Despite floods, X Japan's Bangkok concert was a storming success

One by one, the concerts fell by the wayside. A national flood crisis, millions displaced, travel warnings, inundated access roads, logistical nightmares _ not exactly conducive to holding large-scale events. 

David Foster, Jason Mraz plus a host of international DJs cancelled their gigs in recent weeks. Pitbull's Nov 28 concert has also just been axed.

In the middle of the crisis one show went ahead. With many access roads submerged, the promoter bussed some fans in from CentralWorld. Others navigated heavy traffic on the raised expressway, but few taxis were willing to take anyone Muang Thong-bound. 

We travelled by van from Victory Monument, after standing in a queue that was literally half a kilometre long. This was X Japan, though, and 12,000 fans on Tuesday night were determined to make it.

That X Japan took the concert and their Thai fans seriously, that they put their hearts into the show, was obvious. An eccentric performance heavy on nostalgia and sentiment unfolded before a raucous sell-out crowd at Impact Arena. 

Androgynous Yoshiki, 45, was especially popular, as he struck topless poses atop his piano or drum kit to a cauldron of screams, while singer and Kim Jong-il lookalike Toshi, 46, went through what seemed an entire phrasebook of Thai expressions between long versions of songs including IV, X, Rusty Nail, Endless Rain, Jade, Silent Jealousy and Kurenai. 

The lively Thai and Japanese fans dressed in black T-shirts, or as cosplay nurses or manga characters, seemed to know the words of every song.

''You are X!'' Toshi shouted. ''We are egg!'' the crowd shouted back in a Thai accent.

Japanese tests, marked by the teacher, are covered in Os and Xs _ maru and batsu, or good and bad. It's a duality that marks much of social categorisation, and perhaps helped influence the band's name, inferring they're a band of outcasts. 

This in turn may have sparked the devotion the band inspired and continues to inspire in young fans, as those who consider themselves outsiders find a collective.

''I met Toshi when I was four years old,'' Yoshiki, who writes most of the band's music, told the crowd. ''In middle school we formed a band.''

That band was Dynamite, which became Noise, which became X.

X came out of the glam-rock era, and were recognisable by their garish costumes, voluminous hairstyles and even louder music.

They added Japan to their name once they went global, to differentiate themselves from the US punk band X.

''It hasn't been an easy road,'' Yoshiki admitted. He spoke of the pain of losing Hide and Taiji, of the vicissitudes of modern stardom and breaking up the band in 1997.

When guitarist Hide died in 1998, found with a towel around his neck, tied to a door handle, it was officially ruled a suicide.

At least three fans died of copycat suicides within a week. At his 50,000-strong funeral, 60 fans were hospitalised and 200 needed medical treatment in first-aid tents.

For 10 years, Yoshiki was active as a producer and soloist, but fans were always hopeful of a comeback, even when band members categorically said it couldn't happen without Hide.

The band finally reformed in 2007, with Sugizo on lead guitar and violin and Pata and Heath continuing on rhythm guitar and bass. But tragedy would strike again.

Former bassist Taiji committed suicide in July, after a flight to Saipan during which he was agitated and assaulted a flight attendant. Three days later he was found hanged in his detention cell.

Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster and Thailand's flood crisis also affected Yoshiki deeply, he said. (The band is reported to have made a substantial donation to Thai flood relief efforts.)

''Despite everything. we always wanted to play Thailand,'' he said. ''We waited a long, long time. And we're so happy to be here.''

In the three-hour concert the band played only about 10 songs. The performance was marked by long solos and interludes as band members caught their breath. There was a 30-minute gap between the main set and encore, so long that fans began fearing the worst.

Yoshiki has collapsed at previous concerts in Japan, and there is always a tension of impending tragedy surrounding the band. Nevertheless the crowd never stopped shouting encouragement, doing Mexican wave after wave, bursting into song, crossing their light sticks in a sea of red and green Xs while chanting ''We are X!''

Finally Yoshiki reappeared, in traditional Thai dress.

''I wanted to try this on but they told me it was for women,'' he said shyly. ''So I said it was perfect!'' Then he played the Thai folk song Duen Pen (Full Moon), as the crowd sang along. The band finished with Art of Life, and waved to the emotional crowd until midnight.

The band has long inspired the sort of devotion in fans that some might find obsessive. When the concert was under threat due to the national crisis, the promoters BEC-Tero were inundated with emails by fans begging them not to cancel, saying they would come by boat if they had to.

''While we understand that there is a serious event unfolding around us, we also have an obligation to fans to do our best to make these shows happen,'' Neil Thompson, deputy managing director of BEC-Tero, told the Bangkok Post.

''The situation definitely affects the mood of the people, both those directly affected and those who are not. The scale and scope of the flooding has been really difficult to predict.

''There are so many other aspects that add difficulties to organising concerts and events such as safety, logistics, transportation, access to the venue, commute time, combined with our own staff who have been affected directly by the flooding.

''We follow the long-standing tradition that the show must go on,'' he concluded.

This was the last concert standing in a season of cultural attrition. So ask not if Toshi's voice could still hit every note, if the guitar and violin fingerwork was flawless, if the Impact Arena sound system and acoustics could carry virtuosic deftness and subtlety as evenly as noise, if these forty-somethings had as much energy on this, the last stop on their world tour as on their first in London, five months ago.

Ask instead if this was the most raucous, good-natured and heartfelt concert of the year, and the answer might surprise you

Apec members pledge rehabilitation aid

HAWAII : Key members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation have pledged to help Thailand with its post-flood rehabilitation efforts.

The pledge was made in the Apec High-Level Policy Dialogue on Disaster Resiliency, where guidelines were agreed on to support regional members' disaster relief efforts.

Natural calamities cost affected regional countries up to US$200 billion (6.15 trillion baht) annually.

Dialogue partners agreed to help national members in dealing with natural disasters through measures such as risk management capability building and offering advice on government investment projects.

They also pledged to facilitate transportation of goods and services during times of crisis, support community-based disaster management and encourage closer coordination between the private and public sector.

The United States, Australia, China, Japan and Canada referred particularly to the flooding in Thailand and Japan's earthquake and tsunami in March.

They said they were committed to assisting Thailand in its rehabilitation efforts with several measures, including temporarily allowing Thai workers from flood-hit Japanese firms operating in Thailand to work in Japan, according to Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Mr Surapong emphasised the "whole society" approach in resolving the flood problems and reaffirmed several measures launched by the government.

In a meeting with Canada, the two sides talked about next year's commemoration of 35 years of Asean-Canada relations.

Thailand also thanked Canada for its $1 million (30.7 million baht) aid donation to the Thai Red Cross.

