Shadow Cabinet Slams Governments One-Year Performance

[Lite Beer]

Shadow cabinet slams government’s one-year performance

BANGKOK, Aug 24 – Thailand’s opposition Democrat Party on Friday gave the Yingluck Shinawatra government a ‘thumbs-down’ for failing to carry out six pre-election campaign projects as promised to the Thai people.

The Democrat shadow cabinet, led by party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, said it was representing the people in calling on the government to abide by its promises.

In a news conference on Friday on the occasion of the anniversary of the government’s first year in office, six shadow cabinet members stated that the six unfulfilled projects, which include education loans for students, salary increases to Bt15,000 per month for bachelor’s degree employees,a Bt300 minimum wage nationwide and construction of 10 mass transit rail lines in Bangkok and its outskirts.

Mr Abhisit said it is the responsibility of the opposition to evaluate the government’s performance and act on the people’s behalf in demanding that the government keeps its promises.

Deputy party leader Apirak Kosayothin, in his capacity as shadow commerce minister, blamed the government for the skyrocketing cost of living and its failure to effectively exercise the critically-indebted Oil Fund.

He said the increases of salary for bachelor degree employee to Bt15,000 and daily minimum wage to Bt300 have been implemented in only seven provinces, and not nationwide as promised while the country’s overall cost of living has rapidly risen.

Kiat Sitthi-amorn, a shadow deputy prime minister, said prices of agricultural produce are in decline, a trend against the government’s policy.

Thailand’s revenue from rice exports has decreased after its first rank as the world’s rice exporter has slipped to the third, he said, adding that the prices of rubber and tapioca have also declined.

Household debt has increased to Bt110,000 baht per family, he claimed.

Jurin Laksanavisith, secretary general of the shadow cabinet, blamed the government for its inability to carry out the promised policy of national unity.

On the other hand, he said, there have been attempts to intimidate those opposing the government, including the Constitution Court. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-08-24

[Lite Beer]

POLITICS

Abhisit's six biting questions for Yingluck government

BANGKOK: -- As the government is planning to mark its first year in office this weekend, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday raised six issues omitted in the performance report.

1. When will the government put the people's interest before the energy industry?

In the face of soaring price, statecontrolled PTT has reported Bt37 billion in profit for this year's first quarter while the people are obliged to shoulder the rising energy cost.

2. Will rice farmers ever to get more benefits from the rice pledging scheme than rice mill operators and middlemen?

The government appears to trumpet its intervention on paddy price. But the fact is rice mills and brokers are the main beneficiaries of the corruptionplagued scheme and very little would trickled down to the farmers.

3. When will the government put the country before the interest of one man - fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra?

The government has apparently push for reconciliation as a guise to rescue Thaksin from his legal predicament.

4. When will Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra start to share the plight of local residents in the strifetorn South?

PM Yingluck has delegated officials to travel to the region on her behalf while she refuses to risk her safety.

5. When will the government show tangible results in floodcontrol projects?

Despite huge spending outlays, the government is being entangled in untransparent bidding process which in turn blocks the work progress.

6. How will the government deal with the staggering public debt incurred to finance populist policies?

The country's fiscal position will remain at risk so long as the government opts squander funds on stopgap measures instead of aiming for sustainable development.

Abhisit said he respected the people's mandate given to the Pheu Thai Party although he was still hoping to see the government to serve the public instead of the vested interests.

-- The Nation 2012-08-24

[Nickymaster]

Good points.

[MaxLee]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

[slapout]

To answer your question, yes, several times over.

I do not think any single adminstration can be blamed for the floods, last year, the lack of preperation, that became apparant goes back several decades..

The inadpt handling during and after is/was a recongized failure even by their own people, of the present government

[TomTao]

Perhaps if the government spent some time looking after the people they are meant to be representing instead of looking after vested interests that have nothing to do with the good of the nation, then perhaps things may be different to what they are now, but as it stands, the head of the government is not the elected priminister, but rather a man in self imposed exile overseas, and it is to him that members of the current government have been seen leaving this country to go see him in other countries for advice and directions, this goverment is a body with a separated head, while the body fumbles around bumping into walls, the head just cruises along seemingly unaware of the bungling going on at home.

