Thread: Bangkok Floods, 12th November, 2011-Water receding in 11 districts

5:15pm Water receded to 30-40cm at Ladphrao 5-way junction toward Phahonyothin Rd http://pic.twitter.com/3zZWi2x5 ~ [at]js100radio

5:20pm Nawamin in/outbound at Chokedee Dimsam flooded 20-30cm. Small cars hardly passable http://yfrog.com/nwi2amj ~ [at]js100radio

tukky_nt tukky_nt

[at]axiomebkk The entire of Prawet sub district of Prawet distirct is warned of flood alert

5:40pm Big C at Ladphrao Soi 7 opens as normal (9am-8pm) despite 10cm of flood on the road http://pic.twitter.com/qDyu2iGO ~ [at]js100radio

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

17.50 Lad Phrao 5 way int. Lad Phrao-Rachada, water on average 10-30cm, receded a bit. Pic bit.ly/ttK9ng #ThaiFloodEng via [at]jsradio

6:02pm Traffic on Petchkasem Rd from Buddhamonthon Sai 4 to Soi Petchkasem 18 blocked due to 40-80cm of water ~ [at]Rawangpai

veen_NT veena T.

RT [at]Ryn_writes: In front PM Yingluck s residence sees Floodwater rises at 15cm TR [at]drknow_sml yfrog.com/kk99560506j

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

17.55 Rangsit-Thanya Buri Klong 5, flooded but cars can pass-pic- bit.ly/rBfIUX #ThaiFloodEng (via [at]js100radio ) RT [at]chin_angel69

StrontiumDog1 StrontiumDog

17.53 Lad Phrao-Rachada, direction Soi Pavanna, water at 20-40cm, cars avoid bit.ly/vfBblk #ThaiFloodEng (via [at]js100radio )

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Donmuang airport to be up and running again with 2-months recovery period

UPDATE : 12 November 2011

Airports of Thailand (AOT) reports they will need 2 months for the full recovery of Donmuang airport until they can return to normal services again.

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Thai traffic polic: Seri Thai Rd. and begining from Soi Nawamin 147 to be avoided due to continuous rise of water. Small cars shouldn't pass

i went for a walk down onnut/srinakarin today.

the difference in height between the gate was a meter or so.



the flooding on sriinakarin/onnut road. it went all te way to seacon square i think.



around onnut 41. very high.



the police station and a couple of restaurants are flooded already



still some shops that would sell beer. she wrapped it up in a paper bag.... gangstar.



every soi on the right down onnut as you go towards big c was flooded up until 37 i think. the klong was overflowing into the carpark of the restaurant/bar opposite arreya.

^ Thanks for the pics...

Bangkok Post : Thonburi a concern, inner Bangkok safe

Thonburi a concern, inner Bangkok safe

• Published: 12/11/2011 at 08:04 PM
• Online news:

Assoc Prof Dr Seri Suparathit of Rangsit University Centre on Climate Change and Disaster, in a daily flood report on Thai PBS noted:



According to a JAMTEC weather forecast model from Japan, the influence of La Nina in the Pacific ocean wanes next year. There will be less rainfall. After that El Nino will take over. Expect to see dry period for a few years. Due to global warming, the weather pattern will be quite extreme. In the next century, a UN report stated that the global war will not be about oil but water.

Looking at a regional model and focus on Thailand, the rainy season may see plentiful of rain due to the La Nina effect, but when El Nino reigns Thailand may face extreme drought as well.

This will pose a challenge for the country to manage the water resources in the future.

Dr Seri then turned to daily flood analysis.

Today is still the period of high tide. The Chulalongkorn sluice gate needs to be closed and pumps are used to pump water into the river. However, the water above the gate continues to decline.

Today Dr Seri surveyed the flooded areas via helicopter courtesey of Police chief Pol Gen Piewpong Damapong.

Floods on the Central Plains decline markedly. More trees are visisble.

Rama II Rd is not flooded yet due to its high ground, but both sides of the roads see rising water.

Bang Chan and Lat Krabang industrial estates are still surrounded by floodwater.

Kaset-Navamindra flood head moves down very slowly due to flatter ground and less water replenisment from the north.

Big Bag gaps are now closed. Dr Seri declared that inner Bangkok is definitely safe as Khlong Bang Sue pumping station is coping very well. Even if Big Bag is removed now, Khlong Bang Sue pumping capability can handle about 20 cubic metres/second inflow.

