Bangkok 25th October, 2011.
News from Thailand is that the government has just announced a five-day holiday for Bangkok and 20 provinces in order to allow people to escape the floods that continue to threaten Bangkok and outlying areas. Early last week it was thought that the waters were diminishing, but by last Friday,the threat seemed to be increasing.
In a high-risk operation last week, most canal gates in the capital were opened in order to take the pressure off defensive walls. By doing this it was hoped to divert the rising flood waters into the sea from around the east and west of the capital, but this raised the chance of inner-city flooding. The worst flooding in 50 years coupled with high tides in the Gulf of Thailand is complicating efforts to divert the waters from the low-lying capital, and the sandbags and other barriers that were erected along the banks of the canals look in danger of collapsing
Today, Tuesday 25th October, the prime minister warned that the capital was facing further flooding and there was danger of the barriers collapsing. The city's survival rests on the fate of these dykes.
Many of the people who had been earlier evacuated to safer grounds are looking at another evacuation. The area around the old Don Muang airport, once thought quite safe, is now in danger. Four thousand people sheltering there are expecting to be moved to Chon Buri in the east (not far from the well-known Pattaya). They have been advised to have their belongings ready to move and to store them high up in the meantime.
More than 2.5 million people have had their lives disrupted and at least 366 people have been killed. Shelters are reaching unacceptable levels as more and more people crowd into them and there could be a risk of medical services becoming scares as nearly 1 million seek help.
Major installations like palaces, banks and utilities, will be protected by the army and the police.
Danger from Snakes and Crocodiles
Friends in Bangkok tell me that there are reports of farm-raised crocodiles having escaped but say these have all been either killed or recaptured. Snakes have also been a problem in residential areas but it is quite possible that this is an urban rumour of the sort that always accompanies a natural disaster.
Bangkok is tense at the moment with many people stockpiling food (those who can afford it) and government sources are concerned that the hoarding of food may lead to shortages.
Just a short while into Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatr's term as leader of the country, this natural tragedy could have a disastrous effect on her incumbency.
Financial Concerns
Several industrial estates in Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani provinces which border Bangkok have been forced to close, putting hundreds of thousands of people out of work temporarily, and disrupting supplies for industry.
The Finance Minister of Thailand, Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubaia, has said that $10 billion will be set aside to help the country get back on its feet, and this will not only benefit the big companies but will be used to assist small vendors, individuals and small enterprises.
Over 200 bank branches have been forced to close and this too, is causing some concern. Factories owned by Japanese countries have been particularly affected, among them the Honda Motor Co. and Izusu Motors Ltd. The Toyota Motor Corp, Sony Corp and Nikon Corp have had to close down their Thai operations.
Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main airport for international travel, is not affected at the moment, but Thai Airways has said that it may have to reduce flights due to staff shortages. It should be stressed also that most holiday resorts are perfectly safe and no trip should be cancelled until advice is taken from your government's Foreign Office.
Sources: Phone calls to friends in Bangkok.
Reuters
Wall Street Journal
Bangkok Post online
Mari Nicholson - Award Winning travel writer and historian, member of British Guild of Travel Writers.Travelwriters.co.uk, and Society of Women Writers and ...
