University council members urged to shelve resignation plans

[webfact]

University council members urged to shelve resignation plans

By THE NATION

 

 

File photo

 

EDUCATION Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin has urged council members at state universities to hold back their planned resignations, as there is still a possibility they may be exempt from the new asset-declaration requirement.

 

“The National Anti-Corruption Commission [NACC] has promised to listen to opinions from all sides and efforts have been made to prevent the problems that may arise out of the new rule,” Teerakiat said yesterday. 

 

He was speaking amid reports that several members of state universities’ councils had expressed an intention to resign over the newly introduced asset-declaration requirement. 

 

Promulgated in the Royal Gazette on November 1, the new rule will take effect on December 2 and will require holders of key positions in the public sector to declare their assets to the NACC. 

 

Presidents of state universities and their council members, as well as top executives of public organisations and state funds, and chiefs of the Armed Forces including the police force are among those who will have to declare their assets. 

 

So far, the loudest protests appear to have come from the higher-education sector. 

 

Mass resignations are expected at the councils of several higher-educational institutes, including Chulalongkorn University. Among high-profile figures to have already signalled their intention to leave their councils over the new rule is Constitution Drafting Committee’s former chair Meechai Ruchuphan, who will leave the Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University’s Council. 

 

“It’s not that we do not welcome scrutiny. It’s just that preparing asset declarations is quite complicated and any mistake can lead to big trouble like asset seizure during investigations,” Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University council member Montri Numna said. He estimated that 12 council members, including Meechai, would tender their resignations on November 17. 

 

“If such a huge number of council members leave, the council may lack a quorum to approve several key issues, including approval of degrees for graduates,” Montri said. 

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who was assigned by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to explore solutions over the issue, said he had prepared about 10 questions for the upcoming meeting with the NACC. “I believe we will be able to find some solutions,” Wissanu said. 

 

NACC Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said he expected the meeting to be held soon, so the issue can be settled quickly, perhaps as early as next week. 

 

“In the meantime, we are in the process of gathering the opinions of affected people,” he said.

 

The University Presidents Council of Thailand is set to officially submit its protest against the asset-declaration requirement for universities’ council members to the NACC today. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30358205

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-11-09

[Rhys]

... what construction projects are going to be cut now?

 

[Samui Bodoh]

"...Mass resignations are expected at the councils of several higher-educational institutes, including Chulalongkorn University. Among high-profile figures to have already signalled their intention to leave their councils over the new rule is Constitution Drafting Committee’s former chair Meechai Ruchuphan, who will leave the Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University’s Council..." 

 

I sincerely do not wish to impugn anyone but as a general rule, taking into account Thailand's culture and underground/black economy, it is unlikely that there are successful, qualified people who have not broken some law to attain their present position and wealth. Put another way, I don't think it is possible to be both successful and crime-free in Thailand; EVERY 'high-ranking' person has a skeleton or two in their closet.

 

Should the people correctly complete the asset forms, they would, in essence, be formally admitting to a crime (of some sort). If they do not complete the forms with total honesty, then they open themselves to accusations of hiding assets an/or criminal behavior.

 

I would not complete the forms either; it would be the equivalent of handing a loaded gun directly to your potential enemies and trusting they they do the 'right thing'. Ha!

 

The issue here is the corrupt, biased, all-around stinky, smelly, putrid and vile NACC. Is there anyone (ANYONE?) who believes that it would/will act as an independent, neutral, corruption-free organization if it should receive all that information? The same NACC that "investigated" General Rolex? The same organization that saw no problems when 100 people were shot in the streets of Bangkok? The same organization that accepted Prayut's instructions to stop investigating his finances and his family? Etc? Etc? Etc? ANYONE???

 

Only a really, really, really stupid person would give the NACC an honest asset declaration form if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Does Thailand want really, really, really stupid people as their university advisory councils?

 

Having an outside board to monitor universities is a good idea. Having people in positions of public power declare their assets is a good thing. Unfortunately, Thailand in general (pun intended) is not honest enough to have such a system.

 

Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, Thai Hi-Sos!

 

No prestigious university boards for you (as per the Soup-Nazi voice)...

 

 

Edited November 8, 2018 by Samui Bodoh

[YetAnother]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

as there is still a possibility they may be exempt from the new asset-declaration requirement.

ah the solution, just make everyone exempt

[fullcave]

No please resign for the piss poor performance if nothing else! Nevermind the asset deceleration.

[SOTIRIOS]

...duhh...

 

...what does it mean if that is their reason for resigning....???

 

...hope those in charge launch thorough investigations...

 

...in fact...they should begin immediately....

 

...the 'heads up' gives them ample time to hide that which they apparently intend on keeping hidden....

 

...duhh...

[seajae]

simple, anyone who resigns must have their full background checked to see if corruption or illegal activities is why they are resigning, they have been taking money for years so its only fair that they are checked out to ensure they are above board. Way too much graft & corruption involved in Thailand, actually doing checks on these business people may just show up how corrupt some of them really are.

