Bangkok floods could last weeks: Thai PM
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BANGKOK - Thailand's premier on Wednesday warned a confused and on-edge Bangkok that incoming floods could last for four weeks, as panic buying peaked and rising waters shut down the city's second airport.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told reporters that the capital's flood barriers might not be able to hold back a mass of run-off water from the north as the country continued to grapple with its worst flooding in decades.
"But I'm fifty percent confident that the inner zone of Bangkok will not be completely flooded," she said, apparently toning down her comments from the previous evening when she said central Bangkok flooding was "highly likely".
The crisis has been plagued by contradictory information from national and local authorities, further confusing the city's 12 million residents who have been bracing for the onslaught of water for days now.
A high tide this weekend is expected to surge up Bangkok's already swollen Chao Phraya river, and Yingluck said a "worst-case scenario" would see parts of low-lying Bangkok submerged in "more than one metre" (3 feet) of water.
"Initially, the floods in Bangkok will last for two weeks to one month," she added.
Many supermarkets were running low on essential items such as bottled water and eggs as panic-buying reached fever-pitch.
"The most critical shortage is drinking water," Yingluck said, advising people to drink boiled tap water.
On Tuesday, the government ordered a five-day holiday from October 27-31 for 21 provinces, including Bangkok, allowing the city's residents to prepare for the inundation or leave the capital.
Schools and government offices will be closed and the government has urged public and private companies to allow their staff the time off, but the central bank said financial markets would not shut down and banks would stay open.
The city's main air hub, Suvarnabhumi, is operating as normal but domestic Don Mueang airport, in the north of the capital, suspended flights until November 1 after waters started seeping onto the runways on Tuesday.
About 4,000 flood evacuees who had found refuge at a disused terminal on the compound were being moved to other shelters.
Despite the rising waters, Yingluck said the government would not to move its flood relief centre, which is located on the second floor of one of the airport buildings.
More than 370 people have been killed in the three-month-old flood crisis caused by unusually heavy monsoon rains, damaging the homes of millions of people and forcing tens of thousands into evacuation centres.
The government said it has set up special mental health units across the country and dispatched teams of psychiatrists and psychologists to help almost 100,000 people thought to be suffering from flood-related stress.
- AFP /ls -
beautiful lady prime minister comes with great water
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Past neglect will result in present day crisis.
Yingluck got the symptoms of past political posturings.
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Yingluck got no luck.
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She ying liao.
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A tale of "two Bangkoks" amid the floods
BANGKOK : Flood barriers defending Bangkok's city centre shielded the capital from critical high tides over the weekend.
While many areas remain submerged in water, the centre remains dry, and life goes on normally for residents there.
Water logged streets and children wading in filthy pools can be seen in large parts of Bangkok.
Flooding has submerged the capital's Northern and Western districts and displaced over 100,000 Thais.
That is just one side of the city.
Most of central Bangkok is still dry as the city's defences have held up against floodwaters so far.
Though fewer in number, Thais and tourists still visit the famous Erawan shrine and nearby temples. And in the city's landmark malls like Siam Paragon, it is shopping as usual.
David Fryer, an Australian tourist, said: "We have had no trouble at all, no water where we are staying. And in fact in Australia, we have had floods as well, much worse than here."
At the Grand Palace, water levels are receding.
Some cafes and restaurants are still open for business and apart from thinner crowds, life looks normal in many parts.
But many businesses there are still suffering.
Nongkaluck Arthitruangnarong, a clothes vendor, said: "Now the area is dry but tourists are still scared and they have disappeared. I really hope visitors will return."
Everywhere, office buildings and malls are fortified by sandbag embankments - reminders that the worst may not yet be over.
The government has said floodwaters could subside as early as next week, but many Thais are doubtful.
Those who have left the city aren't returning just yet.
And Bangkok's congested roads are now quiet.
Sirada Chuayklao, a Bangkok resident, said: "I no longer believe what the government says. I think otherwise. I live in Lad Prao where the government said it will not flood but now water has overflowed the canal. People there live in fear."
It is almost a tale of "two Bangkoks" - one half devastated by the worst flooding in half a century, and the other strangely normal.
Most are hoping the latter will prevail.
- CNA/ms -
Bangkok could build more canals, and become the Venice of the East.
But must prohibit the Thais from using car motors to power the boats.
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move the capital.
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LKY once mentioned about sending a team to Holland to study their dyke system. He is not taking chances with global warming, and rising sea levels.
Anyone with updates on that?
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will bangkok really build a new capital?
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Originally posted by dragg:
will bangkok really build a new capital?
bangkok is the capital... Thailand is the country...I presume u meant: will Thailand build a new capital...
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
bangkok is the capital... Thailand is the country...I presume u meant: will Thailand build a new capital...
you are right.
typo error.
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they cant exactly build a new capital...
They can try moving it, as per other nations in the history has done b4...
but then it's alot of work and hassle, quite major simply just to notify the change in address... alot of other complications also...
besides, they do not have a readily place availiable...
Personally, I also believe that moving is a bad move... mainly becoz it will show that the government are more concern to save themselves than instead of going thru thick-and-thin with the citizen...
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
they cant exactly build a new capital...
They can try moving it, as per other nations in the history has done b4...
but then it's alot of work and hassle, quite major simply just to notify the change in address... alot of other complications also...
besides, they do not have a readily place availiable...
Personally, I also believe that moving is a bad move... mainly becoz it will show that the government are more concern to save themselves than instead of going thru thick-and-thin with the citizen...
Venice of the East.
Akan datang.