Poll Says Government Policies Are Unraveling

[Crushdepth]

.

More "unraveling" today with the 300 baht minimum wage.

Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong related no private employers can be forced to comply with PTP's promise.

He said that while PTP wants to have their promise fulfilled, he admits their government is powerless to demand compliance.

Why not pass a law or amend existing legislation to enforce the new minimum wage?

They aren't powerless, they just don't give a shit - now that the poor have voted.

[elgato]

I'm still waiting to hear the roar of the printing presses when they start to print the money for all these promised higher wages - and don't forget to print a few extra to bail out the farmer's credit cards.

[Ricardo]

.

More "unraveling" today with the 300 baht minimum wage.

Commerce Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong related no private employers can be forced to comply with PTP's promise.

He said that while PTP wants to have their promise fulfilled, he admits their government is powerless to demand compliance.

Why not pass a law or amend existing legislation to enforce the new minimum wage?

They aren't powerless, they just don't give a shit - now that the poor have voted.

Quite. How can the new government be powerless, the PTP has 53% of MPs & the coalition in-total about 60%, yet they're truly unable to pass the legislation to deliver upon one of their key pre-election promises ? Poppycock !

And lest-we-forget the promise is, regardless of its likely-effect on inflation or unemployment, an immediate universal national minimum-wage of 300B/day for all employees, not just government-workers !

Admittedly shortly after the election, DL then stated that it would only be Bangkok & Phuket & a few more states, which would get the new rate. But the PTP continued to promise it across-the-board. Only to suddenly change their minds later-on, and issue a watered-down commitment which is remarkably similar to DL's instruction, and very-considerably short of their pre/post-election policy.

[Buchholz]

It's all just been a pedantic misunderstanding with the 300 baht minimum wage.... errr, 300 baht minimum income, as they are calling it now...

.

[Buchholz]

PM quizzed on Bt300 wage

During Parliament yesterday, Yala Democrat MP Prasert Pongsuwanasiri asked about the Bt300 daily minimum wage - to which Labour Minister Phadermchai Sasomsap replied the government had actually promised voters that "labourers will get Bt300."

In his question to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Prasert said the Pheu Thai Party used the word "minimum wage" during the election campaign and later changed it to "income" - as "minimum wage" was net payment for work while "income" could include work payments and other welfare. He wondered when the government would deliver the Bt300 wage.

Prasert said the voter-wooing campaign promised to increase the minimum wage to Bt300 nationwide right away, but only seven pilot provinces have so far received it such as Phuket with a rise from Bt221 per day to Bt310.

Phadermchai, answering on the premier's behalf, said the government had campaigned by promising only "labourers will get Bt300."

The hike in income to Bt300 must wait for the consent from tri parties and undergo the annual budgeting for fiscal year 2012, combined with the individual income tax reduction from 30 per cent to 23 per cent next year and 20 per cent soon.

He said it would take 34 years before all provinces received the Bt300 income per day.

-- The Nation 2011-09-16

[mca]

He said it would take 34 years before all provinces received the Bt300 income per day.

-- The Nation 2011-09-16

Well it's either a case of having a minimum wage that will just about buy a can of Coke or once again the Nation are showing their professionalism in journalism by resurrecting Ray Charles as a proofreader.

[moe666]

Nothing new here make a lot of promises and then say we didn't say that.

[Buchholz]

Nothing new here make a lot of promises and then say we didn't say that.

Interesting that in Thailand, breaking election promises is illegal, according to the Organic Act on Election of Members of House of Representatives and Installation of Senators.

[Buchholz]

More unraveling with the first time home buyer scam has just had the ceiling limit raised to 5 million baht from 3 million baht.

Apparently not enough skimming can occur with the lower priced homes.

Up to 500,000 Baht can now be written off as a tax deduction.

The scheme will cost taxpayers 2,000,000,000 Baht in lost revenue.

The buyers will also get a tax deduction of 100,000 Baht every year for interest rate payments on mortgages.

Yah for the Poor.

