Download - Flood 2011 part 2
The Great Flood of 2011: Accountability and Governance Issues – Part 2
1
Angthong Province Source: http://blogs.voanews.com/photos/2011/09/16/september-16-2011/
Bangkok Source: The Nation, Rangsit and Nonthaburi residents rally for help,
November 16, 2011
Minburi Market Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationphoto/show-new.php?id=1&pid=12012
Ramon C. Sevilla, PhD.
APTU Thammasat University
March 18, 2012
The Big Bag solution? What was that all about?
• The flood barrier around the inner core of Bangkok had two major leaks: Lak
Hok barrier leak (North) and Khlong Samwa (north east) leak.
• Lak Hok barrier leak will soon spread flood waters to Lat Phrao.
• Solution: Big Bags along Local Road for the length of 6 km, helping the leak
to slow and BMA canals can drain off the existing flood. Source: Bangkok Post, “Situation 'will be better soon'”, November 2, 2011
Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/new/2011/11/10/national/images/30169604-01.jpg
Source: Bangkok Post, Residents angry over “big bag” barrier, November
13, 2011
1
2
Source: Bangkok Post, BMA gives Froc crisis ultimatum, Threatens to
ditch flood plan efforts if cooperation not forthcoming, November 6, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post, Bangkok fights on, October 19, 2011
Leak
Leak at Lak Hok
Flood Barrier
3
Location Map of Lak Hok and
Sai Mai Barrier
Source: Bangkok Post, Latest plan to save Bangkok, October 20, 2011
Purpose of Big Bags: to slow the pace of
runoff from the north of the country entering
the northern boundary of BMA to provide the
BMA with enough time to drain excess water
from Bangkok’s already-swollen canals and
khlongs. Source: Jared Sheldon, Bangkok Floods: Community backlash over big
bag flood barriers, November 13, 2011
http://www.thaitravelnews.net/thailand-floods/bangkok-floods-community-
backlash-big-bag-flood-barriers/
• the 18km line of big bags was expected to
reduce inflows by over 60% and the BMA
could pump water out of the capital. Source: Source: Bangkok Post, City Hall wins battle for pumps, Two weeks
needed to drain main routes, November 7, 2011
Cause of slow drainage of BMA? Insufficient
amount of pumps. BMA explains that its
internal canal system is for draining rain water
not a massive runoff.
4
Source: http://www.dickvanderlugt.nl/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bangkok-at-
risk-zones-2-november.jpg
Opening Khlong Sam Wa sluice
gate wider:
On Thursday Nov. 3rd, Democrat
MP for Bang Kapi district, Nat
Bantadtan, said that his
constituency (which lies below
Khlong Sam Wa district) was
affected after the sluice gate was
opened wider, causing the water
level in Khlong Saen Saep to rise.
If inner Bangkok is to be saved, MP
Nat Bantadtan said the sluice gate
should be closed, and that is what
the government should have done in
the first place.
Source: Bangkok Post, He said, She said, November 5,
2011
5
Location Map of Khlong Sam Wa Conflict
Source: Bangkok Post, More areas at risk due to lack of organization, November 6, 2011
6
Where did the BIG BAG idea come from?
• FROC borrowed the idea from Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani that used these
bags around the temple to protect it from the overflowing Rapheepat canal. The idea was
conveyed to Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat, in charge of erecting the big bags,
by his adviser Chadchart Sittiphan who has a close relationship with the temple.
• other sources claim Pairoj Thungthong, the former Uthai Thani MP, had first proposed
that oversized bags designed for transporting tapioca flour be filled with gravel and sand
and laid as an anti-flood embankment.
• Thaweejit Chandrasakha, president of the Association of Siamese Architects, expressed
doubts about whether the big bags really helped. He said that when flooding became too
bad, water must be allowed to take its course, he said. Water that surges fast will subside
fast and this is better than prolonging its flow. (i.e. people upstream suffer)
"If not, it is like keeping a patient ill," he said. "The big bag issue was also political. If the
government is seen as sitting on its hands, it will be criticised. It will want to do
something, and the bags helped achieve that impression," Mr Thaweejit said. Source: Bangkok Post, Opinion split on success of 'big bags' barrier, November 14, 2011
Comment: why did the government not rush the orders for more pumps?
7
It appears the main reason for diverting the flood to
eastern and western suburbs and then, the final Big
Bag “solution” was to reduce the runoff to inner
Bangkok because BMA did NOT have enough pumps!
WHY?
• BMA claims that its water drainage system was developed mainly for handling
local flooding caused by heavy rainfall, not massive run-offs from the North. Source: Bangkok Post, Canals Built To Take Localised Floods, October 30, 2011.
In other words, BMA drainage system is only
for BMA, not for BMR or other provinces. By
this reasoning, it is saying that BMA is NOT
part of the Chao Phraya River Basin!
14
Incidents of Conflict
1. October 20, 2011, chaos erupted in Bangkok's Don Muang area when a group
of angry residents seized a backhoe from Nonthaburi's Pak Kret municipal
workers to destroy an earth dyke at Srisamarn intersection. The dyke was being
built to prevent overflow from Khlong Prapa canal. Source: Bangkok Post, “Govt moves to protect inner city, Govt slammed for lack of boats, relief, Furious residents claim response was too slow”,
October 21, 2011
2. October 22, 2011, a group of Tambon Khukot villagers in Pathum Thani's Lam
Luk Ka district tried to disrupt the construction of a dyke by officials working to
prevent floodwater flowing into Khlong Prem Prachakorn. The villagers feared
the dyke would prevent water from being drained out of their district. Gunshots
were heard at the scene but there were no injuries. The officials were forced to
retreat. Source: Bangkok Post, “Gov’t makes barriers off limits, Public prohibited from interfering in relief work”, October 24, 2011
3. October 30, 2011, residents of a community behind Nawong Temple in
Bangkok’s Don Mueang district demolished a part of the waterworks canal
embankment causing contamination of raw water for tap water and flood parts of
Chaeng Wattana Road Source:The Nation, “Angry residents demolish part of Waterworks Canal embankment”, October 30, 2011
15
4. October 30, 2011, 1,000 residents living along Khlong 3 and Khlong 4 in
Khlong Sam Wa district blockaded a road near the Hathaimit-Wat Sukjai
intersection to demand BMAl open Khlong Sam Wa sluice gate wider. They
claimed the narrow opening of the gate was why their community had been so
badly flooded. Source: Bangkok Post, “Residents threaten BMA staff, Shots fired in attempts to stop barrier building”, October 31, 2011.
Residents also destroyed part of the canal floodwall in Khlong Sam Wa
district. Some used sledge hammers to try to demolish the gates. They were
demanding the sluice gate be raised from 80cm to 150cm.
The BMA agreed to raise the floodgate at Khlong Sam Wa from 80cm to
150cm.
Source: Bangkok Post, Sam Wa floodgate to be raised, October 31, 2011.
