Thai Govt Worried About Locals Destroying Flood Barriers

[TAWP]

Here we got food and medicine from the Royal family. That was what the included paper said anyway.

Yes, the have donated relief-bags with their own money. Each donation, and the number of bags, is reported in the news.

[whybother]

before people get too uppity about "the government" they might baer in mind that the opening or not of the loud gates around Bkk etc is managed by the Bkk govenor - and of course part of a Democrat stronghold.

He protected Bangkok, which the government (now they have assumed power over the Bangkok canals) is continuing to do.

So, what is your point?

If you're in Bkk you'll be standing in it.

I am in Bangkok, and I'm not standing in it. The government seem to be continuing the governor's plans quite well.

[hammered]

before people get too uppity about "the government" they might baer in mind that the opening or not of the loud gates around Bkk etc is managed by the Bkk govenor - and of course part of a Democrat stronghold.

He protected Bangkok, which the government (now they have assumed power over the Bangkok canals) is continuing to do.

So, what is your point?

If you're in Bkk you'll be standing in it.

I am in Bangkok, and I'm not standing in it. The government seem to be continuing the governor's plans quite well.

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

[whybother]

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

Did you read that the Pathum Thani governor was transferred? Maybe the government are backing the Bangkok governor in this.

[rubl]

I am in Bangkok, and I'm not standing in it. The government seem to be continuing the governor's plans quite well.

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

The BANGKOK governor has first priority BANGKOK. He is not required to even listen to outsiders. Since FROC got the responsibility with the claim on the Disaster Law, the governor is cooperating, till the point where PM/FROC issued orders to lower the gates again to prevent a further disaster.

The PathumThani governor has been removed suddenly (a Newin man). Would you really blame all of the PhatumThani flooding of Industrial Estates on him?

Get real, my dear chap. Let's try to work together and forget the political games for a moment. Most water if flooding inner Bangkok needs the ChaoPhraya to flush out again. Open the gates, Après moi, le déluge

[hammered]

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

Did you read that the Pathum Thani governor was transferred? Maybe the government are backing the Bangkok governor in this.

The government transferred the governor of Pathum Thani who was close to Newin and no friend of PTP and they had the perfect excuse to do so. Nothing to do with Sukhumband who they had to override for his refusal to open the gates (enough?) and who cant be fired by the government but could have all his power temporarily taken away. However, that is unlikely to happen as his ineptitude drags the Dems into the blame equation. He is already being heavily blamed outside BKK where nobody can understand him keeping the gates closed as water built up. Two different issues. Anyway the blame game is for after it all ends as right now that distraction from the work that has to be done isnt needed.

Intersting analysis by some Thai friends too who are blaming the media for food shortages as the media keep speculatying on what will be short next with obvious consequences. When all is over it will not be easy to predict exactly where blame will fall or it it will have any effect poltically, but it will leave worse regional divisions.

[hammered]

I am in Bangkok, and I'm not standing in it. The government seem to be continuing the governor's plans quite well.

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

The BANGKOK governor has first priority BANGKOK. He is not required to even listen to outsiders. Since FROC got the responsibility with the claim on the Disaster Law, the governor is cooperating, till the point where PM/FROC issued orders to lower the gates again to prevent a further disaster.

The PathumThani governor has been removed suddenly (a Newin man). Would you really blame all of the PhatumThani flooding of Industrial Estates on him?

Get real, my dear chap. Let's try to work together and forget the political games for a moment. Most water if flooding inner Bangkok needs the ChaoPhraya to flush out again. Open the gates, Après moi, le déluge

I agree his responsibility is BKK and that is why the PM whose rewsponsibility is Thailand overruled him. However, poltics aside the governors earlier refusal to open the gates has an impact. Dr. Seri the expert seen on Thai TV has predicted that inner BKK will now flood because the gates were not opened soon enough. Allowing such a build up rather than starting to channel earlier has created a bigger problem for the capital according to the expert this morning. Sukhumband is famous for not listening to others even in his own party. It has been widely talked about on Thai webboards what he said to Yingluck and why she belatedly (and she deserves criticism for this) overruled him. Still I guess everyone will learn for the future and Im sure Sukhumband will spin it to retain popualrity in BKK and Yingluck to retain popularity outside when after the floods it all ends up in the usual people supporting the usual sides and not listening to other opinion

[rubl]

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

The BANGKOK governor has first priority BANGKOK. He is not required to even listen to outsiders. Since FROC got the responsibility with the claim on the Disaster Law, the governor is cooperating, till the point where PM/FROC issued orders to lower the gates again to prevent a further disaster.

