Abhisit Concerned Over Pheu Thai's Salary Scheme

[Lite Beer]

Abhisit concerned over Pheu Thai's salary scheme

BANGKOK, 21 August 2011 (NNT)-Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was particularly concerned with Pheu Thai’s policy on economy and foreign affairs while showing no concerns over the corruption accusation during his administration.

According to Mr. Abhisit, party members have been selected for the debate tomorrow when Pheu Thai delivers its policy statement. Mr. Suthep Thuagsuban is expected to open the debate on stability issue while Mr. Korn Chatikavanij will do the same on economy.

Mr. Abhisit will reportedly deliver an opening speech and conclude the issues raised by Democrat members during the House meeting tomorrow. However, Mr. Abhisit said the policy on raising undergraduate salary and minimum wage to 15,000 THB and 300 THB as well as free tablet PC for students worried him.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Leader responded to the lawsuit against his Party filed by Mr. Surapong Torwijakchaikul, the Foreign Minister that he should also sue the Japanese government too for saying the Thai government had asked for a favor over a visa entry for Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr. Abhisit believed the Foreign Minister had clearly abused his power and many had voiced their opinions that he should step down from his position. Regarding Mr. Thaksin’s visit to Cambodia, the former Prime Minister is pleading Mr. Thaksin not to travel to the neighboring nation in the name of the Thai government.

Mr. Abhisit also expressed no concerns over the corruption accusation regarding 172 projects initiated during his administration, saying that the former ministers involved would be able to clarify the matter to the House.

-- NNT 2011-08-21

[Soutpeel]

"the Foreign Minister that he should also sue the Japanese government too for saying the Thai government had asked for a favor over a visa entry for Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra"

....good answer...

[REM]

The PTP is turning out to show just what they're worth, what Jutaporn called 'the wise street sweepers'. Idiots! Can I sue the Thai government for it's policies if they can sue Japan?

[slapout]

What 'salary scheme', they seem to be postponing, backtracking and internal party agreement appears lacking. As some member mentioned on another topic, 'watching a slow motion train wreck'. Politicians seem to have a knack for putting their foot into their mouth, I doubt this group will be different. Just get out of the way when they think they have clear sailing, and are going downhill, as the resulting crash may be horrendous.

[OzMick]

This week a lot of Thais are expecting to hear when they are going to get a major pay-rise, either through the graduate scheme, the B300 minimum wage, or expected flow-ons for those already on a higher rate. What I expect to hear is a lot of waffle about implementation, consultation, further study, etc ...............which the opposition will accurately translate as "it ain't happening".

The changes to the oil fund levy are ready to go, though the funding is not yet clear, but likely to be govt borrowing of around B36 billion. Korn will quite likely point out that the fat cat with the Porsche is getting B7 off his premium unleaded while Somchai with the Hilux get B2 off his diesel. Uh-huh.

Are PTP stupid enough to push through the corporate tax rate cut before the B300/day? Possibly.

Would people perhaps get angry when their pay rise evaporates and the goodies go to the rich, again?

I foresee the possibility of a hung parliament, coming soon to a lamp-post near you.

Edited August 21, 2011 by OzMick

[KhunBJ]

Would people perhaps get angry when their pay rise evaporates and the goodies go to the rich, again?

Nice to see that you are on the poor little people's side , agree with you on this .... but then the corporate tax has to be reduced so that Thailand can remain competitive with the other ASEAN countries

[OzMick]

Would people perhaps get angry when their pay rise evaporates and the goodies go to the rich, again?

Nice to see that you are on the poor little people's side , agree with you on this .... but then the corporate tax has to be reduced so that Thailand can remain competitive with the other ASEAN countries

That was NOT the reason given in the election campaign, it was tied directly to the B300/d min wage.

[DP25]

Would people perhaps get angry when their pay rise evaporates and the goodies go to the rich, again?

Nice to see that you are on the poor little people's side , agree with you on this .... but then the corporate tax has to be reduced so that Thailand can remain competitive with the other ASEAN countries

No it doesn't. Corporate taxes have to be reduced in order to reward PTP supporters. The MPs, large business owners, and international backers, not Somchai Street Warrior they left to rot in jail. It a gift to the elite for supporting Thaksin's pardon and getting his 76 billion baht back. They'll all make amazing profits at the expensive of society in general.

