Aide To Pracha Admits Lack Of Planning At Froc

[Lite Beer]

Aide to Pracha admits lack of planning at FROC

Prapasri Osathanon

Praphan Jindalert-udomdee

The Nation on Sunday

The Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) has never had a systematic plan to battle the crisis and has simply tackled problems as they have arisen on a day-to-day basis, said Tirachai Wuthitham, secretary to Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who heads FROC.

Tirachai said that because the catastrophic flooding occurred so soon after a change in the government, it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way - something for which it has been heavily criticised.

However, he said FROC had always acted in good faith in trying to battle the crisis, citing the example of Pracha's decision to revoke the appointments of four Pheu Thai MPs to manage flood-relief supplies after being advised to do so.

Tirachai was responding to the opposition's plan to launch a no-confidence debate and impeachment proceedings against him and six other Pheu Thai MPs over their alleged abuse of power in handling the flood situation.

Pracha said he was ready to defend his integrity in the no-confidence debate. "I have only the truth to reveal, and not lies. I am a politician with integrity. I only speak the truth,'' he said.

He said he had never been involved in the procurement of flood-relief supplies. "I have never instructed anyone to buy any flood-relief supplies; I only ordered officials to distribute them,'' he said.

The Flood Relief Fund, which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, has responsibility for procuring relief supplies and is under the supervision of the FROC, he said.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party deputy spokesman Jirayu Huangsab said he would file criminal and civil suits against opposition whip Jurin Laksanawisit for seeking to launch an impeachment motion against him without grounds.

Jirayu said he would demand Bt100 million in compensation from Jurin for defaming him.

Jirayu is among the Pheu Thai MPs accused by the opposition of violating Articles 265 and 266 of the Constitution by interfering in the work of state agencies to serve their own interests.

He said he would seek a legal interpretation from the Council of State over the articles cited by the opposition.

-- The Nation 2011-11-20

[KKvampire]

Froc was an early opportunity for PT MPs to get there tentaclies around government business for personal gain.Ah being back in power has so many priv4eges

[pisico]

Finally! Someone admitting deficiency in government. This may be a landmark admission in Thai history.

Every administration has always defended their stances or have remained silent.

The fact that Tirachai is not trying to save face as the government's top priority is comforting.

I know it's not enough. But also, this could be the beginning of a turn around in Thai politics/mindset. For the good of the country let's hope so.

The fact that FROC never had a nationwide plan to prevent and/or minimize the impact of floods goes back to when it was created.

Although natural disasters are not "one-size-fits-all", so are the remedies.

However, floods have been happening in Thailand for eons.

If this flood has been labeled by the Media as the worst in 50 years, since that flood 50 years ago what did Thailand do to prepare for this one?

Only last year Ayutthaya was devastated by the seasonal flood. In Bangkok no one was affected. Now it happened in all the country. Was there any preparedness in case that it should happen again?

The country had no less than 50 years of a head start to come up with a comprehensive water management/flood prevention system.

Will it ever happen regardless of the color of the shirt of whoever is in power? The future of the country may be at stake.

[moe666]

One guy addmitting the truth is not a revolution, I wouldn't get my hopes up.

[ETatBKK]

Pracha said he was ready to defend his integrity in the no-confidence debate. "I have only the truth to reveal, and not lies. I am a politician with integrity. I only speak the truth,'' he said.

this sounds very honest at this moment, lets wait and see how it goes . . .

will be nice if FROC has a 'black box' that record every event :-)

[spirit47]

Honest people can not be politican, only when stupid as bread...

If you hear people say "ever and never" you should not trust them.

When politican say he speak truth everytime, then he means, he lie everytime.

Put them all in a big bag and take a teak-racket...

[whybother]

The Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) has never had a systematic plan to battle the crisis and has simply tackled problems as they have arisen on a day-to-day basis, said Tirachai Wuthitham, secretary to Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who heads FROC.

Tirachai said that because the catastrophic flooding occurred so soon after a change in the government, it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way - something for which it has been heavily criticised.

If they were only able to deal with problems as they occurred, then they obviously had the wrong people in charge.

I would have thought with Yingluck's management experience, she would have known how to manage this. It's not like this was a sudden flash flood. They had at least a month to get the right people involved and to plan how they were going to deal with the flooding.

They wouldn't have been able to stop the flooding, but there is no excuse for their woeful relief management and terrible communication.

[scorecard]

From the aide: Tirachai said that because the catastrophic flooding occurred so soon after a change in the government, it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way - something for which it has been heavily criticised.

It's also true that the various ministries with many permanent heads and permanent senior staff should have quickly planned and supervised action. The sad fact is that again and again through nepotism and cronyism (read make a buck) the permanent heads and seniors are incapable political appointees who have no interest and no intention to get involved and in fact incapable of planning or doing anything of real value.

[Squigy]

I would like to see a list of all department heads and the "income" they have amassed since YS has been in the post of PM?

Would the Auditor General have one and would he publish it? Nah I am dreaming ... What do falang's now... "You are not Thai, you don't understand... "

Oh well back to sleeping..zzzzzzzz.zzzzzzzz

[jybkk]

The Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) has never had a systematic plan to battle the crisis and has simply tackled problems as they have arisen on a day-to-day basis, said Tirachai Wuthitham, secretary to Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who heads FROC.

No sh... Sherlock.

That was so obvious even while journalist couldn't get in to see how FROC was working.

Tirachai said that because the catastrophic flooding occurred so soon after a change in the government, it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way - something for which it has been heavily criticised.

