Popular blue whales battle a sea of misinformation about crisis

A pod of animated blue whales has proved an online hit helping educate the public about the flood threat, amid a sea of what the producers say is misinformation and political double-talk.

Calculating that the amount of water hovering above Bangkok is the equivalent of 50 million blue whales trying to make their way into the Gulf of Thailand, the young animators have come up with a humorous _ and highly informative take _ on the problems the whales have navigating canals, rivers and urban settings.

It's a simple technique, however the Understanding Flooding video, which can be viewed on YouTube with English subtitles, works.

As of yesterday, the video, which was released on YouTube early last week, had over 600,000 hits, with 16,000 ''likes'' and only 60 ''dislikes''. The comments reflect a general opinion that the five-minute clip is fun and makes a complex issue easy to understand.

The video is a result of the producers' frustration about the information provided in the public arena about the flooding. Kriangkrai Vachiratamtorn, the founder of the animators' group Roo Su Flood (Know, Fight, Flood) said information released by the government and other agencies was not helping people prepare for the deluge.

'''We are not only being flooded by floodwaters, but also by information,'' said Mr Kriangkrai.

''There is a lot of information which is useless and which is mixed in with people's attitudes. I personally want information which really means something to me. And that's when I thought it was time to communicate about the flooding in a way that is helpful and easy to understand.''

Mr Kriangkrai is a graduate in mass communications, and a film director. He had the video-making skills, but not the scientific background to produce such a video.

The group sought the help of Thai PBS TV station and experts to come up with the video, which explains the causes of the flooding.

One challenge was how to convey the concept of the massive amount of floodwaters flowing towards Bangkok.

Mr Kriangkrai said they came up with several ideas before settling on a blue whale as their messenger.

''I think a whale can help people visualise something big, and if a whale was in their house, they would immediately understand the troubles they are facing.

''We put many whales in a house, a city, and such. From the responses we have obtained so far, it works.''

The group's next video project will cover issues such as how to measure water levels at home and preparing to live with flooding. The whale will not make a second appearance, despite its popularity.

''We speak about the matters that we also want to know too,'' said Mr Kriangkrai.
 The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8zAAEDGQPM&feature=related

Indonesia Gives $1m in Disaster Relief

The Indonesian government, as the current Asean chair, has donated US$1 million to assist flood victims in Thailand.

Heru Wicaksono, the Indonesian consul based in Songkhla, said the disaster relief money has been donated to Thailand through the Thai charge d'affaires in Indonesia, Wuthi Wuthisant.

The Indonesian government has also donated disaster relief money of $500,000 (15.28 million baht) to Vietnam and $400,000 each to Cambodia, Laos, Burma and the Philippines.

Mr Wicaksono said the Indonesian government was looking at setting up an Asean coordination centre to extend humanitarian assistance and to cope better with natural disasters in an integrated manner.

The move is intended to boost the grouping's capacity to help members handle the impact of natural disasters.

Mr Wicaksono said natural disasters in Asean countries have highlighted the importance of enforcing the Asean Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response, which took effect in December 2009. The agreement established a regional disaster management framework. It contains provisions such as disaster risk identification, monitoring and early warning, prevention and mitigation, preparedness and response, and rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, Laos has delivered 192,000 bottles of water to Thailand to help flooded areas that are facing a shortage of drinking water.

Not the end of the Thailand

 The situation is bad but it is not quite as bad as we thought, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday. Things may begin to improve within the next few days.

The Provincial Electricity Authority cut off electricity to Wat Na Wong, Rangsit University, Bandit Mansion and Muang Ake Village 1 to 9 in Pathum Thani's Muang district, due to the high level of floodwaters

Size of flood threat downscaled

Smaller mass of water heading to city than first feared

POST REPORTERS
  
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra believes the overall flood situation in Bangkok will improve in the next few days although floodwaters have begun to spread to fresh areas in the capital.

The prime minister yesterday said the volume of run-off spreading from the north of Bangkok to the capital's inner areas is less than expected, although the overall water mass is still substantial.

She said the Flood Relief Operations Centre (Froc) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are working together to drain floodwaters into Khlong Thawi Wattana and Khlong Saen Saep.

She said a close watch is being kept on sea tides over the next few days and authorities would speed up the drainage of water to the sea.

"The situation should improve after Monday," she said.

Anond Snidvongs, director of the Geoinformatics and Space Technology Development Agency, said the authorities could drain up to 70% of northern run-off reaching the capital of 200-300 million cubic metres per day. This would cause rising water levels of five centimetres a day on average.

