Thailand - Commentary: Deluge offers lessons through observation

There are two groups of people I've encountered during the past few weeks.

First are those who are under stress as their homes have been flooded and they have become evacuees.

The other group are those who have their eyes glued on TV and computer screens and mobile phones to check the flood situation. Many of them say "bring it on" as they just can't bear the frustration any longer.

In short, everyone is as just frustrated as the next person - with or without flood water.

We've got to admit though that even in terms of a disaster like this, we could enrich our knowledge and have our eyes opened wide. I believe I have learned more or less than anyyone from the country's worst flood in five decades. Here are the things I have learned:

Thailand is the world's largest breeder of crocodiles, a home to over 700,000.

Thailand is home to at least 15 beautiful'yet deadly snakes - green mambas from Africa, 13 of them on the loose.

Many Thais have become the late Steve Irwin's crocodile-hunter. I know at least two: snake-catcher Sompop, who offers a free service around the clock, at 089 043-8445, and the "crocBuster" Charoenchai, at 081 607 6332.

Water experts' predictions on TV can beat the ratings of prime-time soap operas.

Cars can float for kilometres and planes can be submerged too.

Many of the aircraft stranded in water at Don Mueang Airport are either retired from service or abandoned; they are not ones that provide service.

Many foreigners thought Survanabhumi Airport was submerged when they saw photos of Don Mueang Airport.

The biggest parking lots are along Bangkok's expressways, U-turn bridges and any elevated roads.

7-eleven shelves can be empty without being looted.

When Thai people fear shortages of food, the first thing they stock up on is instant noodles, as well as drinking water.

People don't stop Facebooking and tweeting even though their houses are flooded.

One fried egg costs Bt10 while a raw egg can be priced at Bt8.

Prince of Songkla University can produce fried rice that can last one month without being frozen, and 5,000 meals have been distributed to flood victims.

Floods can overcome many barriers but can do nothing to one man's love for his ill wife. If you haven't watched the video that makes news host Sorrayuth Suthassanajinda cry, here is the link: http://t.co/MYJ35pDK.

The flood has changed the measurement of wealth. From expensive cars and big houses, now the richer the person has the higher and thicker of row of sandbags.

There are seven industrial estates that have been submerged so far.

The areas located near the river are not necessarily low ground. In Bangkok the highest point is in Klong Toey at the Plai Nern Palace on Rama IV Road.

The opposition leader went holidaying in the Maldives with his family.

Floods can't wash away politics. On the contrary, they have inflamed the political division in the country.

EM (ball) stands for Electrifying Micro-organisms, and they are believed to help treat polluted water.

Volunteering can branch out to all kinds of skills from making EM balls, making life-vests from empty bottles, to cooking food and filling sandbags.

Many people confess they try not to spend too much money so that they can donate more to help flood victims.

Engineers, however, doubt that EM balls are the right solution. A lecturer at Chulalongkorn Unviersity's Engineering Faculty has written some observations and asked people to exercise caution about being entirely dependent on EM balls.

All governments praised His Majesty the King on his advice on flood prevention. In 1995, the King warned of "disaster", called for a "floodway" and suggested road tunnels and more: YouTube/Uv5HO7nA5EQ. Since then, there have been 24 governments.

Social media are like water, and if you filter right, can be usable - just like the information I have learned since the floods hit Thailand.

And as I'm writing, I learn that 25 provinces are still flooded and 145 districts affected. Over 700,000 families are suffering from the floods. The deluge has so far claimed 442 lives and two are still missing.

Veena Thoopkrajae in Bangkok/The Nation | ANN

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