Economy faces flood hit World Bank estimates damage at B1.4 trillion

The devastating floods have caused 1.4 trillion baht in estimated damage and are likely to slash Thailand's economic growth to 2.4% this year, the World Bank says.

All washed up - Piles of flood-damaged television sets and other electrical appliances are left by their owners on a pavement on Phahon Yothin Road. A post-flood boom in the home-making and electrical appliances businesses is expected. 

The grim assessment was unveiled yesterday by the bank's country director Annette Dixon after a meeting with Virabongsa Ramangura, chairman of the Strategic Committee for Reconstruction and Future Development.

Of the estimated damage, around 660 billion baht involves property losses and 700 billion baht comprises lost opportunities.

The initial survey was jointly carried out with state and private agencies.

Based on the estimate, Thailand's economic growth will tumble to 2.4% from 3.6% projected previously, said Ms Dixon.

However, she said the impact from the floods would not be all negative as it would spur spending.

She said economic growth would continue next year as a result of rehabilitation and rebuilding spending by both the public and private sectors.

The World Bank's damage survey and assessment covers four sectors: public infrastructure such as transport and telecoms; manufacturing such as farming, tourism and industry; social development such as education and public health; and the environment.

It has also proposed a short-term rehabilitation plan that calls for a focus on those directly affected by the floods.

According to the World Bank, the government has rolled out several relief measures and assistance, but it should do more to help make access to this information available to the poor.

It has called on the government to ensure that affected farmers are given every assistance possible as they will soon resume work.

They need high-quality seeds, repairs to farm equipment and improvements to infrastructure.

The World Bank has also made suggestions about flood management, including construction of flood barriers around industrial estates, implementation of the royally initiated water management projects and application of the flood control plan for the Mekong region by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

Ms Dixon said the World Bank has not made any suggestions about economic stimulus. The planned rehabilitation efforts would do the work as soon as they are under way.

The World Bank will conduct another round of assessments after the floodwater recedes, Ms Dixon said.

Mr Virabongsa said yesterday that he has been assured by the Japan External Trade Organisation (Jetro) and Jica that Japan would not move its production bases out of Thailand.

He said that compared with other countries in the region, Thailand remains strong in terms of public infrastructure and a skilled labour force.

He said that Toyota Motor Corporation is committed to its goal of manufacturing one million vehicles next year and increasing its production to 2.5 million vehicles in the next five years.

Toyota was among several Japanese automakers that were were hit hard after several industrial estates were submerged.

Mr Virabongsa, Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, Industry Minister Wannarat Channukul and Deputy Finance Minister Wirun Techapaiboon yesterday witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on loans for development of a flood prevention system for the country's industrial estates.

Under the memorandum signed between the Government Savings Bank (GSB) and the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, the bank will provide 15 billion baht in soft loans to support the implementation of the flood prevention plan going forward.

Four industrial estates that were badly hit by the flooding, Rojana Industrial Park, Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate, Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate and Bang Kadi Industrial Park, have joined the loan scheme.

Loan approvals are expected next month.

Govt starts up pumps today in worst-hit communities

The government will today start pumping floodwater out from housing estates in the three most heavily inundated areas of Bangkok and Nonthaburi.

The government is apparently meeting the demands of flood victims in the Don Muang and Rangsit areas of Bangkok and Nonthaburi province who have staged protests against the slow drainage of floodwater from their communities.

The operation will begin today on the eastern part of Vibhavadi Rangsit and Phahon Yothin roads and the Ong-kharak area by pumping water to Khlong Rangsit, said Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong after meeting with housing and real estate business representatives at Government House yesterday.

The first priority for the drainage will go to housing estates located in areas lower than the main roads and officials must make sure the floodwater flows into the canal and not from one village into another, Mr Kittirat said.

The drainage will be assisted by the local administration organisations.

Powerful water pumps will also be installed along the western part of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to draw water out of the submerged Rangsit University and Muang Ake housing estate.

The goal, Mr Kittirat said, is to use eight water pumps to drain water from the university and the estate out to nearby Khlong Rangsit, which links with the Chao Phraya River.

The other zone where the pumps will be deployed is Bang Yai in Nonthaburi. Provincial officials are finding ways to drain water out to the Ta Chin River.

Disgruntled residents have resorted to removing parts of floodwalls and blockading roads to protest the slow response to the ongoing flooding.

Ram Intra residents became the latest group to blockade a section of Ram Intra Road near the Central department store yesterday after talks with city officials on flood solutions failed.

About 150 of them issued an ultimatum saying the government must bring the floodwater in their neighbourhoods down by 20cm within seven days or face a renewed stronger protest.

On the western side of the Chao Phraya, flood levels in Nonthaburi's Bang Kruai, Bang Bua Thong and Sai Noi districts fell by 3-5cm yesterday after three sluice gates at three canals were lifted, as requested by Nonthaburi people.

Meanwhile, Anond Snidvongs, the Froc's water management adviser, announced solutions to disputes with residents living near Khlong Rangsit and in the Sriwalee housing estate, See Mum Muang, Lam Luk Ka, Rangsit, Don Muang, Sai Mai and Lak Si areas over the "big bag" barriers.

