View Full Version : New Year's threats
As everyone seems to be tuning in to figure out the makeup of PM Surayud's Cabinet, and where the resigned TRT politicians will turn up next, a whole string of environmental and social disasters seem to be underway throughout the nation. Will these problems get the attention they deserve from the incoming government? Or are they doomed to play second fiddle to the political powerplay in the capital?
Rayong declared disaster area: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015574
Chantaburi declared disaster area: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015573
Angthong submerged: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015572
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/06/national/national_30015513.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/04/national/national_30015290.php
Pathum Thani submerged: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015468
36 provinces badly affected: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/05/national/national_30015381.php
Canal dredging south of the NBIA: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015467
Other problems around NBIA: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/06/headlines/headlines_30015520.php
Malnutrition in Deep South: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/04/headlines/headlines_30015377.php
And even one (admittedly far less severe) completely unreported problem: The return of Indonesia's forest-fire smoke haze to Satun Province for the umpteenth time. Large numbers of people are suffering eye irritation and respiratory problems.
And there are undoubtedly others on this October 6, on which some people choose to remember the brutality that occured on this day in Bangkok exactly 30 years ago.
Historical Significance of October 6:-
http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/06/politics/politics_30015512.php
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=11788#post11788
In this light, does it really matter a damn to the majority of citizens who holds the reins of power in Bangkok? Neither side seems capable of addressing these problems in the long-term. Have years of rapid economic growth and 'development' really done anything to improve or even stabilise people's quality of life?
Despite the figure below of 23 provinces, an earlier report spoke of 36 provinces (out of 72) being affected in all: -
WEATHER CHAOS
Floods devastate much of country
River breaches barriers in Angthong; 23 provinces under water; more to come
Hundreds of homes were submerged yesterday morning after strong currents from the rising Chao Phya River breached the 20-metre-long stretch of flood barriers near Wat Sanamchai in Angthong's Muang district.
Some 300 soldiers piled sandbags in a desperate attempt to fix the barriers but the nine-metre-deep river still submerged 150 homes in Sabsin and Talad Luang communities, two temples and two schools.
Mayor Chai Suwaphan promptly had soldiers build another four-metre-high barrier near Nopparat Market to prevent further damage to the city's economic zone, while other soldiers helped residents move belongings to higher ground. At press time, Angthong City was under 50 centimetres of water.
Floodwater pouring into the Lam Tha Daeng Canal threatened to inundate nearly 100,000 rai of rice paddies in Muang, Pho Thong and Chai Yo districts.
Currently, 218 villages in Angthong's six districts are reeling under high water levels that have also partially damaged 1,232 houses and ruined 11,825 rai of farmland.
Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa sent a dozen truckloads of concrete pillars to build flood barriers for Muang Angthong residents and promised he would ask the Public Works Department to build more in high-risk areas.
In Chantaburi's Muang district, three days of heavy rainfall submerged 1,000 homes under 1.5 metres of water, making many city roads impassable for vehicles. Also flooded were Tha Mai, Na Yai Arm, Makham, Kaeng Hang Maew, Khao Khitchakood, and Khlung districts. Chantaburi was later declared a disaster area. In the central province of Lop Buri, the Pasak Cholasit Dam, like many major dams that are nearly full, now holds eight million cubic metres more than the recommended capacity of 960 million, dam chief Saksiri Yoosuk said.
On the Royal Irrigation Department's request for the dam to hold up to 980 million cubic metres, Saksiri warned it could only do so only for a short period of time.
The dam is receiving 67 million cubic metres a day, and 32 million cubic metres have been released to prevent an impact on lower areas - including Bangkok. As a result, tambons in Chai Badan district north of the dam are now affected by flooding that threatens to reach Tha Luang district.
In Nakhon Sawan, the local municipality established more flood barriers on Kosi Road along the rising Chao Phya River and had merchants move their goods to higher ground, while the flooding spread to 65 villages in Sing Buri's Phrom Buri, Muang, Ton Pho and Tha Chang districts.
In the western province of Tak, landslides blocked a 10-metre stretch of Mae Sot-Umphang Road at 4am yesterday, stranding nearly 40 vehicles. Officials with heavy machinery managed to clear and re-open the road by the afternoon.
The Meteorological Department yesterday warned 10 lower northeastern provinces of scattered thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain in the coming days.
With a 20 per cent increase in acute diarrhoea cases from last year, the Public Health Ministry warned people of outbreaks in all flooded areas. It also reported that 120,551 people had fallen ill from water-borne diseases - most suffering from athlete's foot. It urged villagers to drink boiled water and wash with bottled water - and to stop eating uncooked food.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported yesterday that the flooding in 39 provinces - 23 remain submerged - had cost Bt190 million in damages and killed 24 people.
It also warned that Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Bangkok faced more flooding due to the northern floodwaters and seasonal high tide, set to peak around October 11.
Meanwhile, the eastern seaboard province of Rayong was declared a disaster area yesterday after days of continuous heavy rain caused floods in many villages.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/07/national/national_30015610.php
We really could do with more upcountry photographic posts please. Even, in retrospect
Note that this particular thread allows the use of images in posts.
The floods in the North and the East are far more serious than our current problem down south. The Indonesian smoke haze had already spread to Songkhla Province yesterday afternoon. There have been strong winds overnight, that one might have thought would disperse the haze. In fact, it's worse this morning. Problem is my camera doesn't really show this problem at all well. Let's just say that it's plain to the eye that this is far worse than the usual early morning pollution haze in Hat-Yai: -
http://i12.tinypic.com/4fux8gl.jpg
August 2005 smoke haze report below. Note that there have also been other haze occurrances since then: -
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=5771&postcount=2
ITV evening news had dramatic footage of the entire downtown of Chan'buri downtown from a helicopter. They also showed mudslides out in the rural areas. But still little press coverage:-
900 inmates evacuated from Chanthaburi Prison following flood
Chanthaburi - About 900 inmates were evacuated from the provincial prison and sent to prisons of nearby province after the prison's compound was inundated by over 2-metre deep water.
