Thai PM Yingluck Concedes Severe Floods Likely This Year

[billd766]

I am surprised no one has picked up on the following;

Reforestation will also be the government’s priority as there is now more than 10 million rai of deteriorated forest out of the existing 20 million rai of forest areas

When 50% of the natural containment and control mechanism is impaired, all the dams and retaining areas will not work as efficiently and as cost effectively as a restoration of the natural methods. It is a telling point, and one that underlines why there is a problem. This flooding isn't about the PTP or Democrats per se, but is a reflection of the complete indifference to the illegal developments, and other encroachments on Thailand's forests. Stop the rape of the land, enforce the laws and a big step will be taken towards controling the flood exposure.

It all gets back to corruption, doesn't it? Isn't there anyone in Thailan that cares enough to speak up and to say no? Until someone takes a bit out of corruption, progress will not be made.

Got to agree with you on that issue GK.

I saw the figures and discredited them. 50% seem way to high a figure to me.

But it makes no difference they must put a stop to the deforestation and start regrowing forest's.

As well as competent water management they need competent urban growth management.

Whilst reforestation is a really good idea they need to plant trees with deep roots rather than shallow roots which spread just under the surface and when the first stong wind comes along the trees are blown over.

Another problem may be that due to deforestation the topsoil could have been washed away down the hillside and into the streams and rivers already over the years leaving precious little soil for the trees to grow in.

A third problem is they need to plant trees with little commercial value otherwise in a few years some other barsteward will come along and cut the new trees down and the dance will begin again.

For every tree you cut down replace it by 3 more.

Geriatrickid is right to highlight the out of control illegal destruction of Thai forests but as also mentioned the solution isn't as simple as just re planting. It takes a long time to establish a forest and you don't just rebuild it overnight once the damage to the land has been done. But this is 'Miracle Thailand' now so let's all start praying to any of the gods for one and quick.

I also agree with GK in that it ALL goes back to corruption over many decades.

The current estimate is that 30% of any budget will be lost to corruption or 120 billion baht from the governmets 350 billion baht flood relief will simply be STOLEN from the people.

For any amount of corruption there should be jail sentences ranging from 6 months for less than 50,000 baht cumulatively and simply double the jail time for every 50,000 baht.

For police and military the offences should be 3 times the normal rate and for politicians it should be 10 times.

At the 10,000,000 baht point simply execute the thieves WHATEVER their position in society.

After the first 50 or so the rest should get the message.

[Buchholz]

The current estimate is that 30% of any budget will be lost to corruption or 120 billion baht from the governmets 350 billion baht flood relief will simply be STOLEN from the people.

A report in the other paper regarding various experts who say the 350 Billion Baht expenditure is being implemented without the government expressing sufficient knowledge to do so.

Contractors for the projects are complaining the plans are without specificity such that bidding on contracts is precarious as they aren't aware of all that is included.

Additionally, the Executive Director of the Thai Hydrologist Association is reporting that the government is displaying a lack of knowledge regarding its plan for floodways.

Also, the President of the Engineering Institute of Thailand said the government needs to improve its overall Flood Plan while farmers in Sukhothai are complaining the flood prevention plan is now flooding their fields.

.

[h90]

The current estimate is that 30% of any budget will be lost to corruption or 120 billion baht from the governmets 350 billion baht flood relief will simply be STOLEN from the people.

A report in the other paper regarding various experts who say the 350 Billion Baht expenditure is being implemented without the government expressing sufficient knowledge to do so.

Contractors for the projects are complaining the plans are without specificity such that bidding on contracts is precarious as they aren't aware of all that is included.

Additionally, the Executive Director of the Thai Hydrologist Association is reporting that the government is displaying a lack of knowledge regarding its plan for floodways.

Also, the President of the Engineering Institute of Thailand said the government needs to improve its overall Flood Plan while farmers in Sukhothai are complaining the flood prevention plan is now flooding their fields.

.

So everything as expected....If we are flooded again is up to the rain.....

[Robby nz]

The C P river in Thailand has always flooded centeral Thailand that is why most of the old Thai houses are built up, for want of a better word, on stilts the annual flood also provided a layer of silt that fertalised the ground.