The situation will carry on for about four weeks before stabilising.

Floods are still hitting Bangkok in the north, the west and the east.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday said floods are threatening Wang Thong Lang, Lat Phrao and Chatuchak districts, which have been placed under special watch.

Khlong Lat Phrao has now overflowed and inundated canalside communities in Wang Hin and Saphan Lek in Lat Phrao. The water in those areas is between five to 10cm high.

On Phahon Yothin Road, overflow from Don Muang reached Wat Phra Sri Mahathat in Bang Khen.

There are now 10,794 evacuees at 84 shelters in 22 districts of the capital. Officials have identified 225 gathering points in the event Bangkok residents will have to leave the capital.

Bangkok's western side, seen here from a US Navy helicopter, is one of the worst-hit parts of the capital, and could remain flooded for up to a month. (Photo by US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Villalovos)

Floodwaters have continued to rise in Thon Buri. Residents are evacuating from Thawi Watthana district.

Heavy floods are also forcing City Hall to prepare to evacuate residents from some areas of Taling Chan district after overflow from Khlong Maha Sawat inundated part of the Suan Pak area.
 
Meanwhile, families forced out of their homes by floods and seeking temporary accommodation complain of limited supply and say city landlords are exploiting the situation by tying tenants to unfair lease conditions.

Some flood victims are even resorting to camping in dry areas due to the scarcity of suitable accommodation.

Kor, who did not provide his full name, said he wanted to rent a condominium unit in the Sutthisan area for a family friend whose house had been flooded but felt the contract was unreasonable.

He said the monthly rate of 15,000 baht a month was acceptable, but the owner also demanded that tenants put down a three-month deposit and sign a six-month lease.

Tenants moving out before the end of the six months would forfeit the 45,000 baht deposit.

"This is taking advantage of people in distress, which is outrageous," Mr Kor said.

threat – a danger อันตราย
downscale – to reduce the size or importance of something ลดขนาดหรือความสำคัญของบางสิ่งบางอย่าง
mass – a large amount of something ปริมาณมาก
overall – total; including all the things or people that are involved in a particular situation; general  ทั้งหมด
situation – all the circumstances and things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place  สถานการณ์
improve – to get better  ดีขึ้น
spread – to gradually affect or cover a larger area แพร่กระจาย
volume – an amount of something ปริมาณ
run-off – rain, water or other liquid that runs off land into streams and rivers น้ำหลาก
substantial – large in size, value or importance มากมาย, ยิ่งใหญ่, สำคัญ
Flood Relief Operations Centre – the government's centre for assisting flood victims ศูนย์ปฎิบัติการช่วยเหลือผู้ประสบอุทกภัย(ศปภ)
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) – the local government of Bangkok กรุงเทพมหานคร
tide – the regular rise and fall of the level of the sea (the tides) ปรากฏการณ์น้ำขึ้นน้ำลง, กระแสน้ำขึ้นน้ำลง
drainage – the process of taking away of water or other liquids from an area  การระบายน้ำ
geoinformatics – the science and the technology which develops and uses information science to address the problems of geography, geosciences and related branches of engineering
authorities – people who have the power to make decisions or enforce the law เจ้าหน้าที่ผู้มีอำนาจ
level – the amount of liquid that there is in a container, river, dam, etc., which can be seen by how high the liquid is ระดับ
on average – calculated by adding several amounts together, finding a total, and dividing the total by the number of amounts โดยเฉลี่ย
stabilise – to reach a state where there are no longer any major changes or problems  ทำให้มีเสถียรภาพ
threaten – to be likely to harm or destroy something เป็นลางร้าย
overflow – (of a river or body of water)  to flood the land next to it ไหลล้น
inundate – to flood; to submerge ท่วม, ทำให้จมลงใต้น้ำ
community – the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
evacuee – a person who leaves a place of danger ผู้อพยพ
gather – to come together in a group รวมกลุ่ม, รวมตัวกัน, จับกลุ่มกัน, ชุมนุม
in the event – if; if something happens ถ้ามีบางสิ่งเกิดขึ้น
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
capital – the most important town or city of a country, usually where the central government operates from  เมืองหลวง
evacuate – to leave a place because it is not safe อพยพออกจากพื้นที่
temporary accommodation – a place for someone to stay, live, or work for a short period of time ที่พักชั่วคราว
limited – not much or enough; not very great in amount or extent จำกัด
landlord – a person or organisation that owns a building or an area of land and is paid by other people for the use of it เจ้าของที่ดิน
exploit – to treat someone unfairly in order to get some benefit for yourself  หาประโยชน์จาก
tenant – a person who pays rent for the use of a room, building, land, etc. to the person who owns it ผู้เช่า
lease – a legal agreement in which you pay money in order to use a building, piece of land, vehicle, etc. for a period of time สัญญาเช่า
condition – something that must be done before another thing can happen เงื่อนไข
victims – people who are killed injured or harmed in some way from an accident, natural disaster, crime, etc. เหยื่อผู้เคราะห์ร้าย
resort to – to do something extreme or unpleasant in order to solve a problem ใช้มาตรการรุนแรงในการแก้ปัญหา ยุติปัญหา
scarcity – when there is not enough of something and it is difficult to obtain it  ความขาดแคลน, ความไม่เพียงพอ
suitable – acceptable or right for someone or something เหมาะสม
unreasonable – not fair; expecting too much  เกินกว่าเหตุ,  มากเกินไป, ไม่เหมาะสม
deposit - a sum of money which is given in advance as part of a total payment for something เงินมัดจำ
forfeit – to lose something or have something taken away from you because you have done something wrong สูญเสียของจากการถูกปรั
take advantage – to use (often unfairly) for your own benefit เอาเปรียบ, หาประโยชน์ใส่ตัว
distress – a feeling that you have when you are very unhappy, worried or upset ความกังวลใจ
outrageous – very shocking and unacceptable  ซึ่งฝ่าฝืน, ซึ่งทำให้เจ็บแค้นใจ