The PathumThani governor has been removed suddenly (a Newin man). Would you really blame all of the PhatumThani flooding of Industrial Estates on him?

Get real, my dear chap. Let's try to work together and forget the political games for a moment. Most water if flooding inner Bangkok needs the ChaoPhraya to flush out again. Open the gates, Après moi, le déluge

I agree his responsibility is BKK and that is why the PM whose rewsponsibility is Thailand overruled him. However, poltics aside the governors earlier refusal to open the gates has an impact. Dr. Seri the expert seen on Thai TV has predicted that inner BKK will now flood because the gates were not opened soon enough. Allowing such a build up rather than starting to channel earlier has created a bigger problem for the capital according to the expert this morning. Sukhumband is famous for not listening to others even in his own party. It has been widely talked about on Thai webboards what he said to Yingluck and why she belatedly (and she deserves criticism for this) overruled him. Still I guess everyone will learn for the future and Im sure Sukhumband will spin it to retain popualrity in BKK and Yingluck to retain popularity outside when after the floods it all ends up in the usual people supporting the usual sides and not listening to other opinion

With all those experts including TV members offering their opinion, I think that the only conclusion you may draw is that Bangkok will see less than 10 meters of flooding with a margin of error of between -12 and +2 meters only. I hope someone is already thinking ahead and planning the release/no release of water from dams upcountry. In my little part of Bangkok no rain for three days. I would really dislike to have people complain with this government that in February - May next year there's a lack of water

Anyway already people are spinning tales and Pinocchio's nose has grown a wee bit

Edited October 24, 2011 by rubl

[DocN]

Here we got food and medicine from the Royal family. That was what the included paper said anyway.

Yes, the have donated relief-bags with their own money. Each donation, and the number of bags, is reported in the news.

No doubt about that

[bumpkin]

Further to the interesting feedback to my earlier offering...

There are about 38 countries in the world with land below sealevel, However, I admit not so many are subject to tropical storms, but some have different problems. This does not nullify the arguement for calling together leading experts from around the world to come to Thailand's aid in planning for a more stable future with regard to it's rainwater management. Wringing of hands and throwing abuse at politicians maybe fun, but will not solve the problems that Thailand will inevitably face in the future if nothing is done. I repeat , Technology will probably solve it, Political posturing will certainly not.

[Arkady]

I am in Bangkok, and I'm not standing in it. The government seem to be continuing the governor's plans quite well.

With one exception. Opening the gates (more agressively or for the first time isnt clear) as called by for the people north of BKK.

The BANGKOK governor has first priority BANGKOK. He is not required to even listen to outsiders. Since FROC got the responsibility with the claim on the Disaster Law, the governor is cooperating, till the point where PM/FROC issued orders to lower the gates again to prevent a further disaster.

The PathumThani governor has been removed suddenly (a Newin man). Would you really blame all of the PhatumThani flooding of Industrial Estates on him?

Get real, my dear chap. Let's try to work together and forget the political games for a moment. Most water if flooding inner Bangkok needs the ChaoPhraya to flush out again. Open the gates, Après moi, le déluge

I agree his responsibility is BKK and that is why the PM whose rewsponsibility is Thailand overruled him. However, poltics aside the governors earlier refusal to open the gates has an impact. Dr. Seri the expert seen on Thai TV has predicted that inner BKK will now flood because the gates were not opened soon enough. Allowing such a build up rather than starting to channel earlier has created a bigger problem for the capital according to the expert this morning. Sukhumband is famous for not listening to others even in his own party. It has been widely talked about on Thai webboards what he said to Yingluck and why she belatedly (and she deserves criticism for this) overruled him. Still I guess everyone will learn for the future and Im sure Sukhumband will spin it to retain popualrity in BKK and Yingluck to retain popularity outside when after the floods it all ends up in the usual people supporting the usual sides and not listening to other opinion

