Bangkok’s seasonal floods reveal the problem of short-term thinking

[webfact]

 

With more heavy downpours forecast through the remaining rainy season, there is both good news and bad news for Thailand residents worried about floods.

 

On the bright side, authorities and experts have promised that the flooding will not be as bad as the 2011 disaster. However, many say that serious floods have returned because no real solutions have been applied since the calamity a decade ago.

 

“Since the big floods of 2011, we have got the National Water Resources Act, the Office of the National Water Resources, the National River Basin Committee and many more such bodies,” Kasetsart University lecturer Sitang Pilailar told Thai PBS World.

 

“There are more than 30 agencies [for water management]. Yet, we have barely made any progress, especially in the face of crises,” the lecturer at the university’s Water Resources Engineering Department said.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/bangkoks-seasonal-floods-reveal-the-problem-of-short-term-thinking/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-09-12

 

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[Soikhaonoiken]

The flooding in Bangkok and else where will never be stopped until the brown envelopes are stopped...

[kwonitoy]

“Since the big floods of 2011, we have got the National Water Resources Act, the Office of the National Water Resources, the National River Basin Committee and many more such bodies,” Kasetsart University lecturer Sitang Pilailar told Thai PBS World.

 

And all of these offices and committees will reduce the water by absolutely zero.

I believe the Dutch offered there services after 2011 but were turned down.

You need infrastructure, not endless talk and meetings

Edited September 11, 2022 by metisdead
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[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, Soikhaonoiken said:

The flooding in Bangkok and else where will never be stopped until the brown envelopes are stopped...

Or at least stopped being thrown in the klongs

[ikke1959]

problem of short thinking??? I wonder if they ever think??? How is it possible that every year the country is flooding without anyone doing although they have many commitees... Oh only to earn some extra money, but not for solving the problems

[Aussieroaming]

Water will always flow to the lowest point first so low laying areas will always end up inundated. The long term solution is to build up areas so that they are above sea level or move the capital to an area that isn't built on a natural flood plain.

[jacko45k]

Six hours the wife's brother spent trying to drive home in Bangkok last week, what a nightmare.

[2baht]

the problem of short-term thinking

Is the rice cooked?

[josephbloggs]

3 hours ago, kwonitoy said:

I believe the Dutch offered there services after 2011 but were turned down.

You need infrastructure, not endless talk and meetings

I see this posted so often on here but it is another TVF myth.   They weren't turned down, they were asked for their help.  Where does this nonsense come from?

https://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/dutch-experts-helped-thai-authorities-to-combat-bangkok-floods

https://reliefweb.int/report/thailand/thailand-and-netherlands-will-cooperate-tackling-floods

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

On the bright side, authorities and experts have promised that the flooding will not be as bad as the 2011 disaster.

If that's the best they can do then move over and let someone in who has an idea.

[vandeventer]

7 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Or at least stopped being thrown in the klongs

Else where is not looking too good as well 150 km north of CM.

[fdimike]

There's always lots and lots of talk but little action by any of 30+ committees because, gosh it's just too much trouble to get off our collective lazy ass! to do anything about the problem.  It's so much easier to just back in our aircon offices and relax. 

[kotsak]

Sorry, but you can't fix something fυbar!

Edited September 12, 2022 by kotsak

[Andycoops]

The Thai culture revolves around the here and now as taught by Buddhism, do the future doesn't really exist as those of us who try to plan ahead here already know.