[Artisi]

Seems they are already admitting dodgy dealings by threatening to resign.  The asset declaration should be introduced and back dated at least 5 years for anyone who has resigned. 

[chrisinth]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Promulgated in the Royal Gazette on November 1, the new rule will take effect on December 2 and will require holders of key positions in the public sector to declare their assets to the NACC.

So, after being published in the Royal Gazette, rules can be changed because some people find the new requirements inconvenient?

 

Who suggested that the government weren't all for the people?

[chrisinth]

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Mass resignations are expected at the councils of several higher-educational institutes, including Chulalongkorn University. Among high-profile figures to have already signalled their intention to leave their councils over the new rule is Constitution Drafting Committee’s former chair Meechai Ruchuphan, who will leave the Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University’s Council..." 

 

I sincerely do not wish to impugn anyone but as a general rule, taking into account Thailand's culture and underground/black economy, it is unlikely that there are successful, qualified people who have not broken some law to attain their present position and wealth. Put another way, I don't think it is possible to be both successful and crime-free in Thailand; EVERY 'high-ranking' person has a skeleton or two in their closet.

 

Should the people correctly complete the asset forms, they would, in essence, be formally admitting to a crime (of some sort). If they do not complete the forms with total honesty, then they open themselves to accusations of hiding assets an/or criminal behavior.

 

I would not complete the forms either; it would be the equivalent of handing a loaded gun directly to your potential enemies and trusting they they do the 'right thing'. Ha!

 

The issue here is the corrupt, biased, all-around stinky, smelly, putrid and vile NACC. Is there anyone (ANYONE?) who believes that it would/will act as an independent, neutral, corruption-free organization if it should receive all that information? The same NACC that "investigated" General Rolex? The same organization that saw no problems when 100 people were shot in the streets of Bangkok? The same organization that accepted Prayut's instructions to stop investigating his finances and his family? Etc? Etc? Etc? ANYONE???

 

Only a really, really, really stupid person would give the NACC an honest asset declaration form if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Does Thailand want really, really, really stupid people as their university advisory councils?

 

Having an outside board to monitor universities is a good idea. Having people in positions of public power declare their assets is a good thing. Unfortunately, Thailand in general (pun intended) is not honest enough to have such a system.

 

Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, Thai Hi-Sos!

 

No prestigious university boards for you (as per the Soup-Nazi voice)...

 

 

That is actually a very valid point.

 

As a junta, assuming control after a coup, do they fall under a bracket to declare assets?

 

Or does the 'big stick' over-rule the laws?

[robblok]

Seems they worry about their bad deeds being exposted. If you don't have anything to hide you would not worry. So the junta again introduces some laws that would help to fight corruption.

 

Too bad that they are already trying to make a U turn. The protests show that there is probably some bad stuff going on. The fact that police and now higher education officials have to show possessions is a great step forward. 

[Oziex1]

7 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...Mass resignations are expected at the councils of several higher-educational institutes, including Chulalongkorn University. Among high-profile figures to have already signalled their intention to leave their councils over the new rule is Constitution Drafting Committee’s former chair Meechai Ruchuphan, who will leave the Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University’s Council..." 

 

I sincerely do not wish to impugn anyone but as a general rule, taking into account Thailand's culture and underground/black economy, it is unlikely that there are successful, qualified people who have not broken some law to attain their present position and wealth. Put another way, I don't think it is possible to be both successful and crime-free in Thailand; EVERY 'high-ranking' person has a skeleton or two in their closet.

 

Should the people correctly complete the asset forms, they would, in essence, be formally admitting to a crime (of some sort). If they do not complete the forms with total honesty, then they open themselves to accusations of hiding assets an/or criminal behavior.

 

I would not complete the forms either; it would be the equivalent of handing a loaded gun directly to your potential enemies and trusting they they do the 'right thing'. Ha!

 

The issue here is the corrupt, biased, all-around stinky, smelly, putrid and vile NACC. Is there anyone (ANYONE?) who believes that it would/will act as an independent, neutral, corruption-free organization if it should receive all that information? The same NACC that "investigated" General Rolex? The same organization that saw no problems when 100 people were shot in the streets of Bangkok? The same organization that accepted Prayut's instructions to stop investigating his finances and his family? Etc? Etc? Etc? ANYONE???

 

Only a really, really, really stupid person would give the NACC an honest asset declaration form if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Does Thailand want really, really, really stupid people as their university advisory councils?

 

Having an outside board to monitor universities is a good idea. Having people in positions of public power declare their assets is a good thing. Unfortunately, Thailand in general (pun intended) is not honest enough to have such a system.

 

Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, Thai Hi-Sos!

 

No prestigious university boards for you (as per the Soup-Nazi voice)...

 

 

Good post, one might think these rules a designed to help the officials to gain wealth in precisely the way these rules are supposed to prevent 

[sweatalot]

Surely the refuse to declare their assets

is enough suspicion to start a criminal investigation.

 

Problem is what about those who have to investigate.

Sitting in a glass house.

 

 

Edited November 9, 2018 by sweatalot