After a meeting yesterday between Froc, BMA and residents' representatives, Mr Anond concluded that the Praya Surain sluice gate would be widened to 1.5 metres and sluice gates in Khlongs 8, 9, and 10 to 1.1m to speed up drainage of Khlong Hok Wa Sai Lang.

Secondly, the big bag barrier gap on the outbound Vibhavadi Road will be widened to 20-30m toward the train tracks from the original 8m. He said the entire barrier could not be removed because it would result in flash floods.

Airport rehab up in the air

A full-scale rehabilitation of inundated Don Mueang airport, which could run into billions of baht, hinges on state policy and assurances that it will never again experience a similar deluge to what it has faced for more than a month now.

This was the scene at the front (above) and on the tarmac (below) of what was Asia's longest operating capital-city airport on Friday afternoon, Nov 25. Earlier photos of the stricken airport below.

The Yingluck Shinawatra administration will have to decide whether it is worthwhile to spend billions of baht to restore buildings at Bangkok's old airport such as the domestic and cargo terminals as well as repair the western runway.

Senior executives of Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) say for this big an investment, a decision will have to be made about whether Don Mueang needs a full-blown, permanent flood prevention system such as the one installed at Suvarnabhumi, Thailand's gateway airport.

AoT president Anirut Thanomkulbutra yesterday said undertaking the second phase of Don Mueang's rehabilitation is a policy issue that the government must clearly address.

That phase of restoration will be necessary if AoT is to proceed with five schemes aimed at adding commercial activities to enhance the utilisation of the airport beyond its mainstay operation - serving two Thai budget airlines for domestic point-to-point flights.

On AoT's drawing board before the flooding hit were plans for an airframe heavy maintenance and landing gear repair centre; aircraft parts and component storage; imported car showrooms; a logistics centre; a convention and exhibition centre; and a private jet terminal.

Only one of these projects has been realised - a private terminal for MJets Ltd, which began operations in March 2010 under a five-year concession from AoT.

However, that facility has been devastated by the flooding.

Another AoT executive pointed out the phase-two rehabilitation depends on a 15-member panel on national reconstruction and future development chaired by former finance minister Virabongsa Ramangkura.

But what is definite now is an urgent rehabilitation plan costing nearly one billion baht to reactivate the airport, hopefully within 120 days after it dries out.

The work involved will be twofold. Mr Anirut said the first step will be to restore the runway, taxiways, airfield lighting system, high-power distribution system and air navigation aids on the eastern side in order to serve aircraft belonging to government agencies, the military and VIPs.

The second step will be to restore the former international passenger terminal or Terminal 1 and repair AoT's headquarters on the opposite side of the airport.

The cabinet has already approved 489 million baht for AoT to carry out the first step, while AoT will finance the second step itself for 445 million baht.

Mr Anirut said Don Mueang's eastern runway, to be repaired in the first step, could probably be open for service by the end of January.

AoT, 70% state-owned, will come up with a time frame for the rehabilitation once the extent of the damage has been determined.

However, work can only start once the water recedes, which remains a big question mark.

The water at the airport has been subsiding but was still 50 centimetres deep yesterday. The authorities and AoT management will not drain the water from around the airport, as that would add to the woes of the surrounding communities that have themselves been devastated by the deluge.

They would rather see the water recede naturally instead of manipulating the water flow, said a senior AoT official.

Don Mueang Airport to partially reopen in January

BANGKOK, Nov 25 – A budget of Bt490 million approved by the Cabinet, will be used for restore the eastern runway of Don Mueang Airport, expected to reopen at the end of January for military aircraft, said Flying Officer Anirut Thanomkulbutra, president of Airports of Thailand (AoT).

AoT said the Bt1 billion restoration of the airport would be carried out in a two-phase plan.

The first phase, restoring the runway, includes several processes including cleaning, fixing runway and electricity system and pre-opening inspection.

Rehabilitation work will start on the eastern runway while the western runway and AoT headquarters will be restored with a budget of Bt445 million later. The Department of Civil Aviation Operations will certify safety standard before it reopens.

In the second phase, the terminal and cargo buildings will be restored.

Flying Officer Anirut said the airport will be fully operational after the floodwater is completely gone.

Currently, airport officials and workers are draining 300,000 cubic metres of water per day out of the airport to surrounding canals.

He said that if the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and government agencies related to water management could drain more water in the north of the capital to canals, AoT may consider pumping water out of the water-clogged areas in order to reopen the airport earlier.

The company cannot pump floodwater out of the airport now for fear of adding to nearby residents' suffering.

In addition, FO Anirut said additional measures against possible flooding in the future may be taken by applying measures used at Suvarnabhumi Airport to speed up restoring passenger confidence.

Because Suvarnabhumi Airport has an efficient flood-prevention system, he said, it is definitely spared the current flooding.

However, the number of passengers has dropped almost nine per cent due to the flood crisis.

It is expected the overall passenger numbers this year will be around 46 million, instead of the expected 47 million, he added.

