Thread: Flood-Hit Thailand declines help

Flood-hit Thailand declines offer of help: US Navy

WASHINGTON, October 25, 2011 (AFP) - The US Navy has withdrawn several ships sent to help with relief efforts in flood-hit Thailand after receiving "mixed" messages from the Bangkok government, a defense official said Monday.

The USS George Washington aircraft carrier and other ships were deployed to the area on October 16 for potential disaster relief work as Thailand faced massive flooding from monsoon rains, said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander John Perkins.

But the US military never received a formal request from the Thai government and the three-ship aircraft carrier group along with a fourth ship, the USS Kidd, were released and left the area on Friday, said Perkins, spokesman for the US Pacific Fleet based in Hawaii.

"We are ready to help but we haven't got a request," said a US defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"There were two channels (in the Thai government)," the defense official told AFP. "One was saying 'Yes' and one was saying 'No.'"

The Thai capital on Monday was bracing for advancing and seemingly unstoppable floodwaters after residents in areas deemed most at threat were urged to leave.

Other parts of the country have been plagued by three months of heavy monsoon rains that have killed more than 350 people in Thailand and damaged the homes and livelihoods of nine million people.

On October 15, a small ten-man team of US Marines traveled to Thailand to deliver thousands of sandbags and to assess how the American military could help with relief efforts.

The USS George Washington group had arrived at the port of Singapore on October 12 and four days later the carrier was steaming towards Thailand "to position itself in case their assistance was requested," Perkins said.

A fourth ship, the USS Kidd, which was carrying out an exercise with Cambodian forces, also was ordered to join the carrier group near Thailand, he said.

The USS George Washington is now en route to Japan for an annual joint exercise there.

For humanitarian work, the United States often deploys warships, including aircraft carriers, which can operate fleets of helicopters and ferry in emergency medical teams and supplies.
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so i was reading this over at thai visa today. Just waiting for the usual rash idiots who like to trash the U.S. to put their two cents in and wondering if anyone would realize that these guys came over, brought a shit load of sand bags with them, took a look around to see what else they could do to help and stationed themselves nearby in case their help was needed. These aircraft carriers hold fleets of helicopters that can get food, water, medicine, manpower, and even sandbags to us quickly and efficiently.
Its a damn good thing that Thailand has declined as we would not want to lose face.

There is some clarity of thought within the Red Shirt democracy Movement why for heavens sake, anyone in their right mind would refuse this generous offer of such needed support.

Ultra-conservative nationalists and their significant others are seen as behind this.

A : AFP: Flood-hit Thailand declines offer of help: US Navy

and

B: WTF ?

Originally Posted by Calgary

There is some clarity of thought within the Red Shirt democracy Movement why for heavens sake, anyone in their right mind would refuse this generous offer of such needed support. Ultra-conservative nationalists and their significant others are seen as behind this.

What does that say? Here you were not to many years ago.




declined Dutch help as well. The ship was filled with dozers, and all sorts of emergency equipment. To decline help that came without a request is not very kosher. The UN is after Thailand as well for changing and editing quotes as well.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) issued quite an angry press release Friday over what seems to be a misquotation in a Thai media outlet:

The United Nations has demanded an immediate retraction from the Thai ASEAN News Network for the serious misquotes of Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in a story that ran this week.
The story, which revolved around the flood situation in Thailand, falsely attributed quotes to Dr. Heyzer that criticized the government.
The reality: the United Nations has issued no statement criticizing the government, and has only offered support and assistance as Thailand faces the worse floods in more than six decades.
“These quotes are completely contrary to the solidarity and support that the United Nations is giving in Thailand,” said Dr. Heyzer. “The quotes are totally wrong and a poor reflection of journalist standards that are meant to reflect the truth.”
“United Nations Demands Retraction from Thai ASEAN News Network” (PDF), UNESCAP press release, October 21, 2011

No shit sherlock i got the red. Posted a fact and got redded. Game on.

Originally Posted by Calgary

There is some clarity of thought within the Red Shirt democracy Movement why for heavens sake, anyone in their right mind would refuse this generous offer of such needed support. Ultra-conservative nationalists and their significant others are seen as behind this.

Is this written and translated from the official language of the Ukraine, as others have said you make no sense what so ever. There is no red shirt movement. There is PT which is sacrificing the north of Bangkok to save the inner city. All they have to do is open Klong Prem Pratchakorn but they wont. Saving the inner city and the slum dwellers who have encroached on the canal but now fled is a higher priority. Who is protecting the "Amnat" now?

Originally Posted by Mid

A : AFP: Flood-hit Thailand declines offer of help: US Navy

and

B: WTF ?

Agree. There is no shame in excepting a helping hand from certain corners of the world community.

What does "amnat" mean in American Speak?

Originally Posted by aging one

The UN is after Thailand as well for changing and editing quotes as well.

