Good things during bad times

COMMENTARY

Published: 28/10/2011 at 02:09 AM
Newspaper section: News

Bangkok is counting down to "Judgement Day" this weekend when high sea tides meet the northern runoff and possibly turn this capital of 10 million people into a waterworld.

The situation has become too bad to think sensibly, so before the confusing messages from the Flood Relief Operations Command befuddle us completely, and before the flood phobia destroys our consciousness, let us sit down and concentrate on the positive side of this major flood.

The most important thing this disaster has given us is the opportunity to rethink the way we live and to make a new beginning.

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About the author

: Writer: Kultida Samabuddhi; Position: Reporter

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arcticman
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Discussion 10 : 28/10/2011 at 04:59 PM10
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Many lessons have been learnt from the floods. The general concept that Bangkok had a modern functioning water management system is an impression that has literally gone down the drains. As a result, many will have serious reservations in terms of investing in property in Bangkok or any of the surrounding areas. The lack of ability to coordinate the water management during this crisis will also continue into the rebuilding phase when ideally the existing system should be improved. It will most probably take place on a piecemeal basis with no overall management with the result that when the next flood arrives, the same problems will occur.
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demo
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Discussion 9 : 28/10/2011 at 04:58 PM9
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Nice article... Sometimes you have to go 1 step backwards to go 2 forwards. Times like these need positive comments and actions. A good reality check to what really is important in life....A roof over our head, clothes on our back and food on the table.. Everything else starts complicating things from there... Time to take focus away from me, me, me and focus on those less fortunate and lend a helping hand. Who knows, one might find it enjoyable helping someone out and not wanting anything back in return. (heaven forbid!) Of course, there will be people who'll dismiss this as utter nonsense.. Those people generally start sentences with I.
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ianprince
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Discussion 8 : 28/10/2011 at 02:14 PM8
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When everything is over, BKK should sell the film right to hollywood / bollywood.
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potato
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Discussion 7 : 28/10/2011 at 02:05 PM7
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Dear Deputy News Editor,

"The provinces hardest hit by flooding such as Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani"

Are u sure about your assertion?

or this is based on the same perspective that has made possible this disaster becomes several order of the magnitude bigger of what it should be? I mean that sort of perspective carrying the idea of if it's not going to be BKK, mai pen rai. Thus, what you really meant is

..provinces hardest hit near BKK...

I hope your assertion is accurate as many people up North is having an aquatic life (and they should not, I wonder why...) for several months or those other people do not count for this?
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rmigo
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Discussion 6 : 28/10/2011 at 12:39 PM6
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Let's be constructive here and join in with the commentator to find a silver lining.

I say the flood water is will kill off the pests in the rice fields.
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john49
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Discussion 5 : 28/10/2011 at 09:31 AM5
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Yes Ms Kultida, you are right. And there is one more bright spot for people who own their own homes as now their homes are water front estates thereby doubling their capital value.

They are all so very lucky.
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howell
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Discussion 4 : 28/10/2011 at 08:58 AM4
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@Ms Kultida. 'I felt glad for them: they now have a break from factory work.' You think they will agree with you ?

'These factory workers are now able to return to their hometowns, reunite with their families and find new jobs that are less gruelling than working in a factory full of toxic pollutants.'

What jobs ?

100 % agree with mphilips. Ms Kultida's attitude is 'elite' drivel.
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spiceman
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Discussion 3 : 28/10/2011 at 06:12 AM3
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First, "Judgement Day" by whom or what and why? For those, who lost loved ones like fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters, this is incredibly hard to swallow, as their new beginning will most likely be worse than the lives they had before. Finally, the poor are getting hit the hardest, with little or no means to escape nor resume normal life quickly once this catastrophe comes to pass.

As we all know that this calamity is totally manmade, caused by either gross incompetence or criminal negligence or both, of those we elected to serve us in the Govt, therefore, it is totally preventable. People deserve the kind of Govt whom they elected, so with that note, we deserve what we are going through right now.
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Phixer
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Discussion 2 : 28/10/2011 at 03:28 AM2
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Totally agree with your sentiments. My sympathy to those who have been affected by these floods.
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mphilips
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Discussion 1 : 28/10/2011 at 02:38 AM1
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I had to read this article twice, just to make sure I was reading what I thought I was reading.

Has anyone ever been so completely detached from reality as Ms Kultida certainly is?

Is she seriously suggesting that people who have very little, prize what little they have so much less than those who have everything?

Is she seriously suggesting that people who have to work in factories for a pittance to feed their families should be thankful for a few unpaid days off and a chance to apply for nice office jobs instead?

Hey, maybe people should be happy for the floods because now they have that indoor pool they always dreamt of. Maybe they should be happy they are forced to live upstairs because it's like living in a penthouse apartment. Maybe they should be happy they currently have no rice because now they can eat loads of cake.
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Good things during bad times | Bangkok Post: opinion