Asif Ahmad says that a reluctance to accept assistance _ uncommon among most disaster-hit countries _ as well as poor communication of information to the public hurt efforts to bring relief to those affected by the deluge

• Published: 29/04/2012 at 03:25 AM
• Newspaper section: Spectrum

British ambassador Asif Ahmad has offered a forthright critique of the government's handling of last year's flood crisis, saying it should have asked for international help and better communicated information to the public.

FRIENDLY ADVICE: British Ambassador Asif Ahmad. PHOTO: PATIPAT JANTHONG

Mr Ahmad said the international community faced difficulties in providing assistance to foreign nationals in Thailand during the flood crisis from July to January, even though asking for foreign help is normal practice during a major crisis.