Bank Of Thailand Expresses Concern Over Damages From Red-Shirt Protest

[geriatrickid]

What a crock of sh*t. Domestic output has not been hindered. The engine that drives the economy, manufacturing and farming is still humming along no thanks to the bankers. What the bankers are worried about is making their fee income from credit card transactions, the profitable leveraged land sales, and charging the hefty interest rates associated with the culture of debt.

If the Central Bank wants to deal with damage than it should comment on the plague of CORRUPTION & GRAFT.

Why doesn't TAN ask Tawatchai Yongkittikul his views on the military's huge budget? What are his views on corruption and kickbacks endemic to the sectors bemoaned? Why doesn't TAN do a story on this. Not a word ever on the cost of corruption. The Central Bank sure is quiet on that subject.

[geriatrickid]

This idea of a huge disparity between the rich and the poor in Thailand isn't backed up by the facts. Thailand has a Gini index of 43 which is better than America's 45. So in other words, wealth is more evenly distributed in Thailand than it is in the United States.

Source:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th...&rank=51#th

So could it be better? Sure. But its much better than most African or South American countries, and even better than the US.

NO

You have used the values out of context. The Gini coefficients are a nice tool in the health sciences but they have to be put into perspective. Have a look at some of the even better rated countries. Albania? Vietnam? India? For crying out loud, India?

The wealth is not more evenly spread as you claim. Rather there are fewer extremes within the population. The USA has its super wealthy, however, what skews the US numbers and a great many other western nations is that they have large numbers of low income immigrants. The USA and other countries will accept a higher proportion of low income people than will countries like Thailand or India.

Bear in mind that what we might consider poor in the USA is wealthy by Thai standards. On this you cannot use the Gini coefficient. Someone living in a trailer park outside of Tupelo may indeed have a much lower income than some living in tony DC, but if the person in Tupelo has clean running water, electricity, food on the table, medicare and social security benefits, I would think that while he was poor, he would be much luckier than a poor person in Thailand.

[anotherpeter]

This idea of a huge disparity between the rich and the poor in Thailand isn't backed up by the facts. Thailand has a Gini index of 43 which is better than America's 45. So in other words, wealth is more evenly distributed in Thailand than it is in the United States.

Source:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th...&rank=51#th

So could it be better? Sure. But its much better than most African or South American countries, and even better than the US.

NO

You have used the values out of context. The Gini coefficients are a nice tool in the health sciences but they have to be put into perspective. Have a look at some of the even better rated countries. Albania? Vietnam? India? For crying out loud, India?

The wealth is not more evenly spread as you claim. Rather there are fewer extremes within the population. The USA has its super wealthy, however, what skews the US numbers and a great many other western nations is that they have large numbers of low income immigrants. The USA and other countries will accept a higher proportion of low income people than will countries like Thailand or India.

Bear in mind that what we might consider poor in the USA is wealthy by Thai standards. On this you cannot use the Gini coefficient. Someone living in a trailer park outside of Tupelo may indeed have a much lower income than some living in tony DC, but if the person in Tupelo has clean running water, electricity, food on the table, medicare and social security benefits, I would think that while he was poor, he would be much luckier than a poor person in Thailand.

Vietnam probably does have a better spread of wealth seeing as it's communist. The poor aren't as poor and the rich aren't as rich.

In comparison, the "super wealthy" in Thailand don't have as much money as the super wealthy in USA.

So the ratios between rich and poor are probably still similar.

And you could twist and distort any figures to support a particular theory.

[NamKangMan]

Anybody who wants to use the the generalization 'poor' NE Isaan should take a visit to the new Central Plaza in Khon Kaen.

And only 100kms away from Central Plaza Khon Kaen, in the rural areas, we have no running water, phone lines and, in some cases, no electricity to housing. People here can't afford medical treatment at the local clinic and education for their kids. These people are not even allowed into big shopping centres by the security staff.

BUT, 600kms away, we have high speed broadband, The Hilton Hotel, European sports cars, big hospitals with advanced medical care, many multi-national company chains, nightclubs and other entertainment venues etc etc.

Would it hurt the government to, at least, give a greater subsidy to health and education up north????????

[NamKangMan]

I can see you are a true capitalist. Have you ever visited the "villages" in Issan???? Have you seen the complete lack of infastructure up there?

Thailand has two, very defined, classes. The wealthy south, and the poorer north. Ever wondered why all the bar girls, cleaners, labourers etc (all the minimum wage jobs) are performed by people from Issan (the north). A lot of the labouring jobs are on construction sites with little or no safety standands, with many lives lost.

