Thai Government Will Not Declare A National Holiday Or State Of Emergency To Deal With Floods

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No holiday and not to declare state of emergency on floods

The Nation

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday dismissed speculation that the government was about to declare a national holiday in order to deal with the floods.

"I don't support the idea of holiday since the government needs the civil servants to work and tackle flood-related issues," she said.

In case of a holiday, there would be no officials to distribute relief supplies to flood victims, she said.

Echoing Yingluck, Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said the government would neither declare the holiday nor the state of emergency.

Yongyuth said the government did not see the justification to impose the emergency rule on the floods.

He also called on the civil servants to step up their work in helping flood victims. Those officials faced with flooding at their homes could take a leave of absent to help out their family before resuming their relief duty, he said.

-- The Nation 2011-10-11

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ASTV: Interior Min says NO emergency flood declaration/holidays,would incite panic.Urges public not to hoard goods. /TAN_Network

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One reason given against declaring special holidays is govt's afraid there won't b enough state manpower to help people /via@tulsathit

[steveromagnino]

why don't they call in the armed forces to fix this?

It's almost like the PM has not walked in waist deep sewerage, and doesn't understand the plight of the people up norff.

[webfact]

Interior Minister Yongyuth says govt is not announcing state of emergency nor holidays to prepare for flooding, fearing panic and hoarding /TAN_Network

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PM disagrees with proposed special public holiday

BANGKOK, Oct 11 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday said she personally disagreed with a proposal to announce a special public holiday from Oct 12-14 to let the public prepare for flooding for fear that the holiday may mean less government workers will be on hand to help flood victims.

Ms Yingluck chaired the weekly cabinet meeting at the government’s Flood Relief Operations Centre at Don Mueang Airport, its first meeting outside Government House, with an agenda focusing on flood response measures, as flooding remains critical in many provinces, particularly Nakhon Sawan.

The premier said the cabinet would discuss the special public holiday proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports but she herself disagreed with the idea to declare a public holiday for all civil servants as it could reduce the government’s ability to help flood victims as there would be workers available.

However, a possible option was to permit only affected civil servants to have time off to handle their personal flood response concerns.

"Since the flooding started, we have mobilised government workers from other areas and inside the affected areas to respond to the flood. If the officials have a holiday, there will be problems in taking care of flood victims," she said.

However, the premier declined to comment whether the government would impose an emergency decree to have more effective power in handling the flood situation.

Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and some senators on Monday proposed that the government impose an executive decree for administration actions in emergency situations, or an emergency decree, in flood-impacted provinces to facilitate relief operations.

Nakhon Sawan was in critical flood condition after flood prevention dykes failed to divert overflows from the deeply flooded provincial business centre, while Dechatiwong Bridge is now being specially protected because the authorities fear that its failure could paralyse travel to the northern region.

Meanwhile, Chiang Rak Road in Pathum Thani is submerged under 80cm of water causing a serious traffic jam after heavy rain in the morning.

The road is at the back entrance of the Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus where its gymnasium is being used as a temporary shelter for flood victims. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-10-11

[steveromagnino]

Government needs to listen to the opposition; they are way out of their depth.

[moe666]

The ideal came from the dems. so a no go zone declaring emergency. Same as the repukians here even if it is a good ideal no way if it comes from a dem.

[kmj]

why don't they call in the armed forces to fix this?

It's almost like the PM has not walked in waist deep sewerage, and doesn't understand the plight of the people up norff.

Oh you mean like all the past PM's 555

[culicine]

Surely, only civil servants directly involved with relief operations would be called to work. All others should be off the streets - that would alleviate some of the traffic problems, reduce vehicle damage and allow relief workers to better do their job. It's not as though we'll all be off to Pattaya for the week!

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Cabinet decided not to announce Oct 12-14 as public holidays; PM will let each state office decide on the issue at their own discretion /TAN_Network

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Gov't Decides NOT to Declare Oct 12-14 Holidays

Cabinet has decided against declaring Oct 12 to 14 public holidays. The idea was initially floated on the rationale that residents in flood-risk areas would be given time off to prepare for the floods. The prime minister has, instead, decided to allow various government agencies to determine on a case by case basis if they need to take leave.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-11

[FOODLOVER]

"I don't support the idea of holiday since the government needs the civil servants to work and tackle flood-related issues," she said.