เก็บตก บรรยากาศกรุงเทพฯเปลี่ยนไป ผู้คนทิ้งรถหันหน้าพึ่งเรือ

      

       นาทีนี้คงไม่มีอะไรดีกว่า การทำใจยอมรับกับสถาพความจริง ที่ไหนๆน้ำก็ท่วมไปแล้วแก้ไขอะไรไม่ได้ กว่าจะกลับมาใช้ชีวิตตามปกติได้ ก็คงต้องรอให้น้ำลดอย่างเดียว ถนนหนทางที่เคยเต็มไปด้วยรถ วันนี้ชีวิตชาวกรุงได้เปลี่ยนไปหันไปใช้เรือแทน
       
       ถ้าหากทำใจทิ้งปัญหาวิกฤตที่เกิดขึ้นทั้งตอนนี้และในอนาคต หันมามองแต่ในแง่ดีน้ำท่วมครั่งนี้ แม้ในบางครั้งใบหน้าอาจเปื้อนน้ำตา แต่อย่างน้อยก็ได้เห็นภาพ การช่วยเหลือพึ่งพากัน น้ำใจหลั่งไหลมาช่วยคนตกทุกข์ไม่ขาดสาย สังคมไทยรักกันมากขึ้น
       

       
       
      
       
      
       
      
       
      
       

Bangkok Ocean

 

Bangkok  is Flooding  so strong and there are many temples and school and university affected . This video was filming in the Central Bangkok.

SMALLER MASS OF WATER HEADING TO CITY THAN FIRST FEARE

Size of flood threat down-scaled

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra believes the overall flood situation in Bangkok will improve in the next few days although floodwaters have begun to spread to fresh areas in the capital.

Don Mueang Domestic Airport

WASHED OUT: Water continues to surge into Don Mueang airport, raising the flood level on the runways to between 80 and 90cm yesterday and forcing the Flood Relief Operations Centre to relocate. 

The prime minister yesterday said the volume of run-off spreading from the north of Bangkok to the capital's inner areas is less than expected, although the overall water mass is still substantial.

She said the Flood Relief Operations Centre (Froc) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration are working together to drain floodwaters into Khlong Thawi Wattana and Khlong Saen Saep.  

She said a close watch is being kept on sea tides over the next few days and authorities would speed up the drainage of water to the sea.

"The situation should improve after Monday," she said.

Bangkok's western side, seen here from a US Navy helicopter, is one of the worst-hit parts of the capital, and could remain flooded for up to a month. (Photo by US Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jennifer Villalovos)

Anond Snidvongs, director of the Geoinformatics and Space Technology Development Agency, said the authorities could drain up to 70% of northern run-off reaching the capital of 200-300 million cubic metres per day. This would cause rising water levels of five centimetres a day on average.

