Shinawatra 'Ties Rewarded' At Finance

[plumeria]

The Dems are a very corrupt party but their corruption is not mentioned as meuch and is well hidden in the established side of corruption. Thaksin side corruption is maybe on the same level but is reported a lot more and is run through a less established system which is one reason why the establishment have heart attacks over them.

I think the reason why the Dems corruption is well hidden and less reported, isn't because of some conspiracy against the red side, but because it is far less blatant and obvious. Not to say that makes it any more excusable, but seeing as corruption is an accepted part of politics by much of the public, the key to it is not rubbing the stench under people's noses. The Dems in my opinion, do a better job of avoiding this. Thaksin's side on the other hand, don't seem to care who sees their dirty undergarments. I think this confidence/arrogance comes from having much of the population eating from their palms; gives them carte blanche. All well and good whilst you are in power. Problems arise when you are not. Thaksin already discovered this once.

Wow! Surprising number of intelligent posts on this thread today. You sure have a good understanding of the situation. The key is cleverness at reducing the footprint of your corruption.

[plumeria]

I really do not think corruption bothers Thais, I think corruption is a western concept, to a Thai what we call corrupt is simple normal behaviour, it is all part of a feudal culture onto which the trappings of democracy have been poorly grafted.

Yep, pretty much so. I think the title of my friend's book sums it up: "Thailand Through Western Eyes". Haven't read the book but the title fits.

[Buchholz]

Additional Cabinet appointments could be thread titled,

Shinawatra 'Ties Rewarded' at Government Lottery Office (GLO).

One of the new GLO Board members is Police Major-General Surasit Sangkapong, who was GLO Director-General during Thaksin's administration.

He was also a criminal fugitive for a time and when he eventually returned was convicted and sentenced to prison for two years for the offence of.... get this... corruption at General Lottery Office.

http://www.nationmul...cs_30113440.php

Additionally, Police General Surasit played a major role in Thaksin's Drug War:

Police Major General Surasit Sangkapong, was transferred to the position of Commissioner of the Crime Suppression Division. Surasit played a key role in the war on drugs, as a director of the police operation against drugs suspects

http://bangkokcrimes....com/#_ftnref38

Oh... and an additional Government Lottery Office Board member selected by the Yingluck's Cabinet is Weerapat Srichaiya. He's Potjaman's lawyer.

Was Surasit the guy who headed the extrajudicial killings of drug suspects?

passage regarding Thaksin's right-hand man from:

Extrajudicial killings of alleged drug dealers in Thailand

Asian Legal Resource Centre

Many killings occurred shortly after the victims had been called to a police station.

Suwit Baison, a 23 year-old assistant television cameraman kneeled down before Prime Minister Thaksin as he arrived at the Agriculture Ministry for a meeting on February 27. Suwit told Thaksin that his mother, Kwanla Puangchomphum, and stepfather, Thanom Montak, were shot dead on February 26 shortly after they left the Tha Chaliang police station in Nong Phai district, Phetchabun.

The couple had gone to pay a 5000 Baht fine for marijuana possession. His parents were shot while riding a motorcycle home, about five kilometers from the police station.

Witnesses said the gunman was driving a white sedan, which according to Suwit was spotted at the police station car park. With tears rolling down his cheeks and his voice trembling, Suwit handed a petition to Thaksin, asking for justice.

He said local police had dismissed the shootings as "drugs-related" and made no effort to conduct a proper investigation. The Prime Minister promised to look into the matter.

An hour later, Crime Suppression Division Commander Major-General Surasit Sangkapong talked to Suwit for about 10 minutes before they left together for further questioning at Surasit's office. Surasit said he would assign one of his deputies to investigate the shooting.

Continues:

http://www.article2.org/mainfile.php/0203/85/

edit to add...

Epilogue: nothing became of the investigation

.

Edited September 7, 2011 by Buchholz

[ratcatcher]

I have been in Thailand only 3 months, from New Zealand. Always before every country I had visited did not want a Visa, even Europe, so I just did not think about it. I was lunatic cool and I thought I would just drift in, keep away from Pattaya and Phuket., maybe check out the Isaan girls, and that was a costly idea. My total social and political education has come from this Thai Visa site and to an extent the Bangkok times. wish I could work out how you cut and paste previous comments but mainly I thank correspondents for being here.

Welcome to the sandbox peterquixote.

Stay with us and draw your own conclusions about this amazing place you've chosen to visit/live.

Read the local papers for one perspective and visit here for other's views.

Regards to brother Don.

[lannarebirth]

I really do not think corruption bothers Thais, I think corruption is a western concept, to a Thai what we call corrupt is simple normal behaviour, it is all part of a feudal culture onto which the trappings of democracy have been poorly grafted.

Interesting. Ever heard of the Chinese revolution?

[Crushdepth]

I really do not think corruption bothers Thais, I think corruption is a western concept, to a Thai what we call corrupt is simple normal behaviour, it is all part of a feudal culture onto which the trappings of democracy have been poorly grafted.

Yep, pretty much so. I think the title of my friend's book sums it up: "Thailand Through Western Eyes". Haven't read the book but the title fits.

I can assure you that the locals do not appreciate corruption either. They may tolerate it, but that doesn't mean they like it. If you don't believe me, all you have to do is ask.

[anterian]

I really do not think corruption bothers Thais, I think corruption is a western concept, to a Thai what we call corrupt is simple normal behaviour, it is all part of a feudal culture onto which the trappings of democracy have been poorly grafted.

Interesting. Ever heard of the Chinese revolution?

I have heard of three, which one do you mean?

[h90]

Hammered,

''One problem is that the alternative is seen as worse and equally if not more corrupt" ==quote.

If this is what you actually believe, your not impartial, with your K.Thaksin blinkers on some of your posts are incredible, you are in complete denial of the whole truth. I for one would never say that the Dems were near perfect--no way- but to suggest or compare them to this TRIBE is a sorry state of affairs.

Why on earth can't you speak the truth and not be so one sided, no party here is much good but this lot takes the biscuit.

The Dems are a very corrupt party but their corruption is not mentioned as meuch and is well hidden in the established side of corruption. Thaksin side corruption is maybe on the same level but is reported a lot more and is run through a less established system which is one reason why the establishment have heart attacks over them. But more to the point it isnt what you or I think, it is what the people think and many if not most see the Dems are seen as being corrupt and as part of the corrupt system that people experience daily whereas Thaksin and his parties are seen by many/most as being corrupt but obviously not part of the corrupt system that fights them. You have to look beyond the players imho

It is more that the Democrats are corrupt in taking 5-10 % peacefully , while Thaksin is taking 50 % and does not care to murder people in things like the war against drugs.

That is a complete different quality.

But clean is neither.

[moe666]

For better or worst Thailand has the government they voted for. But not a majority

[siampolee]

moe666

For better or worst Thailand has the government they voted for. But not a majority

And there is the truth about the matter. The endemic corruption is to pay the coalition members to be subservient to Brother No.1.

Brother No.1 is funding his schemes from the public purse.

The Thai people are footing Thaksins bill whilst Brother No.1 acts like the miser he is, lusting for absolute power and an endless fortune.