Political Corruption A Weak Point For Foreign Investors In Thailand

[OzMick]

Are you referring to the article available by following the links? If so, NOWHERE is the term 'political corruption' used in the body of the survey.

Poltical instability was referred to. Corruption was referred to-= but NOT political corruption.

In the phrase "political instability and corruption" the adjective "political" may well refer to both nouns. Where is your evidence that it does not?

[DaamNaam]

Are you referring to the article available by following the links? If so, NOWHERE is the term 'political corruption' used in the body of the survey.

Poltical instability was referred to. Corruption was referred to-= but NOT political corruption.

In the phrase "political instability and corruption" the adjective "political" may well refer to both nouns. Where is your evidence that it does not?

Here we go, the grammar police are in town. Only happens every new post.

Who cares?

[blaze]

OzMick

If you read the actual summary of the report (follow the links) the questions asked in the survey referring to political instability and to corruption were completely separate. Period. Please follow the links and read the original summary of the survey- as well as the survey topics. That will provide you with the evidence you seem to want.

But leaving that aside, the question that I would have liked to have seen is this: how effectively do you think the justice system from traffic cop up, would be in protecting your interests?

And this does have political ramifications- perhaps not because the responsible ministry is corrupt- but rather- that the system is rotten- there is corruption, of course- anyone driving a car knows that- political? well that's stretching it- When a government can get those responsible for law enforcement to do their job- then that will be a beginning- and no politician in the last forty years seems to have been able to do that.

Not because the ministries are corrupt- (there were as many illegal products sold on the street under cops' noses under Abhisit under the coup people and under Banharn as under Thaksin.). BUt because- there are too many state enterprises and agencies that operate as private fiefdoms.

[blaze]

Khunken

I think it is simplistic to say that corruption in THailand is top down- Those who support the Abhisit government of a few years ago would certainly have to disagree. (lest the blame for the corruption during his time at the helm would be dropped on his doorstep).

But the fact that a country practices, in accordance with its own laws, protectionism, and when the law permits= even encourages monopolies, that's not corruption- is it? Surely every country has a legal right to raise the minimum wage- or even to protect its industries without being branded corrupt- not when there is REAL (read illegal by the laws of the land) corruption running rampant. These might be bad economics- but corruption?

I think that some might have the idea that if the Thaksin can would simply evaporate- and things get back to the pre Thaksin norm- (before all corruption was blamed on politicians) Thailand will be a model meritocracy with no corruption- I don't think so. I wouldn't go so far as to say that corruption is built into the DNA as some have suggested- but the notion of patronage, of hierarchy affirmed by gifts and favors is as old as the language.

When the THai people do not want corruption in their society- with the advantages that many of them believe it can bring the guy on the street- then corruption might end. Getting rid of corrupt politicos won't make much of a difference- sadly.