Thai Election Promises Evaporate In Cold Light Of Reality: Watchdog

[Crushdepth]

I don't think anyone is surprised that the policies have been dumped. It's just the in-your-face way they did it.

[PatOngo]

..................the candidate declared black IS white and white IS black and after much thought and discussion,low and behold the majority agreed....................

[Crushdepth]

I have no views about Thai Politics, as I am only a long term guest here, but I said 4 years ago "Taksin WILL be back." I will be proved right.

Considering the man is only in his 50s, i don't think making the prediction that at some point, he will return, is really sticking your neck out.

Being a billionaire and owning your own political party helps a bit too.

[Crushdepth]

Here we go!

The deputy leader [Plodprasop Suraswadi] added that the minimum wage would be raised to 1,000 baht per day within nine years in order to keep pace with Singapore’s economy as well as in an effort to wipe out poverty in Thailand within 10 years

If you can't sell the first lie...lie bigger! This carrot can be dangled for the next two elections. Shingapore, here we come

[rixalex]

I don't think anyone is surprised that the policies have been dumped. It's just the in-your-face way they did it.

I'm surprised they couldn't have stalled from doing the back-pedal so quickly, to give time for the electorate's memory of all the campaigning BS they spewed to fade just a little.

[rixalex]

If you can't sell the first lie...lie bigger!

To be accurate though CD, they did sell the first lie.. and very successfully.

[noahvail]

Here we go!

The deputy leader [Plodprasop Suraswadi] added that the minimum wage would be raised to 1,000 baht per day within nine years in order to keep pace with Singapore's economy as well as in an effort to wipe out poverty in Thailand within 10 years

If you can't sell the first lie...lie bigger! This carrot can be dangled for the next two elections. Shingapore, here we come

Yup, a mere 14.5% (compounded annually) increase in the minimum wage for 9 years. Without plans for improving productivity, it's a nice road map for hyperinflation.

[jdinasia]

The amusing thing is that there are some people on TVF that thought not only would PTP be able to accomplish the stated goals, but that they were even achievable and not hollow promises to get votes. ((Note -- campaign promises and vote-buying are 2 different things, another point that some posters seem to be missing!)

[rucus7]

Well the ThaiVisa malcontents are out in force once again. It seems like they just love to quibble. I think the term "promises broken" is being used a little too freely today. How can anyone not believe that the PTP did not genuinely desire to raise the minimum wage to 300 Baht per day? Likewise with the gas tax/levy, it would have put some extra money in everyone's pocket. Just because reality raised its ugly head, doesn't mean that the PTP's heart was not on the right place. Somehow it feels like nit-picking to suggest that the PTP knew it would/could not fulfill these ideas(promises?) Are the malcontents implying falsehoods may have been perpetrated on the Thai voters? Seems like a case of sour grapes to me.

Edited July 16, 2011 by rucus7

[whybother]

Well the ThaiVisa malcontents are out in force once again. It seems like they just love to quibble. I think the term "promises broken" is being used a little too freely today. How can anyone not believe that the PTP did not genuinely desire to raise the minimum wage to 300 Baht per hour? Likewise with the gas tax/levy, it would have put some extra money in everyone's pocket. Just because reality raised its ugly head, doesn't mean that the PTP's heart was not on the right place. Somehow it feels like nit-picking to suggest tht the PTP knew it would/could not fulfill these ideas(promises?) Are the malcontents implying falsehoods may have been perpetrated on the Thai voters? Seems like a case of sour grapes to me.

"Are the malcontents implying falsehoods may have been perpetrated on the Thai voters? " - Ummm ... Yes.

Are you suggesting it's completely OK for a party to promise things that they simply can't deliver?

[jdinasia]

Well the ThaiVisa malcontents are out in force once again. It seems like they just love to quibble. I think the term "promises broken" is being used a little too freely today. How can anyone not believe that the PTP did not genuinely desire to raise the minimum wage to 300 Baht per hour? Likewise with the gas tax/levy, it would have put some extra money in everyone's pocket. Just because reality raised its ugly head, doesn't mean that the PTP's heart was not on the right place. Somehow it feels like nit-picking to suggest tht the PTP knew it would/could not fulfill these ideas(promises?) Are the malcontents implying falsehoods may have been perpetrated on the Thai voters? Seems like a case of sour grapes to me.

"Are the malcontents implying falsehoods may have been perpetrated on the Thai voters? " - Ummm ... Yes.

Are you suggesting it's completely OK for a party to promise things that they simply can't deliver?

