Floods threaten route to South
As floodwaters continue to threaten Rama 2, work to open an alternative route to the South continues despite complaints that the operation is impossible and a waste of money.
As floodwaters continue to threaten Rama 2, work to open an alternative route to the South continues despite complaints that the operation is impossible and a waste of money.
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A group of boys play in floodwaters on Bang Khunthian Road, very near the main highway route to the South PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
The big-bag conflict is in the news again today, but since we have been reading about it for several days you should be able to read the story without any help. You can find it here: http://bit.ly/uEqZOy
Meanwhile, we will look at an equally important story, the possible disruption of travel to the country’s South.
Click button to listen to Highway 340 and rightclick to download
South route rescue mission under fire
Amornrat Mahitthirook,
Manop Thip-Osod
Wassana Nanuam
The Transport Ministry is insisting on pressing ahead with reopening the flood-hit Highway 340 to provide a detour to the South though many say it should focus on saving Rama II Road.
Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat said the opening of Highway 340's Bang Bua Thong to Suphan Buri route and a section of Kanchanaphisek Road was due to be completed tomorrow. The work is now 80% complete.
The government hopes to reopen the highway as an alternative route to the South in the event that the key route, Rama II Road, becomes impassable.
ACM Sukumpol insisted the salvage operation would have very little effect on nearby communities as only inundated sections, not the entire highway, were being drained.
National police chief Priewpan Damapong on Sunday urged the Transport Ministry to focus on protecting Rama II Road as the operation to reopen Highway 340 looks impossible.
A boy rides a bike modified with floats for the city’s floods along Rama II Soi 69. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat Thepthai Senpong yesterday said trying to salvage the flooded section of Highway 340 was a waste of money.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the government must come up with a clear policy on how to solve the problem if Rama II Road is forced to close.
But a source at the Transport Ministry said building a floodwall along Rama II Road would only add to the suffering of residents in flooded communities along the road.
Hundreds of residents in Bang Khunthian district yesterday morning blocked Rama II Road in protest after the floodwater rose to nearly a metre deep in their communities in sois 88 and 92.
They called for the district office to quickly drain the water into canals. The residents ended their protest after the BMA agreed to their demand for more pumps to drive water from the area.
Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday led senior military officers to inspect the flooding at Soi 69 on Rama II Road. He urged all sides to stop pointing the finger of blame at one another for the flood crisis.
route – the roads used to go from one place to another เส้นทาง
rescue – salvage; to save something from being lost completely, in this case, a way to get to the South กอบกู้
mission – an important piece of work that a person or a group of people has been given to do ภาระกิจ หน้าที่
insist – to say very firmly that something must happen or must be done ยืนกราน
press ahead – to continue as planned despite difficulties ดำเนินการ
detour – a road or route that is used when the usual one is closed เส้นทางอ้อม
section – any of the parts into which something is divided ส่วน, ส่วนที่ตัดออก, ส่วนย่อย
alternative – something that you can choose instead of something else ทางเลือก
in the event – if; if something happens ถ้ามีบางสิ่งเกิดขึ้น
key – very important ที่สำคัญ
impassable – of a road or path that cannot be travelled on because it is blocked or because of bad weather conditions ซึ่งผ่านไปไม่ได้
community – the people living in one particular area ชุมชน
inundated – flooded ถูกน้ำท่วม, จมลงใต้น้ำ
drain – to get rid of the water in an area of land ระบายออก
urge – to advise someone very strongly about what action or attitude they should take ผลักดัน, กระตุ้น
focus – to give attention, effort, etc. to one particular subject, situation or person rather than another เพ่งความสนใจ
operation – a planned activity involving a lot of people การปฏิบัติการ
modify – to change something slightly, especially in order to improve it or use it in different way ดัดแปลง, เปลี่ยนแปลง
float – an object that floats in the water สิ่งที่ลอยได้ เช่น แพ
policy – a set of plans or action agreed on by a government, political party, business, or other group นโยบาย
source – someone who gives information แหล่งข่าว
suffering – physical or mental pain or problems ความทุกข์ทรมาน
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
block – to stop someone/ something from moving through or along something else ปิดกั้น, กีดขวาง
protest – a strong complaint or disagreement การประท้วง
demand – a very firm request for something ข้อเรียกร้อง, การเรียกร้อง
senior – with a high rank or position อาวุโส
inspect – to look at something carefully ตรวจสอบ
crisis – a situation that has reached and extremely difficult or dangerous point ช่วงวิกฤต
