EDITORIAL

The shadow on Toon’s glory

By The Nation

 

A cloud followed Artiwara across the country, glimpsed in displays of opportunism and hypocrisy

 

Artiwara “Toon Bodyslam” Kongmalai, now firmly ensconced in our pantheon of national heroes, has completed his mission to raise funds for state hospitals, on Monday winding up his marathon run from the country’s southernmost district, Betong, to its northernmost, Mae Sai.

 

The dramatic cross-country effort raised more than Bt1.1 billion in donations, well beyond his target of Bt700 million. It has to be said, though, that the event, for all the publicity it generated, failed to address the issue underlying the run – that the government fails in its duty to adequately finance public health services.

 

An inspiration to Thais to pay more attention to the less fortunate and help where they can, Toon has at the same time raised his own profile. The rock star became an outstanding citizen. One Buddhist monk even commented that he has the spirit of a bodhisattva, one motivated by deep compassion for his fellow man.

 

Toon was previously only known among a segment of youth as the lead singer of the rock band Bodyslam. The marathon run – a stunning escalation of a smaller-scale run he undertook last year for Bang Saphan Hospital – has made him famous to all Thais. He has proved valuable not only for the funds raised but also to the news media, the maker of the athletic shoes he wore, and a prominent duty-free operator. The television networks, both private and state-run, owe him a debt of gratitude for boosting their ratings.

 

Businesspeople could only feel shame if their companies’ “corporate social responsibility” programmes didn’t somehow entail a nod to Toon.

 

Ironically, the Public Health Ministry and several state hospitals were among the donors to the cause, just to get a share of the magic. It begs the question, of course, as to why the ministry didn’t simply give the money to the hospitals, and why the hospitals didn’t use their money to improve their own facilities.

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha secured a photo opportunity with Toon at Government House. Soldiers were assigned to assist on the route, and this week he was offered a lift back to Bangkok on a military aircraft. All of this was shameful. The military government should have already been addressing shortcomings in public healthcare. Instead, it ended up riding on the hero’s coattails, hoping some of his popularity might rub off. And meanwhile there’s been plenty of government money to purchase unneeded military hardware. 

 

The Bt1.1 billion that Toon raised represents just 0.33 per cent of the total annual budget for all state hospitals. Most of the 11 hospitals he suffered to help are relatively large and as such are supposed to be sufficiently funded by the government, yet they tend to operate in the red because of the tremendous number of patients seeking care. One of them, Saraburi Hospital, was more than Bt321 million in debt at the end of 2016. Many other state hospitals, big and small, are in the same dire situation, thanks wholly to the government’s poor budget management.

 

Toon completed his mission, but he failed to raise public awareness about what’s wrong with our public heath service and the shortfall in government funding. He did, however, expose two truths – that the government is not poor, and that many wealthy Thais are willing to donate millions to charity if it raises their celebrity status.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30334935

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-28

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

It has to be said, though, that the event, for all the publicity it generated, failed to address the issue underlying the run – that the government fails in its duty to adequately finance public health services.

Good editorial again from the Nation!

 

What the Nation cannot/is not allowed to say is that the reason for underfunded health services and over-funded military acquisition programs is the lack of a democratically elected, accountable government.

 

An elected government, for all its many faults, is simply better at responding to the demands and needs of its citizens. If you ask the average 'Somchai' on the street whether he would prefer submarines or funded hospitals, the answer will be clear.

 

I sincerely hope that Thailand will return to a demand-responsive, accountable government soon.

 

53 minutes ago, webfact said:

Toon completed his mission, but he failed to raise public awareness about what’s wrong with our public heath service and the shortfall in government funding. He did, however, expose two truths – that the government is not poor, and that many wealthy Thais are willing to donate millions to charity if it raises their celebrity status.

 

 Toon did his part. 

 

The Thai media should be asking these questions openly and publicly.

 

The government co opted Toon's cause and  showed no shame in taking charity like a pious monk.

 

The  "leaders" are more concerned about covering their expensive watches than improving the conditions in rural hospitals.

 

Toon should be applauded.

Service the ego with Submarines number 1.

Hospital funding number 2,3,4 oh um  another submarine General. 

1 hour ago, Oziex1 said:

Service the ego with Submarines number 1.

Hospital funding number 2,3,4 oh um  another submarine General. 

And what country does not put military and global political ambitions first before citizen's basic needs ?

 

America, NOT

China. NOT

Russia, NOT

....etc etc etc

For now, let's acknowledge what he accomplished... the rest a little later... first of the year would have been better.   Lavar it dudes!

I thought the run a great success just for the bringing together of the people... the excitement, the warmth of coming together... great stuff. 

