Tell PM to stop weapons purchases, end corruption: academic's message to country's richest

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Tell PM to stop weapons purchases, end corruption: academic's message to country's richest

 

Prayut on Friday (April 17) sought help from the country's richest people in fighting Covid-19 and supporting affected people. 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's open letter seeking support from the country's richest has drawn harsh criticism from netizens while an academic urged him to scrap weapons purchases and get rid of corruption.

 

Prayut made an appeal for help to the 20 richest Thais via a national television broadcast on Friday.

 

Prayut said he would next week write an open letter to the 20 richest Thais, asking them for contributions in the efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19, which has had a huge impact on people's health and cost of living.

 

The hashtag # beggar government became a trend on Twitter on Friday after Prayut went on TV.

 

Despite, the number of new cases falling to around 30 over the past several days, many people are unhappy with lockdown restrictions, which have resulted in workers being laid off and businesses shutting down.

 

Some who did not get cash handouts after they had registered on the government website, joined a protest at the Finance Ministry demanding cash handouts. A big crowd was seen at Don Muang Buddhist Temple, which provided free food to affected people.

 

Meanwhile, Anusorn Tamajai, director at Rangsit University’s Economic and Business Research Centre, wrote an open letter on Sunday (April 19) to the 20 richest, apparently mocking Prayut’s planned letter.

 

Anusorn said he wants the richest people, if they have a chance to meet Prayut, to tell him that as both PM and Defence Minister he should cut weapons spending for the next 3-5 years.

 

If Prayut does so, he could save as much as Bt100 billion to Bt200 billion, which could be reallocated to help people and small businesses affected by Covid-19.

 

The government can save between Bt300 billion to Bt400 billion a year if it could get rid of corruption and cut spending on unproductive projects, he said.

 

The tycoons should tell PM to review the State of Emergency as many countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, New Zealand and Denmark do not impose the state of emergency but they have contained the virus outbreak, he said.

 

To assure people confidence in fighting the virus, the government should conduct mass testing in some parts of the countries as many countries do, so they do not need to close cities as Thailand does. If the government cannot afford mass testing due to limited financial resources, the tycoons should donate to support the task, he suggested.

 

The 20 richest should ask Prayut, former leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and his former ministers and National Legislative Assembly members to return tax money they received during the NCPO rule after the 2014 coup. The tax money should be allocated to support people affected by the enforcement of Article 44 conferring absolute power under the interim Constitution 2017, said Anusorn.

 

The tycoons should ask Prayut to review the Bt400-billion Bank of Thailand’s emergency decree designed to buy corporate bonds.

 

“The legislation should pass through Parliament in order to ensure checks and balances,” he said.

 

Anusorn said he was worried that some people will take advantage of the state of emergency and enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers who have to pay the bill finally.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386358

 

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[johng]

2 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Anusorn said he wants the richest people, if they have a chance to meet Prayut, to tell him that as both PM and Defence Minister he should cut weapons spending for the next 3-5 years.

 

4 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The 20 richest should ask Prayut, former leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and his former ministers and National Legislative Assembly members to return tax money they received during the NCPO rule after the 2014 coup. The tax money should be allocated to support people affected by the enforcement of Article 44 conferring absolute power under the interim Constitution 2017, said Anusorn.

  Chai-Yo  ????

[Thaiwrath]

5 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Meanwhile, Anusorn Tamajai, director at Rangsit University’s Economic and Business Research Centre, wrote an open letter on Sunday (April 19) to the 20 richest, apparently mocking Prayut’s planned letter.

 

5 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The government can save between Bt300 billion to Bt400 billion a year if it could get rid of corruption and cut spending on unproductive projects, he said.

I am sure that is the last anyone hears from Mr Anusorn Tamajai !

[cornishcarlos]

Good on him...

He'll be sharing a cell with Tanathorn but good on him ????????

[YetAnother]

11 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

while an academic urged him to scrap weapons purchases and get rid of corruption.

of course what we all want; but take a look at who the current leaders are and how they got there and their tactics, and the realistic prospects of getting them out

[Matzzon]

I am pretty sure that our esteemed PM, already believes he have rid Thailand of corruption. He will just confirm that all is above board and no one of his staff or their underlings are engaged in such nasty and illegal things.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Matzzon

[Odysseus123]

24 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

of course what we all want; but take a look at who the current leaders are and how they got there and their tactics, and the realistic prospects of getting them out

I nominate the Prime Minister's brother to look into Mr Tamajai's suggestions...

[Puchaiyank]

"Anusorn said he was worried that some people will take advantage of the state of emergency and enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers who have to pay the bill finally."

 

Not going to happen...Thais can trust their pseudo elected quasi military appointees to do the right thing!  ????

[Susco]

40 minutes ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

The government can save between Bt300 billion to Bt400 billion a year if it could get rid of corruption and cut spending on unproductive projects, he said.

 

 

Now that gonna be a tough one, because this corruption and the unproductive projects, are the main reason that those 20 richest are actually on that list

[spidermike007]

The government can save between Bt300 billion to Bt400 billion a year if it could get rid of corruption and cut spending on unproductive projects, he said.