Reality today and reality last month simply isn't different. Promising something that was unrealistic to sway votes is simply a lie. The problem is that the Dems had realistic proposals on the table and PTP had to lie.

[rucus7]

Are you suggesting it's completely OK for a party to promise things that they simply can't deliver?

Our definition of "promise" may differ.

[whybother]

Are you suggesting it's completely OK for a party to promise things that they simply can't deliver?

Our definition of "promise" may differ.

"Vote for us because we are going to do X."

Don't you think that if you vote for them, then they should do X?

[MrRed]

JDinasia,i would give up with your political arguments in Thailand as proved you are totally out of touch with reality.

"((Note -- campaign promises and vote-buying are 2 different things, another point that some posters seem to be missing!) "

This is ingrained in Thai politics and will not change for a long long time also both sides do it and have done it...................so what is your argument? bitterness because your own views where way of the mark this month.

[EyesWideOpen]

This just gets funnier by the day, in a sort of cruel ironic way. Promise the kwai dang endless stuff, such as credit cards, high wages, etc. etc. etc, then hand them 500 baht each to vote for you. Then once in office, fart in their faces by not doing anything you promised . There may be another red uprising coming soon, but it may be directed at the lying " leaders"........

[metisdead]

A post has been removed as a poster made his reply to a post inside the quote tags. When replying to certain parts of a post, learn how to use the Insert quotation feature.

[Crushdepth]

This just gets funnier by the day, in a sort of cruel ironic way. Promise the kwai dang endless stuff, such as credit cards, high wages, etc. etc. etc, then hand them 500 baht each to vote for you. Then once in office, fart in their faces by not doing anything you promised . There may be another red uprising coming soon, but it may be directed at the lying " leaders"........

Let's face it, it was *red shirt* blood on the floor that got PTP into office. If they are denied cabinet representation (or maybe, not let out of jail and PTP casually tosses aside their electoral promises, they do have some pretty huge grounds for complaint. It's not too hard to imagine the movement becoming a thorn in the side of the new government. I might even cheer them on.

[rixalex]

Apparently you feel it may be more than a case of sour grapes. Because to me, it seems like the same old song and dance. After every election the chronic complainers appear.

Are you a politician? I ask because it's about the only type of person i can think of who would argue that people shouldn't complain when a party makes a promise and then breaks it.

[letitbe]

The only question worth asking is: "Who will get the blame for the PTP not honouring their promises?"

Because it won't be the fault of PTP or Thaksin.

Ive lived here over 15 years and brought up 2 children during that time. I can honestly say ive never seen Thailand so divided so bitter and ive never before believed their was any real risk of Civil war. maybe its age but im now for first time in over 15 years here making plans to move my family out . I hope I dont have to use those plans and somehow the Thai people will find a way to defeat Taksin and his plan to turn Thailand into his own personal state. The brainwashed will just continue to adore their idol Taksin. The red shirt radio is already saying its all Dems fault they cant implement what they said and so Taksins great propaganda machine continues to roll. I did not think Taksin could come back but that was my naivety in believing surely a majority will see past his evil intentions. I now predict with almost certainty that Taksin will be back before end of year. His case will be retired and him found not guilty within 1 year. Yinglik will be replaced by him as PM within 2 years probably first being replaced by someone else by end of this year. His properaganda machine will be running full belt showing the people he is only one who can save the deteriorating situation and then all hell will be let loose with all out insurrection from his large number of opponents. Weather the army will take over or Taksins reds will win is debatable. I am more than ever sadly convinced my decision to liquidate what I can and get my money out is the only sensible course of action.

[whybother]

Apparently you feel it may be more than a case of sour grapes. Because to me, it seems like the same old song and dance. After every election the chronic complainers appear.

So for you, it's irrelevant what the politicians say to get elected, once they're elected everything they said can be ignored, and no one should complain about it?

I'm not sure what world you live in, but in most places if the politicians fail to honour their promises, they get canned for it.

[letitbe]

This just gets funnier by the day, in a sort of cruel ironic way. Promise the kwai dang endless stuff, such as credit cards, high wages, etc. etc. etc, then hand them 500 baht each to vote for you. Then once in office, fart in their faces by not doing anything you promised . There may be another red uprising coming soon, but it may be directed at the lying " leaders"........

Let's face it, it was *red shirt* blood on the floor that got PTP into office. If they are denied cabinet representation (or maybe, not let out of jail and PTP casually tosses aside their electoral promises, they do have some pretty huge grounds for complaint. It's not too hard to imagine the movement becoming a thorn in the side of the new government. I might even cheer them on.

