Thread: Bangkok Floods, 1st November, 2011-PM hopeful but governor fears a second wave

I am at Major Ratchayothin, no water there an hour ago....

Originally Posted by Bobcock

I am at Major Ratchayothin, no water there an hour ago....

None there yet certainly, but the floodwater is coming down Phahonyothin alarmingly quickly....it has passed soi 34 by the looks of it. Less than 500 metres to go to Major.

Time for a boat....

Bangkok Post : Bang Khae home for elderly evacuating

Bang Khae home for elderly evacuating

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 03:09 PM
• Online news:

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has been asked to provide buses to evacuate abut 400 elderly people from the Bang Khae home for the aged to a learning centre in Ratchaburi province, city bus agency director Opas Phetmunee said.

The Bang Khae home in western Bangkok is now threatened by approaching floodwaters.

Mr Opas said he would provide two airconditioned buses and one hot bus to evacuate the residents. It would take two to three days to complete the evacuation because the elderly need special care

Bangkok Post : No more flood holidays

No more flood holidays

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 02:49 PM
• Online news: Local News

The cabinet on Tuesday decided not to declare additional official holidays to make it easier to combat the flooding, government deputy spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa said.

Last week the cabinet declared Oct 27, 28 and Oct 31 official government holidays, bracketing the normal weekend, and Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa proposed that they be extended further.

Mr Chalitrat said the cabinet turned down Gen Yutthasak's proposa because government officials who were unable to travel to work because of the flood can already take days off at the discretion of their supervisors.

Bangkok Post : NESDB's rehab measures approved

NESDB's rehab measures approved

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 02:03 PM
• Online news:

The cabinet on Tuesday agreed in principle to post-flood rehabilitation measures to help people in all sectors affected by flooding as proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudit Nakhonthap said.

Mr Anudit said the NESDB had proposed broad measures without going in detail on how much money would be needed for their implementation.

The various ministries would work out their implementation plans and required timeframes.

The government attached importance to all sectors - whether agriculture, industry or fields of occupation - affected by the flooding.

The minister said the question of whether the government's first-car and first-house buyers assistance schemes aimed to spur the economy would continue would have to be taken for consideration.

Bangkok Post : RID to reduce flow from the North

RID to reduce flow from the North

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 02:30 PM
• Online news: Local News

The Royal Irrigation Department plans to throttle back the amount of water flowing out of the Chao Phraya dam and through other watergates to reduce the flow of water heading for Bangkok and the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin river basins, Gen Palangkoon Klaharn said on Tuesday.

Gen Palangkoon, a spokesman of the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc), said the amount of water from the North flowing past Nakhon Sawan had been reduced.

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut said the water flowing to the west of Bangkok would be reduced by 10 per cent for at least five days to minimise the flooding on inner Bangkok.

Full details of the RID's plan would be forwarded to Froc for acknowledgement today, he said.

Bangkok Post : Plodprasop: Flood level will ease

Plodprasop: Flood level will ease

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 02:52 PM
• Online news:

The flood situation in Bangkok has improved following the peak high tides on Monday, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said on Tuesday.

The chief of operations of the government's Flood Relief Operation Command (Froc) said the Chao Phraya River's level had dropped by 3 or 4 cms. If the water level continued dropping, it would be a good sign for people living along both sides of the river, he said.

"When the northern runoff flows out to sea the water level will gradually decrease, but water is still pouring into the west side [of Bangkok].

"The next most worrying time will be on Nov 15 when the tides will peak again but they won't rise by as much as this time.

"Water has entered Bangkok and the rate of draining it out is solely dependent on the city's drainage system. At this time we're still monitoring the northern runoff," Mr Plodprasop said.

He said the overall situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas will steadily improve.

The drainage process to the east of the capital was slow due to its vast area, but the water level should not rise any higher, he said.

"The flood is not as worrying as the stagnant water, and authorities will have to tackle both issues simultaneously," Mr Plodprasop said.

When reporters asked him about the cooperation between the Froc and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), he said Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra should not tell people in the capital to listen to him alone since both sides have good intentions towards the people.

When asked whether the people should listen to the Froc or the BMA, the minister said, "My height is 176cm but the governor's not as tall as me. I'm taller so people have to listen to me. What do you expect my response will be?"

