Irrigation Dept Chief Slams Bangkok Governor Over Accusation

[webfact]

Irrigation dept chief slams governor over accusation

The Nation

The conflict between the central government and the Bangkok authority heightened yesterday when the governor and the chief of the irrigation department engaged in a war of words during a meeting on flood control.

During the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Irrigation Department directorgeneral Chalit Damrongsak accused Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra of spreading false information through the media that the department refused to provide water pumps to help Bangkok.

"I have checked with the national Flood Relief Operations Centre [FROC] and found there was no such request from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration [bMA]," Chalit said.

"The governor should not have said in a television interview that the Irrigation Department had refused to send water pumps to help Pasichareon district. Such remarks damage the reputation of the department," he said.

Sukhumbhand denied that he had made the remarks to the media, but Chalit insisted that he had himself heard the governor make the allegation about his department and demanded that Sukhumbhand retract his words through the media.

Prime Minister Yingluck tried to calm them down, saying the meeting should be a forum for consultation to solve problems.

Sukhumbhand asked BMA permanent secretary Charoenrat Chutikan to explain the situation. Charoenrat said the request for water pumps was made to the FROC and not to the Irrigation Department directly.

Chalit could not be assuaged and asked Prime Minister Yingluck to consider the matter and have a better understanding of the Irrigation Department.

"Prime Minister, please be fair to the department and help explain the situation to the public. We are hurt by such allegations," Chalit said.

Sukhumbhand lost his cool and said immediately, "I don't need to take back my words. When reporters asked whether I had got the pumps, I simply said 'not yet'. It is true. I'm waiting for the pumps."

The Royal Irrigation Department revealed later that after examining official documents from different agencies, it had not found the letter seeking water pumps for Bangkok. However, examination of records with other agencies found a letter dated November 3, 2011, signed by the BMA permanent secretary and addressed to the Interior Ministry permanent secretary, asking for 60 water pumps.

Pheu Thai Party secretarygeneral Jaruphong Ruangsuwan asked both sides to let bygones be bygones, but Sukhumband insisted that he had not insulted the Irrigation Department and was still waiting for the pumps.

Prime Minister Yingluck tried again to cool them down saying all concerned parties should not take the nitpicking seriously.

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who heads the FROC, said he would check again whether the BMA had made any request for the pumps. "So far, I have not seen the request in writing but I'll check again where it is," he said.

Tempers cooled down for a while and Prime Minister Yingluck continued the meeting. However, towards the end Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi launched another attack on Sukhumbhand, asking why the Bangkok authority did not issue warnings to people in western parts of the capital to prepare for evacuation.

Plodprasob asked why the warning was not issued when the Bangkok authority expected all of the western part could be inundated. Sukhumbhand justified his action, saying he did not want people to panic. Also, he did not believe the entire area would be under water.

"We order evacuation only when 70 per cent of the area is inundated," he said.

Sukhumbhand told reporters after the meeting that the BMA did not have any conflict with the governmentrun FROC, saying the Bangkok authority had opened many sluice gates to release water flow.

The governor said he was still worried about the situation in the western part of Bangkok as the BMA and Irrigation Department's drainage systems are not adequate to drain the water out. The BMA can drain only 10 million cubic metres out of the capital, he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck told reporters after the meeting that the BMA and the FROC were separate, hence the two agencies needed to have more consultation and cooperation.

Every province wanted to release its own water but nobody talked about the huge mass of water. "If we want to talk about Bangkok's problem, we have to talk with surrounding provinces, too," she said. "In the long run, Bangkok has to work with Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani."

The Royal Irrigation Department strongly averred that there was no conflict with other agencies.

-- The Nation 2011-11-05

[wayned]

FROC the people! This is a national emergency and he doesn't have the paperwork! What a bunch of the stuff that's floating in the water! They're playing ball with a greased football.

[bkkjames]

They need 3 copies stamped and signed before any movement-let's hope the emergency services don't subscribe to this mantra.

"I see a fire in the neighbor's house"

"Sorry, please press 2 for english".....

[gregb]

As someone whose house is under 2.7 meters of water I couldn't give a dam_n about the face Chalit lost in the media due to this. The only correct response should have been "I'm sorry Governor. I'll get you those pumps immediately."

What a bunch of pricks. I am seriously angry at these bastards. I hope karma treats them the way they truly deserve.

[LuckyLew]

Nero fiddled while Rome burned

These people are useless

Is their an over under on how many times the FROC

will have to relocate due to their "new" locations being

flooded?

[geriatrickid]

It seems that the Gobernor of Bangkok was caught in his web of "statements".

[zydeco]

Where are the pumps Thaksin claimed to buying in South Korea two or three weeks ago? . . . Well, I'm waiting. . . . chirrrp.

