Locals Sidelined During PM Yingluck's Visit To Flood-Prone Areas

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Locals sidelined during PM's visit to flood-prone areas

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation

Ayutthaya

BANGKOK: -- Most local people I spoke to this week during Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's fiveday floodprevention and relief trip, which ended yesterday, said their participation in drawing up the flood plans was virtually nil, and that they in fact knew very little about those plans.

Most said they were unsure about whether last year's devastating floods would revisit their homes and provinces.

"Not sure," said 57-year-old Sunisa Maneekit from Ayutthaya province, which was badly flooded last year.

What about participation? "None," was her answer.

Her friend added that only the wellconnected or those with status have access to people like the provincial governor. I was not too surprised by this comment, having watched provincial City Hall clerks spend over an hour fussing and tweaking the props for Yingluck's first and only proper press conference of the trip, ensuring that it looked nice while the men's toilet for ordinary citizens on the ground floor was shamefully dirty and rundown.

Up and down the rivers in nine other provinces the answers were strikingly similar.

"Nobody asked us anything," replied Somjit Chantanchart, a coowner of a local automobilerepair shop, Charoen Sri UThong, in the Rangsit area of Pathum Thani. Her neighbourhood, overlooking Chulalongkorn Watergate, was under a metre plus of water for over a month from November 17 onward last year. "We need to help ourselves."

When I asked Yingluck about the apparent lack of participation and information among local residents regarding the various plans and projects by the government, the premier said nothing about participation but promised that the media and the public would be informed of all plans three months from now.

"We will conclude in three months and will inform both the media and the people," Yingluck said.

Another reporter asked when the amount of compensation to be paid to those who own land in areas to be designated watercatchment areas would be announced. Yingluck said the government first needed to talk with these people to create "understanding".

It's not just the majority of ordinary citizens who are not being properly consulted as the government rushes to introduce more plans and budgets in the hope of preventing another disaster. Even people like Sombat Premprabha, a general manager at Minebea, said factories in Ayutthaya that are outside the major industrial estates are vulnerable and not properly cared for by the government.

Given the situation, it's not surprising that, when asked whether they think the government's efforts will be adequate and effective, the answers from many ordinary folk in those provinces depended on the person's attitude towards the prime minister and her older brother, ousted and fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

-- The Nation 2012-02-18

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Bt5 bn set aside for 117 initial projects

Jeerapong Prasertphonkrang,

Chanikarn Poomhiran

The Nation

Yingluck ends her tour; vows all plans will be completed in three months

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wrapped up her fiveday tour upcountry by announcing that the government had approved about Bt5 billion to fund 117 "flagship" floodprevention projects.

Yingluck said 1.5million rai had been set for use as watercatchment areas and it should store some 4.9 billion cubic metres of water. She added that the government would be able to mark out a total of 2million rai for this purpose by the end of this month.

Citing the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management's master plan, the premier said: "Water must have a place to stay and a place to go. People should be taken care of, communities and key economic areas - as well as ancient sites - should be protected, while farmlands, waterretaining areas and floodways need to be treated fairly and appropriately."

Teams have been assigned to follow up on four groups of provinces as per the master plan: 10 waterorigin provinces; six upper midstream provinces; eight lower midstream provinces; and seven downstream provinces including Bangkok.

Yingluck said Bt4.998 billion had been approved for the 117 "flagship" projects, which includes improving Bangkok's drainage system as well as building and repairing floodwalls, installing movable flood barriers and building/strengthening walls around industrial estates. She said these projects should be completed in three months, adding that the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry would formulate plans to provide underground water for consumption and farming nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry, in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, the Office of the Royal Development Projects Boards and the Army, will reforest about 330,000 rai to improve the ecosystem of Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan, Sakaekrang and Pasak river basins in three months, Yingluck said.

Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit and Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Surassawadee will have agencies' information systems for disaster warning linked up within three months. The linkup will involve three key tools: the National Water Information Centre serving as a data warehouse and following up in realtime via CCTV; disasterwarning system including warnings via smartphones, the Internet, social media, call centres linked community broadcasts and other media; as well as a decisionsupport system.

In addition, Yingluck said the management of the country's 33 major dams will have to be more balanced during the rainy and drought seasons. She added that under new rules, Sirikit and Bhumibhol dams' minimum level has been set at 45percent of their total capacity, so this year they should be able to hold 12 billion cubic metres of water - 5 billion more than last year.

