PM Yingluck Warns Officials Not To Block Run-Off: Flood Prevention Work

[webfact]

FLOOD-PREVENTION WORK

Officials warned not to block run-off

JEERAPONG PRASERTPONKRANG,

THANATPONG KONGSAI

THE NATION

Efforts by provincial chiefs last year created problems, Yingluck says

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned relevant authorities yesterday against blocking volumes of water on the shared borders of provinces.

Officials in many downstream provinces went to great lengths last year to keep run-off from the upper part of the country out of their areas. But they succumbed in the end to the massive volume of water that flowed down and caused great damage.

"I have noticed that authorities in different provinces are still working separately. But I would like to emphasise that they must coordinate [flood prevention work]," Yingluck said during a teleconference with the governors of Kampaeng Phet, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, and Chainat.

She said that flood-prevention projects must also be implemented within deadlines.

"Stick to the schedule set out by the Water and Flood Management Committee (WFMC). All urgent projects must be completed by July. If necessary, seek help from the armed forces to prevent any delay," Yingluck said.

Speaking in his capacity as head of the WFMC, Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee said dur?ing the conference the PM had expressed concern about the towns of Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani.

Yingluck visited Nakhon Sawan yesterday to follow up on the progress of flood-prevention work.

Her tour to many flood-prone provinces kicked off Monday in a bid to step up prevention efforts and boost public confidence in prepara?tions. Yesterday was her third day in riverside areas.

Although the country is still at the onset of the rainy season, flooding has already hit many provinces, including Sukhothai.

In Sukhothai town, a man was found drowned inside his flooded home. The victim was identified as Amnuay On-pom, 61.

The water level was only about 50 cm - so it is believed Amnuay may have slipped and knocked himself unconscious, or fainted, and was thus unable to get out of the water.

His elder sister, Chan Onpom, said her brother waded out of the flooded home on Tuesday to pick up the government-provided pension for the elderly and relief items for flood victims.

"In the evening, there was a thunderstorm. I didn't know he would decide to brave the tough weather back," Chan said.

In related news, Chai Pattana Foundation secretary general Sumet Tantivejkul told participants at a meeting of the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC 21) that HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej had embraced mutual co-existence with nature as an approach in dealing with floods and water issues.

The conference, held by the Network for Crisis Management, began on Monday and will end in Bangkok tomorrow.

ANMC21 is an international net?work of Asian capitals and major cities that undertake joint projects on common tasks in regard to crisis management, the environment and industrial development. It seeks to boost prosperity and development in Asia. Member cities include Bangkok, Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, metropolitan Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, and Yangon.

Sumet was invited to the forum to deliver a special lecture on "His Majesty's Water-Management Talent". He said the King always emphasised the need to manage water volumes from upstream to midstream and downstream areas, and also to protect forestland. The much-revered monarch has also recommended the use of "monkey cheeks" (water-retention areas), check dams, the economic-forest concept and planting mangroves.

-- The Nation 2012-06-14

[Moruya]

I wonder why the PM as well as the born-again FROC keeps lobbing the ball in Provincial Governors' court....

[theblether]

'Somchai, take truck concrete to my land, I need material build new house me'.

You just know that is happening.

[Moruya]

'Somchai, take truck concrete to my land, I need material build new house me'.

You just know that is happening.

Are the Red Indians on a land grab?

[Pib]

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned relevant authorities yesterday against blocking volumes of water on the shared borders of provinces.

But if the waters reach Bangkok then blocking the water will be priority one.

[webfact]

Thai PM asked the Army to speed up dredging canal to make room for future upstream water

SINGBURI, 14 June 2012 (NNT) - The prime minister has asked the Royal Thai Army to speedily complete the dredging of a canal in central Thailand to make room for future upstream water.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairs the Wafer and Flood Management Committee, said that his inspection of the state-initiated flood prevention project on Tuesday and Wednesday found that many programs have achieved satisfactory progresses.

Mr. Plodprasop said that one of the initiatives that have progressed markedly is the preparation of the Kam-Ling water retention area in Singburi Province, where a 200,000-rai plot is expected to accommodate up to 523 million cubic meters of water or 10 percent of the planned retention capacity of 5 billion cubic meters, in central Thailand.