Similarly, he thanked New Zealand for being among the earliest donors to the Thai Red Cross with its $100,000 dollar donation.

Following talks with his Japanese counterpart Koichiro Gemba, the minister said Thailand would like to learn more from Japan on preventive measures it has taken and its experience in reconstruction following natural disasters.

Mr Gemba also asked about the progress of the investigation into the death of Japanese cameraman Hiroyuki Muramoto, who was shot and killed while covering the clashes between the military and red shirt protesters on April 10 last year.

Mr Surapong told him the police had extended the period of their investigation by another 90 days, until Dec 15. He pledged that his government noted the importance of the case and would uphold the rule of law.

How to live like a flood refugee

Abandoning a home to high water is a sad thing, but with the right plan and attitude your family can find rewards in surviving simply in a new safe and dry locale

Many Thais are unwilling to abandon their flooded homes because they are worried about their possessions. What's more, if the family is large _ with children and perhaps members who are sick or elderly _ finding an alternative place to live can be difficult and expensive.

PLENTY OF FISH: Markets like the one pictured top right can be found in any town along the coast and are a great source of fresh seafood, above.

But a decision to stick it out at home also comes with great stress.

Generally speaking, when floodwaters have invaded the house or are on the way, it is time to find a new place to stay as quickly as possible.

Even on the run there are still opportunities to look for a safe place to stay, and with luck you might find something that suits your needs.

There's no time to waste, but once you have made the decision the move will be easier if you don't hurry too much. Then everyone will have time to prepare themselves thoroughly and decide what to take along. This includes medications, a limited amount of clothing and any necessary utensils or other items. Equipment for preparing food is especially important. 

There should be a small gas stove, one pot for cooking rice and another one for other kinds of food, a wok, knives, a cutting block and a spatula. This should be enough. Plates, cups and eating utensils can probably be bought later.

When driving to the new location, make sure to choose a safe route. During the current flooding there are only two ways to go _ eastward to destinations like Chon Buri, Rayong, and Chanthaburi, or westward to Cha-am, Hua Hin, and Prachuap Khiri Khan. Avoid major tourist destinations like Pattaya, Cha-am or Hua Hin, because they will be crowded. Prices for rooms will be high and necessities will be sold out in many stores. What remains may be priced higher than usual.

Having meals might also be a problem. Even if there are plenty of restaurants, they are likely to be packed and expensive. Traffic in popular tourist cities can also be heavy.

So choose a quiet town or community far away from tourist centres.

When you first arrive, you might stay at a resort or guest house because they are more convenient than hotels, and then seek a suitable and inexpensive house to rent for a longer time.

The best place to find out where a house is available is a local Buddhist temple. Ask a monk or the temple's abbot, explaining that you have left the city to get away from the flooding and would like to know where there is a house that you might rent for the duration. 

In the countryside the local society is closely knit and people feel great reverence for monks. When they ask for information, people are quick to respond.

When you have found a place, the first order of business is getting settled in. Next come the arrangements concerning food, which are easy these days because there are informal markets called talat nat everywhere.

When you have found a place, the first order of business is getting settled in. Next come the arrangements concerning food, which are easy these days because there are informal markets called talat nat everywhere.

There is sure to be one operating on any given day, as they convene at different places on a rotating basis, and it is never necessary to travel far to find one. The talad nat will have most everything that you need. 

Clothing, cooking and eating utensils and items for food preparation such as vegetables, chillies, limes, pork, chicken, eggs, vegetable oil, nam pla and other sauces will all be there. 

Prepared foods such as curries are also likely to be available, and prices for all items will be low. If the location is near the sea, there should be a fisherman's wharf. Sometimes you may be able to buy fish directly from the fishermen when their boats arrive in the morning.

Today, getting fresh seafood can be even easier than that, however. There are shops and private houses, called saphan pla or ''fish bridges'', that act as middlemen between the fishermen and buyers. 

You may pay a little more than when buying directly from the fishermen, but they have all kinds of seafood as well as ice and plastic bags to keep your purchases fresh.

Once you have bought your fish, it is time for family fun, with everyone pitching in to cook some simple seafood dishes.

If you have some squid, it can be steamed or stir-fried with the sweet-spicy chilli paste called nam prik phao, adding fish sauce, sugar, and spring onion. It is also delicious fried with garlic and pepper. 

The meaty crab called pu ma in Thai is also good family eating and best when everyone sits down together and pitches in. The mother of the household might crack open the shell and extract the meat for elderly relatives, and she can also teach the technique to children. A simple dipping sauce of nam pla, chopped chillies and lime is the ideal accompaniment.

If you buy a big fish _ the local type called pla insee, for example _ it can be fried with nam pla or fried and then doused with ''three flavours'' sauce. Another possibility is to remove the meat from the bones and serve it in khao tom, or rice soup. 

This makes a good breakfast for children, and elderly or sick people find it easy to eat and digest. The mackerel called pla thu in Thai can be prepared as the sour-spicy soup called tom yam or deep-fried with nam pla. 

Here again the meat can be used to make khao tom, or it can be made into a spicy stir-fry with fresh basil leaves and chillies. Shrimp and prawns may be more expensive, but they are delicious seasoned with a sauce of chillies in nam pla. 

They might also be cooked into an omelette, stir-fried with nam prik phao, or prepared as a fried rice or khao tom dish. All are delectable.

Finding things to do during leisure time will not be hard. If the location is next to the sea, adults will enjoy just sitting and enjoying the surroundings while the children swim. 

Going into town and looking around can be interesting, and older people might enjoy going to the temple to talk with the monks, something they may not have time to do back in the city.

Once you have made the adjustment to simple living in harmony with the local environment, eating good food and spending little money, you may find yourself feeling better both physically and mentally.

 While enjoying the experience you'll worry less about the things that you had to leave behind. In the future you may recall that escaping from the flooded city gave you time to enjoy things you are usually too busy to consider.

Too early for talk about committees, says Abhisit

The government must review its flood management efforts and focus more on coping with floods, Democrat Party and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

At a debate on the flood crisis in parliament yesterday, Mr Abhisit said he agreed with the government's move to set up a committee to rehabilitate and rebuild the country and a committee to draw up strategies for water resource and flood management.

However, Mr Abhisit said the government should not put too much emphasis on "dreaming about the future".

The task at hand is to resolve the flood woes and the government must focus on it, he said.

The government must review its flood management efforts which had failed to prevent some provinces from being hit. It must also rethink its plans to manage water in dams, he said.

Mr Abhisit went on to criticise the government for its handling of water drainage and its communication failures with the public, which hurt its credibility. 