Why would a yellow shirt government raise the standard of living in the north? They would lose all that cheap labour and cheap "female adult entertainment" in the tourism industry, most of which is owned by the wealthy southerners.

I favour neither side of politics in Thailand, however, for the same country to have such extreme wealth, and extreme poverty, that's what I am against. The rich are getting richer on the blood, sweat and tears of the northerners.

The two classes were always going to collide, sooner, or later.

In the past, if Thailand offered more equality, and equal opportunity, to the north, they wouldn't have the problem they have now.

Clearly you have no understanding of the meaning of the term 'class'

Red apologists want to confuse region with class so they can excuse the northern landowners who support Thaksin.

And oppose the southern working class who don't.

the current situation is not a collision of classes as classes.

Do you see any strikes or class demands?

No.

What you do see is paid for elements of the unemployed and lumpens demonstrating to action Thaksin's plan to seize army control, a target which he tried once before and failed.

Don't be so naive.

It is clear that you have no understanding of what's going on. The majority of Red Shirts don't care about Mr.T. They are protesting for their fair share of the Thai Government's consolidated revenue, which is substantial. They want to see it spread more evenly, not the majority of it kept in the south, to the total disregard of the north. They want to see more of it used to raise the standard of living in the north. Per population, they want the north to get their fair share of "the pie."

As for strikes, how can someone who needs every baht of their 250 baht daily wage, go on strike. (people on minimum wage)

It is you who is naive.

[NamKangMan]

Heading back north tomorrow, and don't expect to see much change. Last year, same time was in Tesco, Sakhon Nakhon. Every checkout running hot with at least 5 min wait. Gf's family bin was close to B10,000 of which I contributed B4,000 only, and this was before we hit the bottle shop.

Family's standard of living appeared average for area; pick up, multiple bikes, housing a bit rougher than I'm used to but adeqate and being improved. If I tried to lift gf's mother I'd end up with a hernia, amazing really when she lives on a cup of rice per day. Must be the luxury fish sauce.

Try to take the heart-string tugging rhetoric with a pinch of reality.

No offence, but, if you are sending money home each month "for take care" they are well off. Not all Issan families have a farang sponsor.

[NamKangMan]

This idea of a huge disparity between the rich and the poor in Thailand isn't backed up by the facts. Thailand has a Gini index of 43 which is better than America's 45. So in other words, wealth is more evenly distributed in Thailand than it is in the United States.

Source:

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/th...&rank=51#th

So could it be better? Sure. But its much better than most African or South American countries, and even better than the US.

NO

You have used the values out of context. The Gini coefficients are a nice tool in the health sciences but they have to be put into perspective. Have a look at some of the even better rated countries. Albania? Vietnam? India? For crying out loud, India?

The wealth is not more evenly spread as you claim. Rather there are fewer extremes within the population. The USA has its super wealthy, however, what skews the US numbers and a great many other western nations is that they have large numbers of low income immigrants. The USA and other countries will accept a higher proportion of low income people than will countries like Thailand or India.

Bear in mind that what we might consider poor in the USA is wealthy by Thai standards. On this you cannot use the Gini coefficient. Someone living in a trailer park outside of Tupelo may indeed have a much lower income than some living in tony DC, but if the person in Tupelo has clean running water, electricity, food on the table, medicare and social security benefits, I would think that while he was poor, he would be much luckier than a poor person in Thailand.

110% agree. For one, America have a welfare system. In Thailand, if you are from Issan, your aged pension is your granddaughte,r who works as a bar girl down south, who sends money home. Big difference to receiving your fortnightly handout from the governemnt.

[NamKangMan]

"Why would a yellow shirt government raise the standard of living in the north? They would lose all that cheap labour and cheap "female adult entertainment" in the tourism industry, most of which is owned by the wealthy southerners.

I favour neither side of politics in Thailand, however, for the same country to have such extreme wealth, and extreme poverty, that's what I am against. The rich are getting richer on the blood, sweat and tears of the northerners.

The two classes were always going to collide, sooner, or later.

In the past, if Thailand offered more equality, and equal opportunity, to the north, they wouldn't have the problem they have now."

I've been plagerised.

[NamKangMan]

That Thaksin has done good things for the upcountry people after 50 years of neglect is undeniable .

What has THailand done to the poors that they are willing to follow a billionaire of murky morality ?

But then that Thaksin was the first does not mean he is the only one .

Things might never be the same in Thailand as before , most probably they wont

the pandora box is open .

But then why there cant be any honest leaders which implement good policies for all thais

minus the corruption , abuse of power , and violation of human rights ?

Good leaders that do travel upcountry to discuss the problems

Well said mate. 110% agree. A real shame Mr.T, with his own agenda, was the one to raise this issue, but, like you said, it's out now for the world to see.