I have also seen quite a few experts on Thai TV standing in front of charts with arrows going all over the place and expounding various theories. I watched the programme I think you refer where Dr Seri phoned in. I am not sure if I see the logic of his argument but he may be right. We will probably never know why Bangkok did or didn't flood for sure. It is anyway ridiculous that the BMA has been forced to come up with its own vastly expensive flood prevention plan in lieu of any coordinated national plan that made sense. The BMA is dependent on parts of the city defences in Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi and Nakorn Pathom which were simply never built until the last couple of weeks and are now miserable makeshift affairs of mud and sand bags. Given that the BMA was left to defend the country's most vital and populous city in virtually complete isolation, it is not surprising that the governor took a partisan view. The same plan worked in late October 2010 when Ayudhya was severely flooded the Chaopraya came within 10 cm of bursting its banks but was not flooded. So it is not as if it was a secret plan that was not available for review at leisure by all arm chair pundits long before the situation became critical. If Dr Seri and others knew for sure that the governor's plan was going to result in worse flooding in Bangkok, why did he not made a huge amount of noise about it and urge the government to override when that was still viable, rather than wait until flooding in Bangkok was inevitable and take credit as a rear view soothsayer.

Edited October 24, 2011 by Arkady

[hanuman1]

The BANGKOK governor has first priority BANGKOK. He is not required to even listen to outsiders. Since FROC got the responsibility with the claim on the Disaster Law, the governor is cooperating, till the point where PM/FROC issued orders to lower the gates again to prevent a further disaster.

The PathumThani governor has been removed suddenly (a Newin man). Would you really blame all of the PhatumThani flooding of Industrial Estates on him?

Get real, my dear chap. Let's try to work together and forget the political games for a moment. Most water if flooding inner Bangkok needs the ChaoPhraya to flush out again. Open the gates, Après moi, le déluge

I agree his responsibility is BKK and that is why the PM whose rewsponsibility is Thailand overruled him. However, poltics aside the governors earlier refusal to open the gates has an impact. Dr. Seri the expert seen on Thai TV has predicted that inner BKK will now flood because the gates were not opened soon enough. Allowing such a build up rather than starting to channel earlier has created a bigger problem for the capital according to the expert this morning. Sukhumband is famous for not listening to others even in his own party. It has been widely talked about on Thai webboards what he said to Yingluck and why she belatedly (and she deserves criticism for this) overruled him. Still I guess everyone will learn for the future and Im sure Sukhumband will spin it to retain popualrity in BKK and Yingluck to retain popularity outside when after the floods it all ends up in the usual people supporting the usual sides and not listening to other opinion

With all those experts including TV members offering their opinion, I think that the only conclusion you may draw is that Bangkok will see less than 10 meters of flooding with a margin of error of between -12 and +2 meters only. I hope someone is already thinking ahead and planning the release/no release of water from dams upcountry. In my little part of Bangkok no rain for three days. I would really dislike to have people complain with this government that in February - May next year there's a lack of water

Anyway already people are spinning tales and Pinocchio's nose has grown a wee bit

I would really dislike to have people complain with this government that in February - May next year there's a lack of water

That's an interesting thought! Does anyone know if they've actually emptied all these dams? Would that really be necessary? So far we've only seen evidence of dams shedding water when they're at the brink of overflowing. Would such limited dynamism also apply to how much water they let out once opened?

There's so much we don't know.

[kimamey]

This has happend everywhere over Thailand and it will happen in BKK too. By building dykes you flood other parts more. So i understand people breaking them down. Same here we have more water because BKK refused to open its floodgates more. So if one of those breaks down it could help me.

Once the water hits your house you think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home.

Either you are as dense as a sandbag or English is not be your first language. The tone of what you keep posting sounds vindictive and childish. And just what does your comment:

"Once the water hits your house you (will) think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home." mean????

