Thailand's Worst Flood (24 Nov 2011) - YouTube: ""
Disputes between victims and authorities intensify
Residents in Bang Kae, Thawi Watthana and Taling Chan districts block part of the outbound Kanchanaphisek Road, demanding information about flood management plans after flood gates in three small canals on the Thon Buri side were opened to 1m before the agreed time and the water level in their communities rose by another 10-15cm. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
The disputes between authorities and flooded residents continued with the latest threat coming from people in Ram Intra area who threatened to close Ram Intra Road.
They are concerned the dismantling of the flood barrier at Kor Por Or intersection on Phahon Yothin Road will raise the floodwaters around their homes.
National Disaster Warning Centre director Somsak Khaosuwan said officials will need to do more to protect the barriers to ensure the drainage goes as planned.
"Removing the flood walls can't ease the flood situation," Capt Somsak said. "On the contrary, it takes longer to drain the flood because the water spreads.
"If the floodwater is contained, we can deploy water pumps and drain the water more efficiently."
He said that it was vital to make sure flood-affected communities understand the way the water is managed.
His comment came as a community in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka, led by former finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee, is preparing to petition the Flood Relief Operation Command (Froc) to remove the flood barrier on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
Dr Surapong said his community members were working on the petition and that he will present it to the Froc when it is finalised. Dr Surapong's Siwali estate has been under chest-level water for about a month.
The floodwater on Phahon Yothin Road yesterday rose by 22 centimetres from 32cm after the removal of the flood barrier.
However, residents in Sai Mai and Saphan Mai said the water did not increase but the speed of the runoff increased.
On Wednesday former House speaker Arthit Ourairat, also rector of Rangsit University located in the heavily flooded Muang Ake housing estate, suggested blocking Vibhavadi Road and Don Muang tollway.
Dr Arthit yesterday criticised the Froc for its inaction after the floodways were blocked by communities encroaching on them.
"Froc should have exercised its power and ordered the encroachers to move. They don't seem to know how to do it," he said.
He also said he was not sure if Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi who was sent by the Froc to negotiate with him had the decision-making power.
Protests against the government's flood management intensified in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani this week.
On Wednesday a number of flood-affected residents in Rangsit and Lam Luk Ka areas blocked part of Din Daeng-Don Muang tollway to pressure the Froc to speed up drainage.
About 100 residents from Bangkok's Thawi Watthana, Taling Chan and Bang Kae districts yesterday closed a section of Kanchanapisek road at Khlong Bang Chuek Nang to demand City Hall clarify its management plan.
They wanted to know what the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) planned to do after it raised sluice gates at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi to drain the flood and ease Nonthaburi residents' hardship.
"We are willing to ease the hardship of people in Nonthaburi," said Rueng Muangchum, a resident. "We just want to know what the BMA's drainage plan is, how they will drain the water and how long the flood will stay.
According to the BMA's plan, the water will be drained into Khlong Bang Ramat and then be diverted to Khlong Chak Phra and to Khlong Bangkok Yai.
The BMA has promised to monitor the situation closely in the next 48 hours.
Residents of a community near Khlong Khun Sri Burirak said the water was strong and rose by 3cm to 4cm after the widening of the sluice gates.
Nonthaburi governor Wichian Phutthiwinyu said the water level in Bang Kruai district decreased by 15cm following the opening of the sluice gates and water pumping.
The floodwater in the province receded by 3cm to 5cm overall, he said.
- Published: 25/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Residents in Bang Kae, Thawi Watthana and Taling Chan districts block part of the outbound Kanchanaphisek Road, demanding information about flood management plans after flood gates in three small canals on the Thon Buri side were opened to 1m before the agreed time and the water level in their communities rose by another 10-15cm. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
The disputes between authorities and flooded residents continued with the latest threat coming from people in Ram Intra area who threatened to close Ram Intra Road.
They are concerned the dismantling of the flood barrier at Kor Por Or intersection on Phahon Yothin Road will raise the floodwaters around their homes.
National Disaster Warning Centre director Somsak Khaosuwan said officials will need to do more to protect the barriers to ensure the drainage goes as planned.
"Removing the flood walls can't ease the flood situation," Capt Somsak said. "On the contrary, it takes longer to drain the flood because the water spreads.
"If the floodwater is contained, we can deploy water pumps and drain the water more efficiently."
He said that it was vital to make sure flood-affected communities understand the way the water is managed.
