water replenishment.

The reporter then pedalled back, went to investigate Government Complex entry road at Chaengwattana 5. The entry road is still flooded by Klong Prempachakorn overflowing its banks, and the level stays the same. There is a little water escaping from the drain linking with Khlong Prempachakorn onto Chaengwattana road down to TOT Plc at the level no more than 1 cm, just damping the surface.

Cars, pickup trucks are still single parking and double parking on any elevated roadway on Chaengwattan Rd including on Rama IV bridge, leaving only one narrow lane for navigation. The number of parked vehicles has declined yet again.

On the way back, the old reporter sees Khlong Prapa water level stable, blackish on upstream side and brownish on downstream side of the road where two pumps have been putting air into the water for the past three days.

The next stop is to inspect Chao Phraya water level at Pakkret Municipality, north of Nonthaburi. The morning is the high tide and the water level is as high as yesterday, the highest ever in living memory.

The current is moderate. It takes about 2-3 hours for the water mass from Pakkret to reach the heart of Bangkok.

Bangkok Post : Boromratchonni rd flooded [pix]

Boromratchonni rd flooded [pix]

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 08:58 AM
• Online news:

According to a Pantip.com user, Boromratchonni 121 outwards is inundated on Friday morning.



The inner express lane is deeper than the parallel roads on both sides.

Bangkok Post : Bangplad breached wall plugged

Bangplad breached wall plugged

• Published: 28/10/2011 at 10:10 AM
• Online news:

According to a Pantip.com user report, breached flood wall at three points in Bang Phlad which innundated Charan Sanitwong Rd for the past two days was successfully plugged last night.



BMA and the Navy personnel over 100 strong cooperated to bring tools and sandbags to the spots as the current was so strong and deep that trucks could not go in.



If there was no more water run-in from Bangkruay or from the North, it is expected that the BMA could drain off flooded water from the road within one week.

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Commerce Min mulls import of pork, chicken, eggs to ease shortages, urges producers ,PWO to increase packaged rice production.

New Zealand advises against travel to Bangkok+26 provinces hit by flooding, citing disruptions of transport/services+food/water shortage.

Officials have erected 80cm sandbag levees along Phraya Suren Canal in Sai Mai as floodwater rose above ground level.

Soldiers are building sandbag walls at the entrances of Siriraj Hospital. Areas surrounding Sanam Luang/ Grand Palace under 20-50cm floods.

Pinklao Bridge closed to both inbound/outbound traffic. Motorists can get to Thonburi area via Taksin, Memorial and Phra Pokklao bridges.

PM to inspect Noi River level in Lopburi, flood situation in western/eastern BKK. Talks also to be held on relocation of FROC HQ.

Flood level on Vibhavadi Rd now 1.5m. Hok Wa Canal continues to overflow into Watcharaphon Rd. Locals still hesitant to evacuate though.

Communities urged to designate assembly points in case of flooding. Army to oversee transportation of evacuees to shelters in 9 provinces

Isolated storms predicted in North, North East, Central. Cold weather expected in northern region, with fog in morning.

Plan to excavate 5 roads to facilitate flood flows gets mixed response from Bangkokians: bangkokbiznews

(latest Tweets....newest at the top)

AFP: US issues warning on travel to flood-hit Thailand

US issues warning on travel to flood-hit Thailand

(AFP) – 3 hours ago

WASHINGTON — The United States issued a warning to its nationals to avoid all but essential travel to parts of Thailand hit by floods, but pointed out that many tourist hotspots were unaffected.

Thousands of Bangkok residents fled the capital on Thursday ahead of a mass of approaching floodwater. The city's metropolitan area and 20 provinces are affected by the extensive flooding, the State Department said.

"The US Department of State recommends against all but essential travel to these areas of Thailand," it said in a statement.

"Severe flooding has hampered transportation and limited access to some essential services in the affected regions."

The State Department however said that Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport -- the country's main air hub -- was still operating normally, and that "most tourist destinations, such as Phuket and Chiang Mai, are unaffected."

It urged US nationals living or taking vacations in affected areas to follow the advice of local authorities and monitor local media for information about the floods.

Much of Thailand has already been ravaged by the three-month flood crisis caused by unusually heavy monsoon rains, which has left more than 370 people dead and millions of homes and livelihoods damaged.

The Associated Press: Floods inch closer to heart of Thailand's capital

Floods inch closer to heart of Thailand's capital

By CHRIS BLAKE, Associated Press – 4 minutes ago

BANGKOK (AP) — The main river coursing through Thailand's capital swelled to record highs Friday, briefly flooding riverside buildings and an ornate royal complex at high tide amid fears that flood defenses could break and swamp the heart of the city.

