PM rolls out ‘Thai Niyom’ scheme

[rooster59]

PM rolls out ‘Thai Niyom’ scheme

By PRATCH RUJIVANAROM 
THE NATION

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha addresses local authority executive officers at a policy briefing conference at Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre yesterday.

 

HUNDREDS OF OFFICIALS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHER FOR INSTRUCTIONS AS PRAYUT DENIES BT100-BN PROGRAMME IS A POPULIST CAMPAIGN DESIGNED TO KEEP JUNTA IN POWER

 

SOME ACADEMICS, politicians and commentators are calling the junta government’s new Thai Niyom Yangyeun (Sustainable “Thainess”) programme little more than a populist campaign and express doubts over its ability to improve the quality of life for all citizens.

 

 

But as the programme was launched yesterday in a mass meeting in Nonthaburi province, the government predicted the programme will help encourage people to abandon their polarised opinions and work together with authorities to push forward the country’s development toward Thailand 4.0 and achieve the goal of solving inequality.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday gave the programme’s policy and frameworks to the executive officers of local authorities nationwide, preparing them to implement the agenda in local areas under their responsibility.

 

 

Almost all provincial governors of the 76 provinces, chiefs of 878 districts, and high ranking officers of related agencies across the country gathered at the policy briefing conference at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre.

 

Anusorn Tamajai, Rangsit University’s dean of the Faculty of Economics, said it was too early to judge whether the policy idea is good and will be effective.

 

However, Anusorn said that if the government really wants to improve the people’s livelihood and increase their income, they must aim to support businesses and make it easier for them to increase production. That would increase people’s income in the long term, rather than just giving people aid from time to time.

 

He said that though he considered the latest programme to be populist policy by its very nature, he doesn’t see it as wrong for the government to try and gain popularity from implementing the programme, if the program genuinely delivers benefit to people.

 

“I do not see that this is the effort by the government to stay in power or gain popularity before the election is held. However, I would like to suggest that they should play by their rules to transparently compete in the election, as the new Constitution favours them already,” he said.

 

Former Pheu Thai politician Payab Pankate said that the government is going to spend up to Bt2 billion just to improve their popularity so they can stay on the power, which is waste of money without any real benefit to the people. “Most of the frameworks in this programme are routine duties of the local authorities already and this programme just duplicates these duties,” Payab said. “The only new thing is encouraging the people to know ‘Thai-style’ democracy.

 

 

“This programme consumes a large amount of the country’s budget without improving anything and also increases the burden for officers.”

 

The 10 frameworks of the programme include: encouraging harmony in society, assisting low-income people, developing better livelihood, promoting a sufficiency economy, raising awareness of good citizenship, enhancing people’s understanding about the government’s work, promoting “Thai-style” democracy, providing technological knowledge to the people, tackling the drugs problem, and supporting the missions of every official agency.

 

According to the Interior Ministry, the local authorities will dispatch 7,663 teams of community-work officers to visit local people in 83,151 communities across the country to learn about their needs and problems and encourage them to support the Thai Niyom Yangyeun policy and work with the government.

 

Buri Ram’s Chamni District chief Thakon Samhirun said that he already had a plan to implement the programme in the locality under his jurisdiction, as the community working teams have already been set up.

 

“What we are doing is to send the teams to talk with the local people to learn about their problems in all aspects and encourage them to be aware of their duties as good citizens of the country, and to work with the government to further develop our nation,” Thakon said.

 

“This is absolutely not a brainwashing campaign or populist propaganda, as the government clearly intends to learn the people’s needs and problems and the authorities will find the solutions to help them.”

 

He gave assurances that the programme’s budget would be wisely spent on meals for officers and local people, but only while working on this programme.

 

Meanwhile, Prayut also emphasised that the programme will be an effective government approach to tackle inequality and urged people to support and work with the government to sustainably develop the country. He denied that this programme was either just a populist campaign or the military-backed government’s strategy to stay in power.

