Army deploys troops as Ketsana closes in

       The army is mobilising soldiers to help people in the Northeast at risk from the approaching Typhoon Ketsana..
       Second Army chief Wibulsak Neepal yesterday said defence forces had prepared troops and equipment to help people in the 19 northeastern provinces in the event of flash floods.
       It is also feared Chanthaburi and Trat on the east coast and Ranong and Phangnga in the South will feel the impact of the typhoon, the Meteorological Department said.
       Ketsana hit Vietnam yesterday and is moving westward at a speed of 15kph,it said. The storm devastated areas east of Manila in the Philippines at the weekend. The department said it was likely to move into Thailand today around Mukdahan and Ubon Ratchathani.
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday issued an order for government agencies to prepare assistance for flood victims.
       The Public Health and Foreign ministries were instructed to help oversee a humanitarian aid plan for people affected by the storm in the Philippines. Rice,medicine and other necessities would be sent to stricken areas soon, he said.
       Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra deployed relief staff in floodprone areas and said he would monitor the water situation at the city's drainage department in Din Daeng district.
       City Hall was discharging water from main canals such as Saen Saep and Phra Khanong where water was reaching high levels yesterday.