News about the floods

In nine provinces, shelters have been prepared for residents of Bangkok who have to flee from the water.

Spokesman Tongthong Chantarangsu of the Flood Relief Operations Command spoke in a televised address on Thursday evening about a worst-case scenario. To ensure a smooth evacuation, neighborhoods should agree on assembly points. He promised that the Froc will warn the residents in time.

Other flood news:

• Don Mueang airport is now 85 percent under water. The water has risen to 50 cm and it has flowed into terminal 2. Electricity went out twice on Thursday. The director is concerned that the water reaches the room with the electricity distribution system. He has asked the municipality to repair a flood barrier on the north side of the airport. Prime Minister Yingluck is determined not to move the airport-based Froc.
• At some place on the Vibhavadi road, the water is 60 cm high. The bus service has stopped.
• The residents of the districts of Sai Mai and part of Thai Wattana have been advised to evacuate.
• The high water level in the Chao Praya River caused major disruption in the districts of Bang Phlat, Bangkok Noi and Phra Nakhon.
• Suvarnabhumi is busy. Many residents of Bangkok are flying to safer places to avoid flooding this weekend.
• About 50.000 soldiers have been deployed in the Bangkok area to protect key locations and assist with evacuations. In addition to personnel, the army has deployed 1.000 boats and 1.000 army vehicles in terms of equipment.
• Preparations have been made in more than 100 schools in 23 districts to receive evacuees. They can accommodate a total of 100.000 people. The military stands ready to evacuate people today and tomorrow, when the high tide peaks. [This seems to contradict the statement that reception centers have been set up in nine provinces.]
• Soldiers work around the clock to protect vulnerable places. One such place is the tidal wall in tambon Lam Hok (Pathum Thani). There are no reports of flood walls that have given way; water does seep over here and there.
• On Thursday, the Bangkok city council met with 55 organizations from industry, business and tourism. The entrepreneurs asked them to inform them when the water from the north will reach Bangkok, how much water will come and how long the city will be flooded. The governor wasn't sure. The city would certainly not be flooded for more than a month, he said. Although it has been calculated that 16 billion cubic meters of water flows towards Bangkok, some of it may flow upstream in rivers and canals before reaching the capital. If the entire city is flooded, the severity will vary by district.
• The president of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association thinks the government should do better "its homework" in solving the floods. The information to the population must be more accurate and clearer, so that they can better prepare for what is to come.
• The famous weekend market Chatuchak has closed its doors. Some traders are at a loss because they cannot take their belongings to a safe place. For example, an ornamental fish saleswoman has 1.000 fish in stock. If the electricity goes out, they all die. A furniture seller cannot do anything with his heavy furniture items. Fortunately, some are resistant to water. He brought light items such as lamps and chandeliers to the first floor. (See Files: Chatuchak page)
• 36 countries have a travel warning for this Thailand datum. The warning from China and Taiwan is the most rigorous: travel not to any of 28 counties affected by flooding.
• The Bangkok-Chon Buri toll road is free until Monday.
• Economic growth this year is estimated by IHS Global Insight at 2,5 percent. In September, another 3,7 percent was expected.
• Work has started on cleaning the highway that connects Ayutthaya to the provinces in the Central Plains. The water gradually begins to recede. Two kilometers of highway 347 towards Bang Pahan is still flooded. The water is at a height of 30 to 50 cm. The governor expects the route to be passable from Saturday. Highway 32, which connects Ayutthaya to the Phahon Yothin road, will be cleared until Ang Thong and Lop Buri, when the road section up to mile marker 38 is cleared.
• The water level in the Chao Praya River in the section that flows through Ayutthaya province has dropped by 2 to 5 cm, causing the water to fall in some districts. In the district of Uthai, the drainage of the Rojana Industrial Park is started. The water is 1 meter high.
• The situation is also improving in the neighboring province of Chai Nat. The Sapphaya bridge can be used again.
• In Pathum Thani, the situation is unchanged. More than 2.000 families who have found shelter at the Sulawmai Charoen school in Sam Khok district are in urgent need of relief supplies and medicines. Many evacuees are Muslim; they leave the donated instant noodles with a minced pork flavor.