Opinion: We're failing as a country

[Lite Beer]

Opinion: We're failing as a country
Voranai Vanijaka

BANGKOK: There are three categories of people: those loyal to the Democrat Party first, those loyal to the Pheu Thai Party first and those loyal to Thailand first.

All three groups claim to want truth, justice and democracy for Thailand. But the first two groups would sacrifice those values - hence Thailand - for the Democrats or Pheu Thai without batting an eye. They end up sacrificing Thailand unwittingly, because they can't see through the colour-coded tribal lens.

We all have our priorities, don't we?

In tribalism, we reject reason and champion emotion. We sacrifice principles for blind loyalty and mindless worship. We are driven by the love for our tribe and the hate for our opposition. All the while we spew forth the principles of truth, justice and democracy to round off our contradiction.

It's hypocrisy, a comical tragedy that is worth a chuckle or two _ and today's column will get very personal because I love my country, but not without a chuckle or two.

Over the years I've written much on how the players on both sides of the political divide exhibit the hypocrisy of tribalism. From political parties to civic movements, they all talk of truth, justice and democracy, while using lies, injustice and undemocratic means to achieve political victory for their respective tribe.

Those players can get away with it, because their tribal members participate in this masturbatory circle.

The latest example is over the e-ngo (dumb bitch) comment made by the opposition leader. While it wasn't a direct insult, anyone who has watched the video should know to what or to whom he was referring.

Yet, from Democrat MPs (even women) to ordinary Democrat tribal members, many are adamant and have a long list of excuses to justify the remark, as well as attempting to give the softest possible definition for e-ngo. There is no direct translation for the word, but rest assured the sentiment is ''dumb bitch''.

Failing that, there's the gem misdirection of ''well, the other side use insults all the time too'' _ as if this justified what he said.

No, wrong is wrong. A public apology (even a fake one) would go a long way to returning to a sense of common decency. But common decency is readily sacrificed because we are obstinately loyal to our tribal leader.

Another recent example is my column on Thursday, ''Waiting for Yingluck to start giving back'', in which I, as a tax-paying citizen, charged the prime minister to, rather than spending so much time globetrotting, instead stay home and make real reforms.

Human rights abuses and the lack of the rule of law were just two examples given in the article. There's a laundry list of urgent issues that need the national leader to actually lead on. Yet, of the many pieces of feedback I received was this one: ''She's already doing a great job.'' So I asked for examples of the ''great job''. Ten hours later _ possibly after much time on Google, because heaven forbid someone actually asks for facts to back up a claim _ the reply included two trade agreements and the Pope's scheduled visit to Thailand. That's it.

That qualifies as two years of a ''great job'' by the prime minister of Thailand.Either we have very low expectations, have misunderstood the definition of ''great'' or we are truly blinded by our tribalism.

Then there is this gem: one person posted that he surely paid more tax than me and he is fine with her travelling abroad, promoting and building relationships. Think about that for a moment, an elitist Pheu Thai tribal member; the horror of it.

Thailand must be a lovely country with no human rights abuses or corruption, where the law is fair and humane and democracy is robust, where there's peace and smiles everywhere, where there are no urgent political or social problems.

So citizens ought to be fine with the national leader spending every month globetrotting, doing great PR work and forging relationships. That gets the priority. Which Thailand do you live in? I would like to move there.

The leader leads and tackles the most serious tasks head-on _ not delegating while globetrotting. There is no relationship forging or trade-deal signing more important than addressing the ongoing decay of our nation.

Does Sir Alex Ferguson coach Manchester United via Skype? No. Okay wait, that's not the best example, but you get the gist. Does he delegate the leadership role to his staff in a championship match while he's off forging a relationship with Buriram FC? No.

The blind tribal loyalty is such that when charging the prime minister to tackle the issues of human rights and democracy head-on _ the very issues Pheu Thai tribal members always chant about and accuse the other side of abusing _ those very same people manage to be up in arms and make excuses.

How's that for the stark horror of hypocrisy?

The hypocrisy of the tribe is only worth a chuckle or two, nothing more. Get out of the masturbatory circle. Get new contact lenses not tinted by a colour.Choose Thailand.

