Politicians chide PM Prayut for military Cabinet

[webfact]

Politicians chide PM for military Cabinet

By The Nation

 

 

Both major parties argue that generals have failed country on economic issues

 

KEY FIGURES from the country’s two major political parties have urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to take bold steps in reshuffling his Cabinet to achieve better results, especially in tackling economic issues.

 

Charern Kanthawong, a former party-list MP of the Democrat Party, said Prayut should adopt the management style of former premier Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat by appointing highly competent persons to his new Cabinet, and minimise the number of former military men in charge of important ministries.

 

At present, 11 former members of the military and police top echelons hold key portfolios in the 35-member Prayut Cabinet, following the resignation of Labour Minister General Sirichai Distakul.

 

Charern said Prayut needed to be bold in reshuffling his Cabinet after spending three years at the helm with too many former military men serving as ministers. Citing ex-premier Sarit as an example, he said the former military strongman had chosen many competent persons from various fields to run his administration in the 1960s.

 

He said Prayut should follow Sarit’s style to tackle economic issues, which have seriously affected the well being of the grassroots population as the prices of agricultural produce have stayed at record lows for a long time.

 

“Prayut will gain more popularity if he appoints more capable civilians to his Cabinet,” he said, adding that the PM should also consider removing conditions that barred political parties from conducting activities so that they have the time to prepare for the upcoming election.

 

Ong-art Karmpaiboon, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle should be aimed at solving economic problems of low-income people and others in agriculture and small-scale trading, sectors where business was still not good.

 

Pol Lt-General Viroj Pao-in, the acting leader of Pheu Thai Party, shared the opinion that the economic well being of low-income people remained a major issue hence the Cabinet reshuffle should take it into consideration.

 

Viroj said the premier should also follow the political “road map to democracy” by removing conditions that barred political parties from various activities, since the pre-election process had already started. According to Viroj, most people and all political parties wanted to see the country return to democracy with the general election held soon, hence there should be no excuses to delay the process.

 

Regarding the Cabinet reshuffle, Prayut has said he is not sure if it would be done before the New Year. He was also non-committal if the reshuffle would be wide-ranging or just cover the labour portfolio left vacant by Sirichai’s resignation.

 

Critics have suggested that there are too many ex-military people in the Cabinet while most of the ministers’ performance was not outstanding. 

 

Besides Prayut himself, the defence portfolio is controlled by deputy premier General Prawit Wongsuwan, while General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Air Chief Marshal Prajin Junthong and Admiral Narong Pipatanasai are also deputy premiers.

 

In addition, General Udomdej Sitabut is deputy defence minister, while General Chatchai Sarikulya is agriculture minister. General Surasak Kanjanarat is natural resources and environment minister, ACM Anantaporn Kanjanarat is deputy energy minister, General Anupong Paochinda is interior minister, General Surachet Chaiwong is deputy education minister and Pol General Adul Sangsingkaew is social development and human security minister.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30330902

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-06

[Thaiwrath]

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

KEY FIGURES from the country’s two major political parties have urged Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to take bold steps in reshuffling his Cabinet to achieve better results, especially in tackling economic issues.

Maybe a democratic election could be a better alternative ?

[Samui Bodoh]

While the reduction of military people in what are clearly civilian posts would be welcome, it won't really solve the problem.

 

The problem is at the very top. The government and Prayut himself are slowly losing the confidence of the populace, and I think it is very doubtful that it can be regained.

 

Time for an exit plan.

[NanLaew]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

He said Prayut should follow Sarit’s style to tackle economic issues, which have seriously affected the well being of the grassroots population as the prices of agricultural produce have stayed at record lows for a long time.

According to many, the prices of local produce in local markets has been steadily creeping up despite the cost of transport (fuel) pretty much flat-lining through the same period. That's why so many local restaurants have gone to the wall in the last 18 months and has fueled the growing trend for Thai 'TV dinners' bought at 7-eleven rather than dining out or even ordering 'to-go' fresh-cooked meals at the declining number of restaurants. That and landlords arbitrarily hiking rents, especially when they see a tenants business is doing well.  In the same way that residential property owners are bumping up rents, the rents that farmers and other small volume producers have to pay for a stall at the thousands of open, wet markets are also being hiked. The market owners apply performance penalties on stall holders where if they don't make the required monthly volume of sales, they lose their location (and deposits) and if they do beat the required quota and make some profit, their rent gets hiked until they can't make a living, give up the stall and again, lose their deposits. It's quite mercenary and AFAIK with absolutely no regulation or oversight.

 

Back on topic, the only regional military junta that came close to getting it right was in Taiwan but they had a much greater incentive to become a strong and independent economic powerhouse with red China just across the straits. Despite the overwhelming military threat, they didn't blow the nation's bank account on rubbish like submarines, tanks and oher 'toys for the boys'.

