As much of the nation suffers the deluges of the annual monsoons, Bangkokians are clinging to the guarantee given by the city governor that they will NOT see a repeat of the 2011 so called “super floods”, as the capital endured yet another day of flooding in numerous areas. The failure to replace or repair deficient flood pumps, and a hurried race against time to clear drains and canals, whilst propping up river barriers with sand bags. 2011 saw much of the region under water and a mass exodus from the region, as residents left their homes, rich and poor, under a metre of filthy water. The bad news? Well it’s been reported that in addition to naturally rising river levels, the Royal irrigation department has issued a warning of river overflows in some 11 provinces down river from Chai nat where dams will be forced to open wider in order to accommodate water entering them from upstream. From tomorrow the water flow from dams will increase by a further 16.5% and are expected to result in 60 cm level rises through Chai nat down to the capital and the ocean. That, added to rainwater entering the river at a higher than normal rate WILL see strain on flood controls for sure.
The MET office predicts heavy to very heavy rain across most of Thailand through to the end of the weekend.
Closer to home, Rayong province has taken a pasting from storms, along with Chanthaburi and Trat, seeing there the island of Koh Chang flooded in many parts, a road collapse, and landslides blocking some roads, leading, according to local hoteliers, to a large amount of cancellations for the coming weekend.
Photo Credit: The Nation
Good news for the low paid here as the minimum wage for Thais has been set to rise by just over 5% across the nation from the end of this month. Minimum wage here varies from region to region, based on local economies and is of more benefit to those in rural regions, whereas in areas such as our own, the capital and tourist areas, most employers pay above the minimum in order to retain staff.
It was tears and hugs for major drug dealers this week after a 6 month undercover operation led to the arrest of 7 major players in Nakhon Ratchasima. With some related to others already behind bars, the arrestees appeared shocked when caught and were photographed hugging each other and crying. They were transported to police facilities for interrogation separately from their 1 million meth pills, 50,000 extacy pills and nearly 20,000 ketamine stash, said to have a street value of 110 million baht.
And wally of the week award has to go to a half British half wit who, together with his pals, rigged up a water version of a skateboard to a motorbike, whizzing through shin deep, traffic ridden, flooded Bangkok streets. The wakeboarder fell off quite a few times, luckily not as he came close to pillars and vehicles at high speed, all captured of course on a social media clip. His moment of fame? Well it cost him a 5,000 baht fine and the warning is out not to emulate his stupidity. (See video news for clip)
As our region frantically prepares for further rainfall, neighbouring Ban Chang has seen flooding resulting in many businesses and schools closing. But Kudos to the kids, and their teachers as, together with others, they all mucked in to swab the classrooms and hallways of the dirty water and mud, readying it for class, hopefully today.
City hall is watching weather maps as the weekend is planned to see a festival along the beach with live music. Hopes are that the rain will stop, as it has done for most other weekend events, however visitors are advised that musicians and entertainers DON’T play in the rain, as water plus electricity are a dubious mix. Stages are being erected in advance of the event, and its fingers crossed for the mayor’s team.
Dive teams were working at lake Maprachan yesterday until late, searching for a local man in his forties who disappeared out on the lake whilst fishing from his rowboat. The boat was spotted capsized, pals swum out to search, to no avail and emergency services quickly arrived at the scene
Expats of all nations, along with Thais are invited to a celebration of the life of HM the Queen Elizabeth the second on Monday the 19th at a religious service opent to those of all denominations. The 2PM service will be held at the Maha Thai convention centre at the Father Ray Foundation and has been organized by several local groups including the local British Honorary consul and the Royal British legion. Arrivals well before is recommended to ensure seating.
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Thailand & Pattaya News, from Fabulous 103fm (13 September 2022) 228 thousand acres of Thailand is currently submerged due to flooding. With the worst of flooding, so far, in Nakhon Sawan, Pichit, Sukotai, Phitsanulok and Ayutthaya, the national water command centre has issued warnings of more flooding in 13 provinces through this week as river levels continue to rise. Those provinces include neighbouring Rayong along with Chaopraya, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, bng […]
