Chao Phraya on the brink

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PM says floodwalls not able to withstand water

Published: 26/10/2011 at 10:50 AM
Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned Bangkok residents in all areas last night to brace for flooding after advancing runoff from the north of Bangkok surged into Don Mueang airport yesterday.

No one is spared
Floodwater laps the front of Don Mueang airport on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road where the government is running its flood relief operations centre in Bangkok. Flight operations were halted there yesterday due to the flooded airfield. NATTHITI AMPRIWAN

The prime minister conceded existing floodwalls and water embankments might not be able to withstand the massive inundation and said there was a strong chance the flood will penetrate central and inner zones of the capital.

Relate Search: flood, Bangkok, BMA, Don Mueang

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: Writer: Post Reporters; Position: Reporters

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mitrapaap
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Discussion 19 : 29/10/2011 at 01:44 PM19
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I like the picture with the "office workers leaving their offices amid havey rain." So it's about 5pm, no street lights are turned on at that time, but the light is bright and creates clear shadows of the workers. Could it be the sun is shining?
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upanddown
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Discussion 18 : 26/10/2011 at 04:36 PM18
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@Chris
Then we should close all hotels now, close all remaining shopping mall's, close all hospitals, just everything... so all Thai employees can have their holiday :-) then good night... Of course, if foreigners are the managers they should stay as well, its just a matter of solidarity... but please don't complain about that not all Thais can have their holiday...
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lazar
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Discussion 17 : 26/10/2011 at 04:12 PM17
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Yingluck this afternoon has broken protocol to be the first PT minister to claim success for saving Bangkok. She said as long as the floodwater doesn't exceed 1 metre she has been successful.
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Chris

Discussion 16 : 26/10/2011 at 02:09 PM16
I understand that the next few days are a public holiday for government workers, and optional for private? Is this true?
I know of one company where the senior managers are farang, and they are denying their employees the time off, yet have already booked flights for themselves to get out of town.
As we say in Australia, that is bull***!

What other companies are denying compassion at this moment?
from iPhone application.
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bkkfarang1
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Discussion 15 : 26/10/2011 at 01:57 PM15
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Unfortunately this government, so hell bent on getting Mr Thaksin back, closed its eyes to other problems, this government has made very poor decisions, very poor, holding water back does nothing but cause more damage, 1000's have been affected unnecessarily, and they always have the answer, but they do not, help mis offered by others and they reject it, take it, they are better qualified than anyone in Thailand.
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PS

Discussion 14 : 26/10/2011 at 01:30 PM14
All the best BKKians! you are strong and have dealt with so much already! î€Ž you'll make it through this too! Greetings from Berlin!
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wiseyeti
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Discussion 13 : 26/10/2011 at 11:21 AM13
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—-- "Sea tides are expected to be unusually high at between 10 and 20cm today."

They will be at their highest on sunday. Substancially higher than today.

—-- "riverside communities are urged to be on full alert and prepare for evacuation."

Considering the grave doubts as to the effectiveness of the floodwalls in such conjunction, riverside communities should start evacuating now, in an orderly (planned) fashion so as to avoid the scramble that will take place when people realize the inevitability of the situation.

Why wait? Even if such an evacuation ultimately proves unnecessary, the old wisdom still applies: better safe than sorry.
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robj
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Discussion 12 : 26/10/2011 at 11:13 AM12
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Come on this is not her fault .The flooding was already started before she took office.
As for the US help how were they going to help the way they did in New Orleans.
I agree the government should have been better informed but thats due to the workers being in the job due to connection rather than their ability to do the job, this is not a new problem though and has been going on forever with whatever party was in power.
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 11 : 26/10/2011 at 10:44 AM11
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I liked that article this today where a journalist gave some first hand information about water levels and street conditions. Information about AS IS, not predictions on how come and what will be. Especially those predictions from FROC have proves so realiable...

I'd love to have some simple facts based on those I would be able to think by myself on what might be:

Nakhorn Sawan: What is the water/flood level (from ground, not mean sea level) there NOW? Is it 1m, 50cm, 10cm, is it already dry?

Ayutthaya: What is the water/flood level (from ground, not mean sea level) there NOW? Is it 1m, 50cm, 10cm, is it already dry?

Just clear facts of these two places updated over time so we can see the tendency. After that I can make my own predictions and decisions on whether to stay or to move.
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in_bkk
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Discussion 10 : 26/10/2011 at 10:33 AM10
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Hello government of Thailand. A little suggestion for you...

Stop ensuring people that you can do this and that and start telling people what they need to know. Everyone know by now that the flood is coming or already here in certain areas. You need to tell the people how to prepare. Since the people have already lost credibility in what you are saying, reassuring them that you are doing the best you can isn't going to help nor will it save lives.

Give them the information how to cope with floods, how to treat water to make it suitable for drinking, in general how to prepare. You actually have to to prepare the people for the inevitable and this is one thing you probably could do right. Save a little face and help the people with pertinent information!!
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