Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has ordered his subordinates to speed up collection of drain-clogging rubbish in the city to prevent future flash floods as torrential rain is expected to hit the capital again this week.
MR Sukhumbhand said on Sunday that unclogging the drains is a precautionary measure and help from residents is needed to avoid further floods. He was speaking during a trip to Wat Lat Phro with senior staff from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to drum up residents' support for a waste management campaign.
The governor said he had asked for cooperation from residents to stop putting rubbish into the canals, as it ruins the water pumping stations, some of which have to be repaired.
The BMA workers found a large amount of rubbish - mostly non-biodegradable rubbish including furniture, tyres and jars - clogging the sewage system and the water pumping stations, making it difficult for the water to drain, he said.
He urged residents to discard non-biodegradable rubbish at designated points to be arranged by the city. Toxic waste will be collected on the 1st and 15th days of each month, he added.
MR Sukhumbhand also ordered BMA officials to increase the number of designated points and step up collections for non-biodegradable waste.
Previously, non-biodegradable waste was collected one or twice a week, while designated points were limited to some areas in the city. Residents are urged to phone BMA district offices for the new designated points.
Authorities will also check on communities' garbage levels and report to the Environment Office, which will send the data to BMA executives by June 22. He also asked authorities from 50 districts around the city to put their heads together to see what can be done to improve waste management.