His comment came as a community in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka, led by former finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee, is preparing to petition the Flood Relief Operation Command (Froc) to remove the flood barrier on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.
Dr Surapong said his community members were working on the petition and that he will present it to the Froc when it is finalised. Dr Surapong's Siwali estate has been under chest-level water for about a month.
The floodwater on Phahon Yothin Road yesterday rose by 22 centimetres from 32cm after the removal of the flood barrier.
However, residents in Sai Mai and Saphan Mai said the water did not increase but the speed of the runoff increased.
On Wednesday former House speaker Arthit Ourairat, also rector of Rangsit University located in the heavily flooded Muang Ake housing estate, suggested blocking Vibhavadi Road and Don Muang tollway.
Dr Arthit yesterday criticised the Froc for its inaction after the floodways were blocked by communities encroaching on them.
"Froc should have exercised its power and ordered the encroachers to move. They don't seem to know how to do it," he said.
He also said he was not sure if Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi who was sent by the Froc to negotiate with him had the decision-making power.
Protests against the government's flood management intensified in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani this week.
On Wednesday a number of flood-affected residents in Rangsit and Lam Luk Ka areas blocked part of Din Daeng-Don Muang tollway to pressure the Froc to speed up drainage.
About 100 residents from Bangkok's Thawi Watthana, Taling Chan and Bang Kae districts yesterday closed a section of Kanchanapisek road at Khlong Bang Chuek Nang to demand City Hall clarify its management plan.
They wanted to know what the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) planned to do after it raised sluice gates at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi to drain the flood and ease Nonthaburi residents' hardship.
"We are willing to ease the hardship of people in Nonthaburi," said Rueng Muangchum, a resident. "We just want to know what the BMA's drainage plan is, how they will drain the water and how long the flood will stay.
According to the BMA's plan, the water will be drained into Khlong Bang Ramat and then be diverted to Khlong Chak Phra and to Khlong Bangkok Yai.
The BMA has promised to monitor the situation closely in the next 48 hours.
Residents of a community near Khlong Khun Sri Burirak said the water was strong and rose by 3cm to 4cm after the widening of the sluice gates.
Nonthaburi governor Wichian Phutthiwinyu said the water level in Bang Kruai district decreased by 15cm following the opening of the sluice gates and water pumping.
The floodwater in the province receded by 3cm to 5cm overall, he said.
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"Thaksin thinks, Puea Thai acts"
"Thaksin thinks, Puea Thai acts"
Bang Khae residents block expressway
The Nation November 25, 2011 2:01 am
Demand explanation of sluice gate opening from FROC; traffic backs up on both sides of Outer Ring Road
Bang Khae residents yesterday blocked a section of the Western Outer Ring Road to demand an explanation from the government of its "unfair" floodprevention measures.
The protest, starting in the afternoon and running into late evening, caused traffic to back up for many kilometres on both north and southbound lanes.
The group refused to disperse or open a few lanes for traffic at the request of police until representatives of the government's Flood Relief Operations Centre met them on site for direct talks, but no one showed up.
Angry motorists were kept away from the demonstrators to prevent brawling after a blockade of a tollway in northern Bangkok on Wednesday ended up in a clash that resulted in injuries and damaged cars.
The group insisted on learning the details of several measures including the opening of three sluice gates on Maha Sawat Canal, as demanded by Nonthaburi residents. The group said the move could cause their district, located south of Nonthaburi, to be inundated.
Residents in Pathum Thani's Rangsit area demolished a section of a sandbag fence intended to facilitate the drying of Rangsit Market.
Around 100 people living in the Rattanakosin Bicentennial estate began their protest at 10.30am and started dismantling the sandbags after local and Irrigation Department officials failed to make a 30minute deadline to meet them.
Protest leaders said the 500rai estate has been under chesthigh putrid flood waters for five weeks without any explanations or viable measures in place, and would now face more problems with the sandbag wall, which they did not want and had torn down.
Deputy mayor Decha Klinkusum, who was not at the scene, said the protestors had sabotaged the wall without understanding the situation and he would meet with some of them later.
The temporary measure was needed to prevent flood waters from entering the market before drainage could begin and an earthen fence could be built around the market.
Another group of residents in the Rangsit area threatened to obstruct traffic on the tollway tomorrow if no FROC officials were present by today to explain floodprevention measures for the Ban Fa Lagoon estate, where they live.
