PM’s letter to Thailand’s 20 richest people (English translation)

By THE NATION

 

 

The following is a translation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s letter sent to Thailand’s 20 richest people following a special 10-minute speech broadcast on national TV at 6pm last Friday. The letter was dated April 20.

 

“Thailand is facing a Covid-19 outbreak which is one of the gravest crises the country and the world have seen. The disease has affected both social relationships and the economy at an unprecedented level. Now is the time for Thai people to work together on all levels, especially those who have strong knowledge, abilities and financial resources. This is why I am reaching out to you who are considered the elders of society.

 

“I deeply appreciate that many of you have already helped people in several aspects, but I must ask you to do more. Please use your abilities and resources to help Thai people who are facing one of biggest obstacles in their lives in the fastest and most efficient manner.

 

“I do not ask for donations or handouts, all I ask is to send me details of projects that you are ready to carry out. I also ask that those projects should reach all groups of Thai people and all parts of the country, as well as help them in any aspect of their lives in a tangible way.

 

“I also welcome suggestions as to how the government can help or facilitate those projects so they succeed. I would be highly thankful if you could send me the details by next week.

 

Please kindly consider my request, and thank you in advance.

 

General Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prime Minister”

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30386451

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-04-21

 

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12 minutes ago, webfact said:

I also welcome suggestions as to how the government can help

Pity we won't get to read the replies.

Sorry, it's a no from me.

I wonder what Thanathorn's answer will be?

1 minute ago, Thailand said:

Sorry, it's a no from me.

Can you imagine how good a "Cunk on Thailand" episode would be....

This reminds me of the kind of letter a child would send a politician in their country asking for more books for their school or a skatepark in their town, etc. People read it and go, “Aww. How cute”.
 

This is just embarrassing to see the leader of a country who used to be the commander in chief doing this. This is someone who’s completely out of ideas and just wants to pass the responsibility onto someone else. 
 

This is not “100% under control”. 
 

 

7 minutes ago, eeworldwide said:

Can you imagine how good a "Cunk on Thailand" episode would be....

Just in case you don't know.

 

https://youtu.be/bgGsvKjJvs8

That's a weak letter. His PR company needs looking at.

 

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

I do not ask for donations or handouts

 

...is blatantly transparently begging for money. That just did not need to be said if the context of his letter was honest.

 

Fail.

2 minutes ago, Thailand said:

Just in case you don't know.

 

https://youtu.be/bgGsvKjJvs8

Oh yes - I've devoured all of Philomena's Cunk, many times!

“I do not ask for donations or handouts, all I ask is to send me details of projects that you are ready to carry out.......

 

What the hell is he talking about. He wants donations, thais want donations. Why else the need for the stupid letters in the first place.

The one to Thanathorns should start "...sorry I stole the election mate"  and end  "... your unelected PM"

14 minutes ago, rkidlad said:

This is someone who’s completely out of ideas 

 

Out of money in the government trough too...

The fat little piggies have hoovered it all up their collective snouts !!!

An off topic post has been removed

Dear Rich People, could you get our money back from China, thank you three times?

A so called Prime Minister.

The big Kahuna. The Ayatollah RocknRolla of Thailand. The bringer of happiness, is asking/begging the multi billionaires for ideas.

 

As has already been pointed out above. The charlatan has been exposed for what he truly is.

Absolutely clueless.

So easy to lead when things are going well.

Just admit you don't know what to do and stand down and let a professional take over.

40 minutes ago, Thailand said:

I wonder what Thanathorn's answer will be?

Actually he is probably such a good guy, that he would think more about his people than who is asking.

This is basically the government mandate for "private sector" projects (which of course don't benefit just the private sector).

Projects that can ostensibly be rolled out "to help the people".

 

It is not exactly begging for donations, it is an attempt at face saving for both the top ones of the private sector and the govt. together. Next step is for the "chosen few" to "join hands" with the govt and "save the nation". Watch carefully for those not invited who (it is said) will have turned down the govt. request to help.

