Another 11 inundated Bangkok districts have returned to normal and the capital will be floodfree by year's end, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday.
He was still worried, however, about two major housing estates in the north and west of Bangkok - the Annex community in Sai Mai and the Setthakij estate in Bang Khae - where water levels remained high.
More water pumps were installed to drain water from within and around the Annex community, and temporary asphalt barrier had been built surrounding it.
It was possible that the complex would be dry within five to seven days, the governor said. Similar methods were adopted at the Setthakij estate, but it may take longer to drain flood water there, possibly 15 to 20 days, Sukhumbhand told residents during an inspection visits to the sites yesterday.
The 11 districts deemed to have returned to normal are Chatuchak, Lat Phrao, Lak Si, Bueng Kum, Bangkok Yai, Bangkok Noi, Bang Phlat, Phasi Charoen, Bang Khunthien, Bang Bon and Chom Thong.
The criteria for "normal" status are much lower flood water levels and most residents having returned to their homes. Don Muang, Sai Mai, Bang Khae and Klong Sam Wa districts remained mostly or partly inundated as of yesterday.
A group of residents blocked a section of Buddha Monthol Road to demand authorities take action to alleviate the monthlong inundation of their homes near Soi Krathum Lom 21.
They later dispersed after a promise by officials to install more water pumps to drain water and the use of EM balls to treat polluted flood water.
The Public Health Ministry yesterday vowed to restore hygienic conditions in six heavily flooded provinces within 45 days: Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Samut Sakhon and Nakhon Pathom.
An initial campaign fiveday campaign ending todayDecember 15 focused on eradicating flies, mosquito larvae and other disease-carrying bugs.
In addition to smaller communities and industrial estates, heavily flooded Muaeng Ek housing estate is a top priority for drainage and restoration, which is estimated to take three weeks, said Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri.
The ministry work will be considered complete when food and tap water meet the required level of hygiene and good sanitary conditions have been established.
Free advice for owners of flooddamaged cars and motorcycles is being provided by 10 automakers under the coordination of the Land Transport Department at the department's compound on FridayDecember 9, and discounts on repair and maintenance costs will be offered.
Free checkups will be available throughout December.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday called on Thais and flood victims to diligently take part in restoration work in honour of His Majesty as she presided over a governmentorganised Big Cleaning Day in Ayutthaya province.
Three priorities in Ayutthaya are industrial estates, farmland and historic religious sites comprising 19 Buddhist temples, nine mosques, nine churches and nine Chinese shrines.
Yingluck said the government would subsidise repair costs for those whose electric appliances were damaged by flood water, and that the Kingdom would be fully recovered from the economic effects of the flooding next year.
An event dubbed "Beautiful Thailand" was also inaugurated in Ayutthaya to boost domestic tourism.
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