Local Bodies Demand Bt57 Bn In Total Funding, Threaten To Stage Mass Rally Of 100,000 People

[webfact]

'Show us the money!'
The Nation


Up to 10,000 officials from three key local administrative bodies gather outside the Education Ministry yesterday to rally for a larger budget allocation.

Local bodies demand Bt57 bn in total funding

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of the three key local administrative bodies have threatened to step up protests if their demands for the government to review the 2014 fiscal budget and provide them with 30 per cent of its income - or at least Bt57 billion - are not met.

Heads and members of the National Municipal League of Thailand, associations of Provincial Administrative Organisations (PAOs) and Tambon Administrative Organ-isations (TAOs) - were not satisfied when the government turned a deaf ear to their demand for more funds after a rally yesterday.

The groups converged on the Royal Plaza before travelling in cars, buses and vans to file a petition at Government House.

Represented by nine people, they said would stage a mass rally of 100,000 protesters on May 28-29 if their demands were not met.

A government source said later the Cabinet, acting on a direction by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, later agreed that a number of government projects would be reassigned to local bodies, so that accompanying budgets could be allocated to them.

"If the local bodies want more funds, they will need to do more work," the source added, quoting a verbal conclusion agreed on by many Cabinet members in the evening session yesterday, after the protesters dispersed.

Members of the local bodies have threatened to camp out on the night of May 28 to see if Cabinet responds to their demands and move the next day to Parliament as it discusses the 2014 fiscal budget bill, to see if the bill is vetted.

PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, who oversees budget issues and the Decentralisation Act, accepted the petition, which will be sent for Cabinet to assess.

The government source quoted a statement by Varathep to Cabinet that it was impossible to give more money to the local bodies now, as they demand, because ministers endorsed and finalised the 2014 budget bill on April 30. "The bill could have been altered if the gatherers made their demand before April 30," he reportedly said.

"The issue is now the responsibility of Parliament, when it vets the bill on May 29, when the next session begins," he said, quoting Varathep.

'We'll rally on May 28-29'

After submitting their demand at noon, the group initially toned down remarks after Varathep promised to put the matter to Cabinet yesterday. They were asked to wait for Varathep for 30 minutes at Government House, but failed to meet him again. The nine members later returned to a bus and announced the threat to rally en masse on May 28-29.

Government spokesman Tossaporn Serirak said Cabinet did not discuss the four demands of local administrative organisations yesterday, although Varathep was assigned to negotiate with heads of the three groups.

Pornchai Kwosurat, a protest leader, said they stressed their protest by having 7,583 officials from local bodies dress for work in black, from yesterday. He said they would post placards and posters at every village, protesting against state centralisation.

Suporn Attawong, deputy secretary-general to the PM, invited the protest leaders to hold talks with Varathep, but they walked out of Government House immediately after realising Cabinet was not responding to their demands.

"They are challenging the local government's power, thinking that we are useless. We are willing to break away from the central government and will fight till the end," Pornchai said.

In the morning, Banjong Khositjeeranan, mayor of Muang Roi Et municipality, said it was the government's policy on a Bt300 minimum daily wage and a minimum salary of Bt15,000 a month that had hit local bodies.


-- The Nation 2013-05-15

[whybother]

"If the local bodies want more funds, they will need to do more work," the source added, quoting a verbal conclusion agreed on by many Cabinet members in the evening session yesterday, after the protesters dispersed.

So it's not that they don't have enough money to do the work they have, it's that they are not getting enough work to skim off the top.

[Bellweather]

There's that magical figure of 100,000 again. Is is suggested in a publication " How to Organise a Successful Protest " ?

[RubbaJohnny]

"We are willing to break away from the central government and will fight till the end," Pornchai said.

With insights like this this may not be the end of the begining but the beginning of the end.

[soi41]

Thai idiocracy in action!!

[NongKhaiKid]

There's that magical figure of 100,000 again. Is is suggested in a publication " How to Organise a Successful Protest " ?

Anything less is really only a group of friend hanging out.

[Pib]

Represented by nine people, they said would stage a mass rally of 100,000 protesters on May 28-29 if their demands were not met.

A pretty good sign no more rallies will occur....show-up with your thousand or so protesters on the initial rally....make BIG claims of huge protests in the near future...like 100,000, 500,000, 1,000,000 protesters, if demands are not met by date XYZ...then go back home never to return.

[waza]

"Leaders of the three key local administrative bodies have threatened to step up protests if their demands for the government to review the 2014 fiscal budget and provide them with 30 per cent of its income - or at least Bt57 billion - are not met."

