Hat-Yai Flood Alleviation

[GWR]

There is now a considerable network of flood alleviation canals being built around Hat-Yai. http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...02&album=24219 Existing canals are being dredged, widened and deepened. New canals are being dug.

There's what I term the Western Bypass Canal which takes floodwater away from the Utapao Canal (also widened in recent times) as it flows through Hat-Yai Nai. The existing Bridge of the Northern Bypass Road (Lopburiramet) appears to have been built to intentionally accomodate this new canal. One Span (both lanes) of the Petkasem Road (main road into the city from the west) Bridge is being replaced to accomodate the bypass canal. The previous canal at this point was badly silted-up. The canal itself has largely been excavated and lined already, so traffic along Petchkasem is passing over the canal on coffer dams north and south of the replacement work. It looks like each canal will have a peripheral road; a practice which has been adopted all over Hat-Yai in recent years, in order to prevent canal bank encroachments by developers.

A very rough estimate is that the bypass canal is about 10 meters deep. There is also quite a network of new canals that would appear to be designed to prevent flood water from Kho Hong Mountain entering the north of the city.

I suspect there is no truth in the rumor that some of these canals are deep enough for light water traffic. However, I'm now hearing other rumors that the flood canal will not empty into the lake, but actually directly into the sea south of Songkhla. This was a stated objective in one newspaper report a few years back.

I'm trying hard to find web-published plans for this project.

[admin]

BTW: Hai Yai flood calendar is here:
http://2bangkok.com/2bangkok/MassTransit/flood2.shtml

[GWR]

Couple more pictures of the flood alleviation project. This is what I shall label the 'Northern Flood Alleviation Canal'.
The first picture is from the point where the Ban Khlong Toei to Ban Pa Kan road crosses the old Hat-Yai to Songkhla Railway; facing East. Ban Pha kan used to be reached by passing under a railway bridge, but the canal excavation has blocked that entry and forced villagers to use an old level crossing about 100+ metres futher east:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102
This new canal will empty into Khlong Toei just north of the existing floodgates in the Ban Khlong Hae area of Hat-Yai (birthplace of Khun Chuwit), and goes to Koh Mee in the opposite direction. Ban Pa Kan is about halfway along this 3.5 Km stretch. It'll be interesting to see if they extend it to the wetland at Nam Noi as well. There are also some south-heading branches off this canal. The object seems to be to collect flashflood water from Khor Hong Mountain and divert it away from built-up areas. The bank on the right is actually the trackbed of the old railway, as the canal runs parallel to this for two or three kilometers. The construction work has eaten into the bank somewhat, but I suspect they will restore it in some form, as the trackbed will assist in stopping floodwater flowing back into built-up areas. This section of trackbed might be used for the future light rail project from Hat-Yai to Songkhla. (Other sections will probably follow a new course.)
Follow the following links for further information on this line:-http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?
p=3822&postcount=1
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bang...02&postcount=1 The laterite quarry at Koh Mee Market is just visible on the horizon.

The second picture shows the Khlong Toei railway bridge itself, looking north from the flood gates. http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102 You can just see the mouth of the new canal (still under construction) on the far side of the bridge.

If you want to look at this site for yourself, my directions are from Big C. Head south into town (on the road that leads to Jiranakorn Stadium) until you pass over the old cement terminal level-crossing (used until after the 2000 flood). Turn left at the immediate intersection and follow the road that runs parallel (& south) of the old tracks. Note the land that SRT have rented out for house construction to try & encourage people to move off their land in the market. This wide road peters out after one kilometer, where another local road cuts across the old railway to Tambon Khlong Toei. A gravelled road continues past some pig farms & slum dwellings to a riverside bungalow resort. (Sounds romantic, but the canal most definitely ain't. This is almost certainly a Mia Noi liaison & weekend-wifing joint for Malaysians & Singaporeans). Cut down the track that runs along the northern boundary of the resort and you are there. Turn left for the bridge and right for the floodgates.

Incidently, some anonymous group painted this bridge (& others) about 10 years back. Probably wanted to maintain them for future light-rail use.

[GWR]

I realise that I gave the wrong location for the first picture below; and there were one or two small blooters too. So I have made some minor amendments to the previous post.