No. All it takes is the ability to plan and get organized. Whether you've been in charge for long or not, if you lack this kind of thinking, you won't do good. And that's exactly what happened here, and what happens for almost any crisis in Thailand because planning and long-term thinking are not part of the "traditional" way of doing things.

The rest is just excuses.

The situation is now stabilized for quite a few weeks. You'd think they now have time to organize better and make sure they streamline their supply and rescue operations to be more efficient and reach more people, but no. Priority still seems to be PR operations while quite a lot of people in flooded zones, including Bangkok, have yet to see a flood relief truck/boat.

Edited November 21, 2011 by jybkk

[theanimaster]

I learned from a 12-year old student of mine how Suvernabhumi Airport shouldn't have been built where it is in the first place. The swampland was meant to be THE basin for draining out the northern rainfall since the time of the early Thai kings... Then of course, THAKSIN came along... So now the north has no place to drain the yearly drenches they get -- except Bangkok.

There is no planning for the people. The only plan is to get rich and continuously brainwash people so they don't become like this 12-year old student of mine (who btw, came from an international school, to ours).

[animatic]

The Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) has never had a systematic plan to battle the crisis and has simply tackled problems as they have arisen on a day-to-day basis, said Tirachai Wuthitham, secretary to Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who heads FROC.

Tirachai said that because the catastrophic flooding occurred so soon after a change in the government, it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way - something for which it has been heavily criticised.

If they were only able to deal with problems as they occurred, then they obviously had the wrong people in charge.

I would have thought with Yingluck's management experience, she would have known how to manage this. It's not like this was a sudden flash flood. They had at least a month to get the right people involved and to plan how they were going to deal with the flooding.

They wouldn't have been able to stop the flooding, but there is no excuse for their woeful relief management and terrible communication.

"it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way"

Says it all right there.

She had no clue how to deal with the people under her, and assign properly credentialed people to proper positions. Obviously, not competent to pick the right people for the jobs. No experience and bad choices.

The fact they made the 'Justice Minister in charge of 'Flood Operations' (<deleted>!!!!), is a the biggest red flag of incompetence in assigning jobs. The fact he wasn't swapped out, (kicked upstairs) and someone competent put in his place is another glaring red flag.

Some people actually work in the areas that have to do with 'floods, water management public safety and emergency services'. None of them were given power to act without going through the political appointee above them.

The army was held at arms length till there was little choice.

And then the Irrigation Department vs Bangkok Governor pumps debacle was beyond the pale for stupidity. They found the 'properly filled out paperwork requesting emergency pumps', languishing on a desk weeks later....But he ran his mouth off in public meeting with PM, demanding an apology from Sukhumhand.... instead of calling Sukhumhand directly when reading in the papers he badly needs pumps. Utter moronic actions.

Irrigation guy lost so much face from opening his mouth

he is eroded from nose to knees. Total prat.

This assistant guy, Tirachai, has signed his political death warrant for now,

but this will open bigger doors for him later.

Edited November 21, 2011 by animatic

[whybother]

"it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way"

Says it all right there.

She had no clue how to deal with the people under her, and assign properly credentialed people to proper positions. Obviously, not competent to pick the right people for the jobs. No experience and bad choices.

The fact they made the 'Justice Minister in charge of 'Flood Operations' (<deleted>!!!!), is a the biggest red flag of incompetence in assigning jobs. The fact he wasn't swapped out, (kicked upstairs) and someone competent put in his place is another glaring red flag.

Some people actually work in the areas that have to do with 'floods, water management public safety and emergency services'. None of them were given power to act without going through the political appointee above them.

The army was held at arms length till there was little choice.

And then the Irrigation Department vs Bangkok Governor pumps debacle was beyond the pale for stupidity. They found the 'properly filled out paperwork requesting emergency pumps', languishing on a desk weeks later....But he ran his mouth off in public meeting with PM, demanding an apology from Sukhumhand.... instead of calling Sukhumhand directly when reading in the papers he badly needs pumps. Utter moronic actions.

Irrigation guy lost so much face from opening his mouth

he is eroded from nose to knees. Total prat.

This assistant guy, Tirachai, has signed his political death warrant for now,

but this will open bigger doors for him later.

I think you've stumbled on to the problem.

Yingluck thought she was supposed to be raising "red flags".

[animatic]

"it was inevitable that the government would only be able to deal with problems in this way"

Says it all right there.

She had no clue how to deal with the people under her, and assign properly credentialed people to proper positions. Obviously, not competent to pick the right people for the jobs. No experience and bad choices.

The fact they made the 'Justice Minister in charge of 'Flood Operations' (<deleted>!!!!), is a the biggest red flag of incompetence in assigning jobs. The fact he wasn't swapped out, (kicked upstairs) and someone competent put in his place is another glaring red flag.

Some people actually work in the areas that have to do with 'floods, water management public safety and emergency services'. None of them were given power to act without going through the political appointee above them.

The army was held at arms length till there was little choice.

And then the Irrigation Department vs Bangkok Governor pumps debacle was beyond the pale for stupidity. They found the 'properly filled out paperwork requesting emergency pumps', languishing on a desk weeks later....But he ran his mouth off in public meeting with PM, demanding an apology from Sukhumhand.... instead of calling Sukhumhand directly when reading in the papers he badly needs pumps. Utter moronic actions.

Irrigation guy lost so much face from opening his mouth

he is eroded from nose to knees. Total prat.

This assistant guy, Tirachai, has signed his political death warrant for now,

but this will open bigger doors for him later.

I think you've stumbled on to the problem.

Yingluck thought she was supposed to be raising "red flags".

More likely Black Bags. Since the pastry boxes are too small.

Edited November 21, 2011 by animatic