Flood-Weary Residents Lash Out In Bangkok

[webfact]

Flood-weary residents lash out in Bangkok

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, November 14, 2011 (AFP) - Angry residents in flooded Bangkok protested on Monday, briefly blocking a major highway as frustration mounted that parts of the Thai capital are suffering badly while the centre stays dry.

Thailand's worst floods in half a century, triggered by months of unusually heavy monsoon rains, have left at least 562 people dead around the kingdom and damaged millions of homes and livelihoods.

After weeks of flooding, waters in some Bangkok districts have receded significantly. An AFP photographer said the water level in Lat Phrao and Mo Chit areas, on the northern edge of the city centre, had fallen by nearly a metre in 48 hours and inhabitants were no longer using boats to get around.

But elsewhere anger is growing that residential areas are being sacrificed to preserve Bangkok's commercial and tourist heart.

In the west of the city, around 200 people blocked a section of the Rama II road, the main route linking the capital to southern Thailand, to demand extra water pumps to help drain their swamped neighbourhoods.

"The villagers were not happy that there were not enough pumps to drain the floods," local police chief Colonel Nakarin Sukontawit said.

"The BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration) agreed to bring two more pumps today, so the villagers decided to stop their protest."

Around 70 people also gathered at a major floodwall in northern Don Mueang district, watched by about 30 police officers, to ensure the authorities did not repair a gap they had opened to allow water to drain away from badly flooded areas.

Visiting the scene, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra reassured locals that he had not received a government order to repair the barrier and his team would take time to "analyse the situation".

People in the area -- many of whom have been living in waters waist-deep or worse for almost a month -- have threatened to step up their protest if the opening in the structure is repaired.

The 15-kilometre (nine-mile) floodwall, mostly made up of huge sandbags weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, is a key defence preventing run-off waters from the north from swamping Bangkok's glitzy downtown area.

"The water in my house reaches as high as my neck," said 65-year-old Wattana Klongsakon, adding that she was "satisfied" to see the brown liquid rushing through to the other side of the damaged barrier.

"If they rebuild it, we will definitely block the toll road", she said, referring to a major nearby route linking Bangkok to the north.

In an effort to spare Bangkok's economic and political heartland, authorities have been trying to drain the floods through waterways in the east and west of the sprawling capital and out to sea.

Under-pressure Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, facing the first serious test of her fledgling premiership, pleaded for patience and unity on her Facebook page on Monday.

"People suffering in the floods please be patient, please be united as we walk through this crisis," she wrote.

"The government will try to speed up solving the problems as best as we can."

The premier, who only came to power three months ago and has faced criticism of her handling of the disaster, said water levels had started to recede in many areas of the city of 12 million people.

But western districts remained badly affected. The floods have also swamped Bangkok's number two airport Don Mueang, which mostly serves domestic destinations, forcing its closure in late October.

The kingdom's main air gateway Suvarnabhumi, east of the city centre, is operating as normal.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-11-14

[webfact]

Don Mueang residents OK "Big Bag" dyke repairs: FROC director

BANGKOK, Nov 14 - Disgruntled residents of Bangkok's Don Mueang district finally agree to allow repairs to giant sandbag "Big Bag" barriers they dismantled earlier to release floodwater from the area, said Pol Gen Pracha Promnog, director of the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) on Monday.

Gen Pracha disclosed the agreement after some sections of the 1-2 tonne sandbag barriers were dismantled Sunday by angry residents affected by surging floodwater. The flood-prevention dyke implemented to slow the deluge from overflowing into inner Bangkok meant higher water for those on the other side of the barrier.

The flood response agency chief said agencies concerned, including the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Metropolitan Police and the local residents, reached a solution when they met today. The residents agreed that they will not mobilise again to dismantle the barriers and that they will allow city workers to repair the damaged dykes.

Gen Pracha however stated that a six-metre gap will be left as it is for boat passage.

The FROC director added he will discuss the ‘Big Bag’ issue with Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra this afternoon and will hold a joint news conference afterward.

FROC spokesman Pol Maj Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen asserted the barrier is considered state property which should not be damaged by anyone.

