Eric Loh

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I agree with him. The US has the worst form of democracy where a government can be bought and paid for. It was the same in Thailand also so hope he changes it for the better.

And while were at it, how come the US is / has been totally quite about 'democracy' in Singapore and Malaysia?

Don't you get it. Singapore and Malaysia have elections; we don't. USA have always spoke strongly against Singapore and Malaysia about the need to improve public participation and freedom of expression. They particularly single out the harsh ISA and the Public Order Act. These strong condemnation has influenced the thinking of the locals and beginning to be manifested in election results. That's what needed, voters being informed and making decision at the ballot box.

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As always, Gen Prayut makes another unrestrained attack on the US in defense of his military-led government. His inelegant and bombastic condemnation of the US comes on the eve when a Thai delegation is going to the US to argue fair and balanced treatment on Thailand's listing with Tier 3 countries. This delegation was going to "help" the US understand that Thailand is meeting all its obligations in stopping and preventing human trafficking.

"We told them Thailand is unlike others." Thailand doesn't need US democracy but it wants unrestrictive access to all US markets.

So fine, the US is also unlike others, will also stand behind its democratic principles, and impose Tier 3 sanctions on Thailand because it DOES UNDERSTAND what Gen. Prayut stands for.

Yet the USA is quite happy to support a coup in Egypt, quite happy to support the King of Saudi Arabia that "bastion of democracy" and several other countries including supporting the people opposed to the Syrian government, it supports the Israelis against the palestinians and yet you say that the USA will stand by its "democratic principles".

How many countries has the USA invaded in the last 150 years quoting "democratic principles"?

Add Singapore and Malaysia, both have elections but in reality they are a farce, and both countries nowhere near real democracy. Does the USA say anything? Never seen it.

Really a desperate attempt by you to try made your argument. Put it up or shut up with your accusation that Singapore and Malaysia elections are farce. They may not be the prefect democracy but the citizens take their decisions to the ballot box and the military know their roles and responsibilities.

Both were close ally during the PDRC protest and now bitter foes. They were actually fighting for the minister post and Rajata got the ministerial position and Narong the perm sec. Got to have a bearing on their inability to work together from the very first day. Hope this not the reason as personal differences should never be brought into work which is holding hostage to thousands of citizens needing medical care.

Just did some more reading on this.

Dr Narong has been trying to run an effective health care system for the government.

The doctor was transferred to the generals staff as a special advisor, with a 42,000 baht allowance a month on top of his normal salary.

The Public Health ministry's Permanent Secretary Office (PSO) has been in conflict with National Health Security Office (NHSO) for several months over the management of the Universal coverage healthcare scheme (UC) supervised by the NHSO. Dr Narong suggested that the PSO manage the healthcare budget, while the NHSO believes that the PSO proposal would create conflicts of interest. The Doctor suggested this proposal as the NHSO is poor in the management of the UC budget allocation which is causing problems for a number of PSO hospitals.

One of the major issues that this Thai Government has is not spending money along with not the right personal able to give guidance in matters of spending/governance.

Committees were set up to resolve the issue but Dr Narong and associates boycotted the meetings.

The lads in the health care system see Dr Narongs actions as maintenance of the Thai Health system.

Whilst the appointed military types see someone not kowtowing to their demands.

A states healthcare system is expensive, with armatures running the system they may dismantle social services needed not only to provide basic healthcare, but create issues that may have catastrophic reach into public health management. Hope the NHSO has an idea what they are doing?

Chris, don't think Prayuth is taking side and certainly not a question of Narong not kowtowing to his demand. Prayuth is just frustrated with his stubbornness to compromise and work out an amicable solution. He has given him and Rajata a time frame to break the impasse and Narong refusal to even attend meetings has left Rajata no choice but recommend his sacking. At the heart of this impasse is the breakdown of who should manage the health budget. I think PSO argued that universal health is a social welfare and loss is expected while Narong insist that the budget must be tightly controlled and balance.

In regard to both the USA and European Union, where is their comment on the lack of democracy in both Singapore and Malaysia?

Allow me to comment about Malaysia and Singapore having lived there for considerable length of time. Both lacking in real freedom of speech and both guilty of using the courts to stifle oppositions. Their ISA is a questionable democratic method. They will face the people wrath in the next election and the corrupted Najib BN will be severely tested. The process will be very democratic and it's the people's mandate to oust the corrupted. Singapore PAP better keep their ear to the ground or they too will lose support. For certain no coup as the people in both countries know the costs and the fall-out and will never tolerated a military takeover.

Just a re-gathering of PDRC supporters in the photo. Martial law has been lenient with them.

