Thai editorial: The ticking time bomb in our midst

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
The ticking time bomb in our midst
The Nation

With dangerous business allowed to flourish in the heart of our communities, the next disaster is just around the corner

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's city planners are often left fighting a rearguard action, overwhelmed by unregulated land use and construction. Concern for the safety of residents is either too little, too late or too short-lived to bring changes for a safer environment. Awareness flares up whenever a disaster strikes, but most subsequent "safety" campaigns are just flashes in the pan.

Two recent incidents in the space of a fortnight illustrate this dismal pattern.

In Samut Prakan, smoke from a garbage dump that caught fire late last month created a serious health hazard for residents in the surrounding area. That the fire has flared up again is anything but a surprise. In the other incident, a World War II bomb exploded in a scrap yard in suburban Bangkok last week, killing seven and injuring 20.

These incidents were unrelated, but they do share a common trait typical to Thailand: hazardous businesses located near residential areas.

The human suffering caused by each of these incidents would have been far less had city planning been effectively implemented and the law strictly upheld. Scrap yards like the one at which the bomb exploded are dotted across the city's residential areas. Who knows how many of them harbour potential for more such disasters, or are the hidden cause of health problems. Likewise, garbage dumps spring up across our cities, with little evidence that operators have considered the harm their toxic waste could cause.

Thailand doesn't lack measures for city planning and zoning. But the blueprints are weak, drawn up by planners unable to anticipate problems and prevent them. When it comes to safety and health, we are reactive. Disasters like the Santika pub fire in 2009 provoke a rash of calls for safety in public buildings, but they quickly die down as the tragedy recedes to distant memory.

Meanwhile, without tight planning regulations and their effective implementation, the time bomb goes on quietly ticking towards another disaster.

If this sounds alarmist, cast your eyes towards the high-rise buildings mushrooming in our cities. Many obviously flout fire regulations, being located on narrow roads that no fire-truck could ever access.

Compounding the lack of forward thinking are the problems with law enforcement. Many tragedies can be traced back to lax enforcement of the rules. Those responsible are neglecting their duty and failing to realise that their work is often a matter of life and death. This failure might come down to simple negligence, but it is often tinged by corruption, whereby law enforcers accept bribes to turn a blind eye.

The full scale of the damage caused by the garbage-dump fire has yet to be revealed, with the latest reports focusing on water contamination. The terrible impact of the scrap-yard explosion was more immediate, but both underline the need for tighter city planning law. These recent incidents serve as a strong reminder that tragedy waits around the corner unless we pay more attention to city planning, zoning and the effective enforcement of building regulation.


-- The Nation 2014-04-09

[kjun12]

How can you discuss the Thai police and not mention corruption and graft. They are the some of the biggest crooks in Thailand. Not to mention their stupidity.

[rametindallas]

And Suthep thinks he can bring reform to Thailand.

[tezzainoz]

And Suthep thinks he can bring reform to Thailand.

Maybe not

But at Least he wants to try

while you just sit back and make smart comments

[OMGImInPattaya]

And Suthep thinks he can bring reform to Thailand.

Maybe not

But at Least he wants to try

while you just sit back and make smart comments

You mean like he did when he was in power in government. When did he have time for all that anti-corruption activity when he was corruptly lining his own pockets? Edited April 9, 2014 by OMGImInPattaya

[chainarong]

The rule of law , industrial law, construction law, town planning law, infrastructure law, hygiene law, environmental law , the whole lot need a complete overhaul, the trouble starts in implementing and carrying out these laws and the corruption that these laws introduce , to circumvent these laws ,Thailand's moral standards are down in the pits so don't expect to see any action soon.

[antimedia]

And Suthep thinks he can bring reform to Thailand.

Maybe not

But at Least he wants to try

while you just sit back and make smart comments

You mean like he did when he was in power in government. When did he have time for all that anti-corruption activity when he was corruptly lining his own pockets?

You clowns like to live in the past, just like the last government.

[Valentine]

The rule of law , industrial law, construction law, town planning law, infrastructure law, hygiene law, environmental law , the whole lot need a complete overhaul, the trouble starts in implementing and carrying out these laws and the corruption that these laws introduce , to circumvent these laws ,Thailand's moral standards are down in the pits so don't expect to see any action soon.

Strict enforcement of existing laws would be a good start & speeding up of court cases so they do not drag on for years especially with the pitiful excuses offered for not being able to turn up on the appointed day.

[PatOngo]

The rule of law , industrial law, construction law, town planning law, infrastructure law, hygiene law, environmental law , the whole lot need a complete overhaul, the trouble starts in implementing and carrying out these laws and the corruption that these laws introduce , to circumvent these laws ,Thailand's moral standards are down in the pits so don't expect to see any action soon.

Strict enforcement of existing laws would be a good start & speeding up of court cases so they do not drag on for years especially with the pitiful excuses offered for not being able to turn up on the appointed day.

There's as much chance of that as owners keeping their dogs from barking at night.

[rametindallas]

And Suthep thinks he can bring reform to Thailand.

Maybe not

But at Least he wants to try

while you just sit back and make smart comments

I'm not Thai and I don't want to be deported. What do you suggest I do besides 'sit back'. You did agree that it was possible that no reforms will take place "Maybe not", you wrote.

I'm just being practical. How long have you been in the Kingdom that you are still optimistic about reform of Thai society? Thailand can't even reform its driving habits and has the second highest rate of highway deaths on the planet. Most businesses have tailored their business practices to accommodate the endemic corruption. Are they, all of a sudden, going to follow the straight and narrow? No. This behavior has invaded the schools where 'tea money' is required for enrollment. I want reform here as much as anyone. I'm just being realistic.

I applaud Suthep for his efforts to remove the Thaksin's puppet government but I don't want him, or any of his cohorts, anywhere near a reform committee. Suthep has tasted from the same cup as Thaksin and it is a heady drink; he can't handle power any better than Thaksin. His statements of late make me think he wants to take the 'crazy' prize from Jatuporn. Just because he is anti-Thaksin doesn't mean he's not horribly flawed.

Sorry if I'm not 'true believer' enough for you.

Edited April 9, 2014 by rametindallas

[marko kok prong]

ticking time bomb? i would suggest it exploded a long time ago.

[tookwan cottage]

ticking time bomb? i would suggest it exploded a long time ago.

Wow, this place seems pretty darn good for a country that "exploded" long ago. I don't deny the problems, but your diction might need greater consideration.