Further info today suggests that the canal will go further east than Koh Mee, into the vicinity of the Nam Noi wetland. The same source also told me that a large breech has been made in the Lopburi Ramet Dual Carriageway (Hat-Yai's northern bypass) in the Nam Noi area, which probably indicates a new bridge over a wider canal. Two new bridges have already been built along this stretch since the flood. Urban myths abound that this stretch was dynamited by the army during the flood to allow the hastier regression of floodwater.

[GWR]

Originally Posted by GWR

Further info today suggests that the canal will go further east than Koh Mi, into the vicinity of the Nam Noi wetland. The same source also told me that a large breech has been made in the Lopburi Ramet Dual Carriageway (Hat-Yai's Northern Bypass) in the Nam Noi area, which probably indicates a new bridge over a wider canal. Two new bridges have already been built along this stretch since the flood. Urban myths abound that this stretch was dynamited by the army during the flood to allow the hastier regression of floodwater.

A quick run along Lopburi Ramet Road produced NO evidence that a new bridge is being constructed for flood alleviation canals. I suspect the informant on that one was really talking about a new bridge that is being built for a local road over this new khlong near the local mosque in Koh Mi.

However, it is obvious that the 'Northern Hat-Yai Flood Alleviation Canal' (Excuse my 'Grand Funk Railroad' turn of denomination!) is being continued from Koh Mi to meet up with Khlong Bang Not in the middle of the Nam Noi wetland, south of Lopburi Ramet Road. So I suppose Khlong Bang Not will also have to be dredged to the lakeshore.

There also seems to be some khlong & associated bridge construction going on on the same wetland north of Lopburi Ramet Road , east of the striking new Provincial Mosque (also in Koh Mi).

Indeed, it is striking enough to merit a photo posting here sometime soon.

[GWR]

Originally Posted by GWR

.....

It is obvious that the 'Northern Hat-Yai Flood Alleviation Canal' is being continued from Koh Mi to meet up with Khlong Bang Not in the middle of the Nam Noi wetland, south of Lopburi Ramet Road. So I suppose Khlong Bang Not will also have to be dredged to the lakeshore.

There also seems to be some khlong & associated bridge construction going on on the same wetland north of Lopburi Ramet Road , east of the striking new Provincial Mosque (near Koh Mi)

Here's a rough 1:50,000 map of what I have discovered so far. It only deals with the 'Northern' canal system; not with the larger 'Western' canal system. Note that I have charted a hithertoo untalkedabout canal. Note also that this canal meets the canal that runs parallel to the old railway. The combined canal then runs north-east to Khlong Bang Not in the middle of the Nam-Noi Wetland. This 'new' canal has breeched the old line, but a lot of bridgework appears to be taking place at the breach. And I suspect this bridge is not just for the canals' peripheral roads. Could it be that the plan involves the construction of a railway bridge, with a view to it being used as a future transit line? We'll see how it shapes up in the next few weeks. I'd like to get hold of some real plans:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

Here's the canal which drains the wetland north of Wat Khor Hong(on Petchkasem Road). There is also a tunnel emtying into it's southern end for the water draining off the mountain behind Prince of Songkhla University. This picture faces roughly south-east, with two new dorm tower blocks at PSU just visible on the lefthand horizon:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

And here's that rather large & striking new Provincial Mosque on the wetland north of Lopburi Ramet Road The view of this mosque is particularly good for traffic coming from Songkhla. A reminder that there is actually a slight majority of Muslims in Songkhla Province; particularly in rural areas:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

[GWR]

Originally Posted by GWR

Here's a rough 1:50,000 map of the 'Northern' Canal System:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

A rather rough & approx 1:50,000 of the 'Western Canal'. CLICK MAP TO SEE LARGER IMAGE:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

This is an update on my previous observations, with more accurate information. Approx 1:100,000 image showing the very approximate allignment of the Flood Alleviation Project's new canals, and their outfall into Songkhla Lake at Ban Bang Not. It does not include existing canals & khlongs that are being/or have been widened and/or deepened. I note that the new canals which cross the Nam Noi wetland are not being directed into Khlong Ban Bang Not; as I previously thought. Recent observation shows that the 'green' canal is now being directed to run under Lop Buri Ramet Road a couple of kilometers west of Khlong Ban Bang Not. It then joins up with the larger 'purple' canal, and flows north to the lake. It crosses Khlong Ban Bang Not just before its outfall:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