[Gonsalviz]

What 'salary scheme', they seem to be postponing, backtracking and internal party agreement appears lacking. As some member mentioned on another topic, 'watching a slow motion train wreck'. Politicians seem to have a knack for putting their foot into their mouth, I doubt this group will be different. Just get out of the way when they think they have clear sailing, and are going downhill, as the resulting crash may be horrendous.

When the economy in Thailand goes to hell on these schemes it will be good for me and you right? If your money comes from outside the country. My main concern is how bad the US economy will get.

[hammered]

Of course Abhisit is concerned. If they pull this off thats another million or two or three who wont vote Dem, and who will be right annoyed if the Dems and their mates try to stymie this in some underhand way of forcing the government out because of a visa. The whole thing is set up now as PTP are trying to help the poor and lower middle classes while the Dems and their allies try to prevent this. Very clever politics by PTP but potentially explosive if anyone decides to undo the current government before it has launched them all, linkage Im sure hasnt been missed by any player

[whybother]

Of course Abhisit is concerned. If they pull this off thats another million or two or three who wont vote Dem, and who will be right annoyed if the Dems and their mates try to stymie this in some underhand way of forcing the government out because of a visa. The whole thing is set up now as PTP are trying to help the poor and lower middle classes while the Dems and their allies try to prevent this. Very clever politics by PTP but potentially explosive if anyone decides to undo the current government before it has launched them all, linkage Im sure hasnt been missed by any player

"forcing the government out because of a visa" - No. Just forcing the Foreign Minister to step down because he requested the Japanese to give a fugitive a visa.

How are the Dems trying to prevent the PTP from helping the poor? They are just pointing out that the PTP policies will not help the poor because it will bring the country down in ruins.

[Colin Yai]

Of course Abhisit is concerned. If they pull this off thats another million or two or three who wont vote Dem, and who will be right annoyed if the Dems and their mates try to stymie this in some underhand way of forcing the government out because of a visa. The whole thing is set up now as PTP are trying to help the poor and lower middle classes while the Dems and their allies try to prevent this. Very clever politics by PTP but potentially explosive if anyone decides to undo the current government before it has launched them all, linkage Im sure hasnt been missed by any player

"forcing the government out because of a visa" - No. Just forcing the Foreign Minister to step down because he requested the Japanese to give a fugitive a visa.

How are the Dems trying to prevent the PTP from helping the poor? They are just pointing out that the PTP policies will not help the poor because it will bring the country down in ruins.

Yeah quite correct WB you called it right ,if the FM is found at fault he should go, as for helping the poor as you remarked you can hardly do that if the "well" is dry, now can you?.

[hammered]

Of course Abhisit is concerned. If they pull this off thats another million or two or three who wont vote Dem, and who will be right annoyed if the Dems and their mates try to stymie this in some underhand way of forcing the government out because of a visa. The whole thing is set up now as PTP are trying to help the poor and lower middle classes while the Dems and their allies try to prevent this. Very clever politics by PTP but potentially explosive if anyone decides to undo the current government before it has launched them all, linkage Im sure hasnt been missed by any player

"forcing the government out because of a visa" - No. Just forcing the Foreign Minister to step down because he requested the Japanese to give a fugitive a visa.

How are the Dems trying to prevent the PTP from helping the poor? They are just pointing out that the PTP policies will not help the poor because it will bring the country down in ruins.

My point is that PTP are playing very clever politics. Make sure your reconcilliation plans and timeline are wrapped in the timeline and plans to help the poor and lower middle class and anyone who decides to move against government to stop the reconcilliation plan also stops the plans to help the poor and lower middle class. Ergo a lot of angry people.

The poor who have seen prices in some cases double under the Abhisit regime while seeing a couple of extra baht a day are more likely to see the country already ruined by the Democrat policies and now hoping those who helped them before will do so again. It is where you look at things from. When prices were rising they were not helped and now when they are promised a rise, they see the Dems who didnt help them saying they shouldnt get a rise because it will mean prices will rise.

