On 28 October 2011, Police General Pracha Promnog, Minister of Justice, in his capacity as the Director of the Flood Relief Operation Center (FROC), along with Mr. Tongthong Chantarangsu, Spokesperson of FROC, Mr. Pichet Wangtepanukhor, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anon Snidwongse Na Ayutthaya, Acting Executive Director of the Geoinformatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and Mr. Saroj Thanasunti, Acting Director-General of the Department of Protocol, briefed a group of around 80 heads of mission and representatives from the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations on the current flood situation in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Gist as follows:
1. Due to the unprecedented amount of rain this year, several provinces in the central region of Thailand and Bangkok have been affected by flood. Furthermore, the current high tide has caused the overflow of water from dykes, resulting in floods in Bangkok and surrounding areas, particularly in the north of Bangkok. However, the situation remains manageable by draining the water out during the ebb tide. In the worst case scenario, it is possible that the level of floodwater in inner Bangkok could rise between 10 centimeters to 1.5 meters depending upon the distance from the dykes and the height of the affected areas. It is anticipated that it would take two weeks to one month to recede.
2. In response, the Government has set up Flood Relief Operation Center (FROC) as a lead agency to oversee flood relief efforts. It is currently expediting the drainage of water to the Gulf of Thailand as well as planning for and making remedial measures in the medium term and long term to assist all affected sectors of society. Should it be necessary to evacuate affected population, the Government is ready to establish temporary shelter in nearby provinces. Additionally, FROC has cooperated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to circulate relevant and timely information to the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations. The information can also be accessed by visiting the websites of the Foreign Ministry and other relevant authorities. Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand stand ready to assist tourists, particularly by helping them travel to other tourist destinations unaffected such as Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi and Samui.
3. As the flood water in Bangkok and surrounding areas has been rising gradually, it is not life threatening but may cause some inconvenience to daily life. Moreover, the Government is confident that Suvarnabhumi International Airport is well protected from the floods. As a precautionary measures, however, the Government has prepared the U-Tapao Airport to act as supplementary or stand by airport. The Government appreciates the assistance extended by various countries and international organizations and is confident that Thailand would be able to withstand the flood situation.
4. During the following question and answer session, inquiries were made about evacuation measures, as well as the availability of food, water and electricity. In response, Police General Pracha said that the Government has implemented appropriate measures in the areas of transportation and temporary shelters. He also reaffirmed the availability of food and water should not be a problem as the floods has affected only one-fifth of the country.
Therefore, the Government could arrange delivery of food and water from areas unaffected by the floods to Bangkok. At the moment, the Government requires large quantities of water filters, water pumps and boats which have been ordered to help with relief operations. With regard to electricity service, the Government consulted with the relevant authorities and reaffirmed that electricity service will not be interrupted.
For full text of Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnog, please visit /internet/document/6776.pdf
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th