Rural voters are not at all ignorant — much to the contrary:
“Most of those who sold their votes, or their souls, to the likes of Thaksin knew exactly what they were getting themselves and the country into. The problem is, they did not care whether Thaksin would cheat or steal as long as they got to keep the crumbs under the table. To cynical voters, all politicians are corrupt, and these people made a conscious choice to vote for the devil they knew.”
The Nation, Oct. 17, 2007
As shown in this quote from the editorial, people at The Nation are working hard to increase their degree of ignorance to a level where even the tiny rest of credibility this paper has left is used up. Of course, the editorial doesn’t fail to mention that most of the votes Thaksin got in the elections he won were bought by him. It is sort of a conscious self-destruction of a previously respectable paper–quite amazing.
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2. You can buy only one box of snail(10kg)
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Colonel – Colonel!!, I was at the Koh Kong border and I had forgotten to take any money with me as I presumed I could visit a bank before closure, but it was too late, so I had to go back into Thailand for an ATM. I said to the Cambodian border officials that I didn’t want to pay for another Visa and they said it was ok after some jibes about my foolery. The Thai officials however, insisted that I leave my passport with them. As I was in no position no argue, I did so. Anyway, upon obtaining 3000 baht (all that was left in my account) I tried to get back my passport from the balding, tubby official and he wanted 1500 baht for it. I said that was ridiculous, corrupt and that I would report him to his superior. He pointed to his superior who was standing behind him and they both laughed. The superior said that this was ‘nothing’ and that I can talk to the Cambodian officials if I want to do ‘business’. Due to my obvious poverty I negotiated them down to 600 baht which they said they would use for toilet paper. I walked back through the border check and offered the Cambodian officials 400 baht which they did not take! The two officials at the desk implied through my poor understanding of French that 400 baht was not enough to get arrested for. Imagine what else goes down on that border!
@nganadeeleg: It doesn’t really matter if the bumbling was scripted, because puppets don’t stand for re-election. After the coup one had to ask the question: Why would they ever relinquish power? And: How CAN they relinquish power while Thaksin is still so popular? This is how they shot themselves in the foot. I might be too pessimistic at times but from historical experience, as a German, I have taken to heart: Wehret den Anf├дngen! (Literally: Fight the beginnings!). You have to nip dictatorship in the bud, or you will end up with just that. Now the ISOC law was changed to put the PM in charge. And who will be PM? That’s right, you guessed it.
I wonder whether any business can be concluded in Thailand without some ‘inducement’ money being exchanged to facilitate permits, licenses or what nots?
In Thailand anything is possible for a price. Judges are crooked, lawyers are crooked, policemen are crooked.
But ignoring small-time graft, is there anybody in this forum who had been exposed first-hand to big-time big money corruption? I for one would be interested to read the dirty nitty details . . .
Ex-Ajarn/Jeru: The most funny thing was when it appeared that the printing of the new constitution before the copies were sent to the people ahead of the referendum was marred with corruption. Ironically, this included a number of state-run printing houses…
In a 1994 interview with a U.S. congressman, during a period of house arrest, she was asked about her role and her vision for Burma:
“Democracy won’t solve all our problems – I have always said this. Establishing democracy here is only a beginning. It is not a perfect system but it is better than all the others. In liberal democracies, people always think of talking first and fighting last. If you fight first, you just end up fighting to exhaustion. The word “parliament” comes from the word “talk.” It is better to talk than shout, but shouting is better than shooting.
We can have democracy the Asian way, the Burmese way. Whatever system develops here will become unique to this country. Democracy is not the same in the US [as it is in the] UK. There will always be differences. But some fundamental principles are abiding.”
(BangkokPost.com) – A panel investigating Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s resort on reserved forest found that Gen Surayud has transferred the land to his son Chun less than two months after he came into power.
The panel, led by Chumpol Sangthong, who is a close aide of National Legislative Assembly member Prasong Soonsiri, revealed new information that Gen Surayud transferred the controversial piece of land on Khao Yai Thieng to his son on November 7 of last year.
Mr Chumpol said Gen Surayud did not report the ownership of the piece of land to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) after he took the top post, which was before he owned the land to his son.
He accused Gen Surayud of possibly concealing his assets.
