Govt Faces No-confidence

[hammered]

Unfortunately nationalism is something used worldwide to whip up support for or against a position and Thailand is no exception. Both sides have already indulged fully in it trying to outlove the nation each other and this the is next extension until of course the next extension.

It hasnt looked like there is an easy way out of this for a long time and that impression doesnt seem to change by the day.

[hammered]

A classic example of poor reporting or politcal spin from the Post.

Look at the headline:

Public opposes censure debates: Too soon

Then look at the numbers:

The Assumption University poll unit determined that 49.7 per cent of the respondents said that the upcoming debates against the government, sworn in on Feb 6 after the Dec 23 polls, comes too early. Another 22.4 per cent disagreed and 27.9 per cent said the timing is just right.

22.4 say not too early (others report th question this response to as being about too late) and 27.9 say about right equals 50.3%

Surely a headline like public opinion divided would be more acurate with slightly over half but within the margin of error not thinking it was too early. So are the Post politcal spinners or just awful journalists? We know where the Nation mostly comes from, maybe time for the Post to say.

Anyone wanna set a Not the Bangkok Post website up?

Story in detai from: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=128430

[Plus]

To sum it up: 49.7% think it's too early, 50.3%(22.4+27.9) think it's not - either "about right" or "not too early".

Bangkok Post is clealy wrong with their headline.

[hammered]

From TOC. Apparently on macroeconomics the Samak government is worse than the unmissed Sarayud one. Hardly a good sign. Wonder if it will come up in the censue.

Im not sure if almost fails could be reported as just passed. 5/10 is a poor mark and being worse than the Sarayid government is incredibly poor, but as Im being picky on reporting today.....

The Thailand Development Research Institute assessed economic management after the 2006 coup and says the Samak administration has almost failed while the Surayud government received satisfactory marks.

Thailand Development Research Institute director for macroeconomics and income distribution research Somchai Jitsuchon revealed the results of a study done on the macroeconomic policies after the military coup in 2006.

The Surayud administration got six to seven points out of ten while the current administration received only five points out of ten.

The research shows that this administration faces various difficulties, such as rising inflation which may hurt economic growth as the government has failed to come up with any long-term policies to address the issues.

The study says the Surayud administration's macroeconomic policies were satisfactory as there were no signs of a slowdown in the economy back then.

However, the think tank points out that the 30 per cent capital reserve requirement to shore up the baht and uphold export growth was a conflict between the fiscal and monetary policies. Moreover, that administration failed to boost investment and investor confidence with the passage of laws that affect the benefits of foreign investors. However, the Surayud government was able to pass several beneficial bills.

The Surayud government also did well for households, boosting household savings by 26 per cent, from 3,476 baht in 2006 to 4,399 baht in 2007 while public household debts fell 2.7 per cent from 116,585 to 113,389 baht. However, compared to neighboring countries, the Thai economy grew the least during the Surayud administration.

[ando]

From TOC. Apparently on macroeconomics the Samak government is worse than the unmissed Sarayud one. Hardly a good sign. Wonder if it will come up in the censue.

Im not sure if almost fails could be reported as just passed. 5/10 is a poor mark and being worse than the Sarayid government is incredibly poor, but as Im being picky on reporting today.....

To be fair, the military dictatorship didn't have opposition street protests like the PAD is currently mounting to divert its attention from the business of running the country. And they didn't have a parliamentary opposition threatening to oust them through a censure motion. And they didn't have the threat of a military coup to oust them as a diversion from the real business of running the country. And they didn't have the same level of world economic downturn to deal with. And they didn't have the same level of world food shortage (especially rice) to deal with. And they didn't have the same level of world rise in oil prices to deal with.

But they did have the ability to stay in power at their own pleasure.

And they did have the power to force a new constitution through.

And they did have the power to exonerate themselves from any criminal charges for ousting the government.

And they did have the power to give themselves big pay rises and increase the military budget by something like 35%

The military government ruled Thailand for what --17 months? The PPP coalition has been in power for about 4 and a half months, and under some of the most extreme and difficult conditions imaginable for a new government. I don't see the comparison between the two as a fair appraisal of the new governments performance. In fact I don't think anyone can make a fair appraisal of any new governments performance inside their first 12 months of power.

