Nakhon Pathom factories threatened as residents destroy floodwalls

At 10.30am yesterday, around 100 residents of Nakhon Chaisri’s Moo 3 destroyed an earthen embankment built to protect the neighbouring Tambon Khun Kaew where a Dutch Mill factory, a cooking oil factory and a bank are located. The protesters claimed the embankment caused 1.5m-deep floods at Phermwittaya School, where Moo 3 evacuees have been staying. The protesters managed to destroy the embankment and drove workers and backhoe excavators out of the area. The evacuees at the school complained of shortages of drinking water and food, and said their tambon administrative organisation was unable to help as it had completed its term, with fresh elections scheduled for Sunday.
In Sam Phran district, floodwalls built to protect some 2,000 food-processing factories in the economic area comprising Tambon Om Yai, Om Noi, Rai Khing and Krathum Lom were at the centre of clashes between guards and some 200 residents of Don Wai Floating Market and Tambon Bang Rateuk. The protesters breached the embankment, which they claimed had caused 1.5-metre-deep floodwaters at the floating market and Tambon Bang Rateuk. The economic area is forecast to be submerged in two to three days.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Nakhon Pathom’s Buddhamondhol sub-district became critical yesterday, with many communities under one metre of water and many roads now impassable. Buddhamondhol district chief Parinya Phothisat said officials had evacuated 80 per cent of flood-affected residents to shelters while 20 per cent remained in their flooded communities.
With floodwaters continuing to flow from the district along Phetchkasem Road and Buddhamondhol 5 Road behind Don Wai Floating Market, Nakhon Pathom Disaster Prevention and Mitigation official Pongsathorn Sirisakhon yesterday urged residents at risk to move their belongings to higher ground immediately. Already experiencing 1-metre-deep floodwaters, Buddhamondhon locals were told to brace for another large volume of run-off from Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani.
Nakhon Pathom, where 43,935 rai of land is submerged, is having to cope with 51.15 million cubic metres of water pouring in per day, with drainage being made difficult by high tides in the Gulf of Thailand.