How Do You Evaluate The Current Governments Performance?

[thailandlover]

Given all factors, inside and out, how do you feel this government has performed and do you think, if circumstances were different (ie no global economic meltdown) that they would have been any different?

[wintermute]

Lackadaiscal, corrupt, and nepotistic. So in other words not too different from any other thai government performance.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yup, nothing to add to that.

[BangkokJazz]

Certainly not perfect - but if the scale is "compared to other administrations", I would give them a C. They have been able to legistate effectively on a variety of issues, (which hadn't happened in several years). But there are many ministries that are run by morons, and are not doing anything particularly worthwhile.

[kurnell]

Abhisit certainly looks and sounds better than some of the embarrassingly inept jokers from the past. Has there ever been an uglier politician than Chavalit?

[Ricardo]

Certainly not perfect, but better than the two PPP-led ones which preceeded it, I'd say.

I'd also view PM-Abhisit as less-embarrassing than PM-Samak, and less-weak than PM-Somchai, while being more-democratic than PM-Sorayud.

[gotlost]

INDIFFERENT

[taurus88]

INDIFFERENT

[Credo]

Inept, inefficient, lacking direction all come to mind.

[Bobr]

I don't evaluate it. I am a guest in this Country, why would I want to insult any Thai with my opinions about how their country 'should" be run. I came here to get away from American politics. Farangs arguing Thai politics is just plain silly, and except maybe a close friend, the Thais certainly do not want to hear our opinions and more than we would want to hear them tell us how Britain and America "should" be run.

[rfukata]

More divisiveness, non reconciliatory, too arrogant or big headed, very heavily corrupted,

no clear objectives, intimidating, very biased and the list goes on.

Performance rating: UNACCEPTABLE: Performance is generally below expectations. Does not

appropriately balance the what and the how. Politicians fall short of performance, significant

improvements and sustained performance is expected.

[caf]

This today from The Straits Times. Seems rather optimistic and takes a dig at Thaksin but interesting.

BANGKOK, Dec 24 — In a rosy self-assessment of his government’s performance one year after taking office, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (left) yesterday said the country had stabilised and prospered, and that “it would be a shame if just as we have made progress, instability and violence were to erupt again”.

He made his wide-ranging, televised CEO-style presentation, embellished with slides showing graphs and tables, to an audience of ministers, bureaucrats and the media at Government House.

He cited growing employment and improved tourism and export numbers as proof that economic stimulus and welfare measures had worked.

He added that unemployment — estimated at 700,000 when he took over, and predicted to reach one million — had been reduced to 400,000.

Time and again, despite an environment full of animosity due to political conflict, his government had proved it could make progress and deliver on policies that brought benefits to all Thais, he said.

He said his government had moved away from expensive populist measures to more rational policies.

He rejected accusations that the repeated imposition of the Internal Security Act to curb rallies by the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) was a violation of human rights.

He said he was open to dissolving Parliament and calling an election, provided that all parties agreed on the ground rules, and that the economy was stable.

He said complaints under Thailand’s lese majeste law — which many believe is very harsh, applied indiscriminately and used as a political tool — would now be subject to a review by a committee to ensure it is applied “appropriately”.

Abhisit’s ‘report card’ speech came amid opinion polls showing lacklustre public approval of his government’s performance. But poll results also show that his personal credibility remains robust, and most respondents still favour him as Prime Minister. Storm clouds are gathering again, however. The UDD — which supports ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and is bent on forcing the government into an election that the Democrat Party would be hard pressed to win — is planning rallies in the capital next week.

And next month, a court verdict is expected on whether the state has legal grounds to seize around US$2 billion (RM6.87 billion) worth of cash belonging to Thaksin and his family, which was frozen by the military-appointed government in the wake of the September 2006 coup.

Thaksin, who is in self-imposed exile abroad, is believed to be readying to up the ante by orchestrating street protests next month.

The opposition is likely to challenge Abhisit’s often fractious coalition in a debate in Parliament next month.

Some analysts have grown critical of the government for apparently fixating on Thaksin. There is still no sign of compromise between the warring camps.

The opposition, mentored by Thaksin, wants a return of the 1997 Constitution which was abolished by the military in 2007. The UDD wants a royal pardon for Thaksin. But Abhisit maintains that neither is possible. — The Straits Times

[Brunus]

I don't evaluate it. I am a guest in this Country, why would I want to insult any Thai with my opinions about how their country 'should" be run. I came here to get away from American politics. Farangs arguing Thai politics is just plain silly, and except maybe a close friend, the Thais certainly do not want to hear our opinions and more than we would want to hear them tell us how Britain and America "should" be run.

I disagree with you. Some people here are not guests. Some have been living here for a long time. We are non immigrants. In any normal country we would be immigrants. My Thai wife will have soon Italian citizenship just because she had been married with me for 3 years (non resident in Italy, if you are resident 2 years, if you have kids together half of that). She will be allowed to vote. Here the process to become a Thai citizen is impossible for many. This doesn't mean that people with a brain, who live in a country for a long period, can't have an opinion about local politics or that they insult the locals if they express their ideas.

[caf]

I find it odd that many expats refer to themselves as "guests"

Thais in the Uk are not treated the way they treat us here. I refer to the rules not the ordinary people.

[mca]

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (left) yesterday said the country had stabilised and prospered, and that "it would be a shame if just as we have made progress, instability and violence were to erupt again".

Better tell the boys in the barracks to lay off the military coups then.

[richard10365]

I think Mr. Obama is doing great but not sure what this thread has to do with Thailand.