Selective comparisons may turn up different results depending what periods one chooses to compare. For example compare the best 12 months of Thailand's prosperity under Thaksin's rule with the last 12 months of Saryids rule.

If one argues for a change of government on the basis of a previous governments better performance under totally different circumstances we (the Thais) would be changing governments every month. But it does appear that this is what some want.

Edited June 24, 2008 by ando

[quiksilva]

From TOC. Apparently on macroeconomics the Samak government is worse than the unmissed Sarayud one. Hardly a good sign. Wonder if it will come up in the censue.

Im not sure if almost fails could be reported as just passed. 5/10 is a poor mark and being worse than the Sarayid government is incredibly poor, but as Im being picky on reporting today.....

To be fair, the military dictatorship didn't have opposition street protests like the PAD is currently mounting to divert its attention from the business of running the country. And they didn't have a parliamentary opposition threatening to oust them through a censure motion. And they didn't have the threat of a military coup to oust them as a diversion from the real business of running the country. And they didn't have the same level of world economic downturn to deal with. And they didn't have the same level of world food shortage (especially rice) to deal with. And they didn't have the same level of world rise in oil prices to deal with.

But they did have the ability to stay in power at their own pleasure.

And they did have the power to force a new constitution through.

And they did have the power to exonerate themselves from any criminal charges for ousting the government.

And they did have the power to give themselves big pay rises and increase the military budget by something like 35%

The military government ruled Thailand for what --17 months? The PPP coalition has been in power for about 4 and a half months, and under some of the most extreme and difficult conditions imaginable for a new government. I don't see the comparison between the two as a fair appraisal of the new governments performance. In fact I don't think anyone can make a fair appraisal of any new governments performance inside their first 12 months of power.

Selective comparisons may turn up different results depending what periods one chooses to compare. For example compare the best 12 months of Thailand's prosperity under Thaksin's rule with the last 12 months of Saryids rule.

If one argues for a change of government on the basis of a previous governments better performance under totally different circumstances we (the Thais) would be changing governments every month. But it does appear that this is what some want.

Great post ando, I think that's very fair. However there were also a number of important matters such as Mega projects like the dual track railway that are critical to Thailand's regional competitiveness in the era of rising oil prices but just seem to have ran out of *ehem* steam.

[samran]

Thailand grew strongly in the first two years of the Thaksin goverment (2001-2002 with growth of 5% to 6%), and then it was downhill after that with figures about 4% after that, which is hardly stellar.

If you take the view that economic policy takes about 18months to 2 years to take effect, then it is arguable that the democrats who were left with the job of reforming the Thai economy after 1997 should get the credit (Barnharn, Chavalit and Thaksin were all senior members of the government which maintained the rouinous policies which led to 1997).

It is also arguable that the Thaksin government was a 'do nothing' government as far as microeconomic reform of the economy. Sure, it built an airport and privatised the PTT monopoly (well it sold 25% of shares to members of his clique)...but can anyone really think of anything else that it did in terms of loosening the shackels on the Thai economy?

[ando]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Thailand

Thailand had historically been a tiger economy with average growth rates of 9% from the late 1970s to 1996, with periodic slowdowns mirroring the world or regional economy. However, after the 1997-1998 currency crisis, Thailand was impoverished once again and it wasn't until 2001 that Thailand regained momentum over the baht and economy.

The Thaksin government took office in February 2001 with the intention of stimulating domestic demand and reducing Thailand's reliance on foreign trade and investment. Since then, the Thaksin administration has refined its economic message, embracing a "dual track" economic policy that combines domestic stimulus with Thailand's traditional promotion of open markets and foreign investment. This set of policies are popularly known as Thaksinomics. Weak export demand held 2001 GDP growth to 1.9%. In 2002/03/04, however, domestic stimulus and export revival fuelled a better performance, with real GDP growth at 5.3%, 7.1% and 6.3% respectively. However, in 2005, under rising oil prices and trade deficts, severe droughts and floods, the Southern Thailand Insurgency reaching a high, uncertainty of the future of Thaksin's government and the tourism aftershocks of the Indian Ocean Earthquake Tsunami on December 26th 2004, economic growth slumped to 4.5%. In 2006 the economy sped up a bit under strong export growth, however, the military Coup d'état on September 19th 2006 proved a setback into 2007 once again

[sriracha john]

Out to lunch???

