Suchatvee” said it’s time to solve the long-term flooding problem, pointing out that the flooding problem in Bangkok comes from rainwater and floodwater, not water from the north. He suggested looking at the “underground monkey cheeks” at Wat Leng Noei Yi as an example . He emphasized that the Democrat Party is ready to push for a project to prevent seawater from rising at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River if the government actually takes action.
Mr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, said about the Democrat Party’s Flood Monitoring Center that the Democrat Party is currently using technology and data to monitor and help the people because this year’s flood situation has shown that we can no longer live in the same way. The question is, from now on, what do we have to do to ensure that the people receive long-term care? Otherwise, it will happen again next year and the following years. This kind of repeated suffering should not happen anymore. That is the role of political parties a
nd the new-era Democrat Party.
‘We have been monitoring and warning everyone that we are really worried. We have been saying since August that there will be more flooding in September. Scientific data clearly shows this. Therefore, we would like to appeal to the public and all sectors that decisions in the present era cannot be made based on emotions, feelings, and beliefs. Today, every country around the world makes decisions based on evidence and mathematical calculations only. However, no one has been able to calculate accurately. And the calculations made by scientists in the present era are always lower than the reality. Therefore, the water situation in the North that the Democrat Party has been monitoring and collecting problems from will be handed over to relevant government agencies to solve the problems,’ said Mr. Suchatvee.
Mr. Suchatvee also said that regarding the water situation in the North, the Democrat Party has a team from the North, a team from the Democrat Party, and volunteer engineers
under the party leader, Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, to help and restore. From what he saw, the situation was much worse than he thought and he saw that help from all sectors was needed. He confirmed that he would continue to perform this duty and do his best as a political party.
Mr. Suchatvee also mentioned the flooding problem in Bangkok. The Democrat Party is concerned. It can be seen that a little rain causes flooding and there is a surge of seawater. Academics unanimously answered that today, Bangkok and its vicinity are still at risk. There is also water from the north coming from Chai Nat Province. Currently, the government is trying to prevent the water released from exceeding 2,300 cubic meters. However, if it exceeds 2,000 cubic meters, the provinces below the dam will be flooded today. For example, Bang Ban District, Ayutthaya Province, today may not be less than in 2011. Therefore, Bangkokians must thank our brothers and sisters in many provinces north o
f Bangkok who receive water that has reached the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat Province. Therefore, we would like to emphasize that we should not be complacent. There is still a chance that a storm will form from the Philippines and reach Thailand in October. As for whether it will actually happen, no expert in the world can say for sure. We have a duty to be vigilant.
So, should we start solving long-term problems today? The Democrat Party is ready, no need to wait for our children and grandchildren. Will our generation survive today if we do nothing?
‘The Democrats have started and we will focus on pushing for long-term solutions as a political party and will present what is correct based on science, not beliefs. The Democrats are ready to push forward with the government and all sectors to create real change. In the North, the city plan must be redone. The water diversion system should be built parallel to Phahonyothin Road. Moving, exchanging land, and providing loans should start. Otherwise, this vicious
cycle will happen over and over again,’ said Mr. Suchatvee.
Mr. Suchatvee also predicted the water situation that will arrive in Bangkok, saying that he cannot be worried. The situation in Bangkok has never improved. He did not mention the water from the north that Bangkok cannot do anything about, but was talking about rainwater and backwater that has become water waiting to be drained. Therefore, the Democrat Party will go down to see a real example that should happen, which is the underground monkey cheeks that solve the problem of rainwater waiting to be drained too fast. Wat Leng Noei Yi is the best example where the private sector has started to solve the problem of flooding from rainwater by storing the water waiting to be drained underground, so that it does not cause trouble for the villagers.
In addition, in the future, the Democrat Party is ready to support the government and Bangkok to create a project to prevent seawater surges at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, which will take no less than
20 years.
Source: Thai News Agency