[ovaltina]

Phadermchai, answering on the premier's behalf

I'm truly shocked & surprised to see that the PM didn't step into the ring herself, to field questions with her incisive rapier-like ripostes, like the heavyweight intellectual that she so totally is.

I didn't see her answer many questions before the election, even physically jumping out of the way of a Uk news team who asked "could you spare a few minutes to talk about your campaign" , and now she can totally avoid questions by assigning them to older and/or wiser assistants, the same way that the upper-class have done across the world since forever. I'm reminded of Jeeves & Wooster, the classic books, with the aristocratic mumbling idiot Wooster who cant tie his shoelaces let alone tie a sentence together, and his assistant who has to do all the talking and organising behind the scenes to keep the whole sham afloat.

I couldn't believe she was any more of a Thaksin remote-controlled cyborg votemachine even if she had little antennas poking out of her pretty little head and went "bzzzzt" every few seconds.

[whybother]

Education Ministry seek bt470 billion

By Supinda Na Mahachai

The Nation

The Education Ministry is seeking Bt470-billion for its operations in the 2012 fiscal year. This is Bt60 billion more than the initial budget plan.

"We have tried to keep the requested budget amount within the initial framework but there are many projects that we need to implement," Education Minister Woravat Au-apinyakul explained yesterday.

One of the projects was the One Tablet PC Per Child. He said this project would need Bt3.7 billion in the 2012 year. Of this, Bt700 million would be for the Office of Private Education Commission.

"But children in the private education sector will be given a choice. If they don't want tablet PCs from the state, they can choose something else from the list of items we are going to offer," Woravat said.

Previously, he said each tablet PC would range between Bt2,000 and Bt3,000 in price and Pathom-1 students would get the devices first.

Woravat said the request had already been given to the Budget Bureau, and it "may revise it down".

The Budget Bureau said the Basic Education Commission has requested Bt279.46 billion while the Vocational Education Commission has asked for Bt30.03 billion. The Higher Education Commission has sought Bt110.5 billion, the Education Council has requested Bt404 million, and the Ministry's Office of the Permanent Secretary has asked for Bt47.98 billion.

-- The Nation 2011-09-20

[whybother]

"But children in the private education sector will be given a choice. If they don't want tablet PCs from the state, they can choose something else from the list of items we are going to offer," Woravat said.

More unravelling?

How can they have a consistent approach to education if not all the students in a class have a tablet?

[Buchholz]

each tablet PC would range between Bt2,000 and Bt3,000 in price and Pathom-1 students would get the devices first

.

2,000 doesn't buy much in the laptop industry

.

Edited September 20, 2011 by Buchholz

[rametindallas]

Studies show increasingthe minimum wage increases the poverty rate on news that employers only hire asmany people as they can afford to

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/16/opinion/saltsman-minimum-wage/index.html?hpt=us_mid

[Buchholz]

THB 15,000 salary payment for civil servants to be postponed to 2014

BANGKOK, 11 April 2012 (NNT) – The Cabinet has during yesterday's meeting decided to complete the implementation of the THB 15,000 salary base for civil servants with a bachelor’s degree by January 2014 as well as adjust salaries of other types of employees upwards .

The minimum salary of civil servants with bachelor’s degrees will be raised to THB13,300 in January 2013 and to THB15,000 in 2014.

Those holding high vocational diplomas and vocational diplomas will be paid THB10,200 and 8,300 respectively in 2013. Their salaries will increase to THB11,500 and 9,400 in 2014.

The budgets required is THB5 billion in the first year and THB7 billion in the second year.

-- NNT 2012-04-11

[siampolee]

Yet again we see that the promises made to garner votes were indeed on a par with Grimms Fairy Tales.

[Buchholz]

Yet again we see that the promises made to garner votes were indeed on a par with Grimms Fairy Tales.

Indeed, one by one, they seem to be either fluttering away to nothingness or delayed for multiple years with nearly equal results as if they had been done away with.

[Buchholz]

Civil Servants' 15,000 baht Monthly Salary Hike Postponed to 2014

The Cabinet has decided to postpone the 15,000 baht month salary raise for civil servants to 2014.

