Thai Govt: Bt10m Flood Bash Is To Say Thanks, Mend Fences

[webfact]

GARDEN PARTY

Govt: Bt10m flood bash is to say thanks, mend fences

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The government has earmarked Bt10 million for today's garden party held under the theme "Love Thailand, Forward Thailand" to thank all sides for flood relief efforts.

"The party's main objective is to show appreciation although reconciliation might be a by-product," PM's Office permanent secretary Tongthong Chandransu said yesterday.

About 500 guests have been invited and chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanond is scheduled to preside over the event.

Tongthong said the country could overcome the flood crisis because all sides had cooperated in the relief efforts.

Party organisers selected uplifting music to be played during the party in order to convey the government's gratefulness to all Thais, he said, noting the event would be broadcast live because not everyone could attend.

He said he was aware of critical views but decided the benefits of boosting confidence on flood control would justify the party.

He said due to the necessity to cap the guest list, the government opted to invite leaders of each institution, such as the House speaker in lieu of every lawmaker. A number of privy councillors, including Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk, Amphon Senanarong and Kamthon Sindhvananda, had accepted the invitation to the party.

In regard to the party's budget, about Bt3.5 million will cover the expense of food and facilities, and Bt6.5 million will be spent on lighting, the performing stage and the orchestra from Mahidol University's College of Music.

Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit urged critics of the government to look to the future instead of dwelling on the past.

Yongyuth said those questioning the government's motive for the party should know that he too was a subordinate of Prem, saying their ties dated back to 1994.

"I always dress like Pa," he said in reference to Prem's Thai dress.

He said it was a misconception to portray the Abhisit Vejjajiva administration as being close to Prem and the present government as being distant.

He also stated that he did not want to talk about the past when the red shirts rallied in front of Prem's residence.

-- The Nation 2012-02-10

[Siripon]

So why didn't they invite any Democrats if one of the motives is to mend fences?

[FOODLOVER]

Red elite having a party at tax payers expense.

[Reasonableman]

So why didn't they invite any Democrats if one of the motives is to mend fences?

Surely not! Are you sure about that? Perhaps they were invited and declined since they disagreed with its appropriateness.

10,000,000/5,000 = 2,000 families left waiting. I guess someone did the math.

[ratcatcher]

So why didn't they invite any Democrats if one of the motives is to mend fences?

Surely not! Are you sure about that? Perhaps they were invited and declined since they disagreed with its appropriateness.

10,000,000/5,000 = 2,000 families left waiting. I guess someone did the math.

Families left waiting?.............Who cares?....."Let them eat cake" (leftover from the teaparty, that is.)

[vijer]

YOU DID THE MATH WRONG

10,000,000 / 500 (PARTY GOERS) = 20,000B PER PARTY GOER!!!

Makes great sense to have a party when you still have canals to clear out, garbage to pick up, damns to mend, etc. YES BY ALL MEANS HAVE A PARTY AT TAX PAYERS EXPENSE!

And worst of all they didn't invite the people who were injured they invited members of the government, yes that will surely mend fences!!!

[sparebox2]

What a waste of (my) tax payer money.

10 million Baht will make a big different if given to a flood struck family.

[Moruya]

YOU DID THE MATH WRONG

10,000,000 / 500 (PARTY GOERS) = 20,000B PER PARTY GOER!!!

Makes great sense to have a party when you still have canals to clear out, garbage to pick up, damns to mend, etc. YES BY ALL MEANS HAVE A PARTY AT TAX PAYERS EXPENSE!

And worst of all they didn't invite the people who were injured they invited members of the government, yes that will surely mend fences!!!

The outrageous thing is that 20,000B per head is 4 times the compensation paid to each household.

[rixalex]

The outrageous thing is that 20,000B per head is 4 times the compensation paid to each household.

4 times a payment that for a vast number of disaster affected people, myself included, is still yet to be paid.

[GentlemanJim]

Breathtaking!

[JohnAllan]

A common thread runs through the flood crisis and the global financial crisis - the bigger the cock-up those in charge manage to manufacture, the bigger the reward.

[ajarnyai]

Has this story been run in the Thai language news? I wonder what the citizens of this fine country think about the government's idea of fiscal responsibility.

Do you think they care? I think it's funny how we all talk, rant and argue about these things, when from my point of view, Thais don't seem notice.

[Reasonableman]

In my observation, they do care, but they are too afraid to speak publicly. A veritable forest of taboo subjects. Today's opposition could be tomorrow's government, and vice versa. Not good to get stuck on the wrong side of the fence.

Has this story been run in the Thai language news? I wonder what the citizens of this fine country think about the government's idea of fiscal responsibility.

Do you think they care? I think it's funny how we all talk, rant and argue about these things, when from my point of view, Thais don't seem notice.

