Why we lose

COMMENTARY

Published: 23/10/2011 at 03:52 AM
Newspaper section: News

Wednesday, late morning: Sand everywhere, in big piles on the ground, with specks flying around, contaminating volunteers' drinking water. "Heave, heave!" Hundreds of aching bodies, sweat oozing from every pore, laboured under the scorching sun.

They were air force cadets and volunteers. Some were office workers on a corporate social responsibility (CSR) outing. Others lived in the district and some came from elsewhere because they care.

Fill the sandbags. Heave the sandbags. Deliver the sandbags.

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About the author

: Writer: Voranai Vanijaka; Position: Political and Social Commentator

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johninbkk
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Discussion 53 : 24/10/2011 at 02:02 PM53
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howell D46 - I saw someone taking pictures with a professional camera but I never saw him dig. I didn't inquire any further. Yes, it was dirt, not sand. I was told it was 'salt dirt' which was unfit for construction purposes and therefore readily available for use in large quantities. Definitely not ideal, but there are limited options in this unfortunate emergency.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 52 : 24/10/2011 at 01:43 PM52
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bkk-farang D51 - Pardon?
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 51 : 24/10/2011 at 07:35 AM51
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@John in Bangkok #44: How could you see all that when you are writing from America?
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tommy adam

Discussion 50 : 24/10/2011 at 07:12 AM50
A lot of anger and frustrations! What happened at the site is true (not only in Thailand, but elswhere too). Before the so called VIP arrives, programs have been drafted and the is no originality in the "reaching ou to the people" anymore. All we see is the media coverage potraying a well rehearsed act.
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professor
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Discussion 49 : 24/10/2011 at 01:19 AM49
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There are a lot of Thaksin/red shirt trolls posting here all the time, a la Robert Amsterdam's propaganda machine for which he is well paid.
This is a good story. The flood control failure and disinformation from the government (T telling everyone Shush don't say anything) shows the Thai government habit of sweeping things under the rug and shifting blame. When a crisis like this happens you can see that the nominal PM has no power.
Thank you to the author for telling the positive side too of the army working hard to do its best and members of the public pitching in. It's this indominatable Thai spirit that makes the politicians' self PR look so much more foolish.
The North of the country brought these floods and also brought us Mr. T's political clique.Reading about Sudarat the vultures are swooping in.
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Voice
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Discussion 48 : 24/10/2011 at 12:10 AM48
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Some people make a living by using their mouth.
Some people make a living on the back of another.
Some people make a living from their writing.
Some people make a living using their brain.
These are choices that some people will make is to avoid the hard physical work.

Of course who doesn't want to be a big chief? Big chief don’t know how to get their hands dirty. And of course if there isn’t a photo’s opportunity I doubt they would be there.
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Testiculboss

Discussion 47 : 24/10/2011 at 12:02 AM47
Nice article!!!! (PS: hey arent you guys in here to work out your own immage 2 in a way?? LoL!!!!!!!! Just kidding !!)
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howell
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Discussion 46 : 23/10/2011 at 10:28 PM46
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'I didn't see any reporters digging dirt next to me.'

I suspect they do not wear little hats with 'off duty reporter' on them.

You were digging dirt ? Surely it should have been sand ?
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tommylee
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Discussion 45 : 23/10/2011 at 09:59 PM45
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Thanks and compliments to Khun Voranai for yet another insightful piece on the mind and soul of Thai leaders/politicians. He has said it all, no need for further comments, except to D24spiceman, who has repeatedly asked the right question of whose accountability the mismanagement of the dams might be, and, as he has received no answers, let me try. During last year’s October flooding of mainly the Northeast, then Finance Minister Khun Korn Chatikavanij attributed the disaster to a man-made cause: water mismanagement by the some 30 government agencies spread over some 5 ministries with a budget of 30 bn baht, not coordinating with each other. But, as was to be expected, nothing has changed since then, and nobody should expect anybody to be held accountable for this year’s national disaster either, because this is Thailand, and their leaders, as Khun Voranai has well shown, love “the Thai way”, and would fight tooth and nail to resist any change.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 44 : 23/10/2011 at 09:05 PM44
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I spent an entire day filling sand bags, in the dirt under the hot sun shoveling for hours and hours. What did I see? I saw truck after truck from Chonburi (not affected by floods) delivering dirt, all paid for and organized by what the author claims to be 'useless' politicians of the Palang Chon party. I saw many young people from Bangkok helping out. I saw prettied up hi-so girls with shovels digging for hours in the sun right next to me. I saw farang helping, too. Oh, and I saw soldiers, the 'saviors of democracy' just standing around watching us for hours. What did I not see? I didn't see any reporters digging dirt next to me.
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