Many Industrial Estates In Thailand Still Not Flood-Proof

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Many Industrial Estates In Thailand Still Not Flood-Proof

BANGKOK: -- Concern is mounting at many industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani, with construction of floodwalls around the compounds not yet completed ahead of the rainy season.

Local business operators and estate officials are preparing contingency plans for factories in case construction is not completed in time to protect against a repeat of heavy rains that brought last year's devastating floods.

Last year's flood crisis caused havoc at many industrial estates, particularly those in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani, many of which are still recovering from the disaster.

Veerapong Chaiperm, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), said construction of floodwalls at certain industrial estates such as Saha Ratna Nakorn, had been behind schedule for months. He said construction was unlikely to be completed by the due date of August 31.

"About 10 per cent of operators in the Saha Ratna Nakorn Industrial Estate are worried about possible flooding this year," Veerapong said.

He said those operators asked the IEAT to acquire land outside the industrial estate for possible relocation of their factories if necessary.

Prayoon Tingthong, Ayutthaya's chief industry official, blamed the delay in wall construction at Saha Ratna Nakorn on management problems.

He said the government provided Bt200 million to build concrete floodwalls around Saha Ratna Nakorn, adding that the IEAT would take over construction supervision if the estate's management were found to have no clear plans for flood prevention.

After the delay, many business operators inside the industrial estate had expressed fears about possible flooding again this year, said Prayoon. They have requested that the IEAT prepare for possible relocation of their factories to areas in Prachin Buri, Chon Buri and Chachoengsao.


Construction of floodwalls in five industrial estates in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani is 50-60 per cent completed, with all work expected to be completed on August 31, according to the official. He added that the Ministry of Industry remained confident there would be no problems involving the construction.

However, among those voicing concern was the operator of a small factory at the Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani.

"The factory operators all have a Plan B. We do not want to rely on the executives of the industrial estate," he said, adding that factory machines would be relocated if there were any signs of a flood in the area.

In Ayutthaya, construction of 99 kilometres of floodwalls surrounding the industrial estates of Bang Pa-in, Hi-Tech and Rojana is about 70-per-cent completed.

Only the Factory Land estate has seen completion of construction, said Prayoon.

The walls are about 50 centimetres higher than the highest levels reached by flood water last year.


The Nation 2012-07-11