[mca]

[caf]

I think Mr. Obama is doing great but not sure what this thread has to do with Thailand.

Let's take it in stages.

This is Thailand and we live here, so the posts are relevant

Abhisit is the Thai prime minister, so the posts are relevant

He is head of the Thai government

The government's job is to govern

He commented on his own government's performance i.e the government of Thailand. Are you still with us.

Obama may or may not be doing great. But he is not Thai, does not live in Thailand, is not the Thai PM, is not a member of The Thai government, does not govern Thailand, and did not give a speech on the progress or otherwise of the government in Thailand

[mca]

And of course the salient point being as far as I can see Obama hasn't been mentioned on this thread.

Anyhow. What's this thread got to do with The 6th Annual Dwarf Tossing and Tractor Pull Championship in Buttf#ck, Alabama anyhow?

[richard10365]

It was a joke guys...lol....Since the thread didn't mention which government it wanted comments on. Merry Christmas

[mca]

These are your pals Richard. Use them wisely young Jedi.

I've found them invaluable to show I'm taking the piss.

[jamieson]

Lackadaiscal, corrupt, and nepotistic. So in other words not too different from any other thai government performance.

like most governments anywhere.

[Samuian]

I don't evaluate it. I am a guest in this Country, why would I want to insult any Thai with my opinions about how their country 'should" be run. I came here to get away from American politics. Farangs arguing Thai politics is just plain silly, and except maybe a close friend, the Thais certainly do not want to hear our opinions and more than we would want to hear them tell us how Britain and America "should" be run.

Seconded!

Monday we will know who is the Person of the Year!

Regarding that every issue is undermined, that the government faces a stiff non-parlamentarian opposition, the latest cambodian nighmare.... instigated to unsettle this government - they are doing more then well!

[Jingthing]

Grade A for SURVIVING

Grade C for PERFORMANCE

So I guess a B overall

Remember Abhisit has governed in a very difficult time, both politically and economically.

[oneshot]

I don't evaluate it. I am a guest in this Country, why would I want to insult any Thai with my opinions about how their country 'should" be run. I came here to get away from American politics. Farangs arguing Thai politics is just plain silly, and except maybe a close friend, the Thais certainly do not want to hear our opinions and more than we would want to hear them tell us how Britain and America "should" be run.

This is very great opinion. Anyway, thank you for concerning about that.

I'm Thai ... in my opinion, I think that this topic is extremely interesting because

we always wanna know how people from different country feel about

our politics and government performance.

This topic even more useful for students like me. We can use you guys' ideas

to apply with our previous knowledge... Even better, people from

tourism industry can use your opinions for their business and get to know

their customers' insight better. ^^

Thank you 'Bob' and all of you who give opinions about our governments.

In my opinion, this government is like a child. They are only playing game

with ex prime. Taksin. I met many of my older friends who have their own

business. They said that this government is lame and cause a lot of trouble.

Chasing Taksin only, do nothing, try every way to maintain their power as

long as their can.... bla bla bla...

ZZZzzzZZ sorry to make you guys feel sleepy a little bit... I think

even how much it worse about our politics. Thais will be always Thais.

I'm a Thai people, I'm so proud of it and we are all feel the same.

Please... any of you who has never come to Thailand...

Come...!!, you will never feel disappointed

Thailand is always Land of Smiles for you ^________^

Thank you and Happy New Year

[Chunkton]

I think Mr. Obama is doing great but not sure what this thread has to do with Thailand.

Well he'll be please to see he picked up one vote.

[Wildliferescue]

I don't think anyone can say that a foreigner in Thailand doesn't have the right to have an opinion on Thai politics. It is up to the Thai people individually whether they care about this opinion or not. Whether we like it or not, we live in an open global society nowadays, where the internet goes beyond national borders...

So Abhisit, you can do much better than this, you are working under your ability. But you do better than any of the guys that went before you over the last few years.

[CockneyGit]

Lackadaiscal, corrupt, and nepotistic. So in other words not too different from any other thai government performance.

Hear, hear!

[pieter73]

I don't evaluate it. I am a guest in this Country, why would I want to insult any Thai with my opinions about how their country 'should" be run. I came here to get away from American politics. Farangs arguing Thai politics is just plain silly, and except maybe a close friend, the Thais certainly do not want to hear our opinions and more than we would want to hear them tell us how Britain and America "should" be run.

This is very great opinion. Anyway, thank you for concerning about that.

I'm Thai ... in my opinion, I think that this topic is extremely interesting because

we always wanna know how people from different country feel about

our politics and government performance.

This topic even more useful for students like me. We can use you guys' ideas

to apply with our previous knowledge... Even better, people from

tourism industry can use your opinions for their business and get to know

their customers' insight better. ^^

Thailand is always Land of Smiles for you ^________^

Thank you and Happy New Year

I 'm also an outsider but the main reason is that thai man are like woman

a man forget something after a fight its shake hands and take your wins and or looses

also for the Thai students ...

the higher the studie normally you have rich parents and

like that its not easy to think about real work !!!!!!!!!!!

a lot of thai thinks that after a studie it means sitting behind a big desk doing ... ????

Pieter

[ravip]

I don't evaluate it. I am a guest in this Country, why would I want to insult any Thai with my opinions about how their country 'should" be run. I came here to get away from American politics. Farangs arguing Thai politics is just plain silly, and except maybe a close friend, the Thais certainly do not want to hear our opinions and more than we would want to hear them tell us how Britain and America "should" be run.

Absolutely correct!

If Thai Poltics is so bad, what really are we doing here complaining all the time? Lets go back soon to our own perfect countries and enjoy life to the maximum!