ID :
212188
Tue, 10/11/2011 - 11:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/212188
The shortlink copeid
FLOODS: THAILAND WILL NOT DECLARE STATE OF EMERGENCY
BANGKOK, Oct 11 (Bernama) -– Despite Thailand facing a critical flood situation, described as the worst in two decades, the government would not declare a state of emergency, Justice Minister Pol Gen Pracha Promnok said on Tuesday.
Pracha, who is also Flood Centre director, said there was no need for the government to do so as proposed by the opposition because the situation was manageable.
The Cabinet made the decision during its weekly meeting, held this time at the Don Mueang Airport here, he said after attending the Cabinet meeting. The airport has been designated as the Flood Relief Centre.
Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa said the Cabinet decided not to declare a state of emergency as it did not want to cause unnecessary panic among foreign tourists.
He said, currently, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport registered about 40,000 tourist arrivals daily -- despite the flood situation in the country.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former prime minister, had proposed that an emergency decree be declared in some flooded areas to facilitate flood management and evacuation.
As the capital braced to face floodwaters run off from the north and central regions, Pracha today gave an assurance that the Suvarnabhumi International Airport would not be affected as it was located on a higher ground.
He said three surrounding districts -– Minburi, Nongjok and Ladkrabang -- might be flooded but not the airport.
The flood situation in the country remains critical as about 40 per cent of the country is still inundated, with the death toll reaching 269.
The central bank has estimated economic damage at 60 billion Baht (about RM6 billion).
Some 2.3 million people from more than 10,000 villages in 30 provinces in the north and central regions have been affected by the floods which hit the country in stages, since last July, before reaching the critical level.
-- BERNAMA
Pracha, who is also Flood Centre director, said there was no need for the government to do so as proposed by the opposition because the situation was manageable.
The Cabinet made the decision during its weekly meeting, held this time at the Don Mueang Airport here, he said after attending the Cabinet meeting. The airport has been designated as the Flood Relief Centre.
Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-archa said the Cabinet decided not to declare a state of emergency as it did not want to cause unnecessary panic among foreign tourists.
He said, currently, the Suvarnabhumi International Airport registered about 40,000 tourist arrivals daily -- despite the flood situation in the country.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former prime minister, had proposed that an emergency decree be declared in some flooded areas to facilitate flood management and evacuation.
As the capital braced to face floodwaters run off from the north and central regions, Pracha today gave an assurance that the Suvarnabhumi International Airport would not be affected as it was located on a higher ground.
He said three surrounding districts -– Minburi, Nongjok and Ladkrabang -- might be flooded but not the airport.
The flood situation in the country remains critical as about 40 per cent of the country is still inundated, with the death toll reaching 269.
The central bank has estimated economic damage at 60 billion Baht (about RM6 billion).
Some 2.3 million people from more than 10,000 villages in 30 provinces in the north and central regions have been affected by the floods which hit the country in stages, since last July, before reaching the critical level.
-- BERNAMA
