Plodprasop: Bangkok Residents Should Pack And Flee If Floodwaters Reach Ayutthaya's Wang Noi

[rubl]

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi Monday advised Bangkokians to start packing their belongings and getting prepared to flee if upstream floodwaters have reached Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

[Nisa]

This guy may be a doofus but it doesn't help the news or translator chose to use the word "flee" instead of "evacuate" or that they headline reads he is advising people to flee but the story says he is advising them to prepare if the water hits a certain point.

My god, that is splitting hairs to the nTh degree, flee or evacuate, what is the difference?

I'll tell you what the difference is......... none.

And this is the pinnacle of leadership here, rue the day that more than 50% of the population come to realise that they are being lead by a bunch of mindless jerks in suits.... it can't come too soon for me.

Not even close to splitting hairs - one provides an image of fear and panic and the other order and preparation. Not even close to the same terminology and this is why leaders use the word evacuate instead of flee unless there is an immediate danger such as a Tsunami and they literally want people to run.

https://www.google.c...=define%3A+flee

flee

1. Run away from a place or situation of danger: "a man was shot twice as he fled from five masked youths".

2. Run away from (someone or something): "he was forced to flee the country".

https://www.google.c...&bih=615&ix=seb

evacuate

1. Remove (someone) from a place of danger to a safe place.

2. Leave or cause the occupants to leave (a place of danger).

I highly doubt the word he used, if translated properly, would equate to the English meaning of "flee"

Not to mention the headline says he is advising people to flee when he clearly is not and is simply asking people to be prepared, according to the actual story.

Edited February 20, 2012 by Nisa

[Nisa]

Haha, you guys sound like a bunch of grumpy ole men. Be positive and be happy. Dude didn't say leave yet. He said if x happens and be prepared. Sometimes that all you can do.

Floods suck for sure and sometimes there us nothing you can do to completely alleviate the possibility, especially if, and as someone mentioned, 30 percent of Thailand us in a flood plane. If true then what do you expect?

I don't know what type of clown this guy is or even if he is one but providing people a time when and if they should be concerned and what to do at that point sounds like a very reasonable thing to do. He didn't say to run away or flee as the headline indicates but clearly says to be prepared in the event water reaches a certain point and an intelligent person may see that as being a warning that if floods reach that level then the next move "may" be the need to evacuate but obviously that will have to be determined based on numerous other factors if the water reaches the defined location.

These types of warnings are common in the US when dealing with severe weather or floods, such as; "If the storm begins to move to the north, residents are urged to be prepared to evacuate low lying areas ...."

Edited February 20, 2012 by Nisa

[phiphidon]

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi Monday advised Bangkokians to start packing their belongings and getting prepared to flee if upstream floodwaters have reached Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

But then again you may begin to wonder about the wisdom of a number of people deciding to make a home amongst a heap of tidal mudflats, salt marshes, peat marshes and flood plains - maybe the Dutch aren't so "wise" after all?

[rubl]

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi Monday advised Bangkokians to start packing their belongings and getting prepared to flee if upstream floodwaters have reached Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

But then again you may begin to wonder about the wisdom of a number of people deciding to make a home amongst a heap of tidal mudflats, salt marshes, peat marshes and flood plains - maybe the Dutch aren't so "wise" after all?

Could be, some even got involved in East Anglia I understand. Makes you wonder. On the other hand, all those fools in London needing a Thames Barrier, the 120 million people in BanglaDesh, the quake happy Californians, etc., etc.

So, please tell me, how was your day today ?

[Nisa]

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi Monday advised Bangkokians to start packing their belongings and getting prepared to flee if upstream floodwaters have reached Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

But then again you may begin to wonder about the wisdom of a number of people deciding to make a home amongst a heap of tidal mudflats, salt marshes, peat marshes and flood plains - maybe the Dutch aren't so "wise" after all?