[candide]

8 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

While the reduction of military people in what are clearly civilian posts would be welcome, it won't really solve the problem.

 

The problem is at the very top. The government and Prayut himself are slowly losing the confidence of the populace, and I think it is very doubtful that it can be regained.

 

Time for an exit plan.

I find you quite benevolent tonight! 

[z42]

Where are these highly competent people who are spoken of? Certainly not in either the dems or ptp. The only thing that 90% (generous) Thai political office holders excel in is engaging in corruption for means of personal enrichment at the expense of the state. All parasites with a track record to boot

[dinsdale]

3 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

Maybe a democratic election could be a better alternative ?

Maybe a democratic election will result in more of the same. Look at Myanmar. Elections here 'when' it happens is sure to be a farce which will result in the entrenchment, which be said to be mandated, of the military and non-elected elite within a 'democratically' elected government.

Edited November 6, 2017 by dinsdale

[yellowboat]

What a scowl.  The people are starting to question him.  He does not like that. 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“Prayut will gain more popularity if he appoints more capable civilians to his Cabinet,”

A civilian government is what is needed.  The Army generals need to go back to their offices and participate like the average Thai Citizen. 

[Eric Loh]

2 hours ago, z42 said:

Where are these highly competent people who are spoken of? Certainly not in either the dems or ptp. The only thing that 90% (generous) Thai political office holders excel in is engaging in corruption for means of personal enrichment at the expense of the state. All parasites with a track record to boot

Give me a corrupted politician anytime than corrupted generals trying to govern the country and no mandate to leave office, surround themselves with immunity and amnesty and strong armed the country to accept a highly skewed constitution. At least with corrupted politicians, we can raise our discontentment openly but not a military government. Get real mate. 

[Becker]

15 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Give me a corrupted politician anytime than corrupted generals trying to govern the country and no mandate to leave office, surround themselves with immunity and amnesty and strong armed the country to accept a highly skewed constitution. At least with corrupted politicians, we can raise our discontentment openly but not a military government. Get real mate. 

Amen to that. The junta leaves when they're ready. An elected government leaves when the voters are ready. Huge difference.

[steven100]

  ......    same old same old ..   lol

[Becker]

16 minutes ago, steven100 said:

  ......    same old same old ..   lol

Watch out, the troll has awakened!

[Oziex1]

We all know these guys have a taste for the money now and they ain't going any where any time soon, civilians aren't part of their old boys club so why would they want to share with them.

[Baerboxer]

59 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Give me a corrupted politician anytime than corrupted generals trying to govern the country and no mandate to leave office, surround themselves with immunity and amnesty and strong armed the country to accept a highly skewed constitution. At least with corrupted politicians, we can raise our discontentment openly but not a military government. Get real mate. 

 

Give me no corruption - politician or military junta. That is what must be aimed for. Otherwise it will be straight back to factions fighting for the trough. Trouble is, currently, there's nobody or group driving this.

 

I don't think you can raise discontentment openly in all countries with elected governments. Try is in Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Singapore etc. Democracy there is a sham. Look at African leaders who change the constitutions so they can serve more terms in office than permitted. And all seemingly voted for by the people with overwhelming majorities.

 

Sadly family clans and gangs of corrupt politicians seem to all be following a model - that of one party state, headed by a powerful family, whose leadership is handed down through offspring and spouses. They act like medieval European rulers. This model seems prevalent in Asia, Africa and South America as well as being adopted in former USSR countries. Easy to follow. Put your family, extended family and friends in positions of power and control; implement laws to benefit and protect yourself; arrest opposition on trumped up charges; throw a few crumbs to the masses whilst embezzling billions; portray yourself and family as being "left wing and PC"; pretend to be socialists or democrats - and lie, lie and lie.

 

Rant over Eric. But I do hope you would be as active in posting against a corrupt civilian government as you are against a corrupt junta. Being elected doesn't give them the right to thieve and lie to suit themselves.

[Eric Loh]

19 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Give me no corruption - politician or military junta. That is what must be aimed for. Otherwise it will be straight back to factions fighting for the trough. Trouble is, currently, there's nobody or group driving this.

 

I don't think you can raise discontentment openly in all countries with elected governments. Try is in Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Singapore etc. Democracy there is a sham. Look at African leaders who change the constitutions so they can serve more terms in office than permitted. And all seemingly voted for by the people with overwhelming majorities.

 

Sadly family clans and gangs of corrupt politicians seem to all be following a model - that of one party state, headed by a powerful family, whose leadership is handed down through offspring and spouses. They act like medieval European rulers. This model seems prevalent in Asia, Africa and South America as well as being adopted in former USSR countries. Easy to follow. Put your family, extended family and friends in positions of power and control; implement laws to benefit and protect yourself; arrest opposition on trumped up charges; throw a few crumbs to the masses whilst embezzling billions; portray yourself and family as being "left wing and PC"; pretend to be socialists or democrats - and lie, lie and lie.