No relocation of foreign investment: Thai Industry Minister

BANGKOK, Nov 25 - Foreign investors remain confident in Thailand's investment climate and will not shift their investments elsewhere, despite months of severe flooding in the kingdom.

Industry Minister Chawarat Channukul gave his reassurance Friday after meeting with foreign investors, including Japanese investors.

Some foreign investors have turned to Cambodia as part of their pre-flood unskilled-labour investment plan, he said, indicating that their actions were unrelated to the severe floods which inundated major industrial estates in Thailand.

The minister declined to comment when asked whether the relocation of some business investment was the result of the government's planned daily minimum wage hike to 300 baht.

Meanwhile, the Board of Investment (BoI) reported that so far no foreign investors have waived privileges granted by the BoI in order to shift their investment overseas.

The agency said the total number of applications seeking BoI privileges over the past 10 months is valued at Bt478 billion, up 23 per cent year-on-year.

The applications for BoI privileges will likely top Bt500 billion at the end of this year, the BoI said.

PM: Dismantling all oversize sandbag barriers possible

BANGKOK, Nov 24 – The whole series of so-called big bag barriers, makeshift embankments installed to slow the flow of northern runoff into the capital, may be dismantled, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Thursday following continuing disputes on the big bag barriers which have erupted in many areas.

The temporary barriers have become the focus of disputes between flood-hit residents and the authorities as the residents demand elimination of the barriers to drain floodwater from their neighbourhoods.

“It is possible to dismantle all big bag barriers if there are other ways to drain out floodwater. To do so, additional pumps must be installed,” the prime minister said.

She instructed the water drainage committee, the Bangkok governor and governors of provinces surrounding the capital to discuss and adjust water drainage options after the situation has changed.

Bangkok is currently capable of draining more water out, she said.

The premier said she gave guidelines to agencies involved to consider the impact on residents.

Prime Minister Yingluck said the conclusion will come when the Department of Drainage and Sewerage, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the Royal Irrigation Department, the Water Management Committee and governors meet together and act decisively regarding the priorities.

Governors represent the public in each province, she said. They will sit to decide water drainage priorities looking at the big picture and planned response is needed for areas that will be most affected by water drainage from upstream areas.

Regarding residents who are protesting angrily against the big bag barriers, who sometimes used violence, the prime minister said to handle the cases, negotiation must be done peacefully in accordance with the law.

But if there are violations of the law, officials must take legal action against them, the prime minister said.

She gave an example of some residents in Pathum Thani, who blocked the Don Mueang tollway Wednesday in their protest and damaged some cars, saying the police were notified and legal action was taken against them.

In other development, about 100 residents from Bangkok’s Thawi Watthana and Bang Khae districts opened a section of Kanchanapisek Road on Thursday evening, satisfied with Bangkok City Hall’s promise to lower three sluice gates if floodwater rises by ten centimetres.

The residents had blocked the road as they were dissatisfied with the raising of three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat to drain more water from flooded Nonthaburi.

Raising the gates increased the depth of floodwater in their neighbourhoods.

However, they dispersed later after the BMA pledged to lower the sluice gates again if the floodwaters rise by ten centimetres in the next three days.

Public content with military performance in helping flood victims: Poll

BANGKOK, Nov 25 – Thailand’s public is more satisfied with the military’s performance in assisting flood victims, and the least satisfaction was accorded local politicians, according to a new opinion poll released on Friday.

The Bangkok Poll Centre surveyed 1,087 people aged 18 and older across the country on Nov 22-24 on the flood and the performance of each sector.

About 98.3 per cent of the respondents said they were content with soldiers’ performance in helping flood victims, followed by help from compatriots at 98.2 per cent and volunteer groups at 96.6 per cent.

Least satisfaction was given to local politicians at 51.8 per cent, the government’s Flood Relief Operations Centre at 64.3 per cent and the Prime Minister at 67.7 per cent.

Regarding their support of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, about 47 per cent of the respondents still support her to continue as prime minister while 24.5 per cent think otherwise.

Three-fourths -- 72.6 per cent -- of the respondents believed that the major cause of the flood crisis is unusual and heavy volume of sustained rainfall, while 58 per cent viewed mismanagement and poor 

performance of flood-related agencies are to blame, and 55.6 per cent thought that the limited capability of the existing irrigation system cannot respond to a megadisaster.

Half the population believe the disaster will happen again, but only 2 per cent discount that possibility.

As Bangkok spreads over an extensive low-lying area very closed to sea level, there have been recent suggestions to relocate the Thai capital. 

The survey found that about nearly two-thirds -- 60.4 per cent -- disagree with relocation, while only one in four -- 27.8 per cent – agreed to the proposed move.

The northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) is the site welcomed by a majority of those polled.

8 districts of Narathiwat, one in Pattani declared disaster zones

NARATHIWAT, Nov 25 -- The southern border province of Narathiwat on Friday declared eight districts as flood disaster zones, while its neighbouring province of Pattani declared its provincial seat as a flood disaster zone.

Narathiwat Governor Thanon Vejjakornkanont said all 12 districts have been inundated, with almost 30,000 people affected, but only eight were declared disaster zones.

