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Political Turbulence Amid Hat Yai Flood Crisis: PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s Response Under Scrutiny

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A flooded road in Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand, depicting the aftermath of canal overflow. (Photo by Assawin Pakkawan)

When it rains, it pours—especially when it comes to political controversies. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s administration is currently making quite a splash—but not in a good way. Recent flood handling in Thailand’s southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat, and Songkhla has raised eyebrows, unfurling doubts and criticisms about the government’s response efficiency compared to the swift actions in the North back in August. It’s as if they’ve baited the floodgates of politics!

The Bangkok Post dug deep and didn’t hold back in their conversations with political pundits. Accusations of favoritism flutter in the air like leaves caught in a tempest. Could the response disparity between regions be deeply political? It’s no secret that the ruling Pheu Thai Party isn’t exactly holding souvenir stalls in the South.

Sathit Wongnongtoey, a former Democrat MP from Trang, echoes the sentiments of discontent among southern folks. It seems past grievances, dating back to the Thaksin Shinawatra era—when provinces showing red allegiance allegedly received preferential treatment—still linger like an unwelcome high tide. Fast forward to today, critics argue that the prime minister’s unhurried reaction only amplifies these feelings of neglect.

But wait, it gets juicer. While the PM deputized others to deal with Soggy South, her decision to stay dry up north drew sharp tongues, like from Nipit Intarasombat, another ex-Democrat from Phatthalung. He points out the absence of the PM on the southern soil during the floods felt like a rain check no one ordered.

Here’s the multifaceted downpour of political insight. Mr. Nipit candidly talks about the low probability of the Pheu Thai Party taking root in the flood-affected trio of Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala. Apparently, past political climates, mixed with current watery woes, muddy the prospects of a political resurrection there.

Last year’s elections left Pheu Thai drying out with zero representation in four significant provinces. Meanwhile, the Prachachat Party boomed in Yala like thunder, while political rivals danced neck-deep through vibrant contests across Pattani and Narathiwat.

In defense of the government’s actions—or lack thereof—Pheu Thai’s own Chanin Rungthanakiat assures that scheduling snafus were to blame. They weren’t intentionally leaving the South high and not so dry. A planned cabinet meeting clashed terribly with Mother Nature’s own calendar.

Ah, but don’t think the intention was lost amidst the torrent! The administration highlighted multi-leg roadside projects pouring into the southern region, a silver—if tiny—lining amidst storm clouds.

Meanwhile, specialists argue the spectacle of prime ministerial parade through the floods isn’t the antidote for deep-rooted shortcomings in crisis handling capabilities. It’s like offering an umbrella in a hurricane. Instead, they advocate restructuring to arm local authorities with the autonomy to tackle disasters more decisively.

Srisompob Jitpiromsri of Prince of Songkla University points out that while the government’s financial aid equivalent in both northern and southern arenas isn’t a riptide infamy, the swift embrace of authority’s role in the North sure stirred a different kind of storm.

The classic question remains: To visit or not to visit? Ms. Paetongtarn herself has paddled through swells of resistance, clarifying that aid over media flash is her priority. Nonetheless, perhaps personal touch thinly spread over policy comes across as mere drops in an ocean of scrutiny.

The remains of the day see unmistakable gaps in disaster shelters, poor evacuation plans, and warnings that are as murky as floodwaters at midnight. Evacuate? How? To where? And most important, who’s making the calls?

So here’s the final wave: Is perception or reality leading the response to the flood folly? Will the whispers of a prime minister swooping in, effecting change, curtail this tempest-tossed narrative? Only time will tell if the waves recede to reveal smoother sands for the Pheu Thai government. Meanwhile, the people of the South continue to wade through waters of both nature and politics, holding on to whatever rafts of hope—ironically unseen thanks to stormy seas—drift their way.

32 Comments

  1. Joe December 8, 2024

    It’s ridiculous that Paetongtarn didn’t visit the South during the floods. It’s like they don’t even care about the people down there!

    • Maya_L December 8, 2024

      But what if she has legitimate reasons for not going? Sometimes making decisions from HQ can be just as impactful.

      • Joe December 8, 2024

        Leadership is about showing up when it matters! Sending others isn’t the same as taking responsibility personally.

      • Sarah December 8, 2024

        Maya_L makes a good point. Maybe it was more strategic for her to manage the crisis from the north.

  2. grower134 December 8, 2024

    This is all just political drama. Back in my day, we didn’t have this much commotion over a flood. People need to remember that nature is unpredictable.

    • Anna P December 8, 2024

      True, but the government’s response should be predictable. Preparing for disasters is a crucial part of leadership.

    • Mark_T100 December 8, 2024

      Fair point, Anna P. But let’s be honest, disasters have always been a mess, with or without political bias.

    • grower134 December 8, 2024

      I see your point, Anna P, but people always find a way to politicize natural events.

  3. Larry D December 8, 2024

    Favoritism in government response is nothing new, unfortunately. The disparity between funding in the North and South has political roots for sure.

    • Paula December 8, 2024

      That’s a heavy accusation, Larry. Do you have proof or is this just suspicion?

    • Justin H December 8, 2024

      Larry D might have a point, though. Past biases often influence current decisions, intentionally or not.

  4. Natalie_S December 8, 2024

    This flood response debacle highlights why we need more decentralized power for local governance.

    • Hank December 8, 2024

      Decentralization could make disaster management more efficient, but it might also make it harder to coordinate large-scale responses.

      • Natalie_S December 8, 2024

        True, Hank, but sometimes local authorities know the terrain and needs better than distant national figures.

  5. Catherine88 December 8, 2024

    The floods are tragic, but come on, it’s not just about political figures showing up for a photo op!

    • Faisal December 8, 2024

      That’s true, but showing up can boost morale and faith in leadership.

    • Tom December 8, 2024

      Plus, Catherine88, real aid often comes from behind the scenes work.

  6. Ravi_K December 8, 2024

    It’s ironic that even nature’s fury is now coated with blame games and politics. Humanity never changes.

  7. Emily W December 8, 2024

    We should be discussing how to better prepare for future floods instead of just criticizing the PM.

  8. HugoBoss December 8, 2024

    The administration should’ve focused on proper evacuation plans and disaster shelters. That’s the real issue here.

  9. Kevin December 8, 2024

    Shinawatra’s approach may seem cold, but maybe emphasizing aid over presence helps more people.

  10. Yasmine December 8, 2024

    The flooding is just a natural disaster; it’s not always fair to blame everything on political decisions.

  11. Nina December 8, 2024

    I feel the PM’s absence in the South does send a strong political message, whether intended or not.

  12. Alex_P December 8, 2024

    The reality is, no one really wants to talk about the structural failures that lead to these disasters in the first place.

  13. Geoff December 8, 2024

    Climate change makes these events more frequent. Maybe governments should focus more on long-term strategies.

  14. Maya_L December 8, 2024

    Geoff, totally agree! Long-term planning is key to mitigating these disasters.

  15. Joe December 8, 2024

    Geoff makes a good point about climate change, but why aren’t these strategies already in place?

  16. Sammy89 December 8, 2024

    Honestly, if the PM’s main priority is aid, then that’s what matters to me.

  17. Vivian_Lee December 8, 2024

    The media always loves a good political scandal, but maybe we should trust the experts a bit more.

  18. Peter J December 8, 2024

    What about actual help reaching people? Are those affected satisfied with the relief they received?

  19. Hayden December 8, 2024

    Even if the South rarely goes Pheu Thai, it’s the government’s duty to serve all regions equally.

  20. Tracy_L December 8, 2024

    Hayden, exactly! A government should never play favorites, regardless of political leanings.

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