Government dismisses reports on water discharges to Bangkok

BANGKOK, Oct 14 (TNA) -- The government denies the reports that the Bhumibol dam is discharging excess water to Bangkok and posing flooding risks, saying the information was from 2011. Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd has dismissed the reports went on viral in social media that water was being quickly discharged from the Bhumibol dam in Tak province through the Chao Phraya River, the Saen Saeb Canal and the Bang Pakong River to the sea and could cause flooding in Bangkok. The shared information had been posted on the toptenthailand website on Oct 13, 2011, and people should not share or forward it. Those who shared the information with an ill intention would face legal actions for inputting false information into computer systems, Lt Gen Sansern said. “People should receive information from government and reliable sources to prevent misunderstanding and panic due to false information,” the government spokesman said. According to him, the Royal Irrigation Department and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand have shopped discharging water from Bhumibol and Sirikit dams since Oct 5. The Bhumibol dam remains 30% empty and there is no need to discharge water from it for the time being. Meanwhile, water from the Chao Phraya dam is diverted systematically to water retention areas on both sides of the Chao Phraya River and its level rises by only five centimeters in Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong and Ayutthaya provinces. (TNA)