Ankle-high water from the Chao Phraya river spilled through one sandbagged entranceway of Bangkok's treasured Grand Palace, which once housed the kingdom's monarchy. The army was pumping out the water and tourists were still entering the white-walled compound.

The river has filled roads outside the palace gates for days, but the water has receded with the tides, leaving streets dry again.

But the higher than normal tides in the Gulf of Thailand, expected to peak Saturday, are obstructing the flood runoff from the north and there are fears that the overflows could swamp parts of downtown. The goverment also is worried major barriers and dikes could break.

Seven of Bangkok's 50 districts — all in the northern outskirts — are heavily flooded, and residents have fled aboard bamboo rafts and army trucks and by wading in waist-deep water. Provinces north of the capital have been submerged, with factories and homes ruined.

Most of Bangkok, however, has remained dry and most of its more than 9 million residents were staying put to protect their homes. Still, fears the inner city could flood has fueled an exodus this week, as Thais and expatriates alike sought refuge outside Bangkok and foreign governments urged their citizens to avoid unessential travel to the threatened city.

The U.S. State Department cautioned against all but essential travel to areas of Thailand affected by the flooding, including Bangkok, because of transportation difficulties and shortages of certain food items.

On Thursday, an emotional Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra acknowledged her government could not control the approaching deluge.

"What we're doing today is resisting the force of nature," Yingluck told reporters. She said the water bearing down on Bangkok was so massive that "we cannot resist all of it."

The floods, the heaviest in Thailand in more than half a century, have drenched a third of the country's provinces, killed close to 400 people and displaced more than 110,000 others. For weeks, the water has crept down from the central plains, flowing south toward the Gulf of Thailand. Bangkok is in the way, and today it is literally surrounded by behemoth pools of water flowing around and through it via a complex network of canals and rivers.

Flooding has closed Bangkok's Don Muang airport, mainly used for domestic flights, but Thailand's main international airport is operating as usual.

After visiting the Grand Palace, American tourist Kathy Kiernan said she wasn't too concerned about flooding in the capital.

"We were a little worried when we got in to see sandbags around our hotel," said the 47-year-old from Salt Lake City, Utah. "But so far it's pretty normal. Everything looks fine, though we know anything can happen."

The government's Flood Relief Operations Center says its contingency plan involves the Thai military and government agencies transporting people from evacuation points in the capital to outlying provinces.

Within the city, 234 shelters are set up to house nearly 78,000 people. Authorities say there are currently about 7,500 displaced people in the sprawling metropolis.

Bangkok flood to peak over the weekend - The Nation

Bangkok flood to peak over the weekend

The Nation October 28, 2011 10:42 am


Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Friday instructed 13 districts located along the banks of Chao Phraya River to closely monitor the water situation and brace for emergency evacuation.

Sukkumbhand said based on Friday's hydrology forecast, the Chao Phraya wil likely rise to more than 2.50 meters, triggering overflow in several areas.

High tides will exacerbate the water level from Saturday to Monday.

Yesterday saw the Chao Phraya River peaked at 2.42 meters.

The city administration has been implementing the emergency evacuation order covering four districts, Don Mueang, Sai Mai, Bang Phlat and Thawee Wattana, particularly Thammasop area.

The inundation in Sai Mai rose additional 15 centimeters in the last 24 hours. The floodwater in Thawee Wattana rose additional 16 centimeters.

Thawee Wattana's flood defence is weakest at two major canals, Mawawat and Thawee Wattana, where there is no permanent levee to deter the water flow.

In Bang Phlat, the inundation varies from one meter to 70 centimeters.

Due to rising inundation, services, including relief operations, at Dom Mueang district office has been relocated to Lak Si district office.

The Navy's Hydrology Department issued a daily forecast saying the Chao Phraya River will swell to 2.57 meters at 2.57 meters at 8.03 am on Friday and at 2.44 meters at 5.52 pm.

The river's water level will vary from 2.60 to 2.65 meters from Saturday to Monday.

Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwannatat said the government is expected Friday's afternoon to finalise its decision whether to demolish certain sections of five main roads in eastern Bangkok in order to speed up the drainage into the sea via Samut Prakan.

In northern Bangkok, flood continues to spread via Phaholyothin and Vibhavadi-Rangsit roads. At certain areas, the inundation rose to 1.2 meters.

The overflowing from Hok Wa Canal in Sai Mai has started to inundate Soi Watcharaphol.

The water head is seeping toward Chaeng Wattana Road but has not reached it.