Are they aware that this is not possible to increase their budget because Bt360 billion is going to the flood minimisation projects and Bt500 billion is going to the rice scam, there is no money left.

[Neilly]

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of the three key local administrative bodies have threatened to step up protests if their demands for the government to review the 2014 fiscal budget and provide them with 30 per cent of its income - or at least Bt57 billion - are not met.

Do you get the feeling they're a bit put-out that there is no room at the trough for them now

[chainarong]

BANGKOK: -- Leaders of the three key local administrative bodies have threatened to step up protests if their demands for the government to review the 2014 fiscal budget and provide them with 30 per cent of its income - or at least Bt57 billion - are not met.

Do you get the feeling they're a bit put-out that there is no room at the trough for them now

There's no room for anyone this year , with this mob of selfish vultures running the show , I wasn't even invited to the 2Tn gravy train opening

[Robby nz]

In the morning, Banjong Khositjeeranan, mayor of Muang Roi Et municipality, said it was the government's policy on a Bt300 minimum daily wage and a minimum salary of Bt15,000 a month that had hit local bodies.

As the man says they have been forced to pay higher wages but have not been given extra money to cover them.

Therefore they have less money for the work they are supposed to do.

So someone misses out getting their road fixed, bridge repaired etc.

[geriatrickid]

The unofficially confirmed conservative estimate of the Thai military budget is 1.6% of GDP.

The Phillippines and Spain are approx. 1%. Indonesia is 0.7% How about Thailand just knock it down to 1.5% comparable to Canada? Canada's military is responsible for search and rescue, and border protection for the world's 2nd largest country, It has spent billions on securing the Indian ocean oil rouutes, middle east interventions and of course Afghanistan, so no need to raise the issue of the southern insurgency as an excuse for more Thai military spending. .Thailand is a relatively small country. Does it really need to approx. 8.6% of its budget to the military? Boondoggles such as the military golf courses, expensive vehicles with drivers for the officer corps, subsidized holiday homes for the senior officers could easily be eliminated. The subsidized private hospital care for the officer corps families could be reduced and the families could use the public health system for general care. The military hospitals could be reserved for actual military personnel. Better yet, the 425,000 personnel could be trimmed. The impact of 25,000 males aged 18-35 that would be freed up from the conscription pool would help ease the labour shortage. How about, trim a few hundred generals and the savings can be easily realized without any negative impact on the military abilities.

[robblok]

The unofficially confirmed conservative estimate of the Thai military budget is 1.6% of GDP.

The Phillippines and Spain are approx. 1%. Indonesia is 0.7% How about Thailand just knock it down to 1.5% comparable to Canada? Canada's military is responsible for search and rescue, and border protection for the world's 2nd largest country, It has spent billions on securing the Indian ocean oil rouutes, middle east interventions and of course Afghanistan, so no need to raise the issue of the southern insurgency as an excuse for more Thai military spending. .Thailand is a relatively small country. Does it really need to approx. 8.6% of its budget to the military? Boondoggles such as the military golf courses, expensive vehicles with drivers for the officer corps, subsidized holiday homes for the senior officers could easily be eliminated. The subsidized private hospital care for the officer corps families could be reduced and the families could use the public health system for general care. The military hospitals could be reserved for actual military personnel. Better yet, the 425,000 personnel could be trimmed. The impact of 25,000 males aged 18-35 that would be freed up from the conscription pool would help ease the labour shortage. How about, trim a few hundred generals and the savings can be easily realized without any negative impact on the military abilities.

How about the rice pledging.. oh i forgot that is great for sipping of money for the current government.

[GentlemanJim]

Amazing Thailand! There can't be many countries in the world where civil servants can go and protest and threaten action because they do not believe there is enough tea money for them.

[hellodolly]

The unofficially confirmed conservative estimate of the Thai military budget is 1.6% of GDP.

The Phillippines and Spain are approx. 1%. Indonesia is 0.7% How about Thailand just knock it down to 1.5% comparable to Canada? Canada's military is responsible for search and rescue, and border protection for the world's 2nd largest country, It has spent billions on securing the Indian ocean oil rouutes, middle east interventions and of course Afghanistan, so no need to raise the issue of the southern insurgency as an excuse for more Thai military spending. .Thailand is a relatively small country. Does it really need to approx. 8.6% of its budget to the military? Boondoggles such as the military golf courses, expensive vehicles with drivers for the officer corps, subsidized holiday homes for the senior officers could easily be eliminated. The subsidized private hospital care for the officer corps families could be reduced and the families could use the public health system for general care. The military hospitals could be reserved for actual military personnel. Better yet, the 425,000 personnel could be trimmed. The impact of 25,000 males aged 18-35 that would be freed up from the conscription pool would help ease the labour shortage. How about, trim a few hundred generals and the savings can be easily realized without any negative impact on the military abilities.

