Transport Minister Expects Bangkok Floods To Ease In 2 Weeks

[Nisa]

Anybody who thinks it will be better in two weeks is deluding themselves. The satellite pics still show a huge mass of water and a 6 km big bag dam is not going to help.

Do you know if there is a link to where you can view these images by date?

[whybother]

We can expect the following statement in 3 months: "All trace of the floods are GONE!"

[Thai at Heart]

A week is a long time in politics, someone once said.

So I reckon this 2 weeks may well end up being closer to 4, or maybe even 6.

[Buchholz]

October 16th

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut assured Bangkok residents living along the Chao Phraya River that the worst is over

October 30th

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday urged Bangkok residents to be patient as the worst flood crisis in more than five decades was expected to pass soon.

November 7th

Transport Minister Sukampol Suwannathat expressed confidence that the floodwater flowing in from the north will recede within two weeks

I believe it's the Labor Minister's turn to be due up next in 2 weeks to reassure Bangkok that the floods are nearly done.

I apologize for my post above.

I was wrong on both counts.

It's the Energy Minister's turn.

And it's his turn now.

.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Energy Minister says Bangkok floods to last month

BANGKOK (AP) - Thailand's energy minister said the flood crisis in Bangkok is likely to drag on for another month, as authorities issued another evacuation advisory in a northern neighborhood and floodwaters inched further into the city's heart.

Top officials and experts have given varying estimates of how much Bangkok would flood and how long the threat would loom over the city, with some claiming several weeks ago the biggest window of danger to the sprawling metropolis of 9 million people had already passed.

Continues:

http://www.whbf.com/story/15982066/energy-minister-says-bangkok-floods-to-last-month

Associated Press - 2 minutes ago

.

[rubl]

Energy Minister says Bangkok floods to last month

BANGKOK (AP) - Thailand's energy minister said the flood crisis in Bangkok is likely to drag on for another month, as authorities issued another evacuation advisory in a northern neighborhood and floodwaters inched further into the city's heart.

Top officials and experts have given varying estimates of how much Bangkok would flood and how long the threat would loom over the city, with some claiming several weeks ago the biggest window of danger to the sprawling metropolis of 9 million people had already passed.

Continues:

http://www.whbf.com/story/15982066/energy-minister-says-bangkok-floods-to-last-month

Associated Press - 2 minutes ago

I'm dreaming of a dry Christmas

[Ijustwannateach]

Of course, we will now hear from all the posters who droned on and on and on about Abhisit's horrendous two-day trip, that it is extremely irresponsible for MP's and other officials currently in government to be taking a trip at such a critical time for Thailand to visit a criminal fugitive (and apparently with his money?- that itself could pretty obviously be a crime?).

Anyone? Anyone?

[hammered]

Of course, we will now hear from all the posters who droned on and on and on about Abhisit's horrendous two-day trip, that it is extremely irresponsible for MP's and other officials currently in government to be taking a trip at such a critical time for Thailand to visit a criminal fugitive (and apparently with his money?- that itself could pretty obviously be a crime?).

Anyone? Anyone?

Of course it is unacceptable for a government minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. It is also politically silly if an ordinary government side constituency MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-position holding party list Mp or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

It is equally unacceptable for any shadow minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. it is also politically silly if an ordinary opposition MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-shadow party list MP or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

Edited to add: a lesser minister would probably be justified in attending say the APEC conference, but the PM probably made the right decision to not go.

Edited November 8, 2011 by hammered

[whybother]

Of course it is unacceptable for a government minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. It is also politically silly if an ordinary government side constituency MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-position holding party list Mp or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

It is equally unacceptable for any shadow minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. it is also politically silly if an ordinary opposition MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-shadow party list MP or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

Edited to add: a lesser minister would probably be justified in attending say the APEC conference, but the PM probably made the right decision to not go.

"It is equally unacceptable for any shadow minister to leave the country right now as people suffer."

Why would people suffer if a shadow minister leaves the country?

[jimbeam1]

The sad thing is that these political truth benders believe themselves too and they think Mr. and Mrs Somchai are as silly as they are too.

