Thai prime minister forced to flood parts of capital
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Friday urged residents of Bangkok to move their belongings to higher ground as the government worked to spare the capital city.
Government workers have been fighting for days to contain flooding from overwhelming the national capital, constructing barriers from sandbags, reinforcing levees and widening canals, but building pressure on dams and levees represents a major threat to the city.
The government has been forced to open floodgates, which will see floodwaters pour into the capital. The plan is to allow floodwaters to pass through the capital along its canals, toward the open sea.
The government had hoped that building flood barriers would keep populated areas of the city safe, but now, as the worst floodwaters in 50 years bear down on the city, there are concerns major flooding will ensue.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said officials Friday were considering which parts of the city to let the floodwaters flow through, she said the decision would be made based on the minimum predicted impact on the populace.
The Thai army has been mobilised and 100 boats have been made ready in case of extensive flooding, such as that seen in northern cities.
Thai authorities on Thursday said they were confident that the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport, would withstand any flooding. The airport is protected by a 3.5 metre-high flood barrier.
Flooding of the airport would have a major impact on the already strained Thai economy, which derives substantial revenue from international tourism. The industry is also a major source of foreign reserves for the nation.
The flood crisis affecting much of Thailand is a major test for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is Thailand first female prime minister and also one of the youngest.
Some 320 people have already been killed by the flooding, while a further 9 million have been impacted and according to official estimates from the financial ministry, the cost to the economy has topped US $2 billion.
The Thai Finance Ministry has also said that the work of rebuilding and re-homing those displaced will put a significant strain on government finances.
Source: Thailand News.Net
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