Thailand floods: More than 200 die, temples threatened

 

Flooding in Ayutthaya threatens ancient Buddhist temples

 

More than 200 people have died in monsoon flooding in Thailand since mid-July, officials say.

More heavy rain is forecast, reservoirs are at full capacity and rivers are overflowing.
Water has inundated 58 of Thailand's 77 provinces, with 25 still badly hit. Huge tracts of farmland are submerged, threatening this year's rice crop.
Water is also lapping at the walls of Buddhist temples in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, a World Heritage Site.
Officials are struggling to drain water from one of the ancient city's best known temples, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, after a makeshift dyke on the Chao Phraya river was breached.
'Worst ever seen' The northern city of Chiang Mai, another popular tourist destination, has also been badly hit by floods.
The capital Bangkok has so far been spared, but it is under threat as Tropical Storm Nalgae is expected to bring more in the next few days.
Flooding has affected more than two million people.
"The current flood situation is the worst that I have ever seen and it will last until the first week of November," said independent flood expert Royal Chitradon, the director of Thai Integrated Water Resource Management.
The government says it will draft a plan to improve prevention measures and warning systems.
The new administration is under pressure to get a grip on the current crisis before planning for the future.

Thai PM Yingluck Shinawatra's Twitter account is hacked

 

The postings criticised Yingluck Shinawatra's handling of the recent floods

The Twitter account of Thailand's new Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been hacked and used to post questions about her competence.

The false tweets accused her of cronyism and various failures.
The final post read: "If she can't even protect her own Twitter account, how can she protect the country?"
Ms Yingluck won a clear victory in July, but is accused by her critics of being a puppet of her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Thaksin - whose populist policies won him the support of much of the rural and urban poor - was thrown out of office in a 2006 military coup.
Now living in exile in Dubai, he is still seen as the de facto leader of his sister's Pheu Thai party - although the party insists his role is purely advisory.
Ms Yingluck - Thailand's first female prime minister - has no previous political experience but has won support with her pledge to heal the divisions that have plagued the country since her brother was ousted.
But, in one of the hacked Tweets, her government is accused of failure in its response to floods that have hit large parts of the country.
Another questioned her promise to give tablet computers to school children, suggesting she concentrate on education reform instead.
"This country is a business. We work for our allies, not for the Thai people. We work for those who support us, not those who differ with us," another read.
The government confirmed that the prime minister's account - PouYingluck - had been hacked and the Information and Communication Technology Ministry is investigating.

Major dams over capacity

Bangkok's fate may hinge on Pasak Jalasid Dam which is 135% full; North, Northeast face more rains, floods' major clean-up in Chiang Mai

Eleven of the country's 26 major dams currently contain more water than their official capacity, while others are 82 to 99 per cent "full", according to the latest updates released by the Royal Irrigation Department yesterday.

The news came as 23 provinces remain flooded and a new tropical storm was expected to bring more rains.

Pasak Jalasid Dam in Lop Buri, which is credited for preventing severe flooding in Bangkok since its completion in 1999, has 135 per cent of its capacity, according to the RID website (water.rid.go.th).

Nine major dams are over 90 per cent "full", including Sirikit Dam in Uttaradit (99 per cent), Ubon Ratchathani's Sirindhorn Dam (95 per cent), and Bhumibol Dam in Tak (93 per cent).

The Chao Phraya River was flowing at a rate of 4,344 cubic metres per second through Nakhon Sawan and at 3,255 cubic metres per second through Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district, the department reported.

The 8th Irrigation Office in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday ordered brimming dams and reservoirs under its supervision to release up to 2.5 million cubic metres of water per day to support the "Nesat" depression-triggered rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department warned people in the eastern part of the North and the upper part of the Northeast of widespread scattered rain with heavy falls and the danger of floods over the next few days, due to the "Nesat" depression.

Chiang Rai, Nan, Nong Khai, Beuang Kan, Sakhon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom residents should beware of flash flood in this period, the department said. The southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand would cause 2-metre to 3-metre-high waves, so all ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore in this period, it said.

The head of the 24/7 Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for Flood, Storm and Landslide, deputy interior permanent secretary Phranai Suwannarat, said flood water remained in 150 districts in 23 provinces. More than 1.84 million people had been affected and some 6.16 million rai of farmland damaged.

The flood toll was 205 deaths, with two people missing.

He warned that the Ping River basin still had much water and a tendency to rise, while Muang Khon Kaen and Muang Maha Sarakham would suffer overflows from the Chi River in 1-2 days. The Chao Phraya basin's 10 provinces such as Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Ang Thong, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi would also be affected by overflows.

