How long do we have to wait for a new awakening?: Thai opinion

[webfact]

TELL IT AS IT IS
How long do we have to wait for a new awakening?
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- It took three years of vicious political chaos, carnage and assassinations before Tunisia and its leadership decided they had had enough of their country's darkest days. Last month, the ruling Islamist government reached an agreement with opposition parties to put a caretaker administration in charge until new elections could be held.

To allow for a new political beginning, prime minister Ali Laarayedh resigned. The resignation was a setback for his Islamist supporters, who were clamouring for him to lead the government into elections. But his departure was a necessary part of the negotiated agreement aimed at breaking the political deadlock.

Now, Tunisia is set to approve one of the most liberal constitutions in the Arab world.

In contrast, Egypt, Syria and Ukraine continue to experience deadlock between warring political factions and their supporters, with ordinary people suffering the violent consequences.

Heartbreakingly, Thailand is poised to follow in the footstep of Egypt, Syria and Ukraine.

Anybody who cares to look will find that our society, education and political systems have increasingly becoming rotten at the core. Corruption is widely accepted in everyday life. Like a cancer, it creeps through our national body, leaving in its wake a toxin that further weakens the health of the nation in every sector. The desire to rid the country of this destructive disease has prompted people from all walks of life to take to streets in numbers larger than at any other time in Thai political history. Such is the level of disgust with the brazen lies, self-serving political manoeuvres and wholesale venality that has been going on under our nose. Ordinary people decided to take action because there is no other means or willing authority to stop it. The rice-price pledging programme is but one case in point. The systematic and blatant corruption of schemes under the programme dwarf all other instances of public sector fraud in our history. Dr Ammar Siamwala, one of our most prominent economists and a man of few words, recently said he had never seen a worse case of across-the-board fraudulent practices than those operating under the rice-pledge programme.

Yet, no one has been arrested or put in jail.

The majority of the anti-government protesters have no ulterior motives, and only desire to put a stop to the runaway greed and corrupt practices personified by the Shinawatra family and its associates. To some, singling out the Shinawatras might seem unfair, because other public personalities have committed similar transgressions. However, the many high-profile and brazen actions undertaken by that family in recent years have put them fairly and squarely in the public's sights.

The protesters are neither against democracy nor voting, but they do not trust the government to hold a fair and transparent election, when its MPs are happy to hoodwink the public with acts such as pushing through an amnesty bill at 4am. Trust is a precious commodity, and difficult to win back once you lose it. People have taken to the streets to blow whistles because, despite being merely symbolic, it seems the only thing they can do to fight back. They want reform before an election, because they are tired of walking an electoral treadmill that is taking them nowhere on this democratic journey. Their goal may be quixotic, but they have the right to hope it is not.

Meanwhile, our government remains unyielding and defiant. Politicians not known for their upright character are taking turns to denounce the protests. The regime is standing firm and forging ahead with the election on February 2, even if it fails to produce a functioning government. With the opposition boycott, Pheu Thai Party will be left to mop up the votes. Plenty of "ghost ballots" will find their way into the ballot boxes. The greater number of votes Pheu Thai gets, the greater "legitimacy" it can claim on the world stage. Shame has no place in our political lexicon. And the international community, too languid to look beyond appearances, will continue to call the "elected" body "democratic".

The government is not afraid of a military coup. Should it happen, our dear leader would jump up and down with glee because it would be the military, not she, who is doing the dirty work of tearing up the 2007 Constitution that this government hates with a passion. A coup would draw international condemnation. A government in exile could then be set up, the red shirts would claim it their right to take up arms, and havoc would ensue.

At that juncture, with the Emergency Decree in place, violence would spread like mushrooms across our Land of Smiles. Simmering hostility between Thais would breed more enmity. The country would descend quickly into perdition. We would find ourselves in a new and horrifying place.

Many people disagree with the actions of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), and they have the perfect right to do so. The "Respect My Vote" movement comprises people who genuinely believe in the fundamental expression of democracy. They detest the rhetoric of hate, regardless of which side it comes from. Their point is well taken. But the situation in Thailand is such that hate speeches were being disseminated long before the PDRC rallies. Unless all begin to see the futility of them, they will get louder from all sides.

