Sense Of Urgency Must Turn Into Action: Thai Comment

[webfact]

COMMENT

Sense of urgency must turn into action

The Nation

The term "emergency" means a situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment.

It's a situation that requires a brave, think-outside-the-box and unbiased response in which politics and personal interests play absolutely no part. The goal is simple: Lives must be saved, health threats minimised and property and the environment protected as much as possible.

Thailand's flood crisis has become a major emergency, and therefore the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must drop any political prejudice and take the bull by the horns.

A sense of urgency, albeit belated, was seen yesterday through the setting up of a new government mechanism to cope with the nationwide flooding of unprecedented scale. Of course, it's better late than never. But too little the move might prove to be.

Unorganised agencies have been fighting a rearguard battle as floods wreak havoc from one region to another. Province after province has been submerged. Transport routes have been cut. Relief supplies are yet to reach a large proportion of sufferers, who number in the millions. Vast areas of farmland have been devastated and huge numbers of livestock wiped out. National-heritage sites have been damaged or threatened. Factories are going under and workers face layoffs. Tension has been high between victims and unaffected people in neighbouring areas.

The relief centre announced yesterday, with Yingluck as its head and ministers concerned supervising delegated operations, was at best an attempt to put the embattled house in order and at worst a preparation for a new rear-guard battle. The ministers are the same Cabinet members who have been found lacking in their efforts to cope with this still-unfolding crisis. Agencies coming under this mechanism are the ones already fighting the floods in desperation. It seems the success of the plan announced by Yingluck yesterday will rely more on nature's mercy than human efficiency.

The military, meanwhile, has played a largely passive part, but the government apparently hopes the Armed Forces will play a greater role under the new plan. Yingluck does not want to empower the military more than necessary in this crisis, for obvious reasons. In the Thai political context, each sanction of the Armed Forces' new authority is met with apprehension and distrust - more so when the Yingluck government is concerned.

The question is how much will be considered "more than necessary". One school says Thailand's political system practically allows a democratic government to mobilise warships or soldiers and utilise advanced and ready equipment of the Armed Forces to cope with a natural disaster without really having to change anything legally. Yesterday's announcement means this school still prevails.

The other school says that when an emergency becomes overwhelming, all principles must be reconsidered. The thinking is admittedly controversial. It's too bad that Thai politics does not give much room for flexibility, even for troops to perform civic duties in an increasingly grave situation. This is why yesterday's development fell short of depicting the flood disaster as a state of emergency, as it is supposed to be.

A "state of emergency" we are having. But such a term has unfortunately become inseparable from politics, although what's happening in 28 Thai provinces has nothing to do with politicians or the problems between them and others. The Yingluck administration has decided to opt for incremental changes in coping with growing criticism related to its flood response.

If a catastrophe is averted, lives are saved, food reaches all starving victims and diseases are pre-empted or contained, the new flood-relief mechanism will have proved to be a proper response. If the opposite happens, the question of why the government did not do more will resound, although by then any question may prove irrelevant.

-- The Nation 2011-10-08

[OzMick]

Ah, yes. Declaring a State of Emergency and deploying the RTA to help those affected by floods is a very dangerous move, in the political context. Having the people see the army as the good guys actually DOING something to assist, in comparison to the politicians making unfulfilled promises, useless visits, meaningless decrees, and forming committees, tends to destroy the image painted of the monster waiting on the sidelines to destroy democracy.

It could also be very damaging if parallels are drawn between this SoE and the last; a government faced with a situation it and the civilian authorities are not equipped to handle, calling out the troops to HELP.

So of course, PTP will delay as long as possible declaring an SoE, hoping the problem will just drain away. But with around 250 dead and no end in sight, why isn't this an emergency? And why is useful manpower and equipment sitting on the sidelines and not being used?

If I may draw a parallel, before the tsunami, Aceh had a strong muslim based separatist movement which painted the western world as their great enemy, After the tsunami, food aid came in sacks prominently displaying the US or Aussie flag, USN ships provided power, water and hospital services, and Australians were building homes. The great enemy was helping while the Rsoles who had caused nothing but grief for untold years did nothing, and support for their cause simply evaporated.

