1983, 1995 and 2011: The more it rains ...

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1983, 1995 and 2011: The more it rains ...

Published: 23/10/2011 at 03:14 AM
Newspaper section: Spectrum

Weak infrastructure planning, an exploding population, buildings obstructing waterways, too many poorly planned roads _ they're all valid reasons why Bangkok is threatened with flooding. Sound familiar?

PHOTOS: BKK POST ARCHIVE

"Instead of seeking long-term betterment, we accumulate the difficulties by focusing merely on solutions to the immediate problems such as digging more outlets and pumping out the water as quickly as possible," wrote Kasem Chandranoi, director of General Affairs, Office of the President, Chulalongkorn University for the Bangkok Post in 1995.

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johninbkk
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Discussion 13 : 23/10/2011 at 09:54 PM13
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I encourage my fellow readers to look up the youtube video titled "Bangkok Floods in 1942".

"HOW MANY LOST THEIR JOBS OVER HANDLING OF THE FLOODS? 1983: None. 1995: None."
I call bs.
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wantmyony
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Discussion 12 : 23/10/2011 at 09:24 PM12
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If you keep changing governments you wont get things done.
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tommylee
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Discussion 11 : 23/10/2011 at 04:14 PM11
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Thanks to the BP for this “investigative report”. In fact, there is nothing left to investigate, because all the facts are known.
First of all it is about Thai leadership: Thai leaders in top management positions (including politicians), strongly feel that they don’t need outside expertise on, for example, dyke building and water management, because “all the knowledge is in the country already”, and they feel they have already reached the top level of perfection. No need to change anything.
Second of all, it is about “the Thai way”: Let those funny farangs keep ranting and raving about greed, corruption and inefficiency; it is none of their business, anyway. Let’s do things our way, “the Thai way”. And, by the way, floods are a wonderful business opportunity, as the BP in today’s short article “Poll: Higher spending during, after flood” has stated: “On their spending during the flood, 67.2 percent said they had to spend more to stock up food supplies and necessities. After the flood, 55.9 percent expected they would have to spend even more for home repairs…” See? “The Thai way” works…
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fungus
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Discussion 10 : 23/10/2011 at 04:04 PM10
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I had to chuckle on the first archive photo of people pushing the bus.

The exact same smoke billowing heaps are still being used in the city today. Once the flood water subsides we will back to the same old dirty city air.

We need long range, well planned solutions to a wide range of preventable problems.
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max4243
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Discussion 9 : 23/10/2011 at 12:11 PM9
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Looking back at the flooding history in Thailand, if the Thai government continue to ignore this serious flooding problem, it will be a vicious cycle year in year out and each year, the problem will be more worst and compounded.

Learning from the present flood situation, the present government should kick start working to solve the problem and which ever government takes over, that government must continue to work on solving the flood problem. Unfortunately, all past governments just continue to fire-fight and hope the flood will not come next year. Lets hope the current government will learn from this flooding hardship and take steps to start solving or at least minimize this problem without delay. Other issues and in-fighting are secondary.
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morgo
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Discussion 8 : 23/10/2011 at 11:59 AM8
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Someone's got to act soon. I'm sure insurance companies and not going to be keep insuring property, business and industry located in flood zones forever.
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hillfarang
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Discussion 7 : 23/10/2011 at 11:51 AM7
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"My idea is not to check who failed but more about what failed. This should help to avoid making the same mistakes again." -bkk-farang wrote (D:4)

INDEED! There are probably many good ideas, combing to provide long-term flood control.

NOW is the time for non-political, political will, by its very name, a delicate tight-rope walk.

With UNITY of purpose, THAIS can prevail and solve this. If factions & fractions & segments of a divided country /or/ when 'special interests' $$$ prevail, it won't have a chance.

Let's see IF YS learns her lesson. Those of you who speak & write Thai, send her a letter and also contact your representative, REGARDLESS of party. Keep the 'pressure' up. Tell them that you are fed up with this annual anxiety, death & destruction. Democracy in action. [Try it...] -hillfarang
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morgo
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Discussion 6 : 23/10/2011 at 11:51 AM6
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Governments will have to come up with incentives for industry to move to flood free areas of Thailand, afterall these same bodies granted building permits in known flood zones. If not, then Thailand will loose these same industries to other countries and all Thai's will again be affected. Insurance firms will not pay out on the same claims forever.
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thailife69
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Discussion 5 : 23/10/2011 at 11:01 AM5
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#1

The boats do have an effect. They give us something to laugh about in times of crisis, while adding to climate change.
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 4 : 23/10/2011 at 09:42 AM4
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Hillfarang is right: “Thailand, PT, YS, AV, yellow, red & rainbow: Together, let us learn, discuss, plan, fund and, together, ACT! Otherwise there will be a repeat in the future and it may be even worse.” For once I fully agree with you.

One of the things I like to suggest is to look what went wrong after the last disasters. Did people come up with reasonable plans how to make the situation better in the future? Were these plans implemented and just did not help enough or what happened to them? My idea is not to check who failed but more about what failed. This should help to avoid making the same mistakes again.
And please keep the actions transparent so that we can all follow what is done.
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