Flood warnings for Chao Phraya riverside residents in Bangkok and suburbs

Riverside residents in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan are warned to brace for high tides for the next 4 days, when the level of the Chao Phraya River is forecast to rise to 1.9-2.1 meters above mean sea level.

The National Water Command Center said today (Thursday) that the high tides between 7pm and 10pm until August 1st coincide with the increased volume of water being discharged into the Chao Phraya River from the Chao Phraya reservoir, at a rate of 1,000-1,250m3/sec.

This is likely to cause the river to swell and flood riverside communities not protected by floodwalls in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt took a boat ride yesterday to check the floodwalls and the numerous gaps in them. He said that the gaps are most susceptible to overflows and ordered officials to be on standby during the high tides.

Several riverside districts, such as Phra Nakhon, Dusit, Samphanthawong, Yan Nawa, Bang Kho Laem, Khlong San and Bangkok Noi, have been preparing to cope with the overflows this week.

Sandbags and water pumps have been placed on site at vulnerable areas and rapid response mobile units are on standby to help people affected.

Flash floods were reported today in Chum Pae district of Khon Kaen, Khon San district of Chaiyaphum, Chum Phae district in Phitsanuloke and two districts in Phichit province. Overflows from the Chao Phraya River, and its Noi Rivertributary, have flooded Pak Hai and Sena districts of Ayutthaya province.

According to the Meteorological Department, northern parts of Thailand will experience less rain today and tomorrow, due to the weakening of south-westerly wind which is blowing over Thailand’s north-eastern, central and eastern regions, but some parts of the southern region will face heavy rain. (Thai PBS World)

More bridge danger on Rama II Road

SAMUT SAKHON: More lanes were closed on Rama II Road on Wednesday, to allow the removal of loose-hanging concrete slabs from a flyover, while another section that had been closed by Sunday night's U-turn bridge collapse was reopened.

Highways police closed part of the highway on Wednesday morning after motorists spotted five concrete slabs hanging insecurely from a flyover parapet at the 22nd kilometre marker in tambon Khok Krabue of Muang district.

Local highway officials said there were marks showing a tall vehicle had hit the flyover. The concrete surface had cracked, exposing the steel reinforcing. The damaged pieces were removed for public safety and the road reopened.

Also on Rama II Road, Bangkok-bound express lanes reopened to traffic on Wednesday morning after the Highways Department removed four remaining beams on the U-turn bridge above the 34th kilometre marker.

 
The lanes had been closed since Sunday night when an outer beam fell from the bridge,     killing two people and injuring two others. The official investigation is expected to take two weeks.

Highways Department director-general Sarawut Songwilai said officials would check the remaining structure of the 29-year-old U-turn bridge and decide whether it could be maintained or should be replaced.

Harrow plans new school in Bangkok to create ‘excellent’ teachers

The operator of Harrow International School in Bangkok has announced that it will open a new academy to hone the skills of teachers.

Asia International School Limited (AISL) said the aim is to create “Educators for Excellency” by equipping teachers with new teaching tools and technology so they can provide their students with better education.

The academy will also provide educational opportunities to communities nearby, especially knowledge on conserving the environment. The building itself will be designed following eco-friendly principles and have panels, efficient air circulation and a water-recycling system, the company added.

The new AISL Academy Bangkok will open its doors in 2024 and will be located next to the Harrow School’s campus in Don Mueang’s Soi Kosumruamchai 14. (The Nation Thailand)

City Hall refuses to be sunk by floodsThe Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is preparing a major redevelopment of the capital's drainage system to increase its drainage capacity in a fresh drive to combat the city's flood problem. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt chaired a remote meeting last month about water management with officials from the BMA's Department of Drainage and Sewerage, 50 district offices and state agencies to brainstorm ways to end the city's flood woes. At the meeting, the department forecast rainfall across 60-80% of the capital this month, with accumulated amounts of 200-250 millimetres. Mr Chadchart said the city has generally relied on two drainage systems -- canals and tunnels.

Up until now, the City Hall has carried out four tunnel projects -- the Prem Prachakon water diversion system, Makkasan swamp, Saen Saep and Lat Phrao canal tunnels, as well as the tunnel running under Bang Sue canal. But these tunnels, stretching a combined 20 kilometres, can handle only 200 cubic metres (m³) per minute of water, far below the 2,000 m³/minute outflow required on the western and eastern sides. Mr Chadchart said the city's core drainage system is the canal, which can help push water along routes to the Chao Phraya River. In this regard, the efficiency of the canal must be boosted rather than only focusing on tunnel projects. (Bangkok Post)

Households, businesses to pay more for electricity from September as FT rate raised

Thailand’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has decided to raise the FT (fuel tariff) for electricity for September through December by 68.66 satang per unit, which will bring the average rate for electricity to 4.72 baht per unit, to help ease the financial burden on the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).

The ERC Office said in its Facebook post yesterday (Monday) that EGAT has shouldered the burden of increased production costs on behalf of consumers to the tune of about 83 billion baht.

It explained that the increase in the FT rate since last year is attributable to the increased dependence on liquefied natural gas (LNG), purchased in the spot market, to substitute for the supply of natural gas from the Gulf of Thailand and gas fields in Myanmar, which are fast depleting.

The increase in the electricity rate due to the adjustment of the FT will affect all users, including about 22.5 million households.

According to the ERC Office, consumers who use less than 150 units of electricity per month actually use an average of 72 units. At the current electricity rate of 3.7 baht per unit, each household pays an average of 264 baht per month. With the new rate of 4.38 baht per unit, their electricity bill will increase to about 313 baht per month.

For consumers who use more than 150 units per month, average use per household per month is 332 units. Their current electricity bill is about 1,418 baht per month at the rate of 4.28 baht per unit. Their new electricity bill will increase to about 1,645 baht per month with the new electricity rate at 4.96 baht per unit. (Thai PBS World)