Source: Bangkok Post, “Fed-up residents force open water sluice gates”, November 1, 2011
11
5. November 2, 2011, around 100 residents of Nakhon Chaisri's Moo 3
destroyed an earthen embankment built to protect the neighbouring Tambon
Khun Kaew where a Dutch Mill factory, a cooking oil factory and a bank are
located. The protesters claimed the embankment caused 1.5m-deep floods at
Phermwittaya School, where Moo 3 evacuees have been staying. The protesters
managed to destroy the embankment and drove workers and backhoe
excavators out of the area. Source: The Nation, “Nakhon Pathom factories threatened as residents destroy floodwalls”, November 2, 2011
6. November 2, 2011, in Sam Phran district, floodwalls built to protect some
2,000 food-processing factories in the economic area comprising Tambon Om
Yai, Om Noi, Rai Khing and Krathum Lom were at the centre of clashes
between guards and some 200 residents of Don Wai Floating Market and
Tambon Bang Rateuk. The protesters destroyed the floodwalls, which they
claimed had caused 1.5-metre-deep floodwaters at the floating market and
Tambon Bang Rateuk. Source: The Nation, “Nakhon Pathom factories threatened as residents destroy floodwalls”, November 2, 2011
12
Source: The Nation, “Nakhon Pathom factories threatened as residents destroy floodwalls”, November 2, 2011
A large volume of water
from the Tha Chin River
inundated Nakhon
Chaisi and Sam Phran in
Nakhon Pathom
province yesterday after
residents of both
districts destroyed
floodwalls.
13
7. November 2, 2011 evening, vandals destroyed 17 points in the dykes
protecting the Khlong Prapha canal, the source of tapped water that almost 10
million Bangkokians rely on for drinking and other consumption (act of
sabotage) Source: Thanong Khanthong, “Day by day, waiting on Judgement Day”, The Nation, November 4, 2011
8. Audi gangs remove sandbags from embangkments to make it look as if it’s
the work of the people living in the area. Pheu Thai Spokesman Prompong
Nopparit stated that there are politician and officials who have hired Audi
gangs, as their vehicle, to incite people by distributing leaflets in order to
interrupt the government’s work. This group seeks to discredit the government
without any regard for the people. Source: ThaiRath, “Team to Catch Audi Gangs for Destroying Barriers”, November 4, 2011
9. November 5, 2011, flood-affected residents of Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka
district yesterday tore down an earthen levee near the sluice gate across Canal
10. A stand-off developed between authorities and locals, who want the sluice
gate across Canal 9 to remain open and those in canals 8 and 10 to be re-
opened, according to provincial Deputy Governor Lerkiat Kaeosrichan. Source: The Nation, “As sluice gate is fixed, a canal levee is torn down”, November 6, 2011
14
10. November 8, 2011, Bueng Kum district residents damaged the Khlong
Tanhang sluice gate threatening the Mall Bangkapi. Source: The Nation, “Evacuations ordered in Bueng Kum as floods approach BKK's inner areas”, November 8, 2011
11. November 12, 2011, angry residents of Don Mueang district tore open a 6
meter gap in the big bag barriers with their bare hands. A spokesperson for
Yucharoen Housing Estate in Don Mueang, said that he and about 20 other community
representatives would meet to discuss what action to take.
The group will be considering three options:
• Blocking the Don Mueang Tollway
• Holding a prolonged protest situated on the crest of the flood barrier
• Rally outside Parliament.
Source: Jared Sheldon, Bangkok Floods: Community backlash over big bag flood barriers, November 13, 2011
http://www.thaitravelnews.net/thailand-floods/bangkok-floods-community-backlash-big-bag-flood-barriers/
Don Muang residents tear apart and
remove big sand bags forming a barrier
across Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near Don
Mueang airport yesterday. The residents
said making a gap in the sandbag wall will
help drain away floodwater which is
above 1 metre in some areas inside the
barrier. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD Source: Bangkok Post, Don Muang bags protest grows, Locals tackle
floodwall; PM insists it will stay, November 14, 2011
15
12. November 15, 2011, a group of residents in the Rangsit area of
northern Bangkok on Tuesday confronted authorities and demanded an
immediate solution to drain water away from their homes. They agreed to
leave after a similar promise was given.
• Many Nonthaburi residents are soliciting support and calling for more
protesters through a Facebook page. They planned a rally for November
18 outside the city hall (Denso Road) to deliver a similar demand. Source: The Nation, Angry Residents Breach Barriers, November 17, 2011
Pakornphat Thepuatra-kool, leader of the Rangsit residents' protest group. Source: The Nation, Rangsit and Nonthaburi residents rally for help, November 16, 2011
"We believe that if we are flooded, inner
Bangkok should also be flooded,"
16
13. Another group of residents from Pathum Thani gathered at another big-bag
barrier section to demand it be demolished. They later dispersed after the BMA
and RID officials promised to drain water more quickly and build a temporary
water gate at nearby areas instead of sealing this section permanently
Source: The Nation, Angry Residents Breach Barriers, November 17, 2011
14. November 17, 2011, Residents of Lam Luk Ka district in Pathum Thani
yesterday destroyed a 10-metre section of a big-bag barrier near an Air
Force unit, causing flood water to pour into the Air Force's Don Mueang
compound. The residents came from
Annex and Garden Home
housing estates, which have
been flooded after the big-bag
barrier was laid. Repair of the
breached section was
undertaken. Police were
deployed to guard the site
against possible breaching in
the future. Source: The Nation, Angry Residents Breach Barriers,
November 17, 2011
17
“Our houses and businesses have been ruined," said one
angry resident from Lam Lu Ka echoing widespread resentment of the
communities that have been kept under water to allow central Bangkok to stay
dry. "If the government wants to keep
our areas under water, then it should
meet with us to discuss how we are
going to be compensated, and when
this situation will end.” Source: Bangkok Post, Right way to resolve crisis, November 18, 2011
18
The blast followed a dispute over the sandbag flood barrier
at the lower line of Khlong Hok Wa in the district.
Police found debris of what appeared to be a brick attached
to gunpowder. The 70m-wide gap was created in the
morning when about 300 residents from Tambon Lat Sawai
of Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district removed sandbags
from the flood barrier. The breach caused more floodwater to
surge into Sai Mai district.
Crowd-control police from the Metropolitan Police Division
2 were deployed to beef up security. Source: Bangkok Post, Khlong Hok Wa barrier row erupts into violence, November 18, 2011
15. November 17, 2011, Six people have been injured by an explosive device
thrown into a large crowd who were trying to fix a breach in a sandbag flood
barrier in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district last night.
Source: Bangkok Post, Confrontation
at Khlong Hok Wa, November 18,
2011
19
Sanya Cheenimitr, director of BMA’s Drainage
and Sewerage department, arrived at the scene
and negotiated with the angry residents.
After hours of talks, Mr Sanya bowed to their
demands and ordered the Khlong Phraya Suren
sluice gate to be lifted to 1m, prompting fierce
protests by downstream Sai Mai district residents. Source: Bangkok Post, Khlong Hok Wa barrier row erupts into violence, November 18, 2011
DEMANDS of Pathum Thani residents: The residents demanded that the entire length of the Khlong Hok Wa flood wall
be made to serve as a weir, that the sluice gate at Khlong Phraya Suren be raised
higher to 1m, and that they be paid more flood compensation.
