No holiday extension

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra confirmed that the government would not extend the special holiday as Bangkok’s floods will rise no more than one metre high.

After the special cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced that the special holiday would not be extended, however, she urged private sector and government sector to allow their employees affected by floods to take leave to deal with their problems.

Initially, the flooding situation has not gone beyond the estimation, yet, it needs to be further estimated for another 1-2 days. If the embankments are well protected from damages, the water level will be stable and gradually subside. Bangkok’s inner city is unlikely to be affected by floods, as a result. Moreover, the volume of the northern runoff is not massive due to the dam and canal systems which help speed up the water release process and control the flood level in Bangkok to remain within one metre deep. Nevertheless, the flood-risk areas along the enbankments still need to declared despite the fact that the water level is not dangerous.

As for the donation items in Don Mueang Airport which are reported floating and missing with the flood, the Prime Minister claimed that she has not be informed about this before, moreover, she denied of locking up the donation items in the airport, confirming that they have already been distributed to various locations. In addition, the donation money has been spent on buying more relief bags and boats to provide assistances to the flood victims. Meanwhile, Pol. Lt. Gen. Pongsapat Pongcharoen is assigned to take charge of supplying water, electricity and food to the flood victims who insist on staying at Don Mueang Airport.