Govt, BMA insist water trial disagreement is not a conflict

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Govt, BMA insist water trial disagreement is not a conflict

City Hall feels drainage tests may cause flooding

Published: 1 Sep 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidith has insisted the government and City Hall are not fighting over the trial of water drainage systems.

A worker erects concrete columns along a river bank near the Chulalongkorn water gate in Pathum Thani. A flood wall is being constructed to protect the area, which was badly inundated in last year’s floods. KITJA APICHONROJAREK

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, however, maintains the controversial trial should be postponed.

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jgriff
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Discussion 14 : 01 Sep 2012 at 22.5214
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Does the BMA think that they will be able to control the high tide when the floods do start happening?
It needs to be tested wether there is a high tide or not. Actually during a high tide would be the best test.
Somebody has not done there job if they don't want a test.
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franklin
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Discussion 13 : 01 Sep 2012 at 19.3613
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Mother Nature has been more than fair by giving Thailand forever to prepare for and deal with floods. She keeps it basic by always bringing the rainy season between the hot and cold seasons so people won’t be shocked, surprised or confused when the annual event occurs . . . but they are! Testing the canals makes sense but where is the volume of test water needed coming from? Please don’t tell me “from the dams”. The biggest contributing factor to last year’s floods was human error caused primarily by dam management being no damn good. If I was one of the investors being soothed by speeches, I’d be wearing my wading boots.
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peterl
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Discussion 12 : 01 Sep 2012 at 18.1012
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This is not a time for petty squabbling. The public are unlikely to forgive avoidable mistakes a second time around. You don't need a higher degree in rocket science to understand that testing the effectiveness of Bangkok's drainage system ahead of possible flooding later in the year is something that ought to be done sooner rather than later!
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dao
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Discussion 11 : 01 Sep 2012 at 18.0911
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Bangkok isnt the problem .The dams and long rain fall are .The water sweeps down from up country .Have any trees been planted ? Are the dams drained ? Have water retention areas been planned out properly ? Ya I thought so .What are you waiting for ?
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genii
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Discussion 10 : 01 Sep 2012 at 16.4210
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I would assume they would not just fill the entire system to the top instantly for a test, rather slowly release the water so the level increases at a controlable rate. This test will certainly give good indications as to where the problems areas still exist in and around Bangkok. The governor must know he is not ready for this test.
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mitrapaap
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Discussion 9 : 01 Sep 2012 at 14.249
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It has been planned long in advance. Good, but you can't plan wheather conditions long in advance. So if they predict rain and storms for next week, then postponing it might be reasonable.

If everything is under your control, you can plan and just pull the plan through. But if one of the factors is out of your control, then you have to include some flexibility into your plan.
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bluebottle
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Discussion 8 : 01 Sep 2012 at 13.438
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Seeing the argument about tides and when high tides[spring]are is calculable.Spring are when the sun and moon are aligned and the moon is closest to the destination.I admit that the only way to be dead accurate about the hight is to measure it at a given time but that must have been done years ago.
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democrazy
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Discussion 7 : 01 Sep 2012 at 12.267
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The reason why Mr Plodprasop still has is job, must ask the boss in Dubai.
After 1 year can the "Science and Technology Minister' show us scientific proof of his "boat propeller theory" ?
There will be a hell of a drought after the rainy season ends in 2 month.
This gov. with their thai-logic: wannie and pungnie, let the water in the dams out until May 2012.
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bern1005
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Discussion 6 : 01 Sep 2012 at 10.596
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PT have not shown any great ability as a government but testing (by experienced engineers) is an essential part of flood defence preparations. If the BMA have done their part of the job, there is nothing for them to fear.
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Ian
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Discussion 5 : 01 Sep 2012 at 10.515
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Mr Plodprasop yesterday said Mr Teerachon was "telling a lie" about high sea levels expected during the drainage test next week as that the information he had showed that next week would have the lowest sea levels of the year.

Mr Teerachon should consult the published tide tables!
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