Actually the dutch were involved in the managing (mismanaging?) of the floods last year ... http://www.dutchwatersector.com/news/features/2011/12/dutch-simulations-models-helped-thai-authorities-to-combat-bangkok-floods/

[rubl]

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi Monday advised Bangkokians to start packing their belongings and getting prepared to flee if upstream floodwaters have reached Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

But then again you may begin to wonder about the wisdom of a number of people deciding to make a home amongst a heap of tidal mudflats, salt marshes, peat marshes and flood plains - maybe the Dutch aren't so "wise" after all?

Actually the dutch were involved in the managing (mismanaging?) of the floods last year ... http://www.dutchwate...bangkok-floods/

Like most Thai already know long time: it's those farang who spoil things. Better not listen to them

BTW 'we showed', 'we advised', 'we were ignored'?

Edited February 20, 2012 by rubl

[PoorSucker]

[PoorSucker]

14/10/2011

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi on Friday apologised to Bangkok people for his premature flood evacuation alert yesterday evening.

[Nisa]

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

But then again you may begin to wonder about the wisdom of a number of people deciding to make a home amongst a heap of tidal mudflats, salt marshes, peat marshes and flood plains - maybe the Dutch aren't so "wise" after all?

Actually the dutch were involved in the managing (mismanaging?) of the floods last year ... http://www.dutchwate...bangkok-floods/

Like most Thai already know long time: it's those farang who spoil things. Better not listen to them

BTW 'we showed', 'we advised', 'we were ignored'?

According to the link provided ...

Both (Dutch flood experts) flood experts look back on a very successful mission……

[rubl]

Actually the dutch were involved in the managing (mismanaging?) of the floods last year ... http://www.dutchwate...bangkok-floods/

Like most Thai already know long time: it's those farang who spoil things. Better not listen to them

BTW 'we showed', 'we advised', 'we were ignored'?

According to the link provided ...

Both (Dutch flood experts) flood experts look back on a very successful mission……

That was on December 19th when a proposal for consultancy was still under consideration, apart from it being unclear if the consultants said so, or the writer of the article just wrote so (Dutch name it seems).

After the "look back on a very successful mission" is where the 'we showed', 'we advised', etc. continues. You may wonder what the meaning is of "Due to our presences they were also able to prevent more damage to happen."

Something lost in translation? Polite double talk? Dutch saved 10 million Bangkokians from drowning?

Edited February 20, 2012 by rubl

[webfact]

FLOOD PLANS

Ayutthaya area could be key warning sign

The Nation

Bangkok 'would need evacuations if Wang Noi floods'

BANGKOK: -- Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi, releasing a new flood warning sign yesterday after making several blunders during the heavy inundation late last year, said Bangkok residents should evacuate if floods reach Wang Noi district in Ayutthaya.

Plodprasob cited a study by a government-appointed committee to study and overhaul flood and water management plan, which said flooding in Wang Noi, 50 kilometres northeast of Bangkok, could be a sign showing that the capital could not be saved.

The Wang Noi factor is among four indicators suggesting a high chance of Bangkok being flooded eventually during the wet season in coming years.

The first factor is floodwaters exceeding 4 billion cubic metres, the second is water catchment areas below Nakhon Sawan stagnating for lengthy periods.

On behalf of the prime minister, who was away in Malaysia on an official visit, he said the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) study said the third factor was runoff travelling past Chaiyanat with an unspecified excess volume.

A priority in this year's measures to prevent massive flooding is to lower the water in all major dam reservoirs to 45 per cent of capacity, Plodprasob said, citing a recommendation from the SCWRM.

"It's better dealing with drought [after releasing water from dams] than suffering from heavy flooding," he said.

Thailand is expected to face a large amount of rainfall in the full six-month wet season this year as a result of the La Nina weather phenomenon and a global temperature drop. There will possibly be three storms, including one regarded as violent, which would bring heavy downpours, he added.

The obstacles detected by the SCWRM are shallow waterways, occupation of water catchment areas, and constructions of roads and housing estates that block man-made water drainage channels and waterways, with many new bridges whose foundations are set in the middle of waterways.

"A new policy against building bridges with pillars in the waterways will be put into effect soon, as a result," he added.

The Interior Ministry said it found that public catchment areas in many central provinces north of Bangkok had been encroached on, making drainage difficult and reducing storage volume drastically.