The evacuation took place at 9:30 am.
The Chanthaburi prison is located on the bank of the Chanthaburi River and was hit by the flooding since Friday but the water level rose Saturday morning.
The inmates were sent to Trat, Rayong, Chon Buri and Pattaya prisons.
The Nation
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=11815#post11815
The Indonesian smoke haze had already spread to Songkhla Province from Satun yesterday afternoon. There have been strong winds overnight, that one might have thought would disperse the haze. In fact, it's worse this morning.
'The Nation' finally got around to reporting it: -
The haze from Indonesian forest fires currently blanketing Thailand's lower southern region has not yet reached a level dangerous to health, but Satun residents with respiratory difficulties need to take care, a Satun public health chief said Saturday.
People were told to refrain from outdoor activities and those in need could get face marks at local public health offices and hospitals, said Dr Samruam Danprachankul.
Satun Governor Manit Wattanasen said he had officials closely watching the haze, and if it lingered in Satun skies for over three days he would have a weather inspecting mobile unit from Songkhla check the air quality.
Health official Boonleu Nuanchan in Yala's Betong district warned the smoke would cause eye irritation, coughing, stuffy noses and breathing difficulties, and aggravate the conditions of patients with allergies, lung disease and asthma. He urged those experiencing eye irritation, eye redness, sore throat, queasiness and vomiting to consult a doctor immediately.
Late Saturday the haze reached Songkhla, causing poor visibility for land and water transport, especially fishing boats in the Gulf of Thailand which could now see only as far as 100 metres.
Meanwhile, the Southern East Coast Meteorological Office said the haze would cover the lower South for several days at least due to the influence of the southwestern monsoon and the lack of rainfall on Indonesia's Sumatra Island.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015642
jpatokal
07-10-06, 09:42 PM
Really nasty haze in Singapore too, as I type this the pollutant index (PSI) has just hit its new record of 150 (http://app.nea.gov.sg/psi/). I'm pining for the blue skies and clean air of Bangkok right now :eek:
Here's the NEA's map of hotspots (fires) and haze all around South-East Asia, updated daily at 7 PM Sing time: http://www.nea.gov.sg/cms/mss/gif/rghz.gif
The Royal Irrigation Department Saturday issued its first warning for Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and areas outside the flood barriers of Bangkok to strengthen and heighten their flood barriers and prepare for possible evacuation if they fail.
The department said heavy rain in the North and upper Central regions caused water flowing through Ayutthaya's Bang Sai district to reach 3,338 cubic metres per second and that the eastern and western banks of the Chao Phya River could no longer serve as natural water-collecting "monkey cheek" areas.
This, combined with the highest sea tide between October 9 and 13 would lead to the Chao Phya River between Chai Nat and Samut Prakan rising higher than normal, especially at the low-laying riverside areas in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, and areas outside the flood barriers of Bangkok, the department said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015646
More detailed report: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/07/headlines/headlines_30015649.php
Some explanation of 'Monkey Cheek' - 'Kaem Ling': -
This royally-Initiated Water Detention Project is commonly referred to as the 'Kaem Ling Project' which literally means 'Monkeys's Cheeks.' The scheme got its name from what His Majesty observed as a boy. On one of his numerous trips he encountered a monkey munching food. The chimp then stored it in his cheeks rather than swallowing the entity whole.
The Public Health Ministry Sunday warned people to avoid walking through floodwater, which often host germs and leeches.
The warning came after more than 138,000 flood victims became ill and one of them was found with a leech in his anus.
"Please travel around by boats, if possible. If not, please dress carefully! Wear underpants and long pants. Also cover the lower part of your pants with plastic bags and tie tightly to ensure that no leech can climb in," the ministry's permanent secretary Dr Prat Boonyawongvirot said Sunday.
According to him, a man in Sing Buri was hospitalised after wading through chest-high floodwater. At the hospital, a doctor helped removing a leech from his anus.
"He's now safe. But we would like to warn children not to play in the floodwater," he said. He added that leeches could enter human bodies via nose, mouth, eyes, anus, vagina and urethra.
Aside from leeches, he said germs also dwelt in floodwater and could spread various diseases especially conjunctivitis, skin diseases and athlete's foot disease.
Prat said his ministry's mobile medical units had already treated 138,328 flood victims in flood-hit areas, which included Nonthaburi, Phisanulok, Sukhothai, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Angthong and Ayutthaya.
"We have also distributed medicines and garbage bags," he said. Currently, a large number of flood victims could not use toilets and need the garbage bags when nature called.
In Angthong, a hospital director called on people to donate eggs, rice, matches, drinking water, life vests and mosquito repellent cream to flood victims.
Angthong Hospital's director Dr Nirun Jantrakoon said interested donors could call 035615111 round-the-clock. "We have cooked boiled eggs and distributed them to flood victims through our mobile-medical units," he said.
In Chanthaburi, acting provincial public-health chief Dr Chumpol Suwan said the situation was worrying with more than 200,000 local people marooned in their houses amid furious torrents of floodwater.
"More than 4,450 people have fallen sick," he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/08/headlines/headlines_30015676.php
Flooding has disrupted the lives of almost 1.8 million people since late August with the confirmed death toll rising to 32 as of yesterday, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said.
Thousands of relief items donated by His Majesty the King were distributed to flood victims in Chanthaburi with more relief packages scheduled to arrive in Angthong on Wednesday.
HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and HRH Princess Srirasmi also visited flood victims in Bangkok's Nong Chok district yesterday to hand out relief items and offer moral support.
The department said the flooding had devastated almost 1.6 million rai of farmland, almost 17,500 fish or shrimp farms, and a number of roads, dams and schools.
The total damage was estimated at over Bt223 million.
In all, the inundation has hit 43 provinces in the country's North, Northeast and Central regions between August 27 and yesterday, during which more than 138,000 people became ill and needed medical treatment.
