Watchdog to punish profiteers

Profiteering has become rife across the capital as opportunists try to turn a quick baht from the flood crisis. The Bangkok Post spoke to Jirachai Multhongroi, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Consumer Protection Board (OCPB), about the penalties and pitfalls of exploiting people during such a time.

WATER’S UP: People queue to buy boats at a factory in Bang Na. The boats cost 3,500 baht each at the factory, but profiteers sell them for about 10,000 baht

Some flood victims have no choice but to buy sandbags or water at inflated prices. What do you advise?

We have an emergency line and we coordinate with the Department of Internal Trade. One problem we face is that when consumers report the crime, they don't specify exactly where it's happening. For example, on Ratchaphruek Road, people report that the price of sandbags went up from 35 baht to 55 baht. We asked, where exactly. They answered Ratchaphruek Road in [Nonthaburi's] Bang Rak Noi district. The area is big. Consumers must specify where exactly _ which shop.

What's the punishment for profiteering?

If a shop doesn't display proper price tags on items, the punishment is no more than a 10,000 baht fine. This is both for goods and services. Second, let's say an item is [usually] 30 baht, but the price is inflated to 100 baht, the punishment is not more than seven years' jail or not more than 140,000 baht in fines, or both. All of this comes under the 1999 Trade Competition Act.

Profiteering is likely to continue after the floodwaters recede. How will you remedy this?

Report any irregularities to us. It's for the benefit of society.

Have many people have reported abuses to the OCPB so far? How many investigations have been conducted?

There have been some. The hotline is 1569 at the Internal Trade Department's Commerce Division. Make the report, be specific, and there will be an investigation. OCPB officials are also monitoring the situation. The emergency call line is 1135.

What are some examples of over-the-top price inflation?

Boats. A few days ago, I was at Sanambinnam [market park] in Nonthaburi. Boats were selling for 8,500 baht. The normal price should be around 2,000-3,000 baht. They said it's because production output is low, transportation is difficult and other reasons. We are investigating.

A big concern is cars damaged by floodwater. There could be problems with insurance claims. Garages may increase their fees. Parts will be much more expensive. What are your thoughts?

I want to address two issues here. First, cars under lease, if they are damaged by floodwater, we have already talked with the Thai Leasing Association. They will have measures to accommodate consumers. At the moment, payments are not being collected, because they simply can't be. There will be lease restructuring. For instance, if there are 48 payments, the restructuring may extend to 60 payments.

The second issue is car repairs. There must be evidence of insurance. Garages must issue receipts. The consumers must keep the evidence. If the repair costs are inflated, then the consumers must report this to the OCPB.

Given how some merchants have behaved so far during this crisis, should we just assume that some garages will overcharge for repairs?

Yes, there are many people who exploit opportunities during times of crisis. Each consumer must see himself as a representative of all consumers and report abuses.

But given all the hardships already endured, many consumers may just pay and be done with it.

That's true. But still, please do report [abuses]. Think of it as a social responsibility. Do the right thing by reporting and you will help prevent others falling victim in the future.

What's your advice on second-hand car dealers who may be peddling flood-damaged vehicles?

You must demand all documents from the dealer. The OCPB can help if we have all the documentation. It's difficult to tell which cars have been flood-damaged. If consumers are planning on buying a second-hand car, they should take a mechanic along with them and have it checked out.

What if I have made a down-payment on a house and signed all the documents, but it was flooded before I took possession of it. Am I entitled to compensation if it is severely damaged?

In this situation, no one is to blame for the flood damage. However, you have to be very careful. The person or company that sold you the house is responsible for the damages in the house before the flood. They have to repair all that for you. If you have evidence of those damages, you must keep them. Otherwise, they might try to pass those damages off as something that happened because of the flood.

What about normal household items; can insurance be claimed?

Normally household items have warranties that cover whenever they malfunction, but not if they are damaged due to carelessness. In the case of flood damage, it's not a routine malfunction or carelessness. A normal warranty doesn't cover flood damage.

For flooding, it's specific insurance. Check all your insurance policies very carefully to see what can and can't be claimed. If you have proper documentation, but insurance is denied, then report it to the OCPB.

Culture Ministry urges quick krathong clean-up

The Culture Ministry has asked authorities in flood-affected provinces to swiftly retrieve krathong floats from waterways for fear they will block attempts to drain floodwaters.

