Sukhumbhand finds predictions of capital flooding 'inconceivable'
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In a move to play down the government's nightmare scenario for the capital and ease panic, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra met with 500 business leaders yesterday to tell them that it was "inconceivable" that all of Bangkok would be inundated an
“I respect the government’s assessment but as the administrator [of Bangkok] I cannot accept it,” Sukhumbhand said. “I will limit the flood area as much as I can. Don’t lose heart. I don’t think the flooding will be severe in all parts of Bangkok. Do not panic. We are monitoring the situation and our work is second to none.
“At this stage, there is no indication that all districts in Bangkok will be flooded heavily,” he said, referring to predictions from both the government and experts saying that many parts of the capital will be under at least a metre of water.
Sukhumbhand jokingly said that water was unpredictable, like a “lady”.
“Sometimes water just disappears, but then it can also reappear. I’m not trying to be provocative, but only fortune-tellers can know for certain. Will the water reach central Bangkok? I don’t know.”
The governor added that the government would have to make a “strategic decision” on how to handle the run-off from the north, which is beyond the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s jurisdiction.
He later told reporters that he was worried about drainage pipes backing up into homes and in the streets.
Admitting that the volume of water on its way to Bangkok is “most unprecedented”, Sukhumbhand added that the capital had never been better equipped to deal with excessive flooding in its entire history.
He explained that Bangkok had 6,000 kilometres of drainage pipes, 158 pumping stations, 21 water catchments and more than 200 sluice gates. Plus, he said, there were seven giant water tunnels that are 5 metres in diameter and can drain up to 155 cubic metres of water per second.
However, he admitted that these measures were not enough if the situation became critical, especially over the weekend. He said ideally the flood barriers along Chao Phraya River should be raised by another 10 centimetres, but that would require another 10 million sandbags, which could not be obtained at this stage.
After Sukhumbhand left, some business leaders said they were not convinced.
Chai Srivikrom, president of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Asso-ciation and owner of Gaysorn Plaza luxury mall, said he had become even more worried after listening to Sukhumbhand’s speech.
He said many foreigners had asked him if it was safe to travel to Bangkok, but he was unable to answer.
“How long will the floods remain? Will we be under a metre of water for a month? How will people survive? Does the BMA have any system of distributing food, maintaining sanitation, looking after people’s health and safety?” Chai asked.
He added that one of his friends had to leave his home in Pathum Thani’s Muang Ake housing estate, only to find out later that his house was being occupied by strangers.
Another woman, who did not identify herself, sounded even more frustrated. “What if the worst-case scenario does take place? What happens if the BMA hasn’t prepared for the worst? Is your prediction based on old data?” she asked.
However, the audience had to leave the forum without getting any of these questions answered.
