11/02/2011, 00.00
THAILAND
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Bangkok bracing for more floods as death toll reaches 427

by Weena Kowitwanij
Floodwaters should hit the city again in mid-November, coinciding with the feast of Loy Kratong. The city’s governor warns that “all districts” are at risk, says protests would be dealt with severely. The capital’s Suvarnarbhum International Airport is also in danger. Tensions are rising among residents.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) – After surviving last weekend’s floods Bangkok is bracing for a second wave mid-November. High waters will coincide with the annual feast of Loy Kratong, which marks the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. The authorities warned that all of the capital’s districts are at risk whilst the city’s governor said that protests against steps taken so far to protect the capital’s economic and commercial districts would be dealt with severely. Meanwhile, the Thai Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) announced that the official death since flooding began in July had reached 427 with more than 2.1 million people affected by high waters in 26 provinces.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said that the 20 districts of inner Bangkok spared so far could be flooded if coordinated action is not taken. The area affected includes two important industrial compounds at Bang Chan and Lardkrabung, one of which is close to Suvarnarbhum International Airport. To protect the latter, the authorities have raised the levees that surround it. Bangkok’s other major airport, which serves domestic travel, is completely under water.

At the same time, divisions are emerging between the central government and local authorities as well as with civil protection agencies on the best way to cope with the emergency.

Among ordinary Thais, tensions are rising, especially among the residents of the areas sacrificed to save Bangkok’s financial core. At least a thousand residents living along Khlong 3 and Khlong 4 channels blocked a road a few days ago, causing damages to the levees. The governor sent police to protect workers engaged in repairing the protective barrier.

Residents of a government-run retirement home in Bangk Kae have also been affected. Some 70 of them were moved yesterday to another facility in Rajchaburi Province. If things do not improve another 200 will have to be moved as well.

Whilst some of the elderly residents are scared and frustrated by the need to abandon their “second” home, others are taking the matter in stride, having gone through and survived similar events in the past.

“I experienced severe floods in Bangkok in 1942,” said Akachai Yurod, “so I am not afraid.” For the 85-year-old man, younger generations should “be patient and not lose hope”.
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