The floods have subsided in 27 provinces so far.
But the Meteorological Depart-ment has forecast more heavy rain for Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Tak, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok.
In Phitsanulok, Dam Changpinij, 62, drowned after he slipped and fell into a deep pond while walking around a flooded area to catch fish.
Local police said he was the seventh victim in the province to die in a flood-related accident.
In Tak, Bhumibol Dam director Boon-in Chuenchawalit called on people living downstream to evacuate to higher ground.
"If heavy downpours continue over the next few days, we will have to release a large amount of water," Boon-in said.
Rainstorms, coupled with the necessary release of water from the dam, have raised floodwater levels in Tak's Sam Ngao and Ban Tak districts by three meters in the worst-hit spots.
Many houses, shops and restaurants in town were submerged.
In Angthong, flooding is so serious that the local economy has ground to a halt, with banks, pawn shops, shops and a bus terminal in town under water.
The flood also submerged the country's longest reclining Buddha statue at Wat Khun Inthapramoon.
A two-metre-high embankment at the back of a local health station also failed, allowing torrents of floodwater to submerge nearby villages.
In Chanthaburi, four flood victims died as 16 tambon in Muang and Makham districts, as well as Khao Khitchakood sub-district were submerged. In the worst-hit areas, the floodwater rose to one metre.
In Chaiyaphum, several villages in Muang, Ban Khwao and Khon San districts were submerged. In the heavily hit areas, the floodwater was about 1.5 metres deep and people had to travel around by boat.
Tambon Kahad Administrative Organisation has handed out 500 relief packages, but there were not enough for all victims.
In Prachin Buri, floods yesterday ravaged 12 riverside villages, leaving houses under more than one metre of water.
In Suphan Buri, floods hit areas surrounding Suphan Buri Municipality, with the Suphan Buri-Bang Pla Ma Road under 50 centimetres of water.
In Loei, a mudslide killed Buakhan Srithadee, 45, while he was fishing in a pond. A flash-flood also submerged many local roads, which then became impassable to small cars.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/09/headlines/headlines_30015721.php
Chiang Mai - Five villagers were killed and at least four went missing after flash flood and mudslide hit several villages Chiang Mai's Fang district since Sunday night following heavy rain.
An initial inspection found two children and two adults of Ban Yang Village in Tambon Mae Ngon were killed in the mudslide. Another villager later died of heart attack.
Saranyu Foowong, a provincial administration organisation member, said four others were missing.
He said the flood destroyed four houses and partially ruined at least 40 homes, while a facility under the Royal Project Foundation also suffered damages worth at least Bt50 million.
Local officials had evacuated flood-affected residents from 14 nearby villages around Ang Khang Hill to higher grounds.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015742
It appears that the monsoon that has been coming ashore in Southern Thailand over the past two days is rather more serious and destructive than it at first seemed: -
Four southern coastal provinces declared disaster zone
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department has declared four southern coastal provinces a disaster zone after they were hit by giant waves caused by strong monsoon wind.
Somchai Ramasutra, the head of the southern zone of the department, said the coastal areas of Prachuap Khirikhan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani were declared a disaster zone so that officials could speed up relief operations there.
He said officials were on standby on around-the-clock basis to help the affected people in the areas.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022273
I have to admit that I haven't really been taking sufficient notice of this situation, despite having flown through some rather scary turbulence that probably preceded it. It will be interesting to see how badly Koh Samui is affected by this. There were obviously large numbers of tourists - at Suvarnaphumi International Airport - on their way to Koh Samui on Wednesday night.
Huge waves destroy homes in Songkhla, Surat Thani
Raging surf stirred up by a strengthened Gulf of Thailand typhoon yesterday destroyed 30 coastal homes in Songkhla's Ranot district and 15 houses in Surat Thani's Tha Chana district.
Ferries were forced to suspend services and residents had to move to higher ground.
Nakhon Si Thammarat declared a 54-kilometre coastal stretch from Hua Sai to Pak Phanang district a disaster zone.
Tambon Bor Thru mayor Kamol Pinyo said 30 houses in Bor Thru village in Songkhla's Ranot district were swamped, after the weather bureau warned of a monsoon bringing big swells to the South from yesterday to tomorrow.
Ranot district chief Thanee Kamolchino urged coastal residents to be cautious and pile up sandbag barriers.
The Kao Seng community in Muang district was also in fear, as pounding waves crashed through sandbag barriers to reach some beachside homes. Villagers got more sandbags to fortify the barriers, but the municipality was kept busy loading up 20,000 sandbags to protect Chalathas Road on Simila Beach from severe erosion.
Songkhla disaster relief chief Wichit Chanthornpan said parts of Chana and Ranot districts suffered from strong winds and high waves. He urged small craft to stay put and beachside residents to move inland as a precaution.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat's Pak Phanang district, residences in Tambon Laem Talumpuk were lashed by the waves, while Hua Sai district's Kho Petch Temple - with five rai of land washed away over the past five years - found itself only a few dozen metres from the crashing waves.
Local authorities stacked up big rocks to help absorb the surf's force. Deputy governor Arunee Kulnarong urged fishing families in the tambon to evacuate but they insisted on staying, out of worry about their properties.
In Surat Thani's Tha Chana district, the monsoon's four-metre waves flooded 15 homes along beaches in tambon Tha Krajai, prompting local officials to warn people to be alert and to transfer some residents, especially children and the elderly, to higher ground. Paknam Takrajai School was flooded and all classes were suspended.
The Racha Ferry operator said some services would be cancelled. But many tourists continued to flock to the coast to take photos of the stormy seas.
Samui was also hit by the storm, with roads along Baan Nathon beach submerged. District chief Decha Kangsanan said he had ordered speedboats to forego all trips and warned tourists not to swim in the sea.
