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scotbeve, on 2011-10-20 13:40:55, said:
Just1Voice, on 2011-10-20 12:18:57, said:
Was there ever really any doubt by anyone with a working brain?
The thing of it is, this isn't the fault of the current government, but every government for the past 20+ years. Thailand is a country that has annual flooding. But it worsens each year when rampant deforestation is allowed for resorts and private mansions, which results is fewer trees and other types of growth which can soak up the rain, as well as provide stability for the soil. It happens when factories and housing estates are built in low lying areas, there by impeding the natural flow of water. And all of this is caused by the greed which permeates Thai society and thinking at every level. "Live for today, make as much money as you can, and who cares about tomorrow" should be the motto for Thailand, not "Land of Smiles". I don't see a lot of smiling going on now.
No, wait, I take that back. I see a few from those here in the north who are smiling and saying that it's about time that "precious Bangkok" is finally getting a taste of what the rest of the country has to deal with on an almost yearly basis.
This flood is a tragedy which I doubt any Thai government could effectively deal with, or could have prevented under the current circumstances. The loss of lives and property, as well as businesses is sad by any means. The best Thailand can hope for is that they will actually LEARN from this, and then take the necessary steps to develop a new water management program that will benefit ALL of Thailand, and not just BKK. Far too many in BKK think that they are the "center of the universe" when it comes to Thailand, and don't really care about the "provinces". Perhaps now they will wake up and realize that what happens in the provinces, CAN and WILL affect Bangkok.
Time will tell.
The thing of it is, this isn't the fault of the current government, but every government for the past 20+ years. Thailand is a country that has annual flooding. But it worsens each year when rampant deforestation is allowed for resorts and private mansions, which results is fewer trees and other types of growth which can soak up the rain, as well as provide stability for the soil. It happens when factories and housing estates are built in low lying areas, there by impeding the natural flow of water. And all of this is caused by the greed which permeates Thai society and thinking at every level. "Live for today, make as much money as you can, and who cares about tomorrow" should be the motto for Thailand, not "Land of Smiles". I don't see a lot of smiling going on now.
No, wait, I take that back. I see a few from those here in the north who are smiling and saying that it's about time that "precious Bangkok" is finally getting a taste of what the rest of the country has to deal with on an almost yearly basis.
This flood is a tragedy which I doubt any Thai government could effectively deal with, or could have prevented under the current circumstances. The loss of lives and property, as well as businesses is sad by any means. The best Thailand can hope for is that they will actually LEARN from this, and then take the necessary steps to develop a new water management program that will benefit ALL of Thailand, and not just BKK. Far too many in BKK think that they are the "center of the universe" when it comes to Thailand, and don't really care about the "provinces". Perhaps now they will wake up and realize that what happens in the provinces, CAN and WILL affect Bangkok.
Time will tell.
A sensible post Just1. Yes, after the flood of 1942, MANY projects could have been implemented VERY economically and efficiently - Bangkok could have been still called The Venice of the East to this day.
Yes, a sensible post. Bangkok lost the chance to become the Venice of the East. But it could still become a world-class city with proper planning and good polity.
Now retired, I once held numerous positions as Commissioner for land management, city-country planning and integrated resource management. As such could hire Phd-types or get gov't ministries to do studies: like the effects of clear-cutting and chances of flooding in different areas, etc.
Seeing this tragedy today, saddens me that Bangkok has had no long-term planning and too much manipulation, too much corruption for short-term gain.
One recommendation I'd make that would make a big difference is a plan to move the industrial sites out flood prone areas. Turn them back into rice fields, which would be resilient to occasional flooding.
Now what would likely happen, over a generation, if this plan were put in place? I see Bangkok quantitatively shrinking with less population and qualitatively improving with sustainable development. The industrial sites would be de-centralized to rural areas. The Isan people could go home to work.
Of course, with little polity and too much politics in play this plan isn't practical. Still, in my opinion, it'd go quite a ways to resolve the city-country divide and 'burn Bangkok' mentality with a win-win state-of-affairs.