There is one fundamental difference between the government and the PDRC in the current conflicts. The government has legal authority, the PDRC does not. The latter can make lots of noise, and make life difficult for lots of people, but it cannot make any real change, not without the unthinkable butchery of innocent people. The government, on the other hand, has in its hand the authority to make meaningful compromise. It can follow the example of Tunisia - not the three years of carnage, but the willingness to bring peace to a violence-torn nation - by relinquishing its authority. It could usher in the peace process by extending a hand of compromise to the opposition, so honest negotiations can start. It can choose the high road or the low road. Let us pray that it takes the former. If it does so, hope would finally dawn for Thailand.


-- The Nation 2014-01-23

[selftaopath]

Amen.

[Briggsy]

The comparison is spurious because

in North Africa, the revolutions were genuine grassroots, whilst here in Thailand the conflict is between two patronage networks. Each incident, each protest action, each rally here has been planned, financed, authorised and ordered from the top.

It is so ironic that the Nation should make these ridiculous comparisons as the current protestors, Democrats backed by military and senior civil service are the ones who have held power for the vast majority of Thailand's post Second World War history and this nexus truly does represent undemocratic, entrenched power and untouchability of a nepotistic clique. These are the last people one might expect to provide meaningful reform of the political process to decentralise power and wealth and advance the rule of law.

[noitom]

The second part of the editorial was somewhat thoughtful. The comparison with arab countries was useless.

[chrisrazz]

World Bank report May 2012. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/05/10/thailand-public-finance-management-review-report

Bangkok - 72% of public expenditure, 26% GDP, 17% population. Where's all the corruption?

[Costas2008]

My congratulations to Khun Pornpimol Kanchanalak and the Nation for a well written and informative article.

My advice to Ms Yingluck supporters: For once in your life try to read the article and understand the current situation.

Time for you to take the blinkers off.

[Hawk]

Again another Nation article that is too "yellow".

And the other countries mentioned have nothing in common with the Thai "problem". The army constitution needs amending, and the various army puppet institutions need to be removed.

[Cricketnut]

Couldn't find a more biased and inflammatory piece of writing if I tried.

Sent from my i-mobile i-STYLE 8.2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[smutcakes]

And who created and benefited from this corrupt system for so long? Where abroad were you educated Khun Pornpimol and how did your family afford that?

[Timwin]

Another BS article. The yellows just want the old feudal times back, when the Chinese Thais ruled supreme. The red leaders are not much better but at least they are not entirely serving only the Chinese in Bangkok!

[Scamper]

Terrific article, with a compelling contextual sweep of historical references. Read it while you can. It might be deemed unfit by Pheu Thai tomorrow.

[Spartakos]

Let's assume that both sides are equally bad,

And I'd still support the protesters because removal of Dr. T would decentralise the power Which is a good thing in my view.

[lomatopo]

Is the author the same person, Pauline Kanchanalak, who was indicted in the U.S. in 1998 for,

conspiring to impair and impede the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and to cause the submission of false statements to the FEC.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1998/July/325crm.html

?

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/192/1037/594125/

And who, in 2000, plead guilty to trying to steer foreign campaign contributions to President Clinton in exchange for access?

Hmmm, if so, I guess she would be an expert on corruption?

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-19/opinion/op-20110_1_hollywood-women

http://townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2001/04/25/paulines_puny_punishment

Edited January 23, 2014 by lomatopo

[Thai at Heart]

World Bank report May 2012. http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/05/10/thailand-public-finance-management-review-report

Bangkok - 72% of public expenditure, 26% GDP, 17% population. Where's all the corruption?

Well that says it all. Glad to see not one baht of it goes to the town planning department.

[fab4]

Is the author the same person, Pauline Kanchanalak, who was indicted in the U.S. in 1998 for,

conspiring to impair and impede the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and to cause the submission of false statements to the FEC.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1998/July/325crm.html

?

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/192/1037/594125/

And who, in 2000, plead guilty to trying to steer foreign campaign contributions to President Clinton in exchange for access?

Hmmm, if so, I guess she would be an expert on corruption?

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-19/opinion/op-20110_1_hollywood-women

http://townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2001/04/25/paulines_puny_punishment

Yes, that's the same "Pauline" Kanchanalak - all the "accounting" details here

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1997_Special_Investigation_in_Connection_with_1996_Federal_Election_Campaigns/Section_7#top

it appears she would know quite a lot about corruption but precious little about contrition.

[Mentors]

How long? Until the day when the people dont have to talk around the bush anymore in Thailand.

Edited January 23, 2014 by Mentors

[pipkins]

And who created and benefited from this corrupt system for so long? Where abroad were you educated Khun Pornpimol and how did your family afford that?

To talk of corruption increasing.... Must be talking via Suthep himself. Corruption has been at the heart of all thailands problems and Thaksin was a product of this and not the cause.

