Remove sandbags in 15 days, governor told

The row over sandbags between Democrats and Pheu Thai Party raged on yesterday, with the Science Minister issuing an ultimatum for the city governor to remove the bags from Bangkok drainage canals within 15 days.
Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee threatened that if Sukhumbhand Paribatra refused to remove the sandbags within 15 days, he would order ministry officials to remove them instead.
On Sunday, Pheu Thai MPs led reporters to look at sandbags placed in drainage pipes on Srinakarin Road, and on hearing about this Plodprasob cried foul, claiming that Bangkok officials under control of the Democrats were “causing more problems” for residents already suffering from heavy downpours.
Pheu Thai claims the sandbags are the main reason why canals are unable to drain rainwater fast enough.
However, Sukhumbhand and city officials say the sandbags stop water flowing back from canals and flooding roads. They say the BMA has been using this flood-prevention technique for years.
Plodprasob responded by saying the practice was unacceptable, as the technique was not used elsewhere and blocking drains with sandbags would not help prevent floods.
The minister challenged the governor – who faces an election early next year – to sue him for ordering the sandbags to be removed.
“I’ve studied the laws and believe the central government has the authority to manage flood-prevention measures in the capital as well,” Plodprasob, who oversees the Water and Flood Management Commission (WFMC), said.
He said he would send an official note to city administrators demanding that they explain the sandbag flood-prevention technique in detail and disclose all locations where sandbags are being placed.
Sukhumbhand, meanwhile, responded to Plodprasob yesterday by saying the WFMC should be stepping up efforts to help flood victims elsewhere and leave the BMA to handle the city on its own.
The governor said the BMA had been using sandbags to block drainage pipes under Srinakarin Road for a while to prevent water from flowing back from the adjacent canal. He said this technique was also used in the Netherlands.
He said he did not have to comply with the WFMC order, adding that Plodprasob should have spoken to him in person instead of creating such a public uproar.
“I hereby declare that the technique is being used by the BMA’s Drainage Department and has nothing to do with politics.
“Plodprasob should pay more attention to flood victims in Prachin Buri’s Kabin Buri district who are suffering. I believe the sandbag technique would help alleviate the grievance of flood victims there.”
Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said sandbags were being used to block water from Hua Mark Canal from flowing into Srinakarin Road because the water in the canal was at a level higher than the road.
He said sandbags were part of measures to push water into the Kaja Canal, which is linked to Saen Saeb Canal before it can be drained via a drainage tunnel.
Chavanond said the technique had prevented the road from flooding.