what needs to happen, is for every single building, that is found to have blocked the waterways, due to illegal construction (regardless of who was paid, how much was paid, or what the nature or cost of the building was), to be razed to the ground, in the next 6 months. In addition, every owner of every building that was found to have been built in one of the drainage channels must be fined a massive amount of money. This will send a message, and will stop this heinous practice, that has caused the loss of life, livelihoods, and enormous property damage. Many say it is hopeless to even attempt to fight corruption in Thailand. But, if the country is serious about improvement, and about maintaining it's standing in the civilized world, it must start somewhere. There is some incentive to start here, and it is obvious to everyone involved that this is at least one of the causes of the floodwater not being able to drain properly.

Agree 100%...but not only the owners of the buildings should be held accountable but the architects, builders, building inspectors, city councilors, etc who all have had a part in allowing these illegal constructions to be made. Not only should they be fined they should also serve time in prison and made sure that they cannot do the same again in the future by barring from office, removal of business licence or whatever is appropriate.

Corruption must be stamped out and the only way is to catch the corrupt and punish them. This then acts as a deterrant for others not to do the same. Amnesties for criminal fugitives says it is OK to be corrupt. The message should be the opposite. Just because a corrupt person gives you something, that you're probably entitled to anyway, doesn't make them a good person deserving of an amnesty. An honest person could have given you the same.

Why stop at BKK the whole country needs a good clean up and re education of the population, form the filthy beaches to filthy roadside stalls.

Why stop at BKK the whole country needs a good clean up and re education of the population, form the filthy beaches to filthy roadside stalls.

Don't forget the filthy polititians....

what needs to happen, is for every single building, that is found to have blocked the waterways, due to illegal construction (regardless of who was paid, how much was paid, or what the nature or cost of the building was), to be razed to the ground, in the next 6 months. In addition, every owner of every building that was found to have been built in one of the drainage channels must be fined a massive amount of money. This will send a message, and will stop this heinous practice, that has caused the loss of life, livelihoods, and enormous property damage. Many say it is hopeless to even attempt to fight corruption in Thailand. But, if the country is serious about improvement, and about maintaining it's standing in the civilized world, it must start somewhere. There is some incentive to start here, and it is obvious to everyone involved that this is at least one of the causes of the floodwater not being able to drain properly.

Agree 100%...but not only the owners of the buildings should be held accountable but the architects, builders, building inspectors, city councilors, etc who all have had a part in allowing these illegal constructions to be made. Not only should they be fined they should also serve time in prison and made sure that they cannot do the same again in the future by barring from office, removal of business licence or whatever is appropriate.

Corruption must be stamped out and the only way is to catch the corrupt and punish them. This then acts as a deterrant for others not to do the same. Amnesties for criminal fugitives says it is OK to be corrupt. The message should be the opposite. Just because a corrupt person gives you something, that you're probably entitled to anyway, doesn't make them a good person deserving of an amnesty. An honest person could have given you the same.

While I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying, there seems to be no political will to fight corruption here. Where is the Anna Haraze of Thailand? Who will take charge? it is a fight that desperately needs to be fought. But, is anyone interested? Unfortunately, it seems to me that although the Thai people have a lot of excellent qualities, vision, wisdom and courage to do the right thing at any cost, do not seem to be amongst them.

what needs to happen, is for every single building, that is found to have blocked the waterways, due to illegal construction (regardless of who was paid, how much was paid, or what the nature or cost of the building was), to be razed to the ground, in the next 6 months. In addition, every owner of every building that was found to have been built in one of the drainage channels must be fined a massive amount of money. This will send a message, and will stop this heinous practice, that has caused the loss of life, livelihoods, and enormous property damage. Many say it is hopeless to even attempt to fight corruption in Thailand. But, if the country is serious about improvement, and about maintaining it's standing in the civilized world, it must start somewhere. There is some incentive to start here, and it is obvious to everyone involved that this is at least one of the causes of the floodwater not being able to drain properly.

Agree 100%...but not only the owners of the buildings should be held accountable but the architects, builders, building inspectors, city councilors, etc who all have had a part in allowing these illegal constructions to be made. Not only should they be fined they should also serve time in prison and made sure that they cannot do the same again in the future by barring from office, removal of business licence or whatever is appropriate.

Corruption must be stamped out and the only way is to catch the corrupt and punish them. This then acts as a deterrant for others not to do the same. Amnesties for criminal fugitives says it is OK to be corrupt. The message should be the opposite. Just because a corrupt person gives you something, that you're probably entitled to anyway, doesn't make them a good person deserving of an amnesty. An honest person could have given you the same.

While I agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying, there seems to be no political will to fight corruption here. Where is the Anna Haraze of Thailand? Who will take charge? it is a fight that desperately needs to be fought. But, is anyone interested? Unfortunately, it seems to me that although the Thai people have a lot of excellent qualities, vision, wisdom and courage to do the right thing at any cost, do not seem to be amongst them.

We shall see...In the next few weeks a particular piece of Thai SHIT may be returning here. Whether it manages to stick to the blanket and stay or hit the fan and go flying back out is to be seen. Of course it is welcome (or 'overcome' as a sibling might say) to stay as long as it ends up in the toilet along with the rest of the crap.

It's gonna be an interesting few weeks/months

... clean-up? ... jeez, I thought it was pretty cleaned-up already ... Thai clean ... (umm, sorry to be so cynical).

... don't know if many recall, but when Apirak Kosayodhin was elected Bangkok governor about 5-6 years ago, he directed a massive clean-up of the city's stormwater drainage system ... uncertain how far out and how extensive it was.

... as a civil engineer, I recall reading in amazement that there was no routine maintenance of stormwater structures and that the drainage system was just jammed with a bazillion tons of debris, silt build-up, intrusive plants, and illegal structures.

... until this mess, I do not recall any of BKK's main streets flooding after that clean-up, whereas before, mid-Sukhumvit and its side sois routinely flooded 4-5 times annually.

... regarding an earlier question: "Will Thais learn from this?" ... naaaah ... as Thais so proudly proclaim: "You don't understand. Thailand is different!"

... (again, cynicism gets the best of me.)