Abhisit Vejjajiva Elected New Prime Minister Of Thailand

[hammered]

In reality there is little difference between a tax cut and a couple of thousand in your hand. It is all about putting money back in the economy. In fact the handing out of money is probably more responsible of a governmnet than cutting taxes as while giving out it doesnt reduce actual government income by its nature.

However, i do find it ironic that as soon as a government take the action and target the poor, those who would support (untargetted) tax cuts or even refunds as a recognized if overused tactic start to label the policy as populist and not able to work. Maybe it is something to do with only realtivly poor people getting it and not them or an arrognace that only wealthy people would know how to invest it "properly". I certainly wouldnt expect the Thai government to hand money to me or cut my tax right now. In fact I am not sure why someone like myself gets free water and would suggest they actually cut the amount for free to remove the middle classes from the scheme and free up more money for those that need it.

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Party poised to receive Bt33 million in state subsidies

The Election Commission has scheduled to earmark state funds worth Bt62.8 million to subsidise political parties as part of the political development scheme, a senior official said on Friday.

EC's State Support Office director Thanes Sriprathet said based on votes cast at the polls, the Democrat Party is poised to get a highest subsidy worth Bt33 million this year.

Other major parties to receive the funds are Puea Pandin (Bt15 million), Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana (Bt7.2 million), Pracharaj (Bt3.8 million), New Aspiration (Bt1.8 million) and Farmer Network of Thailand (Bt1.8 million).

The EC will also allocate Bt2.2 million to assist nine small parties which come up with 37 projects to raise political awareness although they got less than five per cent of votes cast.

Source: The Nation - 16 January 2009

[tropo]

*deleted*

Edited January 16, 2009 by tropo

[Old Man River]

There's heavy critisism of the stimulus package in today's Bangkok Post from various economic gurus.

Many of them view it as a populist vote attracting campaign rather than sound economic policy.

Apparently Abhisit go his priorities "right", finally. For now he has little incentive to look further than one or two years ahead. If, however, he continues in the same vein they might just as well call themselves TRT sequel part IV.

It looks like under current political system, no matter who is in charge, the government is forced to do exactly the same shit, over and over again, against any common sense.

I just hope Abhisit doesn't extend it past the next elections. Somebody has to stop it, and if not him I don't see anyone else. Unlike the US political leaders here never seem to change.

So back to the same old story.

Vote buying using public money.

With the people in the northeast able to swing any national election their way, democratically elected governments under the current system must meet their short term needs. Add to this that most governments in Thailand are coalition governments and you begin to see that even prior to national elections a ruling party can lose its status in government. This has just happened even though no national election took place. Hence, to stay in power, the Democrats must put in place populist policies.

The negative comments on the stimulus package were not surprising. When looking at things from only one side of the equation, comments are biased to that side. The Democrats aren't afforded this luxury. They have to view things from all viewpoints and that very much includes the way politics currently work.

With the PPP having a chance to do something about the current economic situation, they instead spent their resources on their own political interests (in which they ultimately failed). Now, with difficult economic times ahead, it is paramount that the Democrats stay in power. Following 1997 financial crisis, the Democrats were the party that got the country moving in the right direction (the facts are there if you look for them).

If Thailand's current political system is to remain as it is, then populist policies will be the norm.

[Plus]

In reality there is little difference between a tax cut and a couple of thousand in your hand.

Actually there is - the stimulus money is borrowed, it's not a tax refund.

The govt hopes to collect enough taxes on its circulation to pay it back. It has to make sure the money is spent productively. I don't know any Thai who'd go on holidays' to Penang, but the main premise is right - the money has to be circulated and so generate as mush economic activity as possible.

Giving out coupons is a good idea in that sense but it's very difficult to implement in a short timeframe.

[Koo82]

I can't understand what made him think of giving 2,000 Baht per person to those who earn less than 14,000 Baht / month. Total 9.4 million people can get this money. What about the rest? We all pay tax but only these people get the benefit.

2,000 Baht every 6 months if I remember correctly. What can it really help Thailand?

[TAWP]

I can't understand what made him think of giving 2,000 Baht per person to those who earn less than 14,000 Baht / month. Total 9.4 million people can get this money. What about the rest? We all pay tax but only these people get the benefit.

2,000 Baht every 6 months if I remember correctly. What can it really help Thailand?

Now you are upset he gives money to the poorer?

