In some aspects, Bangkok is among the most hyperconnected, information-savvy capitals of the world. In others, however, the city appears as if it were left in the pre-information age. The flooding caused by a high tide in several areas on Monday which imposed hardship on communities along river banks and caused major traffic woes exemplifies the latter case.
Low-lying, as well as areas that lie outside the city's flood gates, are detailed on the city's map and have been for many years for anyone who would care to study them. The height of the tide can also be predicted. When a high tide is expected what should the response of the city administrators be? Warnings? Bolstering flood containment measures? Setting up shelters for communities expected to be flooded?
These may be among the reasonable responses city dwellers would want from their mayor but the reality seems to be the opposite. Instead, reality was there was little action that indicated City Hall or individual district administrators were prepared to cope with such a seemingly anticipated flooding.
The only consolation that people received after the flood were apologies from Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang -- probably a sincere gesture but one that should not be used too often as it does not improve the situation.
Pol Gen Aswin blamed Monday's flood on an unforeseeable natural event: the rise of seawater which caused the high tide to swell up to 50-60cm higher than predicted.
He also reported that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration tried to relieve the immediate chaos by establishing sandbag walls in areas where the high tide was expected again. Water pumps were also installed while temporary shelters have been arranged for flood victims.
Despite such measures, it's clear from the widespread misery that the City Hall was ill-equipped for the higher-than-expected tide which should not have been a problem if the administration had prepared enough water pumps and sandbag walls.
The authorities should have given warnings not just to the communities at risk but city dwellers who were caught off guard by the flooded streets and resulting traffic mayhem.
The larger problem is that Monday's incident is not an isolated one. The high tide is expected to continue through this week and probably even throughout the month. After all, this is a natural phenomenon that has affected the low-lying capital for centuries.
While Pol Gen Aswin has pledged to monitor the high tide and to deal with the flooding as quickly as possible, it's clearly evident that a more permanent solution is required.
It is understood that City Hall has had problems plugging the gaps in the city's floodwalls because of resistance from communities that have refused to move away. Some serious negotiations or settlements must be made here as the problem will certainly continue, if not get even worse, as long as the flood banks remain unfinished.
In the future, Bangkok can no longer be left to the whims of nature.
An investment must be made for a better flood-control system. Among improvements that could be made are the installation of high-tech flood gates that can regulate water automatically, more functional water draining channels, and a computerised water-related database complete with a warning system to alert people before calamity strikes.