Deluge reaches city's north

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WIDESPREAD FLOODING FEARED IN NEXT 4-5 DAYS, INCLUDING THON BURI, PHUTTAMONTHON

Published: 23/10/2011 at 08:35 PM
Newspaper section: News

Flooding broke out across northern Bangkok yesterday as floodwaters from Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani stressed canals and flood barriers across the city.

STILL ON TRACK: A train pushes through a flooded track as it approaches Don Muang station on its way to central Bangkok. The flood from Pathum Thani reached Don Mueang airport yesterday. PHOTO: PATIPAT JANTHONG

Experts warned that worse is to come, as water from the Central Plains puts increasing pressure on the city's outer flood barriers and inner city canals, potentially leading to flooding across many major districts in the city.

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: Writer: Post Reporters; Position: Reporters

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johninbkk
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Discussion 17 : 24/10/2011 at 02:02 PM17
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englishbob D16 - "Gov S has many years dealing with floods and protecting the millions of citizens of Bangkok"
The issue isn't about protecting Bangkok, where his voter base is located, but draining water from the outside provinces while simultaneously protecting Bangkok.
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englishbob
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Discussion 16 : 23/10/2011 at 06:33 PM16
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With regard to the BMA... "... said officials would try to manage the inflow as gradually as possible to allow residents in affected areas time to evacuate to safety." That would seem to be a better system than the one the government has been using. ie Flood the areas rapidly without giving any warning whatsoever.

@Disc11+15 Nowhere in the article does it say BMA has refused to open sluice gates just that they aren't opened fully. Gov Sukhumbhand has many years dealing with floods and protecting the millions of citizens of Bangkok. PM Yingluck has years of working for her big brother and 2 months working as a politician. I believe this is her first time managing a flood... I think I'd sooner go with knowledge and experience than naivete and nepotism,
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android
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Discussion 15 : 23/10/2011 at 04:26 PM15
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Discussion 11 peteri : Strange to see that even after the emergency decree on flood control is declared, the governor of bangkok still refuses to open up all the water gates so as to allow water draining into the sea. Seems that the BMA boss has an authority that overrides the PM.
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dao
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Discussion 14 : 23/10/2011 at 03:52 PM14
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Maybe the boats could stop running on the Saeng Sap as they create a one meter wake.
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spiceman
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Discussion 13 : 23/10/2011 at 03:25 PM13
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Khun Just-One-Voice #12, the Deep South was relatively peaceful under their control until the politicians messing it up, wasn't it? Besides, the Military knows that if they don't do it right the first time, they will be the one who have to clean it up. In fact, regardless of who screws up, they will be the ones who have to clean up the mess anyway, like right now. That's the best incentive in the world right there. So, do you think which way is better between working with your brain or your hands and feet soaking in floodwater? Come-on!
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Just-1-Voice
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Discussion 12 : 23/10/2011 at 02:47 PM12
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RE: #10 - Spiceman. What makes you think the military would be any better at managing this flood than the politicians? No, what really needs to be done is bring in the EXPERTS - Thailand has more than a few who actually know what has to be done and how to do it - then then do what THEY say. Some of them have been trying to years to get the various Thai governments to listen to them, warning them of what would happen if changes weren't made but, as usual, they were ignored. Until people start listening to them, and making the changes they recommend, this problem isn't going to go away, and will continue to happen.
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peterl
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Discussion 11 : 23/10/2011 at 12:23 PM11
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It is very disturbing to learn that the BMA has still not opened all its inner sluice gates to allow maximum natural drainage of water to the sea and relieve pressure along key outer canals. All this should have been done long ago.

The warning by the Director of the Rangsit University Disaster Warning Centre should be heeded without delay. Not to do so will simply store up greater problems going forward. Short term "not in my backyard" expedients need to be quickly replaced by longer term strategic thinking.

President Truman's famous comment "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" comes to mind.
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spiceman
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Discussion 10 : 23/10/2011 at 10:48 AM10
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Khun PJT #9, I think the solution is to take the control of water management away from the hands of these incompetent elected politicians, and into the trusty hands of the Military. This crisis is just another repeated (lousy) performance by these politicians after the Deep South crisis, not too long ago. I think we can no longer afford to trust them with something which can wipe away half of Thailand.
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pjt
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Discussion 9 : 23/10/2011 at 10:09 AM9
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Mother Nature which contributed to this problem is now starting to come to our help as the rainy season comes to an end but will be back next year to a greater or lesser extent. Floods are a simple example of queues and bottlenecks in operation (just like a traffic jam on a road). The solution is widen existing roads (ie rivers and canals), build water new expressways and by-passes where needed around major population centres - but you have to start from the destination - ie the Gulf of Thailand - and plan and execute nationally
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smudge2442
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Discussion 8 : 23/10/2011 at 09:08 AM8
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why are you trying to make matters worse the residents of Bangkok are hard working good members of society for davidh to say that there will be looting and gun battles is outrageous you get the odd few that take the chance of looting but that's so small its not noticed.as a fellow brit we should be glad this is not the UK after what we saw in Manchester Liverpool and London with our youth. i have been all over the world and have to say that i never seen people pull together like this. you should pat them on the back not worry them with silly remarks.
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