Can't have that happening here, can we?

[cup-O-coffee]

Yingluck does not want to empower the military more than necessary in this crisis, for obvious reasons.

Huh? The Nation can read minds now?

With presumptuous statements like this, it seems that The Nation has it all figured out.

Perhaps the Nation should get into politics and become national advisers, and throw their lot into this SoE?

Without these absurd statements, this article is nothing more than someone saying, "Don't just stand there... DO Something!"; and that is nothing more than what others are crying about in, what I suspect, is an effort to make themselves look good in everyone's eyes whilst they cast responsibility on the shoulders of the most likely victim.

I say that, because regardless of how I think Thai politics is similar to the Keystone Cops, I feel it is extremely absurd to cast sole responsibility on a government that is still getting to know the "ship" and how she handles in a storm.

There are plenty of veterans of these floods that COULD come forward and offer assistance, including the benevolent Nation and their telepathic abilities.

It's funny; I've noticed in Thailand and elsewhere that people do not give e genuine hoot for the living, but when the funeral is on, and the food is laid out, people that the deceased never even knew show up and offer insincere platitudes and condolences and stuff their faces with food.

Another point is that people die; regardless of the element or manner of the deaths. How the living choose to deal with that fact is what I feel a lot of this is about. 250 dead and no end in sight. What a stupid statement. How about "humans die, and there is no end in sight". Let's create a cure for death. Let's blame Ying Luck for not doing anything about the fact that people will die tomorrow, and there is no end in sight.

Cease and desist with the "people are dying and there is no end in sight" card.

I assure you that there were probably more relatives, neighbors and locals within the vicinity of those victims than was Ying Luck when they succumbed; and I suspect it was not instantaneous. Maybe I should blame the locals for not knowing CPR?

Ying Luck is a human being. The issue she is facing regards the elements of nature, and their irresistible and unrelenting force. Maybe Ying Luck should draw the circle on the floor light some candles, and conjure up the spirit of Moses. Other than that, how absurd is it to expect a human to stop a flood?

[hellodolly]

It really shows people what the PT is all about when a state of emergency arrises and they sit by and play politics.

For my money if they were to drop all their election promises and the drive to bring their leader back and concentrate on the SOE I would not object I would say good on them.

I am still remindful of when they had emergency provisions and held them until Yingluck could deliver them in person.

Wonder if she handed out condoms personally.

[cup-O-coffee]

It really shows people what the PT is all about when a state of emergency arrises and they sit by and play politics.

For my money if they were to drop all their election promises and the drive to bring their leader back and concentrate on the SOE I would not object I would say good on them.

I am still remindful of when they had emergency provisions and held them until Yingluck could deliver them in person.

Wonder if she handed out condoms personally.

I don't understand exactly what you are saying. Are you saying that PM TL has to do something to stop the flooding and get a handle on the situation and cure all the problems that this natural disaster is causing?

If so, then isn't that a bit too much to expect of one person.

In the face of natural disaster, why is it that people pray in the midst of crisis and don't hold any hard feelings to the one they pray to?

But when it comes to throwing the same burden of their prayers on a mere human being, they expect the human being to perform more miracles than the god they prayed to!

And then they curse the human for not outperforming god, and let god off the hook?

It seems really absurd how humans cast around their unrealistic expectations like a bunch of lunatics, and use that as a reason to sit on their asses and do nothing, or escape responsibility by casting focus elsewhere.

Why not blame Poseidon, or Triton instead of Ying Luck; a mere human!

Edited October 8, 2011 by cup-O-coffee

[OzMick]

Yingluck does not want to empower the military more than necessary in this crisis, for obvious reasons.

Huh? The Nation can read minds now?

With presumptuous statements like this, it seems that The Nation has it all figured out.

Perhaps the Nation should get into politics and become national advisers, and throw their lot into this SoE?