He stressed the importance of managing donated items and relief bags in a transparent manner. Prime Minister Yingluck must ensure politics does not interfere with flood relief.

In reply, Ms Yingluck said authorities involved in flood relief were not entirely to blame. She said the flood crisis was unprecedented and manpower limited.

By the time the government took office, dams were almost full because several storms lashed the country back to back, making drainage difficult.

Inquiry needed to clear muddied waters

With the floodwaters finally abating, now is the time to start thinking about what went wrong and how issues can be addressed at both the national and city levels.

As part of that process, an independent commission of inquiry should be established to determine with clarity and credibility what led to the crisis and what lessons can be learned from its management or mismanagement.

The public has grown weary (and even distrustful) of the confusing messages that emanated from the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and various government agencies.

Politicians and senior officials at both national and city levels have also done little to bolster their public standing _ at times, self-aggrandizing, ignorant or misinformed about the true situation, and exchanging barbs as if they were involved in a schoolyard scuffle rather than genuinely addressing the problems of their constituents. Crocodile tears during the year of the great flood just haven't washed with the public.

The national government has already announced two panels in response to the disaster; one to formulate strategies to rehabilitate and rebuild the nation, the other to draw up water-management strategies to cope with future floods.

Both panels are largely made up of industry, commerce and banking representatives, ministers, technocrats and various experts.

But before the country looks forward it must look back, and an independent inquiry is the only way to do this. In the context of weather patterns and climate change as well as the efficacy of current water management infrastructure and government policy, the inquiry should look at the performance of officials and leaders during the crisis.

There are many theories and rumours as to why the nation's capital, and economic heart, was at the mercy of the rushing waters for such a lengthy period. First, the inquiry should establish how more than 40 dams north of Bangkok came to be at bursting point.

There is much speculation about dark manoeuvring by local political power brokers that stopped the release of water when it was still feasible to do so.

These dams are managed by the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and Egat, which should hold detailed records of their capacity and when the waters were released.

Despite the Egat governor's claim there was no mismanagement, relevant officials should be asked to explain their decisions on why the waters were held back until it was too late.

The Office of the Auditor General has already found fault with the fiscal side of water management in the country's 25 river basins in a report it released late last month. The agency said 160 billion baht allocated for projects from 2005-2009 lacked unified direction.

As the waters advanced to Bangkok, the panic increased and so did the general confusion. There were consistently conflicting statements by both Froc and the BMA on the threat levels, and in the end a jaded public became so wary of these bodies that a great number of people turned to independent websites to get information.

 After stories of flawed strategies, different areas of responsibility, angry locals opening sluice gates, killer snakes and crocodiles, we finally came to the crux of the dispute _ not enough water pumps and pumps being broken.

It would not have been that hard a problem to solve if all the political posturing was put aside. That said, the public would like to know how Froc and the BMA operated during this process along with other agencies.

There must be minutes of meetings and documents of communications. There must be also credible people to attest to how our leaders and officials performed under pressure when making important decisions. Is it possible to take a peek behind the green door of bureaucracy?

Inquiries were launched after a similar disaster in the US. The Hurricane Katrina probe splintered into various inquiries and resulted in the arrest of some police officers.

In Australia a commission investigated last year's floods in Queensland, and while finding some fault with the engineers, made the point that the flood control master plan may have shortcomings.

Thailand has a poor track record on independent commissions, which are often stalled until public amnesia takes over or are too weak to compel key players to testify.

But so serious is the long-term water management problem that an inquiry should be empowered to set the wheels of reform in motion. The only other option is to pray that it won't rain as heavily next year.

Bid to clear south routes hits snags

Efforts to clear a crucial link to the South have been delayed.

CAST AWAY: A boy uses a net to try to catch fish in the fast flowing floodwater on Soi 69 of Rama II Road in Bang Khunthian district. 

The government hoped to re-open two flood-hit highways as an alternative route to the South in the event that the key route, Rama II Road, is forced to close. However, heavy flooding on the roads has delayed the plan.

Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said Highway 340 (Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri) and Highway 9 (Kanchanaphisek) were supposed to reopen yesterday. 

However, flooding had forced officials to push back the reopening of the highways at Bang Yai and Sombat Buri-Noppawong intersections until Tuesday.

If Highway 340 is serviceable, motorists bound for the South would be able to drive from Bang Bua Thong through Bang Yai, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom.

Wanchai Phakluck, Highways Department director-general, said the main obstacle was the flood level at the junction between the two highways, which was still high at 60-80cm. 

Workers are placing concrete pipes and barrels stuffed with sandbags along the highway and pumping water out of it.

But high floodwaters caused concrete pipes to collapse when trucks passed nearby, generating strong waves.

Mr Wanchai said a labour shortage is also a problem as most labourers have been at the task for several days and are now exhausted. Sand and sandbags could only be brought in once a day due to heavy traffic and flooding.

Mr Wanchai said the department had considered using"big bags" large sandbags weighing 2.5 tonnes each  to make a dyke to replace the concrete pipes, but at least 40,000 of the bags would be needed, which was impractical.

Supoj Saplom, Transport Ministry permanent secretary, said the ministry plans to ask the Forest Department and the armed forces to support efforts to return the highways to service.

Rice trade likelyto fall, says UN

HAWAII : The volume of rice traded globally is expected to take a dip next year due to weakening demand and the effect of floods on Thailand's rice production, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

The United Nations' food agency said trade volume next year could fall to 33.8 million tonnes from the 34.3 million forecast for this year.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said he had talked to his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Gia Khiem about the rice price next year on the sidelines of the Apec summit currently being held here.

As Vietnam was also hit by flooding, Mr Khiem was concerned that if the domestic price of rice went as high as the export price, it would pose an inflation threat to Vietnam.

Mr Surapong suggested that as a rice producer, Vietnam should be able to control prices for domestic consumption while allowing the export price to float higher.

Mr Khiem asked if the Thai government's rice mortgage scheme would increase the rice export price. Mr Surapong said the floods would result in lower rice production for the project, which would drive up the rice price. 

The ministers agreed the global rice price would soar.

Scholar, Lawyers Council mull suing govt for mishandling floods

The government's potential liability for its alleged mismanagement of the floods, resulting in the severe inundation of the Central Plains, including parts of Bangkok, should be clearer by tomorrow.

A working panel of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, led by Kriangsak Woramongkolchai, will hold talks with Chulalongkorn University economist Narong Phetpraset tomorrow afternoon about the government's liability.

Mr Narong is prepared to sue the government and authorities concerned over their handling of the crisis on behalf of flood victms.