 

Hopefully it inspires others to help too and live a life with more giving... more helping others. 

My question is, when will he actually give the money to the hospitals? 

Will there be a ceremony for the handing over of 1 billion baht? 

Good editorial again from the Nation!
 
What the Nation cannot/is not allowed to say is that the reason for underfunded health services and over-funded military acquisition programs is the lack of a democratically elected, accountable government.
 
An elected government, for all its many faults, is simply better at responding to the demands and needs of its citizens. If you ask the average 'Somchai' on the street whether he would prefer submarines or funded hospitals, the answer will be clear.
 
I sincerely hope that Thailand will return to a demand-responsive, accountable government soon.
 

What a load of b.s no government ever funded the health budget enough and that included the PTP.



Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

53 minutes ago, tonray said:

And what country does not put military and global political ambitions first before citizen's basic needs ?

 

America, NOT

China. NOT

Russia, NOT

....etc etc etc

Canada has universal health insurance and excellent hospitals.  I think Australia  and New Zealand seem to take care of their citizens.  Poorer countries like Costa Rica and Cuba  are not as you speak.  

 

What global political ambitions does Thailand harbor?

Edited December 28, 20178 yr by greatwhitenorth

So much crap going on in this country that I am starting to think its not worth putting comments on here as nothing seems to help those who suffer from the crap that comes out of so called humans mouths in this neck of the woods. just so nice these days not to have to take any notice of what is said here as it can no longer affect my family. Nuff said, But Happy new Year to you the people who still care.

Before declaring Toon or any of the rich donators to his cause 'heroes', it would be nice to see some tax returns. I doubt any of them paid even a tenth of the tax they would have if they declared their true income.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

several state hospitals were among the donors to

Which administrative moron came up with one?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Toon completed his mission, but he failed to raise public awareness about what’s wrong with our public heath service and the shortfall in government funding

Completely disagree, he has brought both issues to the forefront. 

 

Your article being an example of such. 

Edited December 28, 20178 yr by Bluespunk

2 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

Before declaring Toon or any of the rich donators to his cause 'heroes', it would be nice to see some tax returns. I doubt any of them paid even a tenth of the tax they would have if they declared their true income.

ya fair enough, from now on I want to see tax returns of posters before I read their opinion.  

5 minutes ago, greatwhitenorth said:

ya fair enough, from now on I want to see tax returns of posters before I read their opinion.  

I am employed in Thailand and immigration and labor department make sure I pay the tax on my full income. Actually there are months where I don't even get the salary but still pay the tax on it.

My Thai girlfriend on the other hand earns more than I do but on paper only a quarter. Most Thais just don't declare their income.

 

So it's all very hypothetical to complain about the government not spending right, when no one is paying their fair share in the first place. 

 

Ironically, the Public Health Ministry and several state hospitals were among the donors to the cause, just to get a share of the magic. It begs the question, of course, as to why the ministry didn’t simply give the money to the hospitals, and why the hospitals didn’t use their money to improve their own facilities. 

 

   It begs the question how much money the military keeps in their own pockets. Shame on the little wannabe leader with his corrupt brother. 

Its not just the government letting the people down, its also the hospital management putting their own priorities first and showing mismanagement.

 

Two examples from the hospital my wife specialized (large upcountry government hospital):

 

1. this one you would see coming from a mile away, but hospital directors also like to put their hands in the money jar. The hospital had paid for an extension of the main building and lastly they needed a new wall around the compound. For some reason the wall around the compound costed the same as the complete building. Nobody knows how that is possible, but I am pretty sure it has something to do with bribes and kickbacks.

 

2. good news for all doctors; pay increased by 10K a month. This was announced somewhere at the start of the year and payments indeed did increased... that is until the money ran out. Seemed like the director had promised more pay but "forgot" to increase the budget. Even 5-year olds would understand this means you blow through your money quicker and end up empty handed at the end of the year, but for this hospital it came as a surprise. End of year bad news for the staff: payments decreased and you end up with the exact same pay as always over the year.

 

And this is the price Thailand pays for nepotism, selling positions for money instead given them based on skills, and corruption.

1 hour ago, tonray said:

And what country does not put military and global political ambitions first before citizen's basic needs ?

 

America, NOT

China. NOT

Russia, NOT

....etc etc etc

 

Iceland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Switzerland?

 

 

 

 

 

13 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

Iceland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Switzerland?

 

 

 

 

 

Ironically not countries any expats living here seem to be flocking to in droves....but you are certainly more than welcome to head over to Andorra for your next retirement Visa if that suits your plans. I wonder what Andorran girls are like...ha ha

Toon run is glorious in so many ways. 

