Updated: Abhisit presides over royalist celebration as Thailand drowns

Chaiyaphum

Update: Latest reports are of at least “38 people … reported dead in 13 provinces that were hardest hit by flood during Oct. 10-24, according to Medical Emergency Institute of Thailand (NIEM) Sunday. The highest death toll of six were reported in each of the provinces of northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima and Buriram as well as central Lop Buri.”

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The current flooding in Thailand is a disaster. The death toll is reportedly more than 35 and millions are said to be impacted. Some areas are completely cut off and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said that some places may be inundated for weeks or a month.

Criticism of the government’s response are rising, like the waters. The Nation reports criticism from a senior technician. The response to this criticism is telling. Secretary to the prime minister Korbsak Sabhavasu said the “government had thought about setting up a war room to handle flood management. “But we are worried about natural slow progress and red tape through the bureaucracy after it is set up.” He adds: “Now we are thinking about how to shorten the process and increase the speed of work. I admit that the problems get worse because there is no host agency to take care of them, which should be directly under the Interior Ministry’s supervision…”. People are dying and in great need and the government is “thinking.”

Lopburi

Is that good enough for a government that claims to be concerned about rural people? No, this government is failing. The Nation says that the “[d]elivery of relief supplies and aid money is continuing, but largely through efforts of the private sector and the media, which initiated donation campaigns before the authorities followed suit. But when it comes to regulations on handling donated money, the PM’s Office Ministry is having problems with the Bt90 million it has in hand.” That sum is a pittance and it isn’t even getting distributed.

Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Interior Juturong Panyadiloksays this: “It will be clearer next week how the money will be given to flood victims…”. Meanwhile, people struggle to save each other and their belongings.

Staggeringly, a “Government House source said there had not been any discussion or meeting to discuss payment conditions or speedy delivery of donated money to cope with urgent needs…. The main responsibility for flood management had been assigned by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, but after his resignation to take part in a by-election campaign, Abhisit was too busy with other tasks.”

To be fair, Abhisit has visited flood-affected areas, being photographed in boats, but the sources says: “No one in the government is now dealing with the flooding…”. That is a remarkable criticism. What has Abhisit too busy for a major national disaster? According to The Nation, he’s presiding over “a religious ceremony to mark the centennial anniversary of the death of King Rama V on Saturday. The premier and his cabinet gave alms to monks before laying wreaths at the King Rama V’s statue at the Royal Plaza. He would preside over an opening ceremony of exhibition of King Rama V at Wat Mahathat Yuwarajrangsit in the afternoon.”

Nothing is more important than licking royal boots.