I hate to admit it but id probably be with you on that cheering them on and laughing all the way to airport at stupidity of their supporters but then that devil in my head but maybe better than a one party Taksin state within 5-10 years

[nodomino]

The cold light of reality suggests that the ruling elites of Thailand constitute a kleptocracy. That is the nature of politics which is at its core just a system to determine who gets the money and who gets the knife. It is no different anywhere else regardless of the operational fictions that pertain. In America, 1 percent of the population holds 40 percent of the wealth and is determined to get more of the pie and is succeeding. The European 'democracy's' are more or less similarly constituted even though their privileged leadership espouses support for socialistic values and its egaltarian assumptions. Currently 'democratic' governments around the globe are trying to enforce the idea of austerity (getting on with less) to their populations even though the privileged and the leadership has no such intention for itself. In Thailand expectations are high among the masses for 'getting more' through democracy. All the players in the political process here have encouraged this belief. Campaign promises are the clearest example of this charade and it also illuminates and heightens the danger of raising expectations that no political player here would in fact support.

[EyesWideOpen]

The truly sad part is that the red shirts / poor people have legitimate issues, when 60 families own 75 % of the country. Instead of having real red shirt leaders to address these concerns and bring about equality, Thaksin comes in with his own agenda, which is to get back in power by hiding behind the red shirt movement. The red shirts were simply used as cannon fodder to get him back in office, which they are probably realizing about now. I also suspect their 500 baht is long gone as well..... I actually feel sad for Thailand, and its people. For the farangs, we can just pack out bags , jump on a jet and leave. Whatever happens in the future, the Thai people will be stuck with it.......

[jdinasia]

Our definition of "promise" may differ.

Our definitions of reality also seem to differ, since the PTP promises never were realistic.

[hansnl]

What do you expect from a party that has been dissolved twice for electoral fraud, scores of politicians banned for cheating, a leader who's on the run from corruption and power-abuse charges and sons who murder in broad daylight?

Get what they deserve!

What can you expect from a party with leaders like that, and what can you expect from voters who believe the promises made by that party.

A people will get the government they deserve.

So sorry.

[hansnl]

The truly sad part is that the red shirts / poor people have legitimate issues, when 60 families own 75 % of the country. Instead of having real red shirt leaders to address these concerns and bring about equality, Thaksin comes in with his own agenda, which is to get back in power by hiding behind the red shirt movement. The red shirts were simply used as cannon fodder to get him back in office, which they are probably realizing about now. I also suspect their 500 baht is long gone as well..... I actually feel sad for Thailand, and its people. For the farangs, we can just pack out bags , jump on a jet and leave. Whatever happens in the future, the Thai people will be stuck with it.......

Hear hear

However, what about the farangs that are obliged to stay?

[rucus7]

The cold light of reality suggests that the ruling elites of Thailand constitute a kleptocracy. That is the nature of politics which is at its core just a system to determine who gets the money and who gets the knife. It is no different anywhere else regardless of the operational fictions that pertain. In America, 1 percent of the population holds 40 percent of the wealth and is determined to get more of the pie and is succeeding. The European 'democracy's' are more or less similarly constituted even though their privileged leadership espouses support for socialistic values and its egaltarian assumptions. Currently 'democratic' governments around the globe are trying to enforce the idea of austerity (getting on with less) to their populations even though the privileged and the leadership has no such intention for itself. In Thailand expectations are high among the masses for 'getting more' through democracy. All the players in the political process here have encouraged this belief. Campaign promises are the clearest example of this charade and it also illuminates and heightens the danger of raising expectations that no political player here would in fact support.

This post is really a breath of fresh air. I have to admit though, I had to look up kleptocracy.

[rixalex]

This is ingrained in Thai politics and will not change for a long long time also both sides do it and have done it...................so what is your argument? bitterness because your own views where way of the mark this month.

Just because a person or a party that you don't like wins the vote, doesn't mean you are bitter or that your views suddenly become "way of the mark".

Just because Thatcher won the vote in the UK, i didn't feel like i had made a mistake in my opinion or that i had somehow misjudged her. And I'm sure were i American, i would have felt the exact same way when George W became President.

[REM]

Hhmm, I hope the Thai's learn this is a good reason to question the promises that are made by politicians, and not blindly listen to what they say. That way, they can gauge how empty they are. All of this information on the mechanics of each promise would have probably changed some peoples minds on election day.

But, give it another 13 days, and all of them will have forgotten what promises were even made! Hello higher water prices, and same salary!!!!

[rucus7]

Our definition of "promise" may differ.

Our definitions of reality also seem to differ, since the PTP promises never were realistic.

And I didn't suggest they were.