Thonburi side is still a concern as there are still about 990 million cubic metres of water mass to be managed up north.

Bangkok Post : Rama II may be spared closure

Rama II may be spared closure

• Published: 12/11/2011 at 09:06 PM
• Online news:

Dr Anond Snidvongs, GIS expert working for Froc, provided a daily flood analysis on NBT noted:



Big Picture: All provinces along Chao Phraya river see declining floodwater level and are now on the process of restoration/rehabilitation.

Areas that still see flood level rising are Bangkok and Thonburi.

Bangkok East now sees floodwater arrive at Khlong Prakanong, Khlong Prawase to be drained to the sea. The floodwater flow speed takes longer than expected, but it means that the government's effort to drain excess water to the East works.

Khlong Bang Sue can hold invading floods for 5 days now. BMA's canals, Bang Sue, Bang Khen, Lak Si, Lat Phrao work well together with Big Bag slowing down the inflow.

Lak Si, Don Mueang see declining water level. It will take about 7-10 days to drain main roads dry.

Phya Thai, Khlong Toey, Silom, Sathorn [economic hub] are unlikely to see any flood.

Bung Khum, Khlong Samwa are still worrisome. Bang Chan, Minburi see rising water, but the rising rate is now stabilising.

Bang Kapi may see a little water about 10-20cm deep from overflowing Saen Saep canal.

Khlong 8,9,10 closure helps a lot in slowing the inflow to Bangkok.

The western side (Thonburi) sees wider flood spread, but not deep.

Khlong Mahasawat canal sees declining water a little due to Royal Irrigation Department's effort in pumping water into Tha Chin river.

Khlong Thawee Wattana also sees declining water level.

However, water replenisment is still there in the north but will spread wider.

Khlong Phasi-Charoen is now stable, meaning floodwater has spread wider, but shallower.

Chomthong, Nongkhaem districts begin to see floodwater.

Rama II Rd is still navigable. No more consideration of digging up Rama II Rd.

Froc will try to expedite waterflow to Mahachai water retention area to be drained off to the sea.

If the effort to expedite waterflow succeeds, Rama II Rd will be flooded not so deep to warrant road closure.

TAN_Network TAN News Network

Waterworks dept. predicts flooding situation in bkk will improve after Nov. 16 due to no effects from high sea level [at]news1005fm

Police to keep close eye on boat taxis, if over-charging for fees found, report 1599 or 191, Ch3 reports

Thai traffic police admits failure in fixing 340 (bangbuathong-suphanburi) highway for southbound, will take 1-2 days to complete

Prof.Komsan predicts Flood water to reach Seacon Square on Srinakarin road within 7 days

BMA predicts all areas will be dry within 2 weeks if no more 'New' water flows in. bkk governor reports

Thai-ASEAN News Network

BMA prepares 170 vehicles for flood victims as transportation service. 21 routes altogether

UPDATE : 12 November 2011

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) along with other agencies such as the Army and the BMTA join hands in preparing vehicles to assist flood victims facing transportation difficulties.

According to Deputy Bangkok Governor Thaya Teepsuwan,
there will be 170 vehilces prepared while 21 flooded routes are included begining service from 6pm to 10pm.

1.Kumpaeng phet 6 Rd. (Local Road) begining from Bang Khen intersection to Don Muang - 6 vehicles

2.Chaeng Wattana Rd. to road along Prapa canal – 2 vehicles

3.Pahonyothin Rd. beginning from Kwai bridge to National memorial - 10 vehicles

4.Vibhavadi Rd. from Sutisarn intersection to National memorial - 10 vehicles

5.Pracha Niwet Rd. from Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd. to road along Prapa canal – 2 vehicles

6.Ladprao Rd. to Wanghin – 2 vehicles

7.Lad Plakhao Rd. from Raminthra to Wanghin intersection to Chokchai 4 – 2 vehicles

8.Chang Akat Uthit, Pracha Uthit, Kosum Ruamjai, Weruwanaram temple, Cherd Wuthakat- 8 vehicles

9.Songprapa Rd., Nawong Prachapatana, Techa tungka, Soi Soranakom, Cherd Wuthakat- 8 vehicles

10.Ngamwongwan Rd. from Kaset intersection to Pongphet intersection -2 vehicles.