Eighteen schools in Ra-ngae district have been forced to close.

The eight Narathiwat districts are Yi-ngo, Bacho, Rangae, Sungai Kolok, Waeng, Chanae, Cho-I-Rong and Tak Bai.

Meanwhile, Pattani Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office chief Panyasak Sophonvasu said 790 families have been affected by the flood. 

The Pattani River overflowed in three districts—Paka Harang, Baraho and Talubo—with water 100-150 cm deep, and is still rising.

The Pattani River rose after a sluice gate was opened allowing flood water from Yala to flow into the province.

Although the rain has eased, the earlier heavy downpour in the province and in Yala has brought more water into the Pattani River.

The province has prepared shelters for flood victims.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the Taloompuk peninsula was further pounded by strong waves as high as four metres which kept slamming the shoreline. Seawater inundated villages and many coconut trees were felled.

Some villagers evacuated after local authorities cut electricity and water mains as a safety precaution and to protect public utilities which could be damaged by the flood.

In Songkhla, the municipality posted signs warning tourists not to swim at Samila Beach, the province’s major tourist attraction, because of strong wind and high waves which damaged the shoreline for 300 metres.

The provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office reported that four districts were hit by flood which caused more than Bt8 million in damage.

Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Director-General Wiboon Sanguanpong said heavy rain continued in the southern provinces, particularly on the east.

Heavy rain has triggered flooding in six provinces -- Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Yala, Songkhla and Narathiwat.

The Meteorological Department warned of heavy rain and strong wind and high waves in the South.

In its latest announcement, issued at 4.30pm, the department said the strong northeast monsoon remains over the south and the Gulf of Thailand, causing scattered to fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rainfall on the east coast from Surat Thani southward.

People in at risk areas along foothills, near waterways and in lowlands are warned of flash floods.

The at-risk areas included Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang and Satun.

Strong wind and high waves in the lower Gulf of Thailand from Nakhon Si Thammarat southward are expected at 2-3 metres high.

Shipping should proceed with caution and small boats are advised to stay ashore.

More drainage disputes, and floods in the far South

Flood drainage disputes are growing between people in flood-protection areas in Bangkok and flood victims long inundated in surrounding areas, as heavy rains are causing floods in many southern provinces.

Confrontation is increasing along the lines of sandbag dykes and sluice gates that separate Bangkok from its upper provinces of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.

People in Ram Intra area of Bangkok rallied on Thursday to complain that the removal of big sandbags in Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani was raising flood levels in Ram Intra. They demanded the government contain the rising floodwater; otherwise they would block Ram Intra Road.

Former finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee, who represented people in his Sivalee Housing Estate in Lam Luk Ka, said he and other local dwellers would ask the government to remove big sandbags in Don Muang district to relieve the flooding that has been their housing estate for over a month.

A group of people in Nonthaburi province thanked Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra for opening sluice gates along Khlong Maha Sawat canal to receive floodwater from Nonthaburi.

The governor agreed to cooperate with local residents, but said he must monitor impacts on water levels in western Bangkok closely to prevent uncontrollable flooding in the capital. The governor admitted that inflows from Nonthaburi were raising the levels of some canals in western Bangkok.

People in Bang Khae district of Bangkok protested on Kanchanaphisek Road, demanding Bangkok governor defend their district from further flooding from Nonthaburi. They threatened to block Kanchanaphisek Road, which is Bangkok's outer ring road, in Bang Khae if their demand is left unheeded.

Somsak Khaosuwan, director of the National Disaster Warning Centre, said the big sandbags were carefully placed to direct floodwater to drainage systems consisting of pump stations and existing waterways. 

He warned that the removal of those sandbags would spread floodwater uncontrollably and thus delay drainage.

In the South, heavy rains that have continued for four days, with floods in part of Chaiya district of Surat Thani province and a local school is closed.

Many districts of Pattani province are inundated and hundreds of families were evacuated.

In Phatthalung province, runoff hit 11 districts, troubled over 23,000 families and flooded over 160 square kilometres of farmland.

In Narathiwat province, floods occured in Sungai Kolok, Rangae and Muang Narathiwat districts with depths ranging from 50 centimetres to 1.70 metres.

The Meteorological Department said the northeastern monsoon is causing strong winds and waves in the Gulf of Thailand and bringing heavy rains in many southern provinces, most of which face the gulf.

Runoff and overflows are forecast in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, Trang and Satun provinces and waves 2-4 metres high are forecast along the eastern coastline from Nakhon Si Thammarat province southwards.

No significant rise in water level

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is keeping a close watch on the flooding situation in inner Bangkok following the dismantling of the bigbag barriers in the Don Muang area.

The removal of the barriers at the Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection on Phaholyothin Road on Wednesday could possibly increase the water level at Kasetsart intersection and Lat Phrao, said deputy city clerk Chumphol Sampaopol.

He said pulling down the flood barrier could delay the drainage of water and would prolong the presence of floodwater in the clogged areas.

However, the latest report on Thursday by the BMA’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage found no significant change in the water level.

