Thailand's Parliamentarians Demand Some Respect

[churchill]

Bangkok - The Thai Parliament Thursday ordered all civil servants to show some respect to house representatives by waiing them - the traditional Thai palms-together greeting - and helping them more with their workload.

The order, issued by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, was in response to numerous complaints from members of parliament that appointed officials showed little respect to their elected counterparts and were generally unhelpful, one official said.

'The order is a funny one,' said the bureaucrat, who asked to remain anonymous. 'In reality, government employees in Parliament are willing to help the members of parliament with their papers and duties but sometimes we are busy too with our own work.'

Thai bureaucrats tend to stay on the job longer than elected members of parliament and senators.

Since 1932, when Thailand opted for a democratic system under a constitutional monarchy, the country has had 18 successful coups, held 23 elections and had 27 different prime ministers. The average term in office for a Thai prime minister is 2.8 years, and getting shorter.

Thailand has had three prime ministers since the last election of December 23, 2007, including Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wonmgsawat and the current Abhisit Vejjajiva

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asi...nd-some-respect

[RickBradford]

Respect is something that should have to be earned.

[EffectiveAnger]

Bangkok - The Thai Parliament Thursday ordered all civil servants to show some respect to house representatives by waiing them - the traditional Thai palms-together greeting - and helping them more with their workload.

So what if the civil servants are Muslim!!!!!???? Waiing has its roots in Hindu-Buddhism and it has two meanings: 1.) it's a symbol of the sacred lotus flower and 2.) it can say, "I see the god in you." Requiring Muslims to make this religous gesture is discriminatory against Muslims (and Christians). Many people will flatly refuse. What will be the penalty, a jail sentence?! There will be an outcry, especially in the southern provinces.

[elkangorito]

This may be a good thing.

There is certainly now a reason for getting rid of the mandatory "standing still for the anthems". Different people from different religious backgrounds & not forgetting the right to disagree, certainly indicate that a change is needed.

I remember when I was a school kid & everybody had to stand still for the National Anthem (God Save The Queen - Australia). Now, due to a huge variety of people from many countries, a huge variety of beliefs & the recognition of an individual's rights, the National Anthem (in Australia) is a personal thing...much the same as religion etc. Nobody is breaking a law if they disagree with nationalism...they are simply exercising their individuality.

I hope Thailand "wakes up to itself" & chooses a similar way of thinking.

[LaoPo]

Bangkok - The Thai Parliament Thursday ordered all civil servants to show some respect to house representatives by waiing them - the traditional Thai palms-together greeting - and helping them more with their workload.

The order, issued by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives, was in response to numerous complaints from members of parliament that appointed officials showed little respect to their elected counterparts and were generally unhelpful, one official said.

'The order is a funny one,' said the bureaucrat, who asked to remain anonymous. 'In reality, government employees in Parliament are willing to help the members of parliament with their papers and duties but sometimes we are busy too with our own work.'

Thai bureaucrats tend to stay on the job longer than elected members of parliament and senators.

Since 1932, when Thailand opted for a democratic system under a constitutional monarchy, the country has had 18 successful coups, held 23 elections and had 27 different prime ministers. The average term in office for a Thai prime minister is 2.8 years, and getting shorter.

Thailand has had three prime ministers since the last election of December 23, 2007, including Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wonmgsawat and the current Abhisit Vejjajiva

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asi...nd-some-respect

1. Is a civil servant the same as a bureaucrat ?

2. "Thai bureaucrats tend to stay on the job longer than elected members of parliament and senators." That's not just in Thailand; it's the same in most countries; not in the US however I think where a new President (R or D) brings his own (top) staff, countrywide. Is that correct ?

3. I agree with the idea of showing respect to MP's/House Representatives but aren't they (bureaucrats) also a bit sick and tired, knowing that there is -again- a new government appointed/elected with or without a coup ?...and knowing most of the ex-members of any given government will be sued by the next government ?

The country doesn't show respect to itself apart from their utmost respect to the unmentionable & family.