Source: Bangkok Post, Sandbags of inequality, November 25,
2011 Source:
http://pattayatoday.net/news/thailand-
news/khlong-hok-wa-barrier-torn-down/
20
16. November 21, 2011, over 200 people from Sai Noi, Bang Kruai and Bang Bua
Thong districts of Nonthaburi partially blocked the inbound section of
Rattanathibet Road in front of the provincial hall demanding the government
speed up the drainage of floodwater from their communities.
Demands:
- The BMA open all sluice gates of Khlong Maha Sawat, Khlong Thawi Watthana,
Khlong Phasicharoen, Khlong Bang-or and Khlong Bang Bamru to allow floodwater
from the districts to flow downstream. The canals connect Nonthaburi with
Bangkok's western districts, such as Thawi Watthana, Taling Chan, and Bang Kae.
- The residents threatened to destroy the dykes that are blocking floodwater from
flowing out of their areas if their demands were not met.
-They also demanded the repair of dykes in Bang Bua Thong district to block the
inflow of floodwater and the installation of pumps to discharge floodwater from the
districts of Nonthaburi.
- Special compensation given to three districts on top of 5,000 baht
Source: Bangkok Post, Hundreds demand sluice gates to be opened, November 21, 2011
21
About 200 Nonthaburi residents block the road in front of the provincial hall demanding the
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration widen Khlong Maha Sawat's sluice gate to speed up water
drainage from Nonthaburi. KITJA APICHONROJAREK Source: Bangkok Post, Hundreds demand sluice gates to be opened, November 21, 2011
NOTE: Seri Suparathit of the Rangsit University Centre on Climate Change and
Disaster, said on Thai PBS that opening gates at Khlong Mahasawat and Thawee
Watthana at 1 metre could worsen floods in Thon Buri unless more pumps are
deployed. Source: Bangkok Post, Opening sluice gates higher 'problematic', November 21, 2011
22
17. November 21, 2011, about 200 people from Don Muang and Laksi
districts of Bangkok and Muang Ake housing estate of Pathum Thani
gathered yesterday to demand the opening of Khlong Bang Khen sluice
gate at Wat Thewa Sunthorn in Bang Khen district to drain floodwater
from the areas.
Demands:
- the government install at least 30 pumps to drain the water and look into the
negative impact of the opening of the big bag barrier in Rangsit area which
could add more water to Don Muang.
Protest leader Pongthep Sirisap said they would submit their demands to the
FROC, while some residents threatened to close the Din Daeng-Don Muang
tollway if their demands were not met.
Source: Bangkok Post, Hundreds demand sluice gates to be opened, November 21, 2011
23
Result:
The Flood Relief Operations Command (FROC) says it will comply with all
six demands by flooded residents in Bangkok's Don Mueang and has
assured them that their area will be dry in one week's time.
Source: Bangkok Post, Nonthaburi people give ultimatum, November 22, 2011
24
18. November 22, 2011, 500 residents from Bang Bua Thong, Bang Yai, Bang
Kruai and Pak Kret districts of Nonthaburi gathered at the Nonthaburi
provincial hall on Tuesday morning waiting for a response to their earlier
demand for the opening of canal sluice gates in Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani and
Bangkok to reduce the level of the deep floodwaters that have swamped their
neighborhoods since Oct 9.
The people threatened to open the sluice gates themselves if authorities failed to
heed their demand. They also called on the Nonthaburi governor to resign if he is
unable to solve their problem.
Temporary dykes have been built to block floodwater from flowing from
Nonthaburi into western Bangkok where the drainage capacity is limited.
Source: Bangkok Post, Nonthaburi people give ultimatum, November 22, 2011
25
Two residents of flood-affected Nonthaburi
province lose their temper during a meeting
with the local administration yesterday over
their demands for more effective flood
drainage methods. SURAPOL PROMSAKA NA
SAKOLNAKORN
Core protester representatives met for two
hours with Nonthaburi governor Wichian
Phutthiwinyu who angered the residents even
more when he came down to read a letter from
BMA Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra
responding to their demand that BMA would
open the sluice gates step by step - from the
present 50cm high to 70cm. They would be
lifted higher after a two-day evaluation of the
impact before being opened further to 1m. Source: Bangkok Post, Nonthaburi people give
ultimatum, November 22, 2011
26
The governor fled and disappeared from the scene for hours after the
protesters vented their anger at his response, leaving Pheu Thai MP from
Nonthaburi Chalong Riewraeng and FROC spokesman Pol Gen Pongsapat
Pongcharoen to deal with the protest.
The Nonthaburi provincial authority, the BMA and the FROC agreed to the
residents' demand.
The governor and FROC spokesman later agreed to bring some 30
representatives of the protesters to witness the opening of all sluice gates as
previously demanded by the residents.
Source: Bangkok Post, “Locals win fight over sluice gate, Nonthaburi folk vent, Sukhumbhand scurries, November 23, 2011
27
19. November 23, 2011, peaceful protest, peaceful means: flood-hit
Nonthaburi residents petitioned the Administrative Court yesterday to revoke
the BMA’s power in managing flood in areas connected to other provinces.
The residents also asked the court to order the government to stop trying to
rescue the submerged Highway 340 and Kanchanapisek Road for fear the
work will prolong the flood misery of people living in Bang Bua Thong.
Their leader complained that the embankments set up by the government
along Highway 340 and the BMA's refusal to open the sluice gates along
Maha Sawat canal had badly affected flooded residents.
Source: Bangkok Post, Nonthaburi locals want BMA out of way, Authority to fight floods 'needs to be removed', November 24, 2011
20. November 23, 2011, residents of Muang Ake housing estate in Pathum
Thani threatened to block Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and access to the
elevated Don Muang Tollway, the only route through the area into the city.
Arthit Ourairat, rector of Rangsit University, on Wednesday November 23rd
threatened to lead flood-hit residents of Muang Ake housing estate, in a protest
and to close Vibhavdi Rangsit Road and Don Muang Tollway if no flood relief
action is taken in three days.
28 Source:Bangkok Post, Tempers flare as flooded residents up demands, November 23, 2011
29
Frustrated motorists who needed to use the Din Daeng-Don Muang tollway to
enter Bangkok approached the protesters who blocked the entrance to the
elevated road in front of Zeer Rangsit and asked them to open the ramp to traffic
on Wednesday, Nov 23, 2011.
Source:Bangkok Post, Tempers flare as flooded residents up demands, November 23, 2011
The protesters refused to make way because they were using the road block as
leverage to demand the FROC to drain off the flood that had plagued Pathum
Thani for over a month.
As the negotiations failed, people on both sides began throwing punches about
2pm. Police from Vibhavadi in Bangkok and from Pathum Thani intervened to
break up the brawl.
30
Source: Bangkok Post, Tempers flare as flooded residents up demands, November 23, 2011
At the elevated tollway Don Mueang: furious residents block motorists.
31
21. November 24, 2011, people in Ram Intra area to complain that the
removal of big sandbags in Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani was raising
flood levels in Ram Intra. They demanded the government contain the rising
floodwater; otherwise they would block Ram Intra Road.
Former finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee, who represented people in
his Sivalee Housing Estate in Lam Luk Ka, said he and other local dwellers
would ask the government to remove big sandbags in Don Muang district to
relieve the flooding that has been their housing estate for over a month.