The government has come under fire for its alleged policy to stock up water for farming, resulting in the forced release of massive volumes of water in major dams, causing flooding downstream.

Mr Narong accuses the government of negligence by issuing administrative orders which caused huge financial losses and harm.

"When the decision-makers negligently make bad decisions, they should be subject to legal liability," he said.

"The government has the resources to anticipate the flood, but it failed to properly warn the people.

"As an economist, I can make economic forecasts.

"Why can't the government assess the water situation?"

The academic originally intended to represent residents who were left unprotected by flood barriers and offered a flat rate of 5,000 baht compensation.

Mr Narong has decided to work with the Lawyers Council of Thailand because the flooding has caused extensive damage and has affected a great many people.

Sak Korsaengruang, chairman of the Lawyers Council of Thailand, said the working team will thoroughly examine the issue. 

"This is the first time for a case like this. We need to study it carefully to see first if we can proceed, and then how to do it," he said.

Preecha Suwannathat, former dean of Thammasat University's law faculty, said suing the government over a natural disaster is unprecedented.

Action could be taken under the consumers protection law and the liability law for state officials and agencies.

The cabinet cannot be sued because it is not a juristic entity.

However, individual ministers could be sued.

"While we can't tackle cabinet, we can sue the prime minister or the agriculture minister in their capacity as those supervising the Royal Irrigation Department," he said.

Nirand Pitakwatchara, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the flood case may be comparable to the legal case involving the Map Ta Phut industrial estate.

The Central Administrative Court in September 2009 ordered 76 industrial projects at the estate to temporarily halt their operations amid concerns about negative environmental and health impacts.

The case was taken by activists and residents living near the Rayong estate.

Mr Nirand said that the public is entitled to scrutinise the state's use of power and determine if this affects their lives and communities, and could lay a complaint with the court.

The 430 evacuees who won't be budged

Housewife Rossukon Samabutra, 32, walks through darkness in the toilets of flooded Don Mueang airport.

YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN: The Flood Relief Operations Command in Don Mueang left its sign and evacuees behind after the airport was flooded

Mrs Rossukon carries a tank of floodwater she took from the inundated ground floor to begin her daily duty of keeping the toilets clean.

For nearly three weeks, Mrs Rossukon has volunteered to clean the toilets at the airport, where she lives among a group of 430 diehard evacuees who refuse to leave, even though electricity and other essential services no longer function.

It's a hard and dirty job, but Mrs Rossukon says it is necessary or the evacuees will not be able to stay there much longer.

"The floodwaters are still above the waist. How can we get back to our homes?" asked Mrs Rossukon, a resident of nearby Sang Phaitoon community, who is also caring for her two children at the shelter.

The government's Flood Relief Operation Command (Froc) was once based at the airport, but relocated to the Energy Ministry's building when the airport flooded.

The evacuation centre, based in the next building, was among the first to receive evacuees after floods started entering northern Bangkok and nearby provinces

.

At one point, the center was home to thousands of refugees.

But when the airport flooded, and the government decided to relocate its command centre to the Energy Ministry, it also told evacuees that they, too, would have to leave.

They were told to leave for centres in other provinces including western Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.

Several hundred evacuees, especially those whose houses are close to the centre, remained behind. They are now staying in an airport check-in hall, without electricity or running water.

After the first few days, resources quickly dried up.

A constant electricity supply was the first to go, as generators on the ground floor were flooded.

Water supplies were next, which has forced evacuees to bring in water supplies from outside.

The government provided tents to evacuees, but little else, residents say.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Don Mueang administration office provides them with three meals a day, which arrive by boat.

Sometimes, residents say, the meals have spoiled by the time they reach them.

There are no medical personnel around and if they get sick, they have to take care of one another using first aid before calling a doctor or sending a patient to a hospital.

Several evacuees suspect the state has been trying to send them the message to leave.

Authorities spread word the centre would be closed and nothing more would be provided.

Rumours quickly took hold among residents that they were not wanted.

Authorities broadcast messages to them over a microphone at night, which interrupted residents' sleep.

Yet despite the hardships, this hardy band of flood victims insist they will stay on at the airport, if only because the alternative _ heading back to flooded, damaged homes _ is even less appealing. The evacuees say floodwaters have not yet receded to the point when can return.

They have established five ''villages'' and one ''tambon'' among themselves, to give shape to their community.

Village heads, one chosen for each ''village'', assign responsibilities to their residents. Those include making contact with authorities to ensure that three meals a day are delivered, raising donations from outside, and keeping the place clean and orderly.

Jessada Kongkuntod, a ''kamnan'' at the centre, said evacuees have no choice but to stay for now.

Some make brief visits back to their homes to check on them, but spend the bulk of their time at the centre.

As the airport was flooded, authorities told evacuees very little, other than the fact they were expected to move.

The lack of communication reflected the poor state of preparedness among authorities to handle evacuations for flood victims, he said.

Alternative shelters suggested by the government when it left the airport were not suitable, as they were either too far away, or too cramped.

Residents also wanted some assurance that the flood shelters where they were expected to move could accommodate them, as they had heard that some were too crowded, or turning people away.

''The school shelters it provided nearby also flooded, and are too small,'' he said. Asked if the state should do anything more to help, he said: ''We are not keen to ask them to help any more. They are not ready to take care of people properly.''

RESIDENTS THREATEN PROTESTS, FORCE OPEN WALL TO RELEASE WATER

Big bag barrier under threat

RESIDENTS THREATEN PROTESTS, FORCE OPEN WALL TO RELEASE WATER

The government's big bag barrier, credited with sparing inner Bangkok from flooding, is under threat.

A workman wrestles one of the huge Big Bag sandbags into line.

Residents of Don Muang district say the barrier is prolonging flooding in their area, and are threatening protest action.

They demand the government say how much longer they will have to live with the floodwater.

Thinnakorn Janya, head of the residents of Yucharoen housing estate, said he and 20 community leaders from nearby estates will meet at 9am today to discuss what action to take.

They are considering three options: blocking the Don Muang Tollway, holding a prolonged protest on the crest of the barrier, or rallying outside parliament.

The leaders will vote at today's meeting to decide which of these measures to take.

Mr Thinnakorn said residents wanted the government to come up with an action plan to ease flooding in their areas where the big bag barrier, built from sandbags weighing 2.5 tonnes each, has retained floodwater for many days.

"They are swamping us with water. If we weren't in such despair, we wouldn't be shouting for help," he said.

Mr Thinnakorn said the government must clarify the amount of time it would take to pump out water inside the barrier.

"When will our area be dry again? We've been underwater for three weeks now," he said. Mr Thinnakorn discounted claims by local MP Karun Hosakul of the ruling Pheu Thai Party that only 10,000 people live inside the barrier.