If we look for comparison at the Meakong river as it runs through Cambodia (north of there it has quite high banks that prevent much flooding) We see that that river has two natural things that prevent flooding. The first is the large lake the Tonal Saep which acts as a water retention area with the water flowing into it when the river is high and out again when the river is low.

The second is a large delta area where the river splits into many smaller streams allowing the water to get to the sea easier.

In Thailand the whole central plain actes like the lake in Cambodia and I sespect th CP once had a delta area untill some idiot came and filled it in to build a city.

The problem in Thailand is that now people dont want the central plain to flood as it should to accept the access water and of course the delta has gone.

[Soutpeel]

"...it will help locals in flood-prone areas to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle, for example, by introducing them to jobs in water-related fields."

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

'Hey, you people severley affected by flooding, why don't you just get yourselves jobs in water-related fields?'

Does that mean we will see a lot more "soapies" opening up ?...

[Buchholz]

EIT slams Government’s water management projects

BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 (NNT) - The Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) has suggested the government overhaul its water management and flood prevention projects while allowing participation from all sectors.

On 30 July 2012, the EIT held a seminar with seven other relevant organizations to discuss the conceptual plan for the construction of water management and flood prevention systems in accordance with the government’s projects.

EIT President Suwat Chaopreecha said the plan was not supported by academic theories, especially in terms of design and construction.

The EIT and the seven organizations therefore suggested that the government should allow all sectors to voice their opinions on the plan and form a committee of engineering experts to screen and summarize the opinions.

The institute also called on the government to make sure that the plan would not pose threat to nature and the way of life of local people.

The institute president stated further that the government should re-prioritize the water management and flood prevention projects and allow the civil sector to inspect them.

-- NNT 2012-07-31

[waza]

EIT slams Government’s water management projects

BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 (NNT) - The Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT) has suggested the government overhaul its water management and flood prevention projects while allowing participation from all sectors.

On 30 July 2012, the EIT held a seminar with seven other relevant organizations to discuss the conceptual plan for the construction of water management and flood prevention systems in accordance with the government’s projects.

EIT President Suwat Chaopreecha said the plan was not supported by academic theories, especially in terms of design and construction.

The EIT and the seven organizations therefore suggested that the government should allow all sectors to voice their opinions on the plan and form a committee of engineering experts to screen and summarize the opinions.

The institute also called on the government to make sure that the plan would not pose threat to nature and the way of life of local people.

The institute president stated further that the government should re-prioritize the water management and flood prevention projects and allow the civil sector to inspect them.

-- NNT 2012-07-31

Make sense to do that, but wont do Yingluck any favours

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been deleted.

Please stay on-topic.

[animatic]

The blind leading the deaf dumb and blind,

to be fleeced by the greedy at the expense of the poor and needy.

[overherebc]

"...it will help locals in flood-prone areas to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle, for example, by introducing them to jobs in water-related fields."

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

'Hey, you people severley affected by flooding, why don't you just get yourselves jobs in water-related fields?'

Does that mean we will see a lot more "soapies" opening up ?...

More likely would be the underwater blow-football teams

[Buchholz]

The current estimate is that 30% of any budget will be lost to corruption or 120 billion baht from the governmets 350 billion baht flood relief will simply be STOLEN from the people.

A report in the other paper regarding various experts who say the 350 Billion Baht expenditure is being implemented without the government expressing sufficient knowledge to do so.

350 Billion Baht poorly spent for floods

plus

500 Billion Baht poorly spent on rice pledging

Four Hundred Billion Baht....

and just like the Thai Rak Thai Party and the People Power Party, the Pheu Thai Party will also have taxpayers paying for it all.

Counting their debts drives it up to

Half A Trillion Baht.....

it's starting to add up...

.

[givenall]

help locals in flood-prone areas to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle, for example, by introducing them to jobs in water-related fields.

what floating markets, boat making and teaching swimming?