[sriracha john]

I can't understand what made him think of giving 2,000 Baht per person to those who earn less than 14,000 Baht / month. Total 9.4 million people can get this money. What about the rest? We all pay tax but only these people get the benefit.

2,000 Baht every 6 months if I remember correctly. What can it really help Thailand?

Now you are upset he gives money to the poorer?

It's a new week.

His opinions are subject to change to reflect outside changes.

[Koo82]

This is the 27th PM getting his chair after years of dreaming with the help from Constitution Court, Army, elite, Newin, PAD and the like:

Edited January 18, 2009 by Koo82

[sriracha john]

This is the 25th PM and his adorable, but equally banned, wife. He never got to sit in his chair at Government House , but he had never dreamed of it, anyway. He was only pushed into the role by his brother-in-law, his wife

[Koo82]

So proud of the by-election when some members did not have enough 90 days and still registered?

And the guy who said "will make Laws become Laws" has brought terrorists to key positions instead of sending them to jail.

Fake democracy. Fake faces. All nice talks but they are all lies. They should change their party name.

[sriracha john]

You mean like the Thai Rak Thai People Power Puea Thai Party?

[Pierrot]

This is the 25th PM and his adorable, but equally banned, wife. He never got to sit in his chair at Government House , but he had never dreamed of it, anyway. He was only pushed into the role by his brother-in-law, his wife

It's sure that, with you, political debates on TV reach new high everyday.

Honestly, it's not the first time, what pleasure do you get of making fun of people (mostly women) personal appearance ?

[hammered]

So proud of the by-election when some members did not have enough 90 days and still registered?

And the guy who said "will make Laws become Laws" has brought terrorists to key positions instead of sending them to jail.

Fake democracy. Fake faces. All nice talks but they are all lies. They should change their party name.

Koo you are startiung to just sound very angry and irrational. It really doesnt help to state the guy who is presumably Abhisit should send people to jail. In any democracy Pms do not send people to jail that is the job of the courts and rightly so.

Tongue very in cheek, but I guess Abhisit could have learnt a leson from Thaksin and just had people blown away with no recourse to the justice system and therefore innocent. However, it is probably an improvement at least in the facet of human rights in Thai democracy that Abhisit hasnt reorted to such undemocratic behaviour as Thaksin did. At least that lesson has been learned.

[Guest Reimar]

Kasit Speaks Up on Thaksin Extradition

UPDATE : 17 January 2009

In an exclusive interview with ASTV's Sarosha Pornudomsak this afternoon, Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom pleaded with Thai government agencies to cooperate in expediting the process for Thaksin Shinawatra's extradition to Thailand.

Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom said the process of extraditing Thaksin back to Thailand does not depend on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone as it cannot act on certain matters related to the law.

The extradition of Thailand, including revoking his passport, would require the cooperation of at least three other agencies: the Council of State, the Office of the Attorney General, and the National Police, Kasit said.

He said that the Foreign Ministry has already urged the relevant agencies to act as soon as possible in issuing a identity certificate for Thaksin. The identity certificate would ensure that Thaksin would only be able to travel back to Thailand and nowhere else.

Kasit said that the Democrat party-led coalition is a government that is happy to listen to the views of civil servants. He said that civil servants should try to cooperate with the government as much as they can.

Kasit also said that the Foreign Ministry can not be faulted for not knowing where Thakskin is, since several countries have privacy laws that do not allow the disclosure of the names of people entering the country.

Kasit, however, said that the Foreign Ministry already circulated letters to all Thai embassies notifying their host nations that Thailand would not look kindly upon countries that allow Thaksin to use their country as a springboard for attacks on Thailand.

Kasit said that he would not allow anyone to use Thailand as a springboard for political activities and that the same courtesy should be extended to Thailand.

During the interview, he also said that it was a twist of fate that led him to the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs, instead of Sukhumpand Bharibat, who is also well-versed in foreign affairs. He said that he had also offered to run for Bangkok governor, but circumstances led him to exchange positions with Bangkok governor Sukhumpand.

[Pierrot]

In an exclusive interview with ASTV's Sarosha Pornudomsak this afternoon, Foreign Minister Kasit Pirom said the process of extraditing Thaksin back to Thailand does not depend on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs alone as it cannot act on certain matters related to the law.....

Blah blah blah .... I'm absolutely powerless but I try my best.

I'm a democat, what do you expect ?