"In case of a holiday, there would be no officials to distribute relief supplies to flood victims, she said".

Oh dear, only non essentials would stay home. Someone please tell her

Edited October 11, 2011 by FOODLOVER

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Despite Bkk governor's "don't panic" assurance, eastern Bkk canals like Saensaeb and Prawes keep rising. /via@tulsathit

[kmj]

Why have a national holiday?

'let each state office decide on the issue at their own discretion' sounds like a better idea to me

Edited October 11, 2011 by kmj

[animatic]

If this is not a national emergency then what is?

I can see maybe not calling a holiday,

but 'No Emergency' is ludicrous.

[animatic]

Government needs to listen to the opposition; they are way out of their depth.

I think they all need field trips to where it is going down,

Then MAYBE they can understand what DEPTH really means....

from the ivory towers they don't seem to get it....

[steveromagnino]

I think she's worried that riots will break out as hordes of 'prai' fight against the 'amartaya' who won't let them surf the brown waves of sewerage.

In all honesty, right now the last thing PT need is any voters or potential supporters deciding that the army are actually good guys.

So the country is being sacrificed and left underwater without aid....for political reasons.

You'd think that during her time at SC Asset (who probably have worked with/around various water runoff issues on their mcmansion housing estates) she would have learned a little about the issues of flooding.

Or that her brother having overseen numerous flood situations (and not done much about them) would have some idea.

But obviously not.

It's pretty frustrating; the private sector have been doing something about this for the last month, the govt are only starting to wake up to do something, and so far the only idea is 1000 boats defying gravity??!

Insanely incompetent are the words springing to mind.

[jimbeam1]

What a great Idea, a public holiday. They could set up floating markets.

jb1

[kmj]

I think that the last party in power must shoulder their fair share of the blame for the flood planning policies, but I know a lot of people on this site won't agree.

[noahvail]

I think that the last party in power must shoulder their fair share of the blame for the flood planning policies, but I know a lot of people on this site won't agree.

i agree that the last party in power must shoulder some of the blame - as should the prior ten or so governments.

however, i tend to think that ppl are correct in giving the present government flak for the way they are dealing (or not dealing) with the extreme problems that the floods are causing throughout so much of the country. i mean, sending a convoy with 2,000 - or even 20,000 bottles of water and a dozen portaloos isn't even a drop in the proverbial bucket.

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PM to Allow 3-day Leave for State Officials Severely Affected by Floods

The prime minister has agreed to giving three days off to state officials to allow them to prepare for possible flooding at home, but only if the situation warrants it.

Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired the Cabinet meeting at Don Muang Airport, arriving at the meeting looking distressed and strained.

Before the premiere started the meeting, she said that the Cabinet does not plan to announce three days of leave in order to allow locals and officials to prepare for the flood that may hit their areas of residence.

She is concerned that three days off may affect the rescue operations of local residents, which are operated by government agencies.

The three days off will be announced only in severly flooded areas.

However, the prime minister has declined to comment on the proposal to declare a State of Emergency for the most heavily flooded zones, as proposed by certain senators.

-- Tan Network 2011-10-11

[BlackJack]

Can someone please post the number for some aid assistance

I have 6 Thais staying with me because their houses are flooded.

I have to feed them 3 times a day and then there's water, electricity, personal items (like for the ladies) etc. Then when the floods subside i have to pay their bus fares back, plus some food water etc. for the trip and possibly a bit more for them to get on their feet. Plus one has an injury and needs medication. All adds up.

THis is a THai issue and a Government issue and so I am wondering where to put my claim in for flood relief or compensation?

You see this is all coming out of my pension money ie i need to prove 65k per month to live on and now with 6 Thais here it is fast eating away my money to support myself to meet the requirements of the retirement visa ext.

I am worried that by spending the money (to prove to immigration) now that when my extension is up for renewal I will not have enough. What will I do?

[zydeco]

Interior Minister Yongyuth says govt is not announcing state of emergency nor holidays to prepare for flooding, fearing panic and hoarding /TAN_Network

When governments tell you not to panic, then that is precisely when you need to panic.

