Deforestation Still A Problem: Yingluck

[Lite Beer]

Deforestation still a problem: PM

The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra expressed concern yesterday that the problem of deforestation in upstream areas could worsen the country's water situation and increase the chances of severe flooding and drought.

Yingluck said persistent deforestation pointed to the need for reforestation projects to continue.

Speaking during yesterday's weekly programme "The Yingluck Government Meets the People", broadcast by the Public Relations Department, the prime minister said dykes and water sluice gates in Bangkok that were damaged during last year's massive flooding have all been repaired. This week's programme was recorded on Friday during her visit to the Sam Wa Canal in Pathum Thani to inspect a dredging operation.

The PM thanked the public and private sectors for their assistance in dredging canals. She said the government has requested cooperation from communities and the private sector to help take care of the canals, with one company per canal. Under a pilot project, 277 firms have taken part in caring for 307 canals, she said.

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong yesterday expressed confidence that all the government's flood-prevention projects would be completed before "the arrival of the water mass" this year.

-- The Nation 2012-08-19

[ratcatcher]

Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong yesterday expressed confidence that all the government's flood-prevention projects would be completed before "the arrival of the water mass" this year.

First the water mass then "What a mess!"

[geriatrickid]

The proposal to promote co-operation between the private sector and the government works. Everyone has an interest in the proper operation of the flood canals. The government got that part right.

Now, the government just needs to do something about the deforestation. Madame Prime Minister, a little less PR and more action like moving forward with the charging of the culprits. A more thorough effort to obtain convictions and mandatory jail time and stiff fines for those convicted would protect the forests. Allow the brave officials at the forestry and natural resources ministries to continue remove the encroaching resorts and people will get the message.

[Moruya]

The proposal to promote co-operation between the private sector and the government works. Everyone has an interest in the proper operation of the flood canals. The government got that part right.

Now, the government just needs to do something about the deforestation. Madame Prime Minister, a little less PR and more action like moving forward with the charging of the culprits. A more thorough effort to obtain convictions and mandatory jail time and stiff fines for those convicted would protect the forests. Allow the brave officials at the forestry and natural resources ministries to continue remove the encroaching resorts and people will get the message.

Is Yingluck now a "madame"?

"Allow the brave officials" - is that the same as "please don't fire them"?

[Pseudolus]

But I thought Yingluck said there would be no mass water arriving?

Just out of interest, I wonder if Hottie Yingluck has been deforested?

[geriatrickid]

But I thought Yingluck said there would be no mass water arriving?

Just out of interest, I wonder if Hottie Yingluck has been deforested?

Write her a letter of inquiry. Be sure to give a your return address so that you will get an answer.

[geriatrickid]

Is Yingluck now a "madame"?

"Allow the brave officials" - is that the same as "please don't fire them"?

The protocol for addressing the PM of Thailand is Mr. Prime Minister. As the PM is female, the female term, Madam is used.

Mrs. Thatcher was introduced at formal events as Madam Prime Minister. When speaking with the PM you should address her as Prime Minister. I hopw this helps, should you be invited round for tea.

So far, no officials have been fired. As you well know, no one gets sacked in Thailand. They get moved to an "inactive" post until the heat cools off.

[Pseudolus]

But I thought Yingluck said there would be no mass water arriving?

Just out of interest, I wonder if Hottie Yingluck has been deforested?

Write her a letter of inquiry. Be sure to give a your return address so that you will get an answer.

She only lives down the road so I might start stalking her again. It's relatively easy; the helicopter on standby tells you when she is at home.

[toenail]

Didn't PM Yingluck's brother contribute to this problem???

[OzMick]

Madam has a secondary meaning.

Madam refers to a woman (often past her prime) who owns or manages a brothel. Seems appropriate.

[Moruya]

Is Yingluck now a "madame"?

"Allow the brave officials" - is that the same as "please don't fire them"?

The protocol for addressing the PM of Thailand is Mr. Prime Minister. As the PM is female, the female term, Madam is used.

Mrs. Thatcher was introduced at formal events as Madam Prime Minister. When speaking with the PM you should address her as Prime Minister. I hopw this helps, should you be invited round for tea.

So far, no officials have been fired. As you well know, no one gets sacked in Thailand. They get moved to an "inactive" post until the heat cools off.

The term "Madame" was perhaps a little gauche.