A report said strong waves also damaged a 2km stretch of shore in Surat Thani's Don Sak district and Chol Kham Tambon Administration Organisation's pier. But residents insisted on staying, claiming strong waves did not come all the time.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/22/national/national_30022242.php
My guess is that the authorities have decided that this has to be boosted to 'Disaster Zone' levels earlier than is perhaps usual, because of perceptions abroad about the handling of the tsunami and the last Koh Samui flood. Not to mention the fact that peak tourist season is upon us, and the need for the Interim Government & CNS to paint themselves in a favorable light for home & international consumption: -
Monsoon hits Surat Thani
Strong waves in the Gulf of Thailand destroyed 15 houses along the coast in Surat Thani's Thachana district on Thursday, forcing ferries to suspend services and pushes local resident to evacuated to higher ground.
Surat Thani authorities issued a warning for people living along the coast to be more cautious as the monsoon reached the province.
The monsoon pushed through four-metre-high waves that flooded numerous houses along the beaches in Tambon Ta Krajai area. Paknam Takrajai School was also flooded and forced to cancelled all classes until further notice. District authorities ordered immediate evacuation of people, particularly children and elder people, to higher places.
Niphon Sakonwaree, district chief of Thachana said that most of houses affected by the high waves were those along the beach. "I already ordered evacuation of people to safer places to minimise casualties and prevent more damages from the flooding."
Koh Samui was also affected by the monsoon, particularly roads along Baan Nathorn beach. Many fishing vessels could not anchor at the piers due to the strong wind and high waves.
Racha Ferry firm meanwhile announced that it would suspend some ferry services due to the typhoon. However many tourists continue to flock to the coastal area to take photos of the restive sea.
Decha Kangsanan, Koh Samui district chief, said that he has issued an order for all speed boats to suspend all services and warned tourists not to swim in the seas.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/21/headlines/headlines_30022190.php
Not wishing to put a downer on the proceedings, but there is a strong likelihood of a terrorist attack on tourist hotspots near the Southern Thai border over the New Year period, as the insurgents are making no concessions to peace overtures right now. Some insurgents believe that they are on the brink of success, and may well be preparing to perpetrate greater outrages to hasten that acheivement.
But to put it into perspective, you are far more likely to be affected by traffic accidents and 'natural disasters'. This thread is here for ALL 'New Year' risks: -
.....
Thai security agencies went on high alert in the three southernmost provinces amid intelligence reports that militants were planning major attacks during the New Year celebrations.
"Plans have been prepared to counter the expected attacks in several areas by the insurgents during or after the festival," Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said.
Security agencies said January 4 marked the third anniversary of a major raid on an armoury in which militants made off with more than 300 MI6 rifles. The incident was a major humiliation for the government of then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who could no longer deny the political underpinnings of the incident and began to officially acknowledge that a new generation of Malay separatists had surfaced.
"We should not underestimate the opponent. We have to be prepared," Surayud said yesterday.
He compared the conflict to boxing, saying the fight is still far from over but that "we are evaluating our fighters as the fight continues."
"If I owned a boxing club, of course, I'd want to win," added Surayud.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/23/national/national_30022319.php
PM warns of violence in the south - New Year
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanonton Friday warned of large-scale attacks by Islamic militants in the deep South during New Year holidays.
The Prime Minister have been informed by local security units that large-scale attacks before, or after the New Year are possible as militants are currently assembling their forces, according to the report submitted to Surayud.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022271
Some tourist areas down south have already been adversely affected by a monsoon in the last three days. Despite the declaration of a 'Disaster Zone' in 4 provinces, there seems to be some evidence that it is pretty much business as usual on Koh Samui during its early peak season: -
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2100
There has been a spate of slum and hotel fires in Bangkok in recent days. This comes at a time when the overthrown regime is suspected of involvement in over 50 school fires in the North and North-East. Some people might connect these events. Personally, I doubt there is any connection at all. Carelessness during a busy time most likely.
Hotel Fire
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022260
Apartment Fire
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=115357
And another
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022262
This year at least it seems none of the government's public predictions of violence in the south at particular times have come true (maybe because of applying extra security)...
Giant waves hit Narathiwat, two districts declared disaster zone
Narathiwat - The provincial administration here announced a disaster zone in two districts after giant waves hit the coastal areas there Friday night.
Officials evacuated some 50 families living on Narathat Beach after the area were hit by giant waves at 10 pm Friday night.
They were evacuated to temporary shelters in four schools.
The provincial administration declared that the coastal areas in Muang and Tak Bai districts were a disaster zone because of the giant waves.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022336
A few days in Bangkok this week left me with a red peeling face from the cold. Funnily enough, Bangkok has been a lot colder in December in previous years. I put it down partly to having spent a lot of time sitting near an airduct outlet at the airport. Some years ago, I remember seeing heavily-clothed locals huddled round fires on one beach in December. It was genuinely nippy with a sea breeze.
If you are going North, you may need to wrap up some: -
Mae Hong Son's temperature drops to 1 degree
Mae Hong Son - The temperature in this northern province dropped to one Celsius degree Saturday morning, officials said.
The temperature was measured at the Northern Agriculture Promotion Office in Muang district.
Officials said villagers living near natural hot springs in Ban Phabong village in Tambon Phabong to bath in the springs to keep themselves warm.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022338
Northern mountaintop temperatures drop to 0-3 degrees: officials
The Meteorological Department announced that the temperatures at the mountaintops in northern provinces dropped to between 0 to 3 Celsius degrees Saturday morning.
It said in a press release that the mercury dropped to about 0 to 3 degrees over the mountains in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Phayao, Nan and Prae.
The temperatures in the lowland areas of the northern provinces were measured about 7 to 8 degrees, the statement said.
The department said the low temperature was influenced by a high pressure ridge, which is passing over the northern and northeastern regions.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022339
This year at least it seems none of the government's public predictions of violence in the south at particular times have come true (maybe because of applying extra security)...
I would add that attacks have occurred in some areas precisely because the government issued warnings for other areas. It is widely believed that Hat-Yai was bombed last time because security reinforcements had been sent to Yala for a peace rally that was thought to be vulnerable to attack.
