Abhisit Slams Thai Govt For Mishandling Flood

[webfact]

Abhisit Slams Govt for Mishandling Flood

The opposition party leader has urged the government to do a better job of managing the flood situation.

Opposition party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva gave a statement after a discussion about the water situation with Bangkok Deputy Governor Teerachai Manomaiphibul.

Abhisit criticized the government and the Flood Relief Operations Center or FROC's flood mismanagement, pointing out that they did not offer appropriate assistance to flood victims, who were left stranded in the inundation for months.

Abhisit urged the government to move quickly in tackling the issue.

Meanwhile, he suggested ways the government might mitigate the flood situation.

He suggested that FROC rush in discharging the deluge, saying that as of now the water pumps have not worked to their full capacity.

In addition, FROC should also drain the floodwater into the Ta Cheen River, which heads into the Gulf of Thailand.

He stated that flood drainage control is under the authority of the government and FROC.

owever, most people misunderstand and think that the Bangkok governor is responsible for the issue.

Consequently, the government should make clear its stance on flood relief operations and give a straightforward answer to any questions arising from it.

Moreover, he suggested that the government should clearly state the compensation procedures, as state and local officers are confused, particularly about the plan to provide 5,000 baht compensation for each household and 30,000 baht for residents to carry out repairs.

He added that a vague policy would contribute to corruption.

Furthermore, Abhisit stated that the government should review the compensation plan, saying that the 5,000 baht compensation may not be enough for some people.

Conversely, the government should consider other factors, especially the amount of time they have been in misery.

For example, perhaps giving 10,000 baht to those who have suffered from the inundation for less than a month and 15,000 baht for those who are facing inundation for over a month.

In addition, it should offer home loans to affected individuals.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-22

[badgerbailey]

And the new phrase from the nation for this month is.....Abhisit Slams!

[ralphlsasser]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

[Thailand]

But we all know that if the dems were in power when the flood started then Abhisit would have put his finger in the dyke and solved it all straight away.

[canardo]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

I am not a Red shirt, but I salute your statement. He would'nt have done better for sure...

[whybother]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

When as Abhisit riding around in a boat as PM during these floods? The flooding didn't start until the beginning of August, and that was only in the North and North East. It didn't start flooding badly in most of the central areas until mid September.

You can hate the guy if you want, but do get your facts right.

[pisico]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

I am not a Red shirt, but I salute your statement. He would'nt have done better for sure...

Indeed!

What did he do last year when Ayuttaya was flooded in a calamitous way? What did his government do to manage water and/or better manage floods?

There were no plans or initiatives to that effect in all the years of his administration or even before that.

Abhisit has been as ineffective as all the others who preceded him. But now it's easy to slam the current administration. He is a regular politico interested in furthering his image in order to return to power.

Slamming the current administration (even if it's warranted) is not something that will be in the best interest of the country.

Slamming is not productive. Where are his initiatives and plans to better manage future floods?

To criticize is easy. To slam it's easy.

If an Abhisit adoring apologist wants to defend him, please, do it with the facts regarding what he did about flood preparedness and/or flood prevention and/or water management policies .

To come up with solutions it's a whole different situation. That is what opposition and the current administration should be doing together: find viable solutions and implement them. It's not only the financial aspect of the floods. His people in the hundreds keep dying as a result of the floods every year.

Edited November 22, 2011 by pisico

[whybother]

Indeed!

What did he do last year when Ayuttaya was flooded in a calamitous way? What did his government do to manage water and/or better manage floods?

There were no plans or initiatives to that effect in all the years of his administration or even before that.

Abhisit has been as ineffective as all the others who preceded him. But now it's easy to slam the current administration. He is a regular politico interested in furthering his image in order to return to power.

Slamming the current administration (even if it's warranted) is not something that will be in the best interest of the country.

Slamming is not productive. Where are his initiatives and plans to better manage future floods?

To criticize is easy. To slam it's easy.

To come up with solutions it's a whole different situation. That is what opposition and the current administration should be doing together: find viable solutions and implement them. It's not only the financial aspect of the floods. His people in the hundreds keep dying as a result of the floods every year.