The sad thing is Mr & Mrs probably are?

jb1

[hammered]

Of course it is unacceptable for a government minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. It is also politically silly if an ordinary government side constituency MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-position holding party list Mp or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

It is equally unacceptable for any shadow minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. it is also politically silly if an ordinary opposition MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-shadow party list MP or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

Edited to add: a lesser minister would probably be justified in attending say the APEC conference, but the PM probably made the right decision to not go.

"It is equally unacceptable for any shadow minister to leave the country right now as people suffer."

Why would people suffer if a shadow minister leaves the country?

The point is ministers and shadow ministers should be there to make decisions in ministers case and hear the people and in shadow ministers cases to hear the people and give constructive advice. "As" meant "while" in this use. I am not blaming ministers or shadows for making people suffer but saying in a democracy both have a role and both should fulfill it.

[Buchholz]

Of course, we will now hear from all the posters who droned on and on and on about Abhisit's horrendous two-day trip, that it is extremely irresponsible for MP's and other officials currently in government to be taking a trip at such a critical time for Thailand to visit a criminal fugitive (and apparently with his money?- that itself could pretty obviously be a crime?).

Anyone? Anyone?

Of course it is unacceptable for a government minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. It is also politically silly if an ordinary government side constituency MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-position holding party list Mp or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

It is equally unacceptable for any shadow minister to leave the country right now as people suffer. it is also politically silly if an ordinary opposition MP whose constituents are suffering to do so too. It is less important if it is a non-shadow party list MP or constituency MP from an unaffected area.

Edited to add: a lesser minister would probably be justified in attending say the APEC conference, but the PM probably made the right decision to not go.

Varying levels of wrongness.

(sorry, that just strikes me as humorous)

Anyway, back at the flood, which Cabinet Minister is up for making a flooding status report?

the Justice Minister?

.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

.

Edited November 8, 2011 by Buchholz

[rubl]

Before things 'ease' it seems it will be even worse still:

RT @tulsathit: More reporters are watching Dr Seri's horror show than a World Cup soccer game.

RT @veen_NT: Expert Seri on #ch3: "big bag" has benefit though, giving Bangkok time to breathe.

RT @veen_NT: Expert Seri on #Ch3: floodwater is sure to reach Suthisarn intersection tonight as Bang Sue canal now overflows.

RT @veen_NT: Expert seri on #ch3: It will take 7 days from now for floodwater to reach Victory monument.

RT @veen_NT: End of my report from Dr Seri's horror interview on #Ch3.

Thaiiland Live Tuesday 08/11/11 #114

[rubl]

Further easing of the Bangkok flood:

Dr Seri did a boat tour in the big bag barrier today. On Thai PBS he reiterated that an overflow will occur within 7 days. He said the area around the big bag is not benefitting from the reduction in water level above it. Barrier is distorting water flow./via@terryfrd

Thailand Live Tuesday 08/11/11 #124

(The boat tour was most likely along the BBbarrier. Twitter is nice and quick typing bound to get you in troubles, especially for terryfrd who has an 'easy English for Thai' column in the other newspaper

[rogerdee123]

Before things 'ease' it seems it will be even worse still:

RT @tulsathit: More reporters are watching Dr Seri's horror show than a World Cup soccer game.

RT @veen_NT: Expert Seri on #ch3: "big bag" has benefit though, giving Bangkok time to breathe.

RT @veen_NT: Expert Seri on #Ch3: floodwater is sure to reach Suthisarn intersection tonight as Bang Sue canal now overflows.

RT @veen_NT: Expert seri on #ch3: It will take 7 days from now for floodwater to reach Victory monument.

RT @veen_NT: End of my report from Dr Seri's horror interview on #Ch3.

Thaiiland Live Tuesday 08/11/11 #114

Dr. Seri seems to enjoy all this ... are we sure Dr Seri is playing with a full deck?

He kind of reminds me of Peter Sellers in Dr. Strange love.