Despite facing no-confidence debate in the Parliament, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shows his skill at making a paper bird.

The Nation

======================================

Is this way of saying he's finally going to attempt to do something about the ever-rising death toll in the Deep South?

Edited June 24, 2008 by sriracha john

[marshbags]

Out to lunch???

Despite facing no-confidence debate in the Parliament, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shows his skill at making a paper bird.

The Nation

======================================

Is this way of saying he's finally going to attempt to do something about the ever-rising death toll in the Deep South?

Could be he,s letting everyone know who is supporting him with the white dove emblem

Didn,t Thaksin use the same / similar bird while he was still in power ????

Remember all and everyone making them and then being loaded onto an plane released from up above.

" Dove of peace ", what a farce they make of it,s meaning.

marshbags

Edited June 24, 2008 by marshbags

[samran]

Watched Abhisits performance in parliament.

Very, very, very good. He'll be PM one day, in about 20 years when Thailand is ready for him. He's playing up the Cambo border thing for all it is worth, which should give him some traction over the government for a while.

Watched Samaks response: the guy is on drugs. Rambles and rambles.

[sriracha john]

and chastises Abhisit for being disrespectful to his elders... He was babbling about being 73 and shouldn't have to hear any criticisms from the likes of someone who is only 40-something.

[sriracha john]

Out to lunch???

Despite facing no-confidence debate in the Parliament, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shows his skill at making a paper bird.

The Nation

======================================

Is this way of saying he's finally going to attempt to do something about the ever-rising death toll in the Deep South?

Could be he,s letting everyone know who is supporting him with the white dove emblem

Didn,t Thaksin use the same / similar bird while he was still in power ????

Remember all and everyone making them and then being loaded onto an plane released from up above.

" Dove of peace ", what a farce they make of it,s meaning.

marshbags

One of Thaksin's most successful initiatives...

Airdrop of Paper Birds Intended to Promote Peace Fails to Halt Violence in Thailand

BANGKOK:-- A massive airdrop of paper birds intended to promote peace failed to halt violence in Thailand's restive south, with a spate of new attacks Monday that targeted soldiers and local officials.

The bombings, shootings and arson attacks came hours after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Sunday's airdrop of nearly 100 million Japanese-style origami cranes over the predominantly Muslim region had achieved an "enormous, positive psychological effect" toward peace.

On Monday morning a bomb was detonated at a rest stop for patrolling soldiers. Four troops were wounded, one seriously, in Narathiwat province's Ra-ngae district.

Another bomb exploded nearby hours later, seriously injuring an assistant district chief as he parked his car. The official, Pricha Nuannuay, 38, had gone to the area to instruct security forces to carry out thorough searches for explosive devices, police said.

A third bomb found later in a garbage bin was defused by police.

Bangkok's heavy-handed response has not helped the situation.

The government came under strong criticism after 85 Muslim demonstrators died on Oct. 25, including 78 who suffocated or were crushed when soldiers bound and stacked them on top of each other in military trucks.

Encouraged by the government, Thais across the country Cabinet ministers, office workers, schoolchildren and even convicts folded more than 130 million birds to promote peace in the south. Approximately 30 million will be delivered by land.

While meant as a morale-boosting measure for victims of violence, Sunday's origami airdrop resembled a festive treasure hunt with prizes offered for some specially marked birds.

Especially coveted was one bird folded and signed by Thaksin, which offered a scholarship if found by a child or a job for an adult.

Thaksin said Sunday the paper bird airdrop showed residents of the three southern provinces that they are part of Thai society, and that their countrymen care for them.

