Flashermac Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 So what happened to the gov fixing prices for this sort of stuff. Guess the market force is stronger. Who is going to enforce it? The police are off defending the floodwalls and flood gates from mobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Many city canals 'illegally blocked' Close inspection has uncovered that many structures have been built illegally on 26 waterways in eastern Bangkok, leading to estuaries being redirected or blocked altogether - one of the key reasons why it is taking so long to drain the floods, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said yesterday. According to most recent maps, Chuad Ta Thim canal in Bang Na district seems to have disappeared completely and has been replaced by a luxury housing complex. In addition, many golf courses and apartments have been illegally built over canals, not to mention several slums along the riverside, sources in the inspection said. Suvarnabhumi Airport and several roads are also allegedly blocking waterways and water catchment areas. The ministry's permanent secretary, Suphoj Towichukchaikul, said the inspection had been conducted before the floods arrived at key watergates south of Bangkok, and officials had discovered that stoplogs designed to control the flow of water on several canals were overgrown with weeds. Obstacles like stoplogs were found at seven locations in the lower Sam Wa canal and have now been dismantled, he said. "But there are several similar obstacles in all canals that contribute to slower drainage and flow. A proper inspection will have to be conducted soon." The ministry, along with its Department of Water Resources (DWR), conducted an inspection of 26 canals across Bangkok, including those leading to estuaries in Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon provinces, from Monday to Wednesday. He added that a number of sluice gates built and operated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were also narrowing canals and should be dismantled. An inspection team led by deputy DWR director general Chaiyaphorn Siriphornphaibool demonstrated how canals were surveyed using the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) - a sonar device that can determine the depth, speed and velocity of the current and obstacles under water. Chaiyaphorn said this was used to survey most major rivers in the country and had produced accurate results. The 26 canals inspected were categorised as Zone 1, comprising 16 canals, of which 35 per cent were clogged with weeds and 31 per cent had blockages; Zone 2, consisting of six canals, 61 per cent of which have been intentionally narrowed; and Zone 3 with four canals, 17 per cent of which are overgrown. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said directing water through channels partly associated with the Khlong Dan wastewater management project was being considered because as much as 700,000 cubic metres of water could be drained out of Bangkok each day. "But since the project is currently part of a criminal investigation into alleged corruption and has been impounded under court orders, a careful study is needed prior to implementing the idea," he added. http://www.nationmul...d-30169181.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julian2 Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Went in to Big C today and they were very short on tooth paste, no Colgate at all. Only one brand of bottle water packs... "Grand"? Shampoo shelves were running low also. Over at Central Plaza "Tops" the imported chips and biscuits shelves were practically empty. Who says farang don't suffer in times of national crisis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 Didn't know it was flooding on the Lao border. I noticed yesterday that toilet paper, paper serviettes etc had vanished. The grocery spreads around what it does have on shelves to make it look like something. It's something all right, 3 shelves of cooking oil. Maybe we'll have to start drinking cooking oil. Probably makes some really crappy tasting coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldFun Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 good signs & are we halfway through the crisis yet?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 4, 2011 Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I hope so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookie Posted November 5, 2011 Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 I hope so. I hope so, too, especially for the less fortunate which are affected, but have serious doubts. Even when the waters have receded, thousands will be virtually homeless and jobless. Those in Pattaya and to the south are only experiencing some food shortages, but that is both temporary and minor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted November 5, 2011 Report Share Posted November 5, 2011 The rice crop of the Chao Phaya valley has been drowned out. There will be more than enough produced in other regions to cover domestic consumption, but this is sure to reduce the exports of rice. And LOS still happens to be the #1 rice exporter in SE Asia, though Hanoi is coming up fast with an organised plan to increase production and reduce cost. Thailand should already worry about Vietnam's challenge in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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