The total storage volume has been slashed by half as a result of encroachment, said deputy permanent secretary Pracha Terat, who accused "political influences" of being behind the encroachment and trespasses.

Governors who stood up against the problem in their provinces had "become exhausted" after facing "resistance stemming from political influences", he said.

"To solve the problem we need to do it through reform and serious concern with input from all parties in provincial authorities," he added.

All provinces taking part in the water and flood management plans have until tomorrow to submit their short-term projects for budget approval, while the long-term and overall projects would be implemented by the SCWRM.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has been given Bt1.96 billion by the Cabinet to compensate flood victims living in the capital. There is also Bt1.72 billion awaiting approval to be spent on flood prevention programmes under BMA supervision, said Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

-- The Nation 2012-02-21

[blows]

Time to buy a houseboat?

[OzMick]

Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi Monday advised Bangkokians to start packing their belongings and getting prepared to flee if upstream floodwaters have reached Wang Noi district of Ayutthaya.

Being Dutch I can only admire the level of knowledge and expertise this govenment has build up regarding 'Water Management Plans', 'Flood Control' and the like WITHOUT the help of the Dutch experts AND with PM Yingluck going on a fieldtrip telling all involved what to do.

Bravo, bravo. I'll recommend the people in the Netherlands to consult Thai experts next time there's a water problem. Just sticking your finger in a dyke like Hansje Brinker did is obviously very old-fashioned

But then again you may begin to wonder about the wisdom of a number of people deciding to make a home amongst a heap of tidal mudflats, salt marshes, peat marshes and flood plains - maybe the Dutch aren't so "wise" after all?

Peaceful people rehabilitate degraded land, and even reclaim the sea when they need "Lebensraum." For that they should be congratulated.

Do you think it would be wiser to use the German method?

[OzMick]

Like most Thai already know long time: it's those farang who spoil things. Better not listen to them

BTW 'we showed', 'we advised', 'we were ignored'?

According to the link provided ...

Both (Dutch flood experts) flood experts look back on a very successful mission……

I always try to call in a flood expert before my testicles are submerged.

[Thaddeus]

This guy may be a doofus but it doesn't help the news or translator chose to use the word "flee" instead of "evacuate" or that they headline reads he is advising people to flee but the story says he is advising them to prepare if the water hits a certain point.

My god, that is splitting hairs to the nTh degree, flee or evacuate, what is the difference?

I'll tell you what the difference is......... none.

And this is the pinnacle of leadership here, rue the day that more than 50% of the population come to realise that they are being lead by a bunch of mindless jerks in suits.... it can't come too soon for me.

Not even close to splitting hairs - one provides an image of fear and panic and the other order and preparation. Not even close to the same terminology and this is why leaders use the word evacuate instead of flee unless there is an immediate danger such as a Tsunami and they literally want people to run.

https://www.google.c...=define%3A+flee

flee

1. Run away from a place or situation of danger: "a man was shot twice as he fled from five masked youths".

2. Run away from (someone or something): "he was forced to flee the country".

https://www.google.c...&bih=615&ix=seb

evacuate

1. Remove (someone) from a place of danger to a safe place.

2. Leave or cause the occupants to leave (a place of danger).

I highly doubt the word he used, if translated properly, would equate to the English meaning of "flee"

Not to mention the headline says he is advising people to flee when he clearly is not and is simply asking people to be prepared, according to the actual story.

Ah, so you have a dictionary, well done.

When a good percentage of the population were underwater for an extended period and then noises start being made about it happening again, do you seriously think that they will first look up in their dictionaries if they should just flee or flee in an organised fashion.

And with the announcement earlier it is comforting to see that this minister is following the time honoured Thai in a suit methodology.

1. Say something that sounds important.

2. Have it pointed out how dumb a comment it was.

and then multiple choice.

a ) Deny saying it.

b ) Retract the statement.

c ) Apologise (rare)

d ) Sue the pointee

e ) Flee

Edited February 21, 2012 by Thaddeus

[Nisa]

This guy may be a doofus but it doesn't help the news or translator chose to use the word "flee" instead of "evacuate" or that they headline reads he is advising people to flee but the story says he is advising them to prepare if the water hits a certain point.

