Saturday Night Rains Worsen Flooding In Many Parts Of Bangkok
BY LINE : THE NATION
SUN, SEPTEMBER 11, 2022
Heavy Rain On Saturday Night Aggravated The Flooding Crisis In Many Parts Of Bangkok, And Even Left The Basement Carpark Of A Condominium In Bang Khen District Under A Sea Of Water.
Bang Khen, Sai Mai and Don Muang districts were among the areas worst hit on Saturday night.
At 2.20am on Sunday, Ekkapop Luangprasert, founder of the “Sai Mai Tong Rod” (Sai Mai must survive) Facebook page went live on the platform to show how a basement carpark in a condominium on Theparak Road had been flooded, leaving many cars under water.
Ekkapop and other volunteers helped the condominium staff create an embankment and pump water out. The management said the condo had never been hit by such severe flooding before.
Meanwhile, residents of Pattanakarn Sois 65 and 69 said their communities were heavily flooded on Saturday night, with many complaining that water had entered their homes in the early hours of Sunday.
A resident in Soi Pattanakarn 65 Ext 15 said the water level continued rising even after rains stopped around 11pm. By 2am the resident’s ground floor was filled with water, which rose even higher an hour later. The area is close to a Klong Prawet canal tributary that had swollen and burst its banks.
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast that heavy rain will continue hitting about 80 per cent of Bangkok due to the influence of a monsoon ridge passing over the North, upper Central and Northeast.
Flood Warning In Bangkok As 3 Canals Reach Critical Level
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
The City Administration Has Issued A Flood Warning For Residents Living Along Three Bangkok Canals Where Water Has Reached Critical Levels.
The Drainage and Sewerage Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) posted the warning on its website on Saturday.
A message labelled “flash news” urged Bangkok residents along Prem Prachakon, Lat Phrao and Prawet Burirom canals to be on alert for flash floods.
Many areas of the city have flooded over the past week following heavy downpours that continued for hours.
The BMA reported a “worrying situation” as water levels in the city’s canals continued to rise following the torrential rain.
City officials manning key floodgates across the city are reportedly struggling to move the water downstream into the sea.
At least three floodgates in the city — Klong Song, Saen Saeb, and Lat Krabang — reported water volume at “critical levels” on Saturday morning.
Heavy rain hit Bangkok again on Saturday, with Min Buri district hammered by 100.5mm per hour, Bang Khen by 64mm, Nong Chok by 45.5mm, and Saphan Sung by 42.5mm per hour.
Satun Sisters Offer To Sell 7.5kg Lump Of Precious ‘Whale Vomit’
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
Two Sisters In The Southern Province Of Satun Have Offered To Sell A Large Lump Of What They Claim To Be Ambergris, Or “Whale Vomit”, A Sought-After Ingredient In The Perfume Trade.
They could earn up to 10.8 million baht if the 7.5-kilogram chunk of grey-coloured substance proves to be ambergris, also known as whale gold.
The substance, which is regurgitated by sperm whales, sells for up to $40,000 (1.4 million baht) per kilo.
Twin sisters Anyanee and Sukanya Chanamanee, 35, told reporters at their house in Satun’s Muang district on Saturday that they intended to sell the chunk if it proves to be ambergris. They also asked for help to prove its authenticity.
Anyanee said that any money earned from its sale would help improve the life of her family.
She added that her husband and son spotted the lump while they were fishing off the province’s coast in strong winds and high waves. The men hauled it aboard and sent photos of the object to relatives, who suggested it could be valuable “whale gold”.
“We hope this is a precious object that will change our lives for the better. We have always lived in hardship,” Anyanee said.
If the piece was found to be high-grade ambergris, the money earned from selling it would be spent on repairing her family’s fishing boat and buying new fishing tools, she added.
The family invited prospective buyers to contact her by phone at 082 370 7028. She will also allow samples of the lump to be tested for genuineness.
Ambergris is produced by sperm whales that eat large quantities of cephalopods such as squid and cuttlefish. Indigestible parts of these creatures such as beaks and pens bind together in the whale’s intestines, slowly becoming a solid mass that grows inside the huge sea mammal over many years.