This is the view looking north from the road bridge at Ban Bang Not towards the outfall of the canal about 0.5 Kms distant. The two people walking along the peripheral road give some indication of the size of this canal. CLICK MAP TO SEE LARGER IMAGE:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

Looking South from the Bridge at Ban Bang Not, with the canal's final sluicegates about 0.5 Kms away. So the water level here is dictated by lake levels. Hat-Yai lies to the right of the mountain on the horizon. This bridge is already about 3 years old, so this part of the flood alleviation project was probably built first, to accomodate the outfall of Hat-Yai's Wastewater Treatment Plant (completed over 5 years ago); which lies roughly south-east (left) a kilometer or two away. (Further investigation of the wastewater project may follow eventually.) CLICK MAP TO SEE LARGER IMAGE:-
http://pub8.bravenet.com/photocenter...rnum=633867102

[GWR]

The 'Northern' flood alleviation canal in the Klong Toei/Ban Phakan area of Hat-Yai looks as if it is practically finished; although it isn't entirely obvious whether they intend to surface the peripheral roads.

I inspected this area this morning and found some evidence that the Royal Irrigation Department & other agencies seem intent on not destroying the course of the Old Hat-Yai to Songkhla Railway Branchline. The canal runs parallel to the old railway; to the North of it. It looks as if their plan is to use the embankment as a flood barrier, in addition to the canal. 'Yah Fet' (Vetifer embankment reinforcing grass) has been planted along some stretches of the railway embankment recently; especially in some areas where the railway embankment has been added to with dredged soil. This seems sensible, as this material obviously erodes very quickly. Flags along the route probably indicated that this project will receive some kind of royal visit in the next few days. The old track rails are still visible along this stretch:-

http://tinypic.com/dokqy8.jpg

The railway bridge over the Khlong Toey has also been provided with some concrete buttressing to prevent its foundations being undercut by water erosion:-

http://tinypic.com/doknpv.jpg

Further North-East in the Ban Phakan area, the canal meets another canal coming North from the Wat Khor Hong area. A sluicegate has been added just North of this canal junction.The combined canals then veer away from the railway line at a more northerly angle, in the direction of the Nam Noi wetland. The railway line was breeched at this point to allow canal construction. However, it now appears that the railway embakment has been reinstated (along with 'Yah Fet' plantings) with the Khor Hong canal passing underneath by culvert:-

http://tinypic.com/dokr5k.jpg

The primary intention here is almost certainly for the old railway embankment to continue to act as a flood barrier. The fact that the line was embanked at this point suggests that it has always been flood-prone. Indeed, the original junction had to be moved from Khlong Uttapao (to its existing Hat-Yai site) for this very same reason. However, local authorities (such as Tessabahn Nakorn Hat-Yai) have probably asked that this line be left reasonably intact, so that it may be more easily employed for a future transit system.

[GWR]

First I've Heard About It:-

Five billion Baht for Hat Yai
Posted on Wednesday, 25 April 2001, 8: 53 GMT

The cabinet yesterday approved an investment of five billion Baht in flood prevention works for Songkhla and Hat Yai, where serious flooding took place late last year and early this year, on the short and medium term.
The cabinet disagreed however with a long-term plan for Hat Yai, to start after 2005, which would cost another five billion Baht. It said further study on this should be carried out.
After the flooding last year the NESDB, the committee for coordinating royal projects and Interior and Agriculture ministries was assigned to make a plan to prevent further flooding, which resulted in short, medium and long-term plans. The short-term plan, to be finished by this November, focuses on improving the city's drainage system, diverting water from canals and establishing a warning system.
The medium-term plan, to be conducted between 2002 and 2005 focuses on designing six water reservoirs and removing buildings that obstruct drainage and sewerage systems.
The long-term plan envisages construction of six new reservoirs and a reforestation project. This long term plan was –as said- not approved by the cabinet yesterday. (Source: Bangkok Post).