Mr Chumpol said the panel will forward this matter to the NCCC for investigation.
BP 16 Oct. 2007 (online)
A little hard to do an empirical study on corruption, participants are reluctant to participant in these types of studies. Currently I have dealings with government officials and the Army, and they don’t even bother to hide their requests for gratuities. Another example, go down Ladphrao Road and other areas of Bangkok and see the openness of brothels (who do you think gets paid off to allow these places to operate?). Police corruption has increased and the current regime has not made any efforts to curb any corruption unless it was committed by a member of TRT. Can anyone show an example of the government making any attempts to curb corruption that was not politically motivated?
Don’t tell me you think this current government has been entirely above-board concerning this electorial process.
If you think “the Generals” are not making deals in small, smoke-filled rooms, then I would like to present you the opportunity to purchase several bridges over the Chao Phraya river at a very reasonable price!
Ah, yes…the Chang Noi piece was brilliant, as usual. The power of love.
All these act by the Sonthi & Co. are so cliche and by-the-book typical junta to the degree that it does not really funny anymore. Using martial law as political tool is just uncreative, and gross abuse of power.
But really, Prachai L. freak me out. God forbidd he become political, let alone PM.
From a high of 3.8 in 2005, (probably reflecting some success of the royal campaign against corruption?), the figure dropped to 3.6 in 2006 (possibly reflecting the accusations surrounding the airport and other mega-projects?) and now under the junta has hit a low of 3.3 for 2007, the lowest it’s been since 2003. Thailand’s relative rank has dropped also. Ex-Ajaan is quite justified in saying that corruption is on the rise.
I intend to attend the talk on corruption at ANU so will post something summarising that.
Incredulous some may be, but this sham is getting more and more bizarre. Chang Noi has another brilliant analysis in yesterday’s (15th Oct.) Nation. The puppetmaster will in due time reveal the plan he has laid out all along with the help of his henchmen Prasong and Meechai. I still believe the entire political likay currently played (including “censor” motions by Prasong etc.) was carefully scripted for months before the coup. Sonthi will be prime minister as he’ll join the “right party” at the right moment. PPP will be red-carded; but not yet, but rather shortly before the election, not to give the Thaksin camp time to regroup. The election is just a ploy to placate the international community and as a sorry pretense for Sonthi’s power grap.
I am a little confused about the role of martial law in Thailand. Matichon (Oct. 14) had an article saying that with an announcement made on November 13, 1998, 20 provinces, 89 districts, and 7 semi-districts were put under martial law. Thus, the elections of 2001 and 2005 seemed to have taken place under martial law in these provinces. On January 26, 2004, Satun and Pattani were added to the list of provinces under martial law. All that was before the coup took place.
Has martial law been a routine element of the Thai legal scene for quite some time? What is the relationship between martial law and an emergy decree? Perhaps, a reader with knowledge on these issues could provide some more information.
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The vote of the poor
Rural voters are not at all ignorant — much to the contrary:
“Most of those who sold their votes, or their souls, to the likes of Thaksin knew exactly what they were getting themselves and the country into. The problem is, they did not care whether Thaksin would cheat or steal as long as they got to keep the crumbs under the table. To cynical voters, all politicians are corrupt, and these people made a conscious choice to vote for the devil they knew.”
The Nation, Oct. 17, 2007
As shown in this quote from the editorial, people at The Nation are working hard to increase their degree of ignorance to a level where even the tiny rest of credibility this paper has left is used up. Of course, the editorial doesn’t fail to mention that most of the votes Thaksin got in the elections he won were bought by him. It is sort of a conscious self-destruction of a previously respectable paper–quite amazing.
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
But it is the everyday, “small-time graft”, including position buying in the bureaucracy, that does so much harm to the country!
Putting snails to good use
Beijing Jinmengxuan Snail Breeding Co., Ltd.
This is Beijing Jinmengxuan Snail Breeding Co., Ltd., located at Mentougou District of Beijing City, and having the largest- snail Breeding factory in China. This Company mainly deals with the breeding and sale of snail, a kind of living body on continent. The snail cultivated and sold by our Company has Helix aspersa and Helix pomatia Linnaeus as its scientific name. It is a kind of mollusk of abdominal leg family. Helix aspersa and Helix pomatia Linnaeus snail is mainly edible for mankind, for it has comprehensive and balanced nutritious ingredients needed by human body. It ranks the first places of the world animals for its content of protein, and it has the lowest fat content, therefore, it is listed as the first place of the world top four famous dishes .if your company need the snail please contact us
Why by the snails from us?