I think it really comes down to the subject matter for the protest - not unrealistic tbh

I like the idea that the PM is bringing him on board as an advisor, I suspect the real target of this investigation is the NHSO

The advisor mentioned to save face. He was sacked and posted to an inactive role. Really all about the money or rather who control the budget. His hard stance and recalcitrance attitude are his fallings as he was unable to solve the year old problem. Just watch how fast this issue will be resolved without him and that will give you a big clue.

Just a re-gathering of PDRC supporters in the photo. Martial law has been lenient with them.

... ...

We have a dominating and intimidating PM who presides over the cabinet. Just like a family run business, a very micro managing and dominating CEO will stifle ideas and expression. All is not well and the economy is heading for a free fall until Thailand revert back to democracy and free election.

We had a criminal fugitive running his cabinet and clone like a family business. Top man thinking, rest acting. Lots of posters seemed to be happy with that.

Anyway, it would seem Thailand's economy has been in a free fall for almost a year now (according to some that is). The rest of the World follows the Thai example it looks like. The Euro on it's lowers point since 2003. Must be the coup in Thailand.

Rubi, was Thaksin back running the cabinet? Giving some advise is vast different from physical presiding the cabinet.

Funny you don't see the fall in export, dwindling FDI, struggling SMEs, low tourist inbound, drop in car and houses sales, stalled government projects and drop in revenue collection from poor domestic consumption. Yes, it's a free fall and really lack of government initiatives and policies. And someone said that more taxes are the panacea. A cabinet re-shuffle is not far away.

Rubber another blight brought on by the Thaksin bunch. When the Shin clan tried to clamp down on the muslims in the south the insurgency swelled and numerous rubber projects were started in the NE with the usual back handing deals. Rubber trees went everywhere, the tragedy now is the investment it takes to produce rubber; the trees, the land clearance/bedding, the seven years to production. Additionally, rubber planting has destroyed a lot of soils as the erosion from ditching has been huge.

I hope the rubber folk the best in their endeavors and what a shame they were duped by the past governments.

But even now when we here the current PM talk of new crops and diversification in agricultural, I sincerely hope the processes are well thought through and not just to make people temporarily "happy".

Don't think that less than 5% of total hectares Thailand rubber planation in the North East will made much of a dent and affect much farmers. They did enjoyed a period of high rubber price and should be happy. Contrary to what you said, rubber plantation actually reduce soil degradation, erosion and enhance soil fertility.

Don't made democracy any more harder by coups. Keep changing the constitution also is not helpful. Military must keep their guns outwards, not inwards. Strengthen the rule of law with a fair and just judiciary. Corruption must be punished by equal dispensation of deterrent for rich and poor. Lastly, only legit power to the upper and lower house from the people. Khun Pompimol should have said "our democracy deserves every chance to made it work".

A classic group photograph of a junta!

A classic group photograph of marionettes. The real power are never in the photo. Yingluck is vindicated.

The good General had that covered and his solution to our poor economy situation is to raise more taxes. Military men should stay as military men and not try to act as economist.

You might have missed that general government financing and the financing of various projects to stimulate the economy require some money. What with the previous government having been somewhat easy in spending, the current government needs to operate in a tighter environment.

There's still the 700 billion Baht RPPs debt and somehow the 1.4 trillion the previous government parked under the carpet at Bank of Thailand because that gave them better borrowing conditions.

He has also missed that the present finance minister is not a military man but highly respected in the financial world and that the BoT (which has just lowered interest rates by 0.25%) is responsible for managing the economy.

But when you are just posting for a bash what do facts matter.

Rob, your highly respected financial minister seem highly respected by only the coup leaders. He got his finance portfolio in both coups and not once in an elected government. May be his ability to condescend and follow orders. He is reported to favour the land tax just like the PM.

Yes he is respected in financial circles.

Thaksin with his proxy Govts put his own people in a finance ministers, loyalty and doing what they were told being the only qualifications needed.

Korn was the choice of the Abhisit Govt and he was said to have been the best finance minister this country has ever had.

It would appear you prefer Kitterat who believes that telling lies about the economy is the correct thing to do.

The land tax is a tax on the rich who own expensive properties and large land holdings, the alternative which has been mentioned is an increase in VAT which would impact most on the poor.

No problem that you find Khun Sommai highly respected. Somehow to me the experience of being the MD in SET outweighs working for a bank for the important finance minister role. Also fine with your assessment of Korn even though he was clouded with controversies regarding the fire sales of cheap 1997 assets. That's totally your personal prerogative. The Kittiratt lies always close at hand to be quoted. Just tell me which FM including the current and global do not lie to talk up their country economy.

