Thai Prime Minister: situation will improve once the sea level return to normal in a few days

PM: situation will improve once the sea level return to normal in a few days

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed her belief that the flood levels in Bangkok will decrease after the sea tide, which is expected to rise in two days, recedes.

Ms. Yingluck said after meeting with the water management committee yesterday that her government will continue to slow down the torrent coming from the north while the relief efforts have been made to drain floodwater into Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Thawi Watthana.

She expected the situation to improve within a few days. Repair works have been underway on broken sections of barriers while more water pumps have been brought in to drain more water.

Thon Buri district could be affected by the rising level of the Chao Phraya River, the Prime Minister said, as a result of the high tides which could further raise the river level to 2.65 meters, approximately 0.1 meter higher than the barriers on the embankment.

The premier said while people should be aware of the natural occurrence, every effort will be made to protect the dyke; however, she said the overall situation would be better after the end of this month given that the runoff from the north would be lower.

Ms. Yingluck said concerning the demand for more public holidays, she said, it would depend on the Thai people especially for those in crisis to leave Bangkok, but the decision would be useless if people in flooded areas refused to evacuate.

Regarding the relocation of the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC), Ms. Yingluck said the rising floodwater would not have any impact on the work of the FROC given that a backup plan had already been in place. The premier urged the public not to lose confidence in the FROC.

ฺBANGKOK, 29 October 2011 (NNT)-Reporter : NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT
News Date : 29 October 2011

PM backs up relocation of FROC if necessary

PM backs up relocation of FROC if necessary

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra insisted the Flood Reliefs Operations Center (FROC) would not be relocated now although a new location had been prepared in case of emergency.

Ms. Yingluck also added that there would be no need to cut open any roads to drain floodwater. The Prime Minister said FROC Director Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnok would consider 3 other locations for the FROC operations should the Don Mueang Airport was no longer suitable.

The Prime Minister added FROC Spokesperson Pol. Gen. Pongsapat Pongcharoen had been instructed to convince 200 remaining flood evacuees to relocate to other shelters while assuring that the FROC would not pressure them by cutting electricity and water supply.

BANGKOK, 28 October 2011 (NNT)-Reporter : NUPPOL SUVANSOMBUT
News Date : 28 October 2011

PM discusses rehab plan with 26 provinces still troubled by floods

PM discusses rehab plan with 26 provinces still troubled by floods

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has conferred with related authorities from 26 provinces where flooding still persists while stressing the need for damages to be assessed at haste after water subsides.

In his capacity as Director of the Emergency Operation Center for Flood, Storm and Landslide, Permanent Secretary for Interior Phranai Suwannarat reported that 26 provinces across the country still remained under floodwater. They comprise Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Sakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, Kalasin, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Nayok and Prachin Buri.

Over 730,000 families or 2 million people in 140 districts are still affected by the disaster. The death toll has risen to 373 with two persons declared missing. Devastation has been reported on over 10 million rai of farmland and nearly 300 roads.

Prime Minister Yingluck has called a meeting via videoconference with related agencies representing the 26 flood-hit provinces, during which rehabilitation measures for local residents were emphasized. The premier insisted that workers who lost their jobs due to the catastrophe must be employed again after the situation had returned to normal while flood damages must be speedily evaluated in order for assistance to be promptly given to those in need.

In the meantime, Ms Yingluck suggested that cooking ingredients, rather than instant foods, be provided for victims who chose to stay in their homes in a bid to allow them to prepare healthy meals for themselves while waiting for floodwater to dry up.

BANGKOK, 27 October 2011 (NNT) – Reporter : Surapan Laotharanarit

News Date : 27 October 2011

Private sector proposes digging of 5 roads to help push flood water into the sea

Private sector proposes digging of 5 roads to help push flood water into the sea

Mr Ninnart Chaitheerapinyo, an expert from the private sector, and his team have proposed to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra a plan to drain flood water into the sea via the eastern part of Bangkok. The plan involves dredging 5 roads namely Nimit Mai, Pracha Ruamjai, Rat U-Thit, Suwinthawong and Ruam Pattana, to open passageways for flood water to be released as much as possible.

When completed, the plan will be able to release 60 million cubic metres of water into the open sea per day. And when combined with the amount of water released from all of the canals existing on the east side of the capital, the capacity will be raised to 120 million cubic metres per day.

Expressing her support to the plan, the prime minister suggested that the Royal Irrigation Department and the Department of Highways jointly conduct an aerial survey of the roads involved prior to implementation, to make sure that industrial estates and citizens in the areas will be least affected by the plan.

Mr Ninnart commented that once the feasibility survey is completed, it will not take much time to complete the dredging of the five roads.

BANGKOK, 27 October 2011 (NNT) – Reporter : Boonyanut Chompan

News Date : 27 October 2011