THAILAND FLOODS 2011 : CAUSES AND FUTURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

During July-November 2011, Central Plain of Thailand suffered from the serious flooding started from July in the northern area and the flood went downward to middle area and near Bangkok area in September and October. It was the first time that flood water reached the inner city of Bangkok and caused flash flood to many main industrial estates in the suburb of Bangkok. The damages of this flooding was estimated to be more than ten times of the previous major past flooding especially to the industrial sector and in the ranking number four of disaster damage in the world. The floods also induced huge impacts to the world’s insurance and hard disk industries. Hydrological data were collected and analysed to investigate the flow peak and volume compared with the past flood events and regulating rules. The investigation on flooding causes were also conducted via interviews, field visit and data collection. During the floods, flood reporting system via social network was developed to response to the need of community on flood situation and it was found to be useful to convey the real time flood information apart from general mass public channels. Via these information channels, lessons learned from flood operation were summarized. Besides, the Government had set up a strategic committee and working teams to review and draft the long and short term flood prevention measures which included future flood management system. The study summarized the hydrological analysis and the causes of flooding. The developed flood reporting system was introduced and based on these information the lessons learned from flood fighting and the review of the Government’s measures and the flood management system were conducted and commented