Without these absurd statements, this article is nothing more than someone saying, "Don't just stand there... DO Something!"; and that is nothing more than what others are crying about in, what I suspect, is an effort to make themselves look good in everyone's eyes whilst they cast responsibility on the shoulders of the most likely victim.

I say that, because regardless of how I think Thai politics is similar to the Keystone Cops, I feel it is extremely absurd to cast sole responsibility on a government that is still getting to know the "ship" and how she handles in a storm.

There are plenty of veterans of these floods that COULD come forward and offer assistance, including the benevolent Nation and their telepathic abilities.

It's funny; I've noticed in Thailand and elsewhere that people do not give e genuine hoot for the living, but when the funeral is on, and the food is laid out, people that the deceased never even knew show up and offer insincere platitudes and condolences and stuff their faces with food.

Another point is that people die; regardless of the element or manner of the deaths. How the living choose to deal with that fact is what I feel a lot of this is about. 250 dead and no end in sight. What a stupid statement. How about "humans die, and there is no end in sight". Let's create a cure for death. Let's blame Ying Luck for not doing anything about the fact that people will die tomorrow, and there is no end in sight.

Cease and desist with the "people are dying and there is no end in sight" card.

I assure you that there were probably more relatives, neighbors and locals within the vicinity of those victims than was Ying Luck when they succumbed; and I suspect it was not instantaneous. Maybe I should blame the locals for not knowing CPR?

Ying Luck is a human being. The issue she is facing regards the elements of nature, and their irresistible and unrelenting force. Maybe Ying Luck should draw the circle on the floor light some candles, and conjure up the spirit of Moses. Other than that, how absurd is it to expect a human to stop a flood?

The OP is pointing out that there is a state of emergency (you seem to agree) but Yingluk won't declare it as such. And yes, there are people who could help.............but she doesn't want to use them.

The rest of your rant on the inevitability of human death I find to be offensive and insensitive to the plight of millions of people. Children drowning or succumbing to flood-born disease is not inescapable, it is a situation brought on by the present conditions, where the maximum assistance available is not being used FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

Edited October 8, 2011 by OzMick

[OzMick]

It really shows people what the PT is all about when a state of emergency arrises and they sit by and play politics.

For my money if they were to drop all their election promises and the drive to bring their leader back and concentrate on the SOE I would not object I would say good on them.

I am still remindful of when they had emergency provisions and held them until Yingluck could deliver them in person.

Wonder if she handed out condoms personally.

I don't understand exactly what you are saying. Are you saying that PM TL has to do something to stop the flooding and get a handle on the situation and cure all the problems that this natural disaster is causing?

If so, then isn't that a bit too much to expect of one person.

In the face of natural disaster, why is it that people pray in the midst of crisis and don't hold any hard feelings to the one they pray to?

But when it comes to throwing the same burden of their prayers on a mere human being, they expect the human being to perform more miracles than the god they prayed to!

And then they curse the human for not outperforming god, and let god off the hook?

It seems really absurd how humans cast around their unrealistic expectations like a bunch of lunatics, and use that as a reason to sit on their asses and do nothing, or escape responsibility by casting focus elsewhere.

Why not blame Poseidon, or Triton instead of Ying Luck; a mere human!

Again you miss the point, that she is NOT doing all that is possible.

BTW 1 got any pictures of Yingluk getting her Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahnik's a little damp ?

BTW 2 Poseidon and Triton are dead, we now mostly see monotheism. Only one more god to dispose of.................

[cup-O-coffee]

Yingluck does not want to empower the military more than necessary in this crisis, for obvious reasons.

Huh? The Nation can read minds now?

With presumptuous statements like this, it seems that The Nation has it all figured out.

Perhaps the Nation should get into politics and become national advisers, and throw their lot into this SoE?

Without these absurd statements, this article is nothing more than someone saying, "Don't just stand there... DO Something!"; and that is nothing more than what others are crying about in, what I suspect, is an effort to make themselves look good in everyone's eyes whilst they cast responsibility on the shoulders of the most likely victim.