I don't think the post is childish or vindictive. It's just a fact that what may help the majority may not help you and so your view will be slightly different. This is why the decisions need to be taken as a whole by someone preferably not just looking after themselves. This is where democratic government comes in. The decisions need to be made by several people from different locations and circumstances so that one person doesn't control things in their favour.

[theblether]

I told someone over a week ago that it would not surprise me in the least of people outside of the protected areas of BKK finally get fed up with them being constantly flooded and losing everything, while precious BKK is kept safe and dry, and do something about it, like tearing down flood walls and dykes.

I wish no bad luck on anyone, and it is the poor who live in BKK who would suffer the most from BKK flooding. But maybe, just maybe, if the BKK elite and snobs finally get an idea of what so many other Thai have to deal with on a nearly yearly basis, then something will finally be done to take the necessary steps to correct this situation.

Let's face it, the government, and not just this one, but just about any of them, really don't have a clue as to what to do. Governments for the past 20 years have ignored the warnings from the experts and now it's coming back to haunt them. And in reality, the Army is in no better position to do anything other than restrict movement and protect what's already been put into place.

Until the real experts are brought in - and Thailand has them - and then actually LISTENED TO, and their advice followed, things are not going to change. More than one has basically said, "Open the gates, take down the temporary barriers and Let The Water Flow!" Yes, it will flood BKK for a while, but it will be much less than what it will be if they continue to try and block/divert it, and it will be over with for everyone much quicker.

I've heard people say in the "other" paper things such as: "I don't care about what happens in the provinces, Bangkok must be saved at all costs! Bangkok IS Thailand!". These people really need to come down from their penthouse, or out of their mansion, and get a look at the real world. They fail to realize that without the provinces, without the food and work force that comes from those provinces, Bangkok could not survive. Bangkok is Bangkok, it is NOT Thailand.

+1

[bkkjames]

Bangkok is not thailand? Well I know singapore is not thailand. And with almost a quarter of the country's population living here, local and from the provinces, I would suggest Bangkok is indeed a major part of Thailand.

[whybother]

The government transferred the governor of Pathum Thani who was close to Newin and no friend of PTP and they had the perfect excuse to do so. Nothing to do with Sukhumband who they had to override for his refusal to open the gates (enough?) and who cant be fired by the government but could have all his power temporarily taken away. However, that is unlikely to happen as his ineptitude drags the Dems into the blame equation. He is already being heavily blamed outside BKK where nobody can understand him keeping the gates closed as water built up. Two different issues. Anyway the blame game is for after it all ends as right now that distraction from the work that has to be done isnt needed.

Intersting analysis by some Thai friends too who are blaming the media for food shortages as the media keep speculatying on what will be short next with obvious consequences. When all is over it will not be easy to predict exactly where blame will fall or it it will have any effect poltically, but it will leave worse regional divisions.

It seems like your friends just like to blame anyone and anything. What are they blaming the government for?

[AleG]

They flooded the provinces because they were dumpimg dam water at the same time as storms were hitting Thailand. They had lots of lead time to dump the water prior to the rains but their priorities were elsewhere. The provinces are flooded to the extent they are due to gross mismangement / malfeasance.

I wonder what the situation would be now if the release of water from the dams wouldn't had been delayed to allow for farmers to harvest the rice.

[anterian]

This has happend everywhere over Thailand and it will happen in BKK too. By building dykes you flood other parts more. So i understand people breaking them down. Same here we have more water because BKK refused to open its floodgates more. So if one of those breaks down it could help me.

Once the water hits your house you think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home.

Either you are as dense as a sandbag or English is not be your first language. The tone of what you keep posting sounds vindictive and childish. And just what does your comment:

"Once the water hits your house you (will) think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home." mean????

People seem to think i want to flood bkk for no reason. I say let parts flood if it speeds up the waterflow. If it helps to shorten this crisis that effects many peopl with a few weeks. Then why not.

I don't want BKK flooded for nothing. Just certain places that block the natural flow of water and make this crisis last longer for all of us.

I have not laid a hand on any sandbags, i would not do it. But its just not logical to block the water without giving it an good alternate equally fast way.