At the same time he recognised that the Don Mueang resident have been seriously affected and talks on rehabilitation and compensation are needed to meet acceptable conditions of all concerned people, the centre spokesperson said.

The authorities do not want to take legal action against the residents, Gen Pongsapat said. “We understand their grievances, but we cannot permit destruction of state property." (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-11-14

[webfact]

Police Protection Sought for Workers Repairing Levee

The Bangkok governor has asked the Metropolitan Police Bureau to ensure safety for officials who are conducting repairs on the collapsed Big Bag flood barrier in Don Muang District.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra spoke of the dismantling of the Big Bag dike in Don Muang District by locals, saying the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA, staff were sent out last night to repair the damaged barriers, but they could not reach the area due to protests from residents.

Sukhumbhand said he has instructed BMA staff to expedite repairs of the barrier and said the move is being carried out under the 2007 Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Act that gives him power to order the Metropolitan Police Bureau to deploy officers to safeguard workers and prevent residents from tearing down the flood wall during repair efforts.

The BMA today warns residents in 22 communities, such as Saeng Manee, Ruam Pattana, Suan Nok Pattana and Baan Ma in Prawet and Saphan Sung districts to be extra vigilant for possible flooding in their areas.

Some parts of Bangkok Yai District such as Petchakasem Soi 15, 16, 17, 17/1, 18 and 18/1 on Petchakasem Road and Charan Sanitwong Soi 3, 7/1, 9, 9/1, 11, 12 and 14 on Charan Sanitwong Road in Tha Phra Subdistrict, Nak Klang Temple and Trok Ta Thaen communities on Issaraphap Road in Wat Arun Subdistrict are being closely watched.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-14

[webfact]

Don Muang Floods Rise after Levee Damaged

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has placed seven more water pumps at Bang Sue Canal to increase draining capacity after a part of the Big Bag levee there has been removed in Don Muang District.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's, or BMA, Drainage and Sewerage Department stated the removal of a 10-meter long section of the Big Bag flood wall in Don Muang District by residents has caused floodwater to rise by five to 10 centimeters.

The move gave room for more runoff from Canal 2 in Pathum Thani Province to flow down the district and hence bring up the water level outside the levee line close to that in Thung Song Hong District inside the line.

The hole in the embankment has slowed down the drainage of floodwater in Don Muang and the reopening of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to traffic.

However, the department said rising floodwater in Don Muang has not yet worsened the flood situation at the nearby Lak Si Intersection near Kasetsart University on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

It said the BMA will complete the repairs of the damaged Big Bag levee in Don Muang as soon as possible.

The department went on to say seven more electric water pumps with combined draining capacity of 13 cubic meters have been installed at Bang Sue Canal to raise its drainage force from originally 51 cubic meters a second.

The move has brought down the flood level around Mor Chit Skytrain station, Chatuchak Weekend Market and the market of the Marketing Organization for Farmers, thus allowing small vehicles to reach the area.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-14

[frodo]

People suffering in the floods please be patient, please be united as we walk through this crisis," she wrote.

Take off the Burberry's and walk through the waters infested with feces, urine, garbage, leeches, and disease with us. She has the gall to continue to tell everyone to be patient, but I never seen her once standing up to her chest in this water. So easy for many to say when they don't experience it first hand. Join us and we can all be happy like pigs in shit.

[webfact]

PM Unfazed by Flood Crisis

The prime minister posts on her Facebook page that the flooding in Bangkok has been decreasing since more floodwater in the eastern part has been drained out to the sea.

She confirms she is not discouraged about flood management.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra posted on her Facebook page, saying the latest update of the flood situation shows the water level is on the decline as drainage in eastern Bangkok has been effective.

Since the drainage of water in western Bangkok has proceeded very slowly, the government is looking into digging another canal to allow more water to be drained out.

She asked residents to bear with the current inundation and unite to overcome the disaster together, while the government is doing its best to remedy the flood effects and accommodate residents affected.

