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Bangkok Floods: Canada Forgets That Phuket, Samui are Safe
By Alan Morison Wednesday, October 26, 2011
PHUKET: Canada is among the first Western Governments to respond to the flooding in Thailand.
In the message that follows, Canadian officials fail to clearly make the point that the floods are not evident in the major tourist centres of Phuket, Samui and Pattaya - where most Canadians venture, outside of Bangkok.
It's disappointing that this ''glass half-empty'' approach permeates the thinking of so many bureaucrats.
We're the closest thing Canada has on Phuket to an honorary consul, and we'll happily supply Canadians with reports that deal with the real needs of citizens.
Telling people where it's not safe is only half the obligation of civil servants. Please tell people where it's safe to go as well.
Here's what Canada says:
''Thailand Flooding Advisory
''Dear Canadians, you are receiving this email because you are registered with the Government of Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad Service. Please share the following information with all the Canadian citizens that you know.
''Today, Oct 26, 2011, our Travel Report was updated to advise Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to Bangkok and flood-affected provinces (see list below) in light of actual and predicted major flooding. Warnings against travel to other specific regions remain in place. All travel warnings for Thailand are outlined in our Travel Report.
''In response to the government office closures in Thailand, the Embassy will operate essential services only for October 27th, 28th and 31st.
''These include emergency consular, passport and visa services. Please contact the Embassy by telephone first if you require these services.
''Areas of central Thailand and northern and eastern Bangkok are experiencing significant flooding that is becoming more widespread within the metropolitan area.
''On Oct 25 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stated publically that even with flood prevention mechanisms in place, some areas of Bangkok will inevitably see flooding. These conditions are causing travel disruptions.
''Ground transportation in affected areas is difficult as some train and bus routes have been suspended or diverted, and some roads are impassable.
''Bangkok's main international airport, Suvarnabhumi International Airport, is operating normally; however, Don Muang Airport in Bangkok has been closed.
''Other essential services, such as power supply and communications, have been disrupted in some affected areas. Further disruptions to essential services, as well as shortages of drinking water and some food items, may be experienced, including within the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. More than 350 deaths have been attributed to the flooding.
''If you live within the Bangkok Metropolitan area and are affected by the flooding and need urgent assistance, contact the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's flood hotline at 1555.
''If you live elsewhere, contact the Thai Government's English-speaking Tourist Police, who can be reached nationwide by dialing 1155.
''As conditions are difficult to predict, Canadians should keep well informed by listening to the latest warnings and advisories on radio, television, or web sites. It is also important to follow the advice of local authorities and emergency response personnel.
''For general information you can contact the Government Call Center at 1111 ext. 5. For Thai speakers, there are hotlines for trains: 1690; buses: 1490; highway: 1586, 1784; and 1146 for local roads; highway police: 1193, and emergencies: 191.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
i can't see your problem. they've clearly stated non essential travel to bkk and flood-affected provinces... in central thailand. it is indicated that a list of affected provinces is supplied - although not published here - does this list include pattaya, phuket or Samui??
Posted by
another steve
on
October 27, 2011 07:36
Editor Comment:
You miss the point, another steve. What they should be saying - as all the international news agencies have been saying all week - is ''Phuket, Pattaya and Samui are unaffected by the floods.'' This reassures worried families and prevents the collateral destruction of Thailand's tourism industry. The floods are bad enough. There's no point in sinking the tourist industry as well. And the difficulties apply to all visitors, not just Canadians, so we will have a foolish swirl of uncoordinated warnings and alerts that really should be part of one universal alert system. I'm surprised you don't get it.
There is also an advisory from the UK.
See: http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/travel-advice
Posted by
Pete
on
October 27, 2011 08:07
Editor Comment:
Yes, we report that in today's PhuketWATCH, with other developments.
http://phuketwan.com/tourism/bangkok-floods-torment-travel-alerts-blame-game-begins-phuket-check-shelves-drink-killed-amy-phuket-benefit-match-14915/
Agree with another Steve, this is the way to issue a warning , to mention all safe places is impossible .. for Editor maybe mentioning that Phuket , Pattaya and Samui are unaffected is sufficient... but then what about Hua Hin, Pranburi, Koh Chang , Koh Samet and all the hundreds of other places that are safe too ?? No the thing a Government should do is to warn its citizens about the dangerous areas, where not to go, Governments are not on the tourist business that would be the duty of TAT and others to take care of that.
Posted by
Bjarne
on
October 27, 2011 11:34
Editor Comment:
Bjarne, I suggest you go back and read the threads from the political turmoil in Bangkok last year. You want to kill a country's tourism? You make the sin of omitting to say that two thirds of the country is safe. My view is that this kind of ''friendly fire'' is destructive and so easy to avoid with a more balanced attitude. Governments ARE in the tourist business - they all want the revenue it brings. And they have a duty to tell the whole truth, not half-truths. This kind of stuff is written by people who are Bangkok-focussed, and who are inclined not to see the big picture, beyond their wet shoes. I don't plan to go through the arguments for and against these foolish, uncoordinated travel advisories/warnings/alerts all over again. There is no argument when it comes to even-handed, non-scaremongering, as by the Germans last year. They said ''Phuket is safe'' repeatedly. Why are Phuket and Samui special? Because they have big airports, and in Phuket's case, huge numbers of direct flights. The examples set by the sensible embassies should be followed by the others, and there should be one universal system. I don't have the desire or the time, unfortunately, to replay this wasteful debate. Canada doesn't have a Phuket honorary consul, or his/her advice might have been sought first. Canada, find yourself a Phuket rep!
