Froc ignoring IT superiority

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EDITORIAL

Published: 25/10/2011 at 02:06 AM
Newspaper section: News

The verbal clash during the weekend between the website operator of Thaiflood.com and Froc _ the Flood Relief Operations Command _ was more instructive than entertaining. It pitted the power of the government-backed flood centre against a tiny entity. Froc is the central authority on everything to do with floods. Thaiflood has no real office, no employees of note. When one issues information, the public takes heed. When the other speaks, the public is sceptical. Unfortunately for the government, it is the vast, expensive flood centre that has triggered cynicism, while the Twitter posts under @thaiflood hash tags win trust and inspire confidence.

So it was unsurprising to learn that senior Froc officials triggered a crisis which convinced Thaiflood.com to end a shaky relationship. The website moved out of Froc territory at Don Mueang airport, and opted to operate independently from a building on Ratchadaphisek Road.

Even at the moment of the split, it was Froc that came across as heavy-handed, bureaucratic and uninformative. Thaiflood.com founder Poramate Minsiri claimed that Froc was trying to assimilate Thaiflood. Froc sent out a spokesman to deny that, but then admitted that the government wanted to first approve all information released by Thaiflood.

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johninbkk
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Discussion 11 : 27/10/2011 at 12:25 AM11
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The Dem Governor said that everyone must "get their information from his centre only and any written announcement from the centre had to bear his signature" to prevent panic from false information: http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/261428/flood-threat-keeps-capital-on-red-alert
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 10 : 25/10/2011 at 01:22 PM10
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Bula #8 writes: “Thaiflood.com's information is confusing and overcrowding.” And FROC’s information is any better? You can try to twist it any way you want. FROC failed all the way!
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geoffo
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Discussion 9 : 25/10/2011 at 10:49 AM9
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D5 Bula, constructive criticism is not harmful, quite the opposite.

Yesterday I highlighted how easy a reporter can twist information if they want to. Yesterday a Thai based ABC Australia reporter Zoe Daniels ran a story on the ABC news about "thousands of crocs roaming Bangkok floodwaters.

I remember Zoe, together with Dan Rivers, similarly embellishing red stories taking what was feed to them by red PR sources and then sensationally puffing up those stories.

In my POV BP reporters are always balanced. If they have a weakness it is in accepting the Govs position without question. Be glad BP reports as they do.
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bula
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Discussion 8 : 25/10/2011 at 10:40 AM8
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Thaiflood.com, has not been effective in communicating a true flood situation ever since their domain name was registered last October. The FROC has other tools they can use to monitor the flood situation other than Google and email. If thaiflood.com wants to use FROC facilities and resources and quoting FROC, then it is only courtesy that it should allow FROC to double check before publication. Thaiflood.com's information is confusing and overcrowding.
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irwinfc
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Discussion 7 : 25/10/2011 at 10:39 AM7
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openness is good if everyone knew what to do with the information. the trouble with "open stuff" is that it is subject to misinterpretation. and clearly, those who can access it have the edge. what of those who only rely on the tri-media? or worse, hearsay? oh hearsay - the layman's term for crowd sourcing. control is necessary specially at this time. too much of it though can be bad. but too little of it can be as bad if not, worse.

the author is quick to say that technology should be embraced. true. but how about the science behind accurate data collection and proper communication?
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spiceman
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Discussion 6 : 25/10/2011 at 09:39 AM6
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Khun Bula #5

"It's a poor craftsman who blames his tools..."
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bula
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Discussion 5 : 25/10/2011 at 08:46 AM5
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BP editors and writers should learn from their competitor on how they should write during this time of 'national flood crisis.'
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 4 : 25/10/2011 at 07:52 AM4
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Please think twice before deciding to buy more technology. The current ThaiFlood.com setup with e-mail, twitter and Google maps is easy to use even for an average skilled computer user. But if governments (not just in Thailand) look for a solution it is never a small and easy solution. They like to think: If it is not big and expensive then it can’t be good. And as we all know Thai politicians like especially the expensive part which leaves a lot of room for their commissions.
But where are all the experts? Especially the big and sophisticated computers and software programs need expert administrators and users. I met lots of IT “experts” in Thailand based companies and only very few of them are experts. Most of them know just a little more than the average user which makes them experts in the eyes of them – but only them. Don’t buy a solution without hiring highly qualified experts. It won’t work!
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koolbreez
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Discussion 3 : 25/10/2011 at 07:50 AM3
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The truth always hurts someone when they are lying. With censorship FROC was just trying to protect the people....yeah right.
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amazed
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Discussion 2 : 25/10/2011 at 04:55 AM2
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So, if people are found floating face down, we can be assured and comforted in knowing they didn't feel panic.

As others have pointed out, in normal situations, you would want one official voice to be heard. But, this is Thailand, isn't it? With the degree of ineptness that has been on display, we can dispense with any thought of normal and encourage anyone showing effectiveness and timeliness to fill the void. I can only imagine the spinning that will take place come next election.
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