 

The people of Thailand could save trillions, if they could stop the corruption in the army alone. The army is not exactly an organization that has the moral authority to be speaking about corruption. What have they done to eliminate it, within the past 6 years? How have they helped to reform the police, immigration, customs, or a myriad of other agencies? How many active members of the administration, or high ranking police, or army officials have been charged with crimes, prosecuted, and imprisoned?

 

And how much is this administration really doing to help the unemployed right now, other than turning down 80% of applicants for the so called subsidy? 

[z42]

Good observations and suggestions. But nothing will change unless those pulling the strings (waaaay above Pinocchio) allow for any concessions.

They'll just open stuff up again and pay lip service to the problem. An already fearful population will do what they can to make a living from behind masks. It's just how much blundering they'll take when they realise the country's economy is devastated, and change is never going to be forthcoming.

 

Interesting times ahead.

[CLS]

46 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

 

I am sure that is the last anyone hears from Mr Anusorn Tamajai !

Times are changing. Things that could not have been outspoken before this crisis are now socially accepted.

[elliss]

50 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

of course what we all want; but take a look at who the current leaders are and how they got there and their tactics, and the realistic prospects of getting them out

 

             Realistically , there are no prospects of getting them out .

             Tanks , stronger  than democracy ..

[trainman34014]

Common Sense being talked for once but we all know the 'Tycoons' of Thailand are a large part of the problem themselves and they will not be too keen on changing much to help the people they continually rob on a daily basis.   After all; what would they care if about a third of the Population died of hunger, as it wouldn't stop them continuing to rob those left !

[Dogmatix]

The billionaires will soon be meeting up with him to demand bailout for their businesses.

[ParkerN]

6 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

Anusorn said he was worried that some people will take advantage of the state of emergency and enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers who have to pay the bill finally.

Ya think?

 

rofl

 

[sammieuk1]

China has a adopt a panda Africa you can adopt a gorilla Thailand could have a adopt a tank scheme to save the beggar gov. ????

[Dexlowe]

I wonder if this appeal is being heard in a certain hotel in a certain European country.

[Chassa]

6 hours ago, Dogmatix said:

The billionaires will soon be meeting up with him to demand bailout for their businesses.

Airlines started already.

[kevin612]

It is impossible to end corruption because too many poor people and I believe corruption exists in most of the countries, like at least 90%.

[Artisi]

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The government can save between Bt300 billion to Bt400 billion a year if it could get rid of corruption and cut spending on unproductive projects, he said.

 

The people of Thailand could save trillions, if they could stop the corruption in the army alone. The army is not exactly an organization that has the moral authority to be speaking about corruption. What have they done to eliminate it, within the past 6 years? How have they helped to reform the police, immigration, customs, or a myriad of other agencies? How many active members of the administration, or high ranking police, or army officials have been charged with crimes, prosecuted, and imprisoned?

 

And how much is this administration really doing to help the unemployed right now, other than turning down 80% of applicants for the so called subsidy? 

Well they have made a start in cleaning up the police force by arresting a policeman last week for attempting to rob a bank, you know they can't be everywhere at once and overdo it, step by step - please. 

[Artisi]

4 hours ago, Dexlowe said:

I wonder if this appeal is being heard in a certain hotel in a certain European country.

Nope, too busy attending to more important things. 

[PatOngo]

Corruption? What corruption?

 

[ChrisY1]

"asking them for contributions in the efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19,"......Wissanu lied yet again...he said yesterday that the PM was not going begging...he is!

But there is a well know source that should contribute...and hasn't!

[spidermike007]

24 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Well they have made a start in cleaning up the police force by arresting a policeman last week for attempting to rob a bank, you know they can't be everywhere at once and overdo it, step by step - please. 

Oh my. What an astonishing bit of detective work. You know they are really cracking down on the police franchisees, when they arrest one for robbing a bank! 

[metisdead]

Posts using trolling memes have been removed. 

[TheFishman1]

Corruption is part of the lifestyle of Thailand they’ll never get rid of that every time the government buys a big purchase item don’t you think all the people involved are getting paid under the table I mean TIT

[Artisi]

27 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

"asking them for contributions in the efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19,"......Wissanu lied yet again...he said yesterday that the PM was not going begging...he is!

But there is a well know source that should contribute...and hasn't!

Reason being -- can't afford it

[Jimbo2014]

12 hours ago, Jonathan Fairfield said:

an academic urged him to scrap weapons purchases and get rid of corruption

ROTFL.... if we dont have subs and choppers how will we kill viruses?  

[WalkingOrders]

I live in Thailand. I am not a citizen. Not a legal Resident. Am on a O visa. I have no opinion on matters Thai Govt except as expressed to immediate family.

 

The reason is that it does me no good to find myself angered because I have no say in Thai politics at all. No vote. No say.No input asked. None given.

 

I like it this way. It's very Taoist.

Not that I am a Taoist but like water I just keep flowing around the rocks and don't get stuck in the cracks. 

 

All the screaming and yelling, but none of it is at me so why listen?

 

I have family up in Isaan and my family here in Bangkok. There is no emergency taking place under my roof. All is calm. Up Northeast all are calm in the village. Family elsewhere in Local area...also cool.

 

A beautiful day.