Let me make a note on choosing Thailand: don't think of it in the nationalistic sense that invites xenophobia, but in a patriotic sense that encourages truth, justice and democracy, and basic common decency.

If we fail to rise above the mindless tribalism, then we fail Thailand. We fail our children. We fail our future. We fail as a country.

Meanwhile, support the prime minister and challenge her to do the best job for Thailand. If she fails or neglects her role, critique her and demand more from her. Why? She's the prime minister of Thailand, the entire country.

She does well, we do well. She fails, we fail.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/bangkok-opinion-were-failing-as-a-country-41908.php

-- Phuket News 2013-09-15

[Paangjang]

Money makes many evil men. Most things in Thailand seem to revolve around money. Much much more so than in other countries, even other undeveloped countries. The corruption, whether its cheats, lies, scams, attacks.... It's all very much about the Baht here. Lack of security, overdone?

[ratcatcher]

Brilliant article by Voranai (B.P.) I think Sir Alex might contact David Moyes via SMS from the V.I.P.'s box at Old Trafford now..

Sadly, the last sentence says it all.

[clockman]

Some truth at last, not often you here this! keep it up.

[siampolee]

She does well, we do well. She fails, we fail.

Sad to say , " she isn't the one ruining running this country.

Remove the puppet master and his family and their brown nosing acolytes then Thailand and the people of Thailand might just have a chance.

[Gsxrnz]

"Mastubatory circles". My mind is boggling now!!

[Gsxrnz]

She does well, we do well. She fails, we fail.

Sad to say , " she isn't the one ruining running this country.

Remove the puppet master and his family and their brown nosing acolytes then Thailand and the people of Thailand might just have a chance.

Tribalism in action.

[Neilly]

"Mastubatory circles". My mind is boggling now!!

Should have been 'Circle Jerk'

When a bunch of blowhards - usually politicians - get together for a debate but usually end up agreeing with each other's viewpoints to the point of redundancy, stroking each other's egos as if they were extensions of their genitals (ergo, the mastubatory insinuation). Basically, it's what happens when the choir preaches to itself.

LOL

[thomash]

And guess what this failure is not

due to outsiders/farangs it is due

to the Thais themselves so they have no one to blame but themselvesBut of course some will still try to blame outsiders/farangs but in

reality if they took some of the good advice from outsiders/farangs

they would be a lot better off but

then not losing face is more

important then anything else.

[chainarong]

Thailand , fails as a country , only because of selfish people who wish to cast influence over the country, for their own purpose, Thailand is not failing, because of its good people, and this is where the difference lies, there seems to be in some quarters that domination , intimidation is the way to control the people, that may have been so in the junta era, however Thailand as a nation has stepped out of that prehistoric time and has defined it's self, what needs to be done is that the backward, inward looking people need to leave the scene and allow the new breed to bring Thailand into the year 2013, living in past glory only places the nation in the back woods of democracy, unfortunately the present administration and their supporters live in that era, the past.

[Bakseeda]

"Mastubatory circles". My mind is boggling now!!

Should have been 'Circle Jerk'

When a bunch of blowhards - usually politicians - get together for a debate but usually end up agreeing with each other's viewpoints to the point of redundancy, stroking each other's egos as if they were extensions of their genitals (ergo, the mastubatory insinuation). Basically, it's what happens when the choir preaches to itself.

LOL

Surely its when the "congregation" preaches to itself. The "choir" would sing to itself. Too much masterbatory stuff going on here for my liking. Or licking...

[scorecard]

"Mastubatory circles". My mind is boggling now!!

Should have been 'Circle Jerk' alt=whistling.gif width=19 height=18>

When a bunch of blowhards - usually politicians - get together for a debate but usually end up agreeing with each other's viewpoints to the point of redundancy, stroking each other's egos as if they were extensions of their genitals (ergo, the mastubatory insinuation). Basically, it's what happens when the choir preaches to itself.

LOL

And Barnharn leading the latest reconciliation talkfest comes to mind.

(Well at least Sanoe not in the circle, that's a blessing.)

