A Rift Must Be Averted

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been trying to show the public how much she cares about the current flood situation by presiding over several video conferences with related authorities to coordinate relief efforts.

However the premier’s last video conference session with the permanent secretary of Interior, the Royal Irrigation Department director-general and the provincial governors of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Roi-et and Yasothorn has shown that the government has lost touch with reality.

The flooding situation has reached a critical level as many areas are facing the possibility of full blown riots. Some disaster workers have now armed themselves to prevent those in the flooded areas from tearing down flood barriers.

What is worse is that there has been reports of a rift between Pheu Thai and Chart Thai Pattana MPs which could affect the coalition’s stability. One side has accused another of refusing to drain water to the Tha Chin River to alleviate flooding in the upper parts of the country.

During the video conference, Chart Thai Pattana Party Chief Adviser Banharn Silpa-archa repudiated the accusation that he has forbid the Royal Irrigation Department from diverging flood water to Suphanburi Province, his home ground.

If allowed to continue, the dispute could damage the government’s unity. Most importantly, it may hinder the relief effort for flood victims. The prime minister only talked about the warning system and flood aid without mentioning this escalation.

Maybe because the Agriculture Ministry is headed by Theera Wongsamut of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, Yingluck refrained from talking about the flood drainage plan in detail out of respect for Banharn. However, the prime minister must now think about how to explain this predicament to the people. The best solutions would be to ask Banharn, who is experienced in flood management, to head the drainage effort. This is likely to be accepted by all sides and ease the current tension. It would also give the prime minister more time to look into other pressing matters.

Taken from Editorial Session, Kom Chad Leuk Newspaper, Page 4, October 4, 2011

Translated and Rewritten by Kongkrai Maksrivorawan

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-04

Thaksin wants Pheu Thai MPs to stop asking why Suphan Buri is not flooded. He fears question can backfire against govt. -matichon /via@tulsathit

The question I'm asking is why is Bangkok high and dry while areas to the north are lying under an inland sea , metres deep with filthy stagnant water. Surely it's time for the capital to share some pain. A cholera epidemic is a distinct possibility if the dams north of Bangkok continue hold back the oceans of floodwater. I wonder if there are some up there under water now for months who are thinking about dynamite.

All rather sad, floods everywhere and power brokers are behaving like children..

Let not let a few floods in the remote provinces get in the way of the goverments real agenda....bring Brother #1 home.

Thaksin wants Pheu Thai MPs to stop asking why Suphan Buri is not flooded. He fears question can backfire against govt. -matichon /via@tulsathit

Bad MPS - Don't ask questions! Sit down and shut up!

"It would also give the prime minister more time to look into other pressing matters."

What could be more important - oh, yeah, I forgot!

"It would also give the prime minister more time to look into other pressing matters."

What could be more important - oh, yeah, I forgot!

A 200.000 THB breakfast before get som advise from BIG Brother?

Seems as if this is the minister in charge of the flood relief scheme.

"However the premier’s last video conference session with the permanent secretary of Interior, the Royal Irrigation Department director-general and the provincial governors of Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Roi-et and Yasothorn has shown that the government has lost touch with reality."

Really?