Bang Khen district chief Watcharaporn Kawayapanik said that although the water level remained unchanged after the big bag barrier was dismantled, small lanes along Phaholyothin Road remained under water 60 to 80 cm deep.

If water were to increase as a result of dismantling the wall, draining of the floodwater would take more time, as pumping also depends on the water level in major canals, he said.

Some 400 residents in housing estates in the Photofinishing, Sai Mai and Don Muang areas have been forced to live with continued deep floodwater because of the big bag barrier. 

However, they received some relief Wednesday from the dismantling of the makeshift dyke made of 12 tonnes of sandbags at Don Mueang.

As for the opening of three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat from 75 cm to one metre as demanded by Nonthaburi residents, the BMA’s Department of Drainage and Sewerage said that the water level is still manageable.

Widening the opening of the sluice gates at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi was meant to rapidly drain the floodwater to alleviate the hardship of Nonthaburi residents. 

However, he said BMA reserves the right to adjust the sluice gates if the water affects Bangkok residents.

Dismantling 'Big Bag' barrier has no impact on inner Bangkok

BANGKOK, Nov 23 -- Dismantling the giant sandbag 'big bag' barrier at Don Meaung's Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection 

on Phahonyothin Road has not yet impacted inner Bangkok, according to Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) Director Pracha Promnog.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will open three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat to one metre as demanded by Nonthaburi residents, Mr Pracha said, as the impact could be manageable.

Mr Pracha, who is also justice minister, said the pulling down of the flood barrier was not unexpected as residents on both sides of the temporary wall were both affected by the dyke. Initial evaluation however found that there was no impact from dismantling the wall at the moment.

He said the water flowing through the gap is moving along Phahonyothin Road but has had no immediate effect on inner Bangkok.

Mr Pracha said he expected more protests could happen as flood victims were much stress.

Apart from informing the flood victims to better understand the situation, he said, FROC and other agencies concerned must speed up draining water into the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin rivers as much as possible before the next high tide on Nov 25.

Some 400 residents in housing estates in the Phahonyothin, Sai Mai and Don Mueang areas hard hit by the continued deep floodwater because of the big bag barrier jointly dismantled the makeshift dyke made of 1-2 tonnes of sand bags at Don Meaung's Directorate of Air Operations Control intersection.

They started their mission at noon without waiting for the officials from FROC to negotiate. It took three hours for them to remove the barrier that lay across the road both inbound and outbound.

The residents said they would be on guard and not let the authorities to rebuild the barrier so that water would be drained out of their residential area as fast as possible.

Some residents argued that they decided to dismantle the wall after FROC broke its promise to widen the gap despite it being clearly seen that there was no major impact on inner Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the BMA has agreed to open three sluice gates at Khlong Mahasawat from the existing opening of 75 cm to 1 metre so as to rapidly drain the flood to alleviate the hardship of Nonthaburi residents.

The three sluice gates are at Khlong Khun Sri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi.

He said that BMA has monitored the water situation after the sluice gates were opened from 50 cm to 75 cm on Tuesday and found that while after more than 30 hours the water level has surged in Bangkok, it could be managed so the city decided to open the gates to one metre.

The governor said he was glad that BMA could respond the demand of Nonthaburi residents and he would ask FROC to instruct the Royal Irrigation Department to open two more sluice gates at Chim Plee and Nakhon Chaisi to drain more water in Khlong Maha Sawat

However, he said BMA reserves the right to adjust the sluice gates if the water affects the Bangkok residents.

Thai Rath Columnist Funny S

Published: 25/11/2011

While Bangkokians have launched their Big Cleaning Day with great fanfare, tens of thousands of homes outside the city's floodwalls remain under water.

These floodwalls have been erected on the orders of Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who is determined to keep the inner city of Bangkok dry. 

With all the floodgates tightly regulated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), people in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani have had to bear the brunt of the deluge.

For more than three months these unfortunate people have been trapped in their homes, surrounded by stagnant water that is now polluted. Many wonder why they are being treated like second-class citizens in their own country.

The government has said that it will give 5,000 baht in compensation to each family affected by flooding. But this amount is too small compared with the damage done to their homes. 

The same is true with farmers, who will get a little over 1,000 baht for each rai of farmland damaged by the floods. These poor farmers have lost everything. They need much more money than what the government is offering.

With no income, they have had to depend on relief supplies distributed by the government and donors.

Compared with these poor people, flood-hit industrial parks have received full support from creditors to resume their operations. 

This is not unusual, as these big export companies employ a lot of people and help the government gain more foreign exchange, thereby contributing to economic growth in our country.

Nonetheless, the government should consider increasing the amount of compensation for farmers and home-owners, since they have been made to suffer because officials mismanaged the crisis.

The big bag theory

Ring out that resigning feeling and fear of flooding. Ring in the cleanup campaign and for the inner city, Christmas trees with small blinking electric light bulbs. 

The authorities are feeding us the good news that the flooding has receded and major streets are becoming dry. Evacuees are returning home. Soon, the October and November flood will become part of distant memory.

As streets in Bangkok are becoming dry, flooded communities at the rim and outside the capital city are isolated and forgotten. 

