The Upsides of the Natural Disaster

Public attention has been turned away from the bombing in Bang Bua Thong district in Nonthaburi province and the Department of Special Investigation's (DSI) report that a red shirt militant group was being trained in a neighboring country. In simple terms, there have been no assassination attempts on the prime minister and other important government figures.

All of this is due to the recent natural disaster, which could be the only upside brought with the people’s suffering. The major flood which is taking place in most of Thailand at the moment has also given the National Police Office, the DSI, and the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations a breather, especially after Cambodia accused the government of fabricating news about the red shirt militant’s group training.

Meanwhile, the Northeastern parts of the country, especially Nakorn Ratchasima province and nearby areas, are experiencing the worst flood in 50 years. Much of the agricultural crops and homes have been destroyed.

The disaster has also been followed by burglars taking advantage of the situation by stealing things from homes in flooded areas. The National Police Office has ordered law enforcement authorities to step up security in the disaster areas. In response, Commander of the Nakorn Ratchasima Provincial Police Bureau Police Major-General Chatkanok Kiewsangsong has ordered police officers to take off their uniforms and help flood victims while armed with pistols in plastic bags.

Now, those who are planning to take advantage of the victims should think twice.

There is also another important agenda during this time of disaster; the appointment of the commander and the deputy commander ranks, which will be considered within the next few days if not postponed.

If the flood situation is getting worse, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva may have to postpone the appointment meeting to the end of the month.

We should be confident that as long as the prime minister is the head of the National Police Committee, it will not be easy for anyone to take advantage of the occasion by making any unjust appointments. At the very least, the prime minister has proven himself to be a good man.

However, the prime minister must be wary that some may take advantage of the time while he is busy handling the flood situation and will attempt to make some unsuitable appointments which could damage the country.

As the head of the National Police Committee, the prime minister must prevent anyone from turning this disaster into an opportunity.

Taken from Lieb Kye Column by Chaikorn Bai-ngern, Kom Chad Leuk Newspaper, Page2, October 21, 2010

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 2010-10-22

Not sure if this article will be seen as optimistic, pessimistic, in regard to the future, or a realistic view of the perchance of some of the people to take advantage of any situation, no matter how or who their actions affect.

Like many Thai articles, starts off in one direction then digresses as always. No clear direction. Especially the title 'The Upside". What upside????

Like many Thai articles, starts off in one direction then digresses as always. No clear direction. Especially the title 'The Upside". What upside????

They seem to be saying that no major political figures have been assassinated due to the inclement weather.

Very strange reasoning!

"ordered police officers to take off their uniforms and help flood victims while armed with pistols in plastic bags."

sneaky

"ordered police officers to take off their uniforms and help flood victims while armed with pistols in plastic bags."

sneaky

nud_e Coppers with guns in plastic bags. TIT

Like many Thai articles, starts off in one direction then digresses as always. No clear direction. Especially the title 'The Upside". What upside????

Never forget : Its a translation.

And has to be read in some context, a context that is maybe in the dark for us foreigners as we don't know it but this hasn't to be that case for a Thai reader or any other regular reader of that column.

...so the article says that the natural disaster is good as it diverts attention from a man-made disaster. The...upside..is what? That (hopefully) people will turn a blind eye or pretend that bomb never occured?

what a great overtone:ermm:

...so the article says that the natural disaster is good as it diverts attention from a man-made disaster. The...upside..is what? That (hopefully) people will turn a blind eye or pretend that bomb never occured?

what a great overtone:ermm:

The sad thing about the flooding is that it is not a natural disaster. It is a man made disaster. When building and making roads perhaps the Thais can learn a lesson now about preserving flood plains, not narrowing natural waterways et al.

The sad thing about the flooding is that it is not a natural disaster. It is a man made disaster. When building and making roads perhaps the Thais can learn a lesson now about preserving flood plains, not narrowing natural waterways et al.

Took the words right out of my mouth... :jap:

Edited October 23, 201015 yr by Milo

The floodwater will fertilize the soil for the next crop season.

Since when has water been a fertiliser?

The floodwater will fertilize the soil for the next crop season.

no no no the water will wash away all the top soil so the farmers will have to buy more top soil

Speaking of natural disasters, why couldn't the flood waters hold back until the BMA Bangkok Eye is finished so that it can be swept down the Chaophraya River as well. And take the idiot BMA Directors leading this stupid 'naturally' dumb idea as well.

There was no typo, it is a 30 billion baht (US$1 billion) project!