• Problems associated with flooding
In 2011, the rains were unusually heavy, with a sequence of typhoons sweeping across southeast Asia. Regions of Thailand are now experiencing the worst floods in over fifty years, as water immerses villages, farms, and factories. The volume of water is so vast that more than half the country has already been flooded.
This flood not only affects Thailand, but the entire world. Thailand is the world’s largest manufacturer of rice, rubber, and computer hard drives, accounting for more than 25% of world production. Over 12.8 million people have been affected, and as of December 2011 the World Bank estimates that damages reached $45 billion.
Some areas have been left unattended and neglected, due to limited manpower and the extent of the affected areas and numbers of victims. Some communities have set up their own relief forces. This voluntary non-governmental relief was set up because much of the government’s relief efforts could not provide enough support.
People have been frustrated, but there are still signs of people sticking together and helping each other out. People worked together within their own communities, for example, by sharing food and setting up security guards in the villages to keep a watch for poisonous animals and reptiles. For example, there were reports of people being injured by snakes and crocodiles. A lot of crocodiles have now been captured and sent to Department of Livestock Development and the zoo.