[bkkjames]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

But did he make it worse?

[NoBrainer]

The Democrat Government never had a chance to administer the country as the spent most of their energy fighting off the constant attacks from all who apposed them.

They had to contend with months of Red Shirt protests and riots, the UDD, the opposition party, Mr. T and a lot of other distractions, so I don't believe it is fair to judge their performance

against what might have been achieved if they had cooperation from all the parties and the general public.

Things may well have been very different if it were not for a concerted effort to destroy the Government at any cost.

Mr.T had taken an "If I can't have it, then nobody can" position.

[Woodcaulk]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Perhaps he is better but like all politicians he's pretty much worthless to the common man as teats on a boar hog.....on a different scale of better/worse.....I'd rather see Yingluck naked than him.

[chotthee]

if mark is so smart, why is he not elected/appointed?

Edited August 24, 2012 by chotthee

[Nickymaster]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

if mark is so smart, why is he not elected/appointed?

\

Because the people are not so smart...? Don't take it personal buddy.

[Moruya]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Gosh! You must have put a lot of thought and research into that. Very impressive.

[Moruya]

if mark is so smart, why is he not elected/appointed?

Perhaps because so many are in awe of his scruples and intellect

[KireB]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Whether he was better than Yingluck is irrelevant, Abhisit is in the opposition and his job is to counterbalance the government. Or in other words being critical. Yingluck's performance is laughable, she seems clueless and absent all the time. Her party PT made loads of promises before the election and is being called on them

Would you prefer that nobody questions this government?

[Sharp]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Are u seriously telling me she's as good as Abhisit....

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect App

[KireB]

if mark is so smart, why is he not elected/appointed?

Because a majority of Thais preferred the election program of the inexperienced miss Yingluck and her henchmen Chalerm, Nattawut, Weng, Jatuporn, etc.....

Gullible comes to mind.

[Sharp]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Whether he was better than Yingluck is irrelevant, Abhisit is in the opposition and his job is to counterbalance the government. Or in other words being critical. Yingluck's performance is laughable, she seems clueless and absent all the time. Her party PT made loads of promises before the election and is being called on them

Would you prefer that nobody questions this government?

Spot on...

Sent from my GT-N7000B using Thaivisa Connect App

[Thai at Heart]

All very valid points, but the issue for PTT is an interesting conundrum.

As a shareholder, I would like to know does Mr. Abhisit suggest that it shouldn't be run to maximise profit within a regulatory framework, or is its job to provide cheap fuel to the people of Thailand?

Come to that matter, would he be complaining if Thai Airways made a profit, but tickets were above the purchase price of Thai people. Come to think of it, they make a loss, and the tickets are already beyond the reach of the vast majority of Thai people. In fact part of the reason they make a loss is because people like him are receiving subsidised tickets. I guess the shareholders should complain.

[Skywalker69]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

He had his hands full, dealing with the Red terrorists.

[Nickymaster]

if mark is so smart, why is he not elected/appointed?

Because a majority of Thais preferred the election program of the inexperienced miss Yingluck and her henchmen Chalerm, Nattawut, Weng, Jatuporn, etc.....

Gullible comes to mind.

Don't forget all the money handouts uuhh funds.

[Nickymaster]

Yeah let's turn this post into a personal attack on AV, kids!

Yes I know the truth hurts. You choose this 1-policy-puppet. Now live with it!

[h90]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Even he wouldn't have done anything it would have been better than this government because he did nothing to make life worse.

But indeed he did some real good things in education and for the rice farmer. I would have expected more from him, but he didn't do bad and instead of the floods he had the reds in Bangkok

[Skywalker69]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Whether he was better than Yingluck is irrelevant, Abhisit is in the opposition and his job is to counterbalance the government. Or in other words being critical. Yingluck's performance is laughable, she seems clueless and absent all the time. Her party PT made loads of promises before the election and is being called on them

Would you prefer that nobody questions this government?

100% agreed. IMO he is doing a good job as opposition leader. I would love a Television prime-time debate between him and Yingluck.