1. You can get the best and cheapest snails directly from us.
2. You can buy only one box of snail(10kg)
Contact person :wang xiao
Tel:0086-10-88807022
Email:wangxiao07022 @yahoo.com.cn
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
Colonel – Colonel!!, I was at the Koh Kong border and I had forgotten to take any money with me as I presumed I could visit a bank before closure, but it was too late, so I had to go back into Thailand for an ATM. I said to the Cambodian border officials that I didn’t want to pay for another Visa and they said it was ok after some jibes about my foolery. The Thai officials however, insisted that I leave my passport with them. As I was in no position no argue, I did so. Anyway, upon obtaining 3000 baht (all that was left in my account) I tried to get back my passport from the balding, tubby official and he wanted 1500 baht for it. I said that was ridiculous, corrupt and that I would report him to his superior. He pointed to his superior who was standing behind him and they both laughed. The superior said that this was ‘nothing’ and that I can talk to the Cambodian officials if I want to do ‘business’. Due to my obvious poverty I negotiated them down to 600 baht which they said they would use for toilet paper. I walked back through the border check and offered the Cambodian officials 400 baht which they did not take! The two officials at the desk implied through my poor understanding of French that 400 baht was not enough to get arrested for. Imagine what else goes down on that border!
Free Burma rally in London
[…] ┘Е┘Ж╪п┘К┘Д╪з ╪з┘Д╪м╪п┘К╪п [╪е┘Ж┘Г┘Д┘К╪▓┘К] ╪╡┘И╪▒ ┘Д┘Е╪╕╪з┘З╪▒┘З ╪к┘Ж╪з╪п┘К ┘Д╪н╪▒┘К╪▒ ╪и┘И╪▒┘Е╪з ╪к┘Е ╪к┘Ж╪╕┘К┘Е┘З╪з ┘Б┘К […]
Border nonsence
@nganadeeleg: It doesn’t really matter if the bumbling was scripted, because puppets don’t stand for re-election. After the coup one had to ask the question: Why would they ever relinquish power? And: How CAN they relinquish power while Thaksin is still so popular? This is how they shot themselves in the foot. I might be too pessimistic at times but from historical experience, as a German, I have taken to heart: Wehret den Anf├дngen! (Literally: Fight the beginnings!). You have to nip dictatorship in the bud, or you will end up with just that. Now the ISOC law was changed to put the PM in charge. And who will be PM? That’s right, you guessed it.
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
I wonder whether any business can be concluded in Thailand without some ‘inducement’ money being exchanged to facilitate permits, licenses or what nots?
In Thailand anything is possible for a price. Judges are crooked, lawyers are crooked, policemen are crooked.
But ignoring small-time graft, is there anybody in this forum who had been exposed first-hand to big-time big money corruption? I for one would be interested to read the dirty nitty details . . .
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
Ex-Ajarn/Jeru: The most funny thing was when it appeared that the printing of the new constitution before the copies were sent to the people ahead of the referendum was marred with corruption. Ironically, this included a number of state-run printing houses…
Locked up in Burma
Grasshopper,
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi answered your question
In a 1994 interview with a U.S. congressman, during a period of house arrest, she was asked about her role and her vision for Burma:
“Democracy won’t solve all our problems – I have always said this. Establishing democracy here is only a beginning. It is not a perfect system but it is better than all the others. In liberal democracies, people always think of talking first and fighting last. If you fight first, you just end up fighting to exhaustion. The word “parliament” comes from the word “talk.” It is better to talk than shout, but shouting is better than shooting.
We can have democracy the Asian way, the Burmese way. Whatever system develops here will become unique to this country. Democracy is not the same in the US [as it is in the] UK. There will always be differences. But some fundamental principles are abiding.”
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
Surayudh it hot water?
PM transferred controversial land to son
(BangkokPost.com) – A panel investigating Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s resort on reserved forest found that Gen Surayud has transferred the land to his son Chun less than two months after he came into power.
