Double Standards Do Exist In Thai Society, PM Abhisit Says

[webfact]

PM says some are fighting double standards unlawfully

By Pravit Rojanaphruk

Double standards do exist in Thai society but some are using it as a pretext to act unlawfully, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

"If double standards exist, they should be rectified and not give anyone the licence to act above the law," he said.

He added that rich, popular and powerful people are using it as an excuse to act "according to their whims", disregarding the law.

Abhisit, who delivered a keynote speech yesterday - the second of the three-day annual King Prajadhipok Institute conference on social equality and Thai democracy - admitted that the September 2006 military coup and the events before that had left "wounds" that still exist in Thai society.

"The conflicts may not have been this severe [over the past two years] if the economic structure was more equitable," he said.

The prime minister added that the democratisation process for Thailand or any other society could not be stopped.

"Any society that blocks the democratisation process will eventually face problems," he said, adding even Chinese leaders were now admitting that the opening up of politics was the way ahead.

Abhisit said there were four aspects that defined true democracy: human-social security; economic-political equality; empowering the people and reducing the power of the state; and unity and reconciliation.

"We need democracy because people do not think alike," he said, adding it was "against human nature" for everybody to think alike.

The premier also stressed that society needed laws that are respected by all - edicts that are based on the rule of law and justice.

-- The Nation 2010-11-06

[asiawatcher]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

[rreddin]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Recognizing that there are double standards is one thing. Doing something about it is something completely different. The Prime Minister has said some sensible things about tackling the problems facing the country. So far, he has done little about them. He will be judged by what he does, not what he says.

[phetaroi]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Oh, everyone realizes it. They just don't care. In fact, all of them -- including the lowest classes -- perpetuate it.

[billd766]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Recognizing that there are double standards is one thing. Doing something about it is something completely different. The Prime Minister has said some sensible things about tackling the problems facing the country. So far, he has done little about them. He will be judged by what he does, not what he says.

He is but one man.

However if the will is there that one man can work wonders.

Now what if there are 10, or 100 or 1,000 people working in the same direction.

Talking about China did Chairman Mao say that even the longest journey starts with a single step.

He cannot do it all on his own but must be given credit for at least trying.

I personally hope that he succeeds.

[gemini81]

Captain Obvious to the rescue on this one!

[geriatrickid]

Let Mr. Abhisit strike a blow against double standards by imposing the same quest for justice on his colleagues as he does on the previous administration that was overthrown by a military coup.

[jayjay0]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Recognizing that there are double standards is one thing. Doing something about it is something completely different. The Prime Minister has said some sensible things about tackling the problems facing the country. So far, he has done little about them. He will be judged by what he does, not what he says.

Well what you say is true. However when you stop to think about it being able to do any thing is a accomplishment. He has put way to much energy into fighting off terrorists. It would be nice if the government could work together for the good of Thailand but there are certain people in positions able to prevent that from happening.

Edited November 6, 2010 by jayjay0

[Xonax]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Recognizing that there are double standards is one thing. Doing something about it is something completely different. The Prime Minister has said some sensible things about tackling the problems facing the country. So far, he has done little about them. He will be judged by what he does, not what he says.

Exactly! Abhisit sees the problems, but has no power or will do do anything about it.

[rubl]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Recognizing that there are double standards is one thing. Doing something about it is something completely different. The Prime Minister has said some sensible things about tackling the problems facing the country. So far, he has done little about them. He will be judged by what he does, not what he says.

Exactly! Abhisit sees the problems, but has no power or will do do anything about it.

To be fair whenever PM Abhisit raises a finger PTP will petition the Constitutional Court to check that is allowed by law, and file a complain with whatever commision to check if the finger was raises correctly. If it's not the PTP it may be UDD or even the PAD. Go finger figure

[phiphidon]

Very good that at least the man at the top recognises it. Pity the rest of Thai society does not.

Recognizing that there are double standards is one thing. Doing something about it is something completely different. The Prime Minister has said some sensible things about tackling the problems facing the country. So far, he has done little about them. He will be judged by what he does, not what he says.

Exactly! Abhisit sees the problems, but has no power or will do do anything about it.

To be fair whenever PM Abhisit raises a finger PTP will petition the Constitutional Court to check that is allowed by law, and file a complain with whatever commision to check if the finger was raises correctly. If it's not the PTP it may be UDD or even the PAD. Go finger figure

Or CRES

[Roadman]

Pinnochio starting to test his many masters strings...I think he has the will but has had to take the time to gain support around him. He has built what the thief could never achieve...confidence between his Government and the Army noting that the Army appointments are exactly that and not Thaksin family plants. So the time is right to force or embarass the elite as already posted above into towing the same line democratically as Thaksin is expected to.

[housepainter]

It's only a speech. A thesis. Abhisit remains the one hope for Thailand as he represents a sense of fair play and decency and is acceptable as a politician in devloped western countries. Of how many Thais can we say that?

That is the problem. So few are not corrupt, gready or ignorant. Abhisit remains an English educated graduate.

he is millimetering forward. At the same time he is stubbornly and effectively preventing the corrupt tide of Thaksin influence from flourishing. Long may that continue.

Equally, and gratifyingly, some of the damaged archaic dinosaurs of Thai political have and are dying off. Their influence sinking with them.

Until Thailand develops an acceptable, recognisable democracy then it will remain back ward. It now is. Abhisit knows that but can not say it. There are others who have spent a life time steering Thailand towards the light and those who have pledged allegiance to this have simply renaged on any undertaking.

There isn't a quality in depth and so little can be achieved or expected. Abhisit knows he faces a mountain at every turn but without him Thailand would only sink.

You can only swim for so long.

[phetaroi]

It's only a speech. A thesis. Abhisit remains the one hope for Thailand as he represents a sense of fair play and decency and is acceptable as a politician in devloped western countries. Of how many Thais can we say that?

That is the problem. So few are not corrupt, gready or ignorant. Abhisit remains an English educated graduate.

he is millimetering forward. At the same time he is stubbornly and effectively preventing the corrupt tide of Thaksin influence from flourishing. Long may that continue.

Equally, and gratifyingly, some of the damaged archaic dinosaurs of Thai political have and are dying off. Their influence sinking with them.

Until Thailand develops an acceptable, recognisable democracy then it will remain back ward. It now is. Abhisit knows that but can not say it. There are others who have spent a life time steering Thailand towards the light and those who have pledged allegiance to this have simply renaged on any undertaking.

There isn't a quality in depth and so little can be achieved or expected. Abhisit knows he faces a mountain at every turn but without him Thailand would only sink.

You can only swim for so long.

I think there is much wisdom to what you say. I do think that Prem (at his peak) was a Prime Minister who set a high standard, although I realize he has lost favor among some in recent years. Anand was another who set a high standard. Abhisit, likewise, is setting a standard that...well, let's put it this way, I don't see any of the other younger leaders who can match him.

One place we disagree is that the old dinosaurs are dying off and therefore things will improve. If you take a look at American politics, it doesn't matter much which dinosaurs die off, it only seems to get more sordid. I think the same may be true in Thailand.

[Piengrudee]

The clip also accuses the government of double standards, alleging that a senior policeman in Tak province “caught” in a separate video clip harassing a female subordinate not long ago was prosecuted, but it said nobody bothered to go after the person who took and released the video. . . It claimed the government was now trying to curry favour with the court by trying to hunt down the person behind the video leak despite the fact that previous incidents had eroded public faith in the court. from the Nation