The whale then vomits out the mass, which solidifies and floats on the surface of the ocean. It has a foul smell at first but develops a sweet and long-lasting fragrance after drying out, making it highly valued by perfume makers as a fixative that allows scents to endure.
King, Queen Mother Send Condolences To Charles III On Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II
BY LINE : THE NATION
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn On Saturday Sent A Message Of Condolence To The UK’s King Charles III On The Death Of His Mother, Queen Elizabeth II On Thursday.
The message reads: “Queen Suthida and I as well as all members of our Family are profoundly saddened by the announcement of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The people of Thailand join the people of the United Kingdom in mourning the great loss of the beloved Monarch and in remembrance of Her Majesty’s glorious and enduring legacies as a constitutional monarch totally dedicated to her subjects.
“We also remember with pride and warmth the two State Visits Her Majesty made in 1972 and 1996. Our condolences, our hearts and prayers are with Your Majesty, all members of the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom in this time of mourning and grief.”
HM Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother also sent a message of condolence to Charles III, which reads: “May I say how deeply saddened I am by the demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I count myself fortunate to have met and observed Her Majesty at work on many an occasion, from the first State Visit made by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, my late husband, in 1960 when I accompanied him to the United Kingdom, and then, on to the State Visits made by Her Majesty to Thailand in 1972 and 1996.
“I could not but be greatly impressed by her statecraft and graciousness. Throughout, I was moved by her genuine care and concern for the plight of the underprivileged and the needy. Meeting Her Majesty was always a truly enriching experience.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I offer to Your Majesty, to all members of the Royal Family, my heartfelt sympathy and condolences for this great loss.”
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign – the longest of any British monarch – ended with her death at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday afternoon (early hours of Friday Thai time). She became queen on February 6, 1952 and celebrated her platinum jubilee on June 2 this year. She died aged 96 after reigning for 70 years and 214 days.
The Thai Cabinet Secretariat instructed government agencies and state enterprises to fly flags at half-mast on Friday and on Monday and Tuesday next week to mark Queen Elizabeth’s passing.
‘You’ve Done Us Proud’: Bangkok Brits Pen Tributes To Late Queen
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
People Began Filing Into The British Embassy In Bangkok On Saturday To Sign A Book Of Condolence Opened To Mark The Death Of Queen Elizabeth II.
British nationals, foreign diplomats and representatives of international organisations gathered at the UK mission on the 12th floor of the AIA Sathon Tower to write their messages.
Many placed white flowers before a picture of the late monarch in expressions of respect.
The UK Embassy will be open to mourners for four days – Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday – from 9am to noon. Messages of condolence can be left at the embassy or online at https://www.royal.uk/.
Well-known British travel blogger Richard Barrow, who lives in Samut Prakan province, was among those who penned a message in the embassy condolence book on Saturday. In a Facebook post, he said he wrote: “You’ve done us proud for many years. Now it’s time for you to rest after a job well done.”
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on Thursday afternoon (early hours of Friday in Thailand). She was 96.
Her passing came just two days after she undertook her final constitutional duty by appointing Liz Truss as the 15th prime minister of her 70-year reign.
Covid-19 In Thailand Now Becoming Endemic Like Swine Flu, Says Yong
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
Thailand’s Top Virologist Says Covid-19’S Outbreak Pattern Is Now Similar To That Of Swine Flu In 2009, Indicating That The Disease Is Becoming Endemic.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, Dr Yong Poovorawan wrote that the influenza A (H1N1) pandemic of 2009 saw cases in Thailand peak from July to August before falling from September to December.
“There was another outbreak wave, but it was not as severe as the first one in the rainy season, which coincided with the first school semester. During the school break, the number of new cases declined,” Yong said.
“Another outbreak occurred in the second semester, around January, followed by a decline in December. The flu came back in the next rainy season,” said Yong, who heads the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University.
He concluded that Covid-19 will now follow the same outbreak pattern as H1N1 influenza after 2009.