Confrontation increased along the
lines of sandbag dikes and sluice
gates that separate Bangkok from
its upper provinces of Nonthaburi
and Pathum Thani.
Source: Bangkok Post, More drainage disputes, and
floods in the far South, November 24, 2011
32
22. November 24, 2011, about 100 flooded residents of Thawi Watthana and
Bang Khae blocked the outbound lanes of Kanchanapisek Road at Khlong
Bang Chuak Nang in Taling Chan in protest against the opening of sluice
gates in their area.
• They demanded the FROC to send its spokesman, Pol Gen Pongsapat
Pongcharoen, to explain why the three sluice gates along the banks of Khlong
Maha Sawat were being opened.
• They were worried that this would result in more floodwater entering their
communities.
Source: Bangkok Post, Angry residents close Kanchanaphisek Rd, November 24, 2011
And Why?
Levels in the waterways in western Bangkok have risen because the capital is
receiving floodwater from Nonthaburi province. The BMA agreed to open its
sluice gates along Khlong Maha Sawat to receive water from Nonthaburi
province, which has been flooded for over a month. Thus, water levels of
Khlong Maha Sawat and Khlong Thawi Watthana are rising.
Source: Bangkok Post, Water in western Bangkok edges up, November 24, 2011
33
Residents in Bang Kae, Thawi Watthana and Taling Chan districts block
part of the outbound Kanchanaphisek Road, demanding information
about flood management plans after flood gates in three small canals on
the Thon Buri side were opened to 1m before the agreed time and the
water level in their communities rose by another 10-15cm. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD Source: Bangkok Post, Anger hits boiling point, November 25, 2011
34
23. November 27, 2011, residents on Chaeng Watthana Road gave the
government three days to drain water from their communities or face
"swift protest measures". Somdech Jaengprasit, representing seven
housing estates in Chaeng Watthana Soi 14, complained that residents
have lived with the floods for over a month. Water remained high at
60cm to 70cm on average. He said no relief help was offered them.
24. November 27, 2011, in Pathum Thani about 100 people destroyed 10
meters of "big bag" barriers which were causing water to surge into a
field next to the Bang Kadi Industrial Park in tambon Bang Kadi in
Muang district.
25. November 27, 2011, people used knives to destroy bags on Tiwanont
Road after the authorities moved the big bags on to the road blocking
water flow near Soi Sanam Keela. Floodwater in the in-bound lanes of
Tiwanont Road almost completely disappeared while the out-bound lanes
were under 50cm of water.
Source: Bangkok Post, Residents poised to revolt, November 28, 2011
35
26. November 29, 2011, demonstrators led by Pol Maj General Sangiam
Samranrat, insisted the Khlong Phraya Suren sluice gate be open at 1.5
meter wide, Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said no
negotiation until the gate was narrowed to 1 meter wide and said he
would sue Sangiam.
The PM's order number 17/2554 had instructed BMA Governor to open
sluice gates as necessary so people weren't affected, and verbally
instructed Sukhumbhand to open the gate at 1 meter wide, but he didn't
do so.
Sangiam filed a complaint at the Nimitmai police station, before 4,000
residents of Pathum Thani's Lam Lukka district submitted a letter to
Pracha of FROC who then called Sukhumbhand directly.
Source: The Nation, Conflicts of flood, Governor and protesters lock horns, November 30, 2011
36
Source: The Nation, Conflicts of flood, Governor and protesters lock horns, November 30, 2011
The BMA governor said he would not bow to any pressure and would file a lawsuit
against Pol Maj Sa-ngiam. Source: Bangkok Post, Floods: Duel of the sluicegates, November 30, 2011
Residents want sluice gate open 1.5 m, BMA wants it 1.0 m
37
27. About 100 angry residents in Nonthaburi's Bang Yai district who lived in
the National Housing Authority's Ua Arthon complex blocked a section of
Kanchanaphisek Road on January 8, 2012, demanding the government speed
up flood repair relief since they haven’t received their cheques of 5,000 baht
compensation.
The protest caused heavy traffic congestion on the main road and the adjacent
Chimplee-Bang Yai expressway.
Source: Bangkok Post, Furious flood victims revolt, January 9, 2012
38
Summary:
Much of the anger and resentment from flooded
communities was the result of:
• the inefficient top-down flood relief system,
• the lack of communications*, and
• lack of compensation for the areas "sacrificed“.
Source: Bangkok Post, Right way to resolve crisis, November 18, 2011
* Protests against the “Big Bags" in Don Mueang area and
barriers along Rama II road reflect a systemic failure of both the
FROC and the BMA to properly communicate with the public as to
why inner Bangkok must be saved, said independent urban planner
Kwansuang Atibhodhi. (duration of flood?) Source: The Nation, Walls for inner city should have been explained, November 15, 2011
39
Post Flood: Damage to the economy
• Bt1.3 Trillion in lost revenues and damage to property to
Thai private sector (accdg to Prime Minister) Source: The Nation (2011), Businesses lost Bt1.3 trillion to floods: PM, December 9.
• Bt1.4 Trillion in damage and likely to slash Thailand's
economic growth to 2.4% this year (the World Bank) Source: Bangkok Post (2011), Economy faces flood hit, November 26.
• More than Bt800 Billion damage for small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) in eight provinces according to
Sompong Tancharoenpol, vice chairman of the Federation
of Thai Industries (FTI). More than 10,000 small and
medium level manufacturers in eight provinces were
inundated, affecting over 660,000 workers. Source: Bangkok Post (2011), “Flood damage to SMEs over B800bn”, December 8.
8
The claim of the limitations of BMA’s drainage system should be the basis for a
post-flood evaluation and investigation of the conduct of BMA and FROC flood
management. This can be done by independent water resources experts.
Accountability QUESTIONS • did the flood management of BMA use the best and most effective means to
lessen flood levels upstream? (that is, what could have been achieved by the
present drainage system if it had been fully utilized?)
• how much more/less damaged would have been expected in the northern,
western and eastern suburbs if water was allowed to flow through Bangkok’s
canal system?
• or was the BMA’s reluctance to follow the FROC based on its own
incompetence in fully utilizing the BMA system to help reduce the flood water
massing north of its border? And therefore took the easy way out by not
cooperating with the FROC and RID in systematic coordination of sluice
gates?
Learning from the catastrophe
9
What exactly is the drainage capacity of BMA system? Excluding Chao Phraya River – we read different accounts from different government officials*!
• About 4,000 million cubic metres of flood water from Ayutthaya is expected to reach
Bangkok tomorrow, Deputy Bangkok Governor Pornthep Techapaiboon said yesterday.
