Dredging of canals and sewers to be completed by May : governor

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said on Monday that the dredging of canals and sewers in the capital would be done before the rainy season starts in May.

He said he had instructed the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Drainage and Sewerage Department to speed up the dredging and have it completed before May.

Sukhumbhand was speaking to reporters after a meeting with senior BMA officials.

During the meeting, the Drainage and Sewerage Department reported on its plan for dredging canals and sewers in the capital to cope with possible floodwaters from upstream provinces, Sukhumbhand said.

He said the department initially expected that dredging would be undertaken in June, July or August but that he had instructed the department to speed up the works.

The department was also instructed to coordinate with the Army.

Asked to comment on speculation by a Pheu Thai MP that he would resign before the end of his term in January next year, the governor, a member of the opposition Democrat Party, said if he decided to do so, reporters would be informed first, not a Pheu Thai MP.

The governor added that the payment of compensation to flood victims in 30 Bangkok districts was now 80 per cent complete. He said the government has yet to approve compensation for 12 other districts.