Baan Muang Editorial

Thanks to their flood-relief operations, members of the three armed forces are gaining more support and acceptance from the public.

Both the Yingluck government and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were caught off guard when the floodwaters surged into the outskirts of Bangkok. 

Many people had to fend for themselves amid the chaos that spread to all outlying areas of the capital, including densely-populated communities along the canals.

Without the help of volunteers as well as police and soldiers, more harm could have been done to the outlying communities. 

Rice fields, orchards and commercial fish farms were not spared. Not to mention the big industrial parks that were submerged a month later.

Equipped with helicopters, rescue boats and trucks, the army, navy and air force were able to response quickly to the disaster. 

Tens of thousands of soldiers were involved in the rescue and relief operations. Many of these soldiers carried out their duties effectively even though their homes were also flooded.

These members of the armed forces worked around the clock repairing damaged dykes and bringing the sick and elderly to safety. Their presence lifted the morale of all flood victims.

It's true that other government agencies are not as well-equipped as the armed forces in dealing with the crisis. But the dedication of these soldiers who toiled all day in waist-deep water touched the hearts of all flood victims.