CHIANG MAI NIGHT BAZAAR/NORTHERN FLOODS
Vendors pan early warning system
Officers carry relief supplies donated by the royal family that will be distributed to flood victims in the North.
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Business operators worry tourists will be frightened, say their market is not prone to flash-flooding or mudslides
The government's plan to install an early warning system at Chiang Mai Night Bazaar has raised eyebrows among local business operators and academics. "We want clarification about what types of early warning system they want to install, or else tourists would misunderstand that the Night Bazaar is a risky area," said Sittichai Techajongjittana, the managing director of Night Bazaar - one of the leading tourist attractions in Chiang Mai. "It's clear that the Bazaar is not at risk of flash floods or landslides. We can detect the flood risk by just looking at the water level in the Ping River," Sittichai said. He added that if the water level in the Ping River was monitored properly, warnings could be sent to business operators at least seven hours in advance. "That gives us plenty of time to use sandbags and prevent floodwater from damaging our business places," he said. Last year, floods ravaged the Night Bazaar three times, causing damage to property of more than Bt100 million and Bt1 million per day in lost business. However, Sittichai said his centre was now more prepared having stocked sandbags. "If the river overflows, we can use them right away," he said. Dr Duangjan Arpawatcharut, who heads the Urban Development Institute Foundation, said she opposed the plan to install a warning system in the Night Bazaar. "The authorities should realise that there's no single solution to all areas. The early warning system is appropriate for villages close to mountains, not the Night Bazaar," she said. Meanwhile, National Disaster Warning Centre chairman Smith Thammasaroj said the warning system will be installed in Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar today. He added the same system had already been installed at many spots in the South and Northeast. "The system is useful and highly accurate," he said. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry was planning to seek Bt288 million from the Cabinet to install early warning systems at 2,300 potentially dangerous spots around the country. "But the budget request will be put before a screening committee for the Cabinet first," Suwat said. He admitted that the decision to put the budget request before the committee came after he discussed the issue with Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
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