Thailand: A Class Struggle?

[sabaijai]

Thailand: A Class Struggle?

By Kraisak Choonhavan

Saturday, May 1, 2010

The Irrawaddy

OPINION

The international media has largely portrayed the protracted protests in Bangkok this past month as a class struggle between rich urban elites and a poor, neglected rural mass. Identifying the Redshirts’ protest as a “Class Struggle” is a clever marketing slogan, but it is not a true reflection of the political struggle in Thailand, which is not so easily pigeon-holed as an ideological battle between rich and poor.

In the first place, to wage a true class war, the political movement siding with the mass of the people needs a clear policy of promoting the participation in government of people from every level. However, the Redshirt platform is about returning power to the people through elections, without a clear program of social and political reform to follow.

Moreover, when Thaksin Shinawatra was the Prime Minister, he never really included people’s participation in the process of decision- making in government, or the scrutinizing of big projects and whom they benefited. Rather, his government adopted policies that showered poor people with money and easier access to services, which is a little different from facilitating broader participation and representation in decision-making.

In fact, his government ignored the view of ordinary people when it came to development projects that could severely affect livelihoods and natural resources.

Thaksin excluded people’s participation from the policy-making process because he thought it was too complicated and would hold up his executive style of leadership. His decision to sign Free Trade Agreements later resulted in extensive negative impacts on small farmers.

Thaksin’s government deployed populist policies to gain popularity among the people by giving them money to spend freely. In some cases, SDAO (Sub District Administration Organization) officers or heads of villages were aware of the need for accountability and opened special accounts for the villagers to invest in projects for the whole community. However, in most of the cases, the money was spent on non-sustainable issues, making people feel richer for a short while, but usually ending up further in debt.

Neither was Thaksin really interested in redistributing the wealth more fairly in Thailand. What Thaksin called “Asset Capitalization” is only a dead slogan. Genuine “Asset Capitalization” needs a systematic and concrete land tenure distribution policy because land is a basic component of production in the economic system. Thaksin’s government never launched such a policy. Instead, his family established SC Asset Corp. Of which the main policy was to consolidate and acquire large land plots. The company used Thaksin’s family preferences and the dominating power of policy-making to gain possession of large tracts of state land.

By contrast, the Abhisit government established a Land Reform Committee that was chaired by the prime minister and comprised of representatives from civil society and the government sector. Although the committee’s performance has been slow, it has resulted in a new policy of community title deeds used to transfer ownership from State land to the people who already occupy the land. True enough, the policy has faced stiff resistance from government officials, but the Redshirts have instead targeted General Surayuth Chulanond’s house at Khao Yai.

Before accusing the current government of ignoring the poor and calling for class war, it is necessary to point out that this government did not abandon Thaksin’s policy of direct budget allocation to villages throughout the country. On the contrary, the budget was increased threefold and now stands at 18 billion baht [uS $550 million]. The government has also stepped up compensation to families affected by development projects, such as the thousands of families affected by the Rasi Salai Dam construction in the northeastern provinces of Sri Saket, Roi-Ed and Surin who received a total amount of 795 million baht [$25 million].

Abhisit’s government used the Bank of Agriculture and Cooperatives as a mechanism to insure the price of agricultural products and to pay directly to individual farmers. This practice is different from the old policy of which payments were made through big agricultural product exporters or rice mills by budget distribution. The old policy created widespread corruption among the capitalists and allowed the rich to take advantage of the farmers.

Just as importantly, since the report of corruption surfaced, the government has acted and resignations have ensued. Both a deputy prime minister and the commerce minister have lost their jobs for this reason.

The Abhisit government has also tried to lower costs and the level of debt among the poor by providing 15 years of free education for all, universal healthcare coverage for 99 percent of the population, and a 500 baht [$17] monthly allowance for elderly people. Even if some of these policies build on what Thaksin started in his first term, there has certainly been no rolling back of social policies that benefit the majority of people.

What then is this so-called Class War about? Why is the current government being targeted when it has introduced progressive taxation, systematic land tenure distribution, better labor rights and a more equitable crop insurance scheme? Can it be that these policies only benefit the elite?