Besides blocking the elevated tollway in front of Future Park Rangsit mall, the group also vowed to demolish whatever sandbag walls and big bag barriers they saw fit and thought were causing the monthlong inundation of their estate.
Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, the new deputy police chief, called on all protestors to use only lawful and nonviolent means in their rallies or protests, or else police would have no choice but to deal with their crimes when they arose.
After the fight between drivers and protesters on Wednesday during a tollway blockade near the Zeer Rangsit mall, police fined the motorist who drove through the crowd.
A man who smashed the motorist's windshield agreed to pay him Bt2,700 for the damage and both sides agreed not to take further action against each other, Pongsapat said.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her statement asking the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to work with the government and other agencies to implement floodprevention measures "as a whole" did not mean she wanted Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra to solve the problem across the country.
Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said during a House session on flood prevention that it was difficult to deal with the problem in the capital, because the flood would move on to a new area after it was drained from other areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit pledged to do whatever it took to ensure that people could resume their normal way of life before December 5, "even though flood waters have not completely gone away". He did not elaborate.
The Nation November 25, 2011 2:01 am
Demand explanation of sluice gate opening from FROC; traffic backs up on both sides of Outer Ring Road
Bang Khae residents yesterday blocked a section of the Western Outer Ring Road to demand an explanation from the government of its "unfair" floodprevention measures.
The protest, starting in the afternoon and running into late evening, caused traffic to back up for many kilometres on both north and southbound lanes.
The group refused to disperse or open a few lanes for traffic at the request of police until representatives of the government's Flood Relief Operations Centre met them on site for direct talks, but no one showed up.
Angry motorists were kept away from the demonstrators to prevent brawling after a blockade of a tollway in northern Bangkok on Wednesday ended up in a clash that resulted in injuries and damaged cars.
The group insisted on learning the details of several measures including the opening of three sluice gates on Maha Sawat Canal, as demanded by Nonthaburi residents. The group said the move could cause their district, located south of Nonthaburi, to be inundated.
Residents in Pathum Thani's Rangsit area demolished a section of a sandbag fence intended to facilitate the drying of Rangsit Market.
Around 100 people living in the Rattanakosin Bicentennial estate began their protest at 10.30am and started dismantling the sandbags after local and Irrigation Department officials failed to make a 30minute deadline to meet them.
Protest leaders said the 500rai estate has been under chesthigh putrid flood waters for five weeks without any explanations or viable measures in place, and would now face more problems with the sandbag wall, which they did not want and had torn down.
Deputy mayor Decha Klinkusum, who was not at the scene, said the protestors had sabotaged the wall without understanding the situation and he would meet with some of them later.
The temporary measure was needed to prevent flood waters from entering the market before drainage could begin and an earthen fence could be built around the market.
Another group of residents in the Rangsit area threatened to obstruct traffic on the tollway tomorrow if no FROC officials were present by today to explain floodprevention measures for the Ban Fa Lagoon estate, where they live.
Besides blocking the elevated tollway in front of Future Park Rangsit mall, the group also vowed to demolish whatever sandbag walls and big bag barriers they saw fit and thought were causing the monthlong inundation of their estate.
Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, the new deputy police chief, called on all protestors to use only lawful and nonviolent means in their rallies or protests, or else police would have no choice but to deal with their crimes when they arose.
After the fight between drivers and protesters on Wednesday during a tollway blockade near the Zeer Rangsit mall, police fined the motorist who drove through the crowd.
A man who smashed the motorist's windshield agreed to pay him Bt2,700 for the damage and both sides agreed not to take further action against each other, Pongsapat said.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her statement asking the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to work with the government and other agencies to implement floodprevention measures "as a whole" did not mean she wanted Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra to solve the problem across the country.
Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said during a House session on flood prevention that it was difficult to deal with the problem in the capital, because the flood would move on to a new area after it was drained from other areas.
Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit pledged to do whatever it took to ensure that people could resume their normal way of life before December 5, "even though flood waters have not completely gone away". He did not elaborate.