Speaking at a seminar on road safety campaigns during the New Year holiday period, Purachai said he may need to submit an urgent motion to the government if it failed to strictly enforce the Social Order policy - which is now in effect as a ministerial regulation.
Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said the number of casualties from road accidents during the four-day break starting from December 30 would be reported at the actual rates.
All hospitals will begin collecting information starting from midnight December 29 to midnight January 3.
Emergency medical service teams from all major hospitals would be put on standby and required to arrive at accident scenes within 10 minutes.
The ministry would refocus their attention and monitoring activities from major roads to branch roads, where the tendency for accidents was higher, given statistical reports last year.
Permanent secretary Prat Boonyawongwirot said a total of 4,000 first-aid teams would be re-equipped and surgeons and emergency medical staff at state hospitals had been asked to not take any days off during the period.
Motorcycles contributed to 86 per cent of the 434 deaths and 4,772 injuries last year, he said. Of the injured motorcyclists, 61 per cent were under 15 and 28 per cent of those under 15 did not have a driver's licence or wear a safety helmet.
Bangkok police chief Wiroj Chantharangsee said 200 traffic checkpoints would be set up throughout Bangkok on December 29. All up, some 20,000 officers from all 88 police precincts in the capital would man 376 checkpoints over the four-day period, from 4pm to 2am to deter crime and accidents.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/22/national/national_30022238.php
People on coastal areas of Gulf warned of giant waves
The Meteorological Department Saturday warned people living along the coastal lines of the Gulf of Thailand to brace themselves for giant waves.
The department also warned small fishing boats against leaving the shores.
It said in a press release that the giant waves trigged by strong northeast monsoon winds would continue until at least Monday.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022340
One wonders whether this is going to become an annual event: -
GULF OF THAILAND
Powerful waves expected to continue
Chumphom's Pathiu and Surat Thani's Chaiya districts added to list of disaster zones; no fatalities reported to date
Two more districts in Chumphon and Surat Thani were declared disaster zones yesterday, while the Meteorological Department forecast that violent waves in the Gulf of Thailand would continue until year-end.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department put Chumphon's Pathiu district and Surat Thani's Chaiya district on its disaster-zone list after they were hit by powerful waves and heavy downpours.
Four houses and two shops in Pathiu were swept away while in Chaiya the waves eroded seven kilometres of Sai Kaew Beach, and 30 temporary shelters used by small fishermen were washed away. Several fishing boats were reported as having sunk in the heavy surf.
Vijit Chantrapan, head of the Songkhla provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office, told residents of several sub-districts in Ranot to prepare for evacuation. Sandbags were piled along the beach to fend off the waves.
Provinces on the Gulf of Thailand from Surat Thani to Narathiwat have been pounded by waves up to four metres high since Thursday. There have been no reports of fatalities. The Navy has laid on patrol ships, rescue teams and helicopter patrols along the coast.
Suparuek Tansrirattanawong, head of the Meteorological Department, said Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Phatthalung and islands in the gulf including tourist destinations Samui, Pha-ngan and Tao would face bigger waves from December 27-30.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/24/national/national_30022367.php
Powerful waves expected to batter southern coasts again on Thursday
Songkhla - The Songkhla Meteorological Office warned Sunday that the southern coastal line on the east side would be battered by powerful waves again on Thursday.
Kamolsri Senitantikul, director of the Songkha weather forecast office, said the northeasterly monsoon wind would become stronger on Thursday, and thus causing powerful waves.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022391
Jromerz
24-12-06, 05:33 PM
At Samilla Beach, Songkhla yesterday there were still a number of tourists and visitors, still taking photos around the mermaid statue, but nobody going into the water. Waves were around 2 meters high at times, very rough sea conditions, strong wind (small sandstorm because of wind blowing sand from other beach), but no rain. Could see fishing boats moored off the coast, where the rough waves are blocked by the larger island. There were still larger cargo ships going into the port, though.
The beach profile has changed quite dramatically in the past few months. A bit of coastal erosion, less sand in some places means that there are large ponds of still water where previously the beach had been - mostly on the southern end of the beach near the statue and beachside restaurants. Water has actually reached a few of the restaurants, some tables and chairs in an inch or so of water.. as long as the erosion doesn't go a little bit further inland they should be alright.
Jromerz
24-12-06, 05:38 PM
Latest post from GWR does not look that good however.. Will have to wait and see what happens in the next week.
I was planning to travel to Sathing Phra (Songkhla Province) at some point over the next two days, but have decided to postpone.People living on coastline warned of big waves
Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department's director general Anucha Mokhawes Wednesday warned people living along the coastline and fishermen to keep abreast of weather forecast and heed warnings.
A southern weather bureau already warned fishing trawlers against going out to the sea for the time being.
The wave will be between two and three metres in height Thursday and Friday.
"People living around the Gulf of Thailand from Nakhon Si Thammarat down should be particularly watchful," the bureau's director Kamonsri Seneetantikul said Wednesday.
Anucha said his department already alerted local authorities in Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Satun, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat about the need to prepare against the weather threats.
"The authorities must also warn people living along the coastline and fishermen," he said. He said fishing trawlers, both small and large, should avoid going out to the sea.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022673
"If people receive similar warning while ashore, they should evacuate and move their belongings to a safe place," Anucha said.
Earlier this month, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chumphon, Songkhla and Narathiwat were hit by big waves.
Surat Thani Governor Niwat Swasdikaew yesterday said he had ordered sandbag walls to be built along the coastline in risky areas in Tha Chana, Chaiya, Don Sak, Koh Samui and Koh Pha-ngan districts, as well as Tao Island.
"District chiefs have been instructed to arrange patrols and to warn people to be prepared for evacuation," he said.
Dr Traiphop Pongsuwan, a geophysicist at the Prince of Songkla University, believed global warming would bring more storms to the Gulf and big waves along the coastlines.