[Bagwan]

Kasit said that the Democrat party-led coalition is a government that is happy to listen to the views of civil servants. He said that civil servants should try to cooperate with the government as much as they can.

Kasit also said that the Foreign Ministry can not be faulted for not knowing where Thakskin is, since several countries have privacy laws that do not allow the disclosure of the names of people entering the country.

Kasit, however, said that the Foreign Ministry already circulated letters to all Thai embassies notifying their host nations that Thailand would not look kindly upon countries that allow Thaksin to use their country as a springboard for attacks on Thailand.

Kasit said that he would not allow anyone to use Thailand as a springboard for political activities and that the same courtesy should be extended to Thailand.

Governments are elected to govern. The Civil Service should do as they are ordered with all the energy and expertise that they can muster - or else!

It appears that the Foreign Ministry or any other organisation doesn't know the whereabouts of countless fugitive murderers and fraudsters either. If they do, then maybe the RTP forgot to ask them.

Given the number of atrocities perpetrated in LoS in the past few years I shouldn't think that many countries would give a pigs butt whether Thailand looks upon them kindly or not.

The conduct of any person in Thailand should not be a matter for the Foreign Ministry. Surely such the executive powers as may be required reside in another Government department. I can't help feeling that Kasit is pi55ed with power. Another pygmy?

[Guest Reimar]

I set an post about Lese Majesty charges with links to some Websites invisible and let admin choose the post can run or not.

Please keep in mind that any discussion about the Royal Family and the Royal House is strictly prohibit and also includes the discussion about Lese Majesty Law.

[Pierrot]

Governments are elected to govern. The Civil Service should do as they are ordered with all the energy and expertise that they can muster - or else!

Are you real ?

It's not funny, please someone get his medication !

[samgrowth]

I can't understand what made him think of giving 2,000 Baht per person to those who earn less than 14,000 Baht / month. Total 9.4 million people can get this money. What about the rest? We all pay tax but only these people get the benefit.

2,000 Baht every 6 months if I remember correctly. What can it really help Thailand?

Now you are upset he gives money to the poorer?

So now Mark is the Robin Hood of Bangkok Forest? Rob the rich and give it to the poor?

[TAWP]

I can't understand what made him think of giving 2,000 Baht per person to those who earn less than 14,000 Baht / month. Total 9.4 million people can get this money. What about the rest? We all pay tax but only these people get the benefit.

2,000 Baht every 6 months if I remember correctly. What can it really help Thailand?

Now you are upset he gives money to the poorer?

So now Mark is the Robin Hood of Bangkok Forest? Rob the rich and give it to the poor?

I thought last week that was the argument from the same people as to why Thaksin was so good, even if the robbed the country blind...as he gave something to the poor.

[clausewitz]

I can't understand what made him think of giving 2,000 Baht per person to those who earn less than 14,000 Baht / month. Total 9.4 million people can get this money. What about the rest? We all pay tax but only these people get the benefit.

2,000 Baht every 6 months if I remember correctly. What can it really help Thailand?

Now you are upset he gives money to the poorer?

So now Mark is the Robin Hood of Bangkok Forest? Rob the rich and give it to the poor?

I thought last week that was the argument from the same people as to why Thaksin was so good, even if the robbed the country blind...as he gave something to the poor.

What everyone is laughing at is that for over 6 years Abhisit has been screaming about Thaksin's 'populist' giving of money to the poor, exapnding eduication opportunties, free health care etc etc. Yet within a month of him and his buddies grabbing power he simply copies- badly- what Thaksin did. The man has no shame.

Oh yes, how is his big promised crackdown on PAD and brining them to justice coming on?I mean apart for appointing leading PAD Kasit as foreign Minister

[Jai Dee]

Abhisit : Govt not to let Monarchy dragged into politics

The prime minister insisted the Government would not let deliberate attempt to drag the monarchy down into the politics as the monarchy has brought immense benefit to Thailand as a stabilizing force.

He also insisted if ministers or people in his Government with links to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were charged with offences and they have been proven to have broken the law, they would have to step down as everybody has been treated equally under the law.

The premier also stressed the Government’s economic stimulus package which involved around 115 billion baht 2009 mid fiscal year budget would not defy the country’s fiscal discipline.

Prime Minister Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered speech at the dinner reception hosted by Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand (FCCT) at the Intercontinental Hotel, Bangkok on Wednesday (January 14).