Well I do not think that the Governments should change the travel advisories to accommodate tourism interests nor do I think they will do so .... for me it is important to know where not to go the rest I can take care of by myself...so this is a difference of opinion and I am happy with that... respect that , thank you.
Posted by
Bjarne
on
October 27, 2011 12:25
Editor Comment:
Nobody is suggesting Governments do that, Bjarne, only that they show a bit more care and that their reports are accurate and balanced. And now ever nation will issue advisories/warnings/alerts one by one. For now, everyone is safe, except for Canadians and people from Hong Kong. As an individual, you may believe whichever one you like.
Funny but the above does not look a lot like the official Canadian Government travel alert which by the way lists the provinces which are affected by floods.
The above looks like a cut and paste job or a reprint of a story in another newspaper.
Posted by
Arthur of Darwin
on
October 27, 2011 14:03
Editor Comment:
It's the travel notification sent by email to registered Canadian citizens, Arthur of Darwin. Are you naturally pretentious and suspicious, or did that evolve?
Please can you keep us updated on Flood and your main Airport situation, whether open as usual. As we are planning our holiday to visit Bangkok near the end of November, if you can. Thank you.
Posted by
Pam Hatch
on
October 27, 2011 17:51
Editor Comment:
Suvarnabhumi is open and no problems have been reported but this weekend's peak for water has yet to arrive. End of November . . . unlikely to have a problem by then.
I disagree with the tone of the article. The Canadian government acted appropriately. Almost all Canadians enter Thailand through Bangkok. Although the airport is operational, the severity of the flooding situation indicates that the airport does face a risk of flooding. The onus is not on the Canadian governemt to provide a detailed listing of the locations that are considered flood safe, rather the obligation is to warn where there are known risks and that is precisely what the advisory states. I would go one step further and offer that it is the responsible thing to do. Stay away from the flood zones and keep in mind that the flooding has reduced the ability of the Canadian government to provide consular services. Too much negativity is attached to an acceptable document.
Posted by
Ryan
on
October 27, 2011 20:50
Editor Comment:
Ryan, there is no suggestion that Canadians (or any other visitors) are heading in vast numbers to the flood zones. But you will find quite a few are heading to Phuket, Samui and other holiday destinations. It would be ''appropriate'' for the Canadian government to let them know they were not heading into danger. This is half an advisory. Individual national warnings - Canadians are in danger but everyone else is perceived to be ''safe'' . . . do I really need to explain how illogical that is? The tone of the article matches the tone of all our recent reports about national travel advisories/warnings/alerts. They are an out-of-date, damaging reflection of 19th and 20th century attitudes and approaches, and they need a universal 21st century overhaul. Canadians are in danger, but people from other countries are not? Although tomorrow or the day after, they may be? Really?
Obviously the Editor couldn't be bothered with actually visiting the Canadian Govt. Travel Warning website where it CLEARLY states: "Popular tourism destinations in southern Thailand, such as Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui, are operating normally ...
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=290000
Posted by
Robert
on
October 28, 2011 00:02
Editor Comment:
And nor could the Canadian who was sent the email advisory, or the other critics of the article, hence the advisory's failure to impart the most important information in a balanced way. This is the defence for all the national advisories/alerts/warnings: ''Ah but it's there . . . you missed it.'' The vast majority pf people ignore them, hence the need for a new universal system structured around modern social media.
What a novel concept...a country's government trying to protect its' citizens from running into trouble while they are overseas. How dare they do that..how dare they offend the Thai people. What a joke.
Posted by
kobee
on
October 28, 2011 08:29
Editor Comment:
Haven't you heard, kobee? It's one world, and we're all in this together. If you want a national government to only give you half the essential information, fine. If you can explain why Canadians are suddently in danger one day while everyone else is safe, even better. This is not about ''offending Thais'' - a rather odd reaction - but about improving a very ordinary and outdated system . . . for everyone's benefit.
(moderated)
Posted by
Joel M
on
October 28, 2011 08:45
Editor Comment:
Joel, You'll have to apologise for calling me a racist before your views will be published again. And the fact you resort to name-calling is an indication of the strength of your argument on this issue and every other issue.
First of all, I never mentioned danger, I said 'running into trouble'. The gov't is protecting its citizens from having a bad experience, losing money and yeah, maybe danger.
Think about it from the other angle, how would the Canadian travelers feel if they spent a fortune traveling here(which is what it costs from Canada) and they came to a place suffering great problems and their gov't didn't mention it because they wanted to make sure the Thai tourism industry didn't suffer???