Instead, the government will spend 6.6 billion baht in the 2013 fiscal year to help state employees affected by the high cost of living.

Secretary-General of Civil Service Commission Nontigorn Karnjanajitra has announced that the Cabinet has approved the monthly salary raise for the government employees as proposed by the commission.

The pay hike will be implemented in two steps during the next two years. Under the new pay rate, bachelor degree holders will receive a 13,300 baht monthly salary in 2013, which will increase to 15,000 baht from 2014.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-11

[hellodolly]

Civil Servants' 15,000 baht Monthly Salary Hike Postponed to 2014

The Cabinet has decided to postpone the 15,000 baht month salary raise for civil servants to 2014.

Instead, the government will spend 6.6 billion baht in the 2013 fiscal year to help state employees affected by the high cost of living.

Secretary-General of Civil Service Commission Nontigorn Karnjanajitra has announced that the Cabinet has approved the monthly salary raise for the government employees as proposed by the commission.

The pay hike will be implemented in two steps during the next two years. Under the new pay rate, bachelor degree holders will receive a 13,300 baht monthly salary in 2013, which will increase to 15,000 baht from 2014.

-- Tan Network 2011-04-11

So they admit the cost of living is high and they have no intention of doing any thing about it just pass out more money to a few and promise more to the rest of the people some day.

[phiphidon]

Nothing new here make a lot of promises and then say we didn't say that.

Interesting that in Thailand, breaking election promises is illegal, according to the Organic Act on Election of Members of House of Representatives and Installation of Senators.

Really, which section?

Here's Section 53 if you had that in mind - show me where breaking election "promises" is illegal, or alternatively show us which section and where.

Section 53 Neither candidate nor any person shall commit any act to induce a voter to

cast a vote for him or her or another candidate or any political party or to abstain from voting

for any candidate or political party by the following means:

(1) providing, giving, offering, promising to give or preparing to give properties or

any other benefits which can be calculated in money value to any person;

(2) giving, offering or promising to give money, properties or any other benefits

whether directly or indirectly to a community, association, foundation, temple, education

institution, asylum or any other institution;

(3) campaigning for an election by organizing an entertainment or other fair;

(4) treating or promising to treat any person;

(5) cheating, compelling, threatening, using influence to slandering or inducing the

misunderstanding in the popularity of any candidate or political party.

An offense under (1) or (2) shall be an offense under the Anti-Money Laundering Act

and the Election Commission shall have the power to submit such offense to the Anti-Money

Laundering Office.

http://www.google.co...iw=1280&bih=641

[tlansford]

Nothing new here make a lot of promises and then say we didn't say that.

Interesting that in Thailand, breaking election promises is illegal, according to the Organic Act on Election of Members of House of Representatives and Installation of Senators.

Really, which section?

Here's Section 53 if you had that in mind - show me where breaking election "promises" is illegal, or alternatively show us which section and where.

Section 53 Neither candidate nor any person shall commit any act to induce a voter to

cast a vote for him or her or another candidate or any political party or to abstain from voting

for any candidate or political party by the following means:

(1) providing, giving, offering, promising to give or preparing to give properties or

any other benefits which can be calculated in money value to any person;

(2) giving, offering or promising to give money, properties or any other benefits

whether directly or indirectly to a community, association, foundation, temple, education

institution, asylum or any other institution;

(3) campaigning for an election by organizing an entertainment or other fair;

(4) treating or promising to treat any person;

(5) cheating, compelling, threatening, using influence to slandering or inducing the

misunderstanding in the popularity of any candidate or political party.

An offense under (1) or (2) shall be an offense under the Anti-Money Laundering Act

and the Election Commission shall have the power to submit such offense to the Anti-Money

Laundering Office.

http://www.google.co...iw=1280&bih=641

Funny how raising the minimum wage "too fast" was wrong, now raising it in 2 steps is wrong. It would seem as if everything is wrong.