[scorecard]

Thailand , fails as a country , only because of selfish people who wish to cast influence over the country, for their own purpose, Thailand is not failing, because of its good people, and this is where the difference lies, there seems to be in some quarters that domination , intimidation is the way to control the people, that may have been so in the junta era, however Thailand as a nation has stepped out of that prehistoric time and has defined it's self, what needs to be done is that the backward, inward looking people need to leave the scene and allow the new breed to bring Thailand into the year 2013, living in past glory only places the nation in the back woods of democracy, unfortunately the present administration and their supporters live in that era, the past. width=19 alt=bah.gif>

Agree, but unfortunately the capable new age Thai thinkers (and there are plenty of them) simply don't want to be associated with the smelly no ethics clans / get real rich real quick clubs, who currently run control and milk the country.

Perhaps even worse these clans / clubs have no respect whatever for the law and even expect they should be pardoned for abuse of authority for personal gain, etc., all of which is based on selfishness, with no intent whatever in terms of building a civil society.

IMHO it's still a long way to go before we see the rise of the educated new age middle classes, but there is no doubt whatever, in my mind, that time will come, and it will be a strong capable force, it will demand change and it will have the power to force change. History will repeat itself as already seen in dozens of other countries.

Unfortunately it's not tomorrow

[ggold]

This article makes interesting reading. Only to fall at the last paragraph. when he suggest continued support for a prime minister who he has criticised for not leading the country,

So maybe the title should read "We fail as a country"

I understand the guy is just covering himself against any legal actions of defamation of certain politicians. And maybe that is where the failure is. I know it is easier said than done but until someone is actually prepared to criticise without the get out clause of a complete about face such as this article then People power will never work. As it is grass root change that is needed.

When voters sell their vote to the highest bidder or are promised subsidies for votes, they get what they wanted, money.

IMO that is really what it is all about. there may be a few people who vote for a party because they believe the philosophy. But the majority are only really interested in payment for voting. It would appear that most politicians only care for the money and not the country.

Which makes you wonder, would most Thais vote if they did not get paid? Or who would they vote for if they weren't paid to vote. Also we know from various polls that Thais think there is nothing wrong with corruption. So the mentality is already wired towards corruption.

The fact is no one is in a great hurry to change anything because all parties involved and I don't mean just political parties I also mean the citizens of Thailand are quite happy with the current situation. Just as long as they get theirs!

[1plumber]

"Mastubatory circles". My mind is boggling now!!

Should have been 'Circle Jerk'

When a bunch of blowhards - usually politicians - get together for a debate but usually end up agreeing with each other's viewpoints to the point of redundancy, stroking each other's egos as if they were extensions of their genitals (ergo, the mastubatory insinuation). Basically, it's what happens when the choir preaches to itself.

LOL

for real? I honestly thought the author was being polite. Was this really a translation issue? or am I showing my naivety?

[Thai at Heart]

Most Thais are loyal to themselves first and are willing to sell their loyalty for a buck or two.

[Gsxrnz]

"Mastubatory circles". My mind is boggling now!!

Should have been 'Circle Jerk'

When a bunch of blowhards - usually politicians - get together for a debate but usually end up agreeing with each other's viewpoints to the point of redundancy, stroking each other's egos as if they were extensions of their genitals (ergo, the mastubatory insinuation). Basically, it's what happens when the choir preaches to itself.

LOL

for real? I honestly thought the author was being polite. Was this really a translation issue? or am I showing my naivety?

It's for real. He must have a good command of English to understand the slang. He could have only gone one better and said they were pulling each other off.

However I don't think that will translate to Thai very well. Chuck-Wow (masturbate) literally translates as the pulling action when flying a kite. So essentially the journalist is saying the politicians are flying kites. On second thoughts, it's probably not too far away.

I wonder if he'd comprehend the Master Bates, Seaman Stains, and Rodger the Cabin Boy innuendos from the take off of the Cap'n Pugwash kids program back in the 60's?

[handsomeATM]

A hub of mercenaries

[scorecard]

This article makes interesting reading. Only to fall at the last paragraph. when he suggest continued support for a prime minister who he has criticised for not leading the country,

So maybe the title should read "We fail as a country"

I understand the guy is just covering himself against any legal actions of defamation of certain politicians. And maybe that is where the failure is. I know it is easier said than done but until someone is actually prepared to criticise without the get out clause of a complete about face such as this article then People power will never work. As it is grass root change that is needed.