Did you read the article or did you just see the headline and want to rant?

[sparebox2]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

When as Abhisit riding around in a boat as PM during these floods? The flooding didn't start until the beginning of August, and that was only in the North and North East. It didn't start flooding badly in most of the central areas until mid September.

You can hate the guy if you want, but do get your facts right.

You are exactly right.

North and North East is not Thailand like Bangkok.

[whybother]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

When as Abhisit riding around in a boat as PM during these floods? The flooding didn't start until the beginning of August, and that was only in the North and North East. It didn't start flooding badly in most of the central areas until mid September.

You can hate the guy if you want, but do get your facts right.

You are exactly right.

North and North East is not Thailand like Bangkok.

Which doesn't change the fact that he wasn't PM in August when the floods started.

[jayboy]

One can quibble with the detail but it seems to me that this report on Abhisit's criticisms is perfectly fair.An opposition's duty is to oppose and Abhisit's points (as reported) represent responsible opposition.It's silly to get steamed up about this.

Whether he would have done any better is another question.

[ozzieman05]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

I am not a Red shirt, but I salute your statement. He would'nt have done better for sure...

Seems we have many fortune tellers on this site

I always though you have an opinion but until it happens no once can be sure of the outcome

My thai wifes opinion is that her kid brother would have done a better job

[Poke]

Abhisit should also slam permanent ministers who served in his "clean" government not to keep so much cash in their homes. Surely Swiss bank accounts are a safer alternative.

[whybother]

Abhisit should also slam permanent ministers who served in his "clean" government not to keep so much cash in their homes. Surely Swiss bank accounts are a safer alternative.

Without going too much off topic, this particular permanent secretary served under several governments, since 2001.

[pisico]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

When as Abhisit riding around in a boat as PM during these floods? The flooding didn't start until the beginning of August, and that was only in the North and North East. It didn't start flooding badly in most of the central areas until mid September.

You can hate the guy if you want, but do get your facts right.

You are exactly right.

North and North East is not Thailand like Bangkok.

Abhisit's preposterous suggestions of compensating the victims is telling of who he is. He proved to be a true politico with his injured ego waiting for the government to ask for his help: "I will help if the government invites me." Waiting for an invitation in a moment of crisis?

But he learned that from the PTP: populist schemes! Is he trying to be able to say later to the victims of the flood: "see you got more money because of me."

Compensation to the victims is not going to lessen the effects of next year's floods. Compensation to the victims is not going to bring back the close to 600 people who lost their lives during this flood... and counting.

Why he is not talking about a joint effort and offer his help to formulate a plan to manage floods as other countries have done for centuries? The Khmer did it in the year 1450.

All he does is grandstanding, casting blame around and protecting his own party and those still in positions of power such as the Governor, who is another one who could've done better.

Blame others! Do not be part of solutions: that is not going to get you votes. Slam, slam and slam. That is where he excels. Not in offering long term solutions to the yearly floods.

Edited November 22, 2011 by pisico

[Poke]

Yes, but mummy expected so much more after oxford.

[gl555]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

When as Abhisit riding around in a boat as PM during these floods? The flooding didn't start until the beginning of August, and that was only in the North and North East. It didn't start flooding badly in most of the central areas until mid September.

You can hate the guy if you want, but do get your facts right.

You are exactly right.

North and North East is not Thailand like Bangkok.

Abhisit's preposterous suggestions of compensating the victims is telling of who he is. He proved to be a true politico with his injured ego waiting for the government to ask for his help: "I will help if the government invites me." Waiting for an invitation in a moment of crisis?

But he learned that from the PTP: populist schemes! Is he trying to be able to say later to the victims of the flood: "see you got more money because of me."

Compensation to the victims is not going to lessen the effects of next year's floods. Compensation to the victims is not going to bring back the close to 600 people who lost their lives during this flood... and counting.

Why he is not talking about a joint effort and offer his help to formulate a plan to manage floods as other countries have done for centuries? The Khmer did it in the year 1450.