Edited November 8, 2011 by rogerdee123

[elcent]

FB comment I heartily agree to most of the posters ideas

shopwow has commented ‘This is FARCE, Bangkok Post please publish this note of mine. On Saturday 5 Nov 2011 - I called 1555 Bangkok Metropolitan office and gave a suggestion. The big bags would not hold for long. Each of them is around 4 to 5 feet...’ on a Bangkok Post ‘Big Bag 'to be inundated in 7 days'’ story athttp://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/265329/big-bag-to-be-inundated-in-7-days. Do you agree?

[yoshiwara]

Of course, we will now hear from all the posters who droned on and on and on about Abhisit's horrendous two-day trip, that it is extremely irresponsible for MP's and other officials currently in government to be taking a trip at such a critical time for Thailand to visit a criminal fugitive (and apparently with his money?- that itself could pretty obviously be a crime?).

Anyone? Anyone?

Their priority is to kiss Thaksin's ring.

[Buchholz]

-----------------------------------------------

quote

October 16th

Agriculture Minister Theera Wongsamut assured Bangkok residents living along the Chao Phraya River that the worst is over

unquote

-----------------------------------------------

quote:

October 30th

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday urged Bangkok residents to be patient as the worst flood crisis in more than five decades was expected to pass soon.

unquote.

-----------------------------------------------

quote:

November 7th

Transport Minister Sukampol Suwannathat expressed confidence that the floodwater flowing in from the north will recede within two weeks

unquote.

-----------------------------------------------

quote:

November 8th

Energy Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said the flood crisis in Bangkok is likely to drag on for another month

http://www.whbf.com/story/15982066/energy-minister-says-bangkok-floods-to-last-month

unquote.

Another Cabinet Minister, Another Expert Prediction..

November 25th

Flood Situation Expected to Ease by December 5

The Defense Minister expects the flood situation to normalize before His Majesty the King's birthday on December 5.

He urged residents to refrain from tearing down temporary flood walls and to consider the overall benefit of the public.

This morning, Defense Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa commented on the Flood Relief Operations Center's goal to ease the flood situation before December 5, saying that if all units cooperate well, the situation will return to normal before December 5.

Stagnant floodwater will slowly be drained as this round of high tide ends on November 29.

He expected that all floodwater will be drained by December and areas designated for celebrations to honor His Majesty the King's birthday will be completely dry before December 5, particularly the inner areas of the Rattanakosin Island.

Meanwhile, draining floodwater out from the Air Force base must be done slowly and carefully to prevent the water from flowing south into the city.

Regarding the demolition of the Big Bag barriers, the defense minister said it is necessary that the FROC pursue those responsible as tearing down flood walls could put many important areas at risk.

Yutthasak asked that residents strongly consider the greater good.

Furthermore, while floodwater remains stagnant and becomes foul, Yutthasak urged Defense Ministry Permanent Secretary General Satien Permthong-in to quickly apply EM balls to improve the quality of the water as soon as possible.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

Edited November 25, 2011 by Buchholz

[Thaddeus]

Of course, we will now hear from all the posters who droned on and on and on about Abhisit's horrendous two-day trip, that it is extremely irresponsible for MP's and other officials currently in government to be taking a trip at such a critical time for Thailand to visit a criminal fugitive (and apparently with his money?- that itself could pretty obviously be a crime?).

Anyone? Anyone?

Their priority is to kiss Thaksin's ring.

The one he talks out of by any chance?

(I just got a really nasty mental image of GK and Khun T in a 69 position..... not nice)

[MaxYakov]

Anybody who thinks it will be better in two weeks is deluding themselves. The satellite pics still show a huge mass of water and a 6 km big bag dam is not going to help.

Thai PBS' Dr. Seree Supratid agrees with this prognosis. He and some Israeli experts have recommended widening the southern BBB gaps because now they're not having a large depth differential north-to-south and the remaining southern Big Bags were deemed ineffective (even though his latest maps indicate 27 m³/sec flow total through both existing gaps).

Dr. Seree also predicts that areas of Bangkok will still be flooded on New Years Day in spite of the governments best wishes of the FROC/BMA of being dry by December 5th. His flood maps also show a total of 400 million cubic meters of water in the Bangkok area east of the Chao Phraya that has yet to flow or be pumped out.

My money's on Dr. Seree.

Edited November 26, 2011 by MaxYakov