[whybother]

My point is that PTP are playing very clever politics. Make sure your reconcilliation plans and timeline are wrapped in the timeline and plans to help the poor and lower middle class and anyone who decides to move against government to stop the reconcilliation plan also stops the plans to help the poor and lower middle class. Ergo a lot of angry people.

The poor who have seen prices in some cases double under the Abhisit regime while seeing a couple of extra baht a day are more likely to see the country already ruined by the Democrat policies and now hoping those who helped them before will do so again. It is where you look at things from. When prices were rising they were not helped and now when they are promised a rise, they see the Dems who didnt help them saying they shouldnt get a rise because it will mean prices will rise.

Yep. They're playing clever politics ... and they'll ruin the country in the process.

[hammered]

My point is that PTP are playing very clever politics. Make sure your reconcilliation plans and timeline are wrapped in the timeline and plans to help the poor and lower middle class and anyone who decides to move against government to stop the reconcilliation plan also stops the plans to help the poor and lower middle class. Ergo a lot of angry people.

The poor who have seen prices in some cases double under the Abhisit regime while seeing a couple of extra baht a day are more likely to see the country already ruined by the Democrat policies and now hoping those who helped them before will do so again. It is where you look at things from. When prices were rising they were not helped and now when they are promised a rise, they see the Dems who didnt help them saying they shouldnt get a rise because it will mean prices will rise.

Yep. They're playing clever politics ... and they'll ruin the country in the process.

Maybe not. It makes them very hard to move against so they may get their brand of reconcilliation through which is not to everyone's taste but will enable the majority to move on. Interestingly Yingluck did indeed put the reconcilliation plan on the one year list today. At the FCCJ Thaksin was adamant the 2007 ("coupmakers" as he called it) constitution had to go. Be interesting to see if the people agree with him when the referendum comes up.

[Siripon]

Of course Abhisit is concerned. If they pull this off thats another million or two or three who wont vote Dem, and who will be right annoyed if the Dems and their mates try to stymie this in some underhand way of forcing the government out because of a visa. The whole thing is set up now as PTP are trying to help the poor and lower middle classes while the Dems and their allies try to prevent this. Very clever politics by PTP but potentially explosive if anyone decides to undo the current government before it has launched them all, linkage Im sure hasnt been missed by any player

i think you're overestimating the IQ of Pheua Thai.

They promised immediate implementation of the 300 baht minimum wage, that's not going to happen.

The same for the degree salary of 15,000 baht, and as for the tablet computer, they've already said only when the schools are ready!

Reneging on all their pledges.

The Democrats are not trying to stymie the policies, they're interested in the details and time frame.

The Democrats proposed a 2 step wage increase- a more realistic proposal, their crop intervention scheme is certainly better for farmers.

It's too early to say how the economy will pan out over the next 2 or 3 years but in my view Pheua Thai simply promised the earth to win the election-now they've go to deliver.

[hammered]

Of course Abhisit is concerned. If they pull this off thats another million or two or three who wont vote Dem, and who will be right annoyed if the Dems and their mates try to stymie this in some underhand way of forcing the government out because of a visa. The whole thing is set up now as PTP are trying to help the poor and lower middle classes while the Dems and their allies try to prevent this. Very clever politics by PTP but potentially explosive if anyone decides to undo the current government before it has launched them all, linkage Im sure hasnt been missed by any player

i think you're overestimating the IQ of Pheua Thai.

They promised immediate implementation of the 300 baht minimum wage, that's not going to happen.

The same for the degree salary of 15,000 baht, and as for the tablet computer, they've already said only when the schools are ready!

Reneging on all their pledges.

The Democrats are not trying to stymie the policies, they're interested in the details and time frame.

The Democrats proposed a 2 step wage increase- a more realistic proposal, their crop intervention scheme is certainly better for farmers.

It's too early to say how the economy will pan out over the next 2 or 3 years but in my view Pheua Thai simply promised the earth to win the election-now they've go to deliver.

Time frame should be clear today after the policy statement. I would think the timeframe for reconcilliation/charter change/amnesty will mirror that for all the popular stuff. That is what I mean any "accident" to prevent the charter change will also prevent the populist stuff making it through.