'Confusion' torpedoes US disaster aid

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'Confusion' torpedoes US disaster aid

Thani says flooding was 'not deemed dangerous'

Published: 26/10/2011 at 02:25 AM
Newspaper section: News

The USS George Washington aircraft carrier left Thailand without deploying an air lift service for Thai flood victims yesterday because the US assessed that flood situations in the country are not serious enough, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.

The ministry's spokesman Thani Thongphakdi, who is also director-general of the Information Department, said yesterday that the United States considered that present flood situations were not dangerous so its aircraft carrier could not deploy helicopters.

He was responding to a report that the US Navy had withdrawn several ships sent to help with relief efforts in flood-hit Thailand after receiving ''mixed'' messages from the Bangkok government.

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aj_donald
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Discussion 47 : 14/11/2011 at 12:25 PM47
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So to all the foreigner tourist or lack of, expats living and working here in Thailand and Thai people, the United States of America has been ready and willing to help and assist Thailand during this flood disaster since October 16/10/2011 almost 1-month ago!!! Mr Surapong said he requested US help in restoring Don Mueang after talking to Pol Gen Pracha Promnok, chairman of the Flood Relief Operations Command, and the Transport Ministry 14/11/2011. Though not providing air lifts, the US donated money and objects and offered expertise to help flood victims in the country 16/10/2011. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/266081/govt-accepts-us-help-at-don-mueang
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pratheep

Discussion 46 : 27/10/2011 at 10:08 PM46
Wow. It's pretty obvious the foreign minister is lying in this case! The US already had an assessment team in Bangkok before the fleet was deployed. They would have already known the 'situation' before spending the time,money and energy of diverting the fleet to Thailand. Do you really think they spent the money to divert the fleet to Thailand, just to look at it through binoculars and decide 'no problem here!'?
from iPhone application.
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pointman-1
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Discussion 45 : 27/10/2011 at 04:49 PM45
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The United States miltiary would evaluate the situaiton and make a decision on whether the flooding is a disaster, or an emergency. Evidently, the U.S. Military felt the flooding didn't fall into the category of being either an emergency, or a disaster. The biggest probelm is, these floods happen every year and Bangkok, is sinking. I noticed the elevaiton of the sky-train in Bangkok, dropped at least 2 inches over the past 10 years. If it were me making the decisions, I would relocate Bangkok north to Phitsanulok, expand the Phitsanulok airfield and take advantage of the acres of land available north, South, east and west of Phitsanulok City. The area north of Phitsanulok City, is prime real estate and a great location to build on. Bangkok, will continue to sink because overbuilding caused a lot of groundwater to be pumped out from under the city during the dry season. Several years ago, I looked at the Sukhimvit area intending to buy a Condo. once I inspected the land, I saw the problem and decided to buy elsewhere. Please don't blame the Prime Minister for this flooding, because no human being could have prevented the rains, or the flooding.
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robingrant
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Discussion 44 : 26/10/2011 at 05:33 PM44
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dao (D41): That's a poor comment. Do please remember the many messages of gratitude from people who were affected by the tsunami, both for help provided by local people, and by the government and aid agencies.

This is not the time for snide remarks and cheap political point scoring.
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flippogirl
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Discussion 43 : 26/10/2011 at 04:58 PM43
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D41, Dao,

That is no comparison. The effects of the Tsunami on Thailand were relatively small and very localised. Besides at that time there were countries that needed help much more than Thailand (Indonesia, Sri Lanka), so you could even stamp that as noble, because indeed, Thailand was very capable of dealing with the Tsunami aftermath.

And besides that, Thailand did not, according to the US Ambassador last night on TV interview, reject US aid. Don't believe everything you read or hear, only what you see with your own eyes, not with other peoples eyes (and mind).
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johninbkk
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Discussion 42 : 26/10/2011 at 04:19 PM42
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YS already has foreign flood experts in Bangkok assisting with the flood situation, so I doubt the PTP government is worried about losing face. More likely, the 'No' channel was the Thai military which has face to lose if a farang army and their helicopters came in to save the day.
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dao
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Discussion 41 : 26/10/2011 at 12:28 PM41
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Wow that is the first time I have ever heard of someone in a national crisis turning down aid .Oh no actually the second .The first was Thaksin and the tsunami .Must be a family trait .Must be born this way .
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mphilips
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Discussion 40 : 26/10/2011 at 11:45 AM40
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Pride. Maintain your pride at all costs.

Asking for help may very well shatter the myth that all Thai people are naturally superior to everyone else. Good. Thais are capable of great sacrifice and charity. They are also capable of great impediment and selfishness, because Thai people are people...just like everyone else.

Ask for help. You need it. Stupid pride.
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anti-spin
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Discussion 39 : 26/10/2011 at 11:33 AM39
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"We’ve been responding to disasters from the beginning of our time and it’s kind of the rule of the sea; if someone is in trouble, you help and then you figure it out, and you sort out the differences later. " (October 21, 2009) – United States Navy
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android
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Discussion 38 : 26/10/2011 at 11:18 AM38
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In last night's TPBS tv channel, the USA ambassador expressed that their government did not receive a "yes" or "no" answer from the thai government concerning the offer of assistance. There are always rumours with unidentified source criticising the government during this flooding crisis.
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