Former Prime Minister Chavalit Urges Political Unity To Get Thailand Moving

[webfact]

Former PM urges political unity to get Thailand moving

By Digital Media

BANGKOK, Dec 5 – Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyuth today called on the Thai people to end the country’s long-standing political conflicts and make a new start on the auspicious birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

“All Thai people must be hopeful (for an improved situation), not discouraged,” he said. “It must be understood that we can’t ignore politics. The economic system relies on the political system.”

Gen Chavalit said a democratic country can never be poor while a country with dictatorial administration can never be rich.

“The right politics is politics with justice and for the people. We are a nation with a special democratic system under the monarchy. Solving the economic woes alone will never be successful unless the political system is corrected,” he said.

Touching on an ongoing move by pro-government MPs to amend the constitution, Gen Chavalit said it is impossible for every sector to agree with it and people are entitled to their rights, freedom and opinions under the democratic system.

“Conflicts are possible but majority votes in parliament must be respected,” he added.

Gen Chavalit, 80, served as Thailand’s 22nd prime minister in 1996 and as a deputy premier in the Thaksin Shinawatra and Somchai Wongsawat governments in 2001 and 2008. He had assumed varied cabinet posts during his political career after retiring from the army in 1990. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-12-05

[Pushit]

Try to spot the brain cell here....A statement from the PM that led the financial crash in 1997...

[lemonjelly]

a bit off topic.......... but Thai Visa seem to have completely missed the fact that it's The King Of Thailand's birthday today.............. very slack.

[Sydebolle]

Coming from Chavalit is reassuring. The cock comes home to roost? Chavalit was always a part of the problem and not of the solution but luckily nobody really takes him that serious anylonger; I hope!

[khunken]

Even the Thais need an interpreter to work out what this failed pollie says. Always trying to sound reasonable but with an agenda to benefit the corrupt. It's about time he (& quite a few others) quietly retired to pasture.

[arthurboy]

Try to spot the brain cell here....A statement from the PM that led the financial crash in 1997...

And much, much more besides.

[asiawatcher]

More attention grabbing politicking - never let a chance go by!

[marshbags]

These aging politicians have much to answer for and their past performances, which in many cases was hardly beneficial to the country.

Yet they are still allowed to offer their words of failed wisdom and are treated like hero saviours of the country.

They still continue to utilise past experiences to their advantage, to influence and interfere while continuing to fill their already overflowing bank accounts with grateful kickbacks and renumerations.

Not forgetting the all important timely diversions they have the ability to create as and when the exiled one needs it.

This particular individual, along with Thaksin and their coherts timed the 1997 crash to enable them to take advantage of among other things, various currency fluctuations / devaluations within S.E. Asia and hive it off outside the country, mostly of course eventually converted into US dollars after realising the desired exchange rate.

He has of course in spite of his failure managed to make himself appear an honest and respected old politician in the eyes of the blinkered public.

This is one aspect of Thai culture that deperately needs changing but then again when money is the most infuencial of all things rather than integrity and honest endeavour by their considered lesser equals there is little chance it will change any day soon.

marshbags

Edited December 5, 2012 by marshbags

[Ricardo]

Perhaps the revered and experienced former-PM might know someone, who might make a suitable 'compromise candidate' and advance the cause of reconciliation, but modesty forbids his mentioning his name ?

Hint ... it begins with a 'C' !

[whybother]

a bit off topic.......... but Thai Visa seem to have completely missed the fact that it's The King Of Thailand's birthday today.............. very slack.

Completely off topic, but you mustn't read much of Thai Visa.

[metisdead]

a bit off topic.......... but Thai Visa seem to have completely missed the fact that it's The King Of Thailand's birthday today.............. very slack.

You've apparently missed the Long Live His Majesty The King topic which was posted at 05:54 this morning.

[dksharron]

Chavalit was always Burma's bestest best friend.

He got his change to be PM, after wanting that position so much for so many years, and then, *&^%$#@ hit the fan and the economy fell apart.

[siampolee]

Poor Prime Minster and a poor General who ceded a square metre or two of Thailand to a neighboring country with his brilliant military tactics. Said ground was returned to Thai sovereignty a short while later.

A wonderful crony of Thaksin, Chavalit presided over the 1997 crash with aplomb.

[fstarbkk]

And just when you think it's safe to go back in the water, there he is once more! This man singularly personifies all that's bad and wrong with Thai politics. And just like a bad smell, you just can't get rid of him.