GOOD LEADERS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

Clearly, this has not happened in Thailand, in recent times.

[anotherpeter]

It is clear that you have no understanding of what's going on. The majority of Red Shirts don't care about Mr.T. They are protesting for their fair share of the Thai Government's consolidated revenue, which is substantial. They want to see it spread more evenly, not the majority of it kept in the south, to the total disregard of the north. They want to see more of it used to raise the standard of living in the north. Per population, they want the north to get their fair share of "the pie."

As for strikes, how can someone who needs every baht of their 250 baht daily wage, go on strike. (people on minimum wage)

It is you who is naive.

NamKangMan, Why don't the poor farmers protest against the middlemen and the rich business people in their areas who are exploiting the poor and not giving fair prices for the produce or not paying fair wages for their work?

[lannarebirth]

That Thaksin has done good things for the upcountry people after 50 years of neglect is undeniable .

What has THailand done to the poors that they are willing to follow a billionaire of murky morality ?

But then that Thaksin was the first does not mean he is the only one .

Things might never be the same in Thailand as before , most probably they wont

the pandora box is open .

But then why there cant be any honest leaders which implement good policies for all thais

minus the corruption , abuse of power , and violation of human rights ?

Good leaders that do travel upcountry to discuss the problems

Well said mate. 110% agree. A real shame Mr.T, with his own agenda, was the one to raise this issue, but, like you said, it's out now for the world to see.

GOOD LEADERS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

Clearly, this has not happened in Thailand, in recent times.

It's a shame he never got to bring tha people of the north casinoes which was his overarching dream. That would have provided them with some dignity.

[Thai at Heart]

Anybody who wants to use the the generalization 'poor' NE Isaan should take a visit to the new Central Plaza in Khon Kaen.

And only 100kms away from Central Plaza Khon Kaen, in the rural areas, we have no running water, phone lines and, in some cases, no electricity to housing. People here can't afford medical treatment at the local clinic and education for their kids. These people are not even allowed into big shopping centres by the security staff.

BUT, 600kms away, we have high speed broadband, The Hilton Hotel, European sports cars, big hospitals with advanced medical care, many multi-national company chains, nightclubs and other entertainment venues etc etc.

Would it hurt the government to, at least, give a greater subsidy to health and education up north????????

Dear Jazzbo,

And I am sure that Bangkok is proud of its slums too. Yes indeed Khon Kaen finally has a Central after 20 years of politicking. And some of the shops are starting to close already. Downtown Khon Kaen isn't exactly representative of the poverty that is out there in Isaan.

I suggest you come with me out to some of the villages Kranuan or Pon Tong way to see that despite having a Central shopping centre, the locality of Khon Kaen is not much to write home about. I'll call ahead, do you like ants in your soup?

Regards,

TAH

[invex]

5555 hahahaha,

To all "farang" living in Isaan.... Pls open your ears and eyes before you all speak nonsense. If you live there so long, if your wife/grlf is from there and if you're a bit clever, just a bit, you should know better.

First. There is a lot of money going to Isaan but where it goes????? Look at the pujabahn's. In every village or moo-bahn there is such a big corruption, so big. Unfortunately, Isaan people not want to talk about it. They not want to see it and they not want to fight against it.... Talk to them, talk to all of them, you will see, you will hear..... it is "mai penrai". For a long time it is like that, and they will tell you the same every time; "we cannot change it". Every time, over and over again...............

It is the education, attitude and corruption; those 3 things only. Reserve more money for Isaan and, for sure, it will not change. It will never change as long as the attitude is like that and as long there is so much corruption.

Second. Look around you, 90% not likes to work there. Talk to them and you will hear; It is too hot, it is too difficult, the land is no good here, we have no money.......etc etc..... It would say, work harder, don't gamble. dont drink that much and fight the corruption. Talk to them and you will see. I did it hundreds of times and I will not do it anymore because one cannot change them...... for me it is also "mai penrai". hahaha

[NamKangMan]

Edited April 7, 2010 by NamKangMan

[roamer]

"Why would a yellow shirt government raise the standard of living in the north? They would lose all that cheap labour and cheap "female adult entertainment" in the tourism industry, most of which is owned by the wealthy southerners.

I favour neither side of politics in Thailand, however, for the same country to have such extreme wealth, and extreme poverty, that's what I am against. The rich are getting richer on the blood, sweat and tears of the northerners.

The two classes were always going to collide, sooner, or later.

In the past, if Thailand offered more equality, and equal opportunity, to the north, they wouldn't have the problem they have now."

I've been plagerised.