When asked for the government’s life, Mr. Abhisit cited the January 11’s by-elections having been a great help for his administration, adding however that whether the Government stayed or fell would depend on it performance.

“If we can carry out our pledge, then I can’t see why we can’t survive unless I might decide to take the vote back to the people. But if we fail on the mission, there is no reason for the Government to stay. The worse case would be for the Government or the prime minister to resign”, he said.

When asked about the country’s tourism and security situation in following November 2008’s airport closure after the People’s Alliance for Democracy’s laying siege against Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang commercial airports, Mr. Abhisit said that based on number of passengers coming into the Suvarnabhumi international airport, during the first half of December 2008, it was 50 per cent from normal situation.

But by the 2009 New Year, there were more passengers, with the number settling at around 80 per cent. The numbers therefore suggest that the problem was more about the global economic recession and decreasing purchasing power, he said.

“The plan for reconciliation and restoration of the rule of law is the best guarantee. I have also asked the Transport Minister to put in more security in the airport areas to ensure security. There are now already a number of liftings of travel warnings,” he said.

Regarding the Government’s plan to raise foreign investors’ confidence towards Thailand, he said that his Government has looked at experiences around the world, adding it discovered that to keep the economy moving, and to make sure that there was domestic consumption – by far the biggest component of Thailand’s national income – the administration needed to put money into people’s pockets.

There have been very good researches and analyses, especially in the United States, that when ones give cash handouts, that is the best way of getting domestic spending going.

If more sophisticated schemes of tax incentives applied, it would take too long and often clear result in term of stimulating the economy did not exist.

He said that his Government’s economic stimulus package was designed to make sure that there would be expansion of domestic consumption. He likened it with companies’ strategy of ensuring its being able to sell their goods. If their business is good, they should be able to find credit.

However, he said that his Government recognized some difficulty that some sectors have had. So, there should be additional credit guarantees. At the moment, he said that the problem about liquidity was not about there was not enough money and not about interest rates being too high. It was about the risks. “I have asked the Finance Minister to look at how we can implement effective credit guarantee schemes”, he said.

Regarding the level of deficit, he stressed that the Government was very mindful of the criteria about fiscal disciplines. For instance, he said that the Government could not run a deficit higher than 20 per cent of its total budget.

“We have factored in the lower-than-expected revenue coming in and that is why we have chosen this number of 160 billion baht so it takes us close to the limit but safely within the limit,” said the premier.

In term of public debt, the same approach was adopted. “We know where the limit is and we won’t reach that. More importantly, as far as debt to GDP (gross domestic product) ratio is concerned, we are still well below the normal criteria value, which is 50 per cent, so there is still room for further expansion,” he noted.

Asked about the Government’s close ties to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Mr. Abhisit likened former Mr. Samak Sundaravej’s administration appointment of two persons, Deputy House Speaker and a minister who were leaders of the movement against the coup leaders, while they were already charged with breach of the law when they tried to get into Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda’s house. Bu his Democrat party, as the time was opposition leader in the lower House of Representatives, never complained.

“If individuals know their duties and know how they should perform their duties, especially if people question their past, that is even better for reconciliation”, he said.

For the people who have joined this Government, if they attended the PAD rallies, that was the past, he aid. But they must now follow Government’s policy as the administration takes on reconciliation.

“If down the line they should be charged with offences and they have been proven to have broken the law, they will have to go. That will prove that everybody has been treated equally under the law,” stressed Mr. Abhisit.

Asked whether the Government would pursue charges against the five key leaders of the PAD, Mr. Abhisit said that a number of charges were already filed with the police and all cases were proceeding.

“But it’s not for me to say whether they have violated the law or not. It will be up to the police, the attorney-general and subsequently the courts. All I can say to the police is that they must do their work”, he said.

Followings are more questions and Mr. Abhisit’s answers”

Q: Because you have a parliamentary mandate and will in time need to seek an electoral one, what would you like to say to those millions of people who see their votes reversed again and again either by coups and judicial decisions?

PM: In the US, the Mid-West keep voting Republicans and the East and West keep voting Democrats. Is there a fundamental division in the United States that people in different regions cannot live in the same country and have orderly democratic system? I don’t think so. And when you do polls of voters all over the world, often you find that urban people prefer one party and rural people prefer another, that doesn’t necessarily mean that urban and rural people are in conflict.