When voters sell their vote to the highest bidder or are promised subsidies for votes, they get what they wanted, money.

IMO that is really what it is all about. there may be a few people who vote for a party because they believe the philosophy. But the majority are only really interested in payment for voting. It would appear that most politicians only care for the money and not the country.

Which makes you wonder, would most Thais vote if they did not get paid? Or who would they vote for if they weren't paid to vote. Also we know from various polls that Thais think there is nothing wrong with corruption. So the mentality is already wired towards corruption.

The fact is no one is in a great hurry to change anything because all parties involved and I don't mean just political parties I also mean the citizens of Thailand are quite happy with the current situation. Just as long as they get theirs!

Well yes, but somewhere in this puzzle is the fact that the vast majority of Thais don't have any deep understanding, or even simple understanding of democracy etc., so they have no real goal for change.

I've said this before, just before the last general election my Thai adult son asked his neighbors in the next house 'how will you decide who to vote for?' Their response, 'the party which promises to keep egg and pork prices down'. In reality the neighbors, both husband and wife, are doctors of medicine. One has a senior position in a regional health office.

My son asked 'but what about long-term policy to improve education, etc etc. They laughed and said 'there's no such thing anywhere in the world, that's not possible.'

Since then my son has asked them carefully about 'the lack of respect for the law'. Again they laugh, they don't accept that there's any serious problem with the BIB situation 'it's the same as every other country.'

They also subscribe to the notion that it's best to have very rich people at the top so that there can be handouts, new roads, etc. They believe that this is the way USA, Germany, UK, Australia etc., etc., operates.

[JoeThePoster]

Get out of the masturbatory circle.

Too late, the bukkake party is over. Buy stain remover stocks now.

[ggold]

This article makes interesting reading. Only to fall at the last paragraph. when he suggest continued support for a prime minister who he has criticised for not leading the country,

So maybe the title should read "We fail as a country"

I understand the guy is just covering himself against any legal actions of defamation of certain politicians. And maybe that is where the failure is. I know it is easier said than done but until someone is actually prepared to criticise without the get out clause of a complete about face such as this article then People power will never work. As it is grass root change that is needed.

When voters sell their vote to the highest bidder or are promised subsidies for votes, they get what they wanted, money.

IMO that is really what it is all about. there may be a few people who vote for a party because they believe the philosophy. But the majority are only really interested in payment for voting. It would appear that most politicians only care for the money and not the country.

Which makes you wonder, would most Thais vote if they did not get paid? Or who would they vote for if they weren't paid to vote. Also we know from various polls that Thais think there is nothing wrong with corruption. So the mentality is already wired towards corruption.

The fact is no one is in a great hurry to change anything because all parties involved and I don't mean just political parties I also mean the citizens of Thailand are quite happy with the current situation. Just as long as they get theirs!

Well yes, but somewhere in this puzzle is the fact that the vast majority of Thais don't have any deep understanding, or even simple understanding of democracy etc., so they have no real goal for change.

I've said this before, just before the last general election my Thai adult son asked his neighbors in the next house 'how will you decide who to vote for?' Their response, 'the party which promises to keep egg and pork prices down'. In reality the neighbors, both husband and wife, are doctors of medicine. One has a senior position in a regional health office.

My son asked 'but what about long-term policy to improve education, etc etc. They laughed and said 'there's no such thing anywhere in the world, that's not possible.'

Since then my son has asked them carefully about 'the lack of respect for the law'. Again they laugh, they don't accept that there's any serious problem with the BIB situation 'it's the same as every other country.'

They also subscribe to the notion that it's best to have very rich people at the top so that there can be handouts, new roads, etc. They believe that this is the way USA, Germany, UK, Australia etc., etc., operates.

I agree with you about the lack of knowledge or understanding of what democracy is. Maybe that is why I feel there is a disconnect between politicians and the public in general. From what your sons neighbours think about it being the same around the world, proves that they are not interested in questioning anything or even trying to improve the the situation, they accept because they cannot change what is, maybe!

I dare say because of this the lowest common denominator is the selling of their vote to the highest bidder, happy to leave the ruling classes to their trough. It is up to future generations to start to question this. If indeed they have the courage to change the system.

