We Needed A Budget Watchdog - But We Got Toothless Pheu Thai

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STREET WISE

We needed a budget watchdog - but we got toothless Pheu Thai

By Achara Deboonme

As this column went to press, MPs must have been brushing their teeth in preparation for the budget bill vote.

Their gruelling two-day debate dragged on and on and, just as House Speaker Chai Chidchob said it would, continued until dawn before all 35 clauses were completed.

It is worth noting that this is the first time in history that the government budget has exceeded the Bt2-trillion threshold. For Thai taxpayers, who pay the salaries of these politicians, hopes were high that they - particularly the Opposition - would work hard in screening all the spending. Rather than worrying about the huge size of the budget, taxpayers are more concerned that it is all properly earmarked to better the country.

Still, during the two-day debate the Opposition did a clumsy job. Most of them started debates with the words "I'd like to propose a ... per cent cut in budgets". They then backed up this proposal with direct attacks on the government's budget allocation as well as the "inflated" funding for certain ministries. The debates would have been hotter and more interesting but for these politicians' almost complete lack of evidence to support their arguments.

When they charged that House Budget Committee members had agreed to allocate budget funds to government MPs' constituencies in return for kickbacks of 10-20 per cent, there was no evidence. I got the impression they expected the press to dig further. That would be a possibility, if reporters had the right sources - who would be none other than some of the 60-odd members of the committee.

If these politicians were sincere and responsible in their duty, surely they could have presented the public with evidence.

The Opposition could also have created more heat if they had focused their grilling on a specific case. For example, it's shocking to learn that the Defence Ministry was allocated Bt170 billion for this fiscal year, despite a series of negative reports over the Army's past arms deals. I can't help comparing this case to that of Thai Airways International. When the state enterprise was in need of money from the Finance Ministry, it was ordered to restructure itself first. Why couldn't this approach be applied to the Defence Ministry?

Elsewhere, we can only applaud the huge investment being made to improve the education system. Yet, some of the budget will certainly go to finance the physical expansion of schools. We know that some principals tend to enjoy "higher respect" from winning contractors. It is worth asking how the students will benefit from these cosy deals, which typically furnish new equipment and facilities without providing teachers with the know-how to use it effectively.

A computer, for instance, is just a plastic box if we don't know how to use it, let alone how to maximise its capacity.

Elsewhere, politicians - whether they are part of the ruling party or the Opposition - have learned to closely scrutinise projects. Here, the Pheu Thai Party has proved that it cannot play the screening role effectively. That explains why they are so eager for new party elections, to rule the country again.

Thanks to their poor performance, just as Pheu Thai Party's Chalerm Yoobamrung predicted, the budget bill is certain to sail through the debate.

-- The Nation 2010-08-20

[taurus88]

The opposition was disarmed by a clever move earlier. Raising the salary of MPs softened the tone of the opposition. Then there is the allocation of development funds for each constituency. Why rock the budget when each part of the cake. Basically all politicians are there for the money.

[Siripon]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

[TheBarbarian]

Stupidity rules at the offices of the Nation. Did PT not present evidence of ministers around Newin on the take. Even coalition partners voted against the people in question after which they were thrown out of the cabinet. If one party is co responsible for making the opposition toothless it is the Nation that is in bed with yellow shirts and who have directors wanted by an anti laundry watchdog that was disbanded by the coup makers. It is the performance of the staff and columnists of news papers like the nation that have raped democracy and brought a bunch of criminals on the take into power. Sondhi a man who led the massacre on a mosque in the South and later "Balloon" Anupong.

[SamritT]

Very funny to read.

[hammered]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Lets hope that case gets solved. It is a real double standard case and has long been rumoured to have the evidence and witnesses to bring to conclusion

[hammered]

Half the PTP MPs dont know which party they will run for next time around, so right now they go through the motions collect their salaries and the ever decreasing bonus from big boss and his acolytes and try not to upset anyone on the government side too much

[hammered]

multiple post edit

Edited August 20, 2010 by hammered

[hammered]

multiple post edit

Edited August 20, 2010 by hammered

[Buchholz]

Half the PTP MPs dont know which party they will run for next time around, so right now they go through the motions collect their salaries and the ever decreasing bonus from big boss and his acolytes and try not to upset anyone on the government side too much

Meanwhile, in other Pheu Thai Party news, they moved their headquarters yesterday to improve its feng shui. As they believed the number 9 would bring them good luck, the move occurred on August 19 at 9.59 AM.