11.Ratchadapisek Rd.from Sutisarn intersection to Vibhavadi Rd. – 2 vehicles

12.Saimai Rd. – 3 vehicles

13.Entrance of Soi Wacharapon to Sukhapiban 5 – 5 vehicles

14.Raminthra from Laksi intersection to Kilometer 8 – 4 vehicles

15.Nawamin km.8 Rd. to Khlong Lumchala – 2 vehicles

16.Suwintawong Rd. from Khlong Samwa to Saensuk temple – 2 vehicles

17.Phraya Suren Rd. - 4 vehicles

18.Borom Ratchonnani Rd. from Borom Ratchonnani intersection (Charan Sanit Wong- Buddha Monthon Sai 4 Rd.) – 8 vehicles

19.Phet Kasem Rd. from Tha Pra intersection to Buddha Monthon Sai 4 Rd. – 8 vehicles

20.Bangbon 1 Rd. (Bangbon Rd. to Bangkae) from Ekkachai intersection to Phet Kasem Rd. – 2 vehicles

21.Kanchanapisek Rd. from Phet Kasem Rd. to Khlong Mahasawat – 5 vehicles

For more information call 1555.

Boat services have also been provided for areas with high flood levels including Laksi district (13 boats) 7 routes, Thawi Wattana district (32 boats) 4 routes and Taling Chan district (34 boats) 3 routes.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

2 additional subdistricts in Bueng Kum announced to move belongings to higher ground

UPDATE : 12 November 2011

Two additional subdistricts include Nuanchan and Khlong Kum subdistritcs

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has announced the warning for 2 more subdistricts within Bueng Kum to be on high alert and move their property up to higher ground if possible.

Thai PM: Chance of Floods Worsening

Thai PM: Chance of Floods Worsening ’Slim’

By Supunnabul Suwannakij and Suttinee Yuvejwattana - Nov 12, 2011 12:34 PM GMT+0700

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said floodwaters north of Bangkok are receding and the capital’s defenses are holding, leaving only a “slim” chance that a four-month-old flood crisis will worsen.

“There will be high tides in the middle of this month, but we don’t think it will be as severe as we experienced earlier,” Yingluck told reporters today. “There may be minor flooding in inner Bangkok, but it won’t be as serious as in the north.”

Authorities are maintaining a series of canals, dikes and sandbag barriers to divert a slow-moving pool of water around Bangkok, which sits at the southern tip of a river basin that empties into the Gulf of Thailand.

Water released from dams and higher-than-average rainfall swamped hundreds of factories north of the city last month, crippling global supply chains.

“There is a slim chance that the flood crisis could get worse,” Yingluck said. “The big-bag barrier has helped slow the flow of water from the north into Bangkok, but it hasn’t stopped the water. If we can drain water into the Saen Saeb canal and all floodgates work efficiently, we should be safe.”

Efforts to save Bangkok and areas around the capital that the government estimates account for about half of Thailand’s industrial output have prolonged flooding in communities outside the water barriers, sparking clashes with residents who want the levees torn down.

The threat “still exists everywhere that we have flood barriers,” Jate Sopitpongstorn, an adviser to Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, said yesterday.

Rice Farms, Factories

At least 533 people have been killed since late July, when monsoon rains began lashing Thailand. Flooding worsened last month, when rainfall about 40 percent more than the annual average filled dams north of Bangkok to capacity, prompting authorities to release more than 9 billion cubic meters of water down a river basin the size of Florida.

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut told parliament on Nov. 10 that the dams didn’t release large volumes of water earlier because of concern rice farms may be flooded during the harvest. While Thailand’s fertile floodplains have helped the country remain the world’s biggest rice exporter for the past three decades, they also form a natural basin that slows the drainage of water through the Chao Phraya River toward Bangkok and the sea.

The provinces of Nakhon Sawan, 218 kilometers (135 miles) north of Bangkok, and Ayutthaya, 78 kilometers from the capital, began flooding in early August. Floodwaters eventually rose as high as 3 meters (9.8 feet) in Ayutthaya and took as long as three weeks to reach Bangkok’s outskirts.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

Waters more than a meter deep have moved south through Bangkok over recent weeks, forcing the closure on Oct. 25 of the Don Mueang airport, which sits on the city’s northern edge and mostly handles domestic flights. Floodwaters have reached as far south as Mo Chit, a station on the inner-city rail network known as the Skytrain.