Those declaring a “class war” focus their demands on a dissolution of parliament and returning power to the people, with seemingly little concern about what kinds of policies will follow. More likely, this discourse of class struggle is a clever, but rather abstract message to propel the real strategy, which is the struggle for Thaksin’s return to power.

The author is a Thai member of the parliament and deputy leader of the incumbent Democrat Party.

Copyright © 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.org

[brahmburgers]

At first glance, I thought The Irrawaddy was the name for a Burmese tabloid. But upon further reading it appears to be Thai publication. Thoughtful and well written article, but one wonders whether it merits its own thread when there are so many going concurrently here on T.Visa. More succint, in my view, are the two news bits below....

THE NATION: Acting Police chief Pratheep moved police chief in Khon Kaen due to incompetent action regr redshirts

MCOTEnglishnews: Acting National Police Chief Pateep transfers Khon Kaen police commander to inactive post as he cannot handle Red Shirt movement in province

Good to hear the Police Chief is acting like a Police Chief for a change. But why just 'moved' (....to an inactive post? ......to a smaller provincial post far away?). Are they also demoted? Why not simply kick them out of the service with no pension. That seems fair when one considers their gross dereliction of duty; enabling a vindictive mob to assert control of their jurisdiction, with nary a feint of opposition from the people entrusted to maintain law and order.

[erobando]

This is a good Op Ed piece.

Too bad the Democrats haven't been very effective at marketing what they're doing.

Edit: I think a separate topic is OK since most of the other political threads are mostly empty baiting while this piece succintly gives an overview of policies past and in action.

Edited May 2, 2010 by erobando

[ratcatcher]

At first glance, I thought The Irrawaddy was the name for a Burmese tabloid. But upon further reading it appears to be Thai publication. Thoughtful and well written article, but one wonders whether it merits its own thread when there are so many going concurrently here on T.Visa. More succint, in my view, are the two news bits below....

THE NATION: Acting Police chief Pratheep moved police chief in Khon Kaen due to incompetent action regr redshirts

MCOTEnglishnews: Acting National Police Chief Pateep transfers Khon Kaen police commander to inactive post as he cannot handle Red Shirt movement in province

Good to hear the Police Chief is acting like a Police Chief for a change. But why just 'moved' (....to an inactive post? ......to a smaller provincial post far away?). Are they also demoted? Why not simply kick them out of the service with no pension. That seems fair when one considers their gross dereliction of duty; enabling a vindictive mob to assert control of their jurisdiction, with nary a feint of opposition from the people entrusted to maintain law and order.

But, brahmburgers, that would be the logical thing to do. T.I.T.

[Jerrytheyoung]

In order to make our mind, we need a clear picture of the Budget which is going to pass with underlined the lines corresponding to the social decisions, Education, investments for developing the Northern and Southern Regions, bangkok. What is the budget line for modernising the Agriculture and supporting the Farmer incomes?

We need the projections on the next years, it is usual for the Thai Administration to plan the investments of major operations on several years (3 or 5 years), we need the Budget in Mass and percentage as well as the evolution from previous Governments in order to appreciate the politic change.

Credibility of your rhetorics will come with the consistency between speech and action (Budget).

It is obvious that there is a class struggle between those who have benefited of the booming economy and those who are sidelined. It is also true that some other speculations are surimposed....

I do think also than an open discussion on all aspects of the Budget is fundamental as an Anti Corruption tool....Everybody will notice the transfers and who benefit from that: this is good for the sake of the Country and should stop some practices...

Please show us the BUDGET.....

Edited May 2, 2010 by Jerrytheyoung

[lannarebirth]

At first glance, I thought The Irrawaddy was the name for a Burmese tabloid. But upon further reading it appears to be Thai publication. Thoughtful and well written article, but one wonders whether it merits its own thread when there are so many going concurrently here on T.Visa. More succint, in my view, are the two news bits below....