That was Thai ASEAN News Network, not 'Thailand'.

point taken but no retraction yet. Amnart is the rich and ruling class.

Originally Posted by aging one

point taken but no retraction yet.

I reckon EN will be posting a link for you in a minute or two...

Originally Posted by aging one

point taken but no retraction yet. Amnart is the rich and ruling class.

Semantics.

Amnart or Amart

They dont have work permits

Originally Posted by aging one

point taken but no retraction yet.

Thai-ASEAN News Network

UN Story Retraction and Apology

UPDATE : 24 October 2011

To Whom It May Concern,

On Friday, October 21, 2011, the Thai-ASEAN News (TAN) Network broadcasted a news story entitled “UN Blames Govt for Poor Flood Management”. The story quoted UN ESCAP Executive Secretary Noeleen Heyzer for something she did not say. However, in actuality, the quote belonged to Jerry Velasquez, senior regional coordinator for UN/ISDR Asia & Pacific.

Once informed of the misquote, TAN Network corrected the story on the evening of Friday, October 21, 2011. The corrected version can still be found at Thai-ASEAN News Network.

There is no excuse for the mistake that was made. TAN Network, its management and its editorial team sincerely apologizes for the error that was made. However, we must stress that there were no ill intensions.

This incident has served as an important lesson to all of our staff. We apologize and will do our utmost to never allow this to happen again in the future.

Our sincere apologies.

The Thai-ASEAN News Network
Bangkok, Thailand
October 24, 2011

A defence official in Washington said the US navy had withdrawn several ships, including aircraft carriers, sent to help with relief efforts in Thailand after receiving "mixed" messages from the Bangkok government.

"There were two channels (in the Thai government)," the defence official told AFP. "One was saying 'Yes' and one was saying 'No.'"

But Thailand's defence minister, General Yutthasak Sasiprapa, indicated that authorities felt they were able to handle the situation themselves.

"We have not denied their assistance, but we have our own aircraft so we would rather use ours," he told reporters, adding however that he was unclear over the details of the US offer and needed to check with the air force chief.

A spokesman from the US embassy in Bangkok said one ship from the US group had docked in Thailand on October 20 and its helicopters had since been on missions coordinated with the Thai army and other US agencies.

Looks like the nay may have been the military side of Government.

I will not be surprised if the displacement of hundreds of thousand, possibly millions of poor Bangkok Thais over the coming days, combined with their loss of income and limited access to a poorly managed food aid distribution program all lead to a degree of potentially explosive, game changing, civil unrest requiring the return of a man from Dubai to restore order and feed the 5,000 so to speak.

No surprise they don't want US military personnal on the ground if that's a possibility (or agenda item?).

Just a thought......

They are only just over the horizon awaiting the call, from the "rebel" unarmed civilians, to unload some "humanitarian" assistance.

The Thai government, businesses, and people should get flood help from wherever they can in view of the severity of the flooding and property damage. I can provide free mold advice to Thai property owners needing advice on how to prevent or remove mold growth from flood water damaged properties.

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

I will not be surprised if the displacement of hundreds of thousand, possibly millions of poor Bangkok Thais over the coming days, combined with their loss of income and limited access to a poorly managed food aid distribution program all lead to a degree of potentially explosive, game changing, civil unrest requiring the return of a man from Dubai to restore order and feed the 5,000 so to speak.

No surprise they don't want US military personnal on the ground if that's a possibility (or agenda item?).

Just a thought......

What worries me is if bangkok ends up in a meter of water. I would have thought that food logistics would fall apart and inevitably the drinking water from the rama 6 canal would become contaminated. Things could get ugly very quickly.

But given that civil unrest is more of a coup leaders excuse than a 'leader in exile's excuse. I am worried we would have yet another coup well before taxin gets to kiss the tarmac.

^^^^^
The ThaiPBS interview has been uploaded to YouTube - watch from 0:30



Uploaded by bankthanachai on Oct 25, 2011

Saving face while losing lives, TIT.

Originally Posted by moldexpert

The Thai government, businesses, and people should get flood help from wherever they can in view of the severity of the flooding and property damage. I can provide free mold advice to Thai property owners needing advice on how to prevent or remove mold growth from flood water damaged properties.

Are you some sort of ambulance chasing disaster hovering parasite? I only ask as you've made a thread offering "free" advice on mold, which you then failed to respond to, and then this is your second post. Are you basically touting a free quote for your service?

Provide some free advice if not.

"A typical aircraft carrier in the U.S. military uses nuclear power to desalinate 400,000 US gallons (1,500,000 lt; 330,000 imp gal) of water per day"


According to wiki,

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Mid

A : AFP: Flood-hit Thailand declines offer of help: US Navy

and

B: WTF ?

Agree. There is no shame in excepting a helping hand from certain corners of the world community.

No shame in ACCEPTING a helping hand, either!!