Suvarnabhumi Airport and public transport links are still operating normally. The airport’s perimeter is protected by a 3.5-meter-high dike, according to Airports of Thailand Pcl. (AOT)

“The situation in central provinces has improved,” Yingluck said today in a national radio address. “Floodwaters have receded in provinces such as Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Singburi and Ang Thong, and big clean-up days have been held.”

In western Bangkok, where water levels have reached 2 meters in some districts, authorities are focusing on repairing dikes and accelerating drainage, Yingluck said. The government has provided Bangkok authorities with 70 additional large water pumps, she said.

Industrial Estates

Thai officials are aiming to prevent further damage to industrial zones in Bangkok after floods swamped seven estates with 891 factories north of the capital. Yingluck plans to spend 130 billion baht ($4.2 billion) to help flood victims and rebuild damaged roads, bridges and buildings within a year, she said. Expansion this year would miss an earlier target of 3.5 percent to 4 percent, Yingluck said earlier this week.

Waters have threatened Bang Chan and Lad Krabang, two industrial estates in eastern Bangkok with 322 factories.

“We are still trying to protect it,” Yingluck said of Bang Chan, without giving details.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon will visit Thailand next week before Yingluck travels to Bali, Indonesia, for the East Asia summit, the premier said.

Thailand braces for tourist cancellations - Telegraph

Thailand braces for tourist cancellations

James Goyder says Thailand’s flood crisis is deterring tourists on whom the economy depends .


Thailand will be left with a clean-up bill of £12 billion once the waters recede, but the losses will not end there

James Goyder

8:00AM GMT 12 Nov 2011

The Kiatphontip Muay Thai martial arts camp in Bangkok should be full of tourists and Thais, skipping and sparring and striking punch bags. This week an eerie stillness prevailed as the previously prosperous business on the outskirts of the city remained closed after being flooded by more than 3ft of water.

In those areas of Thailand affected by the current floods, more than 500 people have died and hundreds of thousands more have lost their livelihoods. Rising water continues to make its way slowly into the capital. It is bubbling up from the drains, flowing through the canals and finding a way past sandbags and into buildings and homes.

Once the water has receded, the country will be left with a clean-up bill of an estimated £12 billion, but the losses will not end there. Images of boats being paddled down city streets have been broadcast around the world, deterring the tourists on whom the Thai economy depends.

Kiatphontip is owned by Pannee Songhai and Rob Cox, her English husband. It caters to many overseas visitors who travel to Thailand to study Muay Thai, the kingdom’s national sport. Mr Cox said the flooding could not have come at a worse time, with the high season about to start.

“I have lived here for 10 years and have never seen anything like it,” he added. “It’s foreigners coming to train who keep the gym alive and help to cover the high costs of providing for the Thai fighters who live and train here.”

Businesses aimed at tourists that have not been directly affected are still feeling the repercussions. Guesthouses on the popular Khaosan Road have reported a 50 per cent decrease in occupancy, despite the fact that there is no flooding in the immediate area and that nearby attractions such as the Grand Palace remain open.

The most popular holiday destinations in southern Thailand, such as Phuket and Krabi, remain untouched by flood waters, but hotels all over the country are bracing themselves for cancellations, and some supermarkets are reporting food shortages and panic buying.

Glenn Ferrer, the manager at the Kata Beach Resort & Spa in Phuket, this week reassured sun-seekers that there was no reason to stay away from the southern islands and resorts.

“Selected food prices have started to go up, but there are no shortages, as alternative supplies come from within southern Thailand and Malaysia. Southern Thailand is not affected by the floods, and Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui airports are all fully operational,” he said. “The beaches are still sunny and all the shopping and entertainment complexes are open.”

The flooding is the latest in a series of events that has undermined travellers’ confidence in Thailand. In 2008, political protests resulted in the closure of the country’s two busiest international airports; last year 91 people died in a demonstration against the government.

The previously volatile political situation appears to have stabilised in the aftermath of the recent election and tourism arrivals in Thailand were projected to come close to the 20 million mark this year. With Britain and other countries continuing to advise against all but essential travel to Bangkok, that figure is likely to drop significantly.

In and around Bangkok, Suvarnabhumi International Airport was this week operating as normal, although Don Mueang Airport, which deals exclusively with domestic flights, was shut. According to the irrigation department, the water will recede from Bangkok in the next week, but for people whose homes and businesses have been submerged, the damage has already been done.

• For the latest Foreign Office advice for Thailand, see fco.gov.uk