All he does is grandstanding, casting blame around and protecting his own party and those still in positions of power such as the Governor, who is another one who could've done better.

Blame others! Do not be part of solutions: that is not going to get you votes. Slam, slam and slam. That is where he excels. Not in offering long term solutions to the yearly floods.

And pray tell, what has the PT government done so far that's so admirable?

[Steve2UK]

Abhisit should also slam permanent ministers who served in his "clean" government not to keep so much cash in their homes. Surely Swiss bank accounts are a safer alternative.

Without going too much off topic, this particular permanent secretary served under several governments, since 2001.

Nice try and [cough] "neat" wording. He was first appointed Permanent Secretary in 2009 - reportedly at BJT's instigation.....

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Supoj-appointed-permanent-secretary-for-Transport-30112260.html

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/2010/02/02/business/Bhum-Jai-Thai-bolstering-Transport-Ministry-perman-30121619.html

[whybother]

Abhisit should also slam permanent ministers who served in his "clean" government not to keep so much cash in their homes. Surely Swiss bank accounts are a safer alternative.

Without going too much off topic, this particular permanent secretary served under several governments, since 2001.

Nice try and [cough] "neat" wording. He was first appointed Permanent Secretary in 2009 - reportedly at BJT's instigation.....

http://www.nationmul...t-30112260.html

http://www.nationmul...n-30121619.html

And appointed assistant permanent secretary in 2001. CV here. Better take this over to the relevant thread.

[Moruya]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

I think you should consult your calendar

[DP25]

Furthermore, Abhisit stated that the government should review the compensation plan, saying that the 5,000 baht compensation may not be enough for some people.

Conversely, the government should consider other factors, especially the amount of time they have been in misery.

That's true, 5,000 baht isn't nearly enough for people that have had long inundations of flood water. The government came in to 46 billion of baht confiscated from a convicted criminal last year, perhaps they should distribute that money as compensation to flood victims. They could give 20,0000 baht to 2.3 million flood victims

[DocN]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

I think you should consult your calendar

Maybe we all should!

I think it is quiet "funny", that everyone slams the YS government with a point like "they should have seen it coming" and whenever someone states, that the AV government should have prepared some plan, since they might have been re- elected...the very same people state, that AV was not in charge, since the floods started in August?!

So what now?

Make up your minds!

If the floods have been a looooooong time in the making, the YS- government should have seen them coming indeed. As well as AV should have had a plan ready.

If the floods started in August and AV "comes clean" in this...so does the government, because they just took office, when the disaster unfolded.

You can't have it both ways!

[whybother]

I think you should consult your calendar

Maybe we all should!

I think it is quiet "funny", that everyone slams the YS government with a point like "they should have seen it coming" and whenever someone states, that the AV government should have prepared some plan, since they might have been re- elected...the very same people state, that AV was not in charge, since the floods started in August?!

So what now?

Make up your minds!

If the floods have been a looooooong time in the making, the YS- government should have seen them coming indeed. As well as AV should have had a plan ready.

If the floods started in August and AV "comes clean" in this...so does the government, because they just took office, when the disaster unfolded.

You can't have it both ways!

The flooding started in August, and got really bad when 2 typhoons hit in mid September. No one knew in June or early July that 3 typhoons were going to hit Thailand.

The government couldn't stop the flooding but they had 6-8 weeks to get ready for it in Bangkok after it started up North. KNOWING that the water was heading down from the North, the government should have done a better job preparing and getting their people organised. KNOWING the severity of the flooding, the government should have taken control of management of ALL of the canals in and out of Bangkok. KNOWING the severity of the flooding, they should have moved everything out of Don Mueang before it flooded. KNOWING the direction of the flooding, they shouldn't have moved into another location that was bound to get flooded. KNOWING the severity of the flooding, they should have had experts involved much earlier on.

There should have been plans to deal with flooding from many previous governments, including the ones that many of the current MPs had previously served in.

But that doesn't excuse Yingluck's lack of management and communication in the last couple of months.

[DocN]

I think you should consult your calendar

Maybe we all should!

