Thai opinion: Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk

[webfact]

THAI TALK
Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The prime minister's spokesmen and aides have dismissed rumours about a Cabinet reshuffle leading to the "Yingluck 6 Cabinet", but Premier Yingluck Shinawatra has chosen to keep silent.

Her lieutenants in the Pheu Thai Party have been floating the idea of a possible snap election. The prime minister has decided to keep mum on that too.

Premier Yingluck has grown into her job. She has learned that, in politics, you must adopt the safest stand, especially in public: never say never. With her deafening silence, she can never be accused of not telling the truth. She doesn't tell. So you can't say whether she is telling you what she is really thinking about.

In Thai politics, vehement denial usually suggests that something is afoot. Those in the know don't talk, and those who talk don't know.

Stories about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle stemmed from a few senior Pheu Thai members who met up with Thaksin Shinawatra, who has so far refrained from using his Facebook account to confirm or deny the speculation. He was supposed to be the source of the story. And if he keeps quiet about such a juicy line of speculation, it could probably mean that he is either floating a weather balloon or waiting for the right time to make a statement.

Cabinet reshuffles aren't about improving efficiency or plugging loopholes in the management of the government. They are about stopping the merry-go-round to let some ministers off so that others can join the ride in exchange for "services rendered".

Six months has been the usual time span for this game of musical chairs. But if the patience of the most powerful man in this game runs low at a particular time, or if lobbying from those who want to get in becomes intense, the time span can be shortened.

The fact that the premier hasn't expressed irritation over newspaper headlines declaring that the new Cabinet reshuffle was on the orders of her elder brother suggests that the public's worst suspicion about who's really in charge of the government has again been proved true.

Reshuffling the Cabinet is just one of several options for the government to survive the political onslaught. If things turn really sour in Parliament - or if the ruling party detects some legal hurdles in pushing through some of the major pieces of legislation - dissolving Parliament to call a new election is certainly on the cards.

Calling a snap election has always been part of Thaksin's grand strategy to pre-empt any assault from the opposition. Pheu Thai's confidence in returning with a bigger majority in the lower House has been boosted by the latest constitutional amendment that will require all senators to be elected.

But unrestrained confidence can spill over, and hubris in politics is always dangerous if not contained at an appropriate level. Orders from the top, it is said, have directed the government and Pheu Thai members to "go for broke" and push further charter changes and the highly controversial amnesty bill through Parliament.

An overconfident government, ignoring all dissenting voices from not only the official opposition but also significant segments of civil society, could stumble in the face of a determined move to pave the way for Thaksin's return as a person absolved of all past guilt.

The apparent move to use the majority in Parliament to consolidate power by removing independent agencies destroys the checks and balances that are crucial for a democratic system. And it will inevitably boomerang.

The battle cry from the powers-that-be is: "Go all the way to the end of the soi." Little do they realise that this soi isn't the sole property of any particular individual. Besides, it could lead to a dead end from where there might not be a viable exit.

-- The Nation 2013-10-10

[Johnnie99]

That is why Thailand is a politically verbose (very talkative) place.

[noitom]

Another Thai "shuffle."

[GentlemanJim]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk"

Sounds like a good strapline for TV.

[GentlemanJim]

Sorry double post.

Edited October 10, 2013 by GentlemanJim

[jaltsc]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk."

That could also be the motto of the reply section to Thai Visa. So what if we don't know what we are talking about. It sure is fun poking fun at the buffoons who try and control other people's lives. If we actually knew what we were talking about, the reply section would be empty. And....then, what would we do for entertainment? The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro"

[Suradit69]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk."

That could also be the motto of the reply section to Thai Visa. So what if we don't know what we are talking about. It sure is fun poking fun at the buffoons who try and control other people's lives. If we actually knew what we were talking about, the reply section would be empty. And....then, what would we do for entertainment? The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro"

"The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro""

Or "Why can't everything in Thailand be just like it is in the UK/the US/the west where everything is perfect?"

[MMarlow]

That is why Thailand is a politically verbose (very talkative) place.

Thanks for giving us all an incorrect definition of what verbose means. Certainly does not mean "very talkative".

[jcisco]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk."

That could also be the motto of the reply section to Thai Visa. So what if we don't know what we are talking about. It sure is fun poking fun at the buffoons who try and control other people's lives. If we actually knew what we were talking about, the reply section would be empty. And....then, what would we do for entertainment? The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro"

It is hardly healthy entertainment, much like watching a trainwreck in slow motion and only eating supersize macdonalds. Bad for everyone involved in the long run, but fun till it all comes to i do not know, an end, a point or coherent informed opinion. whatever, i made myself hungry.

[Siripon]

The upcoming Cabinet reshuffle has 2 functions:

1. Time to pay back various backers of Pheua Thai factions by offering them Cabinet posts as a reward. Ability has nothing to do with it.

2. To avoid the upcoming censure debate certain targeted Ministers such as the deputy Education Minister will be removed. He had a plan to buy some minivans for schools at a very high price.

[timewilltell]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk."

That could also be the motto of the reply section to Thai Visa. So what if we don't know what we are talking about. It sure is fun poking fun at the buffoons who try and control other people's lives. If we actually knew what we were talking about, the reply section would be empty. And....then, what would we do for entertainment? The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro"

"The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro""

Or "Why can't everything in Thailand be just like it is in the UK/the US/the west where everything is perfect?"

Not everything - just some things!

[howzat]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk"

Sounds like a good strapline for TV.

I guess that's why we get so much verbal diarrhoea from some of these "ministers. It keeps us farangs amused because we can't get Coronation Street on True or CTH.

[indyuk]

"Those who know, don't talk, those who don't know, talk."

That could also be the motto of the reply section to Thai Visa. So what if we don't know what we are talking about. It sure is fun poking fun at the buffoons who try and control other people's lives. If we actually knew what we were talking about, the reply section would be empty. And....then, what would we do for entertainment? The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro":thumbsup:

"The replies here are so more entertaining than having to listen to "I rove you" or "Famiry need new water buffaro":thumbsup::thumbsup:"

Or "Why can't everything in Thailand be just like it is in the UK/the US/the west where everything is perfect?"

Thailand is very like the west. Has similar type of government to many European countries. Has Dynastic political and monarchical families like most of western Europe. Thailand's civil service is very similar in structure and planning to those in many countries. Thailand's feudal structure of provincial and local government is very much like the United kingdom's right down to the city and borough councils. In fact if one views the Thai system of governance at the rural level Thailand's rural administration of agricultural communities is like England's was 100 years ago.

Consider society and Thailand award for excellence systems which resemble those of the United

Kingdom. Titles of real (material merit are awarded for achievement and any Thai citizen can be awarded then. Two example awards for women:- 'Dame of the White Elephant'(Lady) and 'Khunying' (Duchess)

Edited October 14, 2013 by indyuk

[Thait Spot]

She's had more cabinets than Chipendale

And still not found one that's successful at anything except milking the coffers