He said the ongoing phenomenon had never happened before.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/28/national/national_30022711.php
The annual free New Year road carnage festival got off to a flying start yesterday: -
41 killed in road accidents on first day of 7-day New Year watch-out period
A total of 497 road accidents happened nationwide on Thursday, killing 41 people and injuring 540 others, the Civil Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department announced Friday.
The department designated Thursday until January 3 as the seven dangerous days for monitoring road accidents because of many people would return home during the long New Year holidays.
Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Jansena told a press conference that most of the accidents or 34.41 of the accidents were caused by drunk driving.
He said 84.24 per cent of the vehicles in the accidents were motorcycles.
Banyat said Ayutthaya was the province with the highest death toll so far with four killed.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022849
I went out for medium-length road journey on primary roads today. I note from the report below that Songkhla is yet again one of the most dangerous provinces. Much in keeping with what I see in this article, prime cases of arsehole driving were exhibited by young male motorcyclists and pickup trucks packed to the gunnels with construction workers on the way home. And yes! The worst driving was undoubtedly in the late afternoon/early evening.
109 killed, 1,300 injured on first two "dangerous days"
Road accidents across the country left 109 people killed and 1,300 injured during the first two dangerous days of the weeklong New Year holiday, the Road Safety Centre reported Saturday.
On Friday alone, 696 accidents killed 68 people and maimed 760 others, Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen, who serves as the centre's deputy director, told a daily press conference to update the traffic toll.
Motorcycles were involved in 86.4 per cent of the accidents, while drunk driving and speeding were the major factors at 36.64 and 20.98 per cent respectively.
Accidents were concentrated from 4pm-8pm and on straight stretches of secondary roads.
Nakhon Pathom saw the most deaths at six and the most accidents, tied with Si Sa Ket, at 29.The two-day count was nine deaths and 62 injuries down from the same days last year.
Songkhla and Nakhon Pathom had the highest cumulative deaths, at six each, followed by Chon Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ayutthaya with five each.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022951
Have you noted how even completely sober people at work are more accident-prone at this time of the year?
New Year death toll rises to 179
The death toll from road accidents in the first three dangerous days of the weeklong New Year holidays rose to 179, the permanent secretary for Interior announced Sunday.
Pongphayom Wasaphuti, a member of the Road Safety Centre, announced that on Saturday alone, 725 accidents killed 70 people and maimed 831 others.
The death toll stood at 109 at the end of Friday.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022982
There were quite a lot of roadblocks on secondary roads in very rural areas. I remember being checked through one in the morning. On our return, no one was bothering to check. A large group of police volunteers were sitting around a table in the tent and talking. We got the impression they were drinking. :eek: As the block was smack dab in the middle of a lonely stretch of rice paddy, it was inevitable that every one of the guys would be riding home on a motorcycle at the end of the shift.
I'm far from convinced that people like the Health Minister (below) have really got a handle on this problem. Since when has drink prohibition ever worked? I guess we should be looking for ways to encourage drinking in a safer environment. As it is, workers often spend a significant part of their short vacation on the road to and from their hometown. It is almost inevitable that they should be looking for ways to better enjoy that time:-
This year saw more lives claimed in road accidents nationwide, despite all the hard work exerted to curtail the New Year's carnage, authorities said yesterday.
Drunk driving involving mostly motorcycles was the major cause of the 499 deaths and close to 5,000 injuries recorded over the seven dangerous days.
Road accidents were up by just over 6 per cent, resulting in increases of almost 2 per cent in deaths and 4 per cent in injuries, said Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras, who is in charge of the Road Safety Centre.
About eight in 10 accidents involved motorbikes on connecting roads rather than the highways or main roads in the provinces, he said.
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Bangkok and Narathiwat shared the highest death toll of 18.
Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai and Nakhon Ratchasima had the most injuries at 157, 150 and 148 respectively, while Chai Nat, Mae Hong Son, Yasothon, Lamphun, Samut Songkhram and Angthong were free of fatalities, he said.
Stringent measures including cracking down on traffic law offenders were carried out to the fullest extent during the holidays, he said.
About 250,000 motorists were arrested and fined, mostly for unsafe driving such as not wearing a safety helmet.
"After all that, we still failed to achieve the goal of keeping the number of deaths below 410 and injuries under 4,555," Kosit said.
"But we did our best … if we hadn't worked this hard, considerably more lives would have been lost."
Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said better control of alcohol consumption would help reduce the road slaughter during festivals. And for the upcoming Songkran festival, tougher measures to control drinking would be carried out.
Piyanutch Thamnukasetchai
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/05/national/national_30023331.php
Mercury may drop 2 to 5 degrees from Saturday to Tuesday
The Meteorological Department warned Saturday that the mercury could drop by two to five Celsius degrees from Saturday to Tuesday in most parts of the country.
The department announced that a new high pressure ridge from China had moved down to cover Thailand and would remain until Tuesday.
The high pressure ridge would cause temperature to drop by two to five degrees in northern, northeastern, central and eastern provinces.
Bangkok and satellite provinces could also see temperature drop, it said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023441
Twice in the last 6 weeks I have seen reports from the Met Office of the imminent onset of a serious drought in the south due to El Nino. Far be it from me to doubt that this might eventually happen, right now it has been slashing it down for over 1.5 days. And there have been other fairly big downpours since the official end of the rainy season. This one is shaping up nasty, and people have already perished at sea: -
Rough seas, heavy downpours predicted for South
A monsoon hovering over the Gulf of Thailand is sending heavy downpours to six southern provinces on the eastern coastline and is causing rough sea conditions, according to a weather bureau.
Kamonsri Seneetantikul, who heads a southern weather bureau, Sunday warned small trawlers against going out to the sea between Sunday and Tuesday. She said the wave would be a few metres high amid the rough weather conditions.
Her bureau also forecast cloudbursts in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023489
Four fishing boats sink off Narathiwat
A monsoon hovering over the Gulf of Thailand Sunday sank four fishing trawlers off Narathiwat's shores, leaving at least three fishermen missing.
