Former House Speaker threatens to lead protest
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Former House Speaker Arthit Ourairat has threatened to lead residents of Don Muang and Rangsit and close Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road and Tollway to traffic unless the government comes up with measures to help them. Both areas have been under water for weeks.
Posting on his Facebook page, Arthit, who is now dean of Rangsit University, said the Flood Relief Operations Centre set up by the government has never paid attention to the areas, which form the boundary between Bangkok and Pathum Thani province.
The flooding hit Rangsit, where his university is situated, Lak Hok and other housing estates including Muang Ake, exactly one month ago. “All the residents have to struggle and help themselves without any assistance from the government and FROC,” Arthit said.
Some groups have helped by providing pumps but this has not been sufficient. The government should have focused on the suffering of the people rather than concentrating only on the political issues such as the royal pardon.
Arthit, who is also a former minister, said on his FB page that he would give the government three days and if there were no move to help the residents, he would himself lead the protesters to block the Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road and the Tollway.
He said that as a former Metropolitan Water Authority director, he did not agree with a proposal to open the sluice gate on the west side. “That move will make the floodwater overflow into the waterworks’ canal. That would affect all Bangkokians badly, more than the flooding itself,” he said.
