Bangkok: entire areas submerged, evacuation of areas at risk continues
by Weena Kowitwanij
The floods have so far caused 370 deaths, also affected the national economy with growth estimates slashed. The airport of Don Muang flooded, some hospitals cleared. 27 districts affected by floods. The governor of the Bank of Thailand assures: banks will remain open.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - The mass exodus of Bangkok residents continues, while whole areas of the capital are under water. The combined effect of the floods caused by monsoon rains and the high tide of the ocean is likely to exacerbate an already critical situation. The floods have so far caused over 370 deaths and heavy losses are reported as well in the national economy, with forecasts of growth estimates for the fiscal year slashed. Meanwhile the governor of Bangkok Sukhumbhand Paribatra has ordered the evacuation of Thawi Wattthana, the fourth district affected by the mandatory order after Don Muang, Bang Phlat and Sai Mai.
The water has now spread to cover the entire Don Muang airport, which is used for internal connections. The airport has been closed for days and flights have been transferred to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which operates on a regular basis. The Civil Protection Department (Froch, located in Don Muang district) has moved to the National Stadium in downtown Bangkok. Currently there are 27 flooded districts in Bangkok several roads and link roads are impassable or unusable because submerged by water.
Several hospitals at risk in the capital have had to transfer patients to safer structures, to spare them from the floods. There are also reports of damage to an estimated 2794 temples, shrines and historic houses destroyed or damaged by seepage. The Ministry of Culture ordered the emplacement of sandbags around important monuments and is providing shelter and assistance to victims. The government has not ruled out extending the bank holidays - so far from 27 to 31 October - in order to better address the emergency.
The monsoon rains have also caused damage to the Thai national economy, which has had to revise growth estimates. The governor of the Bank of Thailand Prasan Triratworakul said that "banks will not close" to avoid "giving rise to panic" among people. He adds that the printing of money is "guaranteed", but the crisis begins to be felt in terms of the economy: GDP growth forecasts have in fact been lowered, passing from the initial 4.1% in early October to the current 2.6%.
by Weena Kowitwanij
The floods have so far caused 370 deaths, also affected the national economy with growth estimates slashed. The airport of Don Muang flooded, some hospitals cleared. 27 districts affected by floods. The governor of the Bank of Thailand assures: banks will remain open.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - The mass exodus of Bangkok residents continues, while whole areas of the capital are under water. The combined effect of the floods caused by monsoon rains and the high tide of the ocean is likely to exacerbate an already critical situation. The floods have so far caused over 370 deaths and heavy losses are reported as well in the national economy, with forecasts of growth estimates for the fiscal year slashed. Meanwhile the governor of Bangkok Sukhumbhand Paribatra has ordered the evacuation of Thawi Wattthana, the fourth district affected by the mandatory order after Don Muang, Bang Phlat and Sai Mai.The water has now spread to cover the entire Don Muang airport, which is used for internal connections. The airport has been closed for days and flights have been transferred to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, which operates on a regular basis. The Civil Protection Department (Froch, located in Don Muang district) has moved to the National Stadium in downtown Bangkok. Currently there are 27 flooded districts in Bangkok several roads and link roads are impassable or unusable because submerged by water.
Several hospitals at risk in the capital have had to transfer patients to safer structures, to spare them from the floods. There are also reports of damage to an estimated 2794 temples, shrines and historic houses destroyed or damaged by seepage. The Ministry of Culture ordered the emplacement of sandbags around important monuments and is providing shelter and assistance to victims. The government has not ruled out extending the bank holidays - so far from 27 to 31 October - in order to better address the emergency.
The monsoon rains have also caused damage to the Thai national economy, which has had to revise growth estimates. The governor of the Bank of Thailand Prasan Triratworakul said that "banks will not close" to avoid "giving rise to panic" among people. He adds that the printing of money is "guaranteed", but the crisis begins to be felt in terms of the economy: GDP growth forecasts have in fact been lowered, passing from the initial 4.1% in early October to the current 2.6%.
