PM thanks flood victims

By THE NATION

 

 

Water discharges to begin tomorrow affecting designated areas as volumes near 2011 levels.

THE PRIME Minister yesterday issued a heartfelt thanks to thousands of people all over Thailand who had made sacrifices during this year’s severe floods.

 

Addressing people whose land was inundated by water diverted to relieve the pressure on waterways, Prayut Chan-o-cha said: “Thank you for your sacrifice. The government has already drawn up plans to provide you with remedial actions.”

 

 

Prayut said the government was now dealing with a water volume problem every bit as dire as in 2011, the year Thailand faced its worst floods in decades. 

 

However, he expressed confidence that good water management would prevent the floodwaters swelling over their embankments.

 

“We are doing our best and we are communicating with people,” he said, apparently in relation to the need to divert some water into people’s private land. 

 

He also instructed provincial governors to help find jobs for people during the ongoing wet season, as some land plots now had to serve as “Monkey Cheeks” water retention areas. 

 

As a consequence, farmers will not be able to work on their farmland for a while. 

 

This month, floods have hit parts of 23 provinces in the country and affected more than 120,000 people. 

 

 

According to the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), accumulated rainfall from January 1 to October 24 is only a little less than the same period in 2011. 

 

As of yesterday, 12 Monkey Cheeks in the Chao Phraya River Basin were almost full. The department will tomorrow start releasing water from most of these retention areas so that surplus water can flow into the sea fast enough to accommodate run-off from upstream. 

 

“Up to now, our water management has worked as planned,” Prayut said. 

 

He assured people that even with water discharges, water levels would not swell over embankments that had been erected along major waterways such as the Chao Phraya River. 

 

He said the water discharges had to take place to prevent bigger problems in the future.

 

Prayut was speaking during his trip to Angthong province, where he met with flood victims and offered them moral support. 

 

 

The prime minister said HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn had expressed concern over the widespread flooding and told the government to prepare action plans and rehabilitation in flood-hit areas, with the emphasis on people’s welfare. 

 

RID deputy director-general Thongplew Kongjun said there were about 1,423 million cubic metres of water in the Chao Phraya River Basin. Much of it would be drained out to sea over the next two months via irrigation channels, so as to prevent overflowing in areas the water has to flow past, he said. 

 

“Judging from our plan, the water volume in the Lower Basin should be manageable. It’s unlikely that economic zones such as Bangkok will be affected,” he added. 

 

Agriculture Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya said he had already instructed relevant officials to deliver speedy help to affected farmers. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30330432

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-31

 

 

 

Quote

THE PRIME Minister yesterday issued a heartfelt thanks to thousands of people all over Thailand who had made sacrifices during this year’s severe floods.

 

That has to be one of the most Orwellian things I've ever read, I mean really - it's not as if they had a choice in the matter. 

Thanks, flood victims! Every year you get flooded and you only complain a little. You really do make life much easier for the ruling elite. 

 

As for sacrifices, don't worry - Khun Prayut has sleepless nights worrying about his self-appointed position. 

 

Reminds me of when my boss tried to not pay me during the 2011 floods. She said, "My business is losing money, too. We all have to share the losses" "Really?", I said. "Does this mean we all get to share the profits too?" "Ha ha ha! Think too mut, think too mut". 

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

PM thanks flood victims

"Thanks for being bitten" said the snake

3 hours ago, webfact said:

issued a heartfelt thanks to thousands of people all over Thailand who had made sacrifices during this year’s severe floods.

what flawed posturing; the 'sacrifices' were not voluntary, total after-the-fact spin

Thanks Flood Victims for another year of giving justification to funding that prevents flooding but which mysteriously doesn't seem to get effectively spent.  Until next years flood adios.

"Thank you for your involuntary participation and sacrifice!" I am sure they will be greatly rewarding for their patriotism.

 

Another year, another season of floods, more patronistic pandering from a high and dry perch, another can kicked down the road once flood waters subside.

Edited October 31, 20178 yr by connda

4 hours ago, webfact said:

PM thanks flood victims

For not revolting?

"Thank you for drowning in the flood, I said would never happen!
Count on me to do nothing, but spout hollow promises again- next year, same time!"

 

Did they have a choice in the matter? 

Prayut was speaking during his trip to Angthong province, where he met with flood victims and offered them moral support. 

 

Why  are all of you criticizing Prayet? He gave the victims moral support. What more can he do? Did you? 

 

There is a little bit of Mao about this political presentation.