Mr Karun yesterday met Flood Relief Operation Commands (Froc) chief Pracha Promnok to discuss the residents' complaint following a report that up to 80,000 people had signed a petition demanding the big bags' removal.

He claimed that only 10,000 people had signed the petition.

Mr Thinnakorn said that number referred only to those officially registered as householders of each property, but in reality many more share the homes.

Mr Karun said many residents in the district have endured suffering as a result of the installation of the big bags.

The big bag barrier has formed a vast belt encompassing 20 residential estates along the northern railway line and across Don Mueang airport and parts of Phahon Yothin Road.

The authorities insisted the big bags helped slow water flowing into the city from the North, granting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) enough time to drain water from the canals that protect inner Bangkok.

The erection of the big bag barrier, however, provoked an angry response from communities surrounded by it.

The pressure prompted authorities to remove some bags and make a gap of two metres in the barrier to release water. The gap was later widened to six metres. However, yesterday the gap was sealed.

Mr Thinnakorn said it was unclear who closed the gap.

He and about 200 residents worked to open the gap back to six metres again with their bare hands yesterday in the presence of police and soldiers.

The water behind the barrier was 60cm higher than water outside it.

Mr Thinnakorn insisted the residents were not pressing to have the barrier removed.

Rather, the authorities should map out a blueprint to control water flow from North and siphon water from housing estates by, for example, creating small gaps at intervals along the barrier.

The barrier should also be built in a chamber system so the water could be better manipulated.

He said authorities lack an integrated flood management plan, which left some areas inundated for extended periods.

Mr Thinnakorn said the big bags restricted people's freedom of mobility, which is against the law.

"Our boats can't get past the bags and boats are the people's only mode of transport around here," he added.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the big bags were an effective water management tool, but he was concerned some residents might dismantle the barrier if the floods became too much to bear.

However, he would discuss with the Froc if it was still necessary to keep the big bag barrier.

Seri Suparathit, a water expert at Rangsit University, said the BMA has enough capacity to pump out water and save the inner city even if the gap in the barrier was opened over its entire length.

Water receding in 11 districts

Flood levels remain above 80cm in 560 locations covering 12 districts; Bangkok deputy gov says. City's main roads will be dry in two weeks

Flood water has receded in 11 Bangkok districts as drainage is underway at full steam, while water levels are stable in Phasi Charoen and Bang Khae districts, while they went up in Min Buri and Klong Sam Wa.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the bigbag barrier along Vibhavadi Rangsit Road did not work well and was breached at three locations. 

He said flood water on Phetkasem Road, an alternative to Rama II Road as a route to the South of the country, was being drained.

Sukhumbhand's opinion over the effectiveness of the bigbag barrier was at odds with a statement by his deputy, Theerachon Manomaiphibool, that it had worked well. 

The deputy said the water level between the two bigbag sides was 30cm, and would continue decreasing. The big bags increased the floodwater level at BTS Mor Chit Station by 5cm and Wat Lat Phrao by 2cm.

"Within two weeks, main roads in Bangkok will be dry," he added.

An earlier statement by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's floodrelief centre said water had receded in Don Muang, Lak Si, Sai Mai, Thawee Watthana, Taling Chan, Bang Phlat, Bang Sue, Nong Chok, Lat Krabang, Khan Na Yao and Lat Phrao districts.

The level remains above 80cm at 560 locations in 12 districts.

A Phaholyothin Road section at the Kamphaeng Phet intersection is dry, as is a Charan Sanitwong Road section from Bang Phlat to Boromratchonani. 

A road network nearby connecting to ArunAmarin Road by the Chao Phraya River is still flooded but small vehicles can now use it.

In Pathum Thani, the floodwater level in three heavily inundated districts has receded, although Route 345 connecting this province to Bangkok remains under water, and water at many luxury housing estates is still chesthigh.

Bhumibhol Dam is now releasing 26 million cubic metres of water, much lower than during the peak of the flood in Central provinces. The drainage has been ordered to make possible a boat race in Tak and Kamphaeng Phet provinces. 

Nakhon Sawan has also seen lower currents in three major rivers and lower levels in urban areas, although one of the main roads is under a metre of water.

Paper giant Double A is filling 20,000 permanent and adhoc job vacancies at its plant in Prachin Buri, while providing free commodities, and areas for small businesses to open their temporary operations. Call 1759 and dial 0 for more details.

Meanwhile, Major Cineplex Group will reopen two cineplexes in Pinklao, as the flood level in the area recedes.

In a statement, the company said that the standalone branch will resume normal service tomorrow, starting with a 10am show.

Meanwhile, its cineplex branch inside Central Plaza Pinklao will reopen its doors on Monday.

Since floods hit Bangkok, the company that operates nearly 70 per cent of theatres in Thailand has closed operations of 12 branches - MajorRangsit, FutureRangsit, Big CNava Nakorn, LotusNava Nakorn, Chaeng Wattana, Fashion Island, Thanyaburi, MajorPinklao, CentralPinklao, Petchkasaem, Salaya and Ratchayothin. It also closed seven bowling branches.

Central Pinklao will also open tomorrow.

Abhisit vows not to exploit crisis

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on the second and last day of the joint House-Senate debate that he was not seeking to politically exploit the flood crisis or seek to undo the Yingluck Shinawatra administration for the meantime.

He added, however, that the government should not make the Opposition party a "scapegoat" for the crisis.

Abhisit also proposed the government to strengthen four areas of water management in the future. These include: a unified water management and drainage operations under one organisation and with linked data and information; more accurate communication with the public was also proposed, as well as ways to manage rain-related flood water.

Abhisit said "at no time in history has the opposition party been as committed as now to work with the government in order to address the crisis". 

He said he had tried to avoid unconstructive criticisms and yet was accused by the speaker of Pheu Thai Party of being "pretentious", and was also opposed by people in some flood areas.

Abhisit also urged the government to quickly save Rama II Road, the main route linking Bangkok and the South as well as industrial estates such as Bangchan and Lat Krabang.

"It's dangerous to only think politically," Abhisit warned, adding that the allegation his administration kept too much water in major dams is false as the Agriculture Minister had now admitted to delaying the discharge of water from dams to allow farmers downstream to finish harvesting first.

Prime Minister Yingluck, meanwhile, reiterated to the joint session her decision to continue to serve "until the end", adding she will accept all recommendations and forward it to the two committees recently set up. She added that those who have to bear more flood water will be specially compensated.

Yingluck added that it is ludicrous that some had even alleged the government had allowed crocodiles to flee so they could attack people. 