THE NATION: Acting Police chief Pratheep moved police chief in Khon Kaen due to incompetent action regr redshirts

MCOTEnglishnews: Acting National Police Chief Pateep transfers Khon Kaen police commander to inactive post as he cannot handle Red Shirt movement in province

Good to hear the Police Chief is acting like a Police Chief for a change. But why just 'moved' (....to an inactive post? ......to a smaller provincial post far away?). Are they also demoted? Why not simply kick them out of the service with no pension. That seems fair when one considers their gross dereliction of duty; enabling a vindictive mob to assert control of their jurisdiction, with nary a feint of opposition from the people entrusted to maintain law and order.

Good article. As for the KK police chief, that looks like a warning shot for the rest of the force to take notice of. Particularly those chiefs out in the provinces. That coupled with giving them a big budget today to deal with this insurgency may just get Abhisit over the hump.

Edited May 2, 2010 by lannarebirth

[jdinasia]

This is a good Op Ed piece.

Too bad the Democrats haven't been very effective at marketing what they're doing.

Edit: I think a separate topic is OK since most of the other political threads are mostly empty baiting while this piece succintly gives an overview of policies past and in action.

I agree

[londonthai]

a catching title for the article - but with no social and political analysis within, because "it is a clever marketing slogan, but it is not a true reflection of the political struggle in Thailand, which is not so easily pigeon-holed".

instead there is glorification of abhisit.

one can suspect, that the irrawaddy, in order to be published and distributed in thailand, is associated with the thai establishment or even covertly financed by them - hence the article by the deputy leader of democrats

[haltes]

Didn't the Democrats also give money directly to people just a few months back to "help the economy"

[Jerrytheyoung]

we have to focus on the Budget because obviously nobody want it on the table....probably too much lies and manglings behind...

This is a major Anti Corruption tool: transparency of the Budget.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Jerrytheyoung

[Old Man River]

At first glance, I thought The Irrawaddy was the name for a Burmese tabloid. But upon further reading it appears to be Thai publication. Thoughtful and well written article, but one wonders whether it merits its own thread when there are so many going concurrently here on T.Visa. More succint, in my view, are the two news bits below....

THE NATION: Acting Police chief Pratheep moved police chief in Khon Kaen due to incompetent action regr redshirts

MCOTEnglishnews: Acting National Police Chief Pateep transfers Khon Kaen police commander to inactive post as he cannot handle Red Shirt movement in province

Good to hear the Police Chief is acting like a Police Chief for a change. But why just 'moved' (....to an inactive post? ......to a smaller provincial post far away?). Are they also demoted? Why not simply kick them out of the service with no pension. That seems fair when one considers their gross dereliction of duty; enabling a vindictive mob to assert control of their jurisdiction, with nary a feint of opposition from the people entrusted to maintain law and order.

But, brahmburgers, that would be the logical thing to do. T.I.T.

Moving officials into inactive posts means they no longer add value (i.e. no services to "sell"). Hence, there is a loss of money involved.

[fairandbalanced]

'What then is this so-called Class War about? Why is the current government being targeted when it has introduced progressive taxation, systematic land tenure distribution, better labor rights and a more equitable crop insurance scheme? Can it be that these policies only benefit the elite'?

Do these so called 'better labor rights' of the author's government include the refusal to raise the minimum daily wage in some provinces despite growing inflation.

'The wages committee will not raise the minimum wage just because the Ministry of Commerce had reported last month’s inflation rate at 3.7 per cent, the chairman and labour permanent secretary Somchai Chumrat said on Wednesday'. 3/3/2553

Is a 2 baht daily increase (on less than 150 baht p/day) too much to ask?

Or maybe he is trumpeting his government's treatment of foreign workers, which HRW recently reported on....

'the widespread and severe human rights abuses faced by migrant workers in Thailand, including killings, torture in detention, extortion, and sexual abuse, and labor rights abuses such as trafficking, forced labor, and restrictions on organizing'.

[deadsnoopy]

The Abhisit government has also tried to lower costs and the level of debt among the poor by providing 15 years of free education for all...

15 years free education. Surely that means free university for everyone? Or is it assuming that children start going to school aged 3 (+15 years) finishing high school at 18?

...and a 500 baht [$17] monthly allowance for elderly people.

How can you live from 500 Baht per month? That doesn't even pay for a crappy apartment. Is this a joke?

