Political leaders must stop wading floodwaters

23 Sept 07:37 Key points summarised by AI

Critiques political leaders, exemplified by PM Paetongtarn, for prioritizing photo opportunities during disasters, which diverts officials and hinders meaningful relief efforts.
Highlights how this 'political tradition' of performative assistance, rather than genuine coordination, wastes resources, delays aid, and calls for media and societal change to end it.

Government to start building Chainat-Pasak-Gulf water diversion canal next year

Today 14:58 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's government will launch the "Chainat-Pasak-Gulf" water diversion canal project in fiscal year 2027, a seven-year mega-infrastructure initiative.
This permanent structural solution aims to mitigate recurrent central plains flooding by diverting water from the Chao Phraya River directly into the Gulf of Thailand, significantly reducing flow to major cities like Ayutthaya and Bangkok.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul justifies the long-term investment as a means to reduce future damages and fiscal burdens, contrasting it with the 40-50 billion baht spent annually on short-term flood relief.
Concurrently, the Prime Minister instructed officials to expand drainage capacity into the Tha Chin River and swiftly remove water hyacinths to improve immediate flood management.