Bangkok Post : Bang Chan area 'now at risk'

Bang Chan area 'now at risk'

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 02:26 PM
• Online news:

Economically important areas, including the Bang Chan industrial estate, in northeastern Bangkok are at increased risk of flooding now the Khlong Sam Wa floodgate has been lifted.

The warning came from Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra on Tuesday after the City Hall was ordered by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Monday to raise the gate from 80 centimetres to one metre high, following demands from local residents.

The residents rallied and blocked a section of Nimit Mai Road, arguing that opening the gate wider would allow water to flow faster into Khlong Saen Saep, but city officials were worried the increased rate of flow would cause more flooding.

Khlong Saen Saep can help drain water out to the Chao Phraya and Bang Pakong rivers, but if the level in the canal increases without controls, Nong Chok, Min Buri and Lat Krabang can be affected, the governor said.

MR Sukhumbhand said he asked the Flood Relief Operations Centre to lower the floodgates on Khlong 8 and 9 by 30cms to help curb the volume of water flowing into Khlong Saen Saep.

However, this had not been done, because of protests from people living near the areas.

“We need to remain firm in our principles”, in solving the flood problem, he said.

In addition to the Bang Chan industrial estate, the Lat Krabang industrial estate could be also affected by the increased water level in Khlong Saen Saep, which runs across eastern Bangkok, and Khlong Lam Pla Thio in Lat Krabang district, he said.

Catching up on some tweets....a lot happening today!

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Lardplakao Soi 56, close to Ramintra, sees 20-30cm of flooding; Ramintra Soi 15 sees flooding at 40cm

Commerce Minister Kittirat to import 7 mln eggs, 400,000 cans of fish, 1 mln bottles of drinking water from Malaysia and Hong Kong

Chao Phraya River's high tide floods Boromratchachonnani, Arum Amarin and Charansanitwongse roads

Bangchan Industrial Estate sees flood barriers at 50cm higher than flood water

Drainage of water in Kratumbaen, Samut Sakhon speeded up to help western BKK

Telecom expert expects communication network not to be affected by flooding unless electricity is cut in a wide area

BOT: 428 bank branches and 4,188 ATMs closed because of flooding; public should prepare cash as more closures expected

SET president: 30 listed firms halt production from flooding; firms make up 1% of total market cap

Public Health Min: 2 deaths from leptospirosis in Lopburi,Nakhon Sawan from wading in flood water; psychiatrists to help flood victims

Electricity authority ready to distribute electricity to 7 flooded industrial estates for rehabilitation

Dep PM Chalerm to bring in police from non-flooded provinces to increase patrol in flooded areas,using 4-wheeled vehicles,helicopter,boats

Deputy PM Kittirat reiterates necessity to borrow at least Bt100 bln for flood rehab; foreign experts to be brought in to determine amount

Commerce Ministry: Oct inflation rose 4.19% y-o-y and 0.19% m-o-m due to higher food prices because of flooding

Flooding at Sukhumvit Soi 50 recedes after repair on Phra Kanong Canal's flood wall completed since 10.30pm last night

1 northern train service to BKK resumes today via Chiang Mai-BKK route but train takes 10 hours due to detour around flooded areas

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Science Minister Plodprasop says he has difficulties in liaising with BKK Metropolitan Admin concerning flood situation

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Minister: Big Mass of Water Lingers North of BKK

UPDATE : 1 November 2011

The science minister reveals that a large volume of water still remains north of Bangkok but he refuses to disclose more details, fearing the public will panic.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Surasawadee, as operations director of the Flood Relief Operations Center, or FROC, said a large volume of water still remains north of Bangkok.


However, he refused to confirm or deny if the volume is eight billion cubic meters, as was stated in the news.

Plodprasop said this mass of water will have to be drained out to the sea.

He refused to comment whether this influx of water will add to the flood woes Bangkok is currently facing, saying he did not want to confuse the public.

Thai-ASEAN News Network



Floods in Thonburi Areas Decreasing

UPDATE : 1 November 2011

The floodwater level in Thonburi areas has been decreasing gradually while many communities in Talingchan are facing rising water.

The water level in Charansanitwong, Pinklao and Bang Plad areas has been continuously decreasing and is now well below the previous 50 centimeters.


From Baromratchonnanee intersection to the Tah Pra intersection, the water level is only 20 centimeters high, and there is no more runoff in some areas.

In the meantime, the water level on Charansanitwong Road going toward the Rama 7 bridge is as high as 50 centimeters, making cars still unable to pass.