“The school break will start around the middle of this month. New cases will start declining until the year-end. A new outbreak will take place again in the cool season,” he forecast.
Thailand recorded 1,106 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, with 17 deaths.
In 2009, H1N1 influenza was first reported in Mexico and the United States before sweeping the globe with unprecedented speed as a result of airline travel.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its pandemic level to the highest Phase 6 in June of that year, indicating widespread community transmission on at least two continents. However, the pandemic was declared over by the WHO in August 2010.
Bangkok Rice Farmer Furious With BMA For ‘Flooding’ His Field
BY LINE : THE NATION
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
A Farmer In Bangkok’s Nong Chok District Posted A Video Clip Attacking The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) For Allegedly Releasing Water Into His Rice Fields.
Dacha Nutalai, vice president of the Thai Agriculturist Association, made the video clip on Friday from his rice field where the water had reached his waist.
He said Nong Chok had been hit with heavy rain but accused the BMA of making things worst by releasing water into his farm, especially when his crop was getting ready for harvest.
Dacha said this situation is worse than it was during the big floods of 2011 and called on the BMA to come up with a better solution as he could not harvest his rice.
Meanwhile, according to the weather forecast on Saturday morning, rain clouds are moving towards the Northeast from Bangkok’s Klong Sam Wa, Min Buri and Nong Chok districts.
Acting Prime Minister Expresses Condolence On The Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
Deputy Prime Minister And Acting Prime Minister, President Of The National Assembly And Speaker Of The House Of Representatives, Deputy Prime Minister And Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Minister Of Defence, And Former Prime Minister Signed A Book Of Condolence On The Passing Of Queen Elizabeth II At The Residence Of The Ambassador Of The United Kingdom To Thailand.
On Friday (September 9), General Prawit Wongsuwon, Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister; Chuan Leekpai, President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives; Don Pramudwinai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs; General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Minister of Defence; and Abhisit Vejjajiva, former Prime Minister of Thailand, signed a book of condolence at the Residence of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Thailand (Mark Gooding) on the occasion of the passing of the late Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 in the afternoon of September 8, 2022 (local time in the UK).
The Secretariat of the Cabinet has instructed government agencies and state enterprises all over the Kingdom of Thailand to fly flags at half-mast on September 9 and 12-13, 2022, a total of three working days.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952 and Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee was jubilantly celebrated on June 2, 2022 to mark her remarkable 70 years of reign. Her Majesty The Queen visited the Kingdom of Thailand twice as a Royal Guest of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother in 1972 and 1996.
Pakkred-Sathorn Boats To Sport Green-Yellow Flags From Monday
BY LINE : THE NATION
SAT, SEPTEMBER 10, 2022
From Monday, All Chao Phraya Express Boats On The Pakkred-Sathorn Route Will Sport Flags That Are Green And Yellow Instead Of Just Green To Prevent Confusion Among Commuters.
The company, Chao Phraya Express Boat Ltd, announced on Friday that the change is because boats sporting green flags share some stops with yellow-flag boats that run the shorter route from Nonthaburi to Sathorn. This confuses commuters wanting to travel between Nonthaburi and Sathorn.
“Hence, the company has decided to add both colours to the flag to let passengers know that they can use either boat if they want to travel from Nonthaburi to Sathorn,” said Charoenporn Charoentham, the company’s managing director.
He added that from Monday, the company will add extra boats that will depart from Phra Nang Klao Pier every morning at 7am, arrive at Nonthaburi pier at 7.12am and at Sathorn pier by 8.02am. These extra boats, which will accommodate more commuters during rush hour, will only be available on weekdays.
The company also said that boats are having to go slower than usual due to Chao Phraya’s rising water level and commuters should take that into account when travelling.
A resident in Soi Pattanakarn 65 Ext 15 said the water level continued rising even after rains stopped around 11pm. By 2am the resident’s ground floor was filled with water, which rose even higher an hour later. The area is close to a Klong Prawet canal tributary that had swollen and burst its banks.
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