He added that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who led the 4-day inspection trip, has ordered officials in Ayutthaya, Chainat and Singburi to work collaboratively with the Royal Irrigation Department in controlling water mass that will pass through the area.

The PM also instructed the Royal Irrigation Department and the Public Works and Town & Country Planning Department to explain to farmers in related areas about the need of early harvest before the peak of the rainy season in August,

At the same time, state agencies in charge of the road and highway structure have been urged to urgently level the surfaces of all routes that will act as waterway for the Kam-Ling water retention area.

Meanwhile, the Premier has asked the Royal Thai Army to speedily complete the dredging of Noi River in Bang Rachan District of Singburi Province without separating manpower into 3 shifts in order that the project will meet its deadline in August.

PM Yingluck said that after the dredging, Noi River will be able to accommodate up to 230 million cubic meters of water.

Lastly, Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop said that the government's Single Command Center for disaster management is ready to relay important information, such as storm and tidal reports as well as water management updates to those in need.

He added that the government is confident in its flood handling measures, with the latest calculation stating that if Thailand would be hit by 28 billion cubic meters of floodwater, not more than 1.2 billion will flow downstream to central Thailand. Mr. Plodprasop affirmed that the expected spill will not lead to river overflow and flooding in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi.

-- NNT 2012-06-14

[Moruya]

Is he in charge of ice cream too?

[Thaddeus]

He added that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who led the 4-day inspection trip, has ordered officials in Ayutthaya, Chainat and Singburi to work collaboratively with the Royal Irrigation Department in controlling water mass that will pass through the area.

The Princess of Precipitation has spoken.

So mote it be.

(or should that be moat)

[h90]

I think time to rise the water prevention walls around my house another 30 cm...

[Reasonableman]

He added that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who led the 4-day inspection trip, has ordered officials in Ayutthaya, Chainat and Singburi to work collaboratively with the Royal Irrigation Department in controlling water mass that will pass through the area.

The Princess of Precipitation has spoken.

So mote it be.

(or should that be moat)

"And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?"

Edited June 14, 2012 by Reasonableman

[Yunla]

Yingluck's teleconference speech, at a guess another speech written by advisors, official secretaries and spokespersons. I am genuinely interested in how much she knows on the flooding subject that she travels around giving speeches about. Its a shame she doesn't like to go live-unscripted, because I bet if you asked her to repeat the technical details from her earlier speeches she will just go mute. Why this matters to me is that she is being forwarded as a tireless guardian against floods, a sort of dryness valkyrie.

I wonder if she could repeat details from any of her speeches of the last year at all, without scripts. In practical terms it is irrelevant, so long as other people in Govt know what work is required and listen to experts to protect against future floods etc. and they are writing Yingluck's scripts, but to me it is dishonest when it is portrayed as Yingluck's own work especially when the rest of her politics is so very vacant.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Yunla

[Gonzo the Face]

I read that the good PM is requesting of all individual provincial governments not to work individually , but to rather work as a whole for the good of all.

She is Thai. Doesn't she know that working as a team is an unknown concept for most Thais. There is no understanding of the term 'teamwork' in this country. Its a country of 'ones'. Everybody agrees to the plan as a whole, but then goes on to do what they individually want to do. Everyone wants to be the star. Look at the sports field in Thailand. Some very good individual sport stars like in boxing, tennis or golf, but what about team sports...... duhhhh.... the team makes a plan who will block and who will carry the ball then go to it and everybody tries to carry the ball and be the star.

So good luck Ms PM in getting your TEAM to work to the national plan.....

To all others start early getting the sandbags ready.......

G

[how241]

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra warned relevant authorities yesterday against blocking volumes of water on the shared borders of provinces.

But if the waters reach Bangkok then blocking the water will be priority one.

Good point. Always save Bangkok.

[OzMick]

".....Thailand would be hit by 28 billion cubic meters of floodwater, not more than 1.2 billion will flow downstream to central Thailand."

OK I give up, where does 26.8 billion cubic metres of water disappear to?

[lungmi]

Cloudy answer for the PM and team.