[MrRed]

"bygones be bygones"

"Prime Minister Yingluck tried again to cool them down saying all concerned parties should not take the nitpicking seriously."

[Semper]

Where are the pumps Thaksin claimed to buying in South Korea two or three weeks ago? . . . Well, I'm waiting. . . . chirrrp.

Maybe at the Thai customs. Somebody must pay the import duties on the items.

[Insight]

Words fail me. Maybe I should borrow some from FROC.

Did the Bangkok Gov get the much-needed pumps in the end?

[siampolee]

It's as plain as the nose on your face that yet again all these born again petty jobsworths are concentrating on feathering their own nest and empire building whilst ignoring the plight of the people and indeed the country.

The top down mis-management system has to date totally ignored those in need and still does totally ignores those in need from the Prime minister and the cabinet and all the involved farces forces we see total inactivity.

The cabinet parasites conspicuous by their absence visually and vocally yet still drawing their salaries are a fine example of the lack of leadership in times of crisis. Those who destroy barriers and interfere with sluice gates are taking their lead from the examples set by the self serving mindless morons who are intent on only looking after their own personal theifdoms fiefdoms and by doing so are indeed abusing the position of high office they hold due to nepotism , favoritism and in many cases their financial clout in securing those positions thus assuring themselves of a nice income whilst in their positions.

Let's have a paper-chase to cover our ineptitude.

I'm alright Jack !!!

[whybother]

It seems that the Gobernor of Bangkok was caught in his web of "statements".

Did you miss the part where they found a letter from the BMA to the interior ministry.

[siampolee]

It seems that the Gobernor of Bangkok was caught in his web of "statements".

Rose tinted glasses when reading certain forum posts.

Edited November 5, 2011 by siampolee

[scorecard]

FROC the people! This is a national emergency and he doesn't have the paperwork! What a bunch of the stuff that's floating in the water! They're playing ball with a greased football.

Rubbish G'kid. There's also a case to say (given the urgency of the situation) that the letter (it's been acknowledged that the letter does exist) should have been quickly redirected as appropriate and a note passed back to the Bkk Governors people to acknowledge receipt and explain that the letter has been urgently forwarded to the appropriate agency. Not difficult at all.

And g'kid I note that one of your darlings the science minister khun plodprasob making criticisms of why people in Western Bkk weren't warned about inundation.... Hardly the man to be criticizing others about false warnings and stupid nonsensical statement.

[Bakseedaa]

It's as plain as the nose on your face that yet again all these born again petty jobsworths are concentrating on feathering their own nest and empire building whilst ignoring the plight of the people and indeed the country.

The top down mis-management system has to date totally ignored those in need and still does totally ignores those in need from the Prime minister and the cabinet and all the involved farces forces we see total inactivity.

The cabinet parasites conspicuous by their absence visually and vocally yet still drawing their salaries are a fine example of the lack of leadership in times of crisis. Those who destroy barriers and interfere with sluice gates are taking their lead from the examples set by the self serving mindless morons who are intent on only looking after their own personal theifdoms fiefdoms and by doing so are indeed abusing the position of high office they hold due to nepotism , favoritism and in many cases their financial clout in securing those positions thus assuring themselves of a nice income whilst in their positions.

Let's have a paper-chase to cover our ineptitude.

I'm alright Jack !!!

Touché

[pogal]

Where are the pumps Thaksin claimed to buying in South Korea two or three weeks ago? . . . Well, I'm waiting. . . . chirrrp.

Maybe at the Thai customs. Somebody must pay the import duties on the items.

Actually that is not a joke. I work for an NGO and we still pay duties on all donated goods and relief supplies: No exceptions.

[siampolee]

There are situations where this comes into play irrespective of what ones views may be of a broader horizon.

[Thaddeus]

These meetings are just a dummy spitting contest.

[jamesbrock]

"The Royal Irrigation Department revealed later that after examining official documents from different agencies, it had not found the letter seeking water pumps for Bangkok. However, examination of records with other agencies found a letter dated November 3, 2011, signed by the BMA permanent secretary and addressed to the Interior Ministry permanent secretary, asking for 60 water pumps."

<deleted>? How are these other agencies different from the different agencies?

So, in other words, 'The Royal Irrigation Department revealed later that it found a letter dated November 3, 2011, signed by the BMA permanent secretary and addressed to the Interior Ministry permanent secretary, asking for 60 water pumps.'

[puntmeister]

FROC the people! This is a national emergency and he doesn't have the paperwork! What a bunch of the stuff that's floating in the water! They're playing ball with a greased football.

Rubbish G'kid. There's also a case to say (given the urgency of the situation) that the letter (it's been acknowledged that the letter does exist) should have been quickly redirected as appropriate and a note passed back to the Bkk Governors people to acknowledge receipt and explain that the letter has been urgently forwarded to the appropriate agency. Not difficult at all.

