AYUTTHAYA, Nov 16 – The flooded Hi-Tech Industrial Estate here is expected to resume operations following natural drainage and pumping by Nov 25.
Officers of various agencies including the industrial park itself, the Thai army, and the Royal Irrigation Department have been draining water from site since Nov 8. The water level there has receded from 4.9m to about 4m, of which 60cm subdued naturally.
Currently some 6.5 million cubic metres of floodwater were left at Hi-Tech. According to military personnel the water is expected to be completely drained by Nov 25 with the pumps removing about 800,000 cubic metres/day.
Hi-Tech Industrial Estate has been under water since Oct 13. Covering over 2,400 rai of land, it has 143 plants and provides employment for more than 51,000 workers with an investment of around Bt65 billion.
Thirty per cent of the plants are for electric appliances, electronic items and scientific equipment. Other types of businesses include rubber, plastic, artificial leather, machinery, spare parts, steel and other metals, as well as motor vehicles.