Edited February 10, 2012 by Reasonableman

[TAWP]

PTP and Prem, hand in hand, smiling and partying.

What does Red Shirts say now?

[rubl]

Has this story been run in the Thai language news? I wonder what the citizens of this fine country think about the government's idea of fiscal responsibility.

Do you think they care? I think it's funny how we all talk, rant and argue about these things, when from my point of view, Thais don't seem notice.

Some of my Thai collegues who had water in their homes and needed to rent a small condo/room for one or two months are not really amused. Mind you, some I asked didn't know about this party. Not really surprising, it was described here as 'for some foreign dignetaries, embassadors etc., to say 'thank you' for their help. Obviously this doesn't concern Thai

[hanuman1]

PTP and Prem, hand in hand, smiling and partying.

What does Red Shirts say now?

Since PTP = UDD, I expect the Red Shirts will be very happy about it. Not.

[MaiChai]

Has this story been run in the Thai language news? I wonder what the citizens of this fine country think about the government's idea of fiscal responsibility.

Do you think they care? I think it's funny how we all talk, rant and argue about these things, when from my point of view, Thais don't seem notice.

What fiscal responsibility. All they have been doing is approving budgets to spend. Including the budget to pay the bail for red shirts in prison awaiting trial.

[geriatrickid]

PTP and Prem, hand in hand, smiling and partying.

What does Red Shirts say now?

You've been in Thailand long enough to understand these public gestures.

They are trying to project an image of conciliation of peace, for the benefit of the country. The event was to thank the flood workers. Don't you think these people have enough common sense to put these people first and to set an example for the nation?

Are you upset that no one is attacking anyone? Give peace a chance.

[Reasonableman]

So there'll be no more coup scares nor threats of rallies against nothing?

PTP and Prem, hand in hand, smiling and partying.

What does Red Shirts say now?

You've been in Thailand long enough to understand these public gestures.

They are trying to project an image of conciliation of peace, for the benefit of the country. The event was to thank the flood workers. Don't you think these people have enough common sense to put these people first and to set an example for the nation?

Are you upset that no one is attacking anyone? Give peace a chance.

[rixalex]

The event was to thank the flood workers.

Don't think too many actual flood workers, as i would use the term "worker", have however been invited. Just a lot of dignitaries and VIPs. Even if the right, most deserving people were actually invited, surely better ways to thank people.

Not to mention timing - many victims of the disaster are still struggling to rebuild their lives and have received no assistance. How about finishing that job before guzzling champagne?

[Thaddeus]

PTP and Prem, hand in hand, smiling and partying.

What does Red Shirts say now?

You've been in Thailand long enough to understand these public gestures.

They are trying to project an image of conciliation of peace, for the benefit of the country. The event was to thank the flood workers. Don't you think these people have enough common sense to put these people first and to set an example for the nation?

Are you upset that no one is attacking anyone? Give peace a chance.

The equivalent of giving Nero a Grammy for violin playing.

[geriatrickid]

What a waste of (my) tax payer money.

10 million Baht will make a big different if given to a flood struck family.

You pay income tax in Thailand?

[geriatrickid]

FYI, the expenditure on food and decorations was approx. 3.5million baht.

[pogal]

Totally inappropriate...

[Thaddeus]

FYI, the expenditure on food and decorations was approx. 3.5million baht.

Which is still a large some of money that could be put to better use elsewhere or don't you think that?

[rubl]

I haven't seen any information on how the party went. It did take place, didn't it ?

[cardholder]

FYI, the expenditure on food and decorations was approx. 3.5million baht.

Which is still a large some of money that could be put to better use elsewhere or don't you think that?

Flood Defence Research Fund being one obvious alternative !

(Smartening up Pattaya Beach Road is a poor second choice but beats the party hands down)

Edited February 11, 2012 by cardholder

[geriatrickid]

FYI, the expenditure on food and decorations was approx. 3.5million baht.

Which is still a large some of money that could be put to better use elsewhere or don't you think that?

Flood Defence Research Fund being one obvious alternative !

(Smartening up Pattaya Beach Road is a poor second choice but beats the party hands down)

Pattaya collects enough taxes locally to maintain its beaches and roads. Ask the local Pattaya government where the money goes.

[473geo]

Governments are obliged to spend money on items the public disagree with........no government escapes or avoids this responsibility......some do it better than others.....

[rubl]

In regard to the party's budget, about Bt3.5 million will cover the expense of food and facilities, and Bt6.5 million will be spent on lighting, the performing stage and the orchestra from Mahidol University's College of Music.

THB 6.5 million for lightning, performance stage and the orchestra. I assume the government just tries to stimulate orchestrial performances and did a large donation? Would be interesting to see an expenditures breakdown into a bit more details. With lots of people still waiting for financial help for their flood damage that seems a reasonable request