And g'kid I note that one of your darlings the science minister khun plodprasob making criticisms of why people in Western Bkk weren't warned about inundation.... Hardly the man to be criticizing others about false warnings and stupid nonsensical statement.

A letter?

There's an inner-city flood, for which pumps are needed to alleviate the flooding, and a LETTER is sent requesting pumps?

Ummm, how about a phone call, "I need pumps, NOW!"

[takixxx]

Where are the pumps Thaksin claimed to buying in South Korea two or three weeks ago? . . . Well, I'm waiting. . . . chirrrp.

Delayed probably due to Korea waiting for parts coming from Thailand to build the pumps? Wait till the flood is over.

[drdoom6996]

If anybody could get the governor of Bangkok and FROC to resign we would all be in a better position. Better yet lets have another election and see what happens.

[drdoom6996]

Where are the pumps Thaksin claimed to buying in South Korea two or three weeks ago? . . . Well, I'm waiting. . . . chirrrp.

Maybe at the Thai customs. Somebody must pay the import duties on the items.

Actually that is not a joke. I work for an NGO and we still pay duties on all donated goods and relief supplies: No exceptions.

And that sucks. Thais continue to prove themselves unable to help themselves even when donations come in from other countries. Pay Pay Pay

[drdoom6996]

It's as plain as the nose on your face that yet again all these born again petty jobsworths are concentrating on feathering their own nest and empire building whilst ignoring the plight of the people and indeed the country.

The top down mis-management system has to date totally ignored those in need and still does totally ignores those in need from the Prime minister and the cabinet and all the involved farces forces we see total inactivity.

The cabinet parasites conspicuous by their absence visually and vocally yet still drawing their salaries are a fine example of the lack of leadership in times of crisis. Those who destroy barriers and interfere with sluice gates are taking their lead from the examples set by the self serving mindless morons who are intent on only looking after their own personal theifdoms fiefdoms and by doing so are indeed abusing the position of high office they hold due to nepotism , favoritism and in many cases their financial clout in securing those positions thus assuring themselves of a nice income whilst in their positions.

Let's have a paper-chase to cover our ineptitude.

I'm alright Jack !!!

Completely agree

[wintermute]

These meetings are just a dummy spitting contest.

I liken it to a collection of spoiled fat children fighting over who broke their favorite toy.

[eq2]

"We order evacuation only when 70 per cent of the area is inundated," - Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra

[sirchai]

Where are the pumps Thaksin claimed to buying in South Korea two or three weeks ago? . . . Well, I'm waiting. . . . chirrrp.

Delayed probably due to Korea waiting for parts coming from Thailand to build the pumps? Wait till the flood is over.

Remember that Mr. T. will be back next month. Guess with some pumps.....

Edited November 5, 2011 by sirchai

[Thaddeus]

FROC the people! This is a national emergency and he doesn't have the paperwork! What a bunch of the stuff that's floating in the water! They're playing ball with a greased football.

Rubbish G'kid. There's also a case to say (given the urgency of the situation) that the letter (it's been acknowledged that the letter does exist) should have been quickly redirected as appropriate and a note passed back to the Bkk Governors people to acknowledge receipt and explain that the letter has been urgently forwarded to the appropriate agency. Not difficult at all.

And g'kid I note that one of your darlings the science minister khun plodprasob making criticisms of why people in Western Bkk weren't warned about inundation.... Hardly the man to be criticizing others about false warnings and stupid nonsensical statement.

A letter?

There's an inner-city flood, for which pumps are needed to alleviate the flooding, and a LETTER is sent requesting pumps?

Ummm, how about a phone call, "I need pumps, NOW!"

You can't make three copies and put an official looking stamp on a phone call.

But even this from 70 years ago in some places would have been quicker.

And the recipient would have to sign for the delivery. End of argument.

[Thaddeus]

These meetings are just a dummy spitting contest.

I liken it to a collection of spoiled fat children fighting over who broke their favorite toy.

"Do I give him one raised finger or two? check with Bro' 1 soon as"

[Arkady]

As someone whose house is under 2.7 meters of water I couldn't give a dam_n about the face Chalit lost in the media due to this. The only correct response should have been "I'm sorry Governor. I'll get you those pumps immediately."

What a bunch of pricks. I am seriously angry at these bastards. I hope karma treats them the way they truly deserve.

You are absolutely right. This man is another "face junkie" who needs his fix of face even if thousands of ordinary Thais will suffer flooding, drowning, electrocution and crocodile attacks to give to him. I have seen his performances on TV and he is an extremely arrogant man who gives a strong impression through his shifty body language and eye action that he is not telling the truth. Furthermore, this department is notorious for corruption. An investigation of past chiefs going back 50 years would reveal many bull eyes in the form of men who accumulated inexplicably obscene on and offshore wealth relative to their emoluments.