Protests all over Bangkok
De Thai authorities don't have it easy. In the past two days, residents have mobilized in various places in Bangkok. An overview:
– Nonthaburi. Residents asked the Administrative Court on Wednesday to order the government to halt its efforts to save Highway 340 and save Kanchanapisek Road, arguing that it would prolong flooding in Bang Bua Thong district.
– Pathum Thani. Residents of the Rattanakosin housing estate demolished a flood wall of sandbags on the outbound lane of Phahon Yothin Road.
– Pathum Thani. Residents of Lam Luk Ka led by Surapong Suebwonglee, former finance minister, are asking the Flood Relief Operations Command, the crisis center of the government, to remove the big bag barrier on Vibhavadi Rangsit road.
– Pathum Thani. Residents of Rangsit and Lam Luk Ka blocked the Ding Daeng-Don Muang toll road on Wednesday and demanded that the Froc speed up the drainage of water from their area.
– Pathum Thani. The rector of Rangsit University on Wednesday called on the residents of Pathum Thani to put more pressure on the Froc to get serious about draining water. The university is located in the heavily flooded Muang Ake housing estate, north of Don Muang. On his Facebook page, the rector proposes to block Vibhavadiweg and Don Muangtolweg if necessary.
— Don Muang. Residents of Sai Mai and Don Muang demolished a big bag barrier at the Kor Por Or intersection on Phahon Yothin Road on Wednesday, raising water levels in Bang Khen. On Phahon Yothinweg where the water was 32 cm high, it rose 22 cm. Residents of Sai Mai and Saphan Mai reported that the water level had not risen, but the flow rate had increased.
—Bang Khen. Residents of Ram Intra threatened to block Ram Intra Road on Thursday if the government does not do something about the rising water level caused by the demolition of the flood barrier on Kor Por Or.
– Scared Kae. One hundred residents blocked part of the outbound lane of Kanchanapisekweg. They protested against the opening of the Khlong Maha Sawat weirs, because they fear that this will cause more water to flow into their area.
Director of the National Disaster Warning Centre, Somsak Khaosuwan, says surveillance of the flood walls needs to be stepped up to ensure the water discharge proceeds as planned. 'Removing the floodwalls can't ease the flood situation. 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.' According to Somsak, it is of the utmost importance that the residents understand how the water is controlled.