Providing details of flood barriers and the improvement of drainage systems in midstream and downstream provinces, Yingluck added that floodtackling measures in Ayutthaya would not just focus on the protection of industrial estates but also on solving logistics, distribution and transport problems, especially the case of prolonged flooding. She said that Bt775 million had already been allocated for repairing the 158 flooddamaged ancient sites in Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Angthong and Saraburi.

Also yesterday, Yingluck visited Pathum Thani's Chulalongkorn watergate where she was warmly welcomed by many redshirt supporters.

At the gathering, Deputy Interior Minister Choochart Harnsawas asked the premier to explain what would happen to people in Pathum Thani if all the flood water was directed to the Khlong Prapa waterworks canal to protect Ayutthaya. Yingluck cut him short by saying that everything had been covered in SCWRM's master plan and that she would table his concerns at the next meeting.

Meanwhile, the Royal Irrigation Department's representative admitted that Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani needed to discuss the problems further, especially on the issues of building additional dykes around Sam Wa, Hok Wa and Rangsit canals and whether Nonthaburi's Tiwanont Road would be raised by 50cm in three months.

-- The Nation 2012-02-18

[mojaco]

A major difference between he whom we all respect so highly and Ms. Lingkuck is that he always had a notebook in his hands making notes of what needed to be done so that he could work on the problems. She seems to be just walking around for show.

Edited February 18, 2012 by mojaco

[ratcatcher]

A major difference between he whom we all respect so highly and Ms. Lingkuck is that he always had a notebook in his hands making notes of what needed to be done so that he could work on the problems. She seems to be just walking around for show.

A most important point. One knew what they were talking about and the other just talks.

[rubl]

I like the photo in the OP #1. Clearly CEO style. "That's where I want it, all that water. So get moving"

[TackyToo]

They call it helicopter style PR: fly in, make a lot of noise and wind and fly out!

[SICHONSTEVE]

A major difference between he whom we all respect so highly and Ms. Lingkuck is that he always had a notebook in his hands making notes of what needed to be done so that he could work on the problems. She seems to be just walking around for show.

So much for Abhisit being out of touch with the people - Yingluck is the one who is out of touch with the people by the looks of it!!

I ventured down to see Abhisit in Khanom when we had floods in the South last year (one of 2 visits he made to the area). He gave a very emotive speech to the people and you could see by the smiling faces in the crowd that it was appreciated by everyone that he had made such an effort. Not a camera in sight (apart from the locals taking a few snaps) - what a difference to Yingluck's 'hollywood style ' photo opportunities designed to make her look good. Unfortunately for her, it back fires all the time and her fervent supporters should see her for what she is and thats a 'sham' prime minister that doesn't care about even her own flock let alone those nasty Democrats that did such treacherous things to her brother.

She should stop masquerading as something she is not and go back to her pampered life-style as she is more elite than Abhisit would want to, or ever be!!!!

The sight of her repulses me and I am finding it harder so sympathise with her 'blind faith' followers that seem, for some unfathomable reason, to adore her no matter what she does, or doesn't do.

[kartman]

I like the photo in the OP #1. Clearly CEO style. "That's where I want it, all that water. So get moving"

[/quote

I think she's saying that's a nice hotel over there have you got their phone number?.

[Ricardo]

They call it helicopter style PR: fly in, make a lot of noise and wind and fly out!

Or in industry called "Seagull Management', fly-in from Head-Office, shit on the local-management, and fly off to the next trouble-spot.

But at least we got to stay in some nice 5-star hotels unlike the Acting-CEO of Thailand, who never visits nice hotels like the Four Seasons, erm ... except on 'private business' ... erm ...

[Ricardo]

I like the photo in the OP #1. Clearly CEO style. "That's where I want it, all that water. So get moving"

[/quote

I think she's saying that's a nice hotel over there have you got their phone number?.

"that way to the lunchtime-buffet !"

"Where did all the floodwater go ?"

"Oh look, is that a 'poor person', over on the other riverbank ?"

[Mosha]

They call it helicopter style PR: fly in, make a lot of noise and wind and fly out!

Except at night

[Dap]

"All plans will be completed in three months."

Just in time for the rainy season and the new floods.

[Tanaka]

A major difference between he whom we all respect so highly and Ms. Lingkuck is that he always had a notebook in his hands making notes of what needed to be done so that he could work on the problems. She seems to be just walking around for show.

Well, that is the only thing she does. She has absolutely no clue as to what needs to be done. And the same goes for her "advisers" and ministers.