I say that, because regardless of how I think Thai politics is similar to the Keystone Cops, I feel it is extremely absurd to cast sole responsibility on a government that is still getting to know the "ship" and how she handles in a storm.

There are plenty of veterans of these floods that COULD come forward and offer assistance, including the benevolent Nation and their telepathic abilities.

It's funny; I've noticed in Thailand and elsewhere that people do not give e genuine hoot for the living, but when the funeral is on, and the food is laid out, people that the deceased never even knew show up and offer insincere platitudes and condolences and stuff their faces with food.

Another point is that people die; regardless of the element or manner of the deaths. How the living choose to deal with that fact is what I feel a lot of this is about. 250 dead and no end in sight. What a stupid statement. How about "humans die, and there is no end in sight". Let's create a cure for death. Let's blame Ying Luck for not doing anything about the fact that people will die tomorrow, and there is no end in sight.

Cease and desist with the "people are dying and there is no end in sight" card.

I assure you that there were probably more relatives, neighbors and locals within the vicinity of those victims than was Ying Luck when they succumbed; and I suspect it was not instantaneous. Maybe I should blame the locals for not knowing CPR?

Ying Luck is a human being. The issue she is facing regards the elements of nature, and their irresistible and unrelenting force. Maybe Ying Luck should draw the circle on the floor light some candles, and conjure up the spirit of Moses. Other than that, how absurd is it to expect a human to stop a flood?

The OP is pointing out that there is a state of emergency (you seem to agree) but Yingluk won't declare it as such. And yes, there are people who could help.............but she doesn't want to use them.

The rest of your rant on the inevitability of human death I find to be offensive and insensitive to the plight of millions of people. Children drowning or succumbing to flood-born disease is not inescapable, it is a situation brought on by the present conditions, where the maximum assistance available is not being used FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

Sorry to offend your sense of decency; but I don't care. I am tired of this kind of decency that is played over and over; lamenting death and the varying forms thereof. Why not admit that we are all somehow an integral part of the cosmos and therefore we are all guilty of people succumbing in a manner that is unbearable to think of.

The point being; Nature Happens! And when Nature Happens, it takes its toll in the collateral damage department. It is how maudlin and over sensitive people get that grates on my nerves.

Why does Ying Luck have to declare an emergency. Why does the military meekly stand back and wait for her to call them out? Why doesn't someone point out that we were all in fear of the Military becoming offended if she got elected and causing them to start a coup? Why doesn't the almighty military declare a coup on this flood and deploy anyways, without the PM's approval? It's funny how people convolute the obvious and lose track of past behavior and present potential.

Children drowning or succumbing to flood-born disease is not inescapable,

And just what in H@ll are those children doing near the water, or seen swimming in it on the news clips? Do you mean to tell me that Ying Luck is now Patron Saint over all children in Thailand, leaving further excuse for the mothers and fathers to NOT discipline their children? I think you are taking way too much responsibility upon yourself to be a self-appointed guardian of the ignorant and stupid. Please don't try to recruit me into your way of thinking by trying to shame me with your views.

People in power (militarily, politically, and religiously) were and are willing to overthrow the PM and start a coup because of who she is and who she is related to. So why aren't they hammering on her door to do what you describe as being her responsibility? Why so formal all of a sudden, in the face of your described crisis?

I think other people are sitting back and gloating because they see this as an opportunity to add to her discredit, whilst these people know deep down that they themselves could help, but instead choose not to.

This flood situation is not exactly a new thing. It didn't happen overnight. And it will happen again, I assure you. How much do you want to bet that people will die in the future, just knowing what I have now stated? How many died last year when it flooded? And the 49 years before that?

How many shovels full of dirt could one man accomplish in one year, between flood season, around his house, in anticipation of the next flood? How about ten or twenty people working together, using shovels; forming human chains and diverting known channels where flood waters course? Why all the "brotherhood and sisterhood" and forming human chains to pass sandbags, and when it's fair weather they all return to the safety of their living rooms and TV's?

There is too much here that does not get addressed, and playing the token cards to get across futile points doesn't cut it with my views and opinions.