My god, that is splitting hairs to the nTh degree, flee or evacuate, what is the difference?

I'll tell you what the difference is......... none.

And this is the pinnacle of leadership here, rue the day that more than 50% of the population come to realise that they are being lead by a bunch of mindless jerks in suits.... it can't come too soon for me.

Not even close to splitting hairs - one provides an image of fear and panic and the other order and preparation. Not even close to the same terminology and this is why leaders use the word evacuate instead of flee unless there is an immediate danger such as a Tsunami and they literally want people to run.

https://www.google.c...=define%3A+flee

flee

1. Run away from a place or situation of danger: "a man was shot twice as he fled from five masked youths".

2. Run away from (someone or something): "he was forced to flee the country".

https://www.google.c...&bih=615&ix=seb

evacuate

1. Remove (someone) from a place of danger to a safe place.

2. Leave or cause the occupants to leave (a place of danger).

I highly doubt the word he used, if translated properly, would equate to the English meaning of "flee"

Not to mention the headline says he is advising people to flee when he clearly is not and is simply asking people to be prepared, according to the actual story.

Ah, so you have a dictionary, well done.

When a good percentage of the population were underwater for an extended period and then noises start being made about it happening again, do you seriously think that they will first look up in their dictionaries if they should just flee or flee in an organised fashion.

<snip>

I don't believe they have to look up the word to understand the meaning. I also don't believe he used the word and instead it is a very bad translation that resulted in a twisting of his his words, which was my point.

Even though I provided you the difference between these words, at your request, you still don't get there is a huge difference in this kind of context and to "flee in an organized fashion" is somewhat of an oxymoron. Have you ever heard such a phrase used?

I wasn't expecting an admission that you made a mistake in your attack of my post nor was one needed but I am baffled why you want to compound and advertise your mistake further with a reply like this.

Edited February 21, 2012 by Nisa

[Thaddeus]

I wasn't expecting an admission that you made a mistake in your attack of my post nor was one needed but I am baffled why you want to compound and advertise your mistake further with a reply like this.

Tip ..... if you are in a hole, stop digging.

[Orac]

The report in post #72 sounds like he was being quite reasonable in addressing the issues facing the nation and makes the original report, if taken from the same event, sound over the top and sensational.

[Nisa]

The report in post #72 sounds like he was being quite reasonable in addressing the issues facing the nation and makes the original report, if taken from the same event, sound over the top and sensational.

Thanks for pointing that post out, I missed it.

Although it appears to be a much more unprofessional report, it leaves one wondering if the water does hit that specific area are residents supposed to prepare or is that actually the cue to evacuate.

[Orac]

The report in post #72 sounds like he was being quite reasonable in addressing the issues facing the nation and makes the original report, if taken from the same event, sound over the top and sensational.

Thanks for pointing that post out, I missed it.

Although it appears to be a much more unprofessional report, it leaves one wondering if the water does hit that specific area are residents supposed to prepare or is that actually the cue to evacuate.

According to the other paper, he was giving example of how flood warnings would work so that people had better notification to prepare and used the 40km marker at Wang Noi as his example of when Bangkok residents should start to remove belongings.

[blows]

He should use my weather forecasting device. It is a ball hanging from a string outside my window. 100% accurate.

When ball is wet, rain

When ball is white, snow

When ball not hanging straight down, windy

When ball is missing, tornado

When ball under water, FLOOD

[rubl]

The report in post #72 sounds like he was being quite reasonable in addressing the issues facing the nation and makes the original report, if taken from the same event, sound over the top and sensational.

Thanks for pointing that post out, I missed it.

Although it appears to be a much more unprofessional report, it leaves one wondering if the water does hit that specific area are residents supposed to prepare or is that actually the cue to evacuate.

According to the other paper, he was giving example of how flood warnings would work so that people had better notification to prepare and used the 40km marker at Wang Noi as his example of when Bangkok residents should start to remove belongings.

Somehow unsaid seems what happened with the millions of people living North of the Wang Noi marker?

