GentlemanJim

Whatever the physical costs are of the flood damages, and that will be tens of billions if not more, it is the perfect excuse now for the Government to say that tablet computers, minimum wage hikes, graduate wages and free wifi zones are now off the menu because of the costs of unprecedented natural disasters What a lucky Government!!

I wonder if Yingluck was actually praying to the River Goddess to stop or to bring it on

You may be right, but what about the THB 350 - 410 billion to be spent on the rice price pledging scheme between Oct 7th 2011 and Feb 28th 2012 ?

Good point. Well with failed crops now in Vietnam and Cambodia, there is an absolute killing to be made for the middle man in Thailand! Maybe a good time to go long on Rice as a commodity.

*edited out*

So according to you, Israel and the international community negotiated for the release of this soldier because he looked cute!!!! So had he been short fat and ugly you would have seen the international community allow him to languish in captivity for ever more?

Back to topic! The reason for the negotiated release of the soldier is political, nothing less, it assists Israel's case with the UN.

This is nothing to do with the 'Israeli's being there for their Soldiers. This deal could easily have been brokered 4 years ago. This deal has now been struck for purely political motives. Palestine is now on the table at the UN for what will ultimately boil down to observer status. The Israeli's clearly do not want that and have now pulled an ace from out of their sleeves to be seen as playing 'fair and above board', willing to go that extra mile as it were. The terrorists that will be released are effectively under lock and key anyway in Palastine. The wall is built and there is no free travel between zones. No big deal and a big score for Israel in front of the UN. Simples really! It does not matter what the country is, never ever give credit to any Government for doing something in the interest of a single citizen. There is always something else behind the decision. This decision is quite plain to see.

Excuse me, but the deal was between HAMAS, which is running GAZA and the Israelis, brokered by Egypt. This wall you speak of is on the west bank, NOT Gaza. Your logic of the connection to the UN is quite buggered considering HAMAS is on record as opposing the Abbas led UN state recognition effort.

Whatever!

The logic is nothing to do with Hamas, they are very happy. It is to do with Israel. You did actually read what I wrote didn't you?

Whatever the physical costs are of the flood damages, and that will be tens of billions if not more, it is the perfect excuse now for the Government to say that tablet computers, minimum wage hikes, graduate wages and free wifi zones are now off the menu because of the costs of unprecedented natural disasters What a lucky Government!!

I wonder if Yingluck was actually praying to the River Goddess to stop or to bring it on

Residents of Pathumthani, this might be useful

http://pathumthani.thaiflood.com/en/

Yet my area is not anyhow "marked". But electric plays crazy here....

thanks for the link, just been talking to my girlfriend in khlong song, khlong luang Pathum and it's pretty hairy there i do hope that dyke has been repaired as the water is up to the top ready to cause chaos and she is only but 10 metres from it. Not sure the link will make her worry more though!

Mate,

if she is but 10M from it perhaps she needs to make a timely exit and go stay somewhere else! Just a thought.

Bangkok's flood walls 'strong'

The only worry is the temporary flood wall built around the squatter community who encroached on Chao Phraya river bank for a few hundred metres and refused to allow BMA to complete the permanent wall.

Is that a first for Thailand? Quite scary actually. So there is indeed a weak point in the reinforced 'permanent' concrete wall. It doesn't matter how good the wall is, if there is a weak point then that is where the water will come in.

Undeniably the authorities will protect central Bangkok at the expense of anywhere else since this is the economic engine of the country and also the home of the most advanced infrastructure.

How much would it cost, indirectly and directly, if the MRT were inundated?

Without Bangkok, this country grinds to a halt economically, and the up-country people will unfortunately have to suffer in the face of that reality.

An interesting point, and maybe one on which you can enlighten us further, what are the MRTs flood defences? How and when are they activated? Whilst the Skytrain can hold out for a while (providing the foundations hold), I'd be interested to know about the capabilities of the underground system, how big are their pumps and where are they powered from? etc

Trev

Too many questions, too deep! Try doing some work for your answers. Google is your friend.