Bang Khae residents block expressway - The Nation Bang Khae residents block expressway The Nation November 25, 2011 2:01 am Demand explanation of sluice gate opening from FROC; traffic backs up on both sides of Outer Ring Road Bang Khae residents yesterday blocked a section of the Western Outer Ring Road to demand an explanation from the government of its "unfair" floodprevention measures. The protest, starting in the afternoon and running into late evening, caused traffic to back up for many kilometres on both north and southbound lanes. The group refused to disperse or open a few lanes for traffic at the request of police until representatives of the government's Flood Relief Operations Centre met them on site for direct talks, but no one showed up. Angry motorists were kept away from the demonstrators to prevent brawling after a blockade of a tollway in northern Bangkok on Wednesday ended up in a clash that resulted in injuries and damaged cars. The group insisted on learning the details of several measures including the opening of three sluice gates on Maha Sawat Canal, as demanded by Nonthaburi residents. The group said the move could cause their district, located south of Nonthaburi, to be inundated. Residents in Pathum Thani's Rangsit area demolished a section of a sandbag fence intended to facilitate the drying of Rangsit Market. Around 100 people living in the Rattanakosin Bicentennial estate began their protest at 10.30am and started dismantling the sandbags after local and Irrigation Department officials failed to make a 30minute deadline to meet them. Protest leaders said the 500rai estate has been under chesthigh putrid flood waters for five weeks without any explanations or viable measures in place, and would now face more problems with the sandbag wall, which they did not want and had torn down. Deputy mayor Decha Klinkusum, who was not at the scene, said the protestors had sabotaged the wall without understanding the situation and he would meet with some of them later. The temporary measure was needed to prevent flood waters from entering the market before drainage could begin and an earthen fence could be built around the market. Another group of residents in the Rangsit area threatened to obstruct traffic on the tollway tomorrow if no FROC officials were present by today to explain floodprevention measures for the Ban Fa Lagoon estate, where they live. Besides blocking the elevated tollway in front of Future Park Rangsit mall, the group also vowed to demolish whatever sandbag walls and big bag barriers they saw fit and thought were causing the monthlong inundation of their estate. Pol General Pongsapat Pongcharoen, the new deputy police chief, called on all protestors to use only lawful and nonviolent means in their rallies or protests, or else police would have no choice but to deal with their crimes when they arose. After the fight between drivers and protesters on Wednesday during a tollway blockade near the Zeer Rangsit mall, police fined the motorist who drove through the crowd. A man who smashed the motorist's windshield agreed to pay him Bt2,700 for the damage and both sides agreed not to take further action against each other, Pongsapat said. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her statement asking the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to work with the government and other agencies to implement floodprevention measures "as a whole" did not mean she wanted Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra to solve the problem across the country. Justice Minister Pracha Promnok said during a House session on flood prevention that it was difficult to deal with the problem in the capital, because the flood would move on to a new area after it was drained from other areas. Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit pledged to do whatever it took to ensure that people could resume their normal way of life before December 5, "even though flood waters have not completely gone away". He did not elaborate. | |
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 Today, 02:43 AM | #3 (permalink) |
Schools in heavily flooded areas to reopen later - The Nation Schools in heavily flooded areas to reopen later The Nation November 25, 2011 2:05 am  The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has postponed the reopening of schools in seven heavily flooded areas from December 6 to December 13. BMA deputy governor Thaya Theepasuwan said the reopening date for schools in Sai Mai, Don Muang, Thawee Watthana, Nong Khaem, Bang Khae, Lak Si and Bang Bon districts had been delayed, but that they would prepare special classes to help students catch up. Special classes for the primary level will be held every weekday from 2.30pm to 3.30pm and on the weekends from 8.30am to 2.30pm for 12 weeks. Students at the secondary level will be given special tutorials from 3.30pm to 4.30pm every day in addition to a sevenhour class on Saturday and a fivehour class on Sunday. Schools in the other 43 districts, which will open on December 6, will also hold special classes for students to catch up. | |
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| Today, 02:44 AM | #4 (permalink) |
No running water for five hours - The Nation No running water for five hours The Nation November 25, 2011 2:00 am  The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority (MWA) announced yesterday that water services in the east of Bangkok would be suspended from 11pm today to 4am tomorrow. MWA will be turning off the pumps at its Samrong station and water will not be available in buildings on Sukhumvit Road from Bang Na intersection to Bang Pu, from the Samrong pump station to Chaophu Samingprai intersection, Soi Lasalle, the old railway road, Thai Ban Road, Sai Luad Road, Theparak Road, Srinakarin Road to Bang NaTrat Intersection, Suan Som Road, Suksawat Road from Khlong Bang Chak to the Phra Chulachomklao Fort. Call 1125 for more information. |
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