PM insists flood test necessary for Bangkok

August 30, 2012

BANGKOK, Aug 30 - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday assured Bankok residents of a flood-free capital during the planned three consecutive days of drainage tests early next month.

She was apparently referring to a warning by Deputy Bangkok Governor Teerachon Manomaipibul who said the test, scheduled for Sept 5-7, will coincide with the monthly high tide.

Science and Technology Minister Plodprasop said on Wednesday that the authorities will test flood release and drainage efficiency in order to effectively deal with high water in the rainy season.

Ms Yingluck said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Irrigation Department, and the national Water and Flood Management Committee (WFMC) shared the responsibilities in the test.

“We have worked closely with the BMA through the Bangkok Drainage Office, particularly the release of water to the eastern and western parts of the capital,” said the premier.

Bangkok as a municipality, the BMA, is politically controlled by the opposition Democrat Party, and not all the dealings between the national government and City Hall are smooth.

The prime minister affirmed that the special task force WFMC will closely monitor the water flow during the test and residents living near canals should not worry about the water influx.

“We will do it carefully. If we don’t test the system, we won’t know the capabilities of the canals and drainage systems when it rains,” she said. “Be assured that everything will be all right. We work as a team.”

Critics from several quarters, including a senior flood protection official, have called on the government to replace the inexperienced Plodprasop as chairman of the Water and Flood Management Committee.

Ms Yingluck pleaded for Mr Plodprasop’s case, to give him the opportunity to carry out the job, saying he was not the only person in charge of flood prevention and that everyone has been working together on the mission.

A government-organised exhibition on water tomorrow through Sunday is intended to clarify the situation and pacify the public of the flood situation. (MCOT online news)

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