Phranai also urged Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Nong Khai and Phang Nga to watch out for possible landslides, as they had already had over 100mm of rainfall.

In the North, Chiang Mai City had a major clean-up yesterday as flood water receded.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk, who sent four teams of 600 cleaners and 10 water-trucks to clean up the city area, said all remaining areas should dry out later because Ping River was below a critical point and 40 water pumps had been sent to drain floodwater.

He said Thailand needed "Monkey Cheek" water retention areas or reservoirs to solve flood problems, which would cost Bt500 million to Bt600 million to build. The three-day flood generated at least 1,000 tonnes of garbage, more than three times Chiang Mai City's usual garbage of 300 tonnes.

Chiang Mai Governor Panadda Disakul, who also joined a clean-up of the Night Bazaar, said he had prepared 500,000 sandbags to repair flood barriers so the Chiang Mai clean-up would go on for another two days. He said that officials would speed up aid to residents in Saraphi and San Sai districts still suffering inundation.

Residents in Saraphi district's Thanachoke Housing Estate that suffered from one-metre-deep flood called for floating toilets.

Floods in several other provinces worsened yesterday. Some 100 homes in Lam Tha Daeng village were hit by a four-metre-deep flood in Ang Thong's Mueang district. And Chao Phraya River overflows burst flood-barriers and submerged 200 homes in Tambon Khung Sampao in Chai Nat's Manorom district. A resident in Sakae Krang of Uthai Thani's Mueang district claimed a crocodile was lurking in 1.5-metre-deep flood surrounding his elevated home.

Brimming over

The 11 dams that are filled to or beyond capacity

Pasak Jalasid (Lop Buri) 135%

Chulabhorn (Chaiyaphum) 120%

Prasae (Rayong) 108%

Ubonrat (Khon Kaen) 108%

Nam Oun (Sakon Nakhon) 106%

Mae Ngad (Chiang Mai) 104%

Nong Pla Lai (Rayong) 104%

Lam Pao (Kalasin) 101%

Mae Kuang (Chiang Mai) 101%

Nam Pung (Sakon Nakhon) 101%

Khlong Sriyat (Chachoengsao) 100%

Source: Royal Irrigation Department

IKEA launches 2012 catalogue ahead of first store

IKEA, the dominant Swedish home furnishing retailer, yesterday hosted the official launch of its catalogue, which will support the grand opening of its first store in Thailand on November 3.

Starting Monday, about one million copies of the IKEA 2012 catalogue will be distributed to homes across central Bangkok and neighbouring areas within two weeks.

Lars Svensson, marketing manager for Ikano (Thailand), said that the 376-page IKEA catalogue features 3,500 home furnishing products, which is half the range of products consumers can find in the store.

He said that the Thai-edition IKEA catalogue will be "locally relevant". It will be distributed in central Bangkok and neighbouring areas - such as Samut Prakan - which are within about 40 minutes drive-time from the store.

"The catalogue will offer solutions and ideas for consumers and help them to have a better everyday life at home," said Svensson.

He said that some IKEA English-version loan and give-away catalogues will be available at the IKEA store on the opening day.

"We have also launched a 16-page IKEA catalogue teaser to introduce people to the catalogue and the store opening. It is the first time we have sent out a catalogue teaser in a new market," Svensson said.

He said that a separate 12-page broadsheet catalogue would be launched to invite people to come to the opening.

"In my personal opinion, between 35,000 and 40,000 shoppers will visit the IKEA store on opening day," he added.

Svensson said that Ikano has plans to open two more IKEA stores in Bangkok within the next 10 years.

Giving out the IKEA catalogue is a way of bringing the IKEA store into the homes of many people. For over 60 years, the catalogue has been distributed in many markets around the world. About 208 million copies of the 2012 catalogue have been printed, which is believed to be the largest printing of a publication in the world.

Wall set up to protect Pathum Thani

Bangkok remains safe, floods worsen in 10 provinces along Chao Phraya

Officials in Bangkok's Don Muang district yesterday rushed to build a sandbag embankment in Pathum Thani once a major canal showed signs of overflowing.

The structure will not just help locals but will also protect the capital from flooding because Don Muang borders Pathum Thani. The Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal flows through Bangkok before emptying into the Chao Phraya River.

"About 40 officials from Don Muang are here to help. We have 60 soldiers on duty as well," Sompong Srianan, mayor of Pathum Thani Muang district's tambon Lak Hok Municipality, said.