The chap who was doing such a sterling job of flattening illegal resorts was removed from his post by madam's administration I believe. Wonder why....

[GentlemanJim]

Madam has a secondary meaning.

Madam refers to a woman (often past her prime) who owns or manages a brothel. Seems appropriate.

Indeed!

In Thailand the term Madame is often used to refer to a large fat woman who has a bit of money or, indeed, the owner of a brothel.

Careful GK, things have different meanings in other countries. You wont see a Brit letting his wife go out on a Saturday morning for a shag, nor would he dare refer to a woman's fanny.

[apetley]

The proposal to promote co-operation between the private sector and the government works. Everyone has an interest in the proper operation of the flood canals. The government got that part right.

Now, the government just needs to do something about the deforestation. Madame Prime Minister, a little less PR and more action like moving forward with the charging of the culprits. A more thorough effort to obtain convictions and mandatory jail time and stiff fines for those convicted would protect the forests. Allow the brave officials at the forestry and natural resources ministries to continue remove the encroaching resorts and people will get the message.

Whilst it is neccessary to tackle the problem of illegal resorts I would say the main contributor to deforestation is the annual slash and burn that goes on seemingly unabated year after year.

Warnings are given about the effects re flooding and pollution but when was the last time anyone was prosecuted for destroying forest by burning?

Maybe people will think twice before setting light to a hillside to clear it if there was a chance of being caught but there seems very little chance of that happening.

[apetley]

Madam has a secondary meaning.

Madam refers to a woman (often past her prime) who owns or manages a brothel. Seems appropriate.

Indeed!

In Thailand the term Madame is often used to refer to a large fat woman who has a bit of money or, indeed, the owner of a brothel.

Careful GK, things have different meanings in other countries. You wont see a Brit letting his wife go out on a Saturday morning for a shag, nor would he dare refer to a woman's fanny.

.......unless referring to some worn out old madame at the same time:-)

[rubl]

The PM thanked the public and private sectors for their assistance in dredging canals. She said the government has requested cooperation from communities and the private sector to help take care of the canals, with one company per canal. Under a pilot project, 277 firms have taken part in caring for 307 canals, she said.

Interesting. How does this work out with regards to budget, control & supervision, responsibility, etc.?

BTW the public/private sector took part in caring AFTER the army did the work as indicated by the PM a few days ago.

"She elaborated that the government has assigned the army to be in charge of canal-dredging and landscape improvement works, and the latter has completed the task mentioned on 277 canals as scheduled. The project is aimed at increasing the efficiency of water use and storage."

Edited August 19, 2012 by rubl

[billd766]

Is Yingluck now a "madame"?

"Allow the brave officials" - is that the same as "please don't fire them"?

The protocol for addressing the PM of Thailand is Mr. Prime Minister. As the PM is female, the female term, Madam is used.

Mrs. Thatcher was introduced at formal events as Madam Prime Minister. When speaking with the PM you should address her as Prime Minister. I hopw this helps, should you be invited round for tea.

So far, no officials have been fired. As you well know, no one gets sacked in Thailand. They get moved to an "inactive" post until the heat cools off.

Taken in this context the term is 100 % correct.

"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less."

"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."

"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - that's all."

Through the Looking Glass.

[maidu]

She's on the right track. If I was advising her, I'd recommend reforesting with a vareity of trees, not just monotypic and all in rows - which will be the Thai style. She's also fixated on 'people issues' (because she's always playing to voters) and doesn't mention the other species we share the planet with. Deforestation affects a lot more than people.

Incidentally, the Shinawatre clan are near or at the top of the list of housing tract investors. Housing tracts contribute to deforestation on a grand scale, and cover soil with concrete and tarmac - thousands of rai per day. Compacted and covered soil doesn't percolate water very well.

[cowslip]

She's on the right track. If I was advising her, I'd recommend reforesting with a vareity of trees, not just monotypic and all in rows - which will be the Thai style. She's also fixated on 'people issues' (because she's always playing to voters) and doesn't mention the other species we share the planet with. Deforestation affects a lot more than people.

Incidentally, the Shinawatre clan are near or at the top of the list of housing tract investors. Housing tracts contribute to deforestation on a grand scale, and cover soil with concrete and tarmac - thousands of rai per day. Compacted and covered soil doesn't percolate water very well.