I am sitting 9 km to the West of Bang Bua Thong, there is 65cm of water in the road, up to 15 in some parts of my house. Now what irritates me is the water just sits here, there is no movement. Yesterday for about an hour is started dropping, went down 4 cm , then crept back up again, presumably some one shut a water gate. Now if I am suffering in order to protect Bangkok, will Bangkok recompense me, not that I have any hope as a Farang, but how about the local Thais. Just think of the damage costs, Inside and outside walls covered in slime, much furniture waterlogged, road surface breaking up, the sewage system is a disease looking for a home.

Thailand was once a fertile country of hills and plains and many rivers, every year the rivers filled in the rainy season and the flood plains took the surplus water for a while until the rivers took it away. Then the Thais built a big dam_n at the mouth of the biggest river, now the water had no where easily to go, it just sat around on the flood plains. But the Thais were proud of their dam, they named it Bangkok.

[cowslip]

I see that there are still a lot of myopic people who see the matter solely in terms of "government response" -

The flood is a natural event.

thailand floods every year and major floods have been predicted.

THe reaction is the cumulation of DECADES of "preparation" by successive governments.

THe current situation in BKK was organised by the governor of Bkk until the Government had to take over

Thailand doesn't really need aid and it is unlikely that they will ask for any as it would damage the country's international standing.

[whybother]

I see that there are still a lot of myopic people who see the matter solely in terms of "government response" -

The flood is a natural event.

thailand floods every year and major floods have been predicted.

THe reaction is the cumulation of DECADES of "preparation" by successive governments.

THe current situation in BKK was organised by the governor of Bkk until the Government had to take over

Thailand doesn't really need aid and it is unlikely that they will ask for any as it would damage the country's international standing.

The flood is a natural event. The response to it is a government non-event.

Major floods have been predicted, but it seemed to take an age for the government to get themselves organised. They still don't seem to be organised.

The current situation is Bangkok is satisfactory. The flooding has generally been kept out. The government has taken over, and not much has changed. They are following the same processes as the Governor was.

The government HAVE asked for some international aid and HAVE accepted aid from some countries.

One thing about the water going through Bangkok. For the water to flow through, pumps need to be working at Samut Prakarn. That is outside the Bangkok Governors jurisdiction, so he can't just flood the Bangkok canals and hope that the Samut Prakarn officials do their bit. It needs to be coordinated, and that's why the government had to step in.

[robblok]

This has happend everywhere over Thailand and it will happen in BKK too. By building dykes you flood other parts more. So i understand people breaking them down. Same here we have more water because BKK refused to open its floodgates more. So if one of those breaks down it could help me.

Once the water hits your house you think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home.

Either you are as dense as a sandbag or English is not be your first language. The tone of what you keep posting sounds vindictive and childish. And just what does your comment:

"Once the water hits your house you (will) think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home." mean????

People seem to think i want to flood bkk for no reason. I say let parts flood if it speeds up the waterflow. If it helps to shorten this crisis that effects many peopl with a few weeks. Then why not.

I don't want BKK flooded for nothing. Just certain places that block the natural flow of water and make this crisis last longer for all of us.

I have not laid a hand on any sandbags, i would not do it. But its just not logical to block the water without giving it an good alternate equally fast way.

I am sitting 9 km to the West of Bang Bua Thong, there is 65cm of water in the road, up to 15 in some parts of my house. Now what irritates me is the water just sits here, there is no movement. Yesterday for about an hour is started dropping, went down 4 cm , then crept back up again, presumably some one shut a water gate. Now if I am suffering in order to protect Bangkok, will Bangkok recompense me, not that I have any hope as a Farang, but how about the local Thais. Just think of the damage costs, Inside and outside walls covered in slime, much furniture waterlogged, road surface breaking up, the sewage system is a disease looking for a home.

Thailand was once a fertile country of hills and plains and many rivers, every year the rivers filled in the rainy season and the flood plains took the surplus water for a while until the rivers took it away. Then the Thais built a big dam_n at the mouth of the biggest river, now the water had no where easily to go, it just sat around on the flood plains. But the Thais were proud of their dam, they named it Bangkok.

I am near Bang bua thong / Bangyai in the same situation as you.

Come on i got burned to a stake for saying that. I am now an outcast a heretic. If you dont want to suffer the same fate please don't go on.