- I do take issues with votes being reversed or taken away by what’s happened here in these events. First, if you go back to the December elections we (Democrat party) got 100,000 votes less than the PPP (now defunct People Power party) in terms of popular vote and you could argue that the other parties when they ran in the December elections gave the impression that they were breaking away from the former TRT (now defunct Thai Rak Thai party). So you could say that more people voted against TRT than for TRT in the elections. It just so happens that the way the seats are distributed makes it more convenient for the PPP to then take our former allies to join the coalition. Now they have decided to come back. So I don’t quite accept the idea that somehow this government is being supported by less number of voters because if you look at the numbers, that isn’t the case.

- My job is to prove that I am here to work for all Thai people and I am very pleased that in Sunday’s by-elections, two seats in the North were up for grabs and we actually gained one and lost the other by very narrowly. So it’s a huge jump of support compared to several elections ago. So I think we do have a mandate.

- As far as court decisions are concerned, the law is the law. Party leaders have to follow the law and be under the law. If they do not, they have to accept the consequences.

- Democracy isn’t just about elections. Elections are a crucial part, a very important part of democracy. But in any functioning, truly democratic system, you must also have respect for the law and everybody must be equal under the law.

Q: What is your personal view of New Politics proposed by the PAD? Would you personally repudiate this notion of New Politics?

PM: Frankly speaking, I am not even sure what the structure of this New Politics would be. When it was floated that it would involve 70 per cent of officials being appointed, I said very clearly that I opposed that. But subsequently I thought they said that 70 per cent would not be appointed but would be elected under a different system. But I didn’t see the details of that, which is why when I talk of political reform and of giving everybody a chance, all groups participating in this process and all ideas can be exchanged and which would lead to amendments to the Constitution that should be acceptable to all or at least most people.

Q: Will you emulate the model of Singaporean Government as former Prime Minister Pol Lt Col Thaksin Shinawatra advocated?

PM: A few years ago, the former prime minister said he wanted to emulate the Singapore system. I said then that I don’t believe that having one party would benefit Thailand. I want to see competition in politics. That’s the essence of democracy.

Lèse-majesté laws :

Q: There are a large number of websites that are criticizing and discussing the role of the monarchy, as well as lèse-majesté cases, including those against foreign journalists, as how these are being dealt with has made some people wonder what is happening in Thailand?

PM: There appears to be a deliberate attempt to drag the monarchy down into the political fray. As the monarchy has brought immense benefit to the country as a stabilizing force, the Government will not allow that to continue.

- Regarding the websites, the Government, in approaching this problem, will also respect the right to freedom of speech and expression. The Government will follow a practice commonly used by countries around the world. Instead of shutting down these websites, the Government will ask for cooperation from the companies concerned. That’s the main approach that we take. The Government will try to apply the laws recognizing the complicated issue of striking a balance between upholding the laws and allowing freedom of expression.

- As for lèse-majesté cases, the Government must uphold the laws but will not allow people to interpret the laws too liberally and abuse them. In addition, I have sent a clear signal to the police on these and hope that the authorities will proceed in a sensible manner according to the objective that is to keep the monarchy above politics and conflict in the society. I therefore believe that some pending cases would be dropped.

Q: The Government seems to be giving high priority to defending the monarchy. Is it because the Government believes that there is a conspiracy to undermine the monarchy? Does the Government know where such conspiracy is coming from? And will such conspiracy succeed?

PM: Yes, no and no—I cannot be clearer than that.

Q: Are you worried talking about the monarchy at the FCCT, given the precedent of Jakrapob Penkae who has been charged for saying something wrong at the FCCT?

PM: I am not afraid of people taking up on my faults. There are a number of charges, petitions and accusations which people intend to throw at me everyday But to make certain act a criminal offence, one needs to look at the intention.

Q: Do you agree with the Justice Minister, Mr. Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who has earlier proposed to amend the law to increase the penalties on lèse-majesté charges? Will you push for such amendment given that defending the monarchy is the Government’s top priority?

PM: I have talked with the Justice Minister and the ICT Minister and told them about my approach. The proposed amendment is not an urgent agenda that the Government will pursue. Situation in the Southern Border Provinces.

Q: How is the Government going to deal with the issue of human rights violation in the Southern Border Provinces? Will this put you in conflict with the military?

PM: - There has been a clear change in the authorities’ side. The principle of justice as means to achieve reconciliation applies to the South. Incidents of human rights violation must be accounted for.