1 minute ago, tonray said:

Ironically not countries any expats living here seem to be flocking to in droves....but you are certainly more than welcome to head over to Andorra for your next retirement Visa if that suits your plans. I wonder what Andorran girls are like...ha ha

I think you don't see the sarcasm in Enoon's post. 

5 minutes ago, Enoon said:

 

Iceland, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Switzerland?

 

 

 

 

 

Actually the first duty of any country is to protect its citizens and deter its enemies even before addressing the basic needs of citizens.What this means in terms of cost will vary from country to country.Thus it is rational for the bill to be high in for example the case of Israel where the country faces an existential threat.In the case of Thailand where the country has no external threats and indeed no enemies, the cost of the military should be very small.But of course it is not because the role of the military in Thailand is not the normal one and the country remains the world's only military dictatorship.

 

As Duncan McCargo writes,

 

"The Royal Thai Army is a uniformed bureaucracy that does not fight wars.Unlike other powerful militaries in Southeast Asia it has never waged an independence struggle and never repelled invaders in modern times.The core pursuits of the Thai military are playing politics and engaging in business activities (including illegal activities such as smuggling); when occasion arises commanders are not averse to killing unarmed civilians."

Not one expat residing here has any right to steer government policy. We are not citizens and have no say in how the government runs, whether we pay taxes or not. Enjoy your stay and if social engineering is your game, best head back to your homeland and get active in politics.

2 hours ago, tonray said:

And what country does not put military and global political ambitions first before citizen's basic needs ?

 

America, NOT

China. NOT

Russia, NOT

....etc etc etc

What is the point you are making?

 

Yes they all do but is it right.

5 minutes ago, tonray said:

Not one expat residing here has any right to steer government policy. We are not citizens and have no say in how the government runs, whether we pay taxes or not. Enjoy your stay and if social engineering is your game, best head back to your homeland and get active in politics.

Don't be absurd.Nobody has suggested expatriates have the right to guide government policy.They certainly have the right to comment subject to the laws of the land just as Thais have the right to comment if they happen to be resident in other countries.The problem in Thailand is nothing to do with expatriates but rather that citizens of the country have been denied an influence on government policy since it is both dictatorial and unrepresentative.And if you can't grasp that perhaps you should think about heading back from wherever you came from.

Toon's run is glorious and inspiration in so many ways. This young man sent a message to the youth that you can be a famous rock star and still lead a clean and healthy life. To the young, he is a role model that the Thailand youth of today can be a productive member of society and indulge in good activities. 

 

He ran for the betterment of the hospitals and that was a indirect jab that hits hard at the government's insufficient budget and the attempt to push for co-payment of the UHC while increasing military budget and lavish hardware spending. Health care is at the heart of all especially the poor and in this regards, Toon showed lots compassion and intelligence.  

 

Lastly, he snubbed the military and refused their invitation for a plane ride and that is the ultimate slap in the face and a moral victory for the ordinary people.   .  

17 minutes ago, tonray said:

Not one expat residing here has any right to steer government policy. We are not citizens and have no say in how the government runs, whether we pay taxes or not. Enjoy your stay and if social engineering is your game, best head back to your homeland and get active in politics.

If you read the local mass media and social media, most of the Thais comments are similar to what expat expressed in the forum. 

5 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Toon's run is glorious and inspiration in so many ways. This young man sent a message to the youth that you can be a famous rock star and still lead a clean and healthy life. To the young, he is a role model that the Thailand youth of today can be a productive member of society and indulge in good activities. 

 

He ran for the betterment of the hospitals and that was a indirect jab that hits hard at the government's insufficient budget and the attempt to push for co-payment of the UHC while increasing military budget and lavish hardware spending. Health care is at the heart of all especially the poor and in this regards, Toon showed lots compassion and intelligence.  

 

Lastly, he snubbed the military and refused their invitation for a plane ride and that is the ultimate slap in the face and a moral victory for the ordinary people.   .  

Agreed.

 

Well done,that man!

 

 

32 minutes ago, jayboy said:

Don't be absurd.Nobody has suggested expatriates have the right to guide government policy.They certainly have the right to comment subject to the laws of the land just as Thais have the right to comment if they happen to be resident in other countries.The problem in Thailand is nothing to do with expatriates but rather that citizens of the country have been denied an influence on government policy since it is both dictatorial and unrepresentative.And if you can't grasp that perhaps you should think about heading back from wherever you came from.

Save your breath....Thai government and Thai people don't care what we think or have to say. Enjoy life here instead of pontificating about injustice

43 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

What is the point you are making?

 

Yes they all do but is it right.

My point is that most of us can't control the same issue in our own countries and yet we whine about it here .....useless