Embattled PM refuses to quit

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Scholar threatens class action suit against govt

Published: 11/11/2011 at 09:36 AM
Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has pledged to stay on and tackle the floods, despite mounting criticism of the government's handling of the disaster. (Photo by Rattaseema Pongsan)

About 3,000 water pumps are deployed to remove water from the flooded Rojana Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya. Clean-up operations are planned or have begun in some of the industrial estates swamped by the floods. SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN

Pressure is opening on a new front as academics and activists threaten class action suits against the government and state agencies for their "mismanagement" of the floods.

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: Writer: Post Reporters; Position: Reporters

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earlywarm
Post : 5
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Discussion 67 : 11/11/2011 at 07:16 PM67
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it's called "accountability" and without it Thailand and Thai people will continue to get negligent, incompetent leaders who are only interested in getting their personal share of the budget. Yes, by all means sue the agriculture minister, the interior minister and especially those unelected, appointed senior civil servants who were ultimately responsible for putting into effect well planned water management and disaster relief measures.
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loong_bean
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Discussion 66 : 11/11/2011 at 07:11 PM66
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Re #65
The current Agriculture Minister refused to release water months ago, against his department's advice. He only admitted this yesterday after one of his officials bravely went public (without naming him). No doubt he will be removed by the real PM in due course.
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ggh
Post : 361
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Discussion 65 : 11/11/2011 at 05:44 PM65
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Discussion 64 – Release the stored water earlier in the year so more storage is available during the rainy season. This may have significantly reduced the effects of the flooding.
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genii
Post : 85
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Discussion 64 : 11/11/2011 at 05:25 PM64
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In a nutshell you want to blame the PM for the flood. Blame the water management system for not being able to handle this flood and while your at it blame Bangkok for being in the way of the floods path to the sea. There are a million things and people you can blame but the fact is Thailands water management system cannot handle this type situation. For all the critics will someone please step up and explain what was the better way.
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peterl
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Discussion 63 : 11/11/2011 at 05:16 PM63
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Not sure issuing lawsuits against the Government is the best way forward. They will likely lead to over-poiticization of the court system, as has happened too often in the past.

However, the Government should vastly improve its current compensation package. Whilst it is a start, 5,000 baht for a flooded household is nowhere near sufficient. How about a rent subsidy for households forced to find alternative temporary accomodation? On top of that, laid-off workers from flooding of their workplace should also be eligible for social security benefits, tailored to an individual's circumstances; for example where an employer fails to continue paying a salary, but expects its workforce to come back when the factory re-opens. These are legitimate claims.
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flippogirl
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Discussion 62 : 11/11/2011 at 05:06 PM62
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D49, Upanddown,

O.K. please name somebody that surable would have done better.

Please remember this situation is unprecendented, and the Country Government efforts have not really been cooperated with by the Bangkok Government.
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khaolak707
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Discussion 61 : 11/11/2011 at 04:49 PM61
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if there is somebody to blame it should be the previous administration who did not foresee the disaster that happens. they did not do anything to make a prevention to guard Bangkok safely from any disaster. i don't even know how Bangkok is prepared if it is hit by a strong earthquake.
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ocean
Post : 9
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Discussion 60 : 11/11/2011 at 04:44 PM60
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Take it easy Thailand, let's overcome the crisis together. The blame game is not the main focus. What happen to the words of 'together we can'? PTP and all the haters, don't take advantage of the situation where you've helped create more crisis to damage the whole nation. I've seen this on 'Wack The Dog'(film back in early 90s) where the Politicians are willing to risk country's stability at whatever cost to destroy the opposition.
Local medias mainly support PTP, judge by how they perpetrate news broadcasting by focus on the negative points of view. I'd survived the big quake in S.F., where no one blamed on the system or anybody. That's inspiring and how we should have done. Support each other, cause the world is watching.
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beer_sing
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Discussion 59 : 11/11/2011 at 04:42 PM59
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Both the Government and BMA could have handled the crisis better. Given the amount of rainfall and release of water starting from August month onward from the Dams, even without mismanagement, there is very little hope to escape flooding.

better to start planing and making flood preparation as it will certainly come again and perhaps worst.
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democrazy
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Discussion 58 : 11/11/2011 at 04:21 PM58
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As a fromer CEO madam PM should know what to do, when you fail in your job.
Either she resigns from her own or she will be fired.
What is going to happen to her ?
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