PM Yingluck Orders Flooded Areas To Be Drained By New Year

[webfact]

PM Orders Flooded Areas to Be Drained by New Year

The prime minister has announced that the Cabinet will follow the King's advise on flood management. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit has been assigned to ensure that flooded areas will see all water drained by the year-end.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has announced that the Cabinet has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is also the interior minister, to oversee the drainage effort for areas still affected by flooding.

Yingluck says the government is expediting the drainage effort in order to have water drained from those areas by the end of this year so people can return to their homes for the New Year.

About local disputes in flooded areas, the Cabinet has assigned Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who is the Flood Relief Operations Center director, to clarify the current situation to the public and provide them with assistance.

The government has reaffirmed that it will expedite the drainage and relieve locals' stress.

The prime minister has also ordered the Finance Ministry to come up with additional assistance measures for flood victims to help with repairs to damaged homes, vehicles and other properties.

In another issue, the prime minister said the month of December has been designated for the celebration of the King's 84th birthday and all Thais are asked to do good deeds in His Majesty's honor. She assured the government will follow the King's advise on flood management.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-06

[webfact]

PM to heed royal advice on flood control

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday pledged to heed His Majesty's advice on sustainable flood control.

"Today's Cabinet meeting will heed and implement the royal advice, acknowledging the King's concerns about flood-hit people," she said.

Yingluck said her government would try to complete the drainage of flood water as a New Year's gift for the people.

Based on the latest checks, some 80 to 100 villages were still being submerged, she said.

She vowed to iron out differences over the implementation of flood control measures, saying the Flood Relief Operations Centre would reason with local residents.

-- The Nation 2011-12-06

[SunDaRi]

Nice words, at this time.. draining all the water is quite realistic, isn't it. She trying to be sacastic about the new year gift comment?

[webfact]

Government will heed King's advice: PM

BANGKOK, Dec 6 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday vowed to heed His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's advice to sustainably solve Thailand’s flood problems while instructing cabinet members to work to ensure there will be no more water-clogged areas remaining by the year end.

Ms Yingluck told the media after the weekly cabinet meeting that it was resolved to heed HM the King advice given on Monday on the auspicious occasion marking his seventh-cycle birthday, particularly regarding flood problems as many people still suffer from the flooding.

HM the King on Monday called on all parties to work together to resolve the flood problems and avoid conflict for the well-being of the Thai people and national security as he granted a grand public audience at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall.

Ms Yingluck said the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management will meet today to speed up the master plan for sustainable water management and to address immediate flood problems.

The committee earlier set up two subcommittees to help its operation. The first, headed by the former permanent secretary for agriculture and cooperatives, Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, will handle urgent tasks. The second, headed by former Director-General of the Royal Irrigation Department Kitcha Polparsi will introduce a sustainable system for water resources management.

The premier said that she emphasized that cabinet ministers, particularly Deputy Prime Minister/Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit , should quickly resolve the flood in many areas as there are 80-100 housing estates reportedly under water and they should be drained by the year end.

The people should be able to celebrate the New Year in their homes, said the prime minister.

Ms Yingluck said she asked Justice Minister Pracha Promnog who directs the Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) to clarify and seek a solution to end conflicts among residents who have differing ideas to tackle flood problems.

She said every conflict must have a solution and that rehabilitation measures should be offered to the flood victims.

The revered monarch addressed the public on his birthday, telling his people that all parties should work at full capacity for the well-being of the citizenry as this leads to national security.

The king referred to the country's current flooding, the worst in decades, saying concerned persons should cooperate to solve the crisis as soon as possible and apply sustainable water resources management.

King Bhumibol said he had earlier given advice regarding some water management projects but it depended on the agencies themselves to determine what to do next, as what he offered was simply advice, not a command.

The most important thing, His Majesty emphasised, is that there should be no conflict and divisiveness. Everyone should encourage one another so that the goal will be achieved, resulting in the happiness of the Thai people and the security of the country. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-12-06

[jimbeam1]

Such a great shame that she didn't get this advice a couple of months ago. She could have acted much sooner.

jb1

[sparebox2]

Nice words, at this time.. draining all the water is quite realistic, isn't it. She trying to be sacastic about the new year gift comment?

Becareful what you post. Please don't make fun on this subject.

[Buchholz]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has announced that the Cabinet has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is also the interior minister, to oversee the drainage effort for areas still affected by flooding.

The Interior Minister?

I'm surprised it wasn't undertaken by any of the other six flood experts in her Cabinet.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=516632&view=findpost&p=4887791

Anyway, look forward to yet another Cabinet Minister's prognostications to be added to the list.

.

[SunDaRi]

I am a victim staying away from my house when this government says we are safe. I am not making fun of the flood but this lousy government.