As for the relief bags, Yingluck admitted there were problems with political feud in some areas, which affected the dispersal of the bags. She said those found to be involved in corruption would be prosecuted.

The premier ended her address to the joint session shortly after 11am yesterday, stating: "I would like to reiterate that I will be patient and earnest and will not retreat from solving the problem and rehabilitating the country and restore trust in the people.

I ask for moral support and unity among members [of both Houses] and the people and would like to offer the happiness of the people as gift to His Majesty on his 84th birthday."

Fees cut for students

Rangsit University (RSU) yesterday announced remedial measures for flood-affected students, including a 50 per cent discount on tuition fees for those who register for this second semester and a cancellation of fines imposed on late course registration.

Students were urged to take a picture of their flooded homes and submit it along with other required documents, and provide details later. 

RSU would help find part-time work with the university; people interested could contact the Student Affairs Office.

Vocational training

The secretary-general of the non-formal education promotion office said yesterday the Education Ministry had allocated Bt490 million to provide vocational training for people affected by the flooding.

Prasert Bunruang also revealed a plan to propose Bt2.8 billion as an annual budget to provide vocational training at communities and tambons in some 30 provinces hit by flood disaster. 

He said people who do the training would also be given Bt5,000 seed money to buy materials or tools. 

After the flood subsides, the office will also dispatch 77 teams of volunteers with 77 water pumps in 77 vans to help clean flood-damaged homes, schools or temples free-of-charge, he said.

Vaccines for pet bites

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri yesterday warned volunteers taking care of flood-affected pets or stray animals to be careful not to get bitten or scratched and to immediately get a rabies vaccination if bitten.

He also urged volunteers to get vaccines as a precaution at the Bumratnaradu Institute and the Red Cross Society's Saowapa in Bangkok or at any state hospital upcountry. 

From January 1 to August 8 there were four deaths from rabies in Thailand, he said.

Witthaya said that 14 medical teams were sent to treat flood victims in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Lop Buri and Bangkok's Sai Mai, Don Muang, Bang Phlad, Phasee Charoen, Taling Chan, Bangkok Noi, Nong Khaem and Bang Khae. 

He also reported that the ministry's mobile medical teams had treated 1,678,824 flood-affected people in 37 provinces so far and sent 2.4 million sets of medicines to assist them.

EM balls

SCG (Thailand) Co Ltd invited people with volunteer spirit to make one million EM balls to assist residents still affected by flooding and polluted flood water.

SCG Chemicals executive Charoenchai Prathuangsuksi said yesterday employees and volunteers gathered in Rayong to make EM balls at the Royal Project Learning Centre in Tambon Song Saleung of Rayong's Klaeng district.

Heavy rain due in South

The National Disaster Warning Centre yesterday issued a warning for people living in risky areas in five southern provinces to prepare for heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides yesterday and today.

Heavy downpours were forecast for Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Patthalung and Songkhla, the centre said. Flash floods or landslide might occur hence officials should prepare to assist residents in risky areas.

Thailand face a daunting task in cauldron

Thailand's SEA Games aspirations will be put to a stiff test when they face a decisive match against hosts Indonesia today.

After making a dismal start to their campaign with a 2-1 loss to defending champions Malaysia, the Thais, who won the title eight consecutive times, bounced back by recording a 4-0 win against lowly Cambodia on Friday.

The victory was a flattering outcome, given that they were made to toil for long periods before scoring three goals in the space of 10 minutes late in the second half.

Such an unconvincing performance, which came after a lethargic display in the Malaysia fixture, in which they were fortunate not to have lost by a bigger margin, hardly inspired optimism ahead of the meeting with unbeaten Indonesia.

With the Thais currently languishing in fourth place with three points from two matches, only a win against the hosts, who top the standings with a perfect record, would do for them if they are to avoid an early exit for the second consecutive time. 

A defeat is likely to spell an end to their campaign even before the final group game against Singapore.

Thailand face the daunting prospect of playing in a hostile atmosphere at the Bung Karno Stadium, which has a capacity of nearly 100,000 and no doubt will be packed to its rafters by raucous home support. 

Mental strength, therefore, will be the key. Kasem Jariyawatwong, the team manager, is convinced that his players are well equipped to handle such a pressure situation.

"We're not out yet. We have two matches left to fight for our survival. Whether we could do it or not, we have to give our utmost. 

I am trying to keep the team motivated. We were down when we saw what people thought about our performance on the Internet. We'll keep fighting.

"It's normal that form would fluctuate sometimes. There's nothing to be gained by making rash judgements. The players are still young and they need the support of the fans.

"We're improving each game. Each player seems to have found his rhythm. There's no doubt that the game against Indonesia will be tough. The stadium will be turned into a cauldron by the home fans.

"I think the experience of playing in the Thailand Premier League would stand the players in good stead for this kind of game. We have no choice but to win," said Kasem.

Theerathon Bunmathan will sit out the World Cup qualifier at home to Australia on Tuesday, serving his suspension for a red card in the 3-0 away loss to Saudi Arabia. As a result, Kasem said, the left back would join the team earlier than scheduled. 

He reckoned that a decision on whether to field the player against the Indonesians needed to be made in the best interest of his health.

"Theerathon will arrive here at noon tomorrow. We have to check on his condition. It would be too selfish if we risk the health of a player for the victory of the team. 

I already got confirmation that his suspension in the WC qualifiers would not apply in the SEA Games."

Sukhumbhand: Dry city by New Year

Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday that he would see to it that all roads and sois in the capital are dry as a New Year gift for Bangkokians.

However, he yesterday warned residents in Prawet, Saphan Sung and Bangkok Yai districts to move their belongings to higher ground and prepare for possible evacuation.

Yesterday afternoon, Sukhumbhand boarded a 10-wheel truck to hand out relief bags and inspect conditions along Bang Khae district's Buddha Monthon 2 Road, which has been flooded for two weeks. 

The water has receded by 10cm but is now very polluted, so the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)'s Environment Office brought three water tanks containing EM (effective micro-organisms) water to treat the flood water.

Sukhumbhand said he had announced 22 additional communities in Prawet and Saphan Sung districts as flood-watch areas. He said the additional areas in Bangkok Yai were: Tha Phra sub-district's Soi Phetchkasem 15,16,17,17/1, 18 and 18/1.

Wat Arun sub-district's Soi Issaraparp 33 and 42, Ananthabhum, Wat Nakklang, Wat Mai Wichien, the Trok Ta-an communities on Issaraparp Road as well as the Wat Kreuwal, Pok Arun, Wat Moleelokayaram communities on Arun Amarin Road; and Wat Tha Phra sub-district's Soi Ratchadapisek 25 and Soi Charansanidwong 3, 7/1, 9, 9/1, 11, 12, 14.