Somehow what Kittiratt tried to ask BOT to do finally happen during Junta time. The quarter percentage drop has done its job and Baht depreciated and will help the export sector. Lacking in large amount are the fiscal policies to stimulate domestic and export growth. Like or hate it, the rice scheme, first house and car schemes and tax cuts in previous government gave a big boost to the domestic economy. Toyota is experiencing a big drop in sales and would affect manufacturing which have a influence on employment. Real estates are not fairing too good too. Budget disbursement is off target and money is not getting into the economy. Projects delayed and many contractors and workers are feeling the pinch. The SMEs are struggling due to lack of liquidity and lack of government initiative. The FDI is slowing down as foreign investors are concern with the uncertainty of a junta government. Remember the previous junta gaffe in introducing capital control. It was a disaster.

We have a dominating and intimidating PM who presides over the cabinet. Just like a family run business, a very micro managing and dominating CEO will stifle ideas and expression. All is not well and the economy is heading for a free fall until Thailand revert back to democracy and free election.

The good General had that covered and his solution to our poor economy situation is to raise more taxes. Military men should stay as military men and not try to act as economist.

You might have missed that general government financing and the financing of various projects to stimulate the economy require some money. What with the previous government having been somewhat easy in spending, the current government needs to operate in a tighter environment.

There's still the 700 billion Baht RPPs debt and somehow the 1.4 trillion the previous government parked under the carpet at Bank of Thailand because that gave them better borrowing conditions.

He has also missed that the present finance minister is not a military man but highly respected in the financial world and that the BoT (which has just lowered interest rates by 0.25%) is responsible for managing the economy.

But when you are just posting for a bash what do facts matter.

Rob, your highly respected financial minister seem highly respected by only the coup leaders. He got his finance portfolio in both coups and not once in an elected government. May be his ability to condescend and follow orders. He is reported to favour the land tax just like the PM.

I would be surprised if it was not linked. Most violence in Bangkok over the past 2 years was red driven.

Oh yes, the popcorn gunman. Cannot forget that guy amongst the 100's of attacks and deaths by the reds.

Oh yes, it will be linked for sure if they want it link. The authority will find every and any reasons to justify their continuation and imposition of martial law. They even allow the bombers to carry out their act to be convincing. Irony that they have know the perpetrators and even the 100s targets and have been tracking them and yet not apprehend them before they carried out the act as normal law enforcers will do but allow them to complete the act and gave chase and a fire fight. Just to be convincing.

The good General had that covered and his solution to our poor economy situation is to raise more taxes. Military men should stay as military men and not try to act as economist.

Robbie, has Prayuth visited the south troubled provinces yet. Just asking.

As Defence Minister Prawit said last July that they will bring peace within a year. They still have 3 months and well within the time frame. There will be reasons and excuses when time is up like too busy with the imaginary threats in Bangkok.

Beaten and tied up and she did all that to herself. If you can believe that. Lots easier to hire a hansum male escort to get her ex attention. Lately there seem to a lot of curious and hard to explain crimes.

More low hanging fruits to be plucked. For goodness sake, please attend and spend more on weighty matters. Time like this that he need to lead not attending to unimportant stalls reorganization and low value conference.

The Thai Journalist Association also has something to say about not bowing to intimidation too. Seem the culture of intimidation has manifested many folds after the coup and even here in TVF.

The PM still don't get it that it's the coup and martial law that is degrading foreign confidence. Hold an election and that will bring back foreign confidence. Unfortunately that wouldnt happen too soon as he only listen to himself.

Classic distraction tactic when nothing is working right for the junta. Even a blind man can see through this thinly veiled set-up. Gets more hilarious quoting the motive of getting UN involved. There even got the next 100 targets from the two songbirds. So funny.

Still the junta fear her in the next election and creating all the stops to have her banned and criminally indicted. Prayuth made her look good.

He is doing a great job.

Generalizing will be great. Just don't ask him for details.

Remember the Thaksin "press conferences"

I remember when Yingluck was elected and you moaned that Thailand was becoming North Korea, Jingthing. Now that Thailand has an unelected coup ruling the country, martial law, military tribunals for citizens with no appeal, no constitution, no political rights, no civil liberties, greatly increased prosecution for political speech, among its many repressive features you can't still be going on about what a threat to democracy the Shinawatras are, can you? You can't possibly lack a sense of scale to that degree, right?

You missed one out: "and no government backed terrorist groups murdering innocent men, women and children on the streets with grenade launchers" - which coincidentally is the ENTIRE reason for the coup.

Still, ignore what you don't like eh ?. And always blame someone else ...

That bunch of cronies were using deliberate terrorism to murder civilians in their attempts to hold on to power. You can't get worse than that. And it's pretty obvious who gave the order.

Seem you have a great analytical mind. Care you explain why no coup in 2010 when events were more dire?