People In Flood-Prone Regions Want More Than Just Smiles: Thailand

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ANALYSIS

People in flood-prone regions want more than just smiles

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Uttaradit

UTTARADIT: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra began a five-day trip yesterday to inspect flood prevention work and try to restore confidence in the government's ability to avoid another disastrous flood this year, but she will need much more than charm and a good sartorial sense.

A day before her trip covering half a dozen provinces, Dusit Poll revealed many respondents found the government's handling of flood concerns to be its least competent work so far.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded on the weekend that the government be transparent about locations to be designated as water catchment areas. Abhisit accused Yingluck of being unwilling to reveal details for fear of protests by affected villagers.

Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri has said it would be cheaper and more reasonable for residents in the province of Ayutthaya to accept compensation money in advance, so their homes and land can be designated as water catchment areas - as it will take at least two years to complete any meaningful flood-prevention construction.

There is much different information, plus many activities and complaints swirling in the public consciousness, but no master plan yet that people can pick up and learn the details about short, medium and long-term policy.

Smith Dharmasaroja, a key member of the government-appointed Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) - who arrived at Sirikit Dam three hours in advance of the premier yesterday - was asked about the master plan, but said it's nowhere to be found yet.

"This is what I get criticised for when I speak out, for causing damage, though in fact [my comment] is not criticism but a reminder. We allocated a Bt150-billion budget and there's no blueprint whatsoever yet," he said.

"So what will we say to foreign investors? The [recent] re-flooding of an area in Ayutthaya has people frightened."

Smith said it made more sense, for example, for industrial estates in Ayutthaya be relocated elsewhere on higher ground, such as in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Instead, billions will be spent building dyke walls around industrial estates likely to be surrounded by water from all sides, at the peak of the wet season, with transportation almost impossible. It seems to make little sense.

No matter how reassuring and charming Yingluck's smiles are to the people she will visit in the next few days, one cannot expect her charm offensive will have any impact in holding back the tide. Flooding is indiscriminate and it cannot be ordered around or charmed by a premier's smile, as was proven very clearly late last year.

-- The Nation 2012-02-14

[Moruya]

These flood walls won't do any more than slow the water. Hopefully to the degree that it can be pumped out.

They will turn the estates into islands where, possibly workers can work but deliveries will be impossible.

[CalgaryII]

Dusit Poll revealed many respondents found the government's handling of flood concerns to be its least competent work so far.

As with most of these opposition associated Polls, by their extended elements or sympathisers, they are designed to launder the Opposition agenda.

In this case, the unsubstantiated claim that the Govt. mishandled the flood disaster. By unsubstantiated, I mean without a standard point-of-reference. Suugesting mishandling with no comparisons to what or whom.

One could just as easily say that the flodd disaster was handled quite well, all things considered. Certainly compared to the Japanese nuclear thing, Burma, Pakistan and Haiti, never mind the similar water/flood related catastrophe in New Orleans.

George W. could have learned a lesson or two from Ms. Y.

All that, is to demonstrate how Polls have people reiterating Opposition agenda's of flood mishandling, an effort at laundering the stuff via other sources

No matter how reassuring and charming Yingluck's smiles are to the people she will visit in the next few days, one cannot expect her charm offensive will have any impact in holding back the tide. Flooding is indiscriminate and it cannot be ordered around or charmed by a premier's smile, as was proven very clearly late last year.

Comparatively speaking, can you imagine the contrast between Ms. Y. and her people skills, compared to Abhi. and his elitist, stilted way of relating to ordinary folks affected by the disaster.

The above statement is silly to the extreme. It's Oppositional message however, is to suggest that sweet-tweet is being done with respect to future flood control stuff.

This is clearly not the case, when listing out the initiatives Ms. Y. discussed in last weeks radio address, plus on other occasions, plus this 'touching base' with those affected on this non-Bangkok initiative.

She is a hard working lady, with her people searching out all options and possibilities.

Edited February 14, 2012 by CalgaryII

[Moruya]

As with most of these opposition associated Polls (Horseplop)

the unsubstantiated claim that the Govt. mishandled the flood disaster (Quite substantiated even to the blind)

One could just as easily say that the flodd disaster was handles quite well (not without my nose growing 2 inches)

an effort at laundering the stuff via other sources (is this English?)

She is a hard working lady, with her people searching out all options and possibilities (so busy she skips to hotels for clandestine meetings)

The Thai people are right. 6 months after the floods, what action has been taken? Money allocated, nothing done. Experts appointed, experts ignored.

The headline is therefore right - nothing but false promises, wasted time and smiles that most are fed up with

[sparebox2]

The photo just show how popular she is. Even more than Mark during thoses coup days.

[rubl]

Smith Dharmasaroja, a key member of the government-appointed Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) - who arrived at Sirikit Dam three hours in advance of the premier yesterday - was asked about the master plan, but said it's nowhere to be found yet.

"This is what I get criticised for when I speak out, for causing damage, though in fact [my comment] is not criticism but a reminder. We allocated a Bt150-billion budget and there's no blueprint whatsoever yet," he said.

I guess it's a bit too early to ask how much has been spent on nothing already ?

[MEL1]

As with most of these opposition associated Polls (Horseplop)

the unsubstantiated claim that the Govt. mishandled the flood disaster (Quite substantiated even to the blind)

One could just as easily say that the flodd disaster was handles quite well (not without my nose growing 2 inches)

an effort at laundering the stuff via other sources (is this English?)

She is a hard working lady, with her people searching out all options and possibilities (so busy she skips to hotels for clandestine meetings)

The Thai people are right. 6 months after the floods, what action has been taken? Money allocated, nothing done. Experts appointed, experts ignored.