Hours after Thaksin spoke, the owner of a tea shop in Pattani was slain by gunmen, grenades were thrown at the homes of two policemen in the same province and arsonists set fire to a state school in Yala and a teacher's house in Narathiwat.

--AP 2004-12-06

[samran]

and chastises Abhisit for being disrespectful to his elders... He was babbling about being 73 and shouldn't have to hear any criticisms from the likes of someone who is only 40-something.

yeah saw that.

The problem to my mind what Abhisits reaction. He looked a little flustered when he heard it, almost like he was accepted being talked down to. He sat there looking almost like a school boy being lectured.

Now that is the problem: Abhisit doesn't quite (yet) have the killer instinct to become PM. He should have used the same bored body language that Samak and Nappadon had thruoghout Abhisits excellent speech.

[sgtpeppers]

I too was impressed by Abhisits performance, and the emotion he put into it.

I agree, more gray hairs he needs for the job.

[Plus]

Ando sited several obstacles facing PPP, however he forgot to mention that they are all result of PPP's own wrongdoing. PAD wouldn't be there if they didn't spend most of their time pushing for constitution change, and censure motion is not a big burden either - they agreed to consider it only on Saturday, three days ago.

Democrats target seven ministers in the Cabinet and none of them but Samak have anything to do with PAD's protests - it's their own pitiful performance, no excuses.

Nothing will come out of it, however, just a complete loss of faith in parlamentary procedures. Those who wanted to sort it out in parlament will have nothing to show for it, and those who want to sort it out in the streets will say "I told you so".

[samran]

Ando sited several obstacles facing PPP, however he forgot to mention that they are all result of PPP's own wrongdoing. PAD wouldn't be there if they didn't spend most of their time pushing for constitution change, and censure motion is not a big burden either - they agreed to consider it only on Saturday, three days ago.

Democrats target seven ministers in the Cabinet and none of them but Samak have anything to do with PAD's protests - it's their own pitiful performance, no excuses.

Nothing will come out of it, however, just a complete loss of faith in parlamentary procedures. Those who wanted to sort it out in parlament will have nothing to show for it, and those who want to sort it out in the streets will say "I told you so".

Thailand needs a proper question time format. Each time parliament sits, there should be 2 hour session of questions without notice. But while verbal confrontation is what Thailand needs, it doesn't really fit in culturally.

A regular session to air ones greivences, and to let off steam I think would help Thailand work through its regular impasses. Unfortunately it would involve of loss of face for those on the receiving end. A big no-no.

Instead, we have a typical cycle of what happens in Thai society when they don't agree with each other. First you sit and smile, hoping it will go away. You then sit and smile, while trying to stab each other behind each others backs. When that doesn't work, you still smile, but you then have your tempers/emotions reach boiling point - resulting in the street protests and in rare cases, a coup.

[sriracha john]

Puea Pandin Party may pull out of the government over temple issue

The Puea Pandin Party may pull out of the coalition government if the PPP fails during the censure debate today to explain its speedy support of Cambodia's attempt to list the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site. A source in Puea Pandin said party executives and MPs held a meeting yesterday and Party Chairman Vatana Asavahame ordered the party to pull out if the PPP could not defend its actions on Preah Vihear because it was an important issue for the nation.

Best to squash that sort of thing..

Deputy PM says coalition parties will continue to support PPP

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Somchai Wongsawat expressed confidence that member parties of the coalition government will vote with confidence towards the People Power Party for the censure debate. He said that there have been no indications that any party has retreated their support for the PPP as a leader of the coalition.

Somchai also said that he is not worried about any minister, especially Minister of Foreign Affairs Noppadol Pattama who is currently being lambasted over the Phrea Vihear National Park situation. The Deputy PM said that it is each ministers duty to clarify issues with facts. He also commented that if the debate leads to a Cabinet reshuffle or not, is based on the discretion of the Prime Minister.

- ThaiNews (today)

[Plus]

It looks like a total waste of time. Originally the idea was that if the grievances are expressed in parlament, it would somehow be more important than posting them on discussion boards, for example. What can you do if MPs are not even thinking about examining arguments, appling logic and reasoning or common sense or making their own decisions? What can you do if the PM sits there and makes paper birds?