"The problem is City Hall can drain no more than 400 million cu m of water a day," Mr
Pornthep said. Comment: that’s a lot!!!! Source: Bangkok Post, Fearful city folk brace for soaking, October 25, 2011
• Somkiat Prajamwong, an official at the Irrigation Department, has recommended that
the government cave in to the water pressure by letting the water pass through Bangkok
and into the sea. That would be the quickest way to release it from the north. The
situation will be manageable, Somkiat added, if some 23 million c m of water a day is
allowed to make its way through Bangkok. Don Muang would have to be sacrificed as
another line of defence Source: The Nation, Complacent Bangkokians will have to suffer in turn, October 21, 2011
• Sukhumbhand said the BMA had a good drainage system, which could release flood
waters at the rate of 130 million cu m per day or 1,600 cu m per second. If there is no
major problem such as the collapse of flood barriers, the BMA should be able to expel
the water into the Gulf of Thailand, with little impact to inner Bangkok. Source: The Nation, Conflicting flood info frustrates private sector, October 28, 2011.
* Do these officials know what they are talking about? Do they even have reliable information on hand?
10
• GIS expert working for Froc Dr Anond Snidvongs in a live NBT daily flood analysis:
BMA's daily drainage capacity is 30 million c m. This pales in comparison with the
natural draining of Chao Phraya at 300 million cubic metres a day. Source: Bangkok Post, BMA's drainage system 'key‘, November 6, 2011.
An investigation by independent experts on water
resources management and flood control will be
able to determine whether BMA’s canal system
could have lessened the intensity and duration of
flooding in Pathum Thani, northern, western and
eastern districts.
Above are examples of reports by independent bodies
after Hurricane Katrina
43
There is concrete basis for my comments: Government
dissatisfaction with BMA’s performance.
• On January 27, 2012, Bangkok Post reported that Interior
Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit threatened to remove Bangkok
Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra if he fails to cooperate with
the government in dealing with the potential flood threat this year
(2012).
But who will investigate the
performance of FROC?
Source: Bangkok Post, Governor on notice about floods threat, Yongyuth warns BMA to cooperate in prevention, January 27, 2012.
44
In a poll conducted by Bangkok University in
January 2012: BMA governor
Over all performance: 6.15 out of 10
(in June 2011 it was 8.25)
Diligence: scored 6.6 points out of 10.
Creativity: scored 5.78 out of 10
Would you vote for Sukhumbhand again if he run for a 2nd term?
43.8 % “not sure”
18.3 % “definitely not”
37.9 % “yes”
100.0 % Source: The Nation, Sukhumbhand fails to impress Bangkokians, January 20, 2012
Source: The Nation, Walls for inner city should have been explained, November
15, 2011
12
Cases filed against government and BMA:
1. The environmental division of the Central Administrative Court accepted the
petition by Tossiri Srinuan, a resident of Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, who accused
the FROC and BMA of mismanaging the flood crisis. Source: Bangkok Post, Admin Court will hear flood case, November 25, 2011.
2. The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) has represented 352 flood victims in
a case brought to the Central Administrative Court to take legal action against 11
authorities and officials on grounds of negligence, delayed delivery of services and
committing actions (including the use of big bags) that caused damages and
prolonged flooding. Source: The Nation, Hundreds of victims sue premier, govt officials over flood ordeal, December 21, 2011.
• each of the plaintiffs is demanding more than Bt100,000 in compensation.
• Accused are: PM Yingluck; Justice Minister Pracha Promnok, FROC; Agriculture
Minister Theera Wongsamut; Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit; Royal Irrigation
Department DG Chalit Damrongsak; BMA Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra; DG
of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department; DG of the Water Resources
Department; DG of the Pollution Control Department; Director of the National
Disaster Warning Centre; and DG of the Department of Public Works and Town &
Country Planning. Source: The Nation, Man who brought Map Ta Phut down targets Yingluck, December 22, 2011
13
3. The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) in a petition filed
with the Central Administrative Court on January 25, 2012, demanded
that the government award the same amount in compensation to those
affected by floods as it will be giving to victims of political unrest.
According to the Cabinet's resolution on January 10, 2012 the family of
every person killed during political unrest in recent years shall be entitled
to about Bt7.75 million in compensation. Source: The Nation, Even worse flood crisis this year unless govt is decisive, January 26, 2012.
Source: The Nation, Man who brought
Map Ta Phut down targets Yingluck,
December 22, 2011
47
• Many of these foreign investors are located in the BMR. By November 13, 2011, eight (8)
industrial estates around Bangkok were submerged. Of the 725 companies in those estates,
447 (62%) are Japanese. Source: Mitsuro Obe, Thai Government: Flooding Won't Happen Again, November 14, 2011, Wall Street Journal,
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190504577035583010077366.html
• However, having already sunk so much investment into Thailand, Japanese companies
don't appear—at this point—to be planning to shift production elsewhere. According to
Isamu Wakamatsu, director of the Asia Oceania Division of the Japan External Trade
Organization. "Japan and Thailand either swim together or sink together. The economic
relationship between the two countries is intertwined.” But, "If a similar disaster happens
again next year, many of the manufacturers would have to think about relocating to other
places," Mr. Wakamatsu said. Source: Mitsuro Obe, Thai Government: Flooding Won't Happen Again, November 14, 2011, Wall Street Journal,
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190504577035583010077366.html
• there might be a tendency for industrial relocation to provinces east of Bangkok where it is
safe from floods, especially those industries part of the supply chain of ESB industries. Source: The Nation, Manufacturing shift to east of Bangkok boosts Thai Factory Development, November 22, 2011
Thailand: the manufacturing hub of Southeast Asia - Will
foreign investors, a key driver of Thailand's growth over
the past several decades, leave? Source: Bangkok Post, Hoping for investors' blind commitment?, November 24, 2011.
48
What will foreign investors think of Thailand’s capabilities in flood management?
Highly competent, or highly incompetent? Will they lose confidence in Thailand?
Source: Bangkok Post, Run-off sweeps through floodwalls in suburbs,
October 12, 2011
Source: The Nation, Businesses lost Bt1.3 trillion to floods: PM,
December 9, 2011
Source:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationphoto/show.php?pageid=7&id=3
0&pid=11817
Source: Bangkok Post, What to fix, what to leave, November 28, 2011
49
• Sanyo Semiconductor was the first foreign manufacturer to announce the
permanent closure of its main production facilities in Thailand (Rojana Industrial
Park) because of the recent flooding, which damaged its machinery and operations.
• 1600 workers are laid off Source: The Nation, Sanyo shutters Thai shop, December 10, 2011
• Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti reported in February 8, 2011 that there have been
business closures in some industrial estates but the number is not great. Ten businesses at the
Saha Rattana Nakorn Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya have permanently shut down their
operations. Source: http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/328463.html
Goodbye
Source: http://blogs-images.forbes.com/ericsavitz/files/2011/10/Sanyo-plant.jpg Source: http://www.sanooksnook.com/wp-
content/uploads/2011/12/1-41.jpg
50
They’re staying!!!!
• After meeting with the chairman of Japan External Trade Organisation
(JETRO) to discuss details of the planned trip to Japan by Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra in early March 2012 to boost confidence in Thailand,
Industry Minister Pongsavas Svasti said only 2 to 5 per cent of them said
they were considering moving their production bases to other countries.
• The only risk factor that concerned them was the problem of political
uncertainty, he said.