[trainman34014]

Right now there are fortune tellers scaring the population with predictions of 5 to 7 metre floods next year, any chance of putting a gag on these people?

Why do that when they are probably more accurate than the pricks who are running the country right now?

[Reasonableman]

The report in post #72 sounds like he was being quite reasonable in addressing the issues facing the nation and makes the original report, if taken from the same event, sound over the top and sensational.

Thanks for pointing that post out, I missed it.

Although it appears to be a much more unprofessional report, it leaves one wondering if the water does hit that specific area are residents supposed to prepare or is that actually the cue to evacuate.

According to the other paper, he was giving example of how flood warnings would work so that people had better notification to prepare and used the 40km marker at Wang Noi as his example of when Bangkok residents should start to remove belongings.

Somehow unsaid seems what happened with the millions of people living North of the Wang Noi marker?

"It's too late" ?

[Orac]

The report in post #72 sounds like he was being quite reasonable in addressing the issues facing the nation and makes the original report, if taken from the same event, sound over the top and sensational.

Thanks for pointing that post out, I missed it.

Although it appears to be a much more unprofessional report, it leaves one wondering if the water does hit that specific area are residents supposed to prepare or is that actually the cue to evacuate.

According to the other paper, he was giving example of how flood warnings would work so that people had better notification to prepare and used the 40km marker at Wang Noi as his example of when Bangkok residents should start to remove belongings.

Somehow unsaid seems what happened with the millions of people living North of the Wang Noi marker?

As said, it was only an example of when a warning should be given to a specific location of what action to take. He also made it clear that they were also identifying other areas/provinces that would receive warnings when flooding/run off reached their trigger points so I would assume those living north of the Wang Noi marker will get a warning when a particular trigger point floods.

[rubl]

According to the other paper, he was giving example of how flood warnings would work so that people had better notification to prepare and used the 40km marker at Wang Noi as his example of when Bangkok residents should start to remove belongings.

Somehow unsaid seems what happened with the millions of people living North of the Wang Noi marker?

As said, it was only an example of when a warning should be given to a specific location of what action to take. He also made it clear that they were also identifying other areas/provinces that would receive warnings when flooding/run off reached their trigger points so I would assume those living north of the Wang Noi marker will get a warning when a particular trigger point floods.

All hypothetical anyway as with all those billions spent on Water Management Plans, SCRWM and other workgroups and PM Yingluck personal supervision, surely there will be no floods ?

[bigbamboo]

According to the other paper, he was giving example of how flood warnings would work so that people had better notification to prepare and used the 40km marker at Wang Noi as his example of when Bangkok residents should start to remove belongings.

Somehow unsaid seems what happened with the millions of people living North of the Wang Noi marker?

As said, it was only an example of when a warning should be given to a specific location of what action to take. He also made it clear that they were also identifying other areas/provinces that would receive warnings when flooding/run off reached their trigger points so I would assume those living north of the Wang Noi marker will get a warning when a particular trigger point floods.

All hypothetical anyway as with all those billions spent on Water Management Plans, SCRWM and other workgroups and PM Yingluck personal supervision, surely there will be no floods ?

There will be three storms this rainy season according to the Science Minister. Just waiting for the exact dates now.

Edited February 21, 2012 by bigbamboo

[Reasonableman]

One is too few... hmmmm, so is 2. 4 is a bit scary, don't want people to panic. How about 3, then. Yes, 3, that sounds good.

[rubl]

Plodprasop said Thailand was expected to be hit by heavy rains and at least three tropical storms, expecting to generate some 50 to 60 billion cubic metres of floodwaters.

And now for something completely different:

109 districts in 15 provinces hit by drought

February 21, 2012 1:52 pm

The long period of no rains has affected 6,768 villages in 109 districts of 15 provinces, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Director-General Wibul Sanguanpong said Tuesday.

Wibul said the 15 provinces include ten northern ones - Kampaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Nan, Phayao, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Uttaradit, and Chiang Rai.

The rest are northeastern Loei, two central provicnes - Phetchaburi and Suphan Buri - and two eastern provices - Chanthaburi and Chachoengsao.

-- The Nation 2012-02-21