Northern flood arrives in Ayutthaya

Six districts of Ayutthaya province have been hit by flooding, governor Witthaya Phiewphong said on Tuesday.

They are Bang Ban, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Pa-in and Bang Sai districts.

Mr Witthaya said he had sent an urgent order to district chiefs and local administrations to watch and provide assistance for affected riverside communities as needed.

Overflows from the Chao Phraya river have swamped Wat Boonkannawas in tambon Sai Noi of Bang Ban district where construction of a floodwall around the temple has not yet been completed.

A camp area for construction workers and heavy machinery has been inundated.

Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lertviroj Kowattana said the high water level in the Chao Phraya River is caused by days of continuous heavy rain but the situation is still under control.

At its peak on Tuesday morning, the water level of the Chao Phraya in Kamphaeng Phet province was measured 161.40mm.

The water flow rate from the Chao Phraya dam towards Chai Nat province was 1,800 cubic metres a second, Mr Lertviroj said.

"At this rate, areas at the end of the dam won't be affected except for some low-lying areas where flooding usually occurs every year," he said.

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Sukhothai people hit by flooding. (Photos by Thiti Wannamontha)

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said he, as chairman of the government-appointed Water and Flood Management Commission, wanted to apologise to the people of Sukhothai after the flood swollen Yom River broke through eroded levees beneath flood walls and swamped parts of the city.

"I would like to say sorry to the Sukhothai people as I was not able to know about the eroded levees," Mr Plodprasop said. "I've ordered officials to quickly repair them."

The flood situation in Sukhothai was stabilising and the water level should begin to recede over the next couple of days, the minister said.

He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had instructed officials to inspect old flood walls to prevent a recurrence of the  problem in Sukhothai.

State Railway of Thailand deputy governor Kamol Tangkijcharoenchai said repairs have been completed on the flood damaged rail track in Lamphun province.

Full services on the line north to Chiang Mai resumed on Tuesday afternoon following tests on the safety of the repaired track.

Meanwhile, Thai netizens have come up with a flood-related competion they call the Tharalympics (thara means water in Thai) following news of flooding in the provinces.

In the Tharalympic games, people have to race against the surging water by doing various activities such as lifting their belongings to higher ground, piling up sandbags, storing food and walking through flood water.

In 2011, Thailand was hit by the country's worst flooding in 50 years. The GDP shrank 10.7% in October-December of last year from the previous quarter.

Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 12/09/2012 at 06:02 PM
It is always the same story these people are not listening to anyone they live with their “I know better” attitude” forever; and it seam the majority of the people in this country don’t have a problem with this attitude otherwise this people would be out of job already.
Discussion 2 : 12/09/2012 at 04:23 AM
best case scenario would be to have a repeat of last year flooding. the actual non government could then definitely loose face and we could have a chance of having a real one I may be too optimistic though
Discussion 3 : 11/09/2012 at 10:42 PM
It doesnt matter how much tax payer money is wasted if there is no common sense .
Discussion 4 : 11/09/2012 at 09:31 PM
Minister said bla bla bla ....we r sorry heheheh bla bla bla ...sorry but you should step out of your job and give the job to young preofessional ...you need help from professional...and you also need a goverment that will help Thai people for the flood also a goverment to help Thai people in the south .. Thai people r angry and they need a GOVERMENT ...nothing change year after year you can ear bla bla bla bla ....but no action except figting with opposition Where is all your promis of reconciliation and working for thai people ....tell me
Discussion 5 : 11/09/2012 at 08:57 PM
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said he, as chairman of the government-appointed Water and Flood Management Commission, wanted to apologise to the people of Sukhothai after the flood swollen Yom River broke through eroded levees beneath flood walls and swamped parts of the city. "I would like to say sorry to the Sukhothai people as I was not able to know about the eroded levees," Mr Plodprasop said. "I've ordered officials to quickly repair them." Why does this man keep opening his mouth? we all know that anything he ever says is the exact opposite of what is true. Guess he really is not sorry...................
Discussion 6 : 11/09/2012 at 08:53 PM
1,800 cubic meters per minute at the damn in Chainat is less then half of what happened last year and less then 80% of the normal flow during the heavy part of the rainy season. This country needs and I mean immediately (yesterday) people smarter then what is said to be serving them today (read:PT). This government of total amateurs is heading to make 2012 flooding as bad as 2011. Thailand does not need another committee set up to look into this it needs professional, intelligent in control that can make decisions that are not tied to 15 other committees previously set up in the disorganization chart
Discussion 7 : 11/09/2012 at 08:31 PM
Officials are, as usual, one step behind nature. This is somehow a bit embarrassing, as it happens quite regularly every year.
Discussion 8 : 11/09/2012 at 07:58 PM
We had a situation in the UK where the wrong type of snow caused trains to stop running,We are in the rainy monsoon season you so called experts. what have achieved?.It would appear nothing in 12 months except make people rich from the 350 billion raised but not spent yet.Look out Bangkok here it comes.Pray the the water pumps do there magic tricks.Where will they put the flood HQ this time.I know on a boat in the estuary,any one got that blokes phone number you know the one in the bible,the one who built the Arc.He had a good idea although why he saved mosquito is behind me.May be this time he will leave politicians and water experts from Thailand out.
Discussion 9 : 11/09/2012 at 07:55 PM
Does anyone remember that in July the government announced that the areas that will flood would be announced by end-Aug? I think I missed the announcement. Is there a number I can call for information regarding those areas that are going to flood?
Discussion 10 : 11/09/2012 at 07:25 PM
Everything is under control.
Discussion 11 : 11/09/2012 at 07:21 PM
"Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lertviroj Kowattana said the high water level in the Chao Phraya River is caused by days of continuous heavy rain but the situation is still under control." This is the rainy season (happens every year), and the situation has patently NOT been under control or the flooding would not have occurred. "I would like to say sorry to the Sukhothai people as I was not able to know about the eroded levees," Mr Plodprasop said. "I've ordered officials to quickly repair them." Actually, it is precisely his job to 'know'. His confessed ignorance of his job is yet another outstanding example of his incompetence. This man is a dangerous buffoon.
Discussion 12 : 11/09/2012 at 07:07 PM
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi said he, as chairman of the government-appointed Water and Flood Management Commission, wanted to apologise to the people of Sukhothai after the flood swollen Yom River broke through eroded levees beneath flood walls and swamped parts of the city. - dont apologise !!! to late already !!! If u would have a Team than that can not happen!! so just step down and take ur experts with you !!!
Discussion 13 : 11/09/2012 at 07:00 PM
so that is the result after one year improvements and waste of money!??? Just change the people and let it be done by people who know what to do and dont take the money of the people just in there own pockets!!!
Discussion 14 : 11/09/2012 at 06:54 PM
No worries, we'll get it right next year...promise hehe
Discussion 15 : 11/09/2012 at 06:45 PM
12 months in and here we go again.No get out of gale soon card this time experts.
Discussion 16 : 11/09/2012 at 06:41 PM
"Royal Irrigation Department director-general Lertviroj Kowattana said the high water level in the Chao Phraya River is caused by days of continuous heavy rain" "At this rate, areas at the end of the dam won't be affected except for some low-lying areas where flooding usually occurs every year" 1. I guess we all know that the flood isn't caused by someone who forgot to turn off the water in the house. 2. Since they know that some particular areas are flooded every year, why haven't they then - long time ago - done something to prevent this situation.

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