 

“What we are doing now is to assure that there will be justice and equity and make sure that the low-income people will be assisted, because this group of people faces a lack of opportunity,” he said. “We are working to improve the livelihood of all citizens and this is not an effort to stay in power. Please do not misunderstand the government’s intention to help the people.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30338452

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-10

[Samui Bodoh]

1 minute ago, rooster59 said:

“This is absolutely not a brainwashing campaign or populist propaganda, as the government clearly intends to learn the people’s needs and problems and the authorities will find the solutions to help them.”

Actually, this IS a brain-washing campaign AND populist propaganda.

 

First, there is no new money involved; this is using monies already allocated to various ministries but now put under one banner to make it seem better. Secondly, there are no outcomes, indicators, means of implementation, etc, etc. etc. that any serious program would have. Third, all the information that is supposed to be collected already exists in local governments; on the odd chance that it does not already exist, perhaps the monies would be better spent prosecuting the local governments for negligence and not doing their job.

 

6 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

He gave assurances that the programme’s budget would be wisely spent on meals for officers and local people, but only while working on this programme.

 

Two billion Baht for lunches. 2,000,000,000.00 Baht!

 

This is nothing more than using state funds to set up meetings between national officials seeking political influence and local officials to create a political network using the machinery of government.

 

It is very, very wrong.

 

[cornishcarlos]

100 Billion !!!

How much did the rice pledging scam scheme cost again ?

Seems like the same thing to me... At least the rice scheme was kind of inventive, this one is just rubbish

[Lungstib]

Strengthening all the old ties between uniformed men that already exist that ensure no undertaking will be free from their interference. Nepotism and corruption for ever.

[canuckamuck]

They are just heaping coals on the fire. Instead of chasing an imaginary platitude such as Thai Democracy. If they really wanted democracy and fairness, they would institute freedom of the press and strip down their ridiculous anti defamation laws. Then the people would know who the crooks are and they could make better choices.

The Junta had their chance, they have all the power, they have article 44. They could have cleaned house. Obviously they have decided to simply upgrade the furniture and move in instead.

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by canuckamuck

[isaanbanhou]

Just a friendly reminder to the people". we know who you are and where you live,  we know what you complain about "

[steven100]

6 minutes ago, isaanbanhou said:

Just a friendly reminder to the people". we know who you are and where you live,  we know what you complain about "

Khun Prayut Chan O Cha addresses other government agencies on tackling poverty and how to assist farmers & the poor.

 

[coulson]

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

 

 

 

 

[rkidlad]

They came in to stop corruption and populist policies. The corruption just moved sides and now the populist policies have begun in a time when no one else can promote their political parties. 

 

This isn’t the road to democracy. This is the road ‘one country one party’. Something that’s never worked in the history of the world. 

[candide]

If you want to know from when there may be elections, look at the campaign schedule. It will not be before May 20th. 

[sammieuk1]

Thailand 4.0 and achieve the goal of solving inequality Timex v Rolex.

[isaanbanhou]

30 minutes ago, steven100 said:

Khun Prayut Chan O Cha addresses other government agencies on tackling poverty and how to assist farmers & the poor.

 

 

555, how does shoe polish taste?

[Cadbury]

59 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

PM rolls out ‘Thai Niyom’ scheme

Very easy to roll out other people's (taxpayers) money on another one of his fluffy dreamtime big spending schemes and not be accountable for it. It was so much cheaper before when he just went out into the country and kissed a few frogs.

Instead, how about he roll out a decent education system, or an effective civil service anti-corruption scheme or even a worthwhile road safety programme. How about he roll out RTP reform scheme turning police into hard working and honest public servants.

Indeed, while he is in a rolling-out mood how about he roll out a democratic election.

[Anak Nakal]

100 billion for politics!

[brucec64]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

Khun Prayut Chan O Cha addresses other government agencies on tackling poverty and how to assist farmers & the poor.

 

Maybe he can help by donating the proceeds from this (wait, we are not allowed to talk about this...)

 

http://www.chiangraitimes.com/prayuth-on-defensive-over-familys-600-million-baht-property-sale.html

 

[mtls2005]

Hmmm.

 

Targeting every Thai with teams carrying cash in advance of an election.