[deadsnoopy]

Didn't the Democrats also give money directly to people just a few months back to "help the economy"

Yes, they did. But just for "government employees" who already have a higher salary than anyone else.

[jdinasia]

we have to focus on the Budget because obviously nobody want it on the table....probably too much lies and manglings behind...

This is a major Anti Corruption tool: transparency of the Budget.

LOL ...

ummmm you have anything else to talk about? The budget hasn't been written yet. The opposition party is strong enough to block budget ites. Well, rather, they WOULD be powerful enough if they actually did anything as an opposition party

Screaming about something that hasn't been written yet AND that will be overseen by a LARGE and vocal opposition is kinda stupid dontcha think?

[Johpa]

At first glance, I thought The Irrawaddy was the name for a Burmese tabloid. But upon further reading it appears to be Thai publication.

Although the Irrawaddy focuses upon Burma and takes an anti-government stand, it is published in Thailand for obvious reasons. It most certainly is not a tabloid, on the contrary, it is an important source for news and opinion on events in Burma and around the region and is highly regarded. It is worth reading and supporting.

[monkfish]

Build more factories sod agriculture one of Thailand greatest assets!

Why?

Do the farmers want to work in factories?

No choice its going to make the rich richer!

[deadsnoopy]

The author is a Thai member of the parliament and deputy leader of the incumbent Democrat Party.

I loved this part of the article the most.

[lannarebirth]

The author is a Thai member of the parliament and deputy leader of the incumbent Democrat Party.

I loved this part of the article the most.

Did it also say he is an MP from Khorat?

[Jerrytheyoung]

we have to focus on the Budget because obviously nobody want it on the table....probably too much lies and manglings behind...

This is a major Anti Corruption tool: transparency of the Budget.

LOL ...

ummmm you have anything else to talk about? The budget hasn't been written yet. The opposition party is strong enough to block budget ites. Well, rather, they WOULD be powerful enough if they actually did anything as an opposition party

Screaming about something that hasn't been written yet AND that will be overseen by a LARGE and vocal opposition is kinda stupid dontcha think?

Show us what are the proposals of the Government in the Budget they present in few days... Easy

In modern countries the Budget is presented to Everybody, the French Budget 2010 is in Wikipedia...The discussion of the budget is the Major politician act in a Country. Transparency is nowadays required by Populations: this transparency is the best Anti corruption tool.

Journalists are presenting the Budget and the discussions going with in most western Countries. preparation of the budget has to be transparent to the Nation.

Also it will show the consistency between the Rhetorics and the actions....

SHOW US THE BUDGET... EVERY MODERN AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES ARE TRANSPARENT ON THIS POINT.

Edited May 2, 2010 by Jerrytheyoung

[LaoPo]

It is a nice PROMOTION article for the DEMOCRATIC PARTY from Khun Kraisak Choonhavan, deputy chairman of Thailand’s ruling Democrat Party and also being the Chairman of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC)

Nothing wrong with that, but it's a bit overly-positive-painted situation for his own Party, knowing that the present Government is on the Pluche for just a mere 16 months.

Meaning: there was and is hardly any time for the poor to really "feel and see" the implementations and laws by the Government about which the good Khun Kraisak speaks so positive.

Of course it's a Class Struggle but this time the elite will have more difficulties in shrugging off their -rural poor- opponents because this time there are mobile phones and there is Internet.

That wasn't so before. and maybe this time it's too late....

LaoPo

[jdinasia]

Jerry ----

I know you still haven't gotten the message but Thailand is NOT France

Is the budget finished Jerry? Has the opposition gotten it yet? If not then why are you SCREAMING IN BOLD about it?

Again the budget needs to be finished, the opposition then get to do their job. Do you not trust your Red leaders to get you the information? (Remember Jatuporn is a PTP MP)

[DP25]

Didn't the Democrats also give money directly to people just a few months back to "help the economy"

Yes, they did. But just for "government employees" who already have a higher salary than anyone else.

Yeah, those highly paid civil servants making 7,000 baht per month.