[MikeOboe57]

[...] Deputy Interior Minister Choochart Harnsawas asked the premier to explain what would happen to people in Pathum Thani if all the flood water was directed to the Khlong Prapa waterworks canal to protect Ayutthaya. Yingluck cut him short by saying that everything had been covered in SCWRM's master plan and that she would table his concerns at the next meeting.

Guess who will lose his job in the next biannual cabinet reshuffle. Fortunately Yingluck could bluff her way out.

[Ricardo]

I like the photo in the OP #1. Clearly CEO style. "That's where I want it, all that water. So get moving"

[/quote

I think she's saying that's a nice hotel over there have you got their phone number?.

"Look at that cloud-of-smoke, over there, is that Chiang Mai or have the Iranian tourists made another 'minor symbolic act' ?"

[connda]

Nothing but a Photo Op. Ignore the public, then make plans to funnel the 5 billion baht to her father's cronies. 5 large can make a lot of tea! Anyway, nothing to see here folks...just business as usual -- well, until the next flood.

Edited February 19, 2012 by connda

[viathais]

Nothing but a Photo Op. Ignore the public, then make plans to funnel the 5 billion baht to her father's cronies. 5 large can make a lot of tea! Anyway, nothing to see here folks...just business as usual -- well, until the next flood.

How is her father involved?

[whybother]

Nothing but a Photo Op. Ignore the public, then make plans to funnel the 5 billion baht to her father's cronies. 5 large can make a lot of tea! Anyway, nothing to see here folks...just business as usual -- well, until the next flood.

How is her father involved?

[jaiyen]

The budget is not 5 billion baht, read again, it is now 4.998 billion. Someone has already taken their cut !!

[Ricardo]

I like the photo in the OP #1. Clearly CEO style. "That's where I want it, all that water. So get moving"

[/quote

I think she's saying that's a nice hotel over there have you got their phone number?.

"Get a move-on you lot, the helicopter's over there, and I've got another 17 provinces to inspect, today !"

[DocN]

Sorry folks, but how is her behavior different from all the others that came before her?

Did they do anything about floods (or any other problem, for that matter)?

Why are you all acting, like this is totally new behavior?

[Ricardo]

"Over there, that's where the Secret War-Room isn't, which I Don't know Anything About !

Did I get that right ? "

[Buchholz]

Given the situation, it's not surprising that, when asked whether they think the government's efforts will be adequate and effective, the answers from many ordinary folk in those provinces depended on the person's attitude towards the prime minister and her older brother, ousted and fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

but, but, but.... she's her own boss (according to her)....

Critics say that her exiled brother, former premier Thaksin Shinewatra, on whose coattail she is believed to have made remarkable gains in politics, is pulling the strings from behind the curtain. They find the brother's influence in many decisions of Yingluck's government including the allocation of the portfolios as Thaksin's close persons are largely the beneficiaries from the cabinet reshuffle.

Yingluck, however, rebuts such views of her critics and asserts that it is she who calls the shots.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=96723&date=2012-02-02

,

[nurofiend]

Sorry folks, but how is her behavior different from all the others that came before her?

Did they do anything about floods (or any other problem, for that matter)?

Why are you all acting, like this is totally new behavior?

don't you get it??

she didn't carry a notebook!!!

[Buchholz]

Nothing but a Photo Op. Ignore the public, then make plans to funnel the 5 billion baht to her father's cronies. 5 large can make a lot of tea! Anyway, nothing to see here folks...just business as usual -- well, until the next flood.

How is her father involved?

Thaksin Shinawatra, on the subject of Yingluck Shinawatra...

" I raised her like my eldest daughter. "

Yingluck Shinawatra, on the subject of Thaksin Shinawatra...

She described Thaksin as her “second father”

- Bloomberg News

http://www.businessw...-investors.html

.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Buchholz

[Ricardo]

Sorry folks, but how is her behavior different from all the others that came before her?

Did they do anything about floods (or any other problem, for that matter)?

Why are you all acting, like this is totally new behavior?

Fair comment, PM-Yingluck is clearly not anything new, and nor is her party/government, thus dashing the hopes of the people who were induced to vote for her, in the belief that the election-promises might actually be kept.

The point is indeed, that this is just more of the same old poo-yai rich-girl elitist clap-trap, and not the democratic people-power movement which some of us hope for, and others try to pretend that it actually is !

Meanwhile it's fair (and hopefully sometimes-amusing) to point out, that the latest 'Empress has No Clothes', isn't it ?