What's the point of the whole exercise? Nothing, nada, zilch.

The only argument for it is that there's hope that Thai people would vote him out in four years time. But is there any hope? They know exactly who they elected, no one is surprised, that's what they wanted, that's what they got, and they'll do it again and again and again.

It's not the democracy that is failing this country, it's the people, and it's only going to get a lot worse, it's far from bottoming out.

[steveromagnino]

The military government ruled Thailand for what --17 months? The PPP coalition has been in power for about 4 and a half months, and under some of the most extreme and difficult conditions imaginable for a new government. I don't see the comparison between the two as a fair appraisal of the new governments performance. In fact I don't think anyone can make a fair appraisal of any new governments performance inside their first 12 months of power.

I totally agree. Times are tough.

Which is why it is almost totally beyond the comprehension of so many that given the price of oil, of commodities, the continuing problems in the south, the issue of the Burmese flooding/typhoon, the strength of the Thai baht, the lack of confidence in the economy......

........ that you would instead as PM and the ministers chosen to represent the people only focus on shuffling good people out of their jobs, controlling the media and trying to start changing the constitution to protect a party and individual rather than actually doing anything about any of the issues above.

100 days of fiddling around despite a popular mandate (something you would no doubt be happy to point out that the military never had nationally either in an election (obviously) or in the popularity stakes). No wonder people think this lot are morons (even people upcountry are starting to come to this conclusion no less).

It was pretty obvious this was how things would play out; ironically I suspect if the 111 were actually around, things might be even worse! Bunch of deadbeats (I can say that now, given that I don't work for any of them anymore!)

[sriracha john]

It looks like a total waste of time. Originally the idea was that if the grievances are expressed in parlament, it would somehow be more important than posting them on discussion boards, for example. What can you do if MPs are not even thinking about examining arguments, appling logic and reasoning or common sense or making their own decisions? What can you do if the PM sits there and makes paper birds?

What's the point of the whole exercise? Nothing, nada, zilch.

The only argument for it is that there's hope that Thai people would vote him out in four years time. But is there any hope? They know exactly who they elected, no one is surprised, that's what they wanted, that's what they got, and they'll do it again and again and again.

It's not the democracy that is failing this country, it's the people, and it's only going to get a lot worse, it's far from bottoming out.

For a video on how the Leader of this Country spent his time in Parliament today....

VIDEO LINK:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/24...es_30076397.php

*it's so very appropros that he did so while sitting right next to Thaksin's brother-in-law*

Edited June 24, 2008 by sriracha john

[Andiamo]

UNBELIEVABLE.................. And this guy is Prime Minister?????

Does he not have any shame?

[sriracha john]

His lunacy certainly didn't escape the attention of the international media.... portraying to the world what Thailand has elected...

Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej adjusts a paper bird after he constructed it on his desk while listening to a no-confidence motion against him at Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday, June 24, 2008. Samak faced more criticism Tuesday as the lower house of Parliament began a no-confidence debate.

Forget about no-confidence in his ability to govern well... it's now about no-confidence in his sanity...

[Pierrot]

What's the point of the whole exercise?

Pretty obvious. To show Samak and the government play the "democracy" game and win ... one more time.

The PPP is building an international reputation as a democratic party.... Politic at its best and the PPP are masters of this game.

Unless the democrats decide to start playing the "democratic election" game instead of relying on backdoor dealing, they will never come back.

Edited June 24, 2008 by Pierrot

[ThaiAdventure]

To be fair, the military dictatorship didn't have opposition street protests like the PAD is currently mounting to divert its attention from the business of running the country. And they didn't have a parliamentary opposition threatening to oust them through a censure motion. And they didn't have the threat of a military coup to oust them as a diversion from the real business of running the country. And they didn't have the same level of world economic downturn to deal with. And they didn't have the same level of world food shortage (especially rice) to deal with. And they didn't have the same level of world rise in oil prices to deal with.

But they did have the ability to stay in power at their own pleasure.

And they did have the power to force a new constitution through.

And they did have the power to exonerate themselves from any criminal charges for ousting the government.