Source: Bangkok Post, Pongsavas: Japanese firms to stay, February 24, 2012.
http://www.voicetv.co.th/cache/images/9b4d67f54a
b5c63d3e5d65683815b762.jpg Source: http://brianholihan.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/img091.jpg
Kwaam-suuk
a
So far, only 30% of companies
whose plants were ravaged by
floods at the industrial estates
have resumed production,
partly due to lack of
confidence in the situation this
year. Source: Bangkok Post, Feud pits eco-activists against industrial parks, March 6, 2012
52
Post Flood Recommendations:
Super Mega Projects • The Cabinet endorsed 4 executive decrees to enable it to borrow Baht 400
Billion to pay for water management projects and an insurance fund to restore
investors confidence. Source: Bangkok Post, Cabinet okays B2.27 trillion in spending, January 11, 2012
• "Mega-projects against Floods: Are they well thought, rightly thought,
and carefully thought?", Title of Panel Discussion at Chulalongkorn
University., January 25, 2012. Source: The Nation, Even worse flood crisis this year unless govt is decisive, January 26, 2012.
Impact of borrowing on public debt? Will Thailand become like Greece?
• The national debt was 4.27 Trillion baht as of Sept 30, 2011, the end of the last
fiscal year, accounting for 40.2 % of gross domestic product. Adding 400 billion baht
in debt is projected to increase the public debt to 43% of GDP. Source: Bangkok Post, Cabinet okays B2.27 trillion in spending, January 11, 2012
• For a cautionary view see: The Nation, Is Thailand going blindly down the same path as Greece?,
January 12, 2012
53
What was the
original amount
PM Yingluck
was asking in
late September
2011? Baht 40 Billion. How did it
increase to Baht 400 Billion?
Will Mae Nak come
and get you if you tell
the people the truth
about this amount?
54
Source: The Nation, Proposal for
200km floodway, November 15, 2011
Please note that part of
this proposal requires
constructing a levee
(dike) around major cities
and towns.
The floodway would have
one-kilometre-wide
buffers along each side
and a bi-directional
motorway six metres in
height to prevent water
from overflowing.
# 1
55 Source: http://web.rid.go.th/ffd/papers/Paper-Session%201/p1-04%20Flood%20Mitigation%20Master%20Plan.pdf
But the idea of a super express floodway is not new. There is already a proposed master
plan for Chao Phraya Delta!!! (developed from 2006 flood data and AIT river network
model.) Proposed mitigation measures by the Crown Property Bureau (short, medium,
long term) but not yet implemented………..
56
Pressure group opposes express floodway • The president of the Thai City Planner Society, Eggarin Anukulyudhathon believes
an "express floodway" is not an appropriate choice for the country's flood management
as it will be costly and have negative environmental impacts.
• the huge amount of freshwater dumped into the sea would affect the Gulf of
Thailand's ecosystem .
• should conserve the water for agriculture instead of draining them to the sea.
• Mr Eggarin believes a network of reservoirs and green space would be a more
efficient and cost-effective way to cope with floods.
Source: Bangkok Post, Pressure group opposes express floodway, December 22, 2011.
57
เผยแนวฟลดัเวย ์ กยน.10
จงัหวดั กระทบ “นครปฐม” จมน ้ำเกอืบทัง้จงัหวดั Source: 21 กุมภำพนัธ ์ 2555
http://manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9
550000023777
When asked recently about the areas
to be designated as floodways, the
PM said this could not yet be
revealed. “Secrecy of this sort is
unhelpful. People have the right to
know and to openly negotiate for
proper compensation. Secrecy also
raises the question of possible
behind-the-scenes business and
political intervention to save vested
interests, to the detriment of
ordinary citizens.”
Source: Bangkok Post Editorial, Plug the leaks in flood
control, February 10, 2012.
# 1A Not Express Floodways
58
How about compensation arrangements for those
whose lands will be flooded?
• Areas to be used for water retention will be mostly low lying. Details of the targeted areas
and compensation amounts will be announced after the government talks with local people,
according to PM Yingluck. Comment: what if people don’t agree to the terms? Source: Bangkok Post, PM leads new flood agency, February 8, 2012.
• During the PM’s visit to the flood prone provinces in February, a reporter asked when the
amount of compensation to be paid to those who own land in areas to be designated water
catchment areas would be announced. Yingluck said the government first needed to talk
with these people to create "understanding". Source: The Nation, Locals sidelined during PM's visit to flood-prone areas, February 18, 2012
Comment: what do you mean by “understanding”? Will there be some kind of threats included? What if the
communities are not organized? How long will this process take? Will the government take a flat rate approach for
compensation?
• Technical criteria for selection: Anond Sanitwong na Ayutthaya, a member of the
Commission of Water and Flood Management (CWFM), said the criteria for designating the
2-million-rai areas must be standardised and based on GIS technology. He quoted Yingluck
as saying subsequent communication with the public over the areas and conditions of
payment would need to be precise and unequivocal. Source: The Nation, Ministry told to limit flood area, March 13, 2012.
Comment: do you think a technical rather than a political process of selecting areas to be flooded is possible?
59
300 Km.
embankment from
Uthai Thani to
Ayutthaya
Source: The Nation, Floodwall planned for
Chao Phraya, February 7, 2012.
• A contractor building the dykes protecting inner Nakhon Sawan, warned the embankments
would increase and speed up the flow of water in the Chao Phraya River because they would
not allow the river to overflow into fields in Nakhon Sawan.
• If provinces upstream had their own dykes along the Chao Phraya, the river would become an
"expressway of floodwater" and if Bangkok could neither drain water into the sea through its
network of canals nor divert it to adjacent areas effectively, flooding would happen faster in
the capital. Source: Bangkok Post, Can new dykes prevent another disaster?, February 22, 2012
# 2
60
Construction of the 100-
kilometre "MUSTS" for Multi-
Service Flood Tunnel System
channel is crucial to saving
Bangkok from future floods,
according to the Engineering
Institute of Thailand (EIT).
Source: The Nation, 'Flood-prevention plan must include tunnel‘,
December 12, 2011.
# 3
Source: The Nation, 'Flood-prevention plan must include tunnel‘,
December 12, 2011.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20111203/335602.jpg
61
Source: Bangkok Post, Stop cheating flood victims, February 18, 2002
• The Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) has threatened to take
authorities to court if they go ahead with plans to encourage the construction of
floodwalls around industrial estates.
• "The plans will mean higher flood-water levels for people living near the
industrial estates," SGWA president Srisuwan Janya said yesterday.
• He said the permanent floodwalls would have serious social and environmental
impacts because they would change the natural water-flow routes.
•Source: The Nation, Flood walls could worsen situation, February 3, 2012.
What is the impact of
higher flood walls
and dikes around
industrial estates on
the level of flood
water of surrounding
communities?
# 4
62
"So what will we say to foreign investors? The [recent] re-flooding of an area* in
Ayutthaya has people frightened.“ (*referring to the incident in Sena district)
• According to Smith, it made more sense, for example, for industrial estates in
Ayutthaya to be relocated elsewhere on higher ground, such as in Nakhon Ratchasima
province. Comment: do you agree to this proposal of industrial relocation?
• Instead, billions will be spent building dyke walls around industrial estates likely to
be surrounded by water from all sides, at the peak of the wet season, with
transportation almost impossible. It seems to make little sense.