LaoPo

[mca]

http://bangkokpost.net/news/local/24435/re...as-not-an-order

I find it quite weird that the MPs don't automatically receive a wai from everybody as a part of common Thai courtesy. If I visit my wife's office a wai for me from all the staff is a given basically as I'm sure it is for a lot of members on here in similar situations.

[johna]

The Nation

The committee suggested the officials work with a more service-oriented attitude to the best of their ability. Following the complaint, the office issued a directive for officials to prostrate before any MP they came across, provide service with respect and with the utmost competency.

[slapout]

With all the problems that Thailand (and most of the world) is having at this time, this is definitely a front burner priority.

[elkangorito]

With all the problems that Thailand (and most of the world) is having at this time, this is definitely a front burner priority.

Correct. There are many more important things in Thailand to deal with without having to artificially show respect for someone.

Would I "wai" Bush? No way!!! I'd spend the energy on giving him the finger.

[cmsally]

Business as usual - buying new furniture and fixtures when the whole structure is weak at the foundations. But might as well make it look good while it collapses.

[harrry]

All sounds a bit Yes Minister to me. But here it is hard to see whether it is the inmates or the outpatients running the asylem.

[egg]

Respect is something that should have to be earned.

agreed ,,

the sooner politicians and police ( and maybe a few civilians ) learn this the sooner Thailand will go forward

[Scott]

But it is earned. It's earned by virtue of your birth into a wealthy family!

[mca]

No disrespects peaceblondie but I think you'll find that what I posted (post no 6) hadn't been posted before on the thread as per your editing message as it was a direct quote from the link I posted. Thanks.

[jamesdean]

This is funny. You don't get any respect without earning it first. These MP are all crazy, who are they and who do they think they are? This is truly an action from bunch of morons with no brain. I am sometimes embarassed about my countrymen's choice of stupid law and policy. Where did these people get their education anyway?

[MiG16]

MCA

I think what PB might have been referring to is that, when you reply by hitting the reply button after someone's post, then it qoutes that entire post.

you can simply scroll down the page, choose the fast reply button at end of page, and you get a blank screen for your text (without quoting any other comments)

cheers

[seri thai]

Respect is something that should have to be earned.

No, that's something you were taught in a western culture that doesn't apply here.

Then you got on a plane to asia and assumed it was the same as home but hotter and greener n'est pas?

[LooseCannon]

It is understandable that bureaucrats fail to show any respect to these MP's - they waltz in, install their family & cronies in key positions & then proceed to loot the public purse.

When an MP makes any sort of visit to a department or ministry, it is not that he is interested in the business of government, it is to see what he can plunder for personal gain.

The bureaucrat is in a constant battle to preserve his little empire (& earning potential) from the rapacious demands of the transient MP blow ins.

It is a battle of wills with the losers being the Thai people.

[mca]

MCA

I think what PB might have been referring to is that, when you reply by hitting the reply button after someone's post, then it qoutes that entire post.

you can simply scroll down the page, choose the fast reply button at end of page, and you get a blank screen for your text (without quoting any other comments)

cheers

Thanks for explaining Mig. My apologies PB.

[EffectiveAnger]

It is understandable that bureaucrats fail to show any respect to these MP's - they waltz in, install their family & cronies in key positions & then proceed to loot the public purse.

When an MP makes any sort of visit to a department or ministry, it is not that he is interested in the business of government, it is to see what he can plunder for personal gain.

The bureaucrat is in a constant battle to preserve his little empire (& earning potential) from the rapacious demands of the transient MP blow ins.

It is a battle of wills with the losers being the Thai people.

Yep, and we can see the exact same pattern in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Taiwan etc., especially with the migration of Chinese to the aforementioned.

The indigenous are the downtrodden the world over. Thailand is no exception.

[Donnyboy]

With all the problems that Thailand (and most of the world) is having at this time, this is definitely a front burner priority.

Correct. There are many more important things in Thailand to deal with without having to artificially show respect for someone.

Would I "wai" Bush? No way!!! I'd spend the energy on giving him the finger.

only if the shoe fits!