The Loy Krathong festival will be held on Thursday but much of the country remains bogged down in attempts to contain widespread flooding in the Central Plains.

The flood crisis has affected 26 provinces and more than 700,000 households so far.

Culture Minister Sukumol Khunploem said she had been informed that many communities affected by the flood had opted not to organise any events to mark the festival this year.

But the tradition will continue in many other provinces unaffected by flooding.

"In areas where the Loy Krathong festival will be held, the ministry has pledged, with the concerned authorities, to collect the floats as soon as possible [after the festival] so that they do not end up obstructing the water flow," Ms Sukumol said.

An accumulation of krathong floats in public waterways could hamper floodwater drainage efforts, she added.

Last year, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration collected more than 900,000 krathong floats, about 13% _ or more than 118,000 _ of which were made from non-biodegradable materials.

Ms Sukumol said the ministry has no authority to suspend an organisation or the festival, as several provinces are not affected by the floods.

Still, she said that since a flood crisis is ongoing in the Central Plains and several parts of Bangkok, members of the public have an obligation to clear the waterway and not aggravate the situation.

She also warned people to pay attention to the higher than normal water levels and the increased danger of electrocution.

Kasemsun Chinnavaso, chief of the Environmental Quality Promotion Department, said he is not too concerned about an increase in the amount of rubbish from leftover floats, as he believes most people would not be in a mood to join the festival. "This year we don't have any campaign for the festival. We don't expect to see a large number of krathong out there," he said.

"I think people don't care about the festival [this time]. They just have to pay attention to the flood crisis.

"This means there will be no litter problems [from discarded floats]. What we are more concerned about is the large amount of rubbish caused by the floods."

Mr Kasemsun said his department has been working with the Pollution Control Department to improve the quality of river water by adding EM (Effective Microorganism) balls and clearing rubbish.

Last year, the department launched a "one krathong for one family" campaign in a bid to reduce the number of floats used during the festival.

Employer, Labour reps want greater role in relief drive

Employer and labour groups say they want an equal chance to be involved in the government's flood rehabilitation committee.

The Labour Ministry was working on flood-relief measures for the manufacturing sector without input from employers and employees, said Anantachai Khunananthakul, president of the Employers' Confederation of Thailand (Ecot).

"The ministry has listened to only the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Bankers' Association. We have been neglected," said Mr Anantachai.

He said both the Ecot and the Confederation of Thai Labour (CTL) agreed they should have representatives sitting on the government's panel.

The groups recently met Somkiat Chayasriwong, permanent secretary for labour, to discuss their proposals for flood rehabilitation measures.

Chalee Loysoong, chairman of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee, said the government should pay more attention to controlling the prices of consumer products.

Workers making less than 15,000 baht a month should be given cash coupons to buy consumer products, he said.

CTL chairman Chinachot Saengsang said he was opposed to suspending monthly contributions into the Social Security Fund (SSF) as a way of easing financial burdens on companies and their employees.

Suspending payments would affect benefits which employees are entitled to receive from the SSF, such as their pensions.

Mr Somkiat said he agreed with calls to allow employers and labour representatives to sit on the panel.

He would send the proposal to Labour Minister Padermchai Sasomsap.

The ministry would also propose that the government provide financial aid to employers for three months, which should help avoid the need for layoffs.

Coordination lacking, say overseas agencies

Humanitarian aid experts say that poor coordination between the government and international organisations, including the United Nations, is hurting flood relief efforts.

Diplomatic sources said that while Bangkok had not made a formal request for UN assistance in the country's flood relief efforts, some technicians from nearby countries with expertise in disaster relief were flown in.

After not being given any work to do for two weeks, the technicians returned home.

Jackie Pollock, director of the MAP (Migrant Assistance Programme) Foundation, a Chiang Mai-based non-governmental organisation, said a similar lack of coordination is evident with other agencies.

"It's sad that we don't see much coordination from agencies with expertise such as the Thai Red Cross and other international players," she said.

Ms Pollock said migrant workers in particular were suffering as a result of this lack of coordination.

Ms Pollock said inter-governmental agencies such as the International Organisation of Migration should play a bigger role in monitoring the flow of migrant workers who lost their jobs due to the flooding of industrial estates and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Andy Hall, with Mahidol University's Institute of Population and Social Research, echoed Ms Pollock's concerns. Mr Hall said hundreds of thousands of flood-hit migrant workers have been neglected.