The runoff water is turning black and smells quite bad.

The outbound lane of Baromratchonnanee Road and nearby communities has been covered by the runoff from Talingchan temple canal.

There is 20 centimeters of water in front of the Talingchan police station, while, the water level in Suan Pak, and Chimplee communities has risen to 1 meter.

Water from the Bangkok Noi canal is overflowing into many homes in Bang Khunnon area.

Talingchan police officers have conceded that the floods have been making their work more difficult.

Dead bodies have had to be delivered by boat to the police station so they could be identified.

It is also very difficult to bring cases to the Talingchan court due to the inundation.

And a number of seized motorcycles are under 20 centimeters of water as well.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

CNN Reports Thailand's Flood Crisis

UPDATE : 1 November 2011

CNN is reporting that Bangkok's central business district has so far been spared from the worst of the inundation, pointing out however, that the outlying areas are chest- or waist-deep in floodwater.

CNN reported an interview with a Bangkok resident who said the stagnant water is a filthy black color containing sewage, garbage and dead animals and is emitting a foul odor, while mosquitoes are breeding rapidly.


Meanwhile, the United States Ambassador to Thailand, Kristie Kenney said on Monday that the inner zone of Bangkok may not be inundated but pointed out that around two million people have been adversely affected by the flooding.

Earlier, the United States donated 1.1 million dollars in aid.

At the same time, charities working in the country have warned of flood-related disease outbreaks such as diarrhea, dengue fever and malaria in the coming days and weeks.

In addition, Matthew Cochrane of the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent stated there are places on the outskirts of Bangkok and in other parts of the country which have been flooded for nearly two weeks.

He added that although the prime minister insisted that the massive floods will not hit the central city, one-third of the country is still inundated, and that aid is unable to reach many of the flood victims.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Armed Forces Rush to Salvage Air Force HQ

UPDATE : 1 November 2011

The defense minister pledges the military's full cooperation in protecting Bangkok from flooding.

The ministry will also start salvaging the air force headquarters which have been submerged so the unit can continue its flood relief mission.


Defense Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapha said the Regions 1, 2 and 3 armies and provincial military medical units are all headed for Bangkok to help with the flood relief operations.

He assured that no military units have turned down orders regarding the flooding even if they do not pertain to its normal responsibilities, such as clearing out water hyacinth from canals.

Yutthasak said engineering soldiers are working on that right now but he feels the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should be the one to handle it as it is more equipped to do so.

The minister said a flood wall has been built around the inundated air force headquarters on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road so water can be pumped out.

The Royal Irrigation Department has been asked to look into draining water out of the area as well.

It is hoped the base can resume flood relief operations.

Helicopters are still able to take off and land from the base as rafts have been built for them to land on.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

PM Assures Flood Victims of Govt's Help

UPDATE : 1 November 2011

The prime minister says measures have been taken to prevent important places from flooding while giving assurances that the government is working all the time to relieve people’s hardship.


Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra posted a message on her Facebook account, saying that the government has been working closely with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to help flood victims in Bangkok and the vicinity while instructing provincial governors to exhaustively take care of all the flood-hit residents.

Yingluck further said that the government has taken measures to prevent important places from being inundated.

She added that rescue officials have been dispatched to join flood-relief efforts at Chakri Bongkot Palace.

A brick wall has been built around Government House to block floodwater while the Metropolitan Police have deployed a number of officers to patrol homes in flood affected areas to protect victims' property.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Flood Donations Pour In from Provinces, Laos

UPDATE : 1 November 2011

Amid the current flooding disaster, Thais from all parts of the country, including people from neighboring countries are contributing to the flood relief efforts.

Governor of Laos's Savannakhet Province, Suphan Keomisay along with businesses and people from the Laotian province have donated drinking water, worth more than 253 million kip, or about one million baht, via the Thai Consulate in the province.


The drinking water has been passed on to the Governor of Mukdahan Province, Charnwit Wasayangkoon, who will distribute it to the flood-hit regions.

Meanwhile in Nong Khai Province, locals there transported 1,500 cases of a dozen bottles of drinking water and other supplies via rail to flood victims in Nonthaburi Province.

Tourism businesses in the provinces have also donated bags of essential items, drinking water and fresh vegetables to the flood-devastated Ayutthaya Province.

At the same time, the Loei Provincial Office of Buddhism has collected more than 100 bags of rice to assist the flood victims in the central provinces and areas around Bangkok.