It does not matter that there are now Thai experts who say the same thing that if BKK had opened its gates earlier things would have been better.

I am not saying flood BKK to safe me, its also to save themselves, more is coming and it will be impossible to stop. All the water they drain before the high tide hits is water that wont further make the problems worse.

Best would of course have been that they would have released water from the dams on time and that this idiot government would have told the truth. I would have made even better preparation.

[hyperdimension]

No one is going to fire a gun at distressed people.

They will if the "distressed people" use such weapons as machine guns and grenades, as in the "peaceful protests" of April and May 2010.

[anterian]

The argument seems to be that it is better if we sit in a metre of water rather than have Bangkok sit in 10 cm of water. Yet out homes are single storey not high apartments and dwellings. We cannot move up one level neither can we avoid the pollution. This water is black filthy and rancid, wade in it and you are coated in black slime, never mind the possibilities of snakes, crocodiles and leeches, what about the upcoming generation of mosquitoes. Thai hygiene is not good at the best of times, now it seems non existent, prepare for a wave of epidemics.

[cowslip]

This has happend everywhere over Thailand and it will happen in BKK too. By building dykes you flood other parts more. So i understand people breaking them down. Same here we have more water because BKK refused to open its floodgates more. So if one of those breaks down it could help me.

Once the water hits your house you think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home.

Either you are as dense as a sandbag or English is not be your first language. The tone of what you keep posting sounds vindictive and childish. And just what does your comment:

"Once the water hits your house you (will) think a lot differently about dykes that make the water enter your home." mean????

People seem to think i want to flood bkk for no reason. I say let parts flood if it speeds up the waterflow. If it helps to shorten this crisis that effects many peopl with a few weeks. Then why not.

I don't want BKK flooded for nothing. Just certain places that block the natural flow of water and make this crisis last longer for all of us.

I have not laid a hand on any sandbags, i would not do it. But its just not logical to block the water without giving it an good alternate equally fast way.

I am sitting 9 km to the West of Bang Bua Thong, there is 65cm of water in the road, up to 15 in some parts of my house. Now what irritates me is the water just sits here, there is no movement. Yesterday for about an hour is started dropping, went down 4 cm , then crept back up again, presumably some one shut a water gate. Now if I am suffering in order to protect Bangkok, will Bangkok recompense me, not that I have any hope as a Farang, but how about the local Thais. Just think of the damage costs, Inside and outside walls covered in slime, much furniture waterlogged, road surface breaking up, the sewage system is a disease looking for a home.

Thailand was once a fertile country of hills and plains and many rivers, every year the rivers filled in the rainy season and the flood plains took the surplus water for a while until the rivers took it away. Then the Thais built a big dam_n at the mouth of the biggest river, now the water had no where easily to go, it just sat around on the flood plains. But the Thais were proud of their dam, they named it Bangkok.

Thailand was once a DENSELY FORESTED country, mostly not very fertile - even last century - the unregulated growth of industry and in particular the Army have carried out programs of de-forestation - especially since WW2 and this is unarguably a major cause of this type of flooding.

This problem is inherited - the result of years/decades of unregulated development without concern for infrastructure - money has been saved or gone into the pockets of the corrupt and now this is "check-bin" time.

No current government in Thailand would be any different or more competent in their approach - some others have taken a more parochial attitude to opening and shutting sluice gates but that is par for the course in BKK.

[robblok]

The government grossly mismanaged this.

They either lied or did not know what was coming (either way its bad).

They gave out false news, they did not act.

I don't blame them for the flooding (maybe a little because they wanted to keep the water for the farmers)

I blame them how they handled it they are a bunch of clowns. Chosen because they had ties to Taksin knot because of their knowledge.

[cowslip]

Snakes crocs and leeches are the LEAST of your problems in that water!

[whybother]

I am near Bang bua thong / Bangyai in the same situation as you.

Come on i got burned to a stake for saying that. I am now an outcast a heretic. If you dont want to suffer the same fate please don't go on.

It does not matter that there are now Thai experts who say the same thing that if BKK had opened its gates earlier things would have been better.

