Govt faces huge test to save Bangkok from flooding

Published: 11/10/2011 at 04:52 PM
Online news: Opinion

Will Bangkok be badly inundated in the next few days with the arrival of a huge mass of flood runoff from the North, compounded by peak high tides?

This is a simple and straightforward question which has been nagging at my mind and begging for a straightforward answer from the authorities.

If they are still unable to give a definite "yes" or "no" answer, they should at least be able to give me something along the lines of: there is more than a 50 per cent chance of flooding.

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About the author

: Writer: Veera Prateepchaikul; Position: Former Editor

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ricefield
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Discussion 14 : 12/10/2011 at 11:11 PM14
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The sorry truth is no government has addressed the problems of flooding. While it appears to be the rage to blame the PTP here lets put it into perspective. The PTP inherited the ongoing problems from the Democrats, who inherited it from the PTP/PPP, who inherited it from the Junta, who inherited it from the the TRT, who inherited it from the Democrats and you can keep plugging in all the previous governments. Spending money on disaster, especially flood, prevention has never been a priority for Thailand. Blame who you want but in the end it's an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed.
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nui
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Discussion 13 : 12/10/2011 at 03:02 AM13
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Look around or ask the people. The heroes are the soldiers. The military has been acting quickly, independently and they are everywhere and helping the people without the order from the government. The government acted too late and is too slow despite all the early warnings.
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spiceman
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Discussion 12 : 12/10/2011 at 02:19 AM12
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This disaster has been in the making for many decades, transcending all political parties. The heart of the problem, like everything else in Thailand, stemmed from poor education, short-term greed involving widespread and persistent corruption, however, unlike other corruption schemes, this one actually destroys properties and kills people on a massive scale.

There is little we can do now, other than to try to alleviate the pain and suffering of millions of people who are being affected. The real question is what kind of lesson have Thai people learned, in order to try to prevent or minimize this kind of disaster from befalling on them again. Bad behavior is difficult to change, but do we have any other choices to do otherwise. Without serious and immediate effort by Thai people to begin restoring the forests, especially in northern Thailand, and protecting them from being destroyed again, the problem will only worsen. Thai people should learn by now, that it is a lot cheaper to live with nature, instead of against it.
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bula
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Discussion 11 : 11/10/2011 at 10:17 PM11
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In my 14 years of involvement in relief works with an International organisation, such pointing of accusing fingers is normal everywhere in the world during the natural disaster crisis situations. Futhermore, they are always various spectacles of the disaster trying to create, fill and keep up with their own agendas. It may be good for those who disagreed with my opinion to read my post again. It will be good for your soul and spirit. Good night and sleep well.
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howell
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Discussion 10 : 11/10/2011 at 09:34 PM10
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@bula and mushashi. The government are doing their best NOW but it need not have been such a disaster had they heeded the warning signs. Massive rain fall and flooding for 2 months up country. Where does that run off and dam overflow go ? It heads south to provincial towns like Ayutaya and of course Bangkok.
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ricardofel
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Discussion 9 : 11/10/2011 at 09:18 PM9
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I suggest you read the BP from 2-3 weeks ago with government spokespeople saying...."Bangkok is safe...no worries"...and now they are NOT prepared for the worst flooding in Thailand's history. And "Bula" suggest you ask all the people who are flooded out of their homes if the government has done a good job protecting them.
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anoldman
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Discussion 8 : 11/10/2011 at 08:02 PM8
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bula; the PT government have done a terrible job. As the story complains, even now they cannot give reasonable advice.

The flood levels at Bangkok can be calculated, including effects of tides. I used compurt software that could do this more than 25 years ago.
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cocoricco
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Discussion 7 : 11/10/2011 at 07:58 PM7
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remark made by Agriculture Minister Thira Wongsamut in the Senate yesterday, that even God could not predict for sure whether Bangkok would be flooded or not, was not the kind of answer I expect from a senior member of the government.
Should of gone with 'Kham' what goes around comes around, massive deforestation, corruption, the democratic election of a prop democracy by big money, promises, and and pure marketing with no substance. The people in the end suffer and pick up the pieces.
I'm surprised their not using fortune tellers to predict and solve the crisis.
I suggest a pigs head, 3 candles and incense on the full moon to be given at government house to avert any catastrophe coinciding with a video link from Dubai to solve all problems, at the price of 400 billion baht.
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SteveCM
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Discussion 6 : 11/10/2011 at 07:56 PM6
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Here's a newsflash for everybody. NO government anywhere does a "good enough" job when confronted with this scale of event - if "good enough" means exact & reliable prediction of what will happen where along with 100% effective provision to deal with the results. That's reality - and it's not pretty.
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bula
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Discussion 5 : 11/10/2011 at 05:37 PM5
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Khun raimund #2
Your guess is wrong. Is great to see AV and YS working together too!
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