[slapout]

The more assignments of duty to different individuals, the more chances/choices for additional bumbling. Now the secret is to get someone involved who is not on the current favorite list and thus you have another sacrificial cow ready for the BBQ.

Just another day in the LOS, agreement, smile, promise, and then continue in the manner each group/individual wants to pursue.

[lazygourmet]

First time -a few days ago- she came around our neighborhood, she was vomiting because insolation.

Every time I see her face on a pic, I puke because b.s.

[KRS1]

Now that the waters are starting to recede she claims she will drain the remaining areas by the end of the year.

Just like this party to take claim for things they haven't done.

Did she just 'now' realize these areas should be helped and drained?...I bet all the real estate projects she was once Vice President of have been saved first.

[ramrod711]

Nice words, at this time.. draining all the water is quite realistic, isn't it. She trying to be sacastic about the new year gift comment?

Becareful what you post. Please don't make fun on this subject.

she should have just ordered the water not to come in the first place, probably would have been just as effective

[givenall]

Such a great shame that she didn't get this advice a couple of months ago. She could have acted much sooner.

jb1

Is she doing Monday morning predication for Sunday football

This lady is really ignorant. Order!!!! She should have done better flood management (Order ) before it got so bad. And she is trying to save face and take the credit for the good effort by Army and very few people who did a good job informing the Thai citizen

[Skywalker69]

Nice words, at this time.. draining all the water is quite realistic, isn't it. She trying to be sacastic about the new year gift comment?

She´s a joke and so is her (Thaksins) Government.

[rubl]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has announced that the Cabinet has appointed Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, who is also the interior minister, to oversee the drainage effort for areas still affected by flooding.

The Interior Minister?

I'm surprised it wasn't undertaken by any of the other six flood experts in her Cabinet.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=516632&view=findpost&p=4887791

Anyway, look forward to yet another Cabinet Minister's prognostications to be added to the list.

I'm just surprised that the invocation of the 'Disaster Law' and the set-up of FROC with dear Justice Minister Pol.Gen. Pracha as head is deemed insufficient. Yet another hobo appointed to 'oversee' things

[Skywalker69]

Such a great shame that she didn't get this advice a couple of months ago. She could have acted much sooner.

jb1

You´r right jb1. But she and her government had others priorities.

[janverbeem]

Guess those people are lucky that it was the Kings birthday so they will be out of the water by New Year,otherise it would have lasted another few months.

So any explanation why they are today able of doing something that they weren't two days ago,or is this just some more hot air coming out of the PTP balloon.

[inquisitive]

Nice words, at this time.. draining all the water is quite realistic, isn't it. She trying to be sacastic about the new year gift comment?

Becareful what you post. Please don't make fun on this subject.

It's never possible to be sure what is in someone else's mind, but I didn't think SunDaRi was making fun. I thought SDR was showing frustration at an insane situation. It certainly appears to me that Ms. Y was playing for the crowds in a way that was demeaning. Was anyone ever considering just letting the people in the flooded areas sit and rot forever? Was Ms. Y suggesting that she had to decide whether or not to drain the swamp that their houses now sit in slower than possible? Of course not.

Any rational person would realize that this particular decision (to not hold back) was a given and was probably made long before Ms. Y turned her attention to it. It certainly appears that she was simply trying to take credit for the obvious: the government will do its sworn duty to mitgate this disaster as rapidly as possible. To call this a gift is frankly an insult. Or worse. I don't doubt that Ms. Y would change her words on this subject if she could. I have to believe that the tone of arrogance it conveyed was unintentional.

[drdoom6996]

Just now getting the flooding at the top of the "To Do" list. We must be thankful to our Most Majestic King for his inspirational words. It seems that someone listened. Now, can they really act like a team and do it? Or is this just more PTP "Pie in the Sky"?

[DaiHard]

the Cabinet has assigned Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, who is the Flood Relief Operations Center director, to clarify the current situation to the public

No doubt because he's done such an excellent job so far and so has his brilliantly organized department.

[DaiHard]

Was anyone ever considering just letting the people in the flooded areas sit and rot forever?

I don't suppose they've given them any consideration at all.

[lounger]

The government has reaffirmed that it will expedite the drainage and relieve locals' stress

.....................................................................

So the government suddenly can control the incredible volume of water still descending on Bangkok.

What nonsense. Its still rhetoric. They have been trying to expedite the drainage for months and now they make it sound like a new idea.

The government has recognised our plight and is going to solve all our problems. The chief baddy will be taken off to the tower and law and order will be restored.

Pathetic

[lounger]

History is important but for those who have missed out on a relevant part of English history there was a King who tried to stop invasion by hostiles. he succeeded. In fact he won so many battles and became so important that, he said, even the sea would obey him. So he , King Canute, set up court on the beach and commanded the waves to retreat before his gaze.