And they did have the power to give themselves big pay rises and increase the military budget by something like 35%

The military government ruled Thailand for what --17 months? The PPP coalition has been in power for about 4 and a half months, and under some of the most extreme and difficult conditions imaginable for a new government. I don't see the comparison between the two as a fair appraisal of the new governments performance. In fact I don't think anyone can make a fair appraisal of any new governments performance inside their first 12 months of power.

Selective comparisons may turn up different results depending what periods one chooses to compare. For example compare the best 12 months of Thailand's prosperity under Thaksin's rule with the last 12 months of Saryids rule.

If one argues for a change of government on the basis of a previous governments better performance under totally different circumstances we (the Thais) would be changing governments every month. But it does appear that this is what some want.

Forced through?

Wasn't it put to a referendum? Can't get more democratic than that IMHO.

[h90]

Thailand grew strongly in the first two years of the Thaksin goverment (2001-2002 with growth of 5% to 6%), and then it was downhill after that with figures about 4% after that, which is hardly stellar.

If you take the view that economic policy takes about 18months to 2 years to take effect, then it is arguable that the democrats who were left with the job of reforming the Thai economy after 1997 should get the credit (Barnharn, Chavalit and Thaksin were all senior members of the government which maintained the rouinous policies which led to 1997).

It is also arguable that the Thaksin government was a 'do nothing' government as far as microeconomic reform of the economy. Sure, it built an airport and privatised the PTT monopoly (well it sold 25% of shares to members of his clique)...but can anyone really think of anything else that it did in terms of loosening the shackels on the Thai economy?

I half agree, half disagree!

Of course any reforms need a long time to work. So the first two Toxin years got the bonus from the previous Democrats government. But specially on the beginning he was not that bad! He fixed a lot with customs and customs corruption. He pushed broadband ahead. but than nothing.

these mega-projects are not something good for the economic. That are short time things.

Of course investments in infrastructure help, but not nonsense projects. For one airport how many Thais you could pay a good university, which push economic in 10-20 years.

[Plus]

What's the point of the whole exercise?

Pretty obvious. To show Samak and the government play the "democracy" game and win ... one more time.

The PPP is building an international reputation as a democratic party.... Politic at its best and the PPP are masters of this game.

Unless the democrats decide to start playing the "democratic election" game instead of relying on backdoor dealing, they will never come back.

What happens now is actually quite opposite - Democrats are on the national TV, appealing to MPs to vote with a conscience, while PPP rely on "backdoor dealing" to keep them in line.

It's not national elections, MPs are supposed to vote according to presented evidence, like a jury.

And, btw, I don't think I will support Democrats if they resort to playing "democratic election" game like PPP/TRT does. They should stick to their principles, we don't need any more crooks in politics. If their principles can't win, shame on Thai electorate, not on Democrats.

[marshbags]

Out to lunch???

Despite facing no-confidence debate in the Parliament, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej shows his skill at making a paper bird.

The Nation

======================================

Is this way of saying he's finally going to attempt to do something about the ever-rising death toll in the Deep South?

Could be he,s letting everyone know who is supporting him with the white dove emblem

Didn,t Thaksin use the same / similar bird while he was still in power ????

Remember all and everyone making them and then being loaded onto an plane released from up above.

" Dove of peace ", what a farce they make of it,s meaning.

marshbags

One of Thaksin's most successful initiatives...

Airdrop of Paper Birds Intended to Promote Peace Fails to Halt Violence in Thailand

BANGKOK:-- A massive airdrop of paper birds intended to promote peace failed to halt violence in Thailand's restive south, with a spate of new attacks Monday that targeted soldiers and local officials.

The bombings, shootings and arson attacks came hours after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Sunday's airdrop of nearly 100 million Japanese-style origami cranes over the predominantly Muslim region had achieved an "enormous, positive psychological effect" toward peace.

On Monday morning a bomb was detonated at a rest stop for patrolling soldiers. Four troops were wounded, one seriously, in Narathiwat province's Ra-ngae district.