Saying the flood situation should improve within two weeks if there was no more runoff, he said the "Big Bag" floodwall had helped staunch the flow of water. 

He urged people not to destroy floodwalls or take any action before talking with authorities. "This New Year, I want to give a gift to people: My goal is to have Bangkok dry in all areas, not just main roads but also the sois," he said.

In order to tackle the flooding in western Bangkok, Sukhumbhand said the city's flood-mitigation meeting yesterday proposed diverting the flood water into Rajamontri and Sanam Chai canals and to the Mahachai-Sanam Chai "monkey cheek" water-retention area. 

Water from Bang Bon canal would be pushed through the Ekkachai sluice gate to prevent severe flooding on Rama II Road of the kind that swamped Vibhavadi and Phetchakasem roads, he added. 

The BMA also asked the Metropolitan Electricity Authority to install more water pumps to assist flood-affected people in western Bangkok, he said.

The BMA also had 34 water-tank trucks spray EM liquid to treat polluted flood water resulting from mounting garbage piles. Garbage collection is being done by boat, and is proceeding slowly. 

He said the BMA had managed to collect 900 tons of garbage - or 47 per cent of all garbage in the city. The authority yesterday started to provide 170 trucks to transport people around flooded areas on 21 routes through Bangkok from 6am to 10pm everyday, Sukhumbhand said, adding that it was also preparing a project to bring flood evacuees home.

The BMA reported that 494,893 people in 12 Bangkok districts have been affected by the floods caused by northern runoff. Sai Mai district had the most flood victims at 87,229, followed by Don Mueang (86,561), Phasee Charoen (51,920), Lak Si (51,226), Bang Phlad (51,055), Bang Khae (36,250) and Nong Khaem (35,852).

As of yesterday, Vibhavadi, Phaholyothin and Kasetsart University roads had seen flood water lowered by 5cm-20cm, while Borommaratchachonnani Road (from Central Pinklao mall to Sirindhorn Elevated Way) and Somdet Phrapinklao Road were under 30cm of water. 

Arun Amarin Road from Arun Amarin Intersection to Siriraj Hospital and to the Rama VIII Bridge were under some 50cm of water. 

However, Prawet district reported a high water level in Prawet Burirom canal and 30cm-deep water in some communities on On Nut and Pattanakan roads, such as Muangthong Garden Ville in Soi Pattanakarn 65.

In related news, Airports of Thailand chairman ACM Sumet Phomanee yesterday said officials were speedily repairing key parts of Don Mueang Airport targeted for early re-opening. 

It was expected that, after the "Big Bag" floodwall was completed to protect the airport's eastern runways on Tuesday, and the floodwater had subsided, it would take 60 days to repair the airport in full. 

He expressed 100-per-cent confidence that Suvarnabhumi Airport would be safe from flooding.

Meanwhile, Siriraj Hospital yesterday urged its medical staff to report to their supervisors by Wednesday on whether they would be able to continue working, in order to plan services to support incoming patients.

For all your flood needs

Stock up for the duration at an outdoor market on Ekamai-Ram Intra Road

With the flood crisis emptying many store shelves, a lot of people are finding what they need at an open-air market just off Ekamai-Ram Intra Road at Pradit Manutham Road. 

If you can still get there, it has hundreds of vendors selling essential goods for surviving.

The narrow soi next to the Lotus supermarket is full of pickup trucks bearing bottled water of various brands, ranging in price from Bt85 to Bt100 per pack. 

Keep strolling from there - you'll see boots of different designs and materials selling for Bt190 to Bt450.

The "trendy" apparel here usually means it's waterproof and it comes in all sorts of colours. There are trousers for Bt480 and lifejackets for Bt350. For Bt180 you can buy a tin of Wonder Powder, great for quickly healing wounds and chasing off prickly heat, ringworm and bedsores.

Look for the staff called Switching New, which sells solar cells and battery chargers for mobile phones, LED lights and other electrical appliances, with prices running from Bt560 to Bt1,200.

You might want to trade in your car for a paddleboat. They cost Bt2,000 to Bt6,500. Beach mattresses, also selling for Bt2,000, might come in handy too.

The expansive Crystal Park affords space for a car-boot sale with around 40 vendors. One car-accessories manufacturer has expanded into paddleboats made of plastic ABS that cost Bt6,500. 

The Great 3381 company offers colourful life jackets bearing messages like "A flood souvenir from Bangkok".

Protect your clothes with smart PVC Chest waders imported from China for Bt2,200 and waterproof trousers for Bt400.

And then there are drainage pumps, also from China as well as Japan, ranging in price from Bt5,500 to Bt35,000.

You can get a five-litre bag of white rice for Bt180 to Bt220, dried seafood for Bt100, LED lights for Bt320 to Bt450, mobile toilets for Bt200 and water buckets for Bt100, plus T-shirts with prints and sunglasses.

Finally, down at the end of the road, there are vendors selling fibreglass boats for Bt6,500, along with that EM micro-organism liquid, mosquito netting, more boots, more waterproof clothing and more pumps.

Inner-city residents get ready as water nears

People living near the Victory Monument have been told to prepare for flooding, which could reach the area in a week.

The atmosphere in the neighbourhood is calm, but if you look around carefully you will see the changes that have occurred as the flood crisis has built.

One local resident captured the change in an account of a friend's new business line.

"Usually, she sells gift items and accessories," Kochaphan Komnanukij, a friend of a woman who sells gift items, accessories and boots at the Center One department store, told The Nation. 

When she heard that the flood waters were heading here, she prepared by wearing boots. 

Her customers asked her about her boots and Magic Pants - plastic trousers that protect your feet and legs up to your waist  so she started selling boots and Magic Pants.

"They sold out very quickly, requiring restocking two times a day; the price will depend on how bad the flooding gets."

Despite the imminent flooding, for vendors on the Rajvithi Hospital side of Victory Monument it's business as usual, with few outward signs of anything out of the ordinary.

"I can't let the news that the floods are coming affect the whole of my business," said Arissara Mapuag, owner of the Budsabong shoe store, who claimed not to be worried about the looming flood.

"I won't allow myself to be brought to a standstill by the flood crisis. It's a natural disaster, so nobody can stop it.

If the floods arrive, I think it'll give me a chance to travel to the Northern region and make merit, which I haven't done it for a long time," she said.

Although there have been transport problems, Arissara said she had been able to adapt.

"The customers are still buying shoes at my shop; there are always people travelling and changing buses here," said the shop owner.

