Thai Politicians Are Still Out Of Touch With Reality

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

Our politicians are still out of touch with reality

By The Nation

Gutter politics will never be cleaned up if we allow MPs to behave as if they are responsible to nobody but themselves

You can't get any more pretentious than when former Army chief-turned-politician General Sonthi Boonyaratglin praised the man he ousted in the 2006 coup. The sheer audacity of the act puts him right at home in Thailand's gutter politics. In this respect, he will do just fine in his new career.

Sonthi, who led the September 19, 2006 coup that toppled the Thaksin Shinawatra government, recently claimed that the failure of the post-coup governments to continue the "Thaksin economic model" had polarised the country.

"Had we followed in the footsteps of Thaksin, especially in implementing populist policies, our society would have not been torn," Sonthi said.

In the same breath, Sonthi justified the ousting of Thaksin on the grounds that the telecom billionaire was "destroying the country" and that it was the military's duty to protect the country. He tried hard to come across as honest, but like other politicians, his logic is blurred. He basically justified a military intervention every time there is a political crisis.

Populist policies, meanwhile, are only as good as the votes they garner. The so-called "Thaksin economic model" did virtually nothing in terms of building the capacity for his target constituency, namely the rural poor, to uplift, much less sustain, themselves. And yet his supporters loved him because they got handouts for free. But it eventually became evident that all of this was going to blow up in his face.

The problem with Thailand is that there are too many people like Sonthi who don't realise how incompetent they are. They have achieved a certain status in the country's bureaucratic system, mainly in the military, and then get the notion that they are fit to run a government. And as they come to realise the concept of the people's mandate, they turn to corrupting the system or adopting populist policies that will get them votes. They don't seem to understand that being a good leader sometimes means that they will have to make unpopular decisions. This is where integrity and character comes into play.

These politicians, unfortunately, come from all parties. Many forget easily that their mandate comes from the people and that they are accountable to their constituency. But it's not unusual to see political party members do just about anything, stoop to any level, to salvage the supposed dignity and credibility of their position and leader. The ongoing fiasco surrounding alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is a case in point. Some politicians have been hounding him, hoping to discover something, anything, to discredit the government, which they believe is trying to manipulate Bout into saying that the arms shipment from North Korea that was seized in Bangkok last December was linked to Thaksin.

If there is any shred of evidence to suggest that the government has tried to twist Bout's arm to implicate Thaksin over illegal arms, perhaps an independent inquiry into the matter should be set up.

First of all, the charge is too serious to permit political opportunists from the opposition to tap dance all over it. The problem with the opposition camp has much to do with the kind of logic they have been employing recently, as well as the fact that their stated intention doesn't correspond with what appears to be happening. As the Pheu Thai MPs bark up Bout's tree, the party's deputy leader, Plodprasop Surasawadi, issued a heartfelt statement calling for all sides to hold peace talks. The party has drafted a five-point plan that calls for, among other things, forgiveness and a promise not to use violence.

"If the government does not respond to the proposal, we will not be able to help, and we will all be free to go our own way," he added.

Confusing? You bet. Was this a peace overture or a threat? The truth is probably somewhere between the two extremes. And the public doesn't know whether it is getting something genuine.

But if that's not bizarre enough, read Thaksin's recent interview with Thai Rath daily. Asked why he had stopped posting messages on his Twitter page, Thaksin said: "I want reconciliation to happen." Does that mean his previous Tweeting was meant to drive a bigger wedge between the country's people?

Sad but true, politicians continue to say what they want and get away with it. And it will continue to be like this because we allow them to be like this. Our society needs to hold politicians to a higher standard. If we fail to do this, we will continue to suffer the likes of what we have now.

-- The Nation 2010-09-09

[rogercw]

All negative comments in your article just happen to be about opposition politicians. Nary a negative about anyone in the government. An observer would get the impression that The Nation supports the Democrats.

[mca]

I'd say they're completely in touch with reality as in they can do exactly as they like and nobody will do a thing about it.

[Pib]

Politicians (worldwide) will say whatever promotes their agenda and their ability to stay or advance in power. Some politicians take it to a greater extreme than others and say things that are not based on facts or greatly distort the facts, as that promotes the politician's agenda and ability to stay in the lime light.

Many politicians that have high ranking military career backgrounds will tend to think whatever they say should be Smartly Saluted, Accepted As Is, and Carried Out Without Question----this mentality is caused by career of being a high ranking military/police officer where orders/desires/wants/needs where pretty much followed without question.

And probably a bigger issue is the Thai voters' willingness to vote former high ranking military/police officers into power at a high rate without knowing their political beliefs...the people just know the politicians sure looks good in his uniform on the election posters along the road, on the buildings, etc. Maybe the Thai people really prefer authoritarian-type politicians/government; or figure they are going to get elected no matter what so I might as well vote for them also.

[EODghost]

I'd say they're completely in touch with reality as in they can do exactly as they like and nobody will do a thing about it.

Hmmm....Hammer, nail, head...yep, you hit it.

