PM inspects Bangkok’s flood prevention works

BANGKOK, May 30 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday inspects Bangkok’s flood prevention works after heavy downpours in the past days causing floods and severe traffic problems. Gen Prayut, during his trip to a sluice gate in Phra Khanong area, urged the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to integrate all units to tackle the problems. He instructed Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang to focus on low-lying areas and effectively drain floodwater. The premier called on the city, district offices and traffic police to closely cooperate and alleviate traffic jams caused by flooding due to the heavy rains. Many parts of Bangkok such as Ladprao and Lasalle-Bearing have been paralyzed during heavy rains in the past week. Bangkok governor Aswin has apologized to the public. "I apologize for the bad consequences that people have suffered from the floods with no excuses. I've tried my best to manage the problem," he said. The Governor admitted that the city's poor drainage system had a capacity to drain only 60 mm per hour of rainfalls. Last Wednesday, some parts of the capital have recorded an amount of rainfall of 169 mm per hour, which was the peak in about 20 years.(TNA)