Victory Monument's cluster of noodle shops will be affected.

"Our customers are decreasing in number, of course, but we're still selling noodles," said Nopporn Boonsanong, owner of the Anong noodle shop. 

We have a steady supplier for the ingredients, so we're ready if it floods. We've prepared a plaster floodwall in front of our shop and have raised the electricity lines."

People in many walks of life have been affected by this flood crisis. Kornkwan Vutinuntakasame, a student at Thammasat University, said her life had changed since the flood hit her home around the Ratchayothin area.

"I have had to change my plans, since the next semester has been moved from November to January," she said.

"Right now, the water level is stable around my home but I think if it reaches the level of the electricity system, it's time to evacuate; without electricity it's harder to live," she admitted.

Graeme Turnball, an Australian businessman residing in Thailand, was critical of officials, commenting: "I think now it's a political game. 

They should help people more than this. It's all propaganda out there; they try to get what they want by using the advertising."

Residents of areas near the Victory Monument are a good example of the way human beings can turn a crisis into an opportunity, provided they prepare themselves to face the problems.

Volunteers Needed

Despite the decreasing flood-water in some areas, volunteers are still needed to help with relief and recovery efforts in many provinces, including Bangkok, red-shirt volunteer leader Sombat Boon-ngam-anong said.

Sombat, who is also president of the Thai Mirror Foundation and operates the largest red-shirt volunteer effort at the National Stadium, said both Thais and foreign volunteers as well as donations are still welcome. Particularly needed are people who can also engage in some coordination work.

Sombat suggested that people who are not affected by the floods could use part of their annual leave or take leave for a week to help with the volunteer efforts organised by various groups.

Despite being leader of the Red Sunday Group of the red shirts, Sombat said he was not wearing his red shirt hat and shrugged off the political feud weeks ago.

"I understand the nature of politicians," he said, referring to the on-going blame game.

"The government says they have done their best while the opposition seeks to bring down the government. That being the case, they won't stop. But I just want to get things done first."

Those who want to work as volunteers with Sombat can contact the foundation at 090-418-0525 to 29 or donate goods at the National Stadium.

Thai princess: King temporarily lost consciousness

In this Dec. 5, 2010 file photo released by the Thai Royal Household, Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej delivers his annual birthday speech as part of his 83rd birthday celebration at the Amarindhara throne hall inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. The daughter of Thailand's 83-year-old king has revealed that her father recently had a health problem that caused him to temporarily lose consciousness. Princess Chulabhorn said Friday Nov. 11, 2011 during a visit to flood victims north of Bangkok that King Bhumibol Adulyadej went into shock and lost consciousness after suffering abdominal bleeding and a sharp drop in his blood pressur

Thailand's ailing king — the world's longest-reigning monarch — recently suffered a health problem that caused him to temporarily lose consciousness, his daughter revealed, linking the incident to stress over the country's flood crisis.

News that the health of 83-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej took what Princess Chulabhorn described as a brief turn for the worse comes as floods have inundated much of Thailand, including parts of Bangkok and its suburbs. 

More than 500 people have died, damage is estimated at several billion dollars and central Bangkok remains threatened.

Chulabhorn, the king's youngest daughter, said Friday during a visit to flood victims in Nonthaburi province north of Bangkok that King Bhumibol had gone into shock and lost consciousness after suffering abdominal bleeding and a sharp drop in his blood pressure. 

She said that about 800 cc of blood had been found in his bowel movements.

Chulabhorn said the king returned to normal health after being treated at the hospital where he has been staying for more than two years, according to the official royal news broadcast Friday night. 

The king, who took the throne in 1946, was originally hospitalized on Sept. 19, 2009, with a lung inflammation. Official statements said he remained at the hospital for physical therapy and nourishment to recover his strength.

In May this year, he had an operation to relieve a condition that made him walk unsteadily. A statement issued at the time said the spinal tap procedure was to relieve a condition common in the elderly — an excessive level of cerebration fluid resulting in pressure on the brain.

Chulabhorn said Friday that after the May operation, the king "seemed to be at ease" until the flood crisis. The king has been shown from time to time on television speaking — sometimes with difficulty — at royal functions held at the hospital.

Chulabhorn said doctors told her the recent bleeding could have been caused by concern over the flooding.

"So I asked the nurse what he had been doing in the past few days," Chulabhorn said. "It turned out that he had been watching news about the flood. 

This indicates that His Majesty the King loves his people as his own children. He is very concerned and he usually doesn't speak much, but (his concern) is seen in his physical condition."

She did not specify when the health problem took place, but her comments indicated it was more than a week ago. 

She had previously spoken about it on Nov. 7, though not in such detail, and said Friday that it happened the same day she had been visiting flooding victims in Ayutthaya province, also near Bangkok. She visited a Buddhist temple there on Nov. 4.

The Royal Household Bureau, which is in charge of releasing news about the king, said Saturday that it could provide no further details on the king's health.

Bangkok's Siriraj Hospital, where the king is staying, said it could provide no information without the approval of the Royal Household Bureau.

It is potentially unlawful for private citizens to publicly comment on the king's health. In 2009, four people were arrested on suspicion of using the Internet to spread rumors about the king's health. 

Under the Computer Crime Act, spreading false information deemed harmful to national security is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of 100,000 baht ($3,260).

Open discussion of the monarchy is also constrained by strict lese majeste laws that make criticism of the monarchy punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

A doctor in neighboring Myanmar asked to comment on the king's symptoms said it would take more than psychological stress for someone to lose 800 cc of blood. 

Dr. Tun Kyaw, assistant surgeon at the government hospital in Yangon's North Okkala neighborhood, said there had to be other reasons, such as an existing affliction or side effect from medicine. 

Blood-thinning drugs can cause abnormal bleeding.

The doctor added that the blood the king lost "is a significant amount, especially for elderly people."

Dr. O.P. Sharma, an expert in geriatric medicine in India, said the king likely would have required an immediate blood transfusion, constant blood pressure monitoring and an endoscopy if more bleeding occurred. 

But he added that the prognosis for such episodes is often good and that it's difficult to predict whether the bleeding will occur again.

"They recover very well. He can recover pretty quickly," he said. "... It's a cause of concern, but I'm sure he'll recover."

The king traditionally has played a conciliating role in Thai society, and his decline in health has coincided with trouble in the Southeast Asian nation. 

A 2006 military coup ousting the then-prime minister ushered in a period of political instability marked by sometimes violent street protests.

His near-disappearance from the public scene has also raised concerns about what will happen after his passing. 

His son and heir-apparent, Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn, does not command the same respect and affection as the king.