Tulip_Oum Tulip Naksompop

9am at Pra-Arthit rd, water at knee-high. #thaifloodeng ~ [at]au_rawisaya lockerz.com/s/150862900



ChareongKrung rd at 7:45am.~[at]Art_Buic [at]wannasiri_ http://lockerz.com/s/150842672

Gov to hire flood-affected workers at least 300 THB as a part of industrial rehabilitation : National News Bureau of Thailand

Gov to hire flood-affected workers at least 300 THB as a part of industrial rehabilitation

BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 (NNT) – The government prepares to hire flood-affected workers at 300 THB per day to help rehabilitate industrial estates while manufacturers are willing to pay 75% of the total wage during the production suspension.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong stated that the government has approved a budget of approximately 325,000 THB to assist the flood-affected businesses. Aiming so, the government is ready to hire all of the flood-affected workers to help renovate the damaged industrial estates and civil offices, paying them at least 300 THB per day.

Meanwhile, more than 95% of the entrepreneurs agree on paying their workers 75% of their total wages during the months of product suspension. They also gave their personal voices that Social Security Fund payment should be omitted in order to reduce the workers' financial burdens, still, leaving it to the Social Security Office's consideration. Moreover, the government is ready to play a leading role in the rehabilitation of the industrial sector including buying and repairing machineries and instruments as well as giving assistance to all private businesses as proposed by the Federation of Thai Industries.

Mr Kittiratt reassured that the shortage of necessary products has already been resolved. As for the domestic manufacturers' concerns over the fact that the government has imported certain kinds of necessary goods such as drinking water, the government will give the main importance to the domestic manufacturers but it needs to import some products because of delivery difficulties.

-----
Chartered flights from China canceled due to flood in Bangkok : National News Bureau of Thailand

Chartered flights from China canceled due to flood in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 (NNT)-The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) revealed that over 70% of chartered flights from China to Thailand have been canceled after the Chinese government refused to provide any compensation for their tour agents.

According to ATTA President Mr. Sittiwatchara Cheewarattanaporn, most of the canceled flights from China were due to arrive in Bangkok in November while only a few still flying are those going to spend a vacation in Phuket.

The President said because Chinese tour agents had mistaken that both airports in Bangkok were closed due to flood and the warning from their government against traveling to Thailand at this time, the majority of Bangkok bound chartered flights had been canceled accordingly.

Their reaction was also due to the uncertainty around the flood situation in Bangkok. Mr. Sittiwatchara added that it would take at least a month to restore the tourism sector in Thailand after the flood recedes.

Thailand will miss the opportunity to reap revenues from the tourism industry particularly during the high season which begins form November to December.

He further added that the private sector needed accurate information on where it could flood and the approximate time frame for the impact given that they could not clarify nor explain to their foreign counterparts about the situation in Thailand. Despite the disaster, the numbers of Indian and Russian tourists arriving to Thailand remain unaffected.

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Hoteliers offer special packages to flood runaways : National News Bureau of Thailand

Hoteliers offer special packages to flood runaways

BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 (NNT) – Hoteliers have agreed to help relieve financial worries of the flood runaways by offering them accommodation packages at a special rate.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, around 60 to 70 percent of the hotels in non-flooded provinces in the central region are ready to welcome holiday makers escaping floods with cozy rooms at just 300 to 3,000 THB per night. The campaign will continue until the end of November when the flood situation is expected to return to normal. Interested people can call TAT’s 1672 hotline.

Apart from the budget hotel program, TAT and other tourism-related agencies have prepared to carry out three strategies involving tourists’ participation to lure tourists back to Ayutthaya province. Visitors of Ayutthaya will be invited to take part in the clean-up and fund-raising campaigns to help restore over 400 flood-torn temples in the province. Special promotions will also be offered to holiday makers taking trips to tourism attractions.

10.24 In front of FROC at Don Muang Airport, Vibhavadi - Rangsit http://lockerz.com/s/150882887 TR [at]NationChannel24

Jomquanjomquan 10.24 น. หน้า "ศปภ." - อาคารผู้โดยสาร สนามบินดอนเมือง - ถ.วิภาวดีรังสิต

10.33 Don Muang train station, opposite of Don Muang Airport [Picture] http://lockerz.com/s/150884757 / TR [at]NationChannel24

Jomquanjomquan 10.33 น. สถานีรถไฟดอนเมือง ตรงข้ามสนามบินดอนเมือง

09.40 Tha Phra Artit overflowed by 30cm. Traffic between the Nation Fort to Pinklao Bridge blocked

[at]Reporter_Js3 Pitinon K.
09.40น.น้ำเจ้าพระยาทะลักท่าพระอาทิตย์ท่วมสูง30ซม. ปิดการจราจรด้านหน้าป้อมพระสุเมรุถึงใต้ส.พระปิ่นเกล ้า pic.twitter.com/uZUCMgGd

http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_around_thailand.php?id=5952

FLOODING IN THAILAND: SITUATION UPDATE

(28/10/2011)

The flooding in Thailand is mainly affecting the central provinces along the Chao Phraya River including Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Other popular tourist destinations in the central region including Pattaya, Hua Hin, Kanchanaburi and Koh Chang have not been affected by the floods. Provinces in the south of Thailand also have not been affected by the floods.

