Prediction of threat to Bhumibol Dam triggers panic in Tak

[Mod]

Prediction of threat to Bhumibol Dam triggers panic in Tak

The Nation on Sunday January 1, 2012


A prediction that an earthquake will destroy the Bhumibol Dam in Tak's Sam Ngao district on New Year's Eve has created confusion and anxiety among the local people, especially those in the district and nearby areas.

Thongbai Khamsi, the 73-year-old father of the late Suthat Khamsi - known as Dekchai Plaboo - reminded people of his late son's prediction in an interview that was later broadcast on YouTube. The revelation spread widely and quickly among Internet users and caught the attention of the media.

Amid concerns about safety, some residents in Tak reportedly travelled to other provinces to celebrate the New Year. The rumour also badly affected tourism in the province. Locals in areas at risk of tsunami in Ranong's Kapoe district have also prepared for evacuation and are taking turns to monitor if any disasters occur during the New Year holidays as predicted by the late Dekchai Plaboo.

Songkhram Manassa, a member of the Tak Provincial Administrative Organisation, yesterday filed a complaint with the police to press charges against Thongbai as his warning had caused panic among the people, led to economic damage and affected tourism in the province.

The Tak Chamber of Commerce, the Tak chapter of the Federation of Thai Industries, and the Tourism Council in Tak yesterday told a press conference that they would also file a case against Thongbai.

In a bid to rebut the rumour, the Tak Countdown Festival was held right on the crest of the Bhumibol Dam. Authorities said the dam is strong and durable enough to withstand an earthquake of up to 7.5 magnitude.

Earlier, concerned agencies tried to allay the people's fears. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand issued a statement vouching for the dam's strength and earthquake-resistant design. The Department of Mineral Resources said the dam was not located on an active fault that could cause an earthquake. The National Disaster Warning Centre said scientists could not forecast when an earthquake would occur.

According to Thongbai, Dekchai Plaboo had predicted that there would be quakes in many parts of the world, including in Thailand and Burma, from 10pm until midnight of December 31, killing many people.

Thongbai claimed that his son, who died at the age of 5, had predicted many tragedies accurately before his death 37 years ago. Thongbai said his son had said at that time that aeroplanes would crash into buildings in the next 27 years (2001 in New York), giant waves would kill lots of people in the next 30 years (2004 tsunami) and a huge earthquake would occur in a foreign country in the next 35 years (2009).

He said Dekchai Plaboo was one of five children.