Angry residents breach barriers

A confrontation between about 200 angry protesters and Air Force military police continued for a while before they agreed to stop demolishing the barrier and later dispersed. The breaching caused flood waters to rise on a Phaholyothin Road section south of the site.
The residents came from Annex and Garden Home housing estates, which have been flooded after the big-bag barrier was laid. Repair of the breached section will begin soon. Police have been deployed to man the site against possible breaching in the future.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has asked the Air Force to keep guarding the barrier, which is located in the Air Force jurisdiction. He said later that only the top layer of the barrier was removed for a four-metre distance, before both sides stopped for talks and the residents later agreed to stop dismantling it.
Asked about the many rallies or protests by angry villagers, reportedly encouraged by national and local politicians, Sukhumbhand said he, as an MP, would like to call on fellow lawmakers to strictly respect the law, while encouraging their constituents to do the same.
Another group of residents from Pathum Thani gathered at another big-bag barrier section to demand it be demolished. They later dispersed after the city administration and Royal Irrigation Department officials promised to drain water more quickly and build a temporary watergate at nearby areas instead of sealing this section permanently.
A group of residents in the Rangsit area of northern Bangkok on Tuesday confronted authorities and demanded an immediate solution to drain water away from their homes. They agreed to leave after a similar promise was given. Many Nonthaburi residents are soliciting support and calling for more protesters through a Facebook page. They plan a rally tomorrow outside the city hall to deliver a similar demand.
Flood water on Songprapha Road connecting to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road has reduced by another 30cm to the 60cm level.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is trying to resume its normal collection of 8,700 tonnes of garbage, which has been reduced sharply during the floods. Collection has now increased to 7,000 tonnes as flood waters are starting to recede in many areas, Sukhumbhand said.
He apologised to residents living in sois for the stagnant flood waters in their homes while drainage is currently focused on drying main roads in the meantime.