Situation in Bangkok

Most areas of central Bangkok where to tourists normally go are not flooded at this time. The Chao Phraya River, which runs through Bangkok, is at a higher-than-normal level. This is causing some flooding at tourist attractions that are close to the river.

Within the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, several suburbs and areas adjacent to the Chao Phraya River are experiencing flooding. As these areas are largely residential and industrial zones, they are not normally visited by tourists. The government has asked residents to leave these areas due to the flooding.

The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are operating normally. Taxis and tuk tuks are operating on a limited basis. Many BMTA bus routes have been rerouted or suspended due to the flooding. Express boat services on the Chao Phraya River have also been suspended.

According to government officials, 27 October until 1 November 2011 will be a peak period for flooding due to a combination of high seasonal tides and the large volume of water flowing from the northern provinces through the Bangkok area. The government has announced holidays during this period to facilitate the management of flood control measures. The Chatuchak Weekend Market is closed the weekend of October 29.

Given the rapidly changing nature of the flooding situation in Bangkok, the TAT recommends that tourists check multiple sources of information to make an informed decision about whether they should visit Bangkok at the present time.

Transportation:

Airports

Bangkok is served by two airports. Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main gateway to Thailand with 120 international and domestic airlines, remains open. It has considerable flood protection measures in place and is operating normally, handling around 76 flights per hour.

Suvarnabhumi Airport is also the main connector for international arrivals to domestic flights serving tourist destinations throughout Thailand such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Surat Thani. Domestic flights are operating as per normal between Suvarnabhumi Airport and all other airports in Thailand.

Transportation from the airport into central Bangkok including taxis, buses and the Airport Rail Link have not been affected by the floods and are operating normally. Highways from the airport to tourist destinations southeast of Bangkok such as Pattaya, Rayong, and Koh Chang are open. Travelers should allow additional time to travel to the airport due to traffic congestion.

Don Mueang Airport, the old international airport, has been closed until November 1 due to flooding. The two domestic airlines operating from Don Mueang have temporarily switched their operations to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

State Railway of Thailand and inter-provincial bus services

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and inter-provincial bus services are operating as per usual in areas that are not affected by the floods. In Bangkok and other areas affected by the floods. The SRT and inter-provincial bus service operators are adjusting their routes to best serve passengers given the disruptions caused by the flooding. Travelers are advised to check in advance with these operators and may want to consider flying to their destinations within Thailand.

Information sources:

English-language sources

The Government Public Relations Department
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)
Thailand Meteorological Department:

Thai- language sources

Flood Relief Operations Center
BMA Flood Control Center
Airports of Thailand
State Railway of Thailand

English-language newspapers offering continuous updates on the flooding situation

Bangkok Post
The Nation

Useful Contact Numbers:

TAT Call Center: 1672
Thai Airways: +66 (0) 2356 1111
Bangkok Airways: +66 (0) 2265 8777
AirAsia: +66 (0) 2515 9999
Nok Air: 1318 or +66 (0) 2900 9955
Orient Thai Airlines: 1126
State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Call Center: 1690
Transport Co.,Ltd. Hotline: (Inter-provincial bus service) 1490

Source: Tourism Authorithy of Thailand (TAT)

10.53 Small vehicles should avoid Phahonyothin in front of Big C Saphan Mai due to 20-30cm. flooded water

Reporter_Js5 30 mins 31 secs ago Twitter
ถ.พหลโยธิน หน้าบิ๊กซีสะพานใหม่ น้ำยังท่วมขังอยู่ 20-30ซม. รถเล็กไม่ควรผ่าน yfrog.com/oc2illnj

tulsathit tulsathit

Chao Phya levels went fr 2.6 to 2.8 m in matter of hrs this morning. No big breach of barriers reported yet but it's hold-yr-breath day

RichardBarrow Richard Barrow

Picture of floods on Sukhumvit 50 alongside Phra Khanong Canal pic.twitter.com/i18GKuxk /via [at]onlyhappyword