absolutelyBangkok archive · Nature
Originally published Nov. 3, 2010
Thailand, under water, needs a leader these days who is able to walk on water. Impossible, you say, but then again, the impossible is exactly what’s needed to alter course around here.
The current floods with billions of baht of damage are just one burdensome legacy of politicians’ and planners’ greed, neglect and shortsightedness. And who’s to blame? How convenient! Pretty face Mark & Co. As Tumbler suggested, some are saying government’s response to the deluge strengthened Takki’s position.
As with U.S. President Barack Obama’s failure to counter the rightists’ propaganda that he and his Democrats alone are to blame for America’s misery, so is Abhisit to blame for Thailand’s current drowning. Blame him for the floods, for the political misery, the two-headed calf born next door and grandma’s sunburn.
Even though, what a chance to play to the gallery. Reconstruction of damaged houses, infrastructure and roads makes some rubbing their hands with glee. 10,000 tambons damaged, millions of people who lost property, crops and livestock, not to mention the many killed. The government will pay 5,000 baht in preliminary assistance to each family affected, and and. Do the math.
Nothing more welcome than a big ugly catastrophe for some. New budget money for the affected will be allocated by certain ministries — that’s a gold mine if transparency and fairness lack as usual. And then pretty face Abhisit with his reputation of being more concerned about losing his cufflinks…
Or is the glass rather half-full? Wrote our unique Supinya Klangnarong on Facebook:
However, some mentioned that these continued natural crises would contribute to build a unity of Thai citizens regardless of their political affiliations once again. Not so sure, let’s see and do our best.
From the absolutelyBangkok archive. Back to all stories