[hellodolly]

Thailand , fails as a country , only because of selfish people who wish to cast influence over the country, for their own purpose, Thailand is not failing, because of its good people, and this is where the difference lies, there seems to be in some quarters that domination , intimidation is the way to control the people, that may have been so in the junta era, however Thailand as a nation has stepped out of that prehistoric time and has defined it's self, what needs to be done is that the backward, inward looking people need to leave the scene and allow the new breed to bring Thailand into the year 2013, living in past glory only places the nation in the back woods of democracy, unfortunately the present administration and their supporters live in that era, the past.

Pardon me but would you be kind enough to point out past glory for Thailand?

[salavan]

justice and democracy is possible but truth na the truth will scare the pants of them

[TPI]

Hear hear Khun Voranai,

You always seem to hit the nail on the head, don't you feel that it's a waste of time? The people who care have no power and the people with power don't care! There is only one branch of the executive that has any real power and it is silent on the abuses of the so-called representatives of the people!

Som nom na...you get the government you deserve! IMHO

[Thai at Heart]

This article makes interesting reading. Only to fall at the last paragraph. when he suggest continued support for a prime minister who he has criticised for not leading the country,

So maybe the title should read "We fail as a country"

I understand the guy is just covering himself against any legal actions of defamation of certain politicians. And maybe that is where the failure is. I know it is easier said than done but until someone is actually prepared to criticise without the get out clause of a complete about face such as this article then People power will never work. As it is grass root change that is needed.

When voters sell their vote to the highest bidder or are promised subsidies for votes, they get what they wanted, money.

IMO that is really what it is all about. there may be a few people who vote for a party because they believe the philosophy. But the majority are only really interested in payment for voting. It would appear that most politicians only care for the money and not the country.

Which makes you wonder, would most Thais vote if they did not get paid? Or who would they vote for if they weren't paid to vote. Also we know from various polls that Thais think there is nothing wrong with corruption. So the mentality is already wired towards corruption.

The fact is no one is in a great hurry to change anything because all parties involved and I don't mean just political parties I also mean the citizens of Thailand are quite happy with the current situation. Just as long as they get theirs!

Well yes, but somewhere in this puzzle is the fact that the vast majority of Thais don't have any deep understanding, or even simple understanding of democracy etc., so they have no real goal for change.

I've said this before, just before the last general election my Thai adult son asked his neighbors in the next house 'how will you decide who to vote for?' Their response, 'the party which promises to keep egg and pork prices down'. In reality the neighbors, both husband and wife, are doctors of medicine. One has a senior position in a regional health office.

My son asked 'but what about long-term policy to improve education, etc etc. They laughed and said 'there's no such thing anywhere in the world, that's not possible.'

Since then my son has asked them carefully about 'the lack of respect for the law'. Again they laugh, they don't accept that there's any serious problem with the BIB situation 'it's the same as every other country.'

They also subscribe to the notion that it's best to have very rich people at the top so that there can be handouts, new roads, etc. They believe that this is the way USA, Germany, UK, Australia etc., etc., operates.

I agree with you about the lack of knowledge or understanding of what democracy is. Maybe that is why I feel there is a disconnect between politicians and the public in general. From what your sons neighbours think about it being the same around the world, proves that they are not interested in questioning anything or even trying to improve the the situation, they accept because they cannot change what is, maybe!

I dare say because of this the lowest common denominator is the selling of their vote to the highest bidder, happy to leave the ruling classes to their trough. It is up to future generations to start to question this. If indeed they have the courage to change the system.

Have seen this attitude that they are mimicking the rest of the world very often in Thailand. If only they knew.

[Dr Robert]

Courageous journalism for the most part. Speaking out so publicly has ramifications and I fear this person must be subject to some closed door discussions regarding his continued good health.

[charmonman]

She does well, we do well. She fails, we fail.

Sad to say , " she isn't the one ruining running this country.

Remove the puppet master and his family and their brown nosing acolytes then Thailand and the people of Thailand might just have a chance.

Tribalism in action. width=24 alt=facepalm.gif>

Criticizing a corrupt politician is not "tribalism".