The situation will carry on for about four weeks before stabilising.

Meanwhile, floods are still hitting Bangkok in the north, the west and the east.

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday said floods are threatening Wang Thong Lang, Lat Phrao and Chatuchak districts, which have been placed under special watch.

Khlong Lat Phrao has now overflowed and inundated canalside communities in Wang Hin and Saphan Lek in Lat Phrao. The water in those areas is between five to 10cm high.

On Phahon Yothin Road, overflow from Don Muang reached Wat Phra Sri Mahathat in Bang Khen.

There are now 10,794 evacuees at 84 shelters in 22 districts of the capital. Officials have identified 225 gathering points in the event Bangkok residents will have to leave the capital.

Floodwaters have continued to rise in Thon Buri. Residents are evacuating from Thawi Watthana district.

Heavy floods are also forcing City Hall to prepare to evacuate residents from some areas of Taling Chan district after overflow from Khlong Maha Sawat inundated part of the Suan Pak area.

City Hall has also called for evacuations in Bang Phlad, which is mostly flooded.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks Authority announced yesterday it would reduce tap water production in Thon Buri area to 600,000 cubic metres per day from 900,000 cubic metres due to heavy floods which affected the quality of raw water.

The authority will supply tap water twice a day, at 6am-9am and 5pm-8pm.

Pheu Thai MP Uthen Chartpinyo, who chairs a Froc committee overseeing efforts to drain floodwater, suggested all the west-facing sluice gates allowing run-off to flow into Khlong Saen Saep in Bangkok must be opened to divert water into the city's underground drainage tunnel in the Rama IX area.

Mr Uthen said sluice gates at Bang Chan and at Khlong Sam Wa in eastern Bangkok may have to be dismantled to allow run-off to flow into the tunnel.

Deputy Bangkok governor Thirachon Manomaipibul said yesterday the BMA has asked the Provincial Waterworks Authority and the Industry Ministry to supply equipment for use in "water siphoning techniques" to drain floodwater from lower ground to higher ground in eastern Bangkok.

US military helicopters to survey deadly Thai flooding

Bangkok  city is also facing high tides

The Thai authorities have asked US military helicopters to survey flooding, which has hit the north and is now threatening the capital Bangkok.

Two Seahawk helicopters aboard the USS Mustin warship would conduct "aerial reconnaissance", the Pentagon said.

The warship is docked at the port of Laem Chabang, just south of Bangkok.

Thai officials say high tides due on Saturday and the flow of run-off water from inundated central plains could cause wider flooding in the capital.

City residents are continuing mass exodus, after the authorities urged them to leave Bangkok.

Heavy monsoon rains have been causing flooding in Thailand since July. More than 370 people have been killed and swathes of the country affected.

Thai U-turn

The USS Mustin crew members have been handing food aid to the local Thai community

John Kirby, the captain of the USS Mustin, said Thailand had asked the warship to prolong its stay at the port for up to six days.

"The Thai government has asked to have it stick around to help out," he told reporters on Friday.

The destroyer docked at Laem Chabang a few days ago for what expected to be a week-long sting.

The Thai government had initially said it did not require assistance from the US navy with flood relief efforts.

Meanwhile, water levels in Bangkok's Chao Phraya River river hit a new high - 2.47 metres above sea level - as residents continued to leave the capital ahead of possible flooding.

Authorities fear that the river, which bisects Bangkok, could burst its banks when water levels rise because of unusually high seasonal tides over the weekend.

Flood waters are continuing to creep into northern districts of Bangkok but the centre remains mostly dry.

Roads in and around the capital remained jammed as residents used a five-day holiday to leave the city. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said she was assessing a proposal to dig channels into some roads in eastern Bangkok to help water drain through to the sea.

Supply chain affected

On Friday, the Bank of Thailand slashed its growth forecast for the current financial year to 2.6%, down from an initial projection of 4.1% growth.

The flooding is also disrupting global supplies of computer hard disk drives and car parts.

A number of factories in Thailand - one of the world's leading manufacturing bases - have shut down production, and it is now yet known when they will become operational again.

Among the affected companies are Toyota Motor, Honda Motor and Lenovo Group Ltd - one of the biggest computer makers.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook has warned that he is "virtually certain" that the flooding will lead to an overall industry shortage of hard disk drives.

"Like many others, we source many components from Thailand," he was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.

Flooding Map in Bangkok Area