 

I think there's a name for this, but it's usually only used to smear red-shirt "politicians".

 

If the "green" party doesn't win it won't be for lack of effort.

[JAG]

In other news, three village children drowned because they hadn't been taught to swim...

 

2 Billion Baht for lunches!

 

That would pay for a lot of swimming lessons.

 

PS: "Steven 100", if you post an ironical little "i'm confused" smiley, I swear I will throw up!

[Jai Dee]

22 minutes ago, JAG said:

PS: "Steven 100", if you post an ironical little "i'm confused" smiley, I swear I will throw up!

Behaviour of such nature will be considered as trolling.

 

Should it happen, please alert the online mods by using the report function and it will be attended to accordingly.

[Jools]

Still no universal healthcare, though.

[Jonnapat]

Is this man for real?

Never read such a load of nonsense.

[jenny2017]

 The truth? 

  

Meanwhile, Prayut also denied that the programme will be an effective government approach to tackle inequality and urged people to support and work with the government to sustainably develop the country. He openly admitted that this programme was either just a populist campaign or the military-backed government’s strategy to stay in power.

 

“What we are doing now is to assure that there will be no justice and equity and make sure that the low-income people will not be assisted, because this group of people have to face a lack of opportunity,” he said. “We aren't working to improve the livelihood of all citizens and this is an effort to stay in power. Please understand the government’s intention not to help the people.”

 

 

 

[metisdead]

A troll post has been removed. 

[nong38]

I am a low income person where do I apply?

Now tackling the drug problem, this is clearly speeling error it should read tackling the DOG problem, I am happy to help here, I have a Gatling gun in a tower above my gate, just give me the go.

Thainess I like my favourite is walking out of a shop with box of Singha without paying and the assistant says " have a nice day! Please call again!" That's what I call Thainess.

[seminomadic]

14 hours ago, rkidlad said:

This isn’t the road to democracy. This is the road ‘one country one party’. Something that’s never worked in the history of the world. 

 

Agree that this isn't the road to democracy, but Singapore is the gaping hole in your assertion there.

[Eligius]

More lies and lunacy from a complete, discredited fool.

Edited February 10, 2018 by Eligius

[seminomadic]

“This is absolutely not a brainwashing campaign or populist propaganda, as the government clearly intends to learn the people’s needs and problems and the authorities will find the solutions to help them.”

 

The government's had 4 years to learn the people's needs, a55wip3... crack open a few books if you don't know. Christ.... Charles Murray... who left Thailand almost half a century ago... understands what rural Thais need better than these guys.

 

To be fair, the dunce who said this is not working out of the PM's office or remotely near his circle, but the fact that such a shameless shill holds any power tells you all you need to know about where the money sent to his district will wind up.

[isaanbanhou]

 

 

Irony is over his head,  He is truly confused about anything and everything. 

he keeps his tongue black by licking boots and his nose brown  by  inserting it up the *33 of any man in uniform.

 

 

Edited February 10, 2018 by isaanbanhou

[Donutz]

Thai style 'democracy' means father Prayuth will listen to his children, tell them what they actually mean and need and then throw the people some populist bones as long as the submarines come first. The men with lots of medals and deep pockets know what is best. The oligarchy must prevail. So real reforms such as proper taxation of income and property  that would mean that the rich actually contribute a fair share to the national budget. Which could then be spent on better education,  more independent thinking, access to equal and proper healthcare, assisting in creating labour unions, proper aid for the poor and retired and so on. Democracy will do just fine, it's a universal thing, no need to give a Thai twist to it. And if the west is to be looked at in dispise, maybe have a look at Malaysia, Singapore and Japan to see how nations can prosper.

 

[gunderhill]

20 hours ago, sammieuk1 said:

Thailand 4.0 and achieve the goal of solving inequality Timex v Rolex.

Knock off Timex and genuine  Rolex.

[rkidlad]

12 hours ago, seminomadic said:

 

Agree that this isn't the road to democracy, but Singapore is the gaping hole in your assertion there.

Singapore is an anomaly. It’s a tiny island/country that’s got a short history. Certainly hasn’t been around long enough to know much else different.