This country is corrupt to the core. I've been asked for tea money at Banks, Insurance Companies, every gov and tax office, Hospital to see a Dr privately, etc. etc. None of this changed with his coming to power, with the coups, the dems etc.

Many of these people marching are part of the problem themselves, but they whistle away so as nobody has to listen or learn anything.

Good luck with the Civil War, and it'a blinkered outdated opinions form the Nation that stoke this up... We're righteous educated and entitled to rule.

Rather than Tunisia as an example, the rich and priviliged should be more worried about a Cambodia happening. One Coup to many could really kick off the violence.

Need smarter and cooler heads than to be found writing this drivel if you want to save Thailand.

EDIT. She did what in America? Least we know she is qualified to talk on corruption

Edited January 23, 2014 by pipkins

[Thai at Heart]

And who created and benefited from this corrupt system for so long? Where abroad were you educated Khun Pornpimol and how did your family afford that?

To talk of corruption increasing.... Must be talking via Suthep himself. Corruption has been at the heart of all thailands problems and Thaksin was a product of this and not the cause.

This country is corrupt to the core. I've been asked for tea money at Banks, Insurance Companies, every gov and tax office, Hospital to see a Dr privately, etc. etc. None of this changed with his coming to power, with the coups, the dems etc.

Many of these people marching are part of the problem themselves, but they whistle away so as nobody has to listen or learn anything.

Good luck with the Civil War, and it'a blinkered outdated opinions form the Nation that stoke this up... We're righteous educated and entitled to rule.

Rather than Tunisia as an example, the rich and priviliged should be more worried about a Cambodia happening. One Coup to many could really kick off the violence.

Need smarter and cooler heads than to be found writing this drivel if you want to save Thailand.

There has been policy corruption in Thailand for decades. Policy has been written to the benefit of local business forever here.

Thaksin has changed the landscape because he brought a new set of businesses to the table. Just look at it, Singha versus Chang, land and house versus the old banks, and virtually every major market has this separation going on.

It is new versus old, the oak cabinet versus IKEA. This is the major corruption that is holding the country back. Now I might not trust thaksin to liberalise anything for the benefit of the normal thai, but I definitely don't trust the old guard to give a penny.

Edited January 23, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[ratcatcher]

Is the author the same person, Pauline Kanchanalak, who was indicted in the U.S. in 1998 for,

conspiring to impair and impede the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and to cause the submission of false statements to the FEC.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1998/July/325crm.html

?

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/192/1037/594125/

And who, in 2000, plead guilty to trying to steer foreign campaign contributions to President Clinton in exchange for access?

Hmmm, if so, I guess she would be an expert on corruption?

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-19/opinion/op-20110_1_hollywood-women

http://townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2001/04/25/paulines_puny_punishment

It looks distinctly like that.

[pipkins]

Is the author the same person, Pauline Kanchanalak, who was indicted in the U.S. in 1998 for,

conspiring to impair and impede the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and to cause the submission of false statements to the FEC.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1998/July/325crm.html

?

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/192/1037/594125/

And who, in 2000, plead guilty to trying to steer foreign campaign contributions to President Clinton in exchange for access?

Hmmm, if so, I guess she would be an expert on corruption?

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-19/opinion/op-20110_1_hollywood-women

http://townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2001/04/25/paulines_puny_punishment

It looks distinctly like that.

We have to remember that this pales into insignificance with trying to help out the poor people of the country with education, health care, village funds etc.

Best quote of the year for me so far was.

"if this was a football game between Thaksin and the Elites, it would be 9:9 with Thaksin having scored all the goals."

Suthep is lucky that they score own goals. When they clamp down on this the elites are toast!!

[moonao]

How long do we have to wait for a new awakening?

probably next lifetime. these yellow shirts are to afraid to open their eyes, their heavy addiction to their bizzare, elaborate and extremely heavily invested "thaksin bad man" believe system is at stake.

Edited January 23, 2014 by moonao

[shiok]

Again another Nation article that is too "yellow".

And the other countries mentioned have nothing in common with the Thai "problem". The army constitution needs amending, and the various army puppet institutions need to be removed.

Not yellow but the TRUTH, I assume you are red?