Edited October 8, 2011 by cup-O-coffee

[cup-O-coffee]

It really shows people what the PT is all about when a state of emergency arrises and they sit by and play politics.

For my money if they were to drop all their election promises and the drive to bring their leader back and concentrate on the SOE I would not object I would say good on them.

I am still remindful of when they had emergency provisions and held them until Yingluck could deliver them in person.

Wonder if she handed out condoms personally.

I don't understand exactly what you are saying. Are you saying that PM TL has to do something to stop the flooding and get a handle on the situation and cure all the problems that this natural disaster is causing?

If so, then isn't that a bit too much to expect of one person.

In the face of natural disaster, why is it that people pray in the midst of crisis and don't hold any hard feelings to the one they pray to?

But when it comes to throwing the same burden of their prayers on a mere human being, they expect the human being to perform more miracles than the god they prayed to!

And then they curse the human for not outperforming god, and let god off the hook?

It seems really absurd how humans cast around their unrealistic expectations like a bunch of lunatics, and use that as a reason to sit on their asses and do nothing, or escape responsibility by casting focus elsewhere.

Why not blame Poseidon, or Triton instead of Ying Luck; a mere human!

Again you miss the point, that she is NOT doing all that is possible.

BTW 1 got any pictures of Yingluk getting her Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahnik's a little damp ?

BTW 2 Poseidon and Triton are dead, we now mostly see monotheism. Only one more god to dispose of.................

And just how do you know that, in the Thai scheme of things, she is NOT doing all that is possible; in the Thai scheme of things, and NOT in your scheme of things.

I am describing my views from the stand point that all are responsible, even if it means from the bottom up. One doesn't have to wait around for god or politicians to do something to afford change in the face of a steadily and slowly approaching and annually repeating natural disaster. Doers and watchers, mate!

[scotbeve]

It really shows people what the PT is all about when a state of emergency arrises and they sit by and play politics.

For my money if they were to drop all their election promises and the drive to bring their leader back and concentrate on the SOE I would not object I would say good on them.

I am still remindful of when they had emergency provisions and held them until Yingluck could deliver them in person.

Wonder if she handed out condoms personally.

I don't understand exactly what you are saying. Are you saying that PM TL has to do something to stop the flooding and get a handle on the situation and cure all the problems that this natural disaster is causing?

If so, then isn't that a bit too much to expect of one person.

In the face of natural disaster, why is it that people pray in the midst of crisis and don't hold any hard feelings to the one they pray to?

But when it comes to throwing the same burden of their prayers on a mere human being, they expect the human being to perform more miracles than the god they prayed to!

And then they curse the human for not outperforming god, and let god off the hook?

It seems really absurd how humans cast around their unrealistic expectations like a bunch of lunatics, and use that as a reason to sit on their asses and do nothing, or escape responsibility by casting focus elsewhere.

Why not blame Poseidon, or Triton instead of Ying Luck; a mere human!

Again you miss the point, that she is NOT doing all that is possible.

BTW 1 got any pictures of Yingluk getting her Jimmy Choo's or Manolo Blahnik's a little damp ?

BTW 2 Poseidon and Triton are dead, we now mostly see monotheism. Only one more god to dispose of.................

And just how do you know that, in the Thai scheme of things, she is NOT doing all that is possible; in the Thai scheme of things, and NOT in your scheme of things.

I am describing my views from the stand point that all are responsible, even if it means from the bottom up. One doesn't have to wait around for god or politicians to do something to afford change in the face of a steadily and slowly approaching and annually repeating natural disaster. Doers and watchers, mate!

Well... that was (a) refreshing cup-O'-coffee!

[cup-O-coffee]

Thank you, scotbeve

Asia reels from floods; Vietnam braces for storm

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A tropical storm barreled toward Vietnam Friday, forcing 20,000 people to be evacuated, as the Philippines braced for a new typhoon and several Asian countries reeled under floods after some of the wildest weather this summer.