[jdinasia]

The author is a Thai member of the parliament and deputy leader of the incumbent Democrat Party.

I loved this part of the article the most.

Did it also say he is an MP from Khorat?

Khorat? But the reds tell us that everyone in Isaan is Red! How could a dem possibly be elected in Khorat?

[deadsnoopy]

The author is a Thai member of the parliament and deputy leader of the incumbent Democrat Party.

I loved this part of the article the most.

Did it also say he is an MP from Khorat?

Khorat? But the reds tell us that everyone in Isaan is Red! How could a dem possibly be elected in Khorat?

Well, the Democrats are in court right now for corruption, so I guess anything is possible if you pay enough money

[monkfish]

The author is a Thai member of the parliament and deputy leader of the incumbent Democrat Party.

I loved this part of the article the most.

Did it also say he is an MP from Khorat?

Khorat? But the reds tell us that everyone in Isaan is Red! How could a dem possibly be elected in Khorat?

Do they? must have missed that one here is a little map to help visualize the proportions.

The map on the left!

Edited May 2, 2010 by monkfish

[way2muchcoffee]

we have to focus on the Budget because obviously nobody want it on the table....probably too much lies and manglings behind...

This is a major Anti Corruption tool: transparency of the Budget.

Malicious speculation without any facts.

[way2muchcoffee]

we have to focus on the Budget because obviously nobody want it on the table....probably too much lies and manglings behind...

This is a major Anti Corruption tool: transparency of the Budget.

LOL ...

ummmm you have anything else to talk about? The budget hasn't been written yet. The opposition party is strong enough to block budget ites. Well, rather, they WOULD be powerful enough if they actually did anything as an opposition party

Screaming about something that hasn't been written yet AND that will be overseen by a LARGE and vocal opposition is kinda stupid dontcha think?

Show us what are the proposals of the Government in the Budget they present in few days... Easy

In modern countries the Budget is presented to Everybody, the French Budget 2010 is in Wikipedia...The discussion of the budget is the Major politician act in a Country. Transparency is nowadays required by Populations: this transparency is the best Anti corruption tool.

Journalists are presenting the Budget and the discussions going with in most western Countries. preparation of the budget has to be transparent to the Nation.

Also it will show the consistency between the Rhetorics and the actions....

SHOW US THE BUDGET... EVERY MODERN AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES ARE TRANSPARENT ON THIS POINT.

You have now crossed at least three separate threads with you budget demands. Please show me the budget of the Thaksin years. Shou me the budget of the PPP. Show me the budget of the PTP. In my country there is typically a 'shadow' budget produced by the opposition party. Show me this shadow budget. If you are going to make claims or innuendo of malfeasance please back them up with facts.

Edited May 2, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[Niman]

Actually The Irrawaddy is a magazine based in Chiang Mai sponsored by western aid organizations with the aim at promoting the plight of the burmese people.

Think they published the story in order to have a good standing with the Abhisit administration as it is a bit out of their context.

The author Kraisak Choonhavan has always been an intelligent and moderate person, and he knows a lot about how things can turn bad in Thailand, as his own father was removed as prime-minister in a 1991 military coup de etat.

I believe the Abhisit government has tried to do things better than Thaksin, but as the SMS I received from Bangkok Post shows, their intentions are a bit populistic too.

"Govt to give 80 bln baht debt relief to influence farmers votes and supports."

And yes Thaksin has been extremely good at promoting his populistic policy and Abhisit has been extremely bad at promoting his policy.

Too bad!

And of course Abhisit has the problem that he still is too junior for the PM job in a country where seniority makes everything.

He is born in England and he has for sure read Sir Winston Churchill biographies, and he should remember what was so outstanding and unique about this great statesman was his fantastic courage.

Abhisit needs to get out of the military baraks and show the bravenes it takes to go and visit the red hinterland, not to say the nations second largest city Chiang Mai.

l'observateur vieux!

[stkyricesf]

we have to focus on the Budget because obviously nobody want it on the table....probably too much lies and manglings behind...

This is a major Anti Corruption tool: transparency of the Budget.

Do you believe any of the people of any country on this earth know's whats in the budget developed by its government?