He explained that the embankment along the rising Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal would allow locals to lead their lives as normal. Upstream runoffs are heading towards the Chao Phraya Basin, inundating many provinces along the way.

"Flooding caused by overflowing water has worsened in 10 provinces along the Chao Phraya River," Interior Ministry permanentsecretary Phranai Suwannarat said.

Bangkok remained safe as of press time, but some of its adjacent provinces like Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi were already submerged.

According to the Emergency Operations Centre for Floods, Storms and Landslides, 23 provinces have been ravaged by floods, with as many as 122 roads impassable. In Nakhon Sawan, nearly 30 centimetres of water covered a long stretch of the Nakhon SawanPhitsanulok Road yesterday, prompting traffic police to close it to traffic.

So far, the floodrelated death toll has risen to 180, with two people reported missing.

Wiboon Sanguanpong, directorgeneral of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, warned that continued downpours, flash floods and landslides might hit some spots in 43 provinces in the next few days.

"Keep abreast of weather forecasts and warnings," he warned.

Information and Communications Technology Minister Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap said all relevant agencies would focus on early warning and disaster prevention round the clock. "Warnings will reach people in risky areas very fast," he said.

He has also called on the three main mobilephone service providers, namely Advanced Info Service (AIS), Total Access Communication (DTAC) and True Corporation, to keep people updated via free text messages. The minister has been given the job of overseeing flood operations in Uthai Thani.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday signed an order requiring other ministers to oversee floodrelief operations in 12 provinces.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk and Deputy Finance Minister Boonsong Teriyaphirom were assigned Chiang Mai. PM's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon has been tasked with overseeing Phetchabun and Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan was assigned Phitsanulok. Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart has been assigned Phichit; Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Promphat Phichit; Labour Minister Pol General Phadermchai Sasomsap tasked with Phichit; and Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut given Chai Nat.

Deputy Transport Minister Pol LtGeneral Chatt Kuldiloke will oversee Sing Buri; PM's Office Minister Kritsana Seehalak Angthong; Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala and Deputy Public Health Minister Torpong Chaiyasarn were assigned Lop Buri. Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri will oversee flood operations in Ayutthaya.

Pulo calls on Thai authorities to stop making false allegations

One of the long standing Malay Muslim separatist organisation, the Patani United Liberation Organisation (Pulo) lashed out at the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, accusing it of distorting the issue in the violence-plague deep South with the accusations that drug trades have become a part of the "liberation" movement.

In a statement to The Nation on Thursday, Pulo said the organisation does not dispute the fact that drug abuses and trafficking in the region and that it may involved ethnic Malays, as well as Thai. But it is misleading to say that the conflict in the three southernmost provinces and drug trafficking are one.

The statement also pointed to the high number of troops assigned to the deep South and wondered why they have not been able to curb the flow of drugs and suggested that it was possible that some of the authorities turned a blind eye to the illicit activities for various reasons.

The statement urged the Thai authorities to act more responsibly with its information campaign, adding that it should be based on factual information, not distortion.

In the statement sent by Pulo’s Foreign Affairs chief, Kasturi Mahkota, the movement slammed reports by Thai authorities suggeting that some sort of breakthrough was about to take place between separatist movement and the Thai state.

Kasturi was making reference to unconfirmed reports that senior members in the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) was trying to cut a deal with a self-proclaimed leader of a Patani Malay separatist movement.

C.I.A. Torture Chamber at Bangkok's International Airport?

BANGKOK, Thailand -- The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency may have used Bangkok's former Don Muang International Airport as its secret prison to torture a suspected Muslim terrorist, the first time a specific location has ever been described within Thailand, according to statements by the Libyan who survived.

It was impossible to immediately confirm Abdel Hakim Belhaj's allegations of being "hung," "injected," and refrigerated with "ice" at the airport, but if true, it is the first description of any site in Thailand pinpointed by a prisoner held the CIA.

Thai officials in this Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country have consistently denied knowledge of any CIA secret prison.

London's Guardian newspaper reported on Sept. 5, however, that Britain's M16 intelligence agency helped the CIA in March 2004 arrest Mr. Belhaj, who is now a powerful commander in Tripoli for the anti-Moammar Gadhafi transitional government.

"Belhaj was detained by the CIA in Thailand in 2004 following an MI6 tip-off, allegedly tortured, then flown to Tripoli, where he says he suffered years of abuse in one of Muammar Gaddafi's prisons," the Guardian reported.

"MI6 had been able to tell the CIA of his whereabouts, after his associates informed British diplomats in Malaysia that he wished to claim asylum in the UK.