Edited June 14, 2012 by lungmi

[h90]

Yingluck's teleconference speech, at a guess another speech written by advisors, official secretaries and spokespersons. I am genuinely interested in how much she knows on the flooding subject that she travels around giving speeches about. Its a shame she doesn't like to go live-unscripted, because I bet if you asked her to repeat the technical details from her earlier speeches she will just go mute. Why this matters to me is that she is being forwarded as a tireless guardian against floods, a sort of dryness valkyrie.

I wonder if she could repeat details from any of her speeches of the last year at all, without scripts. In practical terms it is irrelevant, so long as other people in Govt know what work is required and listen to experts to protect against future floods etc. and they are writing Yingluck's scripts, but to me it is dishonest when it is portrayed as Yingluck's own work especially when the rest of her politics is so very vacant.

I am really no fan of her, but worldwide if you ask politicians something they are not briefed before, and if they are unconnected, you'll only get blabla without any content. If someone can record them in a moment where they think they are off record, you will hear something shockingly stupid without basic knowledge or common sense.

I don't know any politician who has any education with substance (beside law....but laws don't help on common sense).

[nickjam]

Yingluck's teleconference speech, at a guess another speech written by advisors, official secretaries and spokespersons. I am genuinely interested in how much she knows on the flooding subject that she travels around giving speeches about. Its a shame she doesn't like to go live-unscripted, because I bet if you asked her to repeat the technical details from her earlier speeches she will just go mute. Why this matters to me is that she is being forwarded as a tireless guardian against floods, a sort of dryness valkyrie.

I wonder if she could repeat details from any of her speeches of the last year at all, without scripts. In practical terms it is irrelevant, so long as other people in Govt know what work is required and listen to experts to protect against future floods etc. and they are writing Yingluck's scripts, but to me it is dishonest when it is portrayed as Yingluck's own work especially when the rest of her politics is so very vacant.

While I share your scepticism, I would hope that Yingluck IS consulting advisors to help her make these statements.No politician can be expected to be knowledgeable on every technical, geological issue and a good working PM would call on experts in these fields to make informed decisions. Yes, she should actually get her technical advisors to make these statements and stand by them. It would give her statements more credibility and actually give her someone to blame if it goes pear shaped. A good leader recognises expertise and delegates but you're right, she tries to appear all-knowing. It's a face thing!

[Moruya]

".....Thailand would be hit by 28 billion cubic meters of floodwater, not more than 1.2 billion will flow downstream to central Thailand."

OK I give up, where does 26.8 billion cubic metres of water disappear to?

It goes uphill cos Burberry boots allow you to command it to do so.

[Yunla]

I am really no fan of her, but worldwide if you ask politicians something they are not briefed before, and if they are unconnected, you'll only get blabla without any content. If someone can record them in a moment where they think they are off record, you will hear something shockingly stupid without basic knowledge or common sense.

I don't know any politician who has any education with substance (beside law....but laws don't help on common sense).

My point was sort of implying that she only gets wheeled out to announce positive news, flood-compensation, computers-to-kids, tough action on flood-protection etc. When theres bad news she disappears from the radar 100%.

In those other countries you mentioned, this announcement would be handled by the Environment Minister or similar, or scientist work-group in the relevant ministry. Imo the ony reason she is doing these multiple flood speeches every day is that it makes her look like a strong leader as opposed to her image as a proxy for the dangerous fleeing criminal.

If she knew about flood prevention, I would be impressed and then she would be justified in speaking about it. Not all politicians have sh** for brains and a lot of them had careers before going into politics which gives them a platform from which to speak on certain subjects - Yingluck doesn't have any background. In the UK many labour politicians were in manual labour and unions before joining politics and they knew about industry for example.

As much as I dislike Blair and Obama, both of them have oratory talents and have read a lot of background on the politics they are involved in, and can answer questions unscripted and engage in debate. Yingluck hides from unscripted debate like its a big scary ghost or something.

Edited June 14, 2012 by Yunla

[h90]

I am really no fan of her, but worldwide if you ask politicians something they are not briefed before, and if they are unconnected, you'll only get blabla without any content. If someone can record them in a moment where they think they are off record, you will hear something shockingly stupid without basic knowledge or common sense.

