Minor flooding at Chon Buri's Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate has forced an auto parts factory and an electronic parts plant to shut down temporarily due to transport disruptions.
Workers build a sandbag dyke in a bid to ensure water does not enter a factory in Chon Buri’s Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate. A road along the estate has been submerged, preventing many employees from reaching their factories and affecting operations. THITI WANNAMONTHA
Authorities say the water will recede within five days.
The estate has seen minor flooding in phases 7-9, where 200 factories are located, but water has not entered any of the buildings.
The water receded to 10 centimetres yesterday from 20 cm on Tuesday.
The two factories informed Amata of their two-day shutdown through today after most of their staff were unable to reach their worksites.
Pumps have been prepared to drain the water into all six canals near the estate if need be.
On a visit to Amata Nakorn yesterday, Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk insisted the overall situation is manageable and will return to normal within five days if there is no further rainfall.
He pointed out the Irrigation Department has confirmed a large amount of water has already flowed out.
"So the situation will not worsen," said Mr Prasert. "I admit investors are somewhat concerned, but they are more confident after seeing how government agencies are dealing with the issue."
Amata Nakorn is Thailand's biggest industrial estate, home to nearly 700 factories on 20,000 rai.
It has combined manufacturing investment of 1.2 trillion baht and employs 400,000 workers.
The main industries are auto parts, electronics, electrical appliances and machinery.
While some parts of Rayong are flooded, the water has not yet reached Map Ta Phut, but transport has been difficult for estate workers.
Cholanat Yanaranop, president of the Community Partnership Association, a group 13 companies located in Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, said a centre has been set up to help flood-affected employees in Rayong.
Those needing assistance can call 038-685-666.
Meanwhile, Amara Charoengitwattanagun, the director of Rojana Industrial Park Plc, said the situation in Ayutthaya is not worrisome, as the floodwater there is far below 2011 levels _ only three metres above sea level now compared with a peak of five metres two years ago.