[Nickymaster]

All very valid points, but the issue for PTT is an interesting conundrum.

As a shareholder, I would like to know does Mr. Abhisit suggest that it shouldn't be run to maximise profit within a regulatory framework, or is its job to provide cheap fuel to the people of Thailand?

Come to that matter, would he be complaining if Thai Airways made a profit, but tickets were above the purchase price of Thai people. Come to think of it, they make a loss, and the tickets are already beyond the reach of the vast majority of Thai people. In fact part of the reason they make a loss is because people like him are receiving subsidised tickets. I guess the shareholders should complain.

Doesn't PTT have a monopoly here in Thailand?

Doesn't that make it easy to have huge profits at the expense of the people?

Shouldn't the government intervene (like they do in many other countries in these kind of sectors)?

Impossible to compare it with Thai Airways.

[Nickymaster]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Whether he was better than Yingluck is irrelevant, Abhisit is in the opposition and his job is to counterbalance the government. Or in other words being critical. Yingluck's performance is laughable, she seems clueless and absent all the time. Her party PT made loads of promises before the election and is being called on them

Would you prefer that nobody questions this government?

100% agreed. IMO he is doing a good job as opposition leader. I would love a Television prime-time debate between him and Yingluck.

A debate with a dictatorial govenment. Dream on.

Edited August 24, 2012 by Nickymaster

[Nickymaster]

The Democrat Government never had a chance to administer the country as the spent most of their energy fighting off the constant attacks from all who apposed them.

They had to contend with months of Red Shirt protests and riots, the UDD, the opposition party, Mr. T and a lot of other distractions, so I don't believe it is fair to judge their performance

against what might have been achieved if they had cooperation from all the parties and the general public.

Things may well have been very different if it were not for a concerted effort to destroy the Government at any cost.

Mr.T had taken an "If I can't have it, then nobody can" position.

Correct. Imagine how the performance of PT would be if the DEMS would do the same.

Even without interference, PT and Yingluck can't perform.

Edited August 24, 2012 by Nickymaster

[jcb2001]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Yes, He didn't hide from the issues like Yingluck does. Has the country ever gotten a straight answer from Yingluck? She doesn't even know what her cabinet is doing, much less, the business going on in the government.

[jcb2001]

Perhaps if the government spent some time looking after the people they are meant to be representing instead of looking after vested interests that have nothing to do with the good of the nation, then perhaps things may be different to what they are now, but as it stands, the head of the government is not the elected priminister, but rather a man in self imposed exile overseas, and it is to him that members of the current government have been seen leaving this country to go see him in other countries for advice and directions, this goverment is a body with a separated head, while the body fumbles around bumping into walls, the head just cruises along seemingly unaware of the bungling going on at home.

You hit the bulls eye with that analegy of the current government. Well said.

[Thai at Heart]

Perhaps if the government spent some time looking after the people they are meant to be representing instead of looking after vested interests that have nothing to do with the good of the nation, then perhaps things may be different to what they are now, but as it stands, the head of the government is not the elected priminister, but rather a man in self imposed exile overseas, and it is to him that members of the current government have been seen leaving this country to go see him in other countries for advice and directions, this goverment is a body with a separated head, while the body fumbles around bumping into walls, the head just cruises along seemingly unaware of the bungling going on at home.

You hit the bulls eye with that analegy of the current government. Well said.

Vested interests? Both sides have them in spades.

[Skywalker69]

I have biting questions to Mr. Abhisit:

1. When you were in Office, where were you, when you were too busy NOT handling the accumulating flood problem measurements that were apparently to come months later, when you were dethroned by the Taksin organization?

2. What did he do to make the country better? Nothing??

So is he any better than Yingluck???

Whether he was better than Yingluck is irrelevant, Abhisit is in the opposition and his job is to counterbalance the government. Or in other words being critical. Yingluck's performance is laughable, she seems clueless and absent all the time. Her party PT made loads of promises before the election and is being called on them

Would you prefer that nobody questions this government?

100% agreed. IMO he is doing a good job as opposition leader. I would love a Television prime-time debate between him and Yingluck.

A debate with a dictatorial govenment. Dream on.

Yes I know, but......