Poor management, rather than huge amounts of rainfall, was to blame for the country's worst flooding in decades, a seminar has been told.
Former senator Sophon Supapong said yesterday flood damage could have been minimized if there had been better management of rising reservoir levels and drainage of run-off.
He said the run-off from the North flowed directly into Bangkok via Ayutthaya when it should have been diverted to the water catchment areas in the east of capital.
Mr Sophon said water and flood management procedures were politicized. He cited the opening of floodgates and breaches of flood barriers by certain groups.
Mr Sophon's comments were welcomed by participants at a seminar held at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).
The forum sought to find out what, if any, evidence there was for a growing campaign to sue the government for negligently handling the flood.
The Lawyers Council of Thailand has agreed to gather details and study how to proceed with such a case.
Jetsada Anujaree of the Lawyers Council said a suit could be filed if it could be established that the floods were caused by mismanagement or negligence.
He was referring to news reports that two ministers obstructed the release of water to allow farmers downstream to harvest their crops.
"If we can prove that their action has resulted in overall mismanagement, they must be held responsible," he said.
Mr Jetsada also said the council will ask a judge to order state agencies to work out a natural disaster prevention and mitigation plan.
"Such a plan is essential and must go ahead," he added.
Sasin Chalermlarp, secretary-general of Seub Nakasathien Foundation, told the seminar he suspected there was a lack of unity in flood and water management.
He said flooding was not unusual in the Central Plains, but it took too long for the government to drain the run-off to the sea as planned.
Natchapol Kerdkasem, a community leader, said residents in Bangkok will meet the governor on Nov 28 to propose their own rehabilitation plans.
He added that each group would also put forward a flood prevention and management plan, which is a community right recognized by the charter.
Mr Natchapol said he was concerned that communities which clashed with authorities over flood barriers would be turned into scapegoats to let the government off the hook.
"The sight of people destroying flood-walls will be used to justify why flood management failed," he said.
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