Pm Attacks Politicians 'who Steal'

[jbowman1993]

PM attacks politicians 'who steal'

Elect quality MPs, Surayud urges voters, as he vows to beat corruption

With six months left in office, Prime Minister Surayud Chula-nont yesterday called on the people to save democracy by picking the best politicians to run the country in the next election.

At the same time, he also pledged to combat corruption and revive the country's rule of law destroyed by the previous Thaksin government.

Appearing in a nationally televised address, Surayud delivered a hard-hitting speech to give the Thai public a sense of direction as to what he would like to do in his remaining time in office before he hands over power to a democratically elected government.

"Each of us has a single, equal voice - our vote - which we use to express our opinions each time we participate in an election to choose our representatives at the Tambon, provincial or national levels. This is the idea and the substance of this thing called democracy which all of us are struggling to make work," he said.

"Each man or woman has a voice, our vote, and a responsibility to make use of this vote, and the will of the majority decides which direction our society will take."

Unlike his previous speeches, Surayud this time attacked former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra more directly, blaming him for massive corruption to enrich his family and his cronies while at the same time destroying the country's rule of law.

Although Thaksin came to power through the electoral process, he subdued the checks and balances system as enshrined in the 1997 Consti-tution and presided over one of the most systematically corrupt regimes in modern Thai history.

"At the same time the rule of law came under fierce attack from the powerful, the rich and cronies. Corruption washed through our government," Surayud said.

"Even Thaksin accepted that this was the case when he told Time magazine's readers around the world a few months ago that 'corruption in Thailand won't go away, it's in the system'. What shameful words for any ex-prime minister of our country to say, especially one who had promised to wage a war against corruption."

Surayud added: "I would like to ask you [the people] this: Do we want to allow those people with ill intentions to steal our nation's wealth day-by-day? I don't think we do."

Surayud said there were now at least 13 major corruption allegations that have been launched against Thaksin and his cronies. The investigation and prosecutions were all going by the book.

To date, one case involving alleged tax evasion from the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek had reached the stage of criminal prosecution.

A second case involved the purchase of the plot of land at Ratchadaphisek Road from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF). This case had been recommended for criminal prosecution.

A third case involved the purchase of the CTX 9000 scanners and the airport link project for Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Assets Examination Committee had endorsed charges of malfeasance.

"I expect more of the cases currently under investigation to proceed to the prosecution stage. But I wish to emphasise that everything will be done strictly according to the due process of law. All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in the courts." Surayud said.

He said his government was now reviewing all laws relating to corruption with a view to closing loopholes and promulgating new laws where necessary. This plan to combat corruption also included reform of the Royal Thai Police, which plays an important part in the Thai justice system.

Another major thrust of Surayud's speech was his emphasis on how to re-establish the rule of law.

"If nobody is ever punished for committing corrupt acts or abuse of power, there is little reason for people to stop their wrongdoing. People need to realise that breaking the law carries the risk of punishment," he said.

Surayud also addressed supporters of Thaksin by saying that only the courts could decide whether former members of the Thaksin government violated the law for their own personal gain.

He also touched on the decision made 11 days ago by the Constitution Tribunal, which comprised nine of the country's most senior judges.

For breaking the law, the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved and the members of its executive committee banned from political life for five years.

"This is the price we must pay if we are to respect the rule of law. I ask all my fellow citizens to accept the Tribunal's judgement, which is final," he said.

He also gave credit to Thai Rak Thai for some good policies, such as its universal healthcare scheme, which will have to be continued by subsequent governments.

"To those of you, my fellow citizens, who have been supporters of the Thai Rak Thai Party, I want you to know that your voices have been heard, your grievances put at the top of the nation's agenda and that in the next general election, I am sure you will find candidates to support, from whichever political party, who will continue to work for the improvement of your lives," Surayud said.

Source: The Nation - Monday, June 11, 2007

[jbowman1993]

Im sure the board naysayers will scoff at this, but I've always found Surayud to be a well-spoken, honorable, and well-intentioned leader, trying to help sail his country through a such a rocky period. I believe history will judge him favorably for his efforts, even if most on TV do not.

We should be thankful to have him at the helm. It could have been a few others, if you think back to the names that were bandied about post-coup. Im not sure they (you remember the names) would have had the fortitude to stand up to the corruption, scathing press, and hold true to their principals.

The people on this board that are now calling for Thai Rak Thai and Thaksin to return, were the same that were bemoaning their corrupt dealings only 2 short years ago. What hippocracy...