She further promised that she will work hard to solve the flood crisis, take care of the people and will never be discouraged.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-14

[MikeyIdea]

I wonder if those now calling to break the barriers to their South were also calling to break the barriers to their North before they were flooded. I mean, the point is letting the water flow as freely as possible, no?

I wasn't calling at all at that time because i had no idea what was coming thanks to the government. But yes barriers that cause others to flood longer should have been torn down.

Its just totally unfair to sacrifice people without real compensation.

Id say live a week in a really flooded area (1,5m) and then come back and post on the forum.

I am one of the "lucky" ones, had only 70 cm in my streets and 20 in the house.

Rob, I took my daughter on an educational trip through flooded Thailand this weekend. Here's part of the traffic report;

... Had to turn left toward Lopburi 15 km before hitting sai Asia as a bridge ahead was closed due to flood damage. No flooding yet but a right turn onto 3028 taking me out on sai Asia South of Singburi took me straight through affected areas. Lot's of people camping out on the roads, huge lakes as far as the eye could see, saw people wading in chest high water, unpleasant smell all around. The administration seem to have done something good up there because I saw drinking water tanks on the road every km or closer even

The government needs to spend money to build up again. 40% of GDP in Thailand and more than 40% of the net income the government has comes from Bangkok. I find it very selfish to sacrifice the governments ability to help building up the lives of the people in the enormous flood damaged areas to do what? Help a group of people north of the barrier? I also find it childish to think that compensation will happen to the same extent if the governments income is reduced drastically. GDP shrinking is really hurting the poor in this country more than any other group

I taught my 7 year old daughter to understand the importance of the broader picture, in fact, she probably understands it better than the people living north of the barrier now. I told her about all the schools that needed to be repaired (we past a few of them), all the new books and materials needed

It's a sad fact of live but it is still a fact, MONEY decides what must be done, hence, the big bag barrier must stay, it's height managed considering the greater good of this country, not a bunch of people living to the north of it

It's not that - I'm wet too but you are more wet than I am Rob, that's just childish reasoning. It's for the greater good for this country, especially for the poor, like it or not

What i am asking for is not the flooding of BKK. But a payup of BKK for the suffering these people undergo on their behalf. Everybody is saying BKK is the heart of the country loads of money is made there. Then tax them once for keeping dry, to help those suffering on their behalf.

I see the bigger picture, but people here only see survival of BKK for free. The 5000bt is crazy. I asking this for the people of Don Muang not where i am. These people directly are sacrificed for BKK. Like i am saying the greater good is not a one way street.

If BKK is that important its inhabitants can surely payout more then the 5k a house they are offering now.

So dont flood BKK but BKK pay up because your sacrificing others. If the government does not have enough money a special BKK tax could be setup. Its the least BKK could do.

But here people will say that is wrong, and they don't want to pay.

We want the same for Thailand but I think your reasoning getting there is wrong. Wealth of a country must be managed by the government, in the best interest of all citizens. Of course richer parts of a country must pay for poorer parts, that already happens and in fact, most of the compensation you are talking about is already paid for by Bangkok. What do you mean with - But here people will say that is wrong, and they don't want to pay. Bangkok already pays most of it

Another thing to discuss then is the compensation amount. Mis-management and incorrect priorities by the current government have already cost billions but that was the cheap bit. Billions and billions more in lost tax revenue is coming as the industrial estates are being rebuilt. I think it was Seagate that estimated that their harddisk factory can be up and running already in JUNE next year. Similar story for Western Digital. What does this mean? No corporate tax revenue, very little income tax revenue as these private companies cannot keep staff not needed on the pay-roll that long of course, less VAT income as all the unemployed have less money to spend, excise tax on most factory equipment imported to replace destroyed equipment of course waived to keep foreign investors interested in continuing to invest in Thailand so less income for the government there too. Rodjana, Nawanakorn, Bang Pa-In, High-Tech and all the other industrial estates, that's billions and billions of baht tax revenue lost

GDP will shrink quite badly and money for compensation will be limited, borrow is a pretty expensive option at the end of the day. Better would be to cancel useless populist spending but they can't do that either because that's what makes the un-educated vote for them...

After all this writing, I also wonder;

Why should the people living north of the barrier get better compensation than the people I saw in Lopburi yesterday also wading in water up their chests!

[whybother]

Didn't the Democrats warn of trouble just last week?

[robblok]

I wasn't calling at all at that time because i had no idea what was coming thanks to the government. But yes barriers that cause others to flood longer should have been torn down.

Its just totally unfair to sacrifice people without real compensation.

Id say live a week in a really flooded area (1,5m) and then come back and post on the forum.

I am one of the "lucky" ones, had only 70 cm in my streets and 20 in the house.

Rob, I took my daughter on an educational trip through flooded Thailand this weekend. Here's part of the traffic report;

... Had to turn left toward Lopburi 15 km before hitting sai Asia as a bridge ahead was closed due to flood damage. No flooding yet but a right turn onto 3028 taking me out on sai Asia South of Singburi took me straight through affected areas. Lot's of people camping out on the roads, huge lakes as far as the eye could see, saw people wading in chest high water, unpleasant smell all around. The administration seem to have done something good up there because I saw drinking water tanks on the road every km or closer even

The government needs to spend money to build up again. 40% of GDP in Thailand and more than 40% of the net income the government has comes from Bangkok. I find it very selfish to sacrifice the governments ability to help building up the lives of the people in the enormous flood damaged areas to do what? Help a group of people north of the barrier? I also find it childish to think that compensation will happen to the same extent if the governments income is reduced drastically. GDP shrinking is really hurting the poor in this country more than any other group

I taught my 7 year old daughter to understand the importance of the broader picture, in fact, she probably understands it better than the people living north of the barrier now. I told her about all the schools that needed to be repaired (we past a few of them), all the new books and materials needed

It's a sad fact of live but it is still a fact, MONEY decides what must be done, hence, the big bag barrier must stay, it's height managed considering the greater good of this country, not a bunch of people living to the north of it

It's not that - I'm wet too but you are more wet than I am Rob, that's just childish reasoning. It's for the greater good for this country, especially for the poor, like it or not

What i am asking for is not the flooding of BKK. But a payup of BKK for the suffering these people undergo on their behalf. Everybody is saying BKK is the heart of the country loads of money is made there. Then tax them once for keeping dry, to help those suffering on their behalf.

I see the bigger picture, but people here only see survival of BKK for free. The 5000bt is crazy. I asking this for the people of Don Muang not where i am. These people directly are sacrificed for BKK. Like i am saying the greater good is not a one way street.

If BKK is that important its inhabitants can surely payout more then the 5k a house they are offering now.

So dont flood BKK but BKK pay up because your sacrificing others. If the government does not have enough money a special BKK tax could be setup. Its the least BKK could do.

But here people will say that is wrong, and they don't want to pay.

We want the same for Thailand but I think your reasoning getting there is wrong. Wealth of a country must be managed by the government, in the best interest of all citizens. Of course richer parts of a country must pay for poorer parts, that already happens and in fact, most of the compensation you are talking about is already paid for by Bangkok. What do you mean with - But here people will say that is wrong, and they don't want to pay. Bangkok already pays most of it

Another thing to discuss then is the compensation amount. Mis-management and incorrect priorities by the current government have already cost billions but that was the cheap bit. Billions and billions more in lost tax revenue is coming as the industrial estates are being rebuilt. I think it was Seagate that estimated that their harddisk factory can be up and running already in JUNE next year. Similar story for Western Digital. What does this mean? No corporate tax revenue, very little income tax revenue as these private companies cannot keep staff not needed on the pay-roll that long of course, less VAT income as all the unemployed have less money to spend, excise tax on most factory equipment imported to replace destroyed equipment of course waived to keep foreign investors interested in continuing to invest in Thailand so less income for the government there too. Rodjana, Nawanakorn, Bang Pa-In, High-Tech and all the other industrial estates, that's billions and billions of baht tax revenue lost

GDP will shrink quite badly and money for compensation will be limited, borrow is a pretty expensive option at the end of the day. Better would be to cancel useless populist spending but they can't do that either because that's what makes the un-educated vote for them...

After all this writing, I also wonder;

Why should the people living north of the barrier get better compensation than the people I saw in Lopburi yesterday also wading in water up their chests!

Because here there is a direct relation. Here these people are suffering for BKK in other area's (my one too) this is not so clear.

Here you see that BKK is protected at expense of others. Also your GDP is partly paid for by parts of bkk that are submerged. Inner BKK does not contribute as much as people want you to believe. (no that does not mean i want it flooded).

To see what kind of guy you are how many people did you give a lift on your trip ? I know there are 2 kinds of people compassionate people who give people a lift on the roads that are flooded. And the others that only care about themselves and drive past you full speed through the water.

[sbk]

Didn't the Democrats warn of trouble just last week?

Why would anyone not see it coming? People living in flooded areas must be angry and frustrated, and who can blame them?

[robblok]

Didn't the Democrats warn of trouble just last week?

Why would anyone not see it coming? People living in flooded areas must be angry and frustrated, and who can blame them?

Here we are flooded too. We were angry and so was I but not anymore. But over there they are clearly sacrificed. In a case like that i would be real angry too.

But contrary to what people think you can live with a little bit of water. I see floating markets here now.

[RickBradford]

I'm amazed there hasn't been more violence, given the conditions some people have had to endure for weeks on end.

Now, 2 villages in Nakhon Pathom have gone toe-to-toe after one side tore down a barrier which allowed water to escape their village and go rushing into the neighbouring village. The second village then moved in to repair the barrier, until the 2 sides came to blows and the cops had to be called. Sad but not surprising.

[plumeria]

People suffering in the floods please be patient, please be united as we walk through this crisis," she wrote.

Take off the Burberry's and walk through the waters infested with feces, urine, garbage, leeches, and disease with us. She has the gall to continue to tell everyone to be patient, but I never seen her once standing up to her chest in this water. So easy for many to say when they don't experience it first hand. Join us and we can all be happy like pigs in shit.

Ha, ha! Good one! If we were all pigs we would think we had died and gone to heaven.

[eezergood]

I'm amazed there hasn't been more violence, given the conditions some people have had to endure for weeks on end.

Now, 2 villages in Nakhon Pathom have gone toe-to-toe after one side tore down a barrier which allowed water to escape their village and go rushing into the neighbouring village. The second village then moved in to repair the barrier, until the 2 sides came to blows and the cops had to be called. Sad but not surprising.

Me too, I am amazed at the lack of violence, so far..............................

[lazygourmet]

Didn't the Democrats warn of trouble just last week?

Why would anyone not see it coming? People living in flooded areas must be angry and frustrated, and who can blame them?

Here we are flooded too. We were angry and so was I but not anymore. But over there they are clearly sacrificed. In a case like that i would be real angry too.

But contrary to what people think you can live with a little bit of water. I see floating markets here now.

By the way Rob our area, from Bang Buathong to Bang Yai, has a democrat majority -and this for ages- with a lot of residents originating from the south of Thailand..

Several years ago, works on the BTS Purple Line were stopped because not enough Thai Rak Thai voters as potential commuters...

I would not be surprised that nowadays Pheu Thai had the same rational idea to decide which amphur can be flooded... and which not!?!

[metisdead]

A post containing libellous/defamatory content has been removed:

6) Not to post comments that could be reasonably construed as defamation or libel.

Defamation is the issuance of a false statement about another person, which causes that person to suffer harm. Libel involves the making of defamatory statements in a printed or fixed medium, such as a magazine or newspaper.

[Credo]

I very much doubt that the gov't has decided to let certain areas be flooded for political reasons. They have little control over the floods, as we've seen, otherwise I doubt they would have let all those industrial estates flood.

I am up to my chest in water and I, too, am angry. I would like to blame the gov't, but I really don't think it's their fault. A lot of factors came together to make this disaster. Nastiness or getting even with any group isn't one of them.

[Nisa]

Around 70 people also gathered at a major floodwall in northern Don Mueang district, watched by about 30 police officers, to ensure the authorities did not repair a gap they had opened to allow water to drain away from badly flooded areas.

Inmates taking over the asylum.

[robblok]

Around 70 people also gathered at a major floodwall in northern Don Mueang district, watched by about 30 police officers, to ensure the authorities did not repair a gap they had opened to allow water to drain away from badly flooded areas.

Inmates taking over the asylum.

Live a week in a flooded area then come back to post again.

[Nisa]

I very much doubt that the gov't has decided to let certain areas be flooded for political reasons. They have little control over the floods, as we've seen, otherwise I doubt they would have let all those industrial estates flood.

I am up to my chest in water and I, too, am angry. I would like to blame the gov't, but I really don't think it's their fault. A lot of factors came together to make this disaster. Nastiness or getting even with any group isn't one of them.

Agree ... nothing political. In fact, I think the initial willingness to allow inner Bangkok to flood was political but then Lingluck was advised what a devastating affect this would have on all the people of Thailand. I think the the choice to sacrifice certain areas was done for the greater good as well as the logistics involved in terms of controlling the water flow. I have no idea (same as all the posters here) about the best way to deal with the water but it may now be time to consider allowing alternate routes to disperse the water. IF the water flow has diminished enough to allow water to flow into inner Bangkok causing only the streets to flood slightly to move the water out faster, then it may not be a bad idea. However, this still would be spreading the disaster and not containing as well as spreading all the water born disease in the water and causing resources to be thinned out in terms of helping people. Lots to consider and I and other here are only aware of a tiny portions of all the logistics involved.

Given all the political BS that has taken place and caused much uneeded distraction, I really don't believe this new government has handled the crisis all that bad, especially in terms of comparison to other governments and past similar wide spread disasters in the world. There is no way in the world there was not going to be great loss and suffering given the amount of water. Rarely ever (if ever) is a government not widely criticized during such disasters. But people who want to turn this into a political fight in the middle of a crisis are the ones who truly are causing the most problems and distractions. One would think they actually want things to go badly in order to achieve their political goals. Plenty of time for finger pointing later and during the next election.

I by no means am a Yingluck supporter and wished Abhisit would have won the election but he didn't and my ultimate concern is for Thailand and its people.

Edited November 15, 2011 by metisdead
Corrected misspelling of PM's name.

[Nisa]

Around 70 people also gathered at a major floodwall in northern Don Mueang district, watched by about 30 police officers, to ensure the authorities did not repair a gap they had opened to allow water to drain away from badly flooded areas.

Inmates taking over the asylum.

Live a week in a flooded area then come back to post again.

Could live 20 years in a flooded area and it wouldn't change my statement as it is factually accurate and impossible to argue about if you understand the term.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Nisa

[eezergood]

Around 70 people also gathered at a major floodwall in northern Don Mueang district, watched by about 30 police officers, to ensure the authorities did not repair a gap they had opened to allow water to drain away from badly flooded areas.

Inmates taking over the asylum.

Live a week in a flooded area then come back to post again.

Could live 20 years in a flooded area and it wouldn't change my statement as it is factually accurate and impossible to argue about if you understand the term.

+1 and in a flooded area

[lujanit]

People suffering in the floods please be patient, please be united as we walk through this crisis," she wrote.

Take off the Burberry's and walk through the waters infested with feces, urine, garbage, leeches, and disease with us. She has the gall to continue to tell everyone to be patient, but I never seen her once standing up to her chest in this water. So easy for many to say when they don't experience it first hand. Join us and we can all be happy like pigs in shit.

I am sick of hearing Yingluck tell us to be patient. Why does she repeat this mantra? Because she and her government/FROC have no idea of what they are doing. The only thing they do know is that given enough time the water will drain away. The only thing for sure is that those of us who live in western BKK have been sacrificed. All these reports of the water going down and here it is still going up. Why? Because they are pumping the water our way. Simple.

[ginjag]

I very much doubt that the gov't has decided to let certain areas be flooded for political reasons. They have little control over the floods, as we've seen, otherwise I doubt they would have let all those industrial estates flood.

I am up to my chest in water and I, too, am angry. I would like to blame the gov't, but I really don't think it's their fault. A lot of factors came together to make this disaster. Nastiness or getting even with any group isn't one of them.

Agree ... nothing political. In fact, I think the initial willingness to allow inner Bangkok to flood was political but then Lingluck was advised what a devastating affect this would have on all the people of Thailand. I think the the choice to sacrifice certain areas was done for the greater good as well as the logistics involved in terms of controlling the water flow. I have no idea (same as all the posters here) about the best way to deal with the water but it may now be time to consider allowing alternate routes to disperse the water. IF the water flow has diminished enough to allow water to flow into inner Bangkok causing only the streets to flood slightly to move the water out faster, then it may not be a bad idea. However, this still would be spreading the disaster and not containing as well as spreading all the water born disease in the water and causing resources to be thinned out in terms of helping people. Lots to consider and I and other here are only aware of a tiny portions of all the logistics involved.

Given all the political BS that has taken place and caused much uneeded distraction, I really don't believe this new government has handled the crisis all that bad, especially in terms of comparison to other governments and past similar wide spread disasters in the world. There is no way in the world there was not going to be great loss and suffering given the amount of water. Rarely ever (if ever) is a government not widely criticized during such disasters. But people who want to turn this into a political fight in the middle of a crisis are the ones who truly are causing the most problems and distractions. One would think they actually want things to go badly in order to achieve their political goals. Plenty of time for finger pointing later and during the next election.

I by no means am a Yingluck supporter and wished Abhisit would have won the election but he didn't and my ultimate concern is for Thailand and its people.

This is far from the end of the cock-up, we had the admitted statement from the director of water to halt the dam outlet==o.k. it cannot be rectified now BUT he can go---and others that fingers that we can point at NOW they can get out-or named--and why wait for the next election everyone involved with the errors should have to be accountable and whether it be corruption or any other mismanagement bring them to the courts-no matter who they are. Thailand is sick of waiting for fair play--whether it be election promises or other.

Please don't come back anyone to say it was an act of nature, -prevention is better than cure--remember the dams were full when they should NOT have been, and didn;t need to be---one rice crop would have been the result of lack of water---NOT THIS

[Nisa]

Thai flood cause revealed

http://asiapacific.a...-revealed-rain/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Thailand_floods#Disputes

Edited November 14, 2011 by Nisa

[ginjag]

Thai flood cause revealed

http://asiapacific.a...-revealed-rain/

http://en.wikipedia....floods#Disputes

Dam management was to blame--the thread on the subject explains it all. as my post earlier said - the intense rainfall coinciding with high water tides was a factor--BUT most of this deluge could have been stored-IF this dam water was released August before high tides in the gulf. MAN MADE I'm afraid.

[alexakap]

Could live 20 years in a flooded area and it wouldn't change my statement

How pathetic.

Would you dare just come to my house and prove your words? I had a free sofa... somewhere 1.5m down there. You don't afraid to dive and look for, do you?

[Nisa]

Could live 20 years in a flooded area and it wouldn't change my statement

How pathetic.

Would you dare just come to my house and prove your words? I had a free sofa... somewhere 1.5m down there. You don't afraid to dive and look for, do you?

How would that make my post (below) untrue? The words are proven in the quote from the article. The facts don't changed dependent on where I am located. The comment simply means things are running backwards. Authorities are supposed to be watching the dam_n to stop damage, not citizens watching the dam_n from preventing authorities from repairing it. Why are you wanting to argue over such a minor, yet indisputable, comment that obviously contained sarcasm since it is a sarcastic saying?

Around 70 people also gathered at a major floodwall in northern Don Mueang district, watched by about 30 police officers, to ensure the authorities did not repair a gap they had opened to allow water to drain away from badly flooded areas.

Inmates taking over the asylum.

Edited November 14, 2011 by Nisa

[TAWP]

This topic clearly shows how people that are affected are no-where near objective or even rational at most times.

[robblok]

This topic clearly shows how people that are affected are no-where near objective or even rational at most times.

Also shows that people who are not affected are not objective either. Also they don't see how others are sacrificed and would not pay to stay dry.

I am already objective.. these bags wont affect me or make the water any less here. Still flooded here.