Incompetent government. For past 10 years or so I have never seen any flood or talk of flood. Suddenly we have flood for two years in a row since this government came to power

sent from-would like to know

Edited July 31, 2012 by givenall

[phiphidon]

help locals in flood-prone areas to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle, for example, by introducing them to jobs in water-related fields.

what floating markets, boat making and teaching swimming?

Incompetent government. For past 10 years or so I have never seen any flood or talk of flood. Suddenly we have flood for two years in a row since this government came to power

sent from-would like to know

I used wiki links because this calibre of post demands the best in depth reply.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Southern_Thailand_floods

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Thai_floods

http://reliefweb.int/disaster/ff-2009-000107-tha

You're right it is a well known fact that floods have only happened once the PTP government got in and it's all down to their incompetence. I can't see why no one has made that link before, all we have to do is get rid of the incompetent government and everything will be OK again, no floods, easy.

[Buchholz]

Rush to prepare for floods

Irrigation officials are urgently fixing gates and embankments along key waterways - timely repairs that will be crucial in saving many areas in the Central region from flooding this year.

The rainy season has already started and several agencies are preparing to fight any flooding. For its part, the Royal Irrigation Department is rushing to finish repairs to many water gates and embankments along major rivers.

To be completed before the end of August are water gates on Wat Dok Mai, Klong Wat Tamnak, Klong Wat Sakae, Klong Koh Pin, Klong Wat Sing, and Klong Kanorn. Already repaired are the Klong Ban Tat, Klong Pa Fai and Klong Bang Parok water gates. Work has also been done on the Singhanat - Lat Lum Kaeo and Singhanat - Sam Khok embankments. Irrigation officials are now building the Phra Nham water gate in Sing Buri's Prom Buri district.

It is scheduled for completion before the end of September. They are also fixing many parts of the Bang Chom Sri water gate.

Last year, a huge flood crisis began in riverside provinces in the lower Chao Phraya basin around October.

-- The Nation 2012-08-01

[rubl]

help locals in flood-prone areas to adapt themselves to a new lifestyle, for example, by introducing them to jobs in water-related fields.

what floating markets, boat making and teaching swimming?

Incompetent government. For past 10 years or so I have never seen any flood or talk of flood. Suddenly we have flood for two years in a row since this government came to power

sent from-would like to know

I used wiki links because this calibre of post demands the best in depth reply.

http://en.wikipedia....Thailand_floods

http://en.wikipedia....010_Thai_floods

http://reliefweb.int...2009-000107-tha

You're right it is a well known fact that floods have only happened once the PTP government got in and it's all down to their incompetence. I can't see why no one has made that link before, all we have to do is get rid of the incompetent government and everything will be OK again, no floods, easy.

Better be carefull, dear phiphidon. I've been warned off from wiki by an esteemed member here on TV

http://www.thaivisa....25#entry5534289

[jerrysteve]

Pursuant to Americaninbangkok...I am not sure about the Thais becoming world class swimmers adapting to flooding , but they definitely

take the Gold On World Class Bafoons and World Class Bull Pucky.

[MAJIC]

Thai PM Yingluck Concedes Severe Floods Likely This Year.

And what happened to last years Promise/Premise, that the same will not happen again?

Or is the present Government losing it ,and talking Crap, and hoping the people have forgotten last year? already.

[waza]

The current estimate is that 30% of any budget will be lost to corruption or 120 billion baht from the governmets 350 billion baht flood relief will simply be STOLEN from the people.

A report in the other paper regarding various experts who say the 350 Billion Baht expenditure is being implemented without the government expressing sufficient knowledge to do so.

350 Billion Baht poorly spent for floods

plus

500 Billion Baht poorly spent on rice pledging

Four Hundred Billion Baht....

and just like the Thai Rak Thai Party and the People Power Party, the Pheu Thai Party will also have taxpayers paying for it all.

Counting their debts drives it up to

Half A Trillion Baht.....

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__5530803

it's starting to add up...

.

and dont forget these..........

analysis

Agricultural price-pledging policy has failed

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation March 12, 2012 1:00 am

Six months since the implementation of the price-pledging scheme for farm goods, it is time the Yingluck government reviewed the policy, which has cost Thailand more than Bt300 billion and left farmers unhappy as commodities prices remain low.