Weather Alert Page Returns After Flood Warning Deleted
A weather alert Facebook page returned after authorities investigated its controversial flood warning as alarmist content, with the operator defending the post as a public service and reaffirming predictions of heavy rain and flooding.
A popular weather alert Facebook page has returned after posting a major flood warning that drew scrutiny from authorities. The page operator defended the post, saying it was intended to serve the public and was not meant to cause panic, and insisted that heavy rain would indeed fall for three days and three nights, asking readers to decide for themselves whether to believe it.
On September 22, the page Ti Lom Fah Akart, which regularly posts warnings about rain, flooding, and water overflow, posted an alert saying a major flood would occur in 120 hours, warning of heavy consecutive rain and major flooding in the eastern region, with Bangkok and surrounding areas at risk of flooding in all districts from September 24-27. The page was then taken down.
The Office of the Consumer Protection Board subsequently investigated the post about major flooding in the eastern region and Bangkok, finding it to be alarmist content rather than an official warning from the Meteorological Department or water authority.
Most recently, the page Ti Lom Fah Akart has returned, but as a newly created account. The operator posted a statement saying: "I did this for public benefit and had no intention to cause panic" and "harassment has stopped."
In a follow-up post, the operator wrote: "I confirm that there will indeed be heavy rain falling day and night from September 24-27, particularly in the eastern region and many areas in the central region, especially Bangkok and surrounding areas at risk of flooding requiring water drainage across multiple districts, as well as parts of the lower northern and lower northeastern regions. It is up to you to decide whether to believe it or not."