Local administrative officials in Uttaradit Province have sent rice, non-perishable food items and drinking water on trucks to help those affected by the disaster in Nakhon Sawan Province.

Also, in Chumphon Province, the residents of the Sufficiency Economy Learning Center are hurriedly making effective microorganism balls, which will be used to treat polluted water.

So far, more than 100,000 balls have been made and will be sent to the flooded areas.

A couple of pics from me...

First is the entrance to Phahonyothin, Soi 34. Flooded to a depth of around 30-50cm, due to the slope of the road, the right side is impassable but the left side is only 10-20cm deep....

The police directing traffic near Soi 34, Phahonyothin...army trucks going by.

The difference in water depth is easily seen on the left side of the road.

Yesterday this was completely dry. Impossible for me to walk to the Kaset-Nawamin junction now, which is some 200 metres from here... and where I walked and took a photo at 6pm last night.

Major Ratchayothin NOT Flooding, Pahonyothin Only 10 Centimeters of Water on Two Blocks – Don’t Believe Twitter Twits | Tasty Thailand

Bangkok Post : All 50 districts in Bangkok are 'at risk'

All 50 districts in Bangkok are 'at risk'

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 04:06 PM
• Online news:

Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung and Bung Kum districts would not likely survive the incoming flood, Bangkok Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon said on Tuesday.

All 50 districts in Bangkok are now at risk of flooding after a sluice gate in Khlong Sam Wa has been lifted to a metre, Mr Thirachon said.

The first three districts that would face the flood are Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung and Bung Kum, he said.

"Previously, we thought that 19 districts might not experience flooding but now none of them will be safe," the deputy governor said.

He said authorities must take engineering into consideration and not just the road surface when managing the flood water.

"Bangkok has a total of 2,000 canals and there are many underground tunnels that are connected with each other. When the water is released to Saen Saeb canal, the water would also pass through other canals and tunnels in all 50 districts," Mr Thirachon said.

Bangkok Post : Public Health: 50 die of electrocution

Public Health: 50 die of electrocution

• Published: 1/11/2011 at 04:06 PM
• Online news:

Although only 17 people are officially reported as having died of electrocution, it is believed more than 50 people have actually lost their lives because of power leaks, the Public Health Ministry's Disease Control Department said on Tuesday.

Pornthep Sirivanarangsan, director-general of the department, what is of more concern than communicable diseases during the flooding is deaths from electrocution.

He said from his visits to various evacuation centres in Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom he found that the number of deaths from electrocution was high.

Those who died of electrocution were flood evacuees who tried to wade through water to check property in their houses.

Although they had cut the power supply to their houses, they still risked being killed by electricity leaks from nearby.

Some of them tripped on submerged live power transmission lines.

"Apart from drowning, electrocution is a worrying cause of deaths. Although the official report says only 17 people died of electrocution, the actual figure is probably more than two times greater or about 50.

"Some of the deaths in Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi province were apparently caused by power leaks, but they were reported to have died of drowning. In fact, they were electrocuted before they drowned," Dr Pornthep said.

He cited a case of an incorrect method of helping the electrocuted, in which a mother and her child died of electrocution after the mother tried to help her kid with bare hands.

The Disease Control Department chief said most of the flood victims he visited did not have toilets because where they stayed were all flooded.

The lack of toilets can lead to the spread of diseases in the digestion system, he said.

Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, deputy chief of the department, said his agency had been reported of a large number of food poisoning cases.

According to reports from 232 flood-hit districts in 33 provinces during Oct 5-19, more than 4,000 people became sick of diarrhoea, which is caused by comsuming contaminated food.

Pre-cooked food prepared for a long time before distribution is also a cause of food poisoning, he said.

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Major Ratchayothin NOT Flooding, Pahonyothin Only 10 Centimeters of Water on Two Blocks – Don’t Believe Twitter Twits | Tasty Thailand

Indeed, but the water is moving fast....and it may have been only 10cm before, but now it is a lot deeper....the water is rising....

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

...Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung and Bung Kum districts would not likely survive the incoming flood, Bangkok Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon said on Tuesday.

I live in Saphan Sung. No water yet...

Tulip_Oum Tulip Naksompop

4pm water overflow from LadPrao canal inside Soi Ratchada 36, 10-15cm-high.~[at]Reporter_js8 bit.ly/se8HAf