****NHK****

Bangkok ready for more flooding during spring tide

Thailand's capital, Bangkok, is bracing for more flooding when the spring tide reaches its peak on Saturday. The military is standing by to minimize damage caused by water spilling out of the Chao Phraya River, which flows through the middle of the city.

The spring tide began on Friday. Water from the Chao Phraya River flowed over a 2.5-meter barrier. The water level is expected to peak on Saturday at 9 AM and 6:30 PM local time. Troops are monitoring the water level and getting ready to add layers to sandbag barriers.

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong told ambassadors at a hastily organized meeting in Bangkok on Friday that the government is fully addressing the problem. He told reporters that he realizes the government must never allow such flooding again.

Saturday, October 29, 2011 05:46 +0900 (JST)