Only one shelter was set aside for migrant workers, the Labour Ministry's evacuation centre at Wat Rai Khing in Nakhon Pathom province.

However, they were recently moved to Ratchaburi province amid fears of possible flooding at the Nakhon Pathom centre.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon is scheduled to visit flood victims during his scheduled visit to Thailand on Nov 16 and 17.

Mr Ban is expected to pledge support for the government's relief and rehabilitation efforts during his visit, diplomatic sources said.

The sources said that despite Bangkok not formally requesting assistance, the UN's resident agencies last month held talks with officials from the foreign, defence, agriculture and cooperatives and labour ministries.

They talked about help they could offer the government as it responds to the flood crisis.

One of these agencies, Unesco, offered to help rehabilitate flood-hit world heritage sites, especially in Ayutthaya and Phitsanulok provinces. The UN's Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (Escap) also backed the flood-relief operation.

Escap executive secretary Noeleen Heyzer met Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Flood Relief Operations Command at its former headquarters at Don Mueang airport late last month.

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has donated nearly US$100,000 (3.06 million baht) to the Thai Red Cross to purchase survival supplies.

Unicef delivered 20,000 mosquito nets to the Public Health Ministry.

The UN Refugee Agency has provided funding as well as 5,000 solar-powered lanterns and 1,300 plastic sheets.

The World Health Organisation disbursed aid from the Southeast Asia Region Health Emergency Fund to the Emergency Medical Institute of Thailand to support response workers, and buy life jackets and first-aid kits for affected families.

Brought to you by the letter 'S' (For Shameless)

Thais have shown their generous spirit in flood aid efforts, but the trucks rolling around submerged sois bearing banners seem to be filling the sewers with something else entirely

Day 28 of the flood. It seems the infested waters are bringing with them disease, crocodiles, poisonous snakes and politicians.

Another truck rumbled past me last Wednesday on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, full of supplies for flood victims _ and another missed photo opportunity for your columnist.

How I wanted to take its picture to include in this column! Alas, my iPhone 4S was rigged up to my car stereo and despite driving at a moderate 110km per hour, there was no time to wrench it out of the stereo and flip it into camera mode.

I wanted the picture as evidence. That truck was full to the brim with bottled water and boxes, but that wasn't what caught my eye.

It was the big white canvas draped over one side of the truck with giant red lettering: DONATED ITEMS COURTESY OF POLITICIAN KARUN HOSAKUL.

Karun Hosakul? The guy who attacked the Democrat MP in the parliament cafeteria a few years ago? Goodness, hasn't he turned over a new leaf! If only all our politicians could have such an epiphany during times of national disaster.

Not a few hours after that _ and how's this for a coincidence _ I am coming back the other way along Vibhavadi Rangsit and there is another truck with red letters on white canvas. Only this time it wasn't Mr Karun being generous: A GIFT FROM POLICE GENERAL THAKSIN SHINAWATRA.

My reaction was immediate. I let out a sigh of relief with the knowledge our intermittently beloved former prime minister was still alive and kicking.

Seeing that sign was the first I'd heard of him in weeks. Since the start of the floods he's been quieter than a Nana Plaza go-go bar on Makha Bucha Day. But just when I thought he'd been swallowed up into the black hole of Montenegro or something, here was a truck bearing gifts.

It certainly reminded me of the good old days when Thaksin would sweep through the impoverished countryside, tossing wads of 1,000 baht notes with the flick of a hand to his beloved followers, who would fall to the ground and scoop them up with undying gratitude.

That is being flippant, I know. At least he is sending out trucks of gifts, despite my mother teaching me to be wary of strangers bearing such things.

But to say I'm a little hurt is an understatement. Isn't a truck or two of bottled water a case of too little too late? I mean, whenever the Cambodians have troubles he's quick to fly in and help them out, like when they had economic woes last year. He dashed over there with ideas so great that Hun Sen even appointed him economic adviser.

Well we're having a few economic troubles of our own at the moment, but we're getting no advice whatsoever from him. And if anybody needs advice, it's his own flesh and blood.

When I didn't get the opportunity to snap a pic of Mr Karun's truck, or Thaksin's, I went online to find a picture in the hope of passing it off as one of my own. And that is where I discovered a raging torrent of an entirely different kind.