The only attention they can get is when they protest and remove the "big bags" _ those huge sandbags introduced by the government's Flood Relief Operation Command (Froc) since last month to impede and direct floodwater flow from certain parts of Bangkok.

Are flood-wearied residents selfish simply because they can no longer sacrifice and retain the floodwater for Bangkok? 

Or are they becoming a new symbolic act of the fight against inequality _ a last straw against overly pampered denizens of Bangkok's inner-city area, the so-called "CBD" Central Business District.

The feeling had been much different in early October when residents of Bangkok _ outer and inner _ were gripped by collective flood fear. 

The message at that time was that water would eventually flow down _ logically north to south _ to the Gulf of Thailand. 

All 50 districts would be flooded from 50 centimetres to two metres, depending on respective location and height above mean sea level. 

Class division in the City of Angels would be levelled by more than 10 billion cubic metres of northern runoffs. 

With humility and life-resigning feeling, the whole city prepared for the floods _ a quick but painful collective penalty by Mother Nature.

But there was a twist. Instead, massive water was channelled to the eastern and then, surprisingly, western areas _ the least irrigated part of the city. 

Then the big bags made their arrival and the inner part of Bangkok _ the heart of the country _ was saved, allowing residents of inner Bangkok to return to their usually overly pampered mentality. All at the expense of those living outside the big bags.

Is it sad to see our fellow countrymen wade through smelly water as high as their chest? Yes. Is it fair for them to endure the water for us? 

Definitely not. Are we ready to ask the government to remove the big bags and make the city vulnerable to floods?

Then, I start asking myself what is the original purpose of the big bags?

Are these fat white sandbags indeed a big wall or are they just smart irrigational structures our hydrologists devise to control the level and direction of water?

Not many of us can remember why the big bags were deployed in the first place. Last weekend, residents of Khlong Hok Wa who have been living in putrid water for two months demanded the big bags to be gradually, partially removed. 

They did not ask for Bangkok to be flooded. They just wanted the authorities to come and help drain water from their homes as Bangkok becomes dry and, therefore, the time to sacrifice should be over.

But that is wishful thinking. After the big bags are placed, flooded communities behind them become faceless people living behind a wall.

Recently, disaster management expert Assoc Prof Seree Supratid suggested that the big bags could be removed gradually without causing massive flooding as so many people fear if the authorities use more water pumps to drain the water. 

Flood-wearied residents took up his suggestion, and used it in negotiating with Froc and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). 

Eventually, the authorities gave in to their demands, removing the barriers gradually and systematically, and draining water to Bangkok's irrigated canals that can absorb water.

I just wonder what would happen if these people did not speak up?

The big bags are not problematic. Lack of information is. Lesser information, lesser imagination. Without imagination, every road is blocked at the end.

I used to look at the big bags with scornful feeling as they were a symbol of inequality and violation of rights of communities living outside them. 

My apology if this sounds disrespectful. But now, I look at them as symbolic of a Lego toy played by dull boys who mistook these blocks as immovable walls.

But for those who hate the big bags so much, I believe these eyesore structures would soon disappear amid rising protest incidents by angry flood victims. It's too early to deliver that good news, however.

On Wednesday night, the authorities made a review of the flood prevention measures. After listening to it, I just felt like crying. 

The authorities said no sandbags would be set up next time. Instead, they would go for concrete structures.

So ring out the big bags. Prepare yourself to ring in the "Big Wall". I do not know what is better _ or worse _ between the two. My apology for being pessimistic but all I can imagine is a dynamite explosion.

Rides, games, food, shopping and beer at Bangkok's Ploenchit Fair Read more: Ploenchit Fair | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/play/rides-games-food-shopping-and-beer-bangkoks-ploenchit-fair#ixzz1em8tSxYH

Bangkok's family-friendly expat event of the year, the Ploenchit Fair, takes places this weekend.

Organized by the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy (BCTFN), the traditional fund-raising event for Thai charities will take place at Bangkok Pattana International School on Saturday, November 26.

Organizers say they will donate at least 2 million baht to flood relief charities and agencies.

The theme of Ploenchit Fair, now in its 54th year, is a traditional British family fairground. More than 2,000 members of the British community voluntarily organize and run some 150 stalls, games, live performances and rides.

A number of city restaurants will set up stalls there too, selling everything from English fish-and-chips and pies to Indian and Mexican cuisine. Beer offerings include Paulaner, Chang, Guinness and Kilkenny.

The event is usually held at Bangkok's riverside Shrewsbury International School but due to the flooding uncertainty organizers moved it to Bangkok Pattana. A free shuttle bus service will run from the BTS Bang Na station to the fairgrounds.

Thai Facebookers get a new royal warning

BANGKOK, THAILAND: Facebookers in Thailand have got to be careful while posting or reacting to messages. 

A minister has warned them against 'liking' the posts that might be offensive to the monarchy. They can be prosecuted under the country's strict lèse-majesté laws.

This came two days after 60-year-old Amphon Tangnoppaku was sentenced to 20 years jail for sending sending text messages considered insulting to the queen.

