Thailand's Person Of The Year: Social Media Votes For Korn

[webfact]

PERSON OF THE YEAR

Social media votes for Korn

By Tulsathit Taptim

Thanong Khanthong

Achara Deboonme

The Nation

Critics see him as a popularity-seeker, but the finance minister, despite his unconventional ways and still doubtful fiscal principles, impresses in cyberspace

The name of Korn Chatikavanij on this space is an irony in itself - if you are conservative about what a finance minister should conventionally do, that is. Critics, and there are many of them, are deadly adamant that men in Korn's position are supposed to be in the shadows doing unpopular but damned necessary things. The last thing they want is someone who is more well versed in using Facebook than Mark Zuckerberg; who beats celebrities to TV cameras at hotel functions; and whose relaxed posture with a pet cat made happy rounds on Twitter.

Well, the critics probably had better use the social media more where Korn has established a strong presence. One can suspect that the head-start helped him sweep away other contenders for The Nation's 2010 Person of the Year, but the truth remains that he's the most popular in the social-network spheres when it comes to our POY selection. Korn received 43.5 per cent of the votes, leaving first runner-up Thaksin Shinawatra (12.7 per cent) far behind.

But Korn was in more places than Facebook and Twitter, and this is the real controversial part. He's doing too much outside the scope of his responsibility for comfort, the critics say. When the government showcased what are considered to be "populist" schemes, he was there. When the Thaicom satellites triggered the question whether the Thai government should buy it back, he was there. And of all the fingerprints left on the 3G mess, his were among the prominent ones.

Is he doing too much or simply trying too hard? The economy, which has been a big pleasant surprise this year, and the strength of Thailand's fiscal situation should be enough if he wants some boasting rights. "He simply can point at creditworthiness of the United States and many European countries and compare it with that of Thailand," said a Korn critic, who acknowledged that the minister succeeded in a few key big-picture areas.

The young Democrat will never win over detractors as long as Thailand's budget deficit remains huge. For fiscal 2012, Korn will preside over a deficit of Bt420 billion, with revenue of Bt1.65 trillion and spending target at Bt2.07 trillion. This is where the leave-populism-to-others argument comes in. Korn, the critics insist, must strive to enforce budgetary and financial discipline and show more seriousness about tax measures and let social expenditure be somebody else's worry.

Admirers care far less about that. They applauded Korn's controversial campaign to cut bank transfer fees on customers. To them, the finance minister has done a great deal for the public, including his efforts to tackle shark loans and overpriced lottery tickets. They were also pleased with his push for the long-awaited property and land tax law and the master plan for capital-market development.

Yet he is more like the government's fund manager than the finance minister, said one financial-industry source whom we asked to analyse Korn's strengths and weaknesses. "Rather than being prudent in fiscal spending, he works hard in securing funds to finance the government's social projects, which would rarely benefit the economy in the long run." Though the public debt remains as low as 42 per cent of gross domestic product, the projects could affect the country's fiscal discipline in the future.

Korn has defied the conventional wisdom that required him to fight populist policies tooth and nail. Banks do not like him much either, not least because his campaign to cut transfer fees, launched on Facebook with hundreds of people "liking" what he did, turned them into some kind of social villains. As for fellow politicians, they must have watched with dropped jaws when he capitalised on the popularity of a Thai soap opera, "Wanida", by re-creating a scene and playing in it himself with the real actors.

That clip, focusing on the real story line of "Wanida" concerning sleazy debt-collection, was played on TV, was put on his Facebook and made its way to YouTube. Should a finance minister do that? Try telling social-media enthusiasts he shouldn't. What's wrong with the finance minister explaining it in a cool way why the debt-collection style in "Wanida" violated a law passed by the Cabinet the previous week?

As a politician, Korn may have scored 9 out of 10. As a finance minister, it will be interesting to see whether he will still do it his way in 2011 or pay old-school wisdom more respect. As of now, he is The Nation's first Person of the Year selected through votes in the social media.

-- The Nation 2010-12-31

[webfact]

Our choice: Pol General Sompien Eksomya

By The Nation

It was a year when "courage", "sacrifice" and "patriotism" were much talked about, if not proclaimed. However, who could truly give us an inspiring real example? Pol General Sompien Eksomya did not assert himself to be recognised; in fact he was known to be regularly discouraged and frightened by the environment of extreme animosity he had to face day in and day out. He was a human being, after all.

Despite the understandable anxiety, his sense of duty and responsibility prevailed. And, consequently, so did his brutal destiny. The chief of Yala's Bannang Sata police was killed in an ambush in March, not long after his superiors' rejection of his transfer request sent him back to serve in the hostile area.

Sompien had spent 40 years working in the deep South. He was recognised for efforts to build good relations with the community and for numerous heroic deeds (some of which he submitted as funny stories to the Kadee Dej TV programme that highlighted real-life jokes of men in uniform on duty). Yet it was when he personally visited Government House to ask for a transfer that he made headlines. Insurgents had allegedly put a price of 50 goats, equivalent to Bt200,000, on his head, and the officer's concern over the future of his family grew.