This is nothing to do with the 'Israeli's being there for their Soldiers. This deal could easily have been brokered 4 years ago. This deal has now been struck for purely political motives. Palestine is now on the table at the UN for what will ultimately boil down to observer status. The Israeli's clearly do not want that and have now pulled an ace from out of their sleeves to be seen as playing 'fair and above board', willing to go that extra mile as it were. The terrorists that will be released are effectively under lock and key anyway in Palastine. The wall is built and there is no free travel between zones. No big deal and a big score for Israel in front of the UN. Simples really! It does not matter what the country is, never ever give credit to any Government for doing something in the interest of a single citizen. There is always something else behind the decision. This decision is quite plain to see.

Cynical but probably correct, i suspect.

Phil

I apologize for the cynicism but I honestly believe that this is the way it is. That poor lad could have been freed from Hamas years ago. He has been kept until an opportunistic moment presented itself. Still, whatever the ultimate reason I am delighted for him that he will soon be reunited with his family.

So lets get this straight.

16 Saudi's hijack aircraft and fly them into the twin towers and the Pentagon and that is not in anyway connected to Saudi Arabia, and two nut jobs yet to do anything have been uncovered in a very amateurish plot and this is the fault of the Iranian leadership and could prove the excuse needed to go to war. Give us a break please!

This is nothing to do with the 'Israeli's being there for their Soldiers. This deal could easily have been brokered 4 years ago. This deal has now been struck for purely political motives. Palestine is now on the table at the UN for what will ultimately boil down to observer status. The Israeli's clearly do not want that and have now pulled an ace from out of their sleeves to be seen as playing 'fair and above board', willing to go that extra mile as it were. The terrorists that will be released are effectively under lock and key anyway in Palastine. The wall is built and there is no free travel between zones. No big deal and a big score for Israel in front of the UN. Simples really! It does not matter what the country is, never ever give credit to any Government for doing something in the interest of a single citizen. There is always something else behind the decision. This decision is quite plain to see.

It concerns me that just as in business, Thais will rarely say 'no' to you, even when they want to, they will say 'yes' then you get a no by other means later, are the 'experts' saying, 'don't worry, we can cope' when really they want to shout 'everybody get to high ground quick'! Face saving has no place in an emergency situation. Take the safe option guys.

To all concerned, best of luck guys. Don't be complacent, get all your family/valuables up to second floors. 1 M of water is a LOT of water to come down the street!. At worst case you have to carry everything back downstairs next week when nothing has happened. Good Luck.

Far, far too late, talk about shutting the stable door. Why did they not dredge said canals on a regular basis (and prevent or at least reduce) the flooding crisis? This of course assumes that there will be sufficient additional capacity created to have any significant effect.

I'm quite sure that the floods will have receded all by themselves by the time the operation gets under way, then of course it will be halted because it's not needed, until next time.

Crossy

You hit the nail on the head!

It was mentioned elsewhere on the site yesterday that the Government will flood other areas of Thailand in order to save Bangkok. Suffer the poor people!

If the government thinks like this might as well just dam up the river.

It would allow Bkk more land to develop and less traffic since most of the bottlenecks are near the bridges.

Can't fault your logic!

It is strange that looking at the flood maps upriver of the Chao Phraya from Bangkok seems to be backed up.

It is like the river goes through a bottleneck in Bangkok.

One would think BKK It is almost intentional that the other provinces are flooded but not Bangkok.

Is the government purposely trickling the river flow before it gets to Bkk or is there some kind of bottleneck in Nonthaburi?

Most of the canal levels I've seen in Bkk are pretty normal for the rainy season. Not much difference since last year's levels.

The flooding in Bkk I've seen like in Ratchada, etc. I think is just from bad infrastructure, clogged canals, clogged sewer drainage pipes, or either low level homes.

Like those houses that are below street level and those roads that are below the canal level.

I can't believe and don't see 1-2 meter floods in central Bangkok.

I live in Thawi Watthana and unlike the news reports say, the roads here are pretty dry.

Even the canal water level seems to be ok, not unusually high or anything.

Well it rained like hell ahead of the high tide today, but no serious flooding in "inner Bangkok", even down by the river. Half an hour it was gone.

That is what I'm saying. I just don't see how the Chao Phraya can flood up north yet Bkk is pretty dry. There has to be a bottle neck or diversion somewhere.

It was mentioned elsewhere on the site yesterday that the Government will flood other areas of Thailand in order to save Bangkok. Suffer the poor people!

