Muang Ake fights on online
Foreign Affairs Ministry diplomat Yordying Supasri - @yordyings - describes the flood situation where he lives
Among the places hard hit by the flooding is Muang Ake in Pathum Thani’s Muang district, one of the country’s largest residential estates with 7.2 square kilometres and more than 2,000 families in seven housing projects.
There are also two 18-hole golf courses and Rangsit University.
The area was inundated on October 24 and the houses and other buildings remain sitting in at least two metres of foul-smelling, rubbish-strewn murk.
The water level topped at about three metres at the end of October and, while it’s lower now, it is said that the 27-kilometre barrier of “big bags” is slowing the outflow.
There are currently an estimated 14.2 million cubic metres of water in Muang Ake that could take two months to clear. Residents ride in boats provided by the military. The service is limited, but it’s still a better alternative to the unreasonable fees charged by private operators.
Regardless, some residents have remained in their homes – despite the lack of electricity – because they’re worried about looting. They and their evacuated neighbours are exploring ways to get through the crisis on the “MuangAke” page on Facebook.
The residents still on the estate and those able to enter the estate have posted photos of the buildings for evacuees to see the condition of their homes. Issues discussed include ways to drain the water more quickly and repair damage once the flood subsides.
Resident volunteers have networked online to organise Neighbourhood Watch groups in response to security concerns. At the same, thanks to this online community, residents who were once strangers are now friends – showing once again how a crisis can bring people together.
Muang Ake on Facebook can serve as a model for other communities in bringing people together and taking collective action.
Despite some progress, the residents still need assistance and support. Draining the water is of utmost importance, though, and it’s hoped that evacuees will be able to return home in time to celebrate the New Year.
