Monks at risk as temples inundated
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The widespread flooding has affected 16,718 monks and novices at 1,588 temples.
Of the temples, 460 are in the North, 122 in the East, 164 in the Northeast and 842 in the Central region.
Nopparat Benjawattananun, director of the National Buddhism Office, yesterday instructed provincial Buddhism offices to look after the monks’ welfare and move those at risk to safer temples. They were also told to have police provide security at the flooded temples.
The Thai Sangha’s flood victims assistance centre is collecting relief items, such as dried food, clothes and medicine, for distribution in Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Angthong today.
Those interested in making donations can call Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University’s Wang Noi and Wat Mahathat campuses at (035) 248 000 and (02) 222 2835.
Boat owners urged to keep engines running
Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi yesterday urged boat owners on the Chao Phraya River to propel water into the sea faster before peak tides hit from October 17-18.
The vessels, with sterns pointed southwards, should be moored tightly and run their engines to push river water downstream within this 10-day period, he said. The idea is to increase the river’s capacity to carry the massive runoff from the North.
The government would reimburse gasoline expenses for cooperative boat owners, he said.
They should notify state offices or call him at (081) 496 6644 with their name, address, boat type and size so officials can plan the best positioning to effectively thrust water out into the ocean.
The government was also preparing measures to cope with four more storms expected to pass through soon, he added.