[TheBarbarian]

maybe the elitist columnist and the "Nation" are really out of touch with reality. By now every child older than 4 years can tell that Sothi is right. It was first of all a criminal act to dispose of an democratic elected government. And yes the failure of continuing the Thaksin economic policies have led to fare more problems. Sonthi must have noticed that jokers who are far more corrupt and self serving than Thaksin has ever been (and all politicians including thaksin are corrupt and self serving in this part of the world) are bringing the country to the brink of collapse. Suthep is power horny and is at odds with so may of his fellow citiznes in his home province for blocking off the sea side and dividing the riches between his family and that of the CP family while the poor are suffering. abhisit does not even know that rice grows in mud. He thinks it is made in a factory. Newin and his father are only busy filling up their pockets and ruining the last remaining nature. Banharn has build a construction imperium on government orders and sanan is not only suspected of dishonoring a female journalist but also for running llegal betting scams on race tracks, for buying overpriced medicines and so on. The list goes on and on. <div><br></div><div>the Nation does not seem to realize that the voter is ALWAYS right. You cannot rob them from their votes without a backlash. The country is doing far worse than under Thaksin. Who is out of touch? A coup taker who admits a mistake or a rich spoiled Nation columnist who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth?</div>

[montanan]

I'm curious...how many Thai politicos are pro-Obama? Really....some sort of break-down would be helpful.

[avalonmick]

The real message here is: never let your media be censored, corrupted, or owned by Rupert Murdoch [which is essentially both the earlier outcomes in the same package].

As long as the media is prepared to report accurately and fairly, to criticise those who do fail or are corrupt no matter which side they are on, then democratic principles will flourish and the people will be able to make sound decisions when they vote.

If the media fails in its responsibility then the people are in big trouble.

[way2muchcoffee]

maybe the elitist columnist and the "Nation" are really out of touch with reality. By now every child older than 4 years can tell that Sothi is right. It was first of all a criminal act to dispose of an democratic elected government. And yes the failure of continuing the Thaksin economic policies have led to fare more problems. Sonthi must have noticed that jokers who are far more corrupt and self serving than Thaksin has ever been (and all politicians including thaksin are corrupt and self serving in this part of the world) are bringing the country to the brink of collapse. Suthep is power horny and is at odds with so may of his fellow citiznes in his home province for blocking off the sea side and dividing the riches between his family and that of the CP family while the poor are suffering. abhisit does not even know that rice grows in mud. He thinks it is made in a factory. Newin and his father are only busy filling up their pockets and ruining the last remaining nature. Banharn has build a construction imperium on government orders and sanan is not only suspected of dishonoring a female journalist but also for running llegal betting scams on race tracks, for buying overpriced medicines and so on. The list goes on and on. <div><br></div><div>the Nation does not seem to realize that the voter is ALWAYS right. You cannot rob them from their votes without a backlash. The country is doing far worse than under Thaksin. Who is out of touch? A coup taker who admits a mistake or a rich spoiled Nation columnist who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth?</div>

Too much propaganda here to even respond properly. Would you care to back up your points?

[Buchholz]

sanan is not only suspected of dishonoring a female journalist

[bubblegum]

sanan is not only suspected of dishonoring a female journalist

:-) 555

[selftaopath]

I'd say they're completely in touch with reality as in they can do exactly as they like and nobody will do a thing about it.

If Thai cultural mindset allows all this crap then so be it. Some might argue the Thai people are getting what they deserve. Cultures DO change but not until somebody and a lot of somebodies have the balls to say ENOUGH. Like the adage: What we allow we condone. If the Thai population wants to seem like "sheeple" then so be it. Maybe corruption, nepotism, and incompetence is and will remain the norm in Thailand. Maybe corruption isn't so bad. I mean can an entire nation be "wrong"?????

[khaowong1]

I'd say they're completely in touch with reality as in they can do exactly as they like and nobody will do a thing about it.

If Thai cultural mindset allows all this crap then so be it. Some might argue the Thai people are getting what they deserve. Cultures DO change but not until somebody and a lot of somebodies have the balls to say ENOUGH. Like the adage: What we allow we condone. If the Thai population wants to seem like "sheeple" then so be it. Maybe corruption, nepotism, and incompetence is and will remain the norm in Thailand. Maybe corruption isn't so bad. I mean can an entire nation be "wrong"?????

Germany and Japan come to mind...... :jap:

[asiawatcher]

The issue is Thai politicians were NEVER in touch with reality. Look at how many are millionaires? How many actually represent the people?

[SomTumTiger]

Thank God Mark is in charge - all the rest of them are fracking crazy.

[kiwiinasia]

Who cares?

One bunch of robbers is as good as the next.

Its like Republican vs Democrat, one bunch of dimwits versus another.

[tomyummer]

Just so funny talking about government in Thailand. I think somebody needs to coin a new term which means 'people that supposedly run the country, but not really'. Also rename the positions because they don't deserve to call themselves 'ministers', 'officers' or 'senators'. Not even 'politicians'. I think the terms need to be more tribal like caveman era.

Government: Ruling Clan

Different parties: Clans

Politicians: Clansmen

Minister: Thug or Thugette (female)

Prime Minister: Biggest Thug

Minister of Defense: Big Thug of Big Commissions

Minister of Finance: Lucky Thug

Senator: Little Thug

Officers: Thugs

Ministers where family owns massage parlors: Dirty Needs Thugette

Get the drift? There, I feel better already. Makes more sense, and it's more believable.

[yellow1red1]

before it was only farangs who not understand Thailand "politicians out of touch with learity" ahhh soooo...:jap: BuT they know all specs of the new Merceses Benz motor car? pop quiz

Edited September 9, 2010 by yellow1red1