All this and the Government will not declare a state of Emergency. Quite strange really.

What would the state of emergency do aside from suspend civil liberties? The government has all of the power it needs to mount a flood response. Aside from satisfying the desire of some to have martial law, please explain the advantages that such a declaration brings.

What a funny comment coming from a chap whose country will declare a state of emergency at the drop of a hat! This case is nothing to do with suspending civil liberties. There are many reasons why a Government may declare a state of emergency, this is not quite the same as the red shirts burning down Bangkok is it? We are not talking about civil unrest here, or protests or curfews, we are talking about a natural disaster where if you follow the definition of a state of emergency in such conditions, it would be a Government declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It would permit local Governors (very importantly in 27 provinces at the moment), full control and discretion to use their budgets as they see fit in order to safe guard the population and other important assets. It would mobilize the military to focus all efforts on full aid to the civilian community in terms of delivering food and water and also using 'grunt' power to assist in the construction of facilities to help prevent/minimize the effects of flooding. Having typed all of that out I cannot believe that you of all people do not know it.

To be quite honest, of all the people I encounter on Thai Visa, I am staggered you raised the question.

All this and the Government will not declare a state of Emergency. Quite strange really.

So what happened? I had the news on all night and not one mention or image of the breathtaking idea. Were even the news channels too embarrassed to run the story?

As ex Military, I can only imagine for a second the sheer horror of the Navy personnel being ordered to participate in something that could only have been code named Operation Futility. The Science Minister must be in line for the Academic equivalent of the Darwin Awards.

It ran on Thai PBS which is running round-the-clock flood coverage. The Thai Navy experiencing the 'sheer horror' of having to follow orders from politicos, as usual (or maybe not-so-usual in Thaland?). Up til now, I thought they were hiding out. Other than the tugs, I haven't seen any indication of other Navy vessels participating. At this point I'd say the good Minister doesn't give a flying bridge about his Academic credentials. Does he have any?

Thai at Heart, on 26 minutes ago, said:

Just caught the news this morning with someone describing how right now they are trying to protect a certain part of the river that is considered the most important to protect the city.

It may be a good or bad thing, but it appeared to me that the entire effort at sandbagging, monitoring and managing the whole thing was being done by civilians. Maybe all the government and civil service people were in that raft of Fortuners I saw heading north yesterday?

Wow! That must have been a BIG raft if was carrying 'all the government and civil service people' as well as their SUVs. Maybe it was Toyota getting some vehicles out of Bangkok before what happens to them what happened to an entire lot of several hundred vehicles in Nahkon Sawan. Don't know why they would be going north, though.

Max

I really have no idea where you are coming from. Are you some kinda Government plant here on Thai Visa? I think we should be told! I don't tune in to PBS, perhaps you should take out some form of advertising on here if you are a PBS shareholder. And yes, do you think every Military commander takes orders from a politician without thinking in the back of their mind sometimes, "what a <deleted>**ing stupid idea". Just as they would have done with this one? Tugs or not, the Navy were there, so whats your point Max?

So what happened? I had the news on all night and not one mention or image of the breathtaking idea. Were even the news channels too embarrassed to run the story?

As ex Military, I can only imagine for a second the sheer horror of the Navy personnel being ordered to participate in something that could only have been code named Operation Futility. The Science Minister must be in line for the Academic equivalent of the Darwin Awards.

Can someone please post the number for some aid assistance

I have 6 Thais staying with me because their houses are flooded.

I have to feed them 3 times a day and then there's water, electricity, personal items (like for the ladies) etc. Then when the floods subside i have to pay their bus fares back, plus some food water etc. for the trip and possibly a bit more for them to get on their feet. Plus one has an injury and needs medication. All adds up.

THis is a THai issue and a Government issue and so I am wondering where to put my claim in for flood relief or compensation?

You see this is all coming out of my pension money ie i need to prove 65k per month to live on and now with 6 Thais here it is fast eating away my money to support myself to meet the requirements of the retirement visa ext.

I am worried that by spending the money (to prove to immigration) now that when my extension is up for renewal I will not have enough. What will I do?

Show them the movie (can't recall the name), they ate the other passenger after an airplane accident as there was no other food.