They have moved into a rented space at the OAI Tower, which is coincidentally owned by the still-out-on-bail-despite-a-two-year-old-conviction-and-three-year-prison-sentence Potjaman.

damning news continues here:

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__3826398

[kissdani]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money - blame Thaksin for it and use the time to tell some silly unrelated rumors. The logical twist of some arguments here are really impressive.

[Piengrudee]

Reminds me of GT200.

[jayjayjayjay]

While your all gloating at your funny posts (point of the article was what!), remember the Army run this country. So all the above is irrelevant!

[Siripon]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money - blame Thaksin for it and use the time to tell some silly unrelated rumors. The logical twist of some arguments here are really impressive.

Who is the leader of Pheua Thai now?

Has the Messiah blessed the appointed one yet?

They don't have one because Thaksin doesn't want anyone to steal the limelight from him and Chalerm doesn't want it in case Pheua Thai get banned.

I agree Yongyut Tiyapairat is irrelevant to the budget, but watch out for news about him in the near future- he's not worth starting a new thread on his own.

[way2muchcoffee]

Welcome back kissdani.

[rubl]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money - blame Thaksin for it and use the time to tell some silly unrelated rumors. The logical twist of some arguments here are really impressive.

The logic is impressive indeed. Where did you get the "Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money" ?

[kissdani]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money - blame Thaksin for it and use the time to tell some silly unrelated rumors. The logical twist of some arguments here are really impressive.

The logic is impressive indeed. Where did you get the "Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money" ?

That is what governments do and really a case that is done same same all over the world. What makes you think the Abhisit government is an exception from this?

[rubl]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money - blame Thaksin for it and use the time to tell some silly unrelated rumors. The logical twist of some arguments here are really impressive.

The logic is impressive indeed. Where did you get the "Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money" ?

That is what governments do and really a case that is done same same all over the world. What makes you think the Abhisit government is an exception from this?

Being really negative, aren't you? With proper checks and balances waste is kept to a minimum. Each government will have ideas on what to do, (mostly) that's why people voted for those MP's. No government doesn't work either. To help improve rather than only criticise would be a step in the right direction.

[kissdani]

Being really negative, aren't you? With proper checks and balances waste is kept to a minimum. Each government will have ideas on what to do, (mostly) that's why people voted for those MP's. No government doesn't work either. To help improve rather than only criticise would be a step in the right direction.

For sure, if there are proper checks and balance but the argument goes 'We Needed A Budget Watchdog - But We Got Toothless Pheu Thai'.

I am not that negative and also not that totally insane trustful in the Democrats govt and believe that they do everything right and are above any critic.

[Buchholz]

Pheua Thai, rudderless and useless without their Messiah. Has anyone else noticed Yong ตู้เย็น Yut has disappeared lately?

The rumour is it's related to progress in finding the mastermind to the killers of Shipping Moo all those years ago.

Govt goes on a shopping spree and wasting tax payers money - blame Thaksin for it and use the time to tell some silly unrelated rumors. The logical twist of some arguments here are really impressive.

Who is the leader of Pheua Thai now?

Has the Messiah blessed the appointed one yet?

They don't have one because Thaksin doesn't want anyone to steal the limelight from him and Chalerm doesn't want it in case Pheua Thai get banned.

I agree Yongyut Tiyapairat is irrelevant to the budget, but watch out for news about him in the near future- he's not worth starting a new thread on his own.

The guy on the bottom is nominally the Party Leader now (and another Yongyut, coincidentally).

The guy on the top is the practical Party Leader now.