I wonder if Bucholtz noticed that the minimum wage was raised to 300 B in 7 provinces and by 39.5% in the other 70. Or maybe he still thinks that will take 3 years?

[Buchholz]

I wonder if Bucholtz noticed that the minimum wage was raised to 300 B in 7 provinces and by 39.5% in the other 70. Or maybe he still thinks that will take 3 years?

It's Buchholz and I'm still waiting for you to supply a credible media report of your earlier claim, which, btw, differs from what you are claiming now.

Do you have one yet?

.

Edited April 11, 2012 by Buchholz

[Skywalker69]

Now the reality is setting in...

'What have we done!!'

Exactly, all this in order to win the election, no matter how much the

Thai people has to pay in the end.

Just to whitewash Thaksin.

[Buchholz]

Dusit Poll: Debts Increase Despite Higher Pay

The latest Suan Dusit Poll showed that despite higher pay, most people are still in debt and have no savings left due to the rising cost of living.

The Dusit Poll organized by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University revealed the results of a recent survey asking for the opinions of people who have received a higher daily minimum wage and salary in accordance with the government’s policy that took effect since April 1.

The survey was conducted among 1,206 workers in Bangkok and its vicinity during April 5 to 10.

The poll found that 45.38 percent of the respondents used most of the higher pay to buy food and necessary items in daily life, 22.69 percent used the money to pay by installments for home, car, motorcycle, and electrical appliances, while only 10.08 percent used the money to pay education fees.

Almost 45 percent have no savings, and have both formal and informal debts, as their incomes are not enough to cover their expenses.

About 36.90 percent are saving less as they have high spending, while 37.72 percent take on more debts, and 35.33 percent have no debt, as they adhere to His Majesty the King's principle on economic sufficiency and have savings for use when needed.

The poll also found out that 66.32 percent of respondents said they spend less on ornament, perfume, and cosmetics because other things are more necessary in their lives than those materialistic luxuries.

Over 57.17 percent have spent less money on entertainment such as going to see a movie, listening to songs, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

-- Tan Network 2012-04-12

[animatic]

Nothing new here make a lot of promises and then say we didn't say that.

Interesting that in Thailand, breaking election promises is illegal, according to the Organic Act on Election of Members of House of Representatives and Installation of Senators.

Really, which section?

Here's Section 53 if you had that in mind - show me where breaking election "promises" is illegal, or alternatively show us which section and where.

Section 53 Neither candidate nor any person shall commit any act to induce a voter to

cast a vote for him or her or another candidate or any political party or to abstain from voting

for any candidate or political party by the following means:

(1) providing, giving, offering, promising to give or preparing to give properties or

any other benefits which can be calculated in money value to any person;

(2) giving, offering or promising to give money, properties or any other benefits

whether directly or indirectly to a community, association, foundation, temple, education

institution, asylum or any other institution;

(3) campaigning for an election by organizing an entertainment or other fair;

(4) treating or promising to treat any person;

(5) cheating, compelling, threatening, using influence to slandering or inducing the

misunderstanding in the popularity of any candidate or political party.

An offense under (1) or (2) shall be an offense under the Anti-Money Laundering Act

and the Election Commission shall have the power to submit such offense to the Anti-Money

Laundering Office.

http://www.google.co...iw=1280&bih=641

A shame you can't read the articles and see what they mean.

(1) providing, giving, offering,

promising to give or preparing to give properties

or any other benefits

which can be calculated in money value

to any person;

(2) giving, offering or promising to give money, properties or any other benefits

whetherdirectly or indirectly to a community, association, foundation,

temple, education institution, asylum or any other institution;

Doesn't get much clearer than that.

Tablets have monetary value.

Mortgages for low cost house have value.

A specific raise in the salaries is a monetary value.

If they do NOT do it when stated it is an offer that they backed out on

or a promise not kept. 2014 is not when the voters had in mind.

The promises were illegal, and breaking them is no less illegal.

The words are "Election Fraud".

Promises to give something that is not legal to give and then not giving it.

Fraud times 2.

Edited April 12, 2012 by animatic