Another bomb exploded nearby hours later, seriously injuring an assistant district chief as he parked his car. The official, Pricha Nuannuay, 38, had gone to the area to instruct security forces to carry out thorough searches for explosive devices, police said.

A third bomb found later in a garbage bin was defused by police.

Bangkok's heavy-handed response has not helped the situation.

The government came under strong criticism after 85 Muslim demonstrators died on Oct. 25, including 78 who suffocated or were crushed when soldiers bound and stacked them on top of each other in military trucks.

Encouraged by the government, Thais across the country Cabinet ministers, office workers, schoolchildren and even convicts folded more than 130 million birds to promote peace in the south. Approximately 30 million will be delivered by land.

While meant as a morale-boosting measure for victims of violence, Sunday's origami airdrop resembled a festive treasure hunt with prizes offered for some specially marked birds.

Especially coveted was one bird folded and signed by Thaksin, which offered a scholarship if found by a child or a job for an adult.

Thaksin said Sunday the paper bird airdrop showed residents of the three southern provinces that they are part of Thai society, and that their countrymen care for them.

Hours after Thaksin spoke, the owner of a tea shop in Pattani was slain by gunmen, grenades were thrown at the homes of two policemen in the same province and arsonists set fire to a state school in Yala and a teacher's house in Narathiwat.

--AP 2004-12-06

Thanks for reactivating this as a reminder for the slowing down of the old grey matter S.J.

Useful for others who do not know what i was referring to, also.

Niether him nor his surrogate government put sincerity into this statement and as for caring, we can expand on this to include / 95% of the country, who are left out of their exclusive " Thai Society "

marshbags

Apologies for the extended quotes repeat are in order.

Edited June 25, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

as always, you're welcome, marshbags...

now we fast forward to 2008 for more of the same Thaksin-style nepotism and ineptitude...

Nepotism and ineptitude, says Abhisit

Key fiscal agencies being compromised

Democrat Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has accused the government and the Finance Minister of nepotism and lack of good governance in appointing members of committees selecting board members of the Bank of Thailand and the Securities Exchange Commission. The opposition leader said Surapong Suebwonglee had appointed people who are facing charges and allegations of corruption and malpractice to the selection committees for the two authorities, which lie at the heart of the country's financial and equity systems. Speaking during yesterday's censure debate, Mr Abhisit said one of the committee members is facing corruption charges pressed by the ASC over a loan scandal at Krung Thai Bank. Another is accused of being unusually rich through bribery. Another is facing charges in the two-and-three digit lottery case, one is a former director of SC Asset Plc, owned by the Shinawatra family, and another is a former director of a state bank and under investigation for corruption. PM Samak was right to say that no one could lower oil prices that are rising worldwide, but he lacked any vision for energy-related state enterprises. The PM and Surapong were sitting idle as the people suffer the consequences of high fuel prices while PTT Plc reaps a huge profit of 100 Billion Baht annually. PTT had a monopoly on the energy market, and the structure should be changed. Mr Abhisit attacked the government's handling of the country's rice market. A food crisis should not occur in Thailand, which is one of the world's net food exporters. At a time rice prices were unprecedentedly high, it was surprising to see farmers rallying to demand assistance from the government. Mr Abhisit criticised the government for scrapping the Commerce Ministry's Blue Flag campaign, which was offering low-priced rice to consumers. The government also missed the opportunity to sell 600,000 tonnes of rice to the Philippines, the world's biggest rice importer. ''Each day and month [that the current government is in office] is so expensive for Thailand and Thai people." And when the new academic term begins, the government would not be able to turn its free education policy into a reality, he said. ''With this kind of performance, anyone could be the prime minister.''

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/250608_News/25Jun2008_news08.php

[hammered]

Of course barring the personal interventuion of the puppet master PM Samak will win the vote and claim he has the confidence of the parliament etc etc.

However, the one thign Samak actually seeks - to be seen as great leader of Thailand, a leader of gravity and respected man and a solver of great problems is already starting to slip from his grip. The media both local and international have through the publication of one picture made him an object of ridicule although for my taste I would rather see teh media locally and internatioanlly use the obvious material and statements relating to a certain massacre to achieve this.