Contrary to what the nationalistic beliefs are with these media writers, the laws of physics do not confine this seasonal downpour to Thailand only. There are other countries that are suffering the exact same amount of downpour, and perhaps even more, yet when one does a cursory analysis of the damage, one finds that countries like Singapore, Vietnam and the PI are far ahead in the advancement of flood management. Now isn't that a hoot?

Perhaps that is a factor to consider; that Thailand has the most attention in the news - not because they are suffering the most, or even deserve the most international help, but that their lack of foresight is what causes these annual crisis.

Perhaps those yokel posters prior would care to criticize (how did they state it) "brother number one" and his sister for the crisis in the rest of the Southeast Asian region, and ignore the fact that precipitation discriminates between no one. it is what the precipitation lands on, and the reaction thereof, that creates the problem.

I have been watching the news lately, and all the flood coverage is about... you guessed it; Thailand. Absolutely no mention of their neighbors and ASEAN brothers and sisters. It seems to make it really easy for the educated to infect the minds of the uneducated when the news is always only about one thing, and that single mindedness is manipulated towards shaping the minds of the uneducated against innocent humans instead of the rain drops that keep falling on their heads.

Edited October 8, 2011 by cup-O-coffee

[OzMick]

Thank you, scotbeve

Asia reels from floods; Vietnam braces for storm

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — A tropical storm barreled toward Vietnam Friday, forcing 20,000 people to be evacuated, as the Philippines braced for a new typhoon and several Asian countries reeled under floods after some of the wildest weather this summer.

Contrary to what the nationalistic beliefs are with these media writers, the laws of physics do not confine this seasonal downpour to Thailand only. There are other countries that are suffering the exact same amount of downpour, and perhaps even more, yet when one does a cursory analysis of the damage, one finds that countries like Singapore, Vietnam and the PI are far ahead in the advancement of flood management. Now isn't that a hoot?

Perhaps that is a factor to consider; that Thailand has the most attention in the news - not because they are suffering the most, or even deserve the most international help, but that their lack of foresight is what causes these annual crisis.

Perhaps those yokel posters prior would care to criticize (how did they state it) "brother number one" and his sister for the crisis in the rest of the Southeast Asian region, and ignore the fact that precipitation discriminates between no one. it is what the precipitation lands on, and the reaction thereof, that creates the problem.

I have been watching the news lately, and all the flood coverage is about... you guessed it; Thailand. Absolutely no mention of their neighbors and ASEAN brothers and sisters. It seems to make it really easy for the educated to infect the minds of the uneducated when the news is always only about one thing, and that single mindedness is manipulated towards shaping the minds of the uneducated against innocent humans instead of the rain drops that keep falling on their heads.

You and the other sycophant ignore the point - all the available assistance is not being used for political reasons,and that is near criminal.

Yes it is raining over much of SE Asia, and it happens most years, but that is little consolation to those in peril now.

Thailand doesn't need international help, it has it's own resources, but you suggest a coup should be held just so those resources can be utilized. Throw up all the strawman arguments in the world and it won't change the fact that all available resources are not being used.

[khaowong1]

Ah, yes. Declaring a State of Emergency and deploying the RTA to help those affected by floods is a very dangerous move, in the political context. Having the people see the army as the good guys actually DOING something to assist, in comparison to the politicians making unfulfilled promises, useless visits, meaningless decrees, and forming committees, tends to destroy the image painted of the monster waiting on the sidelines to destroy democracy.

It could also be very damaging if parallels are drawn between this SoE and the last; a government faced with a situation it and the civilian authorities are not equipped to handle, calling out the troops to HELP.

So of course, PTP will delay as long as possible declaring an SoE, hoping the problem will just drain away. But with around 250 dead and no end in sight, why isn't this an emergency? And why is useful manpower and equipment sitting on the sidelines and not being used?

If I may draw a parallel, before the tsunami, Aceh had a strong muslim based separatist movement which painted the western world as their great enemy, After the tsunami, food aid came in sacks prominently displaying the US or Aussie flag, USN ships provided power, water and hospital services, and Australians were building homes. The great enemy was helping while the Rsoles who had caused nothing but grief for untold years did nothing, and support for their cause simply evaporated.