- There is an encouraging sign of positive progress in this area through the recent Narathiwat Provincial Court’s finding on the inquest that officials were involved in the torture of Imam Yapa Kaseng, who died in custody last year.

- The Army Chief stated very clearly that officials shall not abuse the law, and if they do so they will be charged under the law accordingly.

Q: Is it a challenge for you to deliver justice in the South?

PM: Public expectations are high on the Southern Border Provinces issue as it is one area that people want to see clear progress. Nonetheless, measures will be implemented as effectively as possible to resolve the issue.

Q: The other day you said to see changes and reform in Burma, different measures will be taken from Thailand. So what is your new approach to Burma? And are you going to Burma and when you go, will you see Aung San Suu Kyi?

PM: I think many of you can recall when my Party was in office, the approach we took then was very different from the approaches taken by subsequent governments. At the same time, the approach then was very different from European countries and the United States. And I think the approach we took then is still the right approach to take, which is to continue to encourage changes through a process of engagement because we are neighbour with Myanmar. And we believe that the only sustainable change is change that comes from within rather than change that is forced from outside. And we will continue to do what we can to continue with what used to be called constructive engagement.

Q: I come all the way from Washington DC to come to this event. I am wondering when you are going to meet your counterpart at the forthcoming ASEAN Summit, how would you like to encourage him to change in Burma? And if you want to encourage him in the way that you want to see changes in Burma, would you be willing to take a risk at the expense of Thailand’s economic interests such as national gas, and other business affiliations?

PM: Actually, when you have economic transactions, both sides benefit, so it’s a shared interest. And the important thing that I will encourage the leadership in Myanmar to see is that Myanmar, just like Thailand and other countries in this region, can only achieve prosperity if the region and the grouping is strong. And for the region and the grouping, ASEAN, to be strong, it has to have credibility and respect from the international community. So what is happening in Myanmar clearly affects the rest of the region. And I will just try to point out that it is time for change – change that will benefit the people and also the government.

Q: You said that you want to see changes in Burma; you want to encourage the administration to change. You talked about the policy of your predecessor and Khun Surin Pitsuwan always talks about flexible engagement, or I would call it, constructive engagement. Is that in practical terms rather than a rhetoric that you want to encourage them to change. What practical steps have you got to get the military regime to move towards some kind of reform? We have seen the rhetoric. What practical steps that you are going to implement in the next 12 months before the 2010 elections to see real change in Burma?

PM: I have no illusion that it is an easy task. But I don’t think it would be fair to blame the lack of progress on our approach any more than to blame the Western approach. What I am trying to do now is to make western counterparts see: Let’s stop arguing about what we should do. Let’s agree on common objectives. Let’s accept that there may have to be different approaches taken by different countries or different regions.

- As far as we are concerned, we need to get ASEAN to become more proactive. It’s not easy. But I’ve seen changes and I’ve seen progress. I think 10-12 years ago when Dr. Surin mentioned flexible engagement, it was almost a taboo in ASEAN: everybody said internal affairs, no interference. But after Surin’s statement, ASEAN countries continue to say that this is a taboo but actually practice flexible engagement on a number of occasions. They are now coming around to that. We have a new Charter now. We have got to look at the framework for human rights and how we can enforce provisions of the Charter. So we are moving forward. I hope we can move forward in time for 2010. I know it’s going to be tough, but it’s the only road that I see. And we have to go as far as possible. Cambodia

Q: What is your government’s policy towards the disputed area along the border between Thailand and Cambodia and the issue of Phra Viharn Temple?

PM: Thailand adheres to the framework of the MOU signed in 2000. The Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) is also making progress and it is hoped that JBC will resolve this issue in a peaceful manner. So both countries have mechanisms and agreements to make progress.

Minority rights

Q: How would the government protect the minority ethnic groups in Thailand and strive to prevent the loss of their cultures?

PM: Thailand should be seen as a country of diversity. Part of the problem on this issue is the centralization of Thailand’s education system, which also lead to other problems including the quality of education. So part of the Government’s education reform programme will be to have greater decentralization and autonomy. Part of the Government’s approach to resolve the situation in the South is to recognize the need for a different system of education and cater to the needs of local people. This approach will help reduce the problem faced by ethnic groups.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 19 January 2009

[samgrowth]

Beat around the bush as usual. Like all great diplomats.