Is this a plan for the ministers to put more money in their pocket?

It would help but they would still be looking for other sources of income.

that bunch of pigs can never be bought off no matter how much they get.

[bigbamboo]

"Where's our 30 per cent?"

Got to give them credit for being up front about it.

[NongKhaiKid]

I'd like to expand on" geriatrickids's " excellent post.

Many years ago I read an interesting letter in the Post written by someone claiming to be an ex-member of the British army and he drew comparisons between the armies of Britain and Thailand.

Both countries have a similar population level, the British army is volunteer and the Thai conscript.

The British army had commitments all over the world and the Thails very little outside their own country.

He stated that that at that time Britain had around 160 officers holding the rank of general at all its levels and Thailand around 2,100.

Now that really is jobs for the boys.

[waza]

The unofficially confirmed conservative estimate of the Thai military budget is 1.6% of GDP.

The Phillippines and Spain are approx. 1%. Indonesia is 0.7% How about Thailand just knock it down to 1.5% comparable to Canada? Canada's military is responsible for search and rescue, and border protection for the world's 2nd largest country, It has spent billions on securing the Indian ocean oil rouutes, middle east interventions and of course Afghanistan, so no need to raise the issue of the southern insurgency as an excuse for more Thai military spending. .Thailand is a relatively small country. Does it really need to approx. 8.6% of its budget to the military? Boondoggles such as the military golf courses, expensive vehicles with drivers for the officer corps, subsidized holiday homes for the senior officers could easily be eliminated. The subsidized private hospital care for the officer corps families could be reduced and the families could use the public health system for general care. The military hospitals could be reserved for actual military personnel. Better yet, the 425,000 personnel could be trimmed. The impact of 25,000 males aged 18-35 that would be freed up from the conscription pool would help ease the labour shortage. How about, trim a few hundred generals and the savings can be easily realized without any negative impact on the military abilities.

Or you could just scrap the rice scam and save 20% of the Thai budget per annum

[Baerboxer]

The unofficially confirmed conservative estimate of the Thai military budget is 1.6% of GDP.

The Phillippines and Spain are approx. 1%. Indonesia is 0.7% How about Thailand just knock it down to 1.5% comparable to Canada? Canada's military is responsible for search and rescue, and border protection for the world's 2nd largest country, It has spent billions on securing the Indian ocean oil rouutes, middle east interventions and of course Afghanistan, so no need to raise the issue of the southern insurgency as an excuse for more Thai military spending. .Thailand is a relatively small country. Does it really need to approx. 8.6% of its budget to the military? Boondoggles such as the military golf courses, expensive vehicles with drivers for the officer corps, subsidized holiday homes for the senior officers could easily be eliminated. The subsidized private hospital care for the officer corps families could be reduced and the families could use the public health system for general care. The military hospitals could be reserved for actual military personnel. Better yet, the 425,000 personnel could be trimmed. The impact of 25,000 males aged 18-35 that would be freed up from the conscription pool would help ease the labour shortage. How about, trim a few hundred generals and the savings can be easily realized without any negative impact on the military abilities.

Canada has secured the Indian Ocean oil routes, and intervened in the Middle East and Afghanistan? Must be all covert special forces operations because the world news reports seem lacking. Yes, I know they have sent forces to UN and NATO operations, and were active in Bosnia and Kosovo. But, hardly the leading or main force, now.

What is Canada's military budget in terms of actual money? This is a better comparison as I'm sure Canada already has better more up to date equipment than Thailand which needs to therefore spend more on replacement and modernising its military. The military operates like everyother public organization in Thailand regarding hierarchical levels, standards of performance and accountability of tax payers money. Why would it be different? Effective spending of the budget might be good; and that would be different.

I don't think Canada has a corrupt government implementing countless scams schemes to line their own pockets whilst ignoring laws they don't like, delivering very little and led by Skype calls from a convicted fugitve criminal?

Maybe stopping the Rice pledging scam, or reducing the ammount to be siphoned off the 2.2trn and 350b loans would be a better place to look.

