Thais Must Unite During Season Of Flood Disaster: Opinion

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Thais must unite during season of flood disaster

The Nation

The government must formulate a long-term strategy to deal with expected flooding, and this may include having to revise development plans that destroy the environment

It might be a bit too late for the government to finally acknowledge the severity of the ongoing flood crisis. But there's no point in mentioning the unfortunate timing. Now, Thais have to unite and assist each other in getting through this crisis.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is facing the biggest test of her leadership so far. She must show strong resilience in setting out directions and pulling resources together to enable the kingdom to survive this disaster.

Yingluck decided to set up a National Flood Relief Centre last week to consolidate the effort to assist the thousands of flood victims. Let's hope that the centre will be able to help alleviate the suffering of people in need.

The immediate mission of the command centre is to provide urgent assistance to flood victims. The government must also consider ways and plans to deal with flooding in the longer term because severe rainstorms and deluges have happened annually over the past couple of years in Thailand. It's not as if we should be taken by surprise by such events during the monsoon season.

As of press time, the situation at Nakhon Sawan was worrisome, after the Nakhon Sawan dyke was breached by floodwaters yesterday morning, instantly raising the water level in the province, which is already suffering from record flooding.

The deluge has already caused more than 261 deaths, with 30 provinces submerged. More than 8 million rai of farmland have been affected, as well as a number of industrial estates located in the flooded areas. Unfortunately, these numbers will only increase as more rainstorms are reportedly forming and will move towards Thailand later this week. Immediate plans must be to deal with victims who have to find temporary shelters with proper sanitation.

Bangkok meanwhile remains vulnerable to sudden flooding. Bangkokians must be prepared to deal with floodwaters and even the possibility of evacuation in some areas.

Thais have no choice but to assist each other wherever possible during this time of crisis. Already a massive amount in donations has been pouring in, even though the relief effort may fail to keep pace with the urgent needs of flood victims.

Government agencies meanwhile are trying desperately to respond to victims' needs, but relief is coming slowly in certain areas due to logistical problems. The sight of people trying to help each other should boost morale among those in need.

Nonetheless, it is unfortunate and unacceptable that some people have tried to take advantage of those suffering from the crisis. Cases of looting and robbery have been reported in many flooded areas. These cold-hearted people don't have sympathy for others and deserve none themselves.

The evacuation effort in certain areas has not been successful even though officials are working hard to transport flood victims from their submerged residences. Indeed, some residents do not want to leave their houses because they are afraid of robbery. The police must do their best to prevent this from happening.

When Japan faced its tsunami disaster in March, the number of looting cases was minimal as people tried to help each other instead of taking advantage of those in need. But it seems this is not the case in Thailand.

Because flooding often happens in the "rice bowl" area of Thailand, the government must formulate a longer-term plan to enable farmers to earn a living if they have to suspend farming activities during the rainy season.

The zoning areas for industry and plantations should be re-considered to enable efficient management of logistic works and evacuation during times of crisis.

Flooding is a warning on the effects of human beings trying to tamper with nature and our environment. Flooding has been increasing because some waterways and swamps that hold water have been turned into roads and new industrial or housing projects. As the natural systems that ease the effects of inundation have been destroyed, we must revise our development plans or consider ways to replace these natural systems to prevent massive flooding.

A comprehensive plan should be laid down to enable us to deal with such natural disasters in the future. Our ancestors were able to live in harmony with nature for centuries, but our efforts to resist the forces of nature may now be futile. The challenge for us is how to learn to live with nature without causing massive damage both to ourselves and the environment.

-- The Nation 2011-10-11

[scorecard]

And the 'I take care of me' attitude which is prevalent will not help.

[hellodolly]

And using it as a political tool is of no use to the nation.

[wana]

And using it as a political tool is of no use to the nation.

are you a good use to any nation ?

[Bakseedaa]

Thais unite..... Impossible.... they tried to unite and voted in the worst government they have ever had... all for 300 bahts per day , which they are NOT going to get... suckers never learn...

[gl555]

Tell that to Jatuporn and the Red Shirts.

[scotbeve]

And using it as a political tool is of no use to the nation.

I'm not picking on you alone hellodolly, but since I'm here... here comes all the plonkers' comments of a newly elected government (one month in office) still getting organized after what?? - some white noise, dead air government that was deffo not "squeaky" clean - where did some of that flood prevention money go you dem sewer rats? to the tune of 20Bn Baht for starters...? and did what to prevent this kind of disaster from happening year after year after year PRIOR to the new government.... Tool is the key word when describing the last government admin and all the mislead fools that still believe in them!!! UNITY my greying @rse they're doing everything but unity....

[h90]

And using it as a political tool is of no use to the nation.

I'm not picking on you alone hellodolly, but since I'm here... here comes all the plonkers' comments of a newly elected government (one month in office) still getting organized after what?? - some white noise, dead air government that was deffo not "squeaky" clean - where did some of that flood prevention money go you dem sewer rats? to the tune of 20Bn Baht for starters...? and did what to prevent this kind of disaster from happening year after year after year PRIOR to the new government.... Tool is the key word when describing the last government admin and all the mislead fools that still believe in them!!! UNITY my greying @rse they're doing everything but unity....

This government was in power 5 years, what did it do 2001 to 2006 for flood prevention?

[scotbeve]

And using it as a political tool is of no use to the nation.

I'm not picking on you alone hellodolly, but since I'm here... here comes all the plonkers' comments of a newly elected government (one month in office) still getting organized after what?? - some white noise, dead air government that was deffo not "squeaky" clean - where did some of that flood prevention money go you dem sewer rats? to the tune of 20Bn Baht for starters...? and did what to prevent this kind of disaster from happening year after year after year PRIOR to the new government.... Tool is the key word when describing the last government admin and all the mislead fools that still believe in them!!! UNITY my greying @rse they're doing everything but unity....

This government was in power 5 years, what did it do 2001 to 2006 for flood prevention?

I know of quite a few medium to large (irrigation / drainage) projects in the north that were shelved by various governments for many years and brought back to the table, looked at, budgeted, and done within that 5 years you gladly pointed out! Unfortunately, some of those projects were smartly canceled in ... let's see... what year was that??? Oh yes, pardon me 2006!!!! There's one major economic link highway - Route 107 - that was stopped around then (2006) in the Chiang Dao area and is just starting up again... Locals called this road Tanon roi bee.... the 100 year road!!!!