Hi-Tech rescue operation fails; army to Bang Pa-in and Navanakorn
The army was unable to close the hole in the dike to close the Hi-Tech industrial estate in Ayutthaya, which had expanded from 5 to 15 meters due to the strong water flow.
Placing containers, delivered by helicopter, also offered no solace. According to the commander on site because the water was too high; it stood over three feet. [As a born Rotterdammer who has seen quite a few containers in his life, I dare to say about that statement: Bullshit.]
The army has now turned its attention to two other industrial areas: Bang Pa-in and Navanakorn. Bang Pa-in, which is surrounded by water, is located 1 kilometer south of Hi-Tech. 'We can still protect the Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate even though a dyke near the industrial estate is damaged. Army troops and workers from the estate have repaired the holes," said Lieutenant General Udomdet Seetabut, commander of the First Army Corps.
Bang Pa-in is operated by the Ch. Karnchang. It has put a strong wall around the site. Nevertheless, all factories have ceased operations. Workers stand by in case water spills over the wall.
Navanakorn industrial estate is located in Pathum Thani province. 500 soldiers and heavy equipment were deployed there. The dike around the site will be raised from 4 to 5 metres. The site is protected by an outer and inner dike.
Hana Microelectronics, based at Hi-Tech, expected the ground floor to be flooded Friday after the repair operation failed. “We have put in measures to resist water entering into key production areas on the first floor,” says CEO Richard Han. 'The success of these measures will depend on their effectiveness, the maximum height that the water reaches and how long the water levels remain on the site.'
Update: Bang Pa-in has also fallen. More on that tomorrow.