 

Rant over Eric. But I do hope you would be as active in posting against a corrupt civilian government as you are against a corrupt junta. Being elected doesn't give them the right to thieve and lie to suit themselves.

My advise to you is to stick to Thailand and try not to be too clever with the political situation in Singapore which you are inadequately equipped. 

 

You talk so much about family political clans but you seem to purposefully avoid talking about the the military clans. They are around much longer than any family clans. You seem to have a soft spot and much tolerance for military corruption. 

 

Political families are not uncommon. You said that yourself. Why pick on the Shins which has only been around for a decade and never had their way. 2 judiciary and military coups testify to that. If you compare corruption, you got to hand it to the military.

 

Being elected dont give them the right to corrupt. I agree and those who have committed have their days in the court and assets confiscated. Can you say the same for military corruption?

 

All your rant has been disproportionate with your angst against the Shins while the military corruption, intimidation and seizure of power 13 times over seem to get lesser criticism.

 

  

[Jonmarleesco]

2 hours ago, Becker said:

Amen to that. The junta leaves when they're ready. An elected government leaves when the voters are ready. Huge difference.

Unless a government follows the Hun Sen strategy.

Edited November 6, 2017 by Jonmarleesco

[Cadbury]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

My advise to you is to stick to Thailand and try not to be too clever with the political situation in Singapore which you are inadequately equipped. 

 

You talk so much about family political clans but you seem to purposefully avoid talking about the the military clans. They are around much longer than any family clans. You seem to have a soft spot and much tolerance for military corruption. 

 

Political families are not uncommon. You said that yourself. Why pick on the Shins which has only been around for a decade and never had their way. 2 judiciary and military coups testify to that. If you compare corruption, you got to hand it to the military.

 

Being elected dont give them the right to corrupt. I agree and those who have committed have their days in the court and assets confiscated. Can you say the same for military corruption?

 

All your rant has been disproportionate with your angst against the Shins while the military corruption, intimidation and seizure of power 13 times over seem to get lesser criticism.

 

  

You seen to be deliberately avoiding mentioning the "A" word. There is an important difference between the corruption style of civilian government and a military government. Does Article 44 ring a bell with you?

A civilian government has never had the advantage to steal and corrupt using an Article 44. Whereas the military not only use it for corruption but they use it to give themselves immunity from prosecution from such corruption.

And they are right up front and open with their corruption. Example: A military Prime Minister who gives himself the power and immunity of Article 44 and then shamelessly steals a legitimate gold mine from a foreign investor against the rules of a Trade Agreement.

Civilian governments can't hold a candle to the corruption of the military who have the guns and uniforms plus their priceless  Article 44.

[Becker]

1 hour ago, Jonmarleesco said:

Unless a government follows the Hun Sen strategy.

Cambodia is a democracy in name only. Hun Sen is a military strongman that rules with an iron fist. This is exactly what the junta has in mind for Thailand.

[Jonah Tenner]

6 hours ago, Becker said:

Amen to that. The junta leaves when they're ready. An elected government leaves when the voters are ready. Huge difference.

Having a Junta is like dancing with a gorilla. The gorilla decides when and how the dance ends.

[Media1]

10 hours ago, NanLaew said:

According to many, the prices of local produce in local markets has been steadily creeping up despite the cost of transport (fuel) pretty much flat-lining through the same period. That's why so many local restaurants have gone to the wall in the last 18 months and has fueled the growing trend for Thai 'TV dinners' bought at 7-eleven rather than dining out or even ordering 'to-go' fresh-cooked meals at the declining number of restaurants. That and landlords arbitrarily hiking rents, especially when they see a tenants business is doing well.  In the same way that residential property owners are bumping up rents, the rents that farmers and other small volume producers have to pay for a stall at the thousands of open, wet markets are also being hiked. The market owners apply performance penalties on stall holders where if they don't make the required monthly volume of sales, they lose their location (and deposits) and if they do beat the required quota and make some profit, their rent gets hiked until they can't make a living, give up the stall and again, lose their deposits. It's quite mercenary and AFAIK with absolutely no regulation or oversight.

 

Back on topic, the only regional military junta that came close to getting it right was in Taiwan but they had a much greater incentive to become a strong and independent economic powerhouse with red China just across the straits. Despite the overwhelming military threat, they didn't blow the nation's bank account on rubbish like submarines, tanks and oher 'toys for the boys'.

In there eyes even wrongs are rights. 

Nothing will stop there plan of no democracy. They have used organic crap for this black opps operation with a 20 year road plan with no GPS.

DOOMED

[chama]

So the PM has opted for people that are accustomed to getting things done of facing dire consequences as opposed to filling positions with people that are used to doing the "we're going round in circles" while we figure out how to screw the public?