CHONBURI, Oct 21 – Provincial authorities here have done everything possible to drain Amata industrial park, covered by half a metre of floodwater, according to Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk.
The minister inspected flooding here, meeting with officials from the provincial administration, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), and Amata executives yesterday.
Amata is one of the major industrial estates in Chonburi.
Mr Prasert said floodwaters would be immediately flushed into nearby Panthong canal, but that a long-term solution would require improving the existing drainage system.
The industrial park–one of Thailand’s vital economic zones with major investment– must be protected to ensure investors’ confidence and uninterrupted manufacturing, he said.
He said the dykes surrounding the industrial park must be raised another metre to prevent flooding.
Chonburi Governor Komsan Ekkachai said the floods were due to rising seawater which obstructed outflow from the Bangpakong River.
Viboon Kromadit, Amata chief marketing officer, said the management has worked closely with agencies concerned to monitor the floodwaters which have risen to 30-45 cm above road surface at the Phase 7 zone of the industrial park.
Amata’s industrial plants have continued manufacturing without interruption, he said.