[sriracha john]

Asked about the Government’s close ties to the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Mr. Abhisit likened former Samak Sundaravej’s administration appointment of two persons, Deputy House Speaker and a minister who were leaders of the movement against the coup leaders, while they were already charged with breach of the law, when they tried to get into Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda’s house.

“If individuals know their duties and know how they should perform their duties, especially if people question their past, that is even better for reconciliation”, he said.

For the people who have joined this Government, if they attended the PAD rallies, that was the past. But they must now follow Government’s policy as the administration takes on reconciliation.

“If down the line they should be charged with offences and they have been proven to have broken the law, they will have to go. That will prove that everybody has been treated equally under the law,” stressed Mr. Abhisit.

He's a lot more fair than previous governments...

- Democracy isn’t just about elections. Elections are a crucial part, a very important part of democracy. But in any functioning, truly democratic system, you must also have respect for the law and everybody must be equal under the law.

That's something the previous governments struggled and ultimately failed so much to comprehend.

Q: What is your personal view of New Politics proposed by the PAD? Would you personally repudiate this notion of New Politics?

PM: Frankly speaking, I am not even sure what the structure of this New Politics would be. When it was floated that it would involve 70 per cent of officials being appointed, I said very clearly that I opposed that.

Q: Will you emulate the model of Singaporean Government as former Prime Minister Pol Lt Col Thaksin Shinawatra advocated?

PM: A few years ago, the former prime minister said he wanted to emulate the Singapore system. I said then that I don’t believe that having one party would benefit Thailand. I want to see competition in politics. That’s the essence of democracy.

alike views.

PM: There appears to be a deliberate attempt to drag the monarchy down into the political fray. As the monarchy has brought immense benefit to the country as a stabilizing force, the Government will not allow that to continue.

- Regarding the websites, the Government, in approaching this problem, will also respect the right to freedom of speech and expression. The Government will follow a practice commonly used by countries around the world. Instead of shutting down these websites, the Government will ask for cooperation from the companies concerned. That’s the main approach that we take. The Government will try to apply the laws recognizing the complicated issue of striking a balance between upholding the laws and allowing freedom of expression.

- As for lèse-majesté cases, the Government must uphold the laws but will not allow people to interpret the laws too liberally and abuse them. In addition, I have sent a clear signal to the police on these and hope that the authorities will proceed in a sensible manner according to the objective that is to keep the monarchy above politics and conflict in the society. I therefore believe that some pending cases would be dropped.

fair and reasonable...

Q: The Government seems to be giving high priority to defending the monarchy. Is it because the Government believes that there is a conspiracy to undermine the monarchy? Does the Government know where such conspiracy is coming from? And will such conspiracy succeed?

PM: Yes, no and no—I cannot be clearer than that.

Thank you for your honesty.

[hammered]

He came through it without any gaffes or without being sidetracked into detail and it has been seen as a quite succesful handling of the talk. Abhisit is developing as an effective communicator for the international community. Lets see how he does with the Thai people.

He is very good on style too, and in the modern world style is oh so often far more important than substance. Critics seem to pick up on he didnt give detail which shows it was succesful as detail is what you want to avoid at these catch all style events.

Abhisit is proving to be a maybe cleverer and more resourceful leader than many have given him credit for. While people take cheap shots at his "youth", good looks and like of foreign music, he is actually proving to be a savvy politcal operator in his own right. Interesting.

[Bagwan]

Governments are elected to govern. The Civil Service should do as they are ordered with all the energy and expertise that they can muster - or else!

Are you real ?

It's not funny, please someone get his medication !

I am very real - and realistic. Government lays down policies, the Civil Service implement them. You think that Government Ministers shouldn't take responsibility for their departments and ensure that their directives are met? Nobody elects the administrators; their role is to serve their political masters and the public.

Your non de plume is very appropriate. It translates as buffoon or clown.

[ballpoint]

Beat around the bush as usual. Like all great diplomats.

You mean how he referred to Thaksin as 'The former Prime Minister" rather than "That murdering, cheating, bail skipping criminal?"

Yeah, I noticed that too.

[Ulysses G.]

Beat around the bush as usual. Like all great diplomats.

You mean how he referred to Thaksin as 'The former Prime Minister" rather than "That murdering, cheating, bail skipping criminal?"

If he only referred to him as, "That murdering, cheating, bail skipping criminal?", no one would know which Thai politician he meant.

[Plus]

Suthep?