I don't know any politician who has any education with substance (beside law....but laws don't help on common sense).

My point was sort of implying that she only gets wheeled out to announce positive news, flood-compensation, computers-to-kids, tough action on flood-protection etc. When theres bad news she disappears from the radar 100%.

In those other countries you mentioned, this announcement would be handled by the Environment Minister or similar, or scientist work-group in the relevant ministry. Imo the ony reason she is doing these multiple flood speeches every day is that it makes her look like a strong leader as opposed to her image as a proxy for the dangerous fleeing criminal.

If she knew about flood prevention, I would be impressed and then she would be justified in speaking about it. Not all politicians have sh** for brains and a lot of them had careers before going into politics which gives them a platform from which to speak on certain subjects - Yingluck doesn't have any background. In the UK many labour politicians were in manual labour and unions before joining politics and they knew about industry for example.

As much as I dislike Blair and Obama, both of them have oratory talents and have read a lot of background on the politics they are involved in, and can answer questions unscripted and engage in debate. Yingluck hides from unscripted debate like its a big scary ghost or something.

you are right, I should have been more exact. Other politicians don't know much. She doesn't know anything. Like the difference between a 20 HP car and one with no engine (or brain) at all. And your examples are good. I dislike both as well and think they aren't very smart, but there are worlds between them and her.

[rubl]

So, by not blocking run-off and building flood walls we guide the water to it's proper place. I assume we mean the Gulf of Thailand with that.

Sounds easy, so let the rains start

[whybother]

So, by not blocking run-off and building flood walls we guide the water to it's proper place. I assume we mean the Gulf of Thailand with that.

Sounds easy, so let the rains start

Haven't they already started?

[philw]

So, by not blocking run-off and building flood walls we guide the water to it's proper place. I assume we mean the Gulf of Thailand with that.

Sounds easy, so let the rains start

He's singing about................?????

[rubl]

Still reading up on what has happened today I found this Thaliand Live Thrusday 14th #39

"BANGKOK: -- The government is using a Bt350-billion budget to speed up the building of dams in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces to protect the country's economic zones, Deputy Prime Minister Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong said Thursday."

Must be part of the 'don't block run-off' program

[ResX]

"He added that the government is confident in its flood handling measures, with the latest calculation stating that if Thailand would be hit by 28 billion cubic meters of floodwater, not more than 1.2 billion will flow downstream to central Thailand"

Probably that is a bit too optimistic. First of all it is quite unlikely that 28 billion cubic meters of water fall in the North. Most likely they are going to spread right from the North to the low land that is called Bangkok. If they fortified the defense solely in the North, it could become a strategic mistake.

Even if 28 billion cubic meters of flood waters fall in the North, then the total flood flow for the entire CH could be as high as above 70 billion cubic meters since the North only represents 25% of the total catchment area for CH. I can't imagine how Thailand can survive the flood of this size. Don't worry so much, it is very very remote to have 7-day flood flow at site with the volume greater than 30% of its annual average. I have never seen one over the last 25 years. The biggest 7-day flood that I have seen at site and I have successfully dealt with was about the size of 25% of its annual average rainfall.

[ResX]

".....Thailand would be hit by 28 billion cubic meters of floodwater, not more than 1.2 billion will flow downstream to central Thailand."

OK I give up, where does 26.8 billion cubic metres of water disappear to?

Good question. I wonder too. But I have no clue to say they are wrong yet.....

[ginjag]

P.M. Yingluck said " I have noticed that different provinces are working seperatly, when they should be working together.

So in 5 months didn't she know earlier ??? and didn't her water chief advise her about the problem ???? SHAMBLES---the right arm has no idea what the left arm is doing. Next thing she will do is make a dam at the foot of every mountain range Ha Ha that will fix it ??? All this digging out, and carting away-each lorry load will sell at 600 bht a dump, or is any M.Ps getting free land fill ????

[gand]

Yingluck warns?

[rubl]

Yingluck warns?

Yingluck warms?

[gand]

Yingluck warns?

Yingluck warms?

Fat fingers.