It seems that up until last week these trucks with canvas-draped signs were leaving Don Mueang airport with alarming regularity.

Even I can see that's a little odd. Don Mueang was the centre for donations from generous Thais all over the country. The trucks are leaving Don Meuang. Surely Mr Karun and his mates aren't draping his canvas over my donations!

Well that explains why a mountain of donated goods were left behind at Don Mueang when the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) decided to get the Froc out of Don Mueang _ and quickly. In their hurry to vacate, they forgot about all those donated goods. That mountain is now underwater, but not before Channel 3 news reporters filmed it last Saturday night for the country to see.

Well of course it's going to be covered in water. Those floodwaters were rising rapidly, and it takes time to a) load a truck and then b) drape a big canvas sign with your name over the sides of that truck. Plus a good sign writer needs time and energy to do his job properly.

And so, on the same day hundreds of Saphan Mai locals milled around the back of a truck, stretching their frantic hands out for donations of food and water, such supplies were being swallowed up by the dirty waters of Don Mueang. One newspaper printed these two images side by side on its front page last Monday without the need to add an explanatory word.

(Faced with growing public resentment, last Tuesday cabinet announced that the Don Mueang pic was ''old'' by way of excusing it. As in, a month? No, it was three days old, not the day before as reported. So that makes it OK. Please, dear readers _ no nasty emails to me about that. They said it, not me.)

The online Thai community is very unhappy about this situation. There is now a Facebook page with dozens of pictures of trucks bearing canvas signs. Other pics show donated goods with stickers featuring politicians' names slapped on them. Now many people want to slap the politicians right back.

I don't bristle at politicians who see great PR ops in our flooded despair. After all, if the skytrain can interrupt my silence with blaring TV ads inside carriages, why can't Thai politicians blare out their names from the sides of trucks as the nation sinks? It's something to keep in mind next time you're at the polling booth, however.

In fact I'm not bitter about almost anything during these floods. Look at the positives; the donations that went underwater this week were a ''mountain'', straight from the hearts of average Thais. This is a country of people with extraordinarily big hearts in times of crisis.

And look at the army. If you have been anywhere near a flood-stricken area you will have seen them in action, hauling people and belongings into boats, through mud and poisonous torrents. They work non-stop amid cries from angry and afraid locals who are going under. You might like to pass that off as a PR exercise also, but not until you too have stood in that dirty chemically infested water. It's certainly much easier to paint red letters on white.

So I remain positive. We are over the manic buy-everything-off-the-supermarket-shelf phase we were in this time last week, and thank goodness for that. We got a little crazy there, hoarding water and instant noodles with the same zeal our politicians were hoarding canvas and red paint.

And when the flood waters recede, don't for a minute think it's over. The clean-up begins. Other than my labour, I am going to be very hesitant in donating anything. Because there is one thing worse than my donations being covered in water and sludge _ and that is canvas.

Emergency flood foster homes needed

Due to the severe flooding and continued flood risk, Scad is urgently looking for emergency foster homes for both dogs and cats, including those who have been rescued from flooded areas and existing Scad animals. Many pets have been abandoned and are in desperate need of shelter, food, water and general care.

If you can provide temporary refuge at your home for any dogs or cats, please answer the questions below and send the answers in an email to mot@scadbangkok.org (Thai) or info@scadbangkok.org (English)

If you can provide temporary refuge at your home for any dogs or cats, please answer the questions below and send the answers in an email to mot@scadbangkok.org (Thai) or info@scadbangkok.org (English)

1. Do you have a secure area for dogs/cats?

2. Indoors or outdoors?

3. How many adults in your home (including staff)?

4. If you have staff, are they used to dogs/cats or scared of them?

5. Do you have children? If yes, what are their ages?

6. Do you have dogs, cats or other pets at your home? If yes, please give details of sex, age and vaccination status.

7. Do you have transport? Yes/No, but can get /No, need transport.

8. What part of Bangkok do you live in?

9. What is your mobile phone number?

10. How many days do you think you could assist with an emergency foster home?

11. Do you think you could help with fostering more than one animal?

Contact will be made with suitable foster homes as soon as possible. Thank you very much for your support.

Piak

Piak, which means ''petite'' in Thai, was found alone and crying near the factory of one of Scad's corporate sponsors, shivering in the rain. As the kitten was so small and thin, she was taken home by kind Khun Shosun who was able to care for the kitten until she was fully vaccinated and old enough to come into the Scad adoption program. Piak is a very friendly and playful kitten who loves people and gets on well with other cats. She is sterilised and vaccinated.