Those who say this is begging for donations and loss of face, really need to read between the lines.

Reminds me of the lottery winner when asked "what will you do about the begging letters?"

 

"I will keep sending them" was the reply.

1 minute ago, Sametboy2019 said:

So easy to lead when things are going well.

Just admit you don't know what to do and stand down and let a professional take over.

Oh he is the consummate professional. He has spent probably the last twenty years planning and collecting support, then engineering a coup, then installing a "new constitution" which allowed him to "win" an election ( called, fought and counted on terms he dictated). He has been quite professional in the way he has gone about that, he has followed his staff college précis assiduously.

 

The problem is that now he is faced with a situation, largely due to his (and his regime's) inchoate handling of the crisis, that threatens his new order. He knows that to do anything will involve spending money, and he has no access to that money - it is spoken for/spent on projects and purchases made to cement his grip on power. He has run into a brick wall. He knows that the system he constructed has foundations in sand.

 

The only solution is for someone chosen by, trusted by and selected by the people to be handed the reigns. A couple of names spring to mind. That would require an election. Not an ideal time but entirely possible to hold one within a month.

 

It won't happen of course, he will keep facing the brick wall until one way or another the regime falls.

Pity we don't get to read the original, before the public strong reactions a few days ago. 

 

If they want to avoid more angry people, something better happen instantly, like 5k to all working class, not only 1,6 million people. 

Today's stories about handout of food etc was Closed, demonstrate that those in charge don't have a clue the severe hardship working class experience now.

 

No one will reply. But, I will. Please have general elections without military trucks and stop promoting family to govt. jobs.

Print more Thai baht, Thai currency is still overvalued.

Can I write my suggestions to boost Thai Economy here?
1. Infrastructure projects:

a. Start the 'Thai Canal Project' (Kra Canal) , please google if you don't know the detail
(funding can be collected by issuing special national bond)
b. Level up city infrastructure. such as all the messy wires and bumpy roads. it is time to solve them
2. agriculture
a. legalize weed plantation. can at least start in some provinces.
3. real estate
a. allow foreigners to buy house with land (can do 49% foreigner vs 51% Thai for some projects)
b. scrap the existing 49% foreigner vs 51% Thai condo rule, just let whoever can afford buy!
c. scrap the regulation that all foreigner that purchase condo need to show fund transferred from abroad.. (this is nonsense)
4. cut tax
a. cut vat for companies
b. cut all the non sense agri tax, such as 2 baht export tax / kg for rubber (CESS). no point to continue collect 2 baht when rubber price already at historical low
5. Attract more foreign investment
a. this the chance of world supply-chain restructure to attract more valuable investment
6. cut interest rate, weaken thai baht.

This shows pretty clearly who really rules this country. Letter-writing is an appeal from the powerless. Like the reader who writes a angry letter to the editor, or the US citizen who writes his/her congressman to complain about a pending bill. This PM may doesn't rule Thailand; he just a vassal to the rich.

Most of the replies only contained 2 words, the second 1 was off.

This looks like a letter from one of my Granchildren asking me to help pay for a new swing and sand pit in the garden.  If this bloke is supposed to be an 'Educated' Soldier of the Realm and is the best they can come up with to run their country.... then it's doomed !

I’m trying to figure out this strategy.  Obviously, phone calls can be made.  These people are in contact all the time swapping money back and forth.  This looks like a PR opportunity for the for the “tycoons.”  Can it be anything else, really?

Mrs. Top 20: "Honey... a letter has arrived."

Mr. Top 20: "From whom?"

Mrs. Top 20: "The Prime Minister."

Mr. Top 20: "Crumple it and throw it in the garbage bin."

Mrs. Top 20: "What... you don't even want to know what's in it?"

Mr. Top 20: "I know EXACTLY what's in it. He wants our MONEY!"

Mrs. Top 20: "I see... okay... crumpled, binned, done."

Mr. Top 20: "Good girl."