[shiok]

How long do we have to wait for a new awakening?

probably next lifetime. these yellow shirts are to afraid to open their eyes, their heavy addiction to their bizzare, elaborate and extremely heavily invested "thaksin bad man" believe system is at stake.

utter rubbish, you don't want to know the truth, ashamed of having been misled? Edited January 23, 2014 by shiok

[shiok]

Is the author the same person, Pauline Kanchanalak, who was indicted in the U.S. in 1998 for,

conspiring to impair and impede the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and to cause the submission of false statements to the FEC.

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/1998/July/325crm.html

?

http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/192/1037/594125/

And who, in 2000, plead guilty to trying to steer foreign campaign contributions to President Clinton in exchange for access?

Hmmm, if so, I guess she would be an expert on corruption?

http://articles.latimes.com/1997-01-19/opinion/op-20110_1_hollywood-women

http://townhall.com/columnists/michellemalkin/2001/04/25/paulines_puny_punishment

It looks distinctly like that.

We have to remember that this pales into insignificance with trying to help out the poor people of the country with education, health care, village funds etc.

Best quote of the year for me so far was.

"if this was a football game between Thaksin and the Elites, it would be 9:9 with Thaksin having scored all the goals."

Suthep is lucky that they score own goals. When they clamp down on this the elites are toast!!

that shows how much you know = 0

[shiok]

Another BS article. The yellows just want the old feudal times back, when the Chinese Thais ruled supreme. The red leaders are not much better but at least they are not entirely serving only the Chinese in Bangkok!

better than having some White Trash! you racial

b.....d!

Edited January 23, 2014 by shiok

[pipkins]

Again another Nation article that is too "yellow".

And the other countries mentioned have nothing in common with the Thai "problem". The army constitution needs amending, and the various army puppet institutions need to be removed.

Not yellow but the TRUTH, I assume you are red?

Civil war will be a catastrophe for both sides and those in the middle.

The middle classed need a better leader if they really want reform. We are saying that they DON"T want reform from corruption as most of them are involved in it in their daily lives.

What they want is a system where all the money and power stay in Bangkok and everybody else cannot vote. So desperate for this are they, that they are preparted to give up their own rights to vote indeffinatly... or maybe they just don't know yet what they have signed up for.

Good luck with your flaming. awaiting some coments and detail from you.

[shiok]

And who created and benefited from this corrupt system for so long? Where abroad were you educated Khun Pornpimol and how did your family afford that?

To talk of corruption increasing.... Must be talking via Suthep himself. Corruption has been at the heart of all thailands problems and Thaksin was a product of this and not the cause.

This country is corrupt to the core. I've been asked for tea money at Banks, Insurance Companies, every gov and tax office, Hospital to see a Dr privately, etc. etc. None of this changed with his coming to power, with the coups, the dems etc.

Many of these people marching are part of the problem themselves, but they whistle away so as nobody has to listen or learn anything.

Good luck with the Civil War, and it'a blinkered outdated opinions form the Nation that stoke this up... We're righteous educated and entitled to rule.

Rather than Tunisia as an example, the rich and priviliged should be more worried about a Cambodia happening. One Coup to many could really kick off the violence.

Need smarter and cooler heads than to be found writing this drivel if you want to save Thailand.

EDIT. She did what in America? Least we know she is qualified to talk on corruption

wonder why you have chosen to live here in Thailand, perhaps you are better in Timbuktoo!

[pipkins]

To answer the question to the good lady.

"until the press can act independently of vested interest groups on either side and can engage in real investigative journalism into what goes on in the super rich sectin of Thailand and why nobody from this clique is ever critisised or called to task for their time in the trough.

These backers on both sides hate publicity. They are getting it now, but you not in Thai Media. Thai media are too craven and unthinking to be part of Thailands redemption and seem to have little to bring to the table on this score.

Sorry if the truth hurts. You should stop been spoonfed your articles and go investigate something.

[shiok]

To answer the question to the good lady.

"until the press can act independently of vested interest groups on either side and can engage in real investigative journalism into what goes on in the super rich sectin of Thailand and why nobody from this clique is ever critisised or called to task for their time in the trough.

These backers on both sides hate publicity. They are getting it now, but you not in Thai Media. Thai media are too craven and unthinking to be part of Thailands redemption and seem to have little to bring to the table on this score.

Sorry if the truth hurts. You should stop been spoonfed your articles and go investigate something.

I have, have you?

[cdnvic]

Another BS article. The yellows just want the old feudal times back, when the Chinese Thais ruled supreme. The red leaders are not much better but at least they are not entirely serving only the Chinese in Bangkok!

better than having some White Trash! you racial

b.....d!

Getting a little tired of racial insults. Keep it up and your posting privileges will disappear.