Source: Bangkok Post, Abhisit wants a flood of answers from Yingluck, February 13, 2012.
Criticism on spending billions on flood walls
around industrial estates.
Smith Dharmasaroja, a key member of the
government-appointed Strategic Committee
for Water Resources Management (SCWRM)
63
• The Stop Global Warming Association and residents of Ayutthaya filed a petition with the
Central Administrative Court to issue an injunction suspending construction of anti-flood
dykes being built by seven industrial parks in the province, saying the barriers will cause
damage to nearby homes in the event of future floods.
• According to Anond Snidvongs na Ayutthaya, a member of the government's Strategic
Committee for Water Resources Management (SCWRM) "The dykes will elevate the water
level and affect residents' houses surrounding industrial parks.” Source: The Nation, Villagers want court to halt flood barriers, March 5, 2012
Source: Bangkok Post, Petition filed against flood dykes, March 6, 2012
64
‘‘Building dykes around industrial
estates is necessary but it is not enough.
Industries can’t survive if they become
dry islands surrounded by water with no
logistics links.’’ CHADCHART SITTIPHAN
DEPUTY TRANSPORT MINISTER
At least this minister understands
that the situation is far more complex
than raising the height of flood walls
around industrial estates.
65
Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, chairwoman of
Toshiba Corporation's Thailand, said the
Bangkadi Industrial Estate, of which she is
also chairwoman, would have a dike up to 6
metres high in place in September (2012).
In the 2011 flood it was inundated with up
to 4.3 metres of floodwater.
"If the factories and industrial estates are
safe from floods but our staff's homes are
submerged, they won't be able to come to
work anyway. We need the government to
support us," she said.
Source: Reuters, Thailand in hurry to put flood defences in place, January 19, 2012
http://206.132.6.112/article/idUKLNE80I03120120119
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/new/2011/11
/26/opinion/images/30170655-01_big.jpg
What good is a protected industrial
estate if workers’ residences are
flooded?
66
But, Industrial Estates say: dykes are a must
to restore faith
• Thavich Taychanavakul, managing director of Hi-Tech Industrial Estate,
said construction of the new dykes is under way in order to win back
investor confidence and get ready for the coming rainy season.
EIA rushed???? Not following procedures? • Mr Thavich, also secretary of the Industrial Estate Association, said an
environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been carried out in parallel
with construction, updating the one conducted when the estates were built.
"To do a new EIA for the dyke, takes about six months to complete and
another month for concerned agencies to look at it," he said.
"If we have to wait for the new EIA to be approved, we won't have time in
the event of floods and 300,000-400,000 people working in those industrial
estates will be affected. Who will be responsible for their losing income?” Comment: do you agree with his logic? Source: Bangkok Post, Estates say dykes are a must to restore faith, March 6, 2011
67
• Money for industrial estates floodwalls – majority given as grant. The Finance Ministry is
looking to assist companies in the seven industrial estates inundated late last year by
revising the terms of 15 Billion Baht in soft loans, with two-thirds of the money (10 Billion
Baht) given away and the rest (5 Billion Baht) offered at near-zero interest. Source: Bangkok Post, Two-thirds of soft loans turned to grants, January 31, 2012.
• According to estimates, up to Bt5 Billion would be needed for building permanent
barriers with corrugated concrete sheet piles around the seven industrial estates, which
cover a total length of 200 kilometers. Source: The Nation, Bt5 billion for industrial parks to build flood barriers, November 3, 2011.
• By contrast, the BMA has been given 1.96 Billion Baht by the Cabinet to compensate flood
victims living in the capital. There is also 1.72 Billion Baht awaiting approval to be spent on
flood prevention programmes under BMA supervision, according to BMA Governor
Sukhumbhand Paribatra. Source: The Nation, Ayutthaya area could be key warning sign, February 21, 2012.
• Total flood compensation for 2 million households: 10 Billion Baht Source: http://www.mcot.net/cfcustom/cache_page/290413.html
• A post-flood survey by ABAC found 59.5% insisted the government's 5,000 baht flood
compensation was not enough, while 40.5% said the amount was adequate. Source: Bangkok Post, Furious flood victims revolt, January 9, 2012
Which is more important: businesses or people?
68
• Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will head a new
agency assigned to run an overall national water
management system to ensure unity in tackling flood-
related problems.
• A "super body" to integrate the activities of all 16
government agencies related to water, flooding and drought
under a single command.
• The new "super body" NWRFPC serves like a board of
directors in a business corporation while the second-tier
WRFMC will play the role of executive committee.
• The third-tier Secretariat Office of the NWRFPC is
where all the 16 government agencies relevant to water in
one way or another will actually gather. They are supposed
to follow instructions from the "executive committee",
which will in turn formulate their action plans according to
the policies laid down by the top super body. Source: The Nation, The super agency and the little people of Ayutthaya. February 9, 2012.
Bangkok Post, PM leads new flood agency,
February 8, 2012
# 5
69
Criticism of Dr. Pramote
Maiklad, former RID Chief.
SFWRMC (Strategic Formulation of Water Resources
Management Committee ) member Pramote Maiklad said the
setting up of the super agency known as the National Water
Resources and Flood Policy Committee NWRFPC headed by
the prime minister, and another committee, the Water
Resources and Flood Management Committee WRFMC, was
just a duplication of the SFWRMC and could cause delays in
the execution of planned works.
Source: Bangkok Post, Water agencies just can't seem to communicate, February 9, 2012
Comment: no participation of local governments, civil society in this super agency.
Only technocrats and engineers are allowed!!!!
70
Water retention areas:
• Two million rai in provinces from Phitsanulok to Suphan Buri will be used to
store flood water (kaem-ling)
Source: The Nation, 2m rai marked out to hold flood water this year, February 1, 2012
• farmers will be told in advance to harvest their crops by August before any
water is diverted, said Public Health Minister Witthaya Buranasiri. He added that
during future floods, "they can change careers to be fishermen" and earn money
from catching fish in the floodwater. Comment: what if there is not enough fish? Where will they
sell the fish? Who will buy their fish?
Source: Bangkok Post, Abhisit wants a flood of answers from Yingluck, February 13, 2012
• Mr Chalit Damrongsak chief of RID said local people living in Bang Ban in
Ayutthaya province, which is one of eight water retention zones, have agreed with
the government's plan. The group has demanded, however, they be allowed to
grow two rice crops each year and that the government must generously
compensate them for the use of their land. This would include state support to
build new homes. Mr Chalit said public hearings would be needed in each locality
since people's demands were different. Comment: this will take too much time and govt can’t wait.
Source: Bangkok Post, Flood projects won't finish before rains, February 20, 2012.
# 6
71
His Majesty the King grants an audience to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra andmembers of the Strategic
Formulation Committee for Water Resources Managementat Siriraj Hospital February 24, 2012.
HM’s advice: Plant
more trees and
punish government
officials who allowed
illegal deforestation
The King stressed the need for the government to plant more trees and harsh punitive steps
against "greedy" civil servants who allowed illegal deforestation to occur. Mixed forests of both
fast-growing and slow-growing tree species should be cultivated. He pointed out that slow-
growing trees put deep roots firmly into the ground, helping to prevent landslides. Source: Bangkok Post, King says greed a factor in floods, February 25, 2012
# 7
BUT……Budget for reforestation too small: 85.7 baht per rai per year!!! Source: Bangkok Post, Reforestation, or tree farms?, February 28, 2012
72
What institutional structure therefore is required to
deal with this kind of flood at the regional level?
