Flood barriers prompt fears

EDITORIAL

Published: 21 Jun 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Last year's devastating flood is still fresh in the minds of millions of people in the North, the Central Plains and Bangkok's suburbs.

Many of these flood victims are still struggling to live normal lives after their farmland, properties or fruit orchards which were once their source of income were destroyed in the prolonged flooding.

Many others are still demanding proper compensation from the government as exemplified by the case of about 500 Pathum Thani residents who took to the street in Sam Khok district on May 27 to demand the government pay 20,000 baht in compensation for each affected household.

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kena
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Discussion 10 : 21 Jun 2012 at 22.2510
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Hello! It so happens that the entire middle of Thailand is flat flat and flat. Water flows downhill. If there is no 'downhill' water spreads and deepens. PT can only be blamed for political manipulations (that's all they know how to do), but can't be blamed for building Thailand's biggest and most important city in a mud-flat flood plain.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 9 : 21 Jun 2012 at 20.309
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englishbob 6 - "Wouldn't their credibility be based upon their bold statements and promises last year?"
For example?
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toby-wood
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Discussion 8 : 21 Jun 2012 at 18.208
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Both Johninbkk and EnglishBob raise interesting points. Yes Peua Thai should not have made grand promises while knowing that such a project could not be achieved in the time scale with the budget. But would the Thai people and Peua Thai's opponents have understood or accepted. Politicians are well known for their inability to face the truth if it's their opposition that is telling it, no matter what side is speaking.
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upena
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Discussion 7 : 21 Jun 2012 at 14.527
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You seem to have forgotten that Northeastern Thailand also suffered flood damage and I doubt if anyone in Isaan received any compensation from the Thai Government.
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englishbob
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Discussion 6 : 21 Jun 2012 at 10.546
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JohninBKK - Wouldn't their credibility be based upon their bold statements and promises last year?

Or are you already looking for excuses for another Peua Thai failure?
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johninbkk
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Discussion 5 : 21 Jun 2012 at 08.545
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"...would be around 1,500mm compared to last year's 1,800mm."
In the metric system, 'mm' stands for millimeter.

"There should be no excuses from the government because it should have learned its lesson and rectified all its past mistakes."
Although PTP would have many fewer valid excuses, real long term flood defenses take 5 to 10 years to build - not months. PTP's credibility this year only hinges on their ability to implement the short term defenses.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 4 : 21 Jun 2012 at 08.114
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This is a good example of where the newspapers could educate people about the effects of corruption so that the figure of 63% approving of corruption is reduced. Since 30% is the standard amount that is siphoned off into the pockets of politicians and officials, the Bangkok Post could show what could be done for the people with the 105 billion Baht, which we can expect has been or is being siphoned off. Are the riverside walls weaker as a result?
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steen
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Discussion 3 : 21 Jun 2012 at 06.053
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Re."First, was the institute or the government aware of this problem when the floodwalls were built last year?".

Yes, of course they were aware of the impacts of floodwalls. That is basic knowledge for river engineers. Construction of flood protection in one area has adverse impacts on nearby areas.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 2 : 21 Jun 2012 at 06.022
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We can see why Thaksin is in such a hurry to get back. If there is major flooding again, the PT government's popularity will surely plummit, along with his chances of returning. Also, people will not be happy to see Parliament totally occupied with his whitewash bills while they are suffering again.
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ggh
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Discussion 1 : 21 Jun 2012 at 05.431
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Given its importance to the general public, detailed updates should be given on overall progress of the implementation of the government’s master plan, short and long term. If delays are being experienced, details should also be given as to the reason for delay.
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Flood barriers prompt fears | Bangkok Post: opinion