The panel, led by Chumpol Sangthong, who is a close aide of National Legislative Assembly member Prasong Soonsiri, revealed new information that Gen Surayud transferred the controversial piece of land on Khao Yai Thieng to his son on November 7 of last year.
Mr Chumpol said Gen Surayud did not report the ownership of the piece of land to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) after he took the top post, which was before he owned the land to his son.
He accused Gen Surayud of possibly concealing his assets.
Mr Chumpol said the panel will forward this matter to the NCCC for investigation.
BP 16 Oct. 2007 (online)
Border nonsence
LLeij: Why would I think that everything is entirely above-board?
Politicians, Generals, Thailand, influentual persons, Samak – need I say more?
The point I was making is that it’s not only the pro Thaksinites that should be spooked.
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
col. jeru
A little hard to do an empirical study on corruption, participants are reluctant to participant in these types of studies. Currently I have dealings with government officials and the Army, and they don’t even bother to hide their requests for gratuities. Another example, go down Ladphrao Road and other areas of Bangkok and see the openness of brothels (who do you think gets paid off to allow these places to operate?). Police corruption has increased and the current regime has not made any efforts to curb any corruption unless it was committed by a member of TRT. Can anyone show an example of the government making any attempts to curb corruption that was not politically motivated?
Border nonsence
Re: nganadeeleg,
Don’t tell me you think this current government has been entirely above-board concerning this electorial process.
If you think “the Generals” are not making deals in small, smoke-filled rooms, then I would like to present you the opportunity to purchase several bridges over the Chao Phraya river at a very reasonable price!
Xat Lao
i have the current news spaper or also i want to tell you
website you can get a good pictures
i think it can update you website a lot
give you http://www.vientiantimes.org.la
Border nonsence
Ah, yes…the Chang Noi piece was brilliant, as usual. The power of love.
All these act by the Sonthi & Co. are so cliche and by-the-book typical junta to the degree that it does not really funny anymore. Using martial law as political tool is just uncreative, and gross abuse of power.
But really, Prachai L. freak me out. God forbidd he become political, let alone PM.
Thailand’s (second?) highest profile forest encroacher?
The figures for 2006 and 2007 are now out from Transparency International.
From a high of 3.8 in 2005, (probably reflecting some success of the royal campaign against corruption?), the figure dropped to 3.6 in 2006 (possibly reflecting the accusations surrounding the airport and other mega-projects?) and now under the junta has hit a low of 3.3 for 2007, the lowest it’s been since 2003. Thailand’s relative rank has dropped also. Ex-Ajaan is quite justified in saying that corruption is on the rise.
I intend to attend the talk on corruption at ANU so will post something summarising that.
Free Burma rally in London
[…] Mandala has pictures from a Free Burma rally in London. Share […]
Border nonsence
Krid: Has all the old ginger apparent bumbling along the way also been part of this ‘carefully scripted’ master plan?
You sound a bit spooked, but don’t worry because a large money bag combined with voodoo worship can still command unconditional support.
Border nonsence
Incredulous some may be, but this sham is getting more and more bizarre. Chang Noi has another brilliant analysis in yesterday’s (15th Oct.) Nation. The puppetmaster will in due time reveal the plan he has laid out all along with the help of his henchmen Prasong and Meechai. I still believe the entire political likay currently played (including “censor” motions by Prasong etc.) was carefully scripted for months before the coup. Sonthi will be prime minister as he’ll join the “right party” at the right moment. PPP will be red-carded; but not yet, but rather shortly before the election, not to give the Thaksin camp time to regroup. The election is just a ploy to placate the international community and as a sorry pretense for Sonthi’s power grap.
Border nonsence
I am a little confused about the role of martial law in Thailand. Matichon (Oct. 14) had an article saying that with an announcement made on November 13, 1998, 20 provinces, 89 districts, and 7 semi-districts were put under martial law. Thus, the elections of 2001 and 2005 seemed to have taken place under martial law in these provinces. On January 26, 2004, Satun and Pattani were added to the list of provinces under martial law. All that was before the coup took place.
Has martial law been a routine element of the Thai legal scene for quite some time? What is the relationship between martial law and an emergy decree? Perhaps, a reader with knowledge on these issues could provide some more information.