[cowslip]

So no proposals to stop the de-forestation then? Just dig more ditches for the run off?

[MaxLee]

I think our Prime Minister is just getting "out-corrupted" by her own cynic business men and politician people...

Edited August 19, 2012 by MaxLee

[bigbamboo]

But I thought Yingluck said there would be no mass water arriving?

Just out of interest, I wonder if Hottie Yingluck has been deforested?

Good to see Pseudolus is thinking outside the box at least.

And to be fair to GK he did refer to Madame Prime Minister as a form of address which is quite correct. The pejorative use of 'madam' as a noun is totally different of course.

Edited August 19, 2012 by bigbamboo

[OzMick]

Deforestation is a problem, but reforestation is her answer? What about the time it takes to grow a tree?

Wouldn't it be wise to initiate some steps to reduce encroachment and timber theft? I suppose there's not as much rake off in that compared to dodgy tree planting contracts.

[h90]

Deforestation is a problem, but reforestation is her answer? What about the time it takes to grow a tree?

Wouldn't it be wise to initiate some steps to reduce encroachment and timber theft? I suppose there's not as much rake off in that compared to dodgy tree planting contracts.

reforestation...needs time, a long time project which also gives jobs and in the long run money.

but it is more a 10-50 year project than the usual 3 month

[bigbamboo]

Deforestation is a problem, but reforestation is her answer? What about the time it takes to grow a tree?

Wouldn't it be wise to initiate some steps to reduce encroachment and timber theft? I suppose there's not as much rake off in that compared to dodgy tree planting contracts.

Remember the rubber sapling scandal?

[OzMick]

Deforestation is a problem, but reforestation is her answer? What about the time it takes to grow a tree?

Wouldn't it be wise to initiate some steps to reduce encroachment and timber theft? I suppose there's not as much rake off in that compared to dodgy tree planting contracts.

Remember the rubber sapling scandal?

And now the red MP genius wants to bulldoze them to push the price up.

[Mosha]

Put Chalerm on it, 90 days problem solved.

[cowslip]

THe last time they had a "re-forestation" program they cleared acres of virgin forest to make room for plantations..

you can't just plant some trees, you have to re-create the conditions for a full forest bio-system to develop

Edited August 19, 2012 by cowslip

[maidu]

Deforestation is a problem, but reforestation is her answer? What about the time it takes to grow a tree?

Wouldn't it be wise to initiate some steps to reduce encroachment and timber theft? I suppose there's not as much rake off in that compared to dodgy tree planting contracts.

reforestation...needs time, a long time project which also gives jobs and in the long run money.

but it is more a 10-50 year project than the usual 3 month

A Eucalyptus plantation went in on the 10 rai next to my 10 rai. The trees grew fast, but the owner chose to chop them all down at 3 years old. He figured they were just big enough to get some money to sell them as poles. Same with another neighbor with 17 rai of Teak which he'd bought. The trees were 13 years old (6 to 8 inches diameter) when he bought the tract, and he cut them within 12 months of taking the property. Now both those properties are tree stumps with weeds, and that's what Ms Yingluck will get with Thai style reforestation.

THe last time they had a "re-forestation" program they cleared acres of virgin forest to make room for plantations.. You can't just plant some trees, you have to re-create the conditions for a full forest bio-system to develop

Exactly. I don't trust Thais to do reforestation. Bring in some hippies from northern California, or some folks from Sweden, if they want it done right.

[JcCarlin]

The proposal to promote co-operation between the private sector and the government works. Everyone has an interest in the proper operation of the flood canals. The government got that part right.

Now, the government just needs to do something about the deforestation. Madame Prime Minister, a little less PR and more action like moving forward with the charging of the culprits. A more thorough effort to obtain convictions and mandatory jail time and stiff fines for those convicted would protect the forests. Allow the brave officials at the forestry and natural resources ministries to continue remove the encroaching resorts and people will get the message.

So many national parks employees are getting paid under the table to cut down rare trees and murder endangered species, how can the government compete? it takes the PEOPLE to monitor these policing agencies and more private investigations into these government outfits by journalists and reporters without borders.

I spoke with a forest monastery owner the other day and he told me to be careful for most of these journalists and environmental heroes often get killed or go missing for unknown reason in the LOS........

[hellodolly]

Does she even know the reason to re forest the land?