I think it is quiet "funny", that everyone slams the YS government with a point like "they should have seen it coming" and whenever someone states, that the AV government should have prepared some plan, since they might have been re- elected...the very same people state, that AV was not in charge, since the floods started in August?!

So what now?

Make up your minds!

If the floods have been a looooooong time in the making, the YS- government should have seen them coming indeed. As well as AV should have had a plan ready.

If the floods started in August and AV "comes clean" in this...so does the government, because they just took office, when the disaster unfolded.

You can't have it both ways!

The flooding started in August, and got really bad when 2 typhoons hit in mid September. No one knew in June or early July that 3 typhoons were going to hit Thailand.

The government couldn't stop the flooding but they had 6-8 weeks to get ready for it in Bangkok after it started up North. KNOWING that the water was heading down from the North, the government should have done a better job preparing and getting their people organised. KNOWING the severity of the flooding, the government should have taken control of management of ALL of the canals in and out of Bangkok. KNOWING the severity of the flooding, they should have moved everything out of Don Mueang before it flooded. KNOWING the direction of the flooding, they shouldn't have moved into another location that was bound to get flooded. KNOWING the severity of the flooding, they should have had experts involved much earlier on.

There should have been plans to deal with flooding from many previous governments, including the ones that many of the current MPs had previously served in.

But that doesn't excuse Yingluck's lack of management and communication in the last couple of months.

Judging on all that happened so far: do you really think that anyone was really KNOWING what was coming? KNOWING in the sense of "wow...that is a lot of water...and now, let's sit down and handle the situation responsible...all of us"? I very much doubt, that (except for maybe a few, very well informed and educated people...Dr. Seri, perhaps...) no one was really KNOWING anything. But that might be another discussion.

[whybother]

Judging on all that happened so far: do you really think that anyone was really KNOWING what was coming? KNOWING in the sense of "wow...that is a lot of water...and now, let's sit down and handle the situation responsible...all of us"? I very much doubt, that (except for maybe a few, very well informed and educated people...Dr. Seri, perhaps...) no one was really KNOWING anything. But that might be another discussion.

It certainly seems, based on all that has happened so far, that the government had NO idea what was coming.

It was pretty obvious to me that there was going to be a lot of rain when I was watching the tracking of 2 typhoons around the Philippines in early-mid September. It should have been obvious to anyone in the government watching the river levels after the typhoons hit that there was going to be a lot of water flowing down to Bangkok.

Maybe the government were too busy dealing with other things.

[sparebox2]

The 2011 rainy season, which started at the end of the Abhisit-government, brought the worst flooding that Thailand had seen in 50 years. Hundreds died, and Bangkok was flooded. Meteorological Department deputy director-general Somchai Baimoung blamed his department's inability to predict rainfall on the Abhisit government's unwillingness in 2009 and 2010 to provide a requested 4 billion baht overhaul of its radar and modeling systems. It was reported that from October 20-23 2011, as flood-waters entered Bangkok, Abhisit took a holiday with his family to the Maldives. These reports were initially denied by the Democrat Party, with both Democrat Spokesperson Chawanan Intharakoman and Shadow ICT Minister Sirichok Sopha claiming that he was in Bangkok planning flood relief operations. On 25 October, Democrat Spokesperson Chawanan Intharakoman retracted his earlier denial, claiming that the trip had been planned long in advance and that Abhisit also took the opportunity to meet the President of the Maldives to discuss the floods.

Above from Wiki. So the fact is, the flood start during Abhist, NOT Yingluck. Get it. Yingluck is only cleaning up Abhisit mess, with no fault of her own.

[animatic]

Indeed!

What did he do last year when Ayuttaya was flooded in a calamitous way? What did his government do to manage water and/or better manage floods?

There were no plans or initiatives to that effect in all the years of his administration or even before that.

Abhisit has been as ineffective as all the others who preceded him. But now it's easy to slam the current administration. He is a regular politico interested in furthering his image in order to return to power.

Slamming the current administration (even if it's warranted) is not something that will be in the best interest of the country.

