Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2013 8:03:26 GMT 7
BURNING ISSUE
Wondering who to blame as the waters keep rising
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation October 18, 2013 1:00 am
Torrential rains and massive floods in eastern, northeastern, and some northern provinces as well as other parts of the country have brought back the nightmare of 2011's great flooding to haunt the government.
Will the government be in control of the situation and survive the current flooding crisis as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has often boasted?
People could not help wondering what has gone wrong with the government's plan to spend Bt350 billion in loans to carry out comprehensive water resources management plans to prevent flooding. So far, why has there been no progress?
Instead of moving ahead, the government's water management modules seem to meet with strong opposition, leading to the question, why has it been so? And Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi seems to be the key to answering these questions.
So far, the government is seen lacking clear-cut measures to deal with the ongoing flood problems. The prime minister can only ask the people to tolerate the situation for a while further.
And last week, the government received little public support for its rally held to promote its Mae Wong Dam project, which is part of the Bt350-billion water-resources management modules. The government failed to win attention to the rally compared to the overwhelming support for Sasin Chalermlarp, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakasathien Foundation, who staged a march against the dam.
In fact, there could be compromises between environment-protection groups and development if understanding is sought and established from the beginning.
But people have questioned whether the government has ever attempted to create understanding with other groups about its projects. This is because since the 2011 flood crisis and the formation of government panels in charge of developments under the Bt350-billion modules, outsiders have gradually left the panels and refused to take part in discussions over the projects.
Some critics alleged the government did not even invite other sides to join in the discussions of the projects because it had already planned to select certain winners to undertake the projects.
Opposition to the government's anti-flooding projects could also be seen from the result of a public hearing in Lamphun, the first of 36 provinces where the government plans to hold such hearings. The hearing found that 20 per cent of participants supported the project while 80 per cent disagreed on grounds they were not provided any information.
Several pointed the finger of blame at Plodprasop as the main reason for opposition to the government's anti-flooding projects. They saw that with Plodprasop chairing the meetings, many had decided to distance themselves from the projects and several turned to criticise them.
Plodprasop has displayed a notorious style of work since he was a permanent official, prompting many to dislike him.
In April, he came up with more controversial ideas for setting up the new Water Resources Ministry and seeking Bt350 billion more in loans to build coastal dams and improve the irrigation system in the Northeast.
It could be predicted that Plodprasop's new plans will be just a daydream because the first Bt350-billion water resource management scheme has not progressed at all.
Instead of setting a good example as a law abider, the Yingluck government has been sued by civil groups and private firms for allegedly violating environmental laws related to the water resources projects.
If the government remains stubborn and continues to engage in disputes with environmental groups, its popularity and reputation in the eyes of the international community could plunge. Eventually, it may not have the control the prime minister always claims.
Wondering who to blame as the waters keep rising
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation October 18, 2013 1:00 am
Torrential rains and massive floods in eastern, northeastern, and some northern provinces as well as other parts of the country have brought back the nightmare of 2011's great flooding to haunt the government.
Will the government be in control of the situation and survive the current flooding crisis as Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has often boasted?
People could not help wondering what has gone wrong with the government's plan to spend Bt350 billion in loans to carry out comprehensive water resources management plans to prevent flooding. So far, why has there been no progress?
Instead of moving ahead, the government's water management modules seem to meet with strong opposition, leading to the question, why has it been so? And Deputy Prime Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi seems to be the key to answering these questions.
So far, the government is seen lacking clear-cut measures to deal with the ongoing flood problems. The prime minister can only ask the people to tolerate the situation for a while further.
And last week, the government received little public support for its rally held to promote its Mae Wong Dam project, which is part of the Bt350-billion water-resources management modules. The government failed to win attention to the rally compared to the overwhelming support for Sasin Chalermlarp, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakasathien Foundation, who staged a march against the dam.
In fact, there could be compromises between environment-protection groups and development if understanding is sought and established from the beginning.
But people have questioned whether the government has ever attempted to create understanding with other groups about its projects. This is because since the 2011 flood crisis and the formation of government panels in charge of developments under the Bt350-billion modules, outsiders have gradually left the panels and refused to take part in discussions over the projects.
Some critics alleged the government did not even invite other sides to join in the discussions of the projects because it had already planned to select certain winners to undertake the projects.
Opposition to the government's anti-flooding projects could also be seen from the result of a public hearing in Lamphun, the first of 36 provinces where the government plans to hold such hearings. The hearing found that 20 per cent of participants supported the project while 80 per cent disagreed on grounds they were not provided any information.
Several pointed the finger of blame at Plodprasop as the main reason for opposition to the government's anti-flooding projects. They saw that with Plodprasop chairing the meetings, many had decided to distance themselves from the projects and several turned to criticise them.
Plodprasop has displayed a notorious style of work since he was a permanent official, prompting many to dislike him.
In April, he came up with more controversial ideas for setting up the new Water Resources Ministry and seeking Bt350 billion more in loans to build coastal dams and improve the irrigation system in the Northeast.
It could be predicted that Plodprasop's new plans will be just a daydream because the first Bt350-billion water resource management scheme has not progressed at all.
Instead of setting a good example as a law abider, the Yingluck government has been sued by civil groups and private firms for allegedly violating environmental laws related to the water resources projects.
If the government remains stubborn and continues to engage in disputes with environmental groups, its popularity and reputation in the eyes of the international community could plunge. Eventually, it may not have the control the prime minister always claims.