Both may be indicted today in the long-standing Alpine Golf land scandal.

btw, I do hope the other Yongyut faces some ramifications for the Shipping Moo murder case. Yongyut Tiyapairat (Mr. Refrigerator) still waiting to face ramifications for the attempted murder he and his Drug War Commandos were charged with for trying to kill an elderly couple with hundreds of bullets ages ago, without development to this day, AFAIK.

The principles involved in the Alpine Golf land scandal:

former Thai Rak Thai Party Party Leader and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

former Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry and current Pheu Thai Party Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit

[Buchholz]

Half the PTP MPs dont know which party they will run for next time around, so right now they go through the motions collect their salaries and the ever decreasing bonus from big boss and his acolytes and try not to upset anyone on the government side too much

Meanwhile, in other Pheu Thai Party news, they moved their headquarters yesterday to improve its feng shui. As they believed the number 9 would bring them good luck, the move occurred on August 19 at 9.59 AM.

They have moved into a rented space at the OAI Tower, which is coincidentally owned by the still-out-on-bail-despite-a-two-year-old-conviction-and-three-year-prison-sentence Potjaman.

damning news continues here:

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__3826398

Pheu Thai making merit to mark headquarters relocation

Pheu Thai Party MPs and executives on Thursday turned out in full force to hold a merit-making ceremony to mark the relocation of its headquarters to New Phetchaburi Road from Rama IV Road.

Pheu Thai Chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit presided over the ceremony before unveiling the banner at the building that used to serve as the Party's home under ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

The celebrations for the Party's relocation included an exhibition under the theme "Four Years of Lost Happiness, Four Years of Rebuilding Pheu Thai (For Thailand)".

The main opposition party also dispatched a convoy of 50 vehicles to spread its message on main roads around Bangkok and surrounding areas.

-- The Nation 2010-09-23

[Buchholz]

Pheu Thai launches new campaign

BANGKOK, 23 September 2010 (NNT) – The opposition Pheu Thai Party performed a merit-making ceremony before launching its new campaign “Four Years of Lost Happiness, Four Years of Recreating Happiness for Thais” this morning.

Prior to launching the new campaign, the Pheu Thai Party this morning performed a merit-making ceremony with participation of its core leaders and members in unison.

Among the key figures attending the launching were Pheu Thai Party Chairperson and ex-Prime Minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Acting Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit, Acting Party Deputy Leader Plodprasop Suraswadi, former Finance Minister Warathep Rattanakorn, and many others.

After the merit-making ceremony, parades of cars were launched to publicize the Party’s new campaign around Bangkok and its vicinities.

Then, the party kicked off an exhibition narrating the differences of the periods before and after the coup d’état, as well as the loss of opportunities sustained by Thailand since the 19 Sep coup.

A seminar was held in the afternoon to brainstorm for ideas to help solve problems plaguing Thailand.

Key speakers were former Deputy Prime Ministers General Chidchai Wanasatidya and Surapong Suebwonglee.

-- NNT 2010-09-23

[Buchholz]

Meanwhile, in other Pheu Thai Party news, they moved their headquarters yesterday to improve its feng shui. As they believed the number 9 would bring them good luck, the move occurred on August 19 at 9.59 AM.

They have moved into a rented space at the OAI Tower, which is coincidentally owned by the still-out-on-bail-despite-a-two-year-old-conviction-and-three-year-prison-sentence Potjaman.

damning news continues here:

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__3826398

Pheu Thai making merit to mark headquarters relocation

Pheu Thai Party MPs and executives on Thursday turned out in full force to hold a merit-making ceremony to mark the relocation of its headquarters to New Phetchaburi Road from Rama IV Road.

Pheu Thai Chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit presided over the ceremony before unveiling the banner at the building that used to serve as the Party's home under ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Key Pheu Thai Party figures, including Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and Party Chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, take part in the launch of a campaign "to restore lost happiness over the past four years" at the Party’s headquarters Thursday.

The Nation - September 24, 2010

[siampolee]

These politicians don't need teeth to scrutinise the budget, no teeth means they can suck out even more money for themselves as there is no dental impediment to lessen the flow of money into those hungry mouths.

[slapout]

Political fundamentals 101: Assignment: chapter 1, Basic sucking and kissing. Require study for all politicians.