[Chao Lao Beach]

A government source said later the Cabinet, acting on a direction by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, later agreed that a number of government projects would be reassigned to local bodies, so that accompanying budgets could be allocated to them.

​Not wanting money for new projects or a good cause, just cash to skim the 30% off. This protest will proibibly actually happen, there is money at stake !!!

[Baerboxer]

I'd like to expand on" geriatrickids's " excellent post.

Many years ago I read an interesting letter in the Post written by someone claiming to be an ex-member of the British army and he drew comparisons between the armies of Britain and Thailand.

Both countries have a similar population level, the British army is volunteer and the Thai conscript.

The British army had commitments all over the world and the Thails very little outside their own country.

He stated that that at that time Britain had around 160 officers holding the rank of general at all its levels and Thailand around 2,100.

Now that really is jobs for the boys.

Britain has always maintained a relatively small standing army in peactimes. However, we used to have a very large Navy, which certainly in the past contained a large number of officers. This has been scaled back in more recent terms as we simply can't afford it. Whether that's due to over spending in other areas and priority issues is another discussion

Going back to your comparrison. You would really need to understand the rank structure and equivalents of both armies to make a comparrison. Also, I think the British Army is organized somewhat differently to the Thai army. Comparing a first world highly experienced army with a third world army who have little experience outstide their own country is difficult. Maybe comparing the % of generals and staff officers with those in other ASEAN and developing countries would be better. Interesting to see.

[axact]

What's this 15000 minimum wage a month ? I have not heard of that before

[whybother]

What's this 15000 minimum wage a month ? I have not heard of that before

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/472801-pheu-thai-target-thai-youth-with-its-15000-thb-salary-scheme/

[ray23]

One group wants this another that. They both have their rallies and block roads ect.. Thought we were supposed to have Government here. This type of farmer or that seems like it always going on in some form. Reality seem have very little to do with economics here.

Rice pledging scheme, farmers see very little of the money after the skim of the top. Yet the price of rice goes up. for export. Government ends up with rice it either can't sell or sales at a loss. Thailand is now the third top producer of rice in the region not number one. Great way to plan things. Just about votes nothing else.

A rally to get rid of the Constitutional Court, where is it going to end. At least that was called off.

[Robby nz]

Hay Gerry you ever had a look in a military hospital?

By your post the answer is no.

They do a fantastic job for this country not only treating hundreds of thousands of patients every year but by training doctors and nurses in every specialty there is.

Their specialists are called upon by both private and public hospitals when needed as they are among the best in the country.

Their work takes a load off the public health service and budget.

And yes they treat everyone who goes through the door farang included.

Now to get back on topic:

In this case the local bodies have got a genuine gripe for by not increasing their funding to cover wage increases they are just being used as another way to counter the Govts excessive spending on............................well someone else posted that

[thhMan]

This is what happens when you dumb a country down.

Fingers crossed that someone will emerge and fight for the country and not themselves... wishful thinking I know

[belg]

do they really work so hard overthere? what stops them from taking a second job if the money is tight... best job for poor uneducated people : policeman ... monthly allowance from governement + as much as you can pocket from busisinesses, motorcycles, casino work, drug muling ... all under the protected shield of your job

[longtom]

The unofficially confirmed conservative estimate of the Thai military budget is 1.6% of GDP.

The Phillippines and Spain are approx. 1%. Indonesia is 0.7% How about Thailand just knock it down to 1.5% comparable to Canada? Canada's military is responsible for search and rescue, and border protection for the world's 2nd largest country, It has spent billions on securing the Indian ocean oil rouutes, middle east interventions and of course Afghanistan, so no need to raise the issue of the southern insurgency as an excuse for more Thai military spending. .Thailand is a relatively small country. Does it really need to approx. 8.6% of its budget to the military? Boondoggles such as the military golf courses, expensive vehicles with drivers for the officer corps, subsidized holiday homes for the senior officers could easily be eliminated. The subsidized private hospital care for the officer corps families could be reduced and the families could use the public health system for general care. The military hospitals could be reserved for actual military personnel. Better yet, the 425,000 personnel could be trimmed. The impact of 25,000 males aged 18-35 that would be freed up from the conscription pool would help ease the labour shortage. How about, trim a few hundred generals and the savings can be easily realized without any negative impact on the military abilities.

Whilst I totally agree with your arguments, would you please give me a hint where there is even the remotest connection to the topic at hand which seems to be about a totally other group of administrative personal's despicable demand for 'money for nothing'?

Edited May 15, 2013 by longtom