Shortly after his cry for help was ignored, he went back to the volatile deep South to continue his serve-and-protect duty. Then the ambush happened. The unsung hero joined the growing list of fatalities caused by an insurgency that remains difficult to comprehend even today.

The deep South conflict has evolved to produce heroes, villains and victims across the region. Sompien just represented one part of a complicated, largely mysterious picture. But for his dedication, respect for obligations and bravery in truly life-threatening circumstances, he was what The Nation's editorial department visualised when seeking the 2010 Person of the Year.

-- The Nation 2010-12-31

[asiawatcher]

I'm with The Nation - Sompien was a far better man even if awarded posthumously.

[HC82]

I have never heard of the guy outside of seeing him speak on CNN once - IIRC he spoke English with no accent and was very well spoken and seemed like a very intelligent guy. I had a good impression of him.

This article reads like a smear campaign. They didn't even attempt to appear objective. Whoever wrote it has a clear agenda against this guy.

[Arkady]

I have never heard of the guy outside of seeing him speak on CNN once - IIRC he spoke English with no accent and was very well spoken and seemed like a very intelligent guy. I had a good impression of him.

He was born in England and educated at Winchester and Oxford. His father was a distinguished finance ministry official who retired as director-general of the Customs Department.

Edited December 31, 2010 by Arkady

[lazygourmet]

I have never heard of the guy outside of seeing him speak on CNN once - IIRC he spoke English with no accent and was very well spoken and seemed like a very intelligent guy. I had a good impression of him.

This article reads like a smear campaign. They didn't even attempt to appear objective. Whoever wrote it has a clear agenda against this guy.

Just wondering if you ever heard about JP Morgan?!?

[swerver]

Our choice: Pol General Sompien Eksomya

By The Nation

It was a year when "courage", "sacrifice" and "patriotism" were much talked about, if not proclaimed. However, who could truly give us an inspiring real example? Pol General Sompien Eksomya did not assert himself to be recognised; in fact he was known to be regularly discouraged and frightened by the environment of extreme animosity he had to face day in and day out. He was a human being, after all.

Despite the understandable anxiety, his sense of duty and responsibility prevailed. And, consequently, so did his brutal destiny. The chief of Yala's Bannang Sata police was killed in an ambush in March, not long after his superiors' rejection of his transfer request sent him back to serve in the hostile area.

Sompien had spent 40 years working in the deep South. He was recognised for efforts to build good relations with the community and for numerous heroic deeds (some of which he submitted as funny stories to the Kadee Dej TV programme that highlighted real-life jokes of men in uniform on duty). Yet it was when he personally visited Government House to ask for a transfer that he made headlines. Insurgents had allegedly put a price of 50 goats, equivalent to Bt200,000, on his head, and the officer's concern over the future of his family grew.

Shortly after his cry for help was ignored, he went back to the volatile deep South to continue his serve-and-protect duty. Then the ambush happened. The unsung hero joined the growing list of fatalities caused by an insurgency that remains difficult to comprehend even today.

The deep South conflict has evolved to produce heroes, villains and victims across the region. Sompien just represented one part of a complicated, largely mysterious picture. But for his dedication, respect for obligations and bravery in truly life-threatening circumstances, he was what The Nation's editorial department visualised when seeking the 2010 Person of the Year.

-- The Nation 2010-12-31

Finance Minister Korn

• "Rather than being prudent in fiscal spending, he works hard in securing funds to finance the government's social projects, which would rarely benefit the economy in the long run."

Who ever did write this would do her/himself a favor by reading materials written by Frederick Engels i.e. The condition of the working-class in England in 1844 about the benefits for economy that social projects can produce. A contented workforce is to the benefit of capitalists. Of course if you regard yourself in the capitalist GREED circle then you are blind to everything else around you.

• They applauded Korn's controversial campaign to cut bank transfer fees on customers.

But it takes more than applauding.

The other day I was still charged Thai Baht 1,020.00 for transferring money in one account owned by me into another account owned by me at the same bank. Practically speaking, nothing more than an electronic mainframe 2-second operation. This in view of that bank consistently being in possession in excess of a million Thai Baht of my money for which that bank pays me, literally speaking, “peanuts” while the bank loans this money out at what I regard usuries rates of 7% and more and then has the gall to charge me Thai Baht 1,020.00 the Thai Baht 1,020.00 is not going to make or break me, but there are a lot more accountholders who are in a lot less financial position who are in their cases being ripped off by Banks.

Then, to add insult to injury I perform the identical financial transaction at another major Thai Bank, free, gratis, and am presented with 2-desk calendars.

• Yet he is more like the government's fund manager than the finance minister, said one financial-industry source whom we asked to analyze Korn's strengths and weaknesses. "Rather than being prudent in fiscal spending, he works hard in securing funds to finance the government's social projects

Yes he does/did but the banks put up all sort of roadblocks

The problem encountered with trying to buy Thai Government Savings Bonds, which the government announced over the public radio, June 2010.