Better than being buggered which is the fate of many in Issan

[OzMick]

Heading back north tomorrow, and don't expect to see much change. Last year, same time was in Tesco, Sakhon Nakhon. Every checkout running hot with at least 5 min wait. Gf's family bin was close to B10,000 of which I contributed B4,000 only, and this was before we hit the bottle shop.

Family's standard of living appeared average for area; pick up, multiple bikes, housing a bit rougher than I'm used to but adeqate and being improved. If I tried to lift gf's mother I'd end up with a hernia, amazing really when she lives on a cup of rice per day. Must be the luxury fish sauce.

Try to take the heart-string tugging rhetoric with a pinch of reality.

No offence, but, if you are sending money home each month "for take care" they are well off. Not all Issan families have a farang sponsor.

Certainly no offense taken, but you are mistaken in your assumption. My long-term gf is not arm-candy rental. I give her B6000/m to run our household, which includes nearly all meals for both of us. I don't question every satang, but if there's a little left over for mum, it certainly wouldn't be enough to radically lift their lifestyle.

When you ask for a bigger/fairer slice of the pie, you might consider how much you put into it?

[OzMick]

"Why would a yellow shirt government raise the standard of living in the north? They would lose all that cheap labour and cheap "female adult entertainment" in the tourism industry, most of which is owned by the wealthy southerners.

I favour neither side of politics in Thailand, however, for the same country to have such extreme wealth, and extreme poverty, that's what I am against. The rich are getting richer on the blood, sweat and tears of the northerners.

The two classes were always going to collide, sooner, or later.

In the past, if Thailand offered more equality, and equal opportunity, to the north, they wouldn't have the problem they have now."

I've been plagerised.

Better than being buggered which is the fate of many in Issan

Yes, there does seem to be an unusually large katoi population

[way2muchcoffee]

As for strikes, how can someone who needs every baht of their 250 baht daily wage, go on strike. (people on minimum wage)

Probably the same way that our forefathers did during the labor movements in our countries. The organize. They meet. They strike. They get beaten. They are jailed. They persevere. They make the sacrifice now for a better tomorrow.

Edited April 7, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[NamKangMan]

Heading back north tomorrow, and don't expect to see much change. Last year, same time was in Tesco, Sakhon Nakhon. Every checkout running hot with at least 5 min wait. Gf's family bin was close to B10,000 of which I contributed B4,000 only, and this was before we hit the bottle shop.

Family's standard of living appeared average for area; pick up, multiple bikes, housing a bit rougher than I'm used to but adeqate and being improved. If I tried to lift gf's mother I'd end up with a hernia, amazing really when she lives on a cup of rice per day. Must be the luxury fish sauce.

Try to take the heart-string tugging rhetoric with a pinch of reality.

No offence, but, if you are sending money home each month "for take care" they are well off. Not all Issan families have a farang sponsor.

Certainly no offense taken, but you are mistaken in your assumption. My long-term gf is not arm-candy rental. I give her B6000/m to run our household, which includes nearly all meals for both of us. I don't question every satang, but if there's a little left over for mum, it certainly wouldn't be enough to radically lift their lifestyle.

When you ask for a bigger/fairer slice of the pie, you might consider how much you put into it?

All I meant by the northern population getting a bigger slice of the Thai consolidated revenue pie was trying to raise their standard of living. By all accounts, your Issan family is doing well. I've been to places, I bet not far from where your missus is from, where I have witnessed extreme poverty. My point being, can't the Thai government throw a few baht around to these people for medical care, education and some basics that other Thai's have.

[NamKangMan]

As for strikes, how can someone who needs every baht of their 250 baht daily wage, go on strike. (people on minimum wage)

Probably the same way that our forefathers did during the labor movements in our countries. The organize. They meet. They strike. They get beaten. They are jailed. They persevere. They make the sacrifice now for a better tomorrow.

Mmmmm, sounds a bit like what is going on in Bangkok now. Of course, Mr.T has his own agenda, but, hopefully, some good can come out of his greed for wealth and power, by gaining more for the people in the north from whoever holds the balance of political power.

[chainarong]

The govt. only have themselves to blame at times.

If they had made a better effort of blocking a certain Mr T's satellite feeds and website postings (block tweeter) they could have nipped some the problems from day one. A convicted felon on the run should not be allowed freedom of speech.

I Agree , this is all happening because the man on the run Mr T is still dictating the terms, if he came back into government, within two years guess what, the same old shonky stuff as before, give the frozen assets to the people of Issan, it wont change anything for them, if they are so poor their understanding of finance is the fritters account, education , hospitals, better town planing, infrustructure etc .Thai's can make this a wounderfull country but everyone needs to all on the same side, end of story.