The court said Amphon sent offensive text messages in May 2010 to a personal secretary of then-Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

A report in the Bangkok Post quoted the information technology minister's statement asking Facebookers to delete all their reactions and comments to any matter related to the monarchy.

"If they don't delete them, they can end up violating the computer crime act for indirectly distributing inappropriate content," inuits said.

Cycling in Bangkok: Not just for the insane Read more: Cycling in Bangkok: Not just for the insane | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/play/cycling-bangkok-not-just-insane-266276#ixzz1em3OMNTl

Where to ride, where to rent and a list of the top companies offering guided bike tours of Bangkok and beyond

Hitting Bangkok's streets on a bike gives you a chance to explore new neighborhoods far more easily than you could in a taxi or on foot.

Tell someone that you plan to ride a bicycle in Bangkok and you’ll likely get a horrified gasp and a barrage of questions about your sanity.

Although it would be a stretch to call them safe, most roads in Bangkok -- save for the major ones, of course -- are surprisingly easy to bike on.

But what most surprises people is that there are actually some great areas and fantastic paths that will let you get some exercise while you see Bangkok up close and personal.

If you have that ol’ adventurous spirit, rent a bike and head out on your own to see what you can find.

If you're not keen to just get out onto the streets and pedal, here are several areas that are safe and popular with bicyclists.

Suan Rot Fai

BTS: Chatuchak

Just five minutes' walk north of Chatuchak Market is the huge Suan Rot Fai -- Train Park -- where you can rent bicycles (most are pink) for 20-40 baht and ride to your heart’s content.

Lots of trees, grass and lakes make this a particularly relaxing place to get away for a few easy hours of pedaling.

Benjakitti Park

MRT: Asok

This isn’t the perfect place to ride a bike -- there’s only one two-kilometer oval track around a huge pond -- but it’s right in the middle of Bangkok and is really easy to get to.

Bikes cost 40 baht per hour. Lots of kids and families here, so don’t go too fast.

Phra Pradaeng

Not a high-rise in sight. Bangkok's Phra Pradaeng is just a quick boat ride from Klong Toey pier.

Getting there: Access via Klong Toey pier

Most people who come to Phra Pradaeng the first time can’t believe they’re still in Bangkok.

A huge almost-island on the west side of the Chao Phraya River, it’s 90 percent mangrove swamp and veined with raised cement pathways that are perfect for riding, though can be a bit unnerving for first-timers.

Rent bikes at the pier for 40 baht and explore.

There’s a fighting fish gallery, a large park with paddle boats and a floating market that’s very busy on weekends.

11th Infantry Regiment

Getting there: Phahonyothin Road next to Bang Bua Canal

An army barracks doesn’t seem like a good place to ride your bike, but there’s a three-kilometer offroad track here that’s full of bumps, hills, trees, bridges and dirt pathways.

There is no formal bike hire operation, but there are sometimes a few spare ones sitting around. To be safe, best bring your own. The security guards will charge 30 baht to use the track.

Froc, BMA in dock over handling of flood disaster

The Administrative Court will on Tuesday hear a petition filed by a Nonthaburi resident, accusing the government's Flood Relief Operations Command and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration of mismanaging the flood crisis.

The environmental division of the Central Administrative Court has accepted the petition by Tossiri Poonnuan, a resident of Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, and set the hearing for Nov 29 as a matter of urgency.

Ms Tossiri, a leader of a group of Nonthaburi residents who demanded the BMA open the sluice gates in connecting areas between Bangkok and Nonthaburi wider, filed the charge with the Administrative Court on Nov 23.

She said her petition sought a court injunction to deny the BMA the right to manage the sluice gates on canals between the two provinces without proper consultation and input from the affected residents.

The BMA had earlier refused to open sluice gates in Khlong Maha Sawat canal to one metre, as requested by flood-hit Nonthaburi residents, limiting the gap to only 75cm. They later complied with the demand.

In addition, the Nonthaburi people sought a court order suspending the government operation to salvage Highway 340 (Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri) and Kanchanaphisek Road until it has clear measures in place to ensure it will not worsen the hardship already faced by residents in flooded areas.

Ms Tossiri argued that the attempt to keep the road dry while the BMA also kept its canal sluice gates shut resulted in the flooding in parts of Nonthaburi being prolonged.

Ms Tossiri also asked the Administrative Court to order the government to stop reinforcing sandbag walls along Khlong Maha Sawat.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he was not worried about the court case. He said City Hall was ready to explain itself to the public.

MR Sukhumbhand also said the BMA had followed the instructions given to it by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in its flood crisis management.

The governor ordered the Sewerage and Drainage Department and chiefs of Thawi Watthana, Nong Khaem and Phasicharoen districts to assess the impact on communities of the opening of three sluice gates on Khlong Maha Sawat, bordering Nonthaburi province.

Wasant Meewong, BMA spokesman, said the opening of the sluice gates as requested by the Nonthaburi residents could worsen the flood situation to the west if there was a high sea tide raising the level of the river.

Froc director Pracha Promnok said the command is ready to follow any court order on opening any sluice gates or ending road salvage operations.