Luang

Chocolate point Siamese-looking kitten Luang, meaning ''Yellow'' in Thai, was rescued during a community outreach programme at a temple. Many of the cats in the area were suffering from cat flu and sore eyes and received on site treatment for their conditions. Several, including Luang, were also taken into the Scad cat adoption programme. Luang has been sterilised and has started her vaccinations.

Dahlia

Young female cat Dahlia was rescued during a community outreach programme at a local temple. Many of the cats in the area were suffering from cat flu and sore eyes and received on-site treatment for their conditions. Several, including Dahlia, were also taken into the Scad cat adoption programme. Dahlia is an extremely affectionate and good natured cat who loves cuddles! She is sterilised and has started her course of vaccinations.

Nod

Nod was rescued along with his two siblings, Blink and Wink, from a box containing 15 other cats. While the other cats in the box were all old enough to be sterilised and immediately enter the Scad adoption programme, Nod and his brother and sister needed some extra TLC in foster care where they could be nursed back to health. Now older and stronger, Nod is looking for a home! He has started his course of vaccinations.

Kev

Kev the puppy was found dumped outside the Scad dog centre a few days after Shade, Short-Short and Somnig, who are though to be his siblings. Kev was likely kept a little longer because he was male, but he too started to develop mange and when abandoned he was also limping on one leg. Aside from a few skin problems, Kev was otherwise in good health and so was taken into the Scad adoption programme. He has started his course of vaccinations.

Somnig

Little Somnig found dumped with her two sisters outside the new Scad dog centre one evening. She was tired, hungry and showing the early signs of the skin condition mange, but was otherwise in good health and so was taken into the Scad adoption programme. Somnig means ''sleepy'' in Swedish, as when she first came to Scad she was very sleepy! Now she's wide awake and looking for people to cuddle and play with her! Somnig has started her course of vaccinations.

Kosmo

Kosmo was dumped with six siblings at the Scad front gate when he was a young pup, and has since grown into a handsome and friendly young dog who loves to play. Kosmo is very affectionate and loves people, as well as getting on well with other dogs. Kosmo is vaccinated and has been sterilised.

Lyca

Young puppy Lyca was rescued along with her sister Blondie from a temple near the Scad dog centre. She was found suffering from mange with large bald patches on her body and a high fever. She has now made an excellent full recovery and her fur has all grown back beautifully. Lyca can be shy with strangers at first but once she knows you her cheeky, playful character comes out. She is vaccinated and will soon be sterilised.

Govt to spend B100bn on flood rehabilitation work

The government has earmarked 100 billion baht for the country's flood rehabilitation efforts, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says.

CASH LANDING: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrives at the provincial hall in Nakhon Sawan. She said her government has provided 182 million baht in cash aid to help flood victims there.

The first two provinces to benefit from the rehabilitation drive will be Phitsanulok and Nakhon Sawan.

Recovery work will also begin soon in Ayutthaya province.

The budget will be spent on repairing people's flooded homes and restoring the country's economy, Ms Yingluck said yesterday.

She said the flooding was caused by several tropical storms in September which led to the accumulation of massive amounts of water in the northern provinces.

Prime Minister Yingluck yesterday travelled to Nakhon Sawan to visit flood victims. She said the government has provided 182 million baht in cash aid to 36,500 families in Nakhon Sawan.

With tears in her eyes, the prime minister said she was concerned about people's well-being.

Ms Yingluck said the government's efforts in Nakhon Sawan will help restore confidence in her administration's ability to cope with the crisis.

"The work must be completed in 45 days because people have suffered for so long already," said Ms Yingluck.

The prime minister on Friday signed an order to appoint four committees to work on restoration and rehabilitation in the aftermath of the crisis.

The committee on assistance, rehabilitation and remedies will be chaired by Yongyuth Wichaidit, the deputy prime minister and interior minister; the committee on infrastructure will be chaired by Transport Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat.

The committee on economy, industry and wellbeing will be chaired by Kittiratt Na-Ranong, the deputy prime minister and commerce minister, and the committee on quality of life will be chaired by Pol Gen Kowit Wattana, also a deputy prime minister.

The committees will replace three rehabilitation committees appointed earlier on Oct 12.