The headline is therefore right - nothing but false promises, wasted time and smiles that most are fed up with

Ignore Calgaryll !!- He obviously just wants to shag the ass off YL. He does nothing but post about how awesome she is!

It's about time somebody opened Calgaryll's eyes to the reality of this Govenmt leader's sham actions and false deliveries.

Please, anybody?

His posting is really tedious on this matter - that being 'her'!.

-mel.

[CalgaryII]

As with most of these opposition associated Polls (Horseplop)

the unsubstantiated claim that the Govt. mishandled the flood disaster (Quite substantiated even to the blind)

One could just as easily say that the flodd disaster was handles quite well (not without my nose growing 2 inches)

an effort at laundering the stuff via other sources (is this English?)

She is a hard working lady, with her people searching out all options and possibilities (so busy she skips to hotels for clandestine meetings)

The Thai people are right. 6 months after the floods, what action has been taken? Money allocated, nothing done. Experts appointed, experts ignored.

The headline is therefore right - nothing but false promises, wasted time and smiles that most are fed up with

Ignore Calgaryll !!- He obviously just wants to shag the ass off YL. He does nothing but post about how awesome she is!

It's about time somebody opened Calgaryll's eyes to the reality of this Govenmt leader's sham actions and false deliveries.

Please, anybody?

His posting is really tedious on this matter - that being 'her'!.

-mel.

If nothing else, the pro-Ms. Y. Posts provide an alternative consideration.

To condemn the pro-Ms. Y. Posts, while accepting at face value the more voluminous anti-Ms. Y. Posts doesn't make sense.

Reading all anti-Ms. Y. posts, with the only variation being different words saying the same thing, seems boring to me.

Enjoy the contrariness and expand your horizons.

I assure you, you are benefitting from a perspective that comes from an entirely different place than where most of you are.

You are welcome.

[Reasonableman]

Shoulda guessed, another planet or an alternate reality. It must be very lonely there.

As with most of these opposition associated Polls (Horseplop)

the unsubstantiated claim that the Govt. mishandled the flood disaster (Quite substantiated even to the blind)

One could just as easily say that the flodd disaster was handles quite well (not without my nose growing 2 inches)

an effort at laundering the stuff via other sources (is this English?)

She is a hard working lady, with her people searching out all options and possibilities (so busy she skips to hotels for clandestine meetings)

The Thai people are right. 6 months after the floods, what action has been taken? Money allocated, nothing done. Experts appointed, experts ignored.

The headline is therefore right - nothing but false promises, wasted time and smiles that most are fed up with

Ignore Calgaryll !!- He obviously just wants to shag the ass off YL. He does nothing but post about how awesome she is!

It's about time somebody opened Calgaryll's eyes to the reality of this Govenmt leader's sham actions and false deliveries.

Please, anybody?

His posting is really tedious on this matter - that being 'her'!.

-mel.

If nothing else, the pro-Ms. Y. Posts provide an alternative consideration.

To condemn the pro-Ms. Y. Posts, while accepting at face value the more voluminous anti-Ms. Y. Posts doesn't make sense.

Reading all anti-Ms. Y. posts, with the only variation being different words saying the same thing, seems boring to me.

Enjoy the contrariness and expand your horizons.

I assure you, you are benefitting from a perspective that comes from an entirely different place than where most of you are.

You are welcome.

Edited February 14, 2012 by Reasonableman

[KKvampire]

How pathetic.she goes around and her"supporters" come out giving flowers and hugs .Thailand will never have an effective PM with that attitude.We can see why education standards are the lowest in ASEAN.

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com

[oggie911]

it floods in the south my wifes family never got a santang only bkk so come pm south is part of thailand unless you want to sell to mayalisa they buy off you Edited February 16, 2012 by oggie911

[ratcatcher]

Shoulda guessed, another planet or an alternate reality. It must be very lonely there.

As with most of these opposition associated Polls (Horseplop)

the unsubstantiated claim that the Govt. mishandled the flood disaster (Quite substantiated even to the blind)

One could just as easily say that the flodd disaster was handles quite well (not without my nose growing 2 inches)

an effort at laundering the stuff via other sources (is this English?)

She is a hard working lady, with her people searching out all options and possibilities (so busy she skips to hotels for clandestine meetings)

The Thai people are right. 6 months after the floods, what action has been taken? Money allocated, nothing done. Experts appointed, experts ignored.

The headline is therefore right - nothing but false promises, wasted time and smiles that most are fed up with

Ignore Calgaryll !!- He obviously just wants to shag the ass off YL. He does nothing but post about how awesome she is!

It's about time somebody opened Calgaryll's eyes to the reality of this Govenmt leader's sham actions and false deliveries.

Please, anybody?

His posting is really tedious on this matter - that being 'her'!.

-mel.

If nothing else, the pro-Ms. Y. Posts provide an alternative consideration.

To condemn the pro-Ms. Y. Posts, while accepting at face value the more voluminous anti-Ms. Y. Posts doesn't make sense.

Reading all anti-Ms. Y. posts, with the only variation being different words saying the same thing, seems boring to me.

Enjoy the contrariness and expand your horizons.

I assure you, you are benefitting from a perspective that comes from an entirely different place than where most of you are.

You are welcome.

"Imagine, if you will, a time that seemed innocent... almost too innocent. Imagine a nation under whose seemingly conformist and conservative surface dramatic social changes were brewing, changes as obvious as integration and as subtle as fast food."

The Twilight Zone

[animatic]

Political grandstanding trip, not much more.