Than you show the three movies with Hannibal Lecter

BlackJack

I cannot for the life of me fathom out how this situation you are in possibly affects your visa renewal. What you spend your pension money on is up to you, and surely what is happening does not affect the physical amount of money you receive for your pension each month.

What you are doing is a good thing. You are helping your fellow human/neighbour/ relative. I assume you have done this by choice, if so then try not to worry about the money and feel good in the fact you are helping those less fortunate than yourself. If money is an issue then talk to those that are staying with you. Floods do not mean that people have no money or no means to take care of themselves financially. If they were in their own homes now they would still pay for food and utilities, so why not now? The best way to secure any form of aid is to talk with the people you are 'keeping', and when they receive any formal government aid they pass it on to you as a reasonable thank you for your hospitality. If they do not do that or are not willing to do that then open the door and tell them that your hospitality will be mirrored by their selfish nature.

Regardless of all that blah, what you spend on them cannot affect your visa application. Well done, and good luck!

I know this has been asked in the past but maybe information has changed in recent months. Has anyone yet found a Thai bank willing to do buy to rent mortgages, or indeed a foriegn bank willing to do the same for Thai properties? Any information gratefully received.

so what time does this all happen today then? Can't wait!

Big problem being that they do not know how to take honest non objective polls in Thailand.

I agree. Specially, whatever you think of the current government, it is not fair to make them responsible for all the failures happening right now. It was not them setting up emergency organisations, relief agencies etc. It was not them not implementing policies and procedures for effectively dealing with such a crisis during the last years... it was not them not building additional dams, canals etc. during the last years...

Come on guys, the people suffering most of the flood damages and devistation are mainly Red Shirts.. sweet revenge for burning down Bangkok... They voted in this government, the government installed the ministers, and the ministers are proving useless... anyone surprised..? I donated 3 of my wifes old bikinis and 2 pairs of the kids water-wings... hope it helps...

I think your comment is outrageous! The people affected are kids, women, men, both Thai and Farang, independent of who they did vote for! You seem to lack any decency and manners! That's my personal comment

With regards to the ministers installed, they can not be blamed for all that happened! Not even the best new ministers can't deal with such a catastrophe, if their departments - for many years led by the Democrats - are not ready / prepared / willing to deal with such an event!

Or vice versa: Not even the worst minister installed by the new government could have stopped a well organized and ready department to deal with such a flood... and if their department is not ready, then the majority of the blame must go to the previous government. A minister can NOT undo and correct all the mistakes of a 3-y government in only 3 months.

Get off your soap box Swiss1960. At the end of the day it is exactly the fault of the Government at the time. The Government departments responsible for the various crisis centers and evacuation and relief protocols have been there for decades and are not party political. The current Government have been fiddling whilst Rome burns. They are more interested in trying to discuss their failed popularist promises of minimum wages and tablet computers for school children than addressing what is effectively a national emergency. More interested in playing MP football matches in Cambodia after only weeks in power (as a not even thinly disguised mission of meeting the fugitive criminal Thaksin), or wasting billions on ridiculous fuel subsidies to help the poor, which in fact only help the rich, as the poor drive around on mopeds using 50 baht of gas a week, whilst the rich see the benefit when filling up their trucks at the gas station. Yesterday when Juttaporn should have been handing out rice and water he was too busy inaugerating the first 'Red District'. Well you make your bed and you lie in it.

The only concrete thing the Government seem to have come up with to alleviate the forthcoming financial disaster in Bangkok is an idea that would shame most kindergarten students, namely to line up as many boats as possible and 'rush' the water in the river out to sea!! Seems the Science Minister and his Scientific advisers should have studied science at an early stage in their education.

The current lack of Leadership and Executive command and control is 100% the fault of the presiding Government.

Aussietrooper

I find it strange on a forum titled "I drink too much" where most people come to want help to get off the evil brew, you come on to the forum wanting to change the title to "I want to drink too much". I need to understand your rationale. I am not being critical of you at all, but scanning this forum does bring home to me how devastating excess alcohol can be in every aspect of life. Having read the threads on this forum, why do you want to continue to drink more, indeed searching for a drug or herb that facilitates you to drink more. Drinking more under the idea that Milk Thistle, will save you cannot be true, at best it will just slow down a little the inevitable. Just sayin!

didn't see that Scott. Thought I had done something to delete it.