Can't have that happening here, can we?

Very enlightening.. Thank you for this response. :jap:

[Cayenne]

Ah, yes. Declaring a State of Emergency and deploying the RTA to help those affected by floods is a very dangerous move, in the political context. Having the people see the army as the good guys actually DOING something to assist, in comparison to the politicians making unfulfilled promises, useless visits, meaningless decrees, and forming committees, tends to destroy the image painted of the monster waiting on the sidelines to destroy democracy.

It could also be very damaging if parallels are drawn between this SoE and the last; a government faced with a situation it and the civilian authorities are not equipped to handle, calling out the troops to HELP.

So of course, PTP will delay as long as possible declaring an SoE, hoping the problem will just drain away. But with around 250 dead and no end in sight, why isn't this an emergency? And why is useful manpower and equipment sitting on the sidelines and not being used?

If I may draw a parallel, before the tsunami, Aceh had a strong muslim based separatist movement which painted the western world as their great enemy, After the tsunami, food aid came in sacks prominently displaying the US or Aussie flag, USN ships provided power, water and hospital services, and Australians were building homes. The great enemy was helping while the Rsoles who had caused nothing but grief for untold years did nothing, and support for their cause simply evaporated.

Can't have that happening here, can we?

During times of national disaster governments need assets that they can mobilize quickly enough to diverse locations and disciplined enough to maintain order and coordinate efforts; if this were the U.S. we would have the National Guard taking care of this, but since we don't have an equivalent here in Thailand the RTA is the closest thing Yingluck will have. Right or wrong, she will be criticized by all parties at this point since she moved far too slowly but here's to hoping that at least she will make the right choice in time to save more lives.

[plumeria]

Yingluck does not want to empower the military more than necessary in this crisis, for obvious reasons.

Huh? The Nation can read minds now?

With presumptuous statements like this, it seems that The Nation has it all figured out.

Perhaps the Nation should get into politics and become national advisers, and throw their lot into this SoE?

Without these absurd statements, this article is nothing more than someone saying, "Don't just stand there... DO Something!"; and that is nothing more than what others are crying about in, what I suspect, is an effort to make themselves look good in everyone's eyes whilst they cast responsibility on the shoulders of the most likely victim.

I say that, because regardless of how I think Thai politics is similar to the Keystone Cops, I feel it is extremely absurd to cast sole responsibility on a government that is still getting to know the "ship" and how she handles in a storm.

There are plenty of veterans of these floods that COULD come forward and offer assistance, including the benevolent Nation and their telepathic abilities.

It's funny; I've noticed in Thailand and elsewhere that people do not give e genuine hoot for the living, but when the funeral is on, and the food is laid out, people that the deceased never even knew show up and offer insincere platitudes and condolences and stuff their faces with food.

Another point is that people die; regardless of the element or manner of the deaths. How the living choose to deal with that fact is what I feel a lot of this is about. 250 dead and no end in sight. What a stupid statement. How about "humans die, and there is no end in sight". Let's create a cure for death. Let's blame Ying Luck for not doing anything about the fact that people will die tomorrow, and there is no end in sight.

Cease and desist with the "people are dying and there is no end in sight" card.

I assure you that there were probably more relatives, neighbors and locals within the vicinity of those victims than was Ying Luck when they succumbed; and I suspect it was not instantaneous. Maybe I should blame the locals for not knowing CPR?

Ying Luck is a human being. The issue she is facing regards the elements of nature, and their irresistible and unrelenting force. Maybe Ying Luck should draw the circle on the floor light some candles, and conjure up the spirit of Moses. Other than that, how absurd is it to expect a human to stop a flood?

Very naive to think the flooding is random, unavoidable, nothing could be done, the problem is above their abilities to understand and manage.

The end result of this nationwide problem will be to concentrate MORE wealth with FEWER people in Thailand.

The rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer and everything that is being done by the government is to that end.

[BillyBobThai]

More boats and monks are needed to help push all of this water out to sea. Somebody is going to make quite a few baht in all of this.