Academics blame last year's crisis on govt's failure to set clear policies

Professor Dr Panithan Lakkunaprasit, an expert on seismic activity from Chulalongkorn University who took part in the “Crisis Management for Natural Disasters” seminar held yesterday, said the United Nations had named last year’s inundation as one of the world’s greatest floods. Panithan blamed the disaster on the government’s failure in setting clear policies. 

“After studying the situation, we came up with solutions, such as digging up a canal or Chao Phraya 2 in order to divert floods. But our ideas have never been implemented. Also the state has been turning a blind eye to the encroachment on waterways and canals that have been exacerbating the situation,” he said. 

Floods, accidents, explosions, tropical storms and droughts are the top five disasters in Thailand, Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation director-general Montri Chanachaiwiboonwat said, adding that his department had mapped out measures to mitigate adverse impacts. The measures include setting up a flood-prevention centre; installing a forecasting and warning system; establishing a communication system; setting up a database on material, equipment and personnel; increasing public understanding; and getting the public and private sectors to cooperate. The department also has a 10-year action plan to reduce risk and impact of natural disasters.

He said his department had been granted Bt3.9 billion from the 2012 fiscal budget, which is 0.037 per cent of the gross domestic product or Bt58.48 per person.

Other than getting regularly flooded, Bangkok – which is located on soft soil – is prone to land subsidence and earthquakes, Panithan said, adding that more than a million buildings in the city had to be reinforced to withstand the impact of earthquakes. Since it is almost impossible to reinforce all these buildings, the government should instead focus on important structures such as schools, hospitals, power plants, expressways and flyovers. 

“The earthquake in Haiti has proved that countries with buildings that are not built to withstand earthquakes are doomed for devastation,’’ he said.

Dr Supaporn Phokaew, a lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Communication Arts, said keeping the public updated was of the utmost importance in mitigating the adverse impact of natural disaster. For instance, the 2006 tsunami made people understand that natural disasters do not stick to borders. “The media has to point out how, for instance, an earthquake in neighbouring countries can affect our country,’’ she said.