I am not saying flood BKK to safe me, its also to save themselves, more is coming and it will be impossible to stop. All the water they drain before the high tide hits is water that wont further make the problems worse.

Best would of course have been that they would have released water from the dams on time and that this idiot government would have told the truth. I would have made even better preparation.

If the Bangkok canals are full and Bangkok is already flooded when the high tide hits then the extra flooding can not be drained away. If the flooding is coming, and it can't be stopped, it is better that Bangkok isn't already flooded when it hits.

Flooding the Bangkok canals would make very little difference to the overall situation. All it would do is put another 10 million people in flood water.

[robblok]

I am near Bang bua thong / Bangyai in the same situation as you.

Come on i got burned to a stake for saying that. I am now an outcast a heretic. If you dont want to suffer the same fate please don't go on.

It does not matter that there are now Thai experts who say the same thing that if BKK had opened its gates earlier things would have been better.

I am not saying flood BKK to safe me, its also to save themselves, more is coming and it will be impossible to stop. All the water they drain before the high tide hits is water that wont further make the problems worse.

Best would of course have been that they would have released water from the dams on time and that this idiot government would have told the truth. I would have made even better preparation.

If the Bangkok canals are full and Bangkok is already flooded when the high tide hits then the extra flooding can not be drained away. If the flooding is coming, and it can't be stopped, it is better that Bangkok isn't already flooded when it hits.

Flooding the Bangkok canals would make very little difference to the overall situation. All it would do is put another 10 million people in flood water.

BKK should not flood itself now but should drain as much water away as possible. Not like before, they started it much too late. Now they cant drain enough to stop the problems that they are going to get.

At this point, it does not really matter if they open or close the canals either way its going to be bad. But all the water they can expel controlled is good. They were too afraid before and they will probably pay the price for it.

Either way now i don't really care, i would have cared if they had done it 10 days earlier when it started to flood here. Then it would have helped us and themselves. We are only 20 km from BKK.

Edited October 25, 2011 by robblok

[whybother]

The government transferred the governor of Pathum Thani who was close to Newin and no friend of PTP and they had the perfect excuse to do so. Nothing to do with Sukhumband who they had to override for his refusal to open the gates (enough?) and who cant be fired by the government but could have all his power temporarily taken away. However, that is unlikely to happen as his ineptitude drags the Dems into the blame equation. He is already being heavily blamed outside BKK where nobody can understand him keeping the gates closed as water built up. Two different issues. Anyway the blame game is for after it all ends as right now that distraction from the work that has to be done isnt needed.

Intersting analysis by some Thai friends too who are blaming the media for food shortages as the media keep speculatying on what will be short next with obvious consequences. When all is over it will not be easy to predict exactly where blame will fall or it it will have any effect poltically, but it will leave worse regional divisions.

Pathum Thani Governor Transferred Over Flood Response Errors

The Pathum Thani provincial governor will be transferred to an inactive post at the Interior Ministry due to his mistakes in flood response work.

...

He was accused of letting a group of people tear down the sandbag embankment at Sear Rangsit, allowing floodwaters to burst from Rapeepat Canal and reach the Donmuang Airport and surrounding areas on Monday afternoon.

...

So, the Pathum Thani Governor was transferred for allowing Bangkok to flood.

And you're saying that Sukhumband is being overruled because he is NOT allowing Bangkok to flood?

[cowslip]

The government grossly mismanaged this.

They either lied or did not know what was coming (either way its bad).

They gave out false news, they did not act.

I don't blame them for the flooding (maybe a little because they wanted to keep the water for the farmers)

I blame them how they handled it they are a bunch of clowns. Chosen because they had ties to Taksin knot because of their knowledge.

It wasn't the "government" it was the BMA - the government has now taken over.

The situation has always been the same - try and drain the water away from Bkk central.

The problem 9s that it seems that exactly how much water was coming has been repeatedly underestimated.

The BMA in short tried to do a King Canute and with the same result.

Now the "extra" water needs to be dealt with - flooding of industry, homes businesses etc has become unavoidable - it probably never could have been avoided but the delay puts a strain on all the defences and some people who thought mistakenly they were save are not.