PM takes charge of flood crisis

News > Local News

Disaster law invoked as deluge enters city

Published: 22/10/2011 at 06:06 AM
Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has invoked the disaster prevention law to take full control of flood operations as run-off from the North has started surging into Bangkok.

Flood-hit residents in Nonthaburi’s Bang Bua Thong district are evacuated by boat after floodwater inundated their homes in Bang Bua Thong Municipality yesterday. CHANAT KATANYU

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday said there were signs the northern run-off has entered the capital.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

About the author

Writer: Mongkol Bangprapa and Supoj Wancharoen

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Forum

Your comments

spiceman
Post : 1,786
Send message

Discussion 36 : 23/10/2011 at 01:32 AM36
Post this to my Facebook
Thai people are paying a heavy price for electing the first female remote-controlled robotic PM. While the Control was busying playing soccer with Cambodian PM, Thailand's water management was neglected. And a command to begin a normal release of water early on, never came, despite of reports of plenty of rainfall upstream. The rest is (very bad) history. The robotic PM is way over her head!
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
lazar
Post : 1,274
Send message

Discussion 35 : 23/10/2011 at 12:26 AM35
Post this to my Facebook
Discussion 31 : That's comical, thanks for your snippet of humor amidst this serious crisis.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
fundeena
Post : 811
Send message

Discussion 34 : 22/10/2011 at 11:01 PM34
Post this to my Facebook
Thailand needs a better water management strategy, starting with the dams upcountry that did not release enough water early to avoid massive releases later causing widespread flooding. This along with more monkeycheeks and floodways around key industrial areas and towns.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
foreigner

Discussion 33 : 22/10/2011 at 09:53 PM33
as mentioned, yesterday pass by some district-Rachadapisek,Lardprao etc etc
the ppl in bkk still enjoying their life, enjoying their dinner in restaurant, pub,disco... farang maybe enjoy their happy hour at ago ago bars... other provinces, Banyai,Ban bua tong, suffering and they still enjoying
SHAME SHAME or thai style MAI PEN RAI or THUM JAI
from iPhone application.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
genii
Post : 85
Send message

Discussion 32 : 22/10/2011 at 09:52 PM32
Post this to my Facebook
Unfortuantely flooding happens all around the world and Thailand is no exception. The problem here is that Bangkok is located in the heart of the floodwater dispersal route to the sea. For future reference I would suggest moving Bangkok to a new location. You can choose the location of the cities you build but you cannot choose the time and location of the next major flood. As for the politics and blame game going on I dare say that no political group at any time could deal with this much water. I wonder how many cities, businesses, homes, lives would have been saved if the flood waters were allowed to freely flow to the sea. It is obvious what the problem is here so it would be wise to fix it. How many times has this happened here in Thailand due to restricted water flow.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
wishiwas
Post : 2
Send message

Discussion 31 : 22/10/2011 at 09:47 PM31
Post this to my Facebook
You can not deny the fact that Mss. Yingluck shows exceptional courage, competency and ability in the wake of her first major crisis.
This unprecedented force majeure is not the making of her. What she has done so far shows she has the necessary prerequisites to lead the Nation. A real Thai heroine with a fighting spirit - who proves herself a worthy contender in the male dominated political scene. You have my appreciation Mss. Yingluck. We all pray for Thailand. | http://www.facebook.com/Thailandfloods |
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
fatty
Post : 42
Send message

Discussion 30 : 22/10/2011 at 09:01 PM30
Post this to my Facebook
this PM is simply amazing... if BKK is down the whole of Thailand will suffer.. BKK cannot be affected it is the center for economic.. ayuthaya is the place for the industry... but the trading point is in BKK.. trade hub is there.. not only logistics will be affected... even those in office also affected... the devas have their eyes.. they know what is going on...

i do agree the gates in bkk must open.. but the way they are opening is way too fast for it... they shd not let too much water in... not only because of the high tides but also of the capital not being able to afford such damages..

by putting the water thru bkk is not the only way to solve this crisis... water shd have been put thru suvarnabhumi airport but instead an airport was built there...
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
banphai
Post : 106
Send message

Discussion 29 : 22/10/2011 at 08:14 PM29
Post this to my Facebook
Englishbob, disc#21. Firstly, according to the latest census (2010), the population of the City of Bangkok was just over 8.2 million. Secondly, the 'economic heart' of the country is in the industrial estates outside the city, and many of these are already inoperative due to flooding, Thirdly, while you may think that the City is the cultural centre of Thailand, I very much doubt that Thais living in other parts of Thailand would agree, especially the people of Ayutthaya. That is not to say, of course, that the progressive inundation of the City is not a horrible further tragedy.

robingrant, disc#23. I entirely agree with what you said, and it has certainly been my experience living the Northeast near to many red-shirt villages and in regular contact with the Thais living there, but then you were responding to a troll, who is best ignored (perhaps along with the correspondent to whom I have replied above).
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
justfacts
Post : 366
Send message

Discussion 28 : 22/10/2011 at 08:11 PM28
Post this to my Facebook
It all seems plain to see to me, Toxin bows out, Chalerm disapperars along with jatuclown

they both sneak toxin in un noticed for his daughters big day..and in a couple of months Chalerm will brag about ,same has he did when his son shot the cop and he hid him for weeks untill evertything was set up to free his son...what a sham this country is turning into with this corrupt family and their cronies...
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
foreigner

Discussion 27 : 22/10/2011 at 07:21 PM27
how much you going to compensate to thai ppl? their home? their investment? their vehicle?
from iPhone application.
Like dislike 0 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment