Angry Thai Residents Breach Big-Bag Flood Barrier

[webfact]

Angry residents breach barriers

THE NATION

Residents of Lam Luk Ka district in Pathum Thani yesterday breached a 10-metre section of a big-bag barrier near an Air Force unit, causing flood water to pour into the Air Force's Don Mueang compound.

A confrontation between about 200 angry protesters and Air Force military police continued for a while before they agreed to stop demolishing the barrier and later dispersed. The breaching caused flood waters to rise on a Phaholyothin Road section south of the site.

The residents came from Annex and Garden Home housing estates, which have been flooded after the big-bag barrier was laid. Repair of the breached section will begin soon. Police have been deployed to man the site against possible breaching in the future.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has asked the Air Force to keep guarding the barrier, which is located in the Air Force jurisdiction. He said later that only the top layer of the barrier was removed for a four-metre distance, before both sides stopped for talks and the residents later agreed to stop dismantling it.

Asked about the many rallies or protests by angry villagers, reportedly encouraged by national and local politicians, Sukhumbhand said he, as an MP, would like to call on fellow lawmakers to strictly respect the law, while encouraging their constituents to do the same.

Another group of residents from Pathum Thani gathered at another big-bag barrier section to demand it be demolished. They later dispersed after the city administration and Royal Irrigation Department officials promised to drain water more quickly and build a temporary watergate at nearby areas instead of sealing this section permanently.

A group of residents in the Rangsit area of northern Bangkok on Tuesday confronted authorities and demanded an immediate solution to drain water away from their homes. They agreed to leave after a similar promise was given. Many Nonthaburi residents are soliciting support and calling for more protesters through a Facebook page. They plan a rally tomorrow outside the city hall to deliver a similar demand.

Flood water on Songprapha Road connecting to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road has reduced by another 30cm to the 60cm level.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is trying to resume its normal collection of 8,700 tonnes of garbage, which has been reduced sharply during the floods. Collection has now increased to 7,000 tonnes as flood waters are starting to recede in many areas, Sukhumbhand said.

He apologised to residents living in sois for the stagnant flood waters in their homes while drainage is currently focused on drying main roads in the meantime.

-- The Nation 2011-11-17

[noitom]

They backed off. Understandable. Facing either an M-16 or a payoff what would you do?

[webfact]

Police prepare 200 officers to keep watch on Big Bag flood barriers as northern BKK residents to gather at noon to dismantle them /TANN

[gregb]

Proper compensation guys. If the government would stop abusing those outside the big bag barrier and properly compensate them for the sacrifice all of this would stop. There is just no justifiable reason for this. Allocate another few hundred billion baht to pay the people outside the barrier that the government has intentionally injured with this policy, and all will be well.

When you abuse someone, you can expect them to get angry. Treat people fairly and they will work with you. A couple of journalists have written editorials on this already, but it appears nobody in the government is listening.

[biloutte]

he apologize big joke easy to do that

maybee will be nice to take governemenet make this problem and military for clean all home in trouble becaause want save bkk

i never see people like that in my live

you kill your people for save money

if oyur country pay security and money for later i understand but nothing here

just put water give 5000 shut up and finish

to easy we need to take responsabilities this is human mistake and not speak is force of nature

[metisdead]

English is not always the first language of our members so don't waste space correcting other members' grammar and spelling where it isn't necessary. One post removed.

[robblok]

Proper compensation guys. If the government would stop abusing those outside the big bag barrier and properly compensate them for the sacrifice all of this would stop. There is just no justifiable reason for this. Allocate another few hundred billion baht to pay the people outside the barrier that the government has intentionally injured with this policy, and all will be well.

When you abuse someone, you can expect them to get angry. Treat people fairly and they will work with you. A couple of journalists have written editorials on this already, but it appears nobody in the government is listening.

Come on fair compensation would inply the people from BKK know that others are being sacrificed for them.

[Jerry555]

but it appears nobody in the government is listening.

Well what's new ?

[BinDhumm]

but it appears nobody in the government is listening.

Well what's new ?

WHAT GOVERNMENT?!

[wxyz]

misery loves company, i'm flooded, i want you flooded too,

it is the job of the PM and BKK governor to save as much of BKK as they can, that is the job

[DocN]

Proper compensation guys. If the government would stop abusing those outside the big bag barrier and properly compensate them for the sacrifice all of this would stop. There is just no justifiable reason for this. Allocate another few hundred billion baht to pay the people outside the barrier that the government has intentionally injured with this policy, and all will be well.

When you abuse someone, you can expect them to get angry. Treat people fairly and they will work with you. A couple of journalists have written editorials on this already, but it appears nobody in the government is listening.

Come on fair compensation would inply the people from BKK know that others are being sacrificed for them.

Totally unnecessary comment! Totally!

[robblok]

Proper compensation guys. If the government would stop abusing those outside the big bag barrier and properly compensate them for the sacrifice all of this would stop. There is just no justifiable reason for this. Allocate another few hundred billion baht to pay the people outside the barrier that the government has intentionally injured with this policy, and all will be well.

When you abuse someone, you can expect them to get angry. Treat people fairly and they will work with you. A couple of journalists have written editorials on this already, but it appears nobody in the government is listening.

Come on fair compensation would inply the people from BKK know that others are being sacrificed for them.

Totally unnecessary comment! Totally!

That is what you say, but many really could not care less they worry more about beer supply then getting the country dry. Even had a guy complaining about the shower water while half the country was flooded. So unnecessary .. i don't think so. You might have the empathy but others sure don't.

There is hardly a mention that these people are harder hit.. only mentions that inner BKK stays dry.

[jimbeam1]

Although I do believe that the compensation bit is played out, as I don't think it is going to happen.

If the authorities are not careful though, I could see this turning into a mob thing, that could well be funded by others?

jb1

Edited November 19, 2011 by Scott
reply to deleted quote edited out

[robblok]

*Deleted quote edited out*

Im pretty sure too that compensation is not going to happen, and that is the problem. The people on the wrong side have that feeling too. So they try to minimize their damages by breaking the dams. Question is who is wrong here, a government that wants people to sacrifice themselves free of payment. Or people who loose more every day. In the end it will be the people down stream who suffer if the dams are broken down.

Edited November 19, 2011 by Scott
deleted quote edited out

[Scott]

Some rather nasty posts have been removed and a few others edited.

It is about Angry Residents and I think it would be best to show some compassion for those who are suffering because of the floods... regardless of the degree of suffering. If you aren't capable of that, it's perfectly acceptable to not respond.