[h90]

Interior Minister Yongyuth says govt is not announcing state of emergency nor holidays to prepare for flooding, fearing panic and hoarding /TAN_Network

When governments tell you not to panic, then that is precisely when you need to panic.

Yes....when someone says "Don't panic" run as fast as you can

When government tell don't do any hoarding than it is time to stock up food and water.

Same in every country from North Korea to USA......

[h90]

Can someone please post the number for some aid assistance

I have 6 Thais staying with me because their houses are flooded.

I have to feed them 3 times a day and then there's water, electricity, personal items (like for the ladies) etc. Then when the floods subside i have to pay their bus fares back, plus some food water etc. for the trip and possibly a bit more for them to get on their feet. Plus one has an injury and needs medication. All adds up.

THis is a THai issue and a Government issue and so I am wondering where to put my claim in for flood relief or compensation?

You see this is all coming out of my pension money ie i need to prove 65k per month to live on and now with 6 Thais here it is fast eating away my money to support myself to meet the requirements of the retirement visa ext.

I am worried that by spending the money (to prove to immigration) now that when my extension is up for renewal I will not have enough. What will I do?

Show them the movie (can't recall the name), they ate the other passenger after an airplane accident as there was no other food.

Than you show the three movies with Hannibal Lecter

[GentlemanJim]

Can someone please post the number for some aid assistance

I have 6 Thais staying with me because their houses are flooded.

I have to feed them 3 times a day and then there's water, electricity, personal items (like for the ladies) etc. Then when the floods subside i have to pay their bus fares back, plus some food water etc. for the trip and possibly a bit more for them to get on their feet. Plus one has an injury and needs medication. All adds up.

THis is a THai issue and a Government issue and so I am wondering where to put my claim in for flood relief or compensation?

You see this is all coming out of my pension money ie i need to prove 65k per month to live on and now with 6 Thais here it is fast eating away my money to support myself to meet the requirements of the retirement visa ext.

I am worried that by spending the money (to prove to immigration) now that when my extension is up for renewal I will not have enough. What will I do?

Show them the movie (can't recall the name), they ate the other passenger after an airplane accident as there was no other food.

Than you show the three movies with Hannibal Lecter

BlackJack

I cannot for the life of me fathom out how this situation you are in possibly affects your visa renewal. What you spend your pension money on is up to you, and surely what is happening does not affect the physical amount of money you receive for your pension each month.

What you are doing is a good thing. You are helping your fellow human/neighbour/ relative. I assume you have done this by choice, if so then try not to worry about the money and feel good in the fact you are helping those less fortunate than yourself. If money is an issue then talk to those that are staying with you. Floods do not mean that people have no money or no means to take care of themselves financially. If they were in their own homes now they would still pay for food and utilities, so why not now? The best way to secure any form of aid is to talk with the people you are 'keeping', and when they receive any formal government aid they pass it on to you as a reasonable thank you for your hospitality. If they do not do that or are not willing to do that then open the door and tell them that your hospitality will be mirrored by their selfish nature.

Regardless of all that blah, what you spend on them cannot affect your visa application. Well done, and good luck!

[BigBikeBKK]

The ideal came from the dems. so a no go zone declaring emergency. Same as the repukians here even if it is a good ideal no way if it comes from a dem.

<deleted> is a "repukian"?! Are you talking about Thailand or somewhere else?

[BigBikeBKK]

Despite Bkk governor's "don't panic" assurance, eastern Bkk canals like Saensaeb and Prawes keep rising. /via@tulsathit

I wonder if this is true? I cross Khlong San Saeb nearly every day and it's high, but the boats are still operating. A couple days ago there was minor flooding of Ramkamhaeng 43 and 53. Today those streets were dry. If anything, the level appears to have fallen...

[BigBikeBKK]

why don't they call in the armed forces to fix this?

It's almost like the PM has not walked in waist deep sewerage, and doesn't understand the plight of the people up norff.

Oh you mean like all the past PM's 555

I guess you don't watch the news much... The pictures in recent days of former PM Abhisit waist deep in flood water while Taksin's clone gets ankle deep in boots or walks on the water while everyone else swims in it are generating a lot of discussion on Thai forums.

...