Democrats Attack Thai Govt For Basic Wage 'Deceit'

[sfbandung]

Why is it news that politicians make extravagant promises?

It does indeed happen the world over. If you believe politicians at election time it simply underlines the old adage, "In a democracy you get the politicians you deserve".

The difference being that, for Thailand, lying in regards to election promises is illegal, which is a good thing that other countries could benefit by implementing.

I'd love to see it enforced too. Vote buying (which is what a false election promise is) is illegal in most democracies. But it still happens all the time. They weren't "lying" you see, they meant what they said at the time, "circumstances change", and "we made the commitment in good faith based on our information at the time" etc etc.

The water becomes even muddier when it comes to campaign contributions. Of course the donor expects something in return, which we all know is a bribe by any other name, but it too happens all the time.

[scorecard]

I'm glad to hear that the judiciary can act independent of political pressure and when Thaksin returns he should pay the price as ruled by the court.

I do find it hard to believe that the case wasn't a vendetta. Though it might be justified, I am sure there are many, many others who would also be deserving of a good investigation, trial and conviction. Selective enforcement?

At any rate, whether he returns or not, it is still too early to say all of the PTP promises are already proven to have been "lies".

Anyone who knows Thailand at all knows it is a vipers' nest, so nothing would surprise me.

Still, I think the genie is out of the bottle and society will have to address the vast imbalances between rich and poor. Only the PTP appears willing to make a start.

"Only the PTP appears willing to make a start."

Really?

A 300 baht "minimum wage" that they only want to put into 7 provinces and won't legislate to enforce private companies to comply.

Reducing fuel prices that mainly effects fuel that rich people buy. Diesel prices are apparently back up to where they were before the "price reduction". Transport and public bus prices haven't dropped. ... but the rich are getting their cheaper fuel.

A tax rebate on first car purchases, that most poor people can't get because they don't pay the tax to be able to get the rebate. Another one for the rich buying cars.

Did I miss anything?

Corporate taxes going from 30% to 23%? That should put more money in the hands of the poor who invest. Maybe the 'Rice Mortgage Scheme' wherin the mills and wholesale dealers hoard rice to get the top price?

"Only the PTP appears willing to make a start."

So handouts, big wage rises, 15,000 minimum regardless of the duties and outputs of the job, all of which which will cause massive inflation and big jumps in the prices of food and the everyday simple needs of life is a good start?

When PTP issues a mid-term / long-term policy and implementation plan which quickly and seriously gives large numbers of Thai people higher levels of real capability and introduces policy / infrastructure etc which provides jobs spread across Thailand which will provide workers with an income which means they can have a good quality of life through their own productivity and when there is policy and implemented which 'shares the wealth', then I will agree that ptp has made a start.

Right now they have done nothing whatever which 'is a start'. And let's please remember that many local, regional and international economists have highly criticized and warned of the longer-term severe dangers of the paymaster's past hand out policies.

Edited September 30, 2011 by scorecard