The notion of “institutionalized incapacity”. Failures in prevention and mitigation arose
from institutional arrangements that could not ensure appropriate capacities to function
effectively. (i.e. designed to fail)
In disaster management:
• do not over focus or emphasize on structural measures (dams, flood embankments, dikes)
• also take into consideration institutional design and development for effectiveness and
good performance.
Designing institutional capacity requires consideration of bureaucratic norms of:
• organizing (not who is taller than others but where the clearing house of knowledge
should be situated)
• administration (including coordination – not only looking at your own
jurisdiction/responsibility but how your agency’s actions affect others: e.g. urban planning
and infrastructure planning for flood control; monitoring and evaluation)
• rule making
• social mobiliziation (create arenas for informed participation in planning)
Source: Manuta, J. et al, (2006), Institutionalized Incapacities and Practice in Flood Disaster Management in Thailand, Science and
Culture, January-February.
73
Regional Governance Approach to floods: Is this possible? (just like Governance Issues for the Bangkok Megalopolis)
• "it has been proven that our preparation measures and prevention methods that we
have been using in the past decade are not enough," a Thai disaster official said,
calling for a more regional approach to prevention efforts. Source: Amelie Bottollier-Depois, Bangkok's neighbours shoulder flood burden, Oct 8, 2011 http://www.mysinchew.com/node/64817?tid=10
• Prime Minister Yingluck told reporters that the BMA and the FROC were separate,
hence the two agencies needed to have more consultation and cooperation.
Every province wanted to release its own water but nobody talked about the huge
mass of water. "If we want to talk about Bangkok's problem, we have to talk with
surrounding provinces, too," she said. "In the long run, Bangkok has to work with
Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani." Source: The Nation, Irrigation dept chief slams governor over accusation, November 5, 2011
• Will the “super agency” NWRFPC - fulfill its objectives even without an entry
point for participation of local governments and local communities?
74
Still Top-Down approach: • During Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra's 5 day
flood prevention and relief trip in
mid-February, most local people
said their participation in
drawing up the flood plans was
virtually none and that they in
fact knew very little about those
plans.
• When PM Yingluck was asked
about the lack of participation
and information among local
residents regarding the various
plans and projects by the
government, Yingluck promised
that the media and the public
would be informed of all plans
three months from now.
Source: The Nation, Locals sidelined during PM's visit
to flood-prone areas, February 18, 2012
75
Agencies still can’t communicate: Dry Season Flooding
Source: Bangkok Post, Water agencies just can't seem to communicate, February 9, 2012
The Strategic Formulation of Water Resources Management Committee (SFWRMC)
ordered the discharge of about 100 million cu. m. of water a day from the Bhumibol dam
in Tak province and Sirikit dam in Uttradit province. The resulting flash flood caused
panic among residents in Sena district, Ayutthaya, because the Irrigation Department did
not notify the provinces downstream about the water discharges, and the provincial
authorities in Ayutthaya, did not alert the people in Sena district.
Agencies
still can’t
coordinate
People are
not
important
Credibility
Issue – will
people have
faith/trust
in the government?
Accountability
Issue - if no
one is
accountable,
the same
mistakes will
be repeated
again.
76
• Did the flood experience teach Thais about democracy or anarchy? • Will ‘mob rule’, the law of the jungle, define more and more Thai society?
The New Thailand?
Blocking roads and infringing on
the rights of others to force
authorities to change their decisions.
Increasing threat of violence on
innocent people. Source: http://media.monstersandcritics.com/galleries/3303617_39006/0300619655085.jpg
Source: Bangkok Post, Communities take flood battle to
court, November 25, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post, Tempers flare as flooded
residents up demands, November 23, 2011 The Nation, Crisis may increase domestic
violence, November 25, 2011
77
Source: Bangkok Post, Anger hits boiling point, November 25, 2011
Because of the isolation of flooded
communities from seats of power,
the only recourse of frustrated
residents from flooded communities
to force the authorities to change
their decisions was through “mob
rule”, particularly blocking of
roads, with ordinary citizens
virtually powerless in the face of
anarchy. Will such desperate
measures with a threat of violence
become the way of “solving”
problems? What are the
implications for development of
democratic participation in
Thailand?
What should be the role of local
governments in times of
emergency/crisis?
78
Is this an innovative solution to reducing
the flood level in your community?
Residents from the Bundit Home Housing Estate and nearby communities in Don Muang
district remove cement block road dividers to let stagnant floodwater drain. RATTASEEMA PONGSAN Source: Bangkok Post, Bring out the pumps (Sunday update), November 26, 2011.
79 Source: http://www.oknation.net/blog/home/blog_data/133/1133/images/FloodSk/FloodMhch-003.jpg
Why is there no proposal to improve the pumping capacity of BMA canals?
Not these types of pumps; These are too small to handle the massive flood runoff!!!!!
Source:
Bangkok Post, Getting the job done,
December 19, 2011
When the Ministry of Energy’s
Energy Policy and Planning Office
(EPPO) ordered 140 pumps from
China (450-500 cu.m/hr.) and 120
pumps from Japan (20 units- 240
cu.m/hr; 100 units- 120 cu.m/hr)
Additional total capacity of new
pumps that arrived in November
2011 was about 2 Million cubic
meters/day. (very small) Source: Thailand gets water pumps from China, Japan, วนัองัคำร ที ่08 พ.ย. 2554 http://www.mcot.net/
80
Source: http://travelfish-sg.s3.amazonaws.com/blogs/bangkok/wp-
content/uploads/2011/10/IMG_6252.jpg
Source: http://bhipblogspotcom.blogspot.com/2011/11/thailands-
disastrous-slow-moving-flood.html
If you need to drain
16,000 MILLION cubic
meters, you don’t use
these pumps. These
are “toys”!
81
World’s Largest Drainage Pumping Station - the $1 billion
West Closure Complex, New Orleans
Pump Intake of
each of the 11
pumps Design: each pump is
powered by a huge
diesel engine. Source:
http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/hps/jpg/wbv_90Show.gif
Source: http://www.nodesconectes.com/imagenes/ingenieria/bomba-
agua004.jpg
82
World’s Largest Drainage Pumping Station - $1 billion West
Closure Complex, New Orleans which includes a 225-foot sector gate
to block storm surge. Started operation June 2011.
Source:
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2011/06/worlds_largest_drainage_pumpin.html
19,426 cubic feet per
second (cfs) (551 m³/s)
11 bay pump station. Or
about 47.6 Million Cubic
Meters per day!!!
83 Source: The Nation, Can Bangkok make it?, October 14, 2011.
The huge
amount of
flood water
that needs to
be drained: 16
Billion cubic
meters and the
capacity of
floodways.
16,000 m M 3
16,000/(550+47.
6) = 26.8 days to
drain if we had
the massive
pumps of the
WCC.
Remember this? Flood water volumes