Slamming is not productive. Where are his initiatives and plans to better manage future floods?

To criticize is easy. To slam it's easy.

To come up with solutions it's a whole different situation. That is what opposition and the current administration should be doing together: find viable solutions and implement them. It's not only the financial aspect of the floods. His people in the hundreds keep dying as a result of the floods every year.

Did you read the article or did you just see the headline and want to rant?

Clearly, his actual words were never read.

[Moruya]

Abhisit shouldn't slam anyone. The floods were going on when he was PM and he didn't do anything either except ride around in a boat and have his picture taken. He's a slime ball. He's still crying because he was thrown out of the PM position and can't stand it that the people do not want him. Except the Bangkok elite of course.

I think you should consult your calendar

Maybe we all should!

I think it is quiet "funny", that everyone slams the YS government with a point like "they should have seen it coming" and whenever someone states, that the AV government should have prepared some plan, since they might have been re- elected...the very same people state, that AV was not in charge, since the floods started in August?!

So what now?

Make up your minds!

If the floods have been a looooooong time in the making, the YS- government should have seen them coming indeed. As well as AV should have had a plan ready.

If the floods started in August and AV "comes clean" in this...so does the government, because they just took office, when the disaster unfolded.

You can't have it both ways!

The normal procedure would be to release water from the dams once the weather forecasts showed heavy rain. Khun Pracha ordered the dams to stay closed and the rest is history.

[Moruya]

The 2011 rainy season, which started at the end of the Abhisit-government, brought the worst flooding that Thailand had seen in 50 years. Hundreds died, and Bangkok was flooded. Meteorological Department deputy director-general Somchai Baimoung blamed his department's inability to predict rainfall on the Abhisit government's unwillingness in 2009 and 2010 to provide a requested 4 billion baht overhaul of its radar and modeling systems. It was reported that from October 20-23 2011, as flood-waters entered Bangkok, Abhisit took a holiday with his family to the Maldives. These reports were initially denied by the Democrat Party, with both Democrat Spokesperson Chawanan Intharakoman and Shadow ICT Minister Sirichok Sopha claiming that he was in Bangkok planning flood relief operations. On 25 October, Democrat Spokesperson Chawanan Intharakoman retracted his earlier denial, claiming that the trip had been planned long in advance and that Abhisit also took the opportunity to meet the President of the Maldives to discuss the floods.

Above from Wiki. So the fact is, the flood start during Abhist, NOT Yingluck. Get it. Yingluck is only cleaning up Abhisit mess, with no fault of her own.

I believe that Yingluck is in charge and declined the oportunity to involve Aphisit. I believe Aphisit would have done a far better job.

Radar CAN see weather - but only water droplets in the air. By the time you can see them it's too late. The short/medium term weather forecast comes from satelites and PLENTY of warning was given

[Moruya]

The 2011 rainy season, which started at the end of the Abhisit-government, brought the worst flooding that Thailand had seen in 50 years. Hundreds died, and Bangkok was flooded. Meteorological Department deputy director-general Somchai Baimoung blamed his department's inability to predict rainfall on the Abhisit government's unwillingness in 2009 and 2010 to provide a requested 4 billion baht overhaul of its radar and modeling systems. It was reported that from October 20-23 2011, as flood-waters entered Bangkok, Abhisit took a holiday with his family to the Maldives. These reports were initially denied by the Democrat Party, with both Democrat Spokesperson Chawanan Intharakoman and Shadow ICT Minister Sirichok Sopha claiming that he was in Bangkok planning flood relief operations. On 25 October, Democrat Spokesperson Chawanan Intharakoman retracted his earlier denial, claiming that the trip had been planned long in advance and that Abhisit also took the opportunity to meet the President of the Maldives to discuss the floods.

Above from Wiki. So the fact is, the flood start during Abhist, NOT Yingluck. Get it. Yingluck is only cleaning up Abhisit mess, with no fault of her own.

On another note, what has YS done about the impending flash floods in the South? You'd think once again she had enough notice about them but she seems to ignore them along with all the countless deadly shootings and bombings in the region.