BANGKOK, Oct 29 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Saturday said she believed the floodwater in Bangkok could reduce by the first week of November if relevant agencies could control the drainage of water, while the government has made preparations to rehabilitate public, agricultural and industrial sectors.
She also urged shops not to stockpile consumer goods to help solve the shortage of supplies to people.
Ms Yingluck, who appeared by phone-in on her weekly TV programme "Yingluck Government Meets the People" on National Broadcasting Television (NBT) or Channel 11 and simulcast on Radio Thailand, said that according to the working group, the flood situation in the central provinces was returning to normal.
Floodwater in Nakhon Sawan and Chai Nat was receding, as water flowed into rivers and canals which could also reduce the water level in Chao Phraya Dam, she said, adding that the water volume at Ayutthaya's Bang Sai was also lower, cutting the volume of water to Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and Bangkok which can consider a good news.
She said the working group, which was comprised of all relevant government agencies and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), recommended speeding up the drainage of floodwater in both the west and east of Bangkok which would eventually reduce the water level in the capital.
If the water inflow can be regulated, the flooding in Bangkok could be reduced by the first week of November.
As for the consumer food and product supplies shortage, the government would seek out distribution centres in provinces that had no flood problems and deliver goods to Bangkok by road and boat, she said.
Meanwhile, she urged shops not to stockpile products in order to distribute to all people in need.
Ms Yingluck was scheduled to fly by helicopter to inspect the flood situation along the Noi River in Lop Buri as well as the west and east of Bangkok, before ending the trip at Klong Sip in Pathum Thani to visit flood victims.
The premier later told reporters before meeting with the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) director and Minister of Justice Gen Pol Pracha Promnok, National Police Chief Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong that she would discuss with relevant agencies over the proposal to extend the days off after the cabinet announced Oct 27-31 as public holidays.
If extending the holiday could keep people outside of Bangkok, it would be of benefit for authorities tackling the flood problem, she said.
She said that the relocation of the FROC from flooded Don Mueang Airport to PTT headquarters on Vibhavadi Road would have no impact on FROC operations. (MCOT online news) | 