Pol Gen Pracha also said the Froc would try to dry Bangkok by Dec 5 but stressed "it is an attempt, not a promise".

He insisted the Froc had not mismanaged the flood and is ready to explain its position in the House tomorrow, when the opposition Democrat Party will grill him on flood mismanagement.

Earlier yesterday, political activist Suriyasai Katasila also asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate the government for alleged mismanagement of the flood crisis.

Mr Suriyasai, who is the leader of the Green Politics Group and coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, filed the request with NACC assistant secretary-general Withaya Akhompitak.

A small group of pro-government red-shirt demonstrators also showed up at the NACC head office at the same time to protest against Mr Suriyasai's action.

Communities take flood battle to court Admin Court sets Tuesday to hear first flood case

Published: 25/11/2011

The prolonged flooding has not only pitched neighbourhood against neighbourhood, but now threatens to escalate into long-running court battles.

In what will be the first flood mismanagement legal challenge, the Administrative Court will on Tuesday hear the petition filed by a Nonthaburi resident who accused the government's Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) of mismanaging the flood crisis.

The environmental division of the Central Administrative Court has accepted the petition by Tossiri Poonnuan, a resident of Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, and set the hearing for Nov 29 as a matter of urgency.

Mrs Tossiri, a leader of Nonthaburi residents who demanded the BMA open wide the sluice gates in connecting areas between Bangkok and Nonthaburi, filed the charge with the Administrative Court on Wednesday, Nov 23.

She said later that her petition sought a court injunction to deny the BMA the right to manage the sluice gates on canals between the two provinces without proper consultation and input from the people affected.

The BMA had earlier refused to open sluice gates in Khlong Maha Sawat canal to one metre, as requested by flood-hit Nonthaburi residents, limiting the gap to only 75 cm

In addition, the Nonthaburi people sought a court order suspending the government operation to salvage Highway 340 and a section of the Kanchanaphisek outer ring road until it has clear measures in place to ensure that it will not worsen the hardship already faced by flooded local residents.

Mrs Tossiri accused Froc and the BMA of issuing an irresponsible order to drain flooded Highway 340 (Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri) and a section of Kanchanaphisek Road so that they could serve as an alternative route if the main link between the capital and the south -Rama II Road -- was flooded.

She argued that the attempt the keep the road dry while the BMA also kept its canal sluice gates shut resulted in the prolonging of the flood in Nonthaburi areas.

Mrs Tossiri asked the Administrative Court to order the government to halt the salvation of Route 340 and Kanchanaphisek Road and the BMA to stop reinforcing sandbag walls along Khlong Maha Sawat.

In response, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said he was not worried about the court case. He said there is good reasoning behind everything the BMA has done in managing the drainage problem. City Hall was ready to explain it all to the public.

MR Sukhumbhand also said that the BMA had followed the instructions given by the prime minister in its flood crisis management.

The governor on Friday ordered the Sewerage and Drainage Department and chiefs of Thawi Wattana, Nong Khaem and Phasi Charoen districts to assess the impact of the opening of three sluice gates on Khlong Maha Sawat, bordering Nonthaburi province on communities in their areas.

Wasant Meewong, spokesman for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, said the opening of Khlong Khunsri Burirak, Khlong Kwai and Khlong Soi sluice gates as requested by the flooded residents in Nonthaburi could worsen the flood situation to the west if there was a high sea tide raising the level of the river.

The BMA had previously managed to drain floodwater from most of the westeren area, but the opening of the three gates had raised the water level by 5-10 centimetres in areas of Sala Thammasop sub-district and Thawi Watthana, he added.

On the north side, Ram Intra residents blocked Ram Intra 5 road briefly on Friday, demanding that the BMA drain the water from their areas within 7 days.

A group of people who live in Rama Intra sois 1 to 39 brought a six-wheel truck to block traffic on Ram Intra 5 road at noon but later agreed to open the road and join a discussion with the chief of Bang Khen district.

The residents forwarded a petition to Watcharaporn Kawayapanik, director of Bang Khen district office.

In it, they said the plan by the BMA to use Bang Khen district as a water retention area for run-off from the upper districts of Saphan Mai and Sai Mai has caused them much distress, as it will make the flood in the Ram Intra area last longer.

The residents demanded that the BMA start draining floodwater out of the Ram Intra areas within seven days. If the water does not recede to their satisfaction, they will gather again to protest.

Earlier today, political activist Suriyasai Katasila asked the NACC to investigate the government for alleged mismanagement of the flood crisis causing hardship, property damage and hundreds of deaths.

Mr Suriyasai, who is the leader of the Green Politics Group and coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, filed the request with assistant secretary-general Withaya Akhompitak at the NACC head office in Nonthaburi province.

Mr Withaya said the NACC had already formed sub-committee to investigate flood management and all nine National Anti-Corruption Commissioners were on the panel to supervise the investigation closely. 

This sub-committee would handle Mr Suriyasai's complaint.

A small group of pro-government red-shirt demonstrators showed up at the NACC head office at the same time to protest against Mr Suriyasai's action. He left through a back door to avoid confrontation.

The prolonged flooding has caused the death of at least 615 people in the last four months.