The furious wave in the sea was between four and five metres high.
A small fishing trawler sank, throwing all four people on board into the sea. Fortunately, all of them were later swept to shore safely.
The fate was much grimmer for another fishing trawler, when it sank amid rough weather at round 3.30 pm.
Despite urgent help from marine police and other fishing trawlers, only six of nine people on this trawler were rescued. Three others went missing.
Pol Major Sathorn Suksong, an inspector at a marine police unit, dispatched the patrol boat to help the victims upon receiving a report of the sinking boat.
The patrol boat later helped 20 other fishermen, all of them thrown out into the sea after two other fishing trawlers sank.
As of press time, more than 30 other fishing trawlers were floating amid the rough sea as they could not brave the furious waves to bay.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023492
Southern train service disrupted following heavy downpours
The heavy downpours Sunday damaged a portion of railway in Songkhla's Hat Yai district automatically stalling train services to three southernmost provinces.
More than 500 train passengers, who bought tickets to the deep South, had to drop off at the Hat Yai train station and received partial refund.
In the face of violent wave, Nakhon Songkhla Municipality was forming sandbags as a temporary wall against the wave to protect the Samila Beach.
"We are also handing out sandbags to people whose houses are near the sea," the municipality's mayor Utis Chuchuay said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023492
Here's the last drought report from three days back: -
25 provinces at risk of drought
Twenty-five of the 76 provinces will be hit by serious drought in the next several months when the dry season starts to bite, authorities forecast yesterday.
Five of the 25 provinces were hit by serious floods in the recent rainy season - Sukhothai, Phrae, Nan, Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat, Siriphong Hangsa-phruek, head of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environ-ment's Water Resource Depart-ment, said. Other provinces include Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Lampang, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Si Sa Ket, Loei and Maha Sarakham.
Siriphong said the forecast was conducted for the first time as part of measures to prepare Thailand for the coming El Nino.
"We have monitored most areas of Thailand, scanning for the areas which are most sensitive to drought," he said.
The 25 provinces regarded as drought sensitive were judged on three factors: length of time since the last rainy day, irrigated or non-irrigated status and water reserves, Siriphong said.
"This year we plan not to just sit and wait until the problem occurs. We will fight against it right from the beginning, starting with scanning for drought sensitive areas, and we will do our best to minimise the crisis in those areas in close cooperation with the Interior Ministry," he said.
"Unlike previous years when we focussed on trying to beat the drought by shipping water to affected villages, we will encourage them to build village-based pipe water systems as much as possible," he said.
The Water Resources Depart-ment, which had been building pipe systems for years, expected to complete about 1,000 systems by March before the drought season reaches a peak.
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/05/national/national_30023332.php
Reports of the effects of December's monsoons on the Gulf of Thailand coast in the central & southern regions: -
Gulf coast seriously eroded by monsoons
Unusually severe storms over the past two weeks caused serious erosion to coastal areas in the South, authorities said yesterday.
The worst affected areas were found along the Gulf of Thailand in seven southern provinces, after a survey by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
"Out of 18 surveyed sites, we found seven of them were seriously damaged geologically," geologist Somsak Wathanaparueda said.
"Five-metre-high waves hit the coast from December 18-22 and brought massive amounts of sand on shore from the seabed. In some places the deposits were as thick as five to 10 metres," he said.
In Nakhon Si Thammarat, some parts of Laem Talumphuk beach lost up to three metres. In other areas the damage extended as much as one kilometre in length.
In Prachuap Khiri Khan, similar damage was found at Had Naresuan and nearby beaches in Sam Roi Yod district.
In Chumphon, serious erosion was found in Lang Suan district. Several areas in Surat Thani's Don Sak and Tha Chana districts were also hard hit, with 50-centimetre-high piles of sand deposited on coastal roads for distances as long as one kilometre.
In Songkhla's Pakklong Samroeng area, erosion extended over one kilometre, while in Pattani, Taloh Kapo-Laem Pho Road was badly damaged, the geologist said.
"This is an extremely unusual phenomenon, caused by the growing impact of global climate change," Somsak said.
Normally, erosion happens along the west coast of Thailand at a rate of three to five metres per year, and is due to the seasonal northeastern monsoon.
The unusual severity of the damage over the past two weeks worried geologists that this year's erosion rate would be a lot more serious, especially as the monsoon season would last till March, Somsak said.
"This serious erosion should be temporary, we expect. However, a long-term preventative plan is needed, including city planning that bans the construction of buildings along coastal areas," he said.
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/04/national/national_30023235.php
Fierce storm sinks four fishing boats
Three sailors feared dead after trawlers goes down
A monsoon storm hovering over the Gulf of Thailand yesterday sank four fishing trawlers off Narathiwat's shores, leaving at least three fishermen missing.
People living along the province's coast reported a pounding surf with waves between 4 and 5 metres high.
The crew of one small trawler were extremely lucky when their vessel sank. All four were thrown into the sea but were swept ashore.
The fate was much grimmer for another fishing trawler which sank in the rough seas at around 3.30pm.
Despite the marine police and other fishing trawlers rushing to help them, only six of nine people on board were rescued. The other three were not found.
Pol Major Sathorn Suksong, an inspector at a marine police unit, sent a patrol boat to help the victims immediately he heard that it was sinking.
The patrol boat later saved 20 fishermen, all of them thrown into the sea after their two trawlers sank.
Early last night more than 30 other fishing trawlers were still at sea trying to ride out the storm as they were too frightened to return to port because of the high waves closer to shore.
More than 100 people yesterday gathered on Narathat Beach in Narathiwat to pray for the safe return of their family members who are on the boats.
Kamonsri Seneetantikul, a senior southern weather bureau official, yesterday warned small trawlers against going out to sea until Tuesday.
"The monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand is strengthening," she said.
