Thailand floods: death toll reported at 23 and 40 as Bangkok airport and factories are disrupted
Flooding after about 320 mm of rain in three days has disrupted Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Airways and Toyota plants. Reported death tolls differ, at 23 and 40, and more rain is forecast.
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The story, neutrally told
Bangkok received about 320 mm of rain over three days late last week, roughly its usual total for all of September. CBC NewsLC “Bangkok was swamped by around 320 mm of rain within three days last week” Read at CBC News ↗ CNAN “Bangkok was declared a disaster-affected zone after receiving 320mm of rain over three days late last week” Read at CNA ↗ On Tuesday, CBC reported a death toll of at least 23 since Sept. 16, four of them in Bangkok, citing the Interior Ministry. CBC NewsLC “including four in Bangkok, according to the Interior Ministry.” Read at CBC News ↗ On Wednesday, CNA reported that government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises put the toll at 40, citing Health Ministry figures. The two articles do not explain the gap. CNAN “Government spokesperson Ekkapob Pianpises put the death toll at 40, citing Health Ministry figures.” Read at CNA ↗
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, about half of Thai Airways' workforce could not get to work, leaving thousands of bags piled up and flights cancelled, although the airport stayed open. CNAN “about half of Thai Airways' workforce unable to report for work” Read at CNA ↗ CBC NewsLC “Almost 100 per cent of flights over the past two days were delayed” Read at CBC News ↗ Thai Airways chief executive Chai Eamsiri said the airline would cut flights for at least three days. On Wednesday he said 80 to 90 per cent of staff had returned and normal service should resume within seven days. CBC NewsLC “a reduction in the airline's flights from Bangkok will last for at least three days” Read at CBC News ↗ CNAN “About 80 per cent to 90 per cent of employees have returned to work” Read at CNA ↗ Tourism minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul criticised the airline, saying the situation "damages the country's image". CBC NewsLC “This damages the country's image,” Read at CBC News ↗
Thai Airways also suspended cargo operations through Oct 6, and Toyota temporarily shut four plants after floodwater disrupted parts deliveries. CNAN “Thai Airways suspended inbound and outbound cargo operations from Wednesday through to Oct 6”“Toyota temporarily shut four plants after floodwater disrupted the delivery of parts” Read at CNA ↗ The cabinet approved over 4 billion baht for flood relief and a 160 billion baht, eight-year drainage project, according to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. CBC NewsLC “cabinet approved over 4 billion baht ($168 million) to address the impact of the floods” Read at CBC News ↗ Anutin said Bangkok and the central region remain at risk from floodwaters flowing from the north, and that a war room has been set up. Heavy rain is forecast for Oct 5 to 8. CNAN “a war room has been set up to monitor the situation”“Thailand's weather agency forecast heavy rain from Oct 5 to 8” Read at CNA ↗
A Bank of Thailand official said the floods were unlikely to affect the IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok on Oct 12 to 18. CNAN “unlikely to affect the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund” Read at CNA ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with the death toll and the chaos at Suvarnabhumi Airport, with receding waters and government aid as context.
- Emphasis
- Passenger and baggage disruption, the tourism minister's rebuke of Thai Airways, damage estimates and the tourism economy.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Toyota plant closures, the forecast of more rain or the higher death toll of 40.
- Charged language
- “airport chaos”
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with the prime minister's warning that Bangkok is still at risk, and focuses on the economic and forward-looking effects.
- Emphasis
- Factory shutdowns, cargo suspension, the coming rain, the IMF and World Bank meetings, and evacuations in Ratchaburi.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the tourism minister's criticism, the aid package or the drainage project, or the lower Interior Ministry toll.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Bangkok received about 320 mm of rain in three days, about its usual September total.
- Thai Airways was crippled at Suvarnabhumi Airport because about half its staff could not reach work, though the airport stayed operational.
- Thai Airways chief executive Chai Eamsiri gave updates on the disruption.
- Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is leading the government response.
Where accounts differ
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Death toll
- Left
- CBC reports at least 23 deaths since Sept. 16, citing the Interior Ministry.
- Centre
- CNA reports a toll of 40, citing Health Ministry figures given by a government spokesperson.
Anutin Charnvirakul person
Says the capital and central region are still at risk and that a war room is monitoring the floods. Also announced relief funding and a long-term drainage project.
“said a war room has been set up to monitor the situation” — CNA
“another long-term drainage project costing 160 billion baht ($6.8 billion) had also been given the go-ahead” — CBC News
Left1 article
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Heavy rains in Thailand kill 23, cause airport chaos
Mixed Reports the airport disruption and the toll, with passenger testimony and official criticism of Thai Airways alongside recovery news.
Centre1 article
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CNAN ·
Thai floods disrupt factories, capital still at risk, PM says
Neutral Focuses on continuing flood risk and on economic and industrial disruption, with official figures and forecasts.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 29 Sep 15:55 First CBC NewsLC Heavy rains in Thailand kill 23, cause airport chaos
- 30 Sep 12:59 +21h 4m CNAN Thai floods disrupt factories, capital still at risk, PM says
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.