[GWR]

These two photos seem to me to put into doubt the intelligence of this ducting project. Herewith a Thanon Saneanusorn shot in the flood that shows how much cabling there is on this street. Compare it with a picture of the same street decabled in the 'quoted' pic below. Then take a look at my second new pic and witness how useful such cables can become during each ten-year deluge:-

http://www.phuket-info.com/gallery/hatyai/hatyai29.jpg

http://www.phuket-info.com/gallery/hatyai/hatyai26.jpg

Originally Posted by GWR

'Hat-Yai Unwired' seems to be the English slogan for the quoted Underground Ducting Project in Hat-Yai. Here's one side of a promotional leaflet to show you some of the photographed 'before' shots and airbrushed 'after' shots in greater detail:-

http://tinypic.com/ea2t1u.jpg

[GWR]

Hopefully, this thread will make a good place to displace some of the more striking electoral art.

Floodbuster Phrai! A Man for All Hat-Yai's Rainy Seasons

This one's a bit of a cheat, as the subject is not standing in an election. I was rather taken by this poster of Hat-Yai's Lord Mayor which has recently been put up all round the city in the last few days. It seems to be a City Helpline. Phrai Pattano looks every bit the 'Man for the All Seasons' in his 'get things done' mac & wellies. The poster's text indicates that Phrai's administration 'Works with its brains and its muscles for the citizens of Hat-Yai':-



I watched Phrai at a Democrat rally last week in which he explained that he had to remain slightly impartial in order not to incur the full weight of Thaksin's wrath on the city. It seems a bit like Phrai wished to cock a bit of a snook at TRT with this poster. The poster makes no mention of the Democrat Party, as Phrai created his own faction to get elected. However, most citizens will know where his sympathies lie.

Phrai was a local Democrat MP up until a few years back. He quit the role saying he wanted to consolidate the Democrats strength in the south through grassroots politics.

[GWR]

Picture today of the same canal culvert, showing the trackbed has been partially reinstated over the culvert, and stabilized by planting long-rooted Vetifer grass. The trackbed probably acts as a flood-barrier at this point; but it may have been a legal necessity to reinstate this section, as a legal closure notice was never issued. And sometime in the future, the trackbed might be used for a transit project:-

http://i3.tinypic.com/vo4e45.jpg

Originally Posted by GWR

The 'Northern' flood alleviation canal in the Klong Toei/Ban Phakan area of Hat-Yai looks as if it is practically finished; although it isn't entirely obvious whether they intend to surface the peripheral roads.

I inspected this area this morning and found some evidence that the Royal Irrigation Department & other agencies seem intent on not destroying the course of the Old Hat-Yai to Songkhla Railway Branchline. The canal runs parallel to the old railway; to the North of it. It looks as if their plan is to use the embankment as a flood barrier, in addition to the canal. 'Yah Fet' (Vetifer embankment reinforcing grass) has been planted along some stretches of the railway embankment recently; especially in some areas where the railway embankment has been added to with dredged soil. This seems sensible, as this material obviously erodes very quickly. Flags along the route probably indicated that this project will receive some kind of royal visit in the next few days. The old track rails are still visible along this stretch:-

http://tinypic.com/dokqy8.jpg

The railway bridge over the Khlong Toey has also been provided with some concrete buttressing to prevent its foundations being undercut by water erosion:-

http://tinypic.com/doknpv.jpg

Further North-East in the Ban Phakan area, the canal meets another canal coming North from the Wat Khor Hong area. A sluicegate has been added just North of this canal junction.The combined canals then veer away from the railway line at a more northerly angle, in the direction of the Nam Noi wetland. The railway line was breeched at this point to allow canal construction. However, it now appears that the railway embakment has been reinstated (along with 'Yah Fet' plantings) with the Khor Hong canal passing underneath by culvert:-

http://tinypic.com/dokr5k.jpg

The primary intention here is almost certainly for the old railway embankment to continue to act as a flood barrier. The fact that the line was embanked at this point suggests that it has always been flood-prone. Indeed, the original junction had to be moved from Khlong Uttapao (to its existing Hat-Yai site) for this very same reason. However, local authorities (such as Tessabahn Nakorn Hat-Yai) have probably asked that this line be left reasonably intact, so that it may be more easily employed for a future transit system.

[GWR]

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=731884

Hat-Yai City Municipality Waste Water Treatment Plant. Some of the images in the vicinity of Hat-Yai are obviously quite dated. Note how there is a flood alleviation canal emptying into the lake near the plant. The exit of the canal is obviously part of a newer image, but the rest of the canal is not to be seen on the older images further south.