The bureau also forecast cloudbursts in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/08/national/national_30023524.php
It appears that up to 200 trawlermen have been cast adrift by trawler capsizes offshore of Narathiwat Province. A rescue operation is in progress. It is important to realize that many of the larger trawlers on the Gulf coast of Southern Thailand actually fish in Indonesian waters. Some of the affected boats would have been small inshore trawlers who disregarded earlier warnings because of weeks of monsoon conditions in which they have been unable to make money. The rest would be larger boats that returned from Indonesia at an unfortunate time. However, these larger boats are more likely to be able to ride out the storm if they find it difficult to dock.
His Majesty the King was very concerned about the impact of strong waves on the Gulf coast and had instructed related agencies to search for longterm solutions to prevent erosion, the secretary-general of the Royal Development Projects Board said Monday.
Following a meeting with state agencies on the problem, Sompol Panmanee said His Majesty was concerned about the big waves that had hit people's homes and government facilities along the southeast coastline.
His Majesty's Private Affairs Division officials were ordered to inspect the damage in a bid to find long-term solutions and provide affected residents with aid granted by HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, he said.
The Marine Department had been assigned to build a 80-metre-long dam to block strong waves 100 metres inland to strengthen beaches in areas with problems in Nakhon Si Thammarat - from Ban Na Saton village in Hua Sai district to Ban Na Khot village in Pak Phanang district.
Construction would begin this year with a Bt365 million budget, Sompol said.
Officials were now studying further structures to stop erosion to structures from Ban Na Khot to Ban Laem Talumpuk, he said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30023576
After three days of heavy rain, we are getting a bit of a nip in the air from China. The wind is also debating whether it is ready to blow a few shack roofs off. In other areas down here, it's much worse!: -
Yala hit as Sai Buri overflows
The Sai Buri River overflowed and inundated 10 homes and put another 60 houses at risk in Yala's Krong Pinang district, prompting officials to prepare to evacuate villagers, a local official said yesterday.
Yala disaster chief Samreung Vongmaneevorn said that due to the northeastern monsoon over the Gulf, continuous downpours have caused parts of the Sai Buri River to flood 10 homes in Krong Pinang while the other 60 houses were on the verge of being submerged.
Some riverside areas of tambon Yaha and La Ae in Yaha district were also flooded but the damage was still being assessed, he said, while 300 families in flood-prone spots in Raman district were on flood alert, and the Yala-Betong Highway number 410 was put on landslide watch.
Meanwhile, the Phatthalung disaster office has ordered a 24-hour watch for landslides and flooding in 28 villages near the Banthat Mountain Range in Kong Ra district and Sri Nakarin sub-district, after three consecutive days of heavy rain.
In Narathiwat, Thai navy officers rescued 200 more fishermen at sea, after their small trawlers sank offshore due to strong winds and high waves. They also helped two trawlers drifting back to port. Among the rescued fishermen were two men with head injuries.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/09/national/national_30023634.php
One can't help concluding that Thailand's politicians and military folks are fiddling while the country burns: -
RISING SEA LEVELS
Homes on Gulf coast being swamped by sea
Residents want to evacuate some areas amid new warnings of further storms
People in Nakhon Si Thammarat's Talum-puk Cape are now living in fear that seawater will rise and swallow their homes.
Laem Talumpuk's kamnan Prayuth Thanawattana said yesterday that the sea had already flooded some houses - and reached the doorsteps of many others.
"Local people do receive relief items but the utmost need now is evacuation. We are already in a crisis," he said.
Resident Preecha Buato said the sea was now right next to his house despite the fact that it used to be about 50 metres away. "The sea is threatening to bring down my house if we do not relocate in time."
Prayuth said local people planned to demand a solution from the provincial governor next week.
"If we don't receive any concrete solution, we may need to settle in a forest-reserve area," he said.
Down in Songkhla, an official disclosed that more than 1,500 families had been suffering from storms stirred up by a monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand.
"The monsoon has caused rough weather, heavy downpours and floods," the official said.
On Tuesday, the weather bureau warned all southern provinces along the Gulf, from Chumphon down, to beware of high waves.
Chumphon Governor Pinai Anantapong has already issued an order banning all boats from going out to the sea until strong winds in the Gulf weaken.
"All six districts along the coastline have also been warned to brace for possible lashing by high waves," Pinai said, adding that officials with relevant equipment were now on standby around the clock to ensure that people receive immediate help should an emergency arise.
Anond Snidvongs, director of Southeast Asia START Regional Centre, said the current weather was rather strange.
However, he believed Thailand would face the El Nino weather phenomenon this year.
"As a result of El Nino, rainfall will be reduced by 20 per cent. Drought and heat can be expected until March in the North, Northeast and the Central region," he said.
Somsak Netirangsiwatchara, who heads the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department's forest protection plan division, said recent inspections of forests showed that fallen leaves and branches had increased by at least 60 per cent.
"This reflects the higher level of dryness. These materials can fuel forest fires," he said. From October till now, 41 forest fires took place in seven provinces across the country.
However, Somsak said authorities were now prepared to cope with forest fires and should be able to keep things under control.
"We have drawn a map to identify the level of risks in each zone. We have also asked local authorities to announce risky areas as fire-control zones. Teams will be set up and ready to extinguish fires when needed," Somsak said.
He called on people to phone the 1362 hotline in the event of forest fires.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/01/11/national/national_30023837.php
Wisarut
11-01-07, 11:56 AM
Yah ... Those Undercurrent Prefer to BURN down the Country sicne the Junta has DEPRIVED thei right to MILK/EAT the country ... so the deposed power has responsed to Junta by BURNIGN down the country as they way to kick the Junta out and they can come back to the BURNT country to EXTRACT the very last of the country :eek:
Furthermore, those deposed power PREFER to force theri own people to become either internal or external REFUGEEs aas the way to PUNISH unrulied citizens .... More still .... They would put a label on the FIsh tanks and said
This is the ONLY place where ANYONE open his/her own mouth and still SURVIVE my regime!
This is cleary fit into Isan Prover -> Elephant Stamping on the Beak oif bird :eek:
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