After the floods; so clean!

[pong]

From here in BKK; last week I went to 3 areas that were seriously flooded-up to 1m50, for some weeks, like Pinklao (west of river), LardPrao/Tachda and Sapan Mai.

It was amazing to see how CLEAN it was there-nothing of the usual rubbish that litters in BKks streets. The only thing to still be seen was here and there some brown marks till how high the water had come on some buildings. All those panicking newspapers about disease breaking out and all that garbage are not true. I have since heard that the BMA has an efficient post-flood plan and comes in with a host of clean-up and trucks to take the rubbish out. But when then the people come back and start cleaning out their houses-many throw out all damaged furniture and that makes heaps to carry off.

In Sapan Mai-just mainly dry since 3 days then, on some parts it was still very slippery due to the sands and mud left behind. In the tescoLotus there the groundfloor shops, incl McDon, looked ravaged, all floortiles were broken up and there still was some stench. The Tesco itself + foodcourt is on 2nd (1st for EUR) floor and hence not hit.

Also interesting what I learnt about those low walls that so many have built for protection in front of shophouses; Useless! When the floods came, they tipically came first underground-via the drains and sewers-thus leaving the ugly mess locked up in your house!

Meanwhile the army was still busy providing free shuttles on lowly flooded roads into housing estates and also now seen many armytrucks to take away the now useless sandbags. Though the airforce is prominent in Sapan Mai=just behind DonMuang-nothing to be seen of them.

Meanwhile in the temple nearby here are still donated goods ''from the Buddist in Malaysia'': containerloads of Malay drinking water and several boats. It seems more important to show how generous the believers are as to actually distribute those thinbgs. Followed up buy another containerload of ITALIAN aqua minerale-FRizzante (sparkling)-which will also help a lot to those still in the floods. And a real rubber blow-up rescue boat also from there. Maybe also pious buddists or Thai massagegirls struck by a good heart overthere.

[Guest fountainhall]

I am surprised that it seems to be taking the bigger supermarkets like TOPS longer to get their water distribution problems solved than smaller stores like 7-11. In the last week, TOPS in Silom Complex has only twice had Singha water, whereas TOPS in Central Chidlom only stocked it once. Yet 7-11s in the area seem to have a plentiful supply of half bottles. I guess the larger stores are more interested in getting the premium priced waters on to the shelves first!

[pong]

the bigger chains have to deal with their distribution centres-thats why Tesco is hit so hard. If these are flooded or in areas with many roads inaccessible, then you loose. The 7s mostly get provided by the original factories or middlemen-they get a constant stream of small vans, whereas a Tops or Tesco gets 3-4 /day delivered by their own large trucks with assorted things in.

Re original topic: it really is BKK only. Yesterday went into Nonthburi-as soon as the signs welcome you to the numerous attractions there, the rubbish starts. Along the Kanchanapisek=western Ring Rd, most of the trees and bushes, many dead now, along the LA-style freeway were hung with all possible kinds of rubbish, empty bags etc. and here and there those heaps of thrown away things from houses the newspprs tell you about. Vague stench still too. Even if you walk often remaining stagnant pools of stinky foul water and slippery mud. Perhaps thats the difference between FROC and BMW-remember how soon the BMA got the waters pumped out in many areas?

[Guest fountainhall]

I am surprised that it seems to be taking the bigger supermarkets like TOPS longer to get their water distribution problems solved than smaller stores

 

I wrote that 3 months ago. In many stores the local water supply problems have been resolved for some time. In Central Chidlom this afternoon, however, I did notice a sign saying that supplies of Pepsi are still suffering from flood-related problems at their local bottling plants.

 

I noted also that there is still a shortage of quite a lot of items. Nothing like it was three months ago of course, but still obvious. And it's not just overseas items either. Several types of local clothes washing and conditioner liquids, toilet paper and tissues, for example, are still not back on the shelves.