Yingluk is doing the same in Thailand:

PM Orders Flooded Areas to Be Drained by New Year.

King Canute got his feet wet, Yingluk?

[FOODLOVER]

Brilliant Yingluck, great idea! Relieve the flood victims! Seems all that time on the toilet really paid off!

[OzMick]

Actually I have absolute faith in this promise. OTOH I'm working on the premise she is referring to Thai New Year on April 14th.

[webfact]

Premier orders housing estates dry by year-end

The Nation

Yingluck vows to follow HM's advice, urges quick solutions to conflicts

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday instructed officials to complete the drainage of flood water at 100 housing estates by year's end, before presiding over a meeting of the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) to discuss the drawing up of its six operational plans.

Yingluck said the government and Cabinet would follow His Majesty the King's advice to find sustainable solutions to the country's water problems. On Monday, His Majesty called on all parties to work together to resolve the flood problems and avoid conflict for the well-being of the people and national security, as he granted a grand public audience at the Chakri Maha Prasat Throne Hall on the auspicious occasion of his seventh-cycle birthday.

Yingluck instructed the Cabinet, especially Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichai-dit, to resolve flood problems in some 80-100 housing estates that were currently flooded so that the areas would be dry by the end of the year and people could return home during the New Year.

The prime minister said she had urged Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, in his capacity as Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC) director, to find solutions to conflicts, as well as speedily offer rehabilitation measures to flood-affected people. If the officials could speedily drain flood water and provide remedial measures, she said, it would ease tensions between people. As for other conflicts, she said they should be solved gradually, maintaining the principle of being for the majority's benefit and peace.

In the afternoon, Yingluck presided over the SCWRM meeting.

Committee secretary-general Arkhom Termpittayapaisit said plans were drawn up for the following six areas of operation: handling of urgent matters; information management; water-retention area management; development of specific areas; establishment of a long-term water-management administration; and budget allocation.

The SCWRM assigned a sub-panel to deal with the rehabilitation of forests and water sources, chaired by Chiang Mai Governor Pannada Disa-kul, while SCWRM adviser Sumet Tantivejkul would serve as an adviser to the sub-panel, Arkhom said.

Committee member Arnon Sanit-wong na Ayutthaya said the panel discussed frameworks for the six operational plans and would host a conference in February to brainstorm with international experts.

Two of the six subcommittees - the one handling urgent tasks and the one introducing a sustainable system for water-resources management - are primarily tasked with facilitating the SCWRM's operations, said committee member Seri Suprathit. These two subcommittees would formulate operational plans within two weeks and submit them to the premier, Seri said, adding that their main tasks were to reduce the volume of flood water in Bangkok and neighbouring provinces, and to establish a clear mechanism with legal authority to control sluice gates.

Government Spokeswoman Thiti-ma Chaisaeng said the King's speech was handed out to Cabinet members yesterday, and that Yingluck had urged agencies to prudently spend the budget for the King's birthday celebration at Sanam Luang, lessening some festive activities so that money left over could be used in solving flood problems. A special Cabinet meeting would be held this week, at which flood-affected governors would present details of flood problems.

PM's Office Ministry deputy spokesman Chalitrat Chantarubeksa said the Industry Ministry told the Cabinet meeting that four of the seven flood-hit industrial estates were dry and could operate at 30 per cent of capacity, while the Saha Rattana Nakorn, Bangkadi and Nava Nakorn estates were in the process of draining flood water and should resume production around December 15.

Meanwhile, former Royal Irrigation Department (RID) chief Pramot Maiklad urged that the construction of a planned "floodway" be implemented as a national priority, as the project didn't belong to any particular government but was a long-term plan on which everyone should cooperate for the country's benefit.

The RID was speedily draining flood water out of Nonthaburi, most parts of which were expected to return to normal in the middle this month, the department's Water Situation Analysis Centre reported yesterday.

-- The Nation 2011-12-07

[Buchholz]

Actually I have absolute faith in this promise. OTOH I'm working on the premise she is referring to Thai New Year on April 14th.

and even that is iffy

.

[JulesMad]

If memory serves me well, I think the last guy who "ordered' the water to go away was Mozes. He was very successful

Truth be told, he had some awesome back-up

[techboy]

Now that the waters are starting to recede she claims she will drain the remaining areas by the end of the year.

Just like this party to take claim for things they haven't done.

Did she just 'now' realize these areas should be helped and drained?...I bet all the real estate projects she was once Vice President of have been saved first.

Perverting of context and idle speculation. By golly you have just placed an exemplary post.

[khaowong1]

Well then, if the Prime Minister ordered the water to be drained by the end of the year, it's a done deal. Did she say what year? :-)