When I went to the Bank to buy a Government Savings Bond nobody of the employees, including the manager, displayed they had any knowledge of the sale and told me, “you are mistaken, there is no Thai Government Saving Bond for sale”.

My help came by way of one of the employees whose relative lives were I live and knows me, she informed the not knowers, “Yes it is on the radio several times a day for the past few days” and she told one of the employees to phone the Bank HQ for information. The answer was, “Yes there are Thai Government Saving Bonds for sale.

Upon my insistence finally it was decided to sale me a Thai Government Savings Bond.

Next hurdle, were are the procedures? No procedures. Phone HQ again to fax the procedures. After the Bank employees reading the procedures, it was, “Were is the APPLICATION FORM”. NO FORM. Phone HQ again to fax the FORM.

This whole charade did take one and half hour of my time, a procedure that should not take more than 10-minutes to complete the application form.

When I arrive back home I told the secretary to change the money in the accounts she administers for which she receives “peanuts” and buy Thai Government Savings Bonds.

Next day she went to the Bank to place some of the account money in Thai Government Savings Bonds. The Bank employees wasted about a half hour of her time convincing her to leave the money in the Bank “peanuts” interest rate account. She is a Thai, not like me farang, she persevered and had the form completed to buy Thai Government Savings Bond.

The handwriting is clearly on the wall. Thai Banks do not want to give up the money for which they pay “peanuts” interest while ripping off the borrowers with usurious interest rates. It is very obvious; the banks are of the opinion that it is their money, not the account name’s money.

I have accounts with Thai Banks for some forty-years, but to the Bank forty year amounts to nothing more when you are a farang as one that walks in the door to change foreign currency for Thai Baht.

So Mr. Korn does not have an enviable job in trying to get the PRIVATE Thai Banks to comply with rules and regulations. No different than the Thai Highway Police has in trying to get Thai and also farang drivers to comply with and follow road rules and regulations the example we just did see the other day on the DongMuang Elevated Highway with 9 death and 6-seriously wounded through reckless driving by a 15 or 16 year old juvenile.

[Arkady]

So Mr. Korn does not have an enviable job in trying to get the PRIVATE Thai Banks to comply with rules and regulations. No different than the Thai Highway Police has in trying to get Thai and also farang drivers to comply with and follow road rules and regulations the example we just did see the other day on the DongMuang Elevated Highway with 9 death and 6-seriously wounded through reckless driving by a 15 or 16 year old juvenile.

Financial supervision is nothing to do with the Ministry of Finance. It has everything to do with the Bank of Thailand. This tedious rant about a trivial personal transaction is irrelevant to the topic.

[gamini]

I have never heard of the guy outside of seeing him speak on CNN once - IIRC he spoke English with no accent and was very well spoken and seemed like a very intelligent guy. I had a good impression of him.

He was born in England and educated at Winchester and Oxford. His father was a distinguished finance ministry official who retired as director-general of the Customs Department.

Very interesting. Now we have the two most important government leaders in this country born and educated at the best institutes in England. Where they were no doubt taught as I was, the importance of honesty and transparancy. My hope for 2011 is that we see them leading this country or a long time in the future.

Some claim they came to power with the support of the military. To this I say they did not need the military to come to power, but were supported by them because they were a vast and needed change from the previous corrupt leaders.

[HC82]

That is interesting. I hope they stay in power for a long time as well - some western educated and thinking folks running this country could do some good.

[HC82]

From Wikipedia:

While at St. John's College, he was a classmate of Abhisit Vejjajiva.^[5]

They've been planning this for decades!

[swerver]

So Mr. Korn does not have an enviable job in trying to get the PRIVATE Thai Banks to comply with rules and regulations. No different than the Thai Highway Police has in trying to get Thai and also farang drivers to comply with and follow road rules and regulations the example we just did see the other day on the DongMuang Elevated Highway with 9 death and 6-seriously wounded through reckless driving by a 15 or 16 year old juvenile.

Financial supervision is nothing to do with the Ministry of Finance. It has everything to do with the Bank of Thailand. This tedious rant about a trivial personal transaction is irrelevant to the topic.

There seem to be some people on this Forum like, George W. Bush, who also can read but does not understand what it is about, that’s why he was dubbed “DUBYA” when he was US President because he tended to turn completely incoherent when he did speak without a script. It was also reason when he was USAF pilot why he was not send to Vietnam because if in an emergency consulting the aircraft Ops Manual nobody was sure he would understand the procedure how to rectify the emergency.

In the education profession it is called - dys·lex·i·a [diss léksee ə]

noun

impaired ability to understand written language: a learning disorder marked by a severe difficulty in recognizing and understanding written language, leading to spelling and writing problems. It is not caused by low intelligence or brain damage.

There is nowhere any mention that Korn is in charge of the Bank of Thailand.

Korn is the Finance Minister of Thailand and as the Finance Minister of the country he is authorized to make proposals to the Bank of Thailand which the Head of the Bank of Thailand can accept or reject. The rejection must be accompanied with a valid reason for rejecting. The Gov. Savings Bonds referred to originated with the Finance Minister.