Any country's priority is to look out for its' own citizens first and foremost. Another country's tourism dollars is well down that list. And, it can't take responsibility for every other country's citizens that may visit Thailand...that is their own country's responsibility.
Posted by
kobee
on
October 28, 2011 09:12
Editor Comment:
How would you feel if you were a Canadian, you had a holiday booked to Phuket, and your government sent you scary information? Thailand is not under water. Balance and accuracy are what's required. This material, like so many advisories/alerts/warnings, is not written with the needs of the receivers in mind. It's the protective bureaucrat's reaction.
Name Calling? Now you just lie in the moderation to make your self look better..
People see past that Mr Editor :)
My posts don't need to be viewed. So long as you read them (and I know you do), I'm happy.
However, I am sorry you appear to be a racist. It would be nice to have non racist appearing people in the media.
Posted by
Joel M
on
October 28, 2011 09:47
Why do you always argue and never accept you might be wrong?
Does not every comment (bar 1) disagreeing with you make you think you might be wrong and you are simply to proud to admit it?
Phuket communities laugh at you. I have always known you to be to proud to admit you are wrong but others say you used to be decent.. What happened? Did a tourist hurt your feelings 1 day?
Posted by
Joel M
on
October 28, 2011 10:34
Pretensious or not, where in your story is the part about the article being based on an email to registered travellers. I went to the official Canadian web site and found what i found.
Smart arse comments do not show your superiority only your ignorance.
Posted by
arthur
on
October 28, 2011 11:10
Editor Comment:
Where it says: ''Dear Canadians, you are receiving this email because you are registered with the Government of Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad Service. . . ''
You imply without reason that we've ripped something off from another newspaper, and you expect warmth and friendliness? Evolve please, Arthur of Darwin.
Do you want the Canadian government's advisory to list in the body of the advisory all of the provinces affected by flooding or of all the provinces not affected?
Actually, what you really want is to get more clicks on your web site. Congratulations, you got one of mine. Hope it was worth it.
Posted by
Eric
on
October 28, 2011 14:40
Editor Comment:
What kind of a comment is that, Eric? You don't seem to understand much of what's been written. The Canadian advisory didn't properly inform Canadians what the situation was in Thailand. The advisory only told part of the story - the negative side. The rest is in your dreams, you poor thing.
As another commenter says on another thread: Around 400+ people in a group are coming to celebrate 4 days of wedding in Phuket as planned before 3 months. This will surely help people of thailand.
And as we replied: Sounds good. Fine and sunny on Phuket, has been mostly all week, but the television news reports won't tell you that.
See, Eric? The whole story, not just the bad part.
Ed wrote: "The Canadian advisory didn't properly inform Canadians what the situation was in Thailand. The advisory only told part of the story - the negative side. The rest is in your dreams, you poor thing."
Did you not see the link in the Canadian advisory to the list of reports that detailed the provinces that were and were not affected by flooding?
Do you want the advisory to include that list of provinces? - the list of flooded provinces, or the non-flooded ones.
Why should it specifically say Phuket and Samui are OK? Anyone with half a brain - even Canadians - knows that islands do not suffer from flooding from the mainland.
(moderated)
Posted by
Eric
on
October 28, 2011 19:42
Editor Comment:
As I've already said, the Canadian who was sent the email didn't follow the link, nor did most critics . . . and I certainly don't have time to follow links. It all needs to be there, Eric, in a few paragraphs, straight and economical. You may know that Phuket and Samui are some distance from Bangkok. Most of the people in the world, though, are not as smart as you.
Phuket is an important direct flight international destination - worth mentioning in every advisory about Thailand, good news or bad news. And good news is as important as bad news.
My only problem is getting through to people who have trouble understanding very basic points, Eric. And what's really odd is how those who say they hate the Nanny State want to be mollycoddled at the first sign of trouble.
To Editor - - - Yeah maybe the letter from the embassy should have told that Phuket is safe - from the floods, but you will be ripped off by jetsky and motor bike scamers and possibly end up in hospital. You will be traveling in overloaded busses who havent been inspected for ages, you might be rip-off by taxi drivers, fights with tuk-tuk drivers, be assaulted or even killed BUT you will not be flooded. Ohh, same applies to the other "safe" destinations
Posted by
Joe
on
October 31, 2011 23:02
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i can't see your problem. they've clearly stated non essential travel to bkk and flood-affected provinces... in central thailand. it is indicated that a list of affected provinces is supplied - although not published here - does this list include pattaya, phuket or Samui??
Posted by another steve on October 27, 2011 07:36
Editor Comment:
You miss the point, another steve. What they should be saying - as all the international news agencies have been saying all week - is ''Phuket, Pattaya and Samui are unaffected by the floods.'' This reassures worried families and prevents the collateral destruction of Thailand's tourism industry. The floods are bad enough. There's no point in sinking the tourist industry as well. And the difficulties apply to all visitors, not just Canadians, so we will have a foolish swirl of uncoordinated warnings and alerts that really should be part of one universal alert system. I'm surprised you don't get it.