Kamnans slam PDRC

[webfact]

Kamnans slam PDRC
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- About 1,000 village headmen and kamnans gathered near the Interior Ministry yesterday and announced an ultimatum to the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to end the blockade of the Interior Ministry within seven days.

The group, which held a meeting of representatives nationwide on Tuesday and Wednesday, also announced its opposition to the proposed system of elected governors made by the PDRC. It said the move would make the role of village headman and kamnan or sub-district chief redundant. It said there is already a system of elected city administrators in place in all provinces.

The group also said Suthep should stop using his former position as a kamnan for political gain.


-- The Nation 2014-02-14

[rogerdee123]

hmmmm .... opposing electing governors ..... instead of the Govt appointing them .... hmmmmm .... now who is opposing elections/democracy?

I wonder if the BBC will notice this.

[Red Snake]

The people are just now understanding what Suthep is doing to this country.

[chooka]

It said the move would make the role of village headman and kamnan or sub-district chief redundant

Probably means their kickbacks and commissions are in jeopardy. Why on earth do you need these hangers on anyway?

Edited February 14, 2014 by chooka

[noitom]

It said the move would make the role of village headman and kamnan or sub-district chief redundant

Probably means their kickbacks and commissions are in jeopardy. Why on earth do you need these hangers on anyway?

Thailand has many hangers-on. The Thai system evolves around hangers-on and then their hangers-on. There is no independent in Thailand. Everyone is a hanger-on.

[PatOngo]

The people are just now understanding what Suthep is doing to this country.

Would that be opening peoples minds,ears and mouths to the bullshit that has been rampant in LOS for far too long?

[DirtFarmer]

Hard to know if and what the translation abrogated...in my village the Kanman (pooyai) is elected.. whomever the candidates are usually come by the house for a chat with my wife.. there is an elected governor as well for the Jungwat so not sure if what PDRC proposed ( if indeed Suthep did) was to insert another layer of bureaucracy or what.. but I applaud them for standing up against holding the Interior Ministry Hostage and agree the poster boy image of Suthep is a bit worn... and wonder why he hasn't spent more time and billions on helping the Southern problem and show true leadership and humanity...but that's off topic and begs a rant on another post on another day...

[trogers]

The position holders of grassroot vote buying protecting Democracy?

[NongKhaiKid]

Hard to know if and what the translation abrogated...in my village the Kanman (pooyai) is elected.. whomever the candidates are usually come by the house for a chat with my wife.. there is an elected governor as well for the Jungwat so not sure if what PDRC proposed ( if indeed Suthep did) was to insert another layer of bureaucracy or what.. but I applaud them for standing up against holding the Interior Ministry Hostage and agree the poster boy image of Suthep is a bit worn... and wonder why he hasn't spent more time and billions on helping the Southern problem and show true leadership and humanity...but that's off topic and begs a rant on another post on another day...

The problem here is that the words ' election ' and ' elected ' and related words are very, very flexible.

[DirtFarmer]

understood... here my wife actually goes to a poll site and ticks the box of her choice..and places the ballot in the box etc.so it is pretty clear that follows some sort of expected electoral process and has been that way since '03... since we've been married but i can't speak for other regions or other practices...nothing of course here is consistent...but the point I was making is that even these relatively "grass roots" individuals are tired of Suthep inserting himself everywhere... the delay and distract and attempt to confuse tactic ( my opinion) by trying to stir every possible pot... maybe starting to backfire on him a bit... I think people are weary of the name Suthep now...

[bkkgooner]

heads of village are notorious for being corrupt and letting all kinds of weird and odd shit slide, who cares about their opinion?

[smedly]

understood... here my wife actually goes to a poll site and ticks the box of her choice..and places the ballot in the box etc.so it is pretty clear that follows some sort of expected electoral process and has been that way since '03... since we've been married but i can't speak for other regions or other practices...nothing of course here is consistent...but the point I was making is that even these relatively "grass roots" individuals are tired of Suthep inserting himself everywhere... the delay and distract and attempt to confuse tactic ( my opinion) by trying to stir every possible pot... maybe starting to backfire on him a bit... I think people are weary of the name Suthep now...

and who regulates these elections - the people that get the most votes

[Luk Mhee]

It said the move would make the role of village headman and kamnan or sub-district chief redundant

Probably means their kickbacks and commissions are in jeopardy. Why on earth do you need these hangers on anyway?

I second that.

[jollyman]

Thailand a perfect example:

" do as you have always done

Get what you've always gotten"

[JesseFrank]

The people are just now understanding what Suthep is doing to this country.

Kamnans are part of the problem Why Suthep has to hold his protests, and why the farmers are in trouble, as the kamnans are the ones that are paid influenced to assure that the people of their village votes populism PTP .

[chainarong]

It said the move would make the role of village headman and kamnan or sub-district chief redundant

Probably means their kickbacks and commissions are in jeopardy. Why on earth do you need these hangers on anyway?

My thoughts exactly.

[tomacht8]

This village chiefs been assigned the regional budget from the state budget.

Hopefully reforms are made, so that every villager can see how much money these village chiefs get in there fingers
and for what the state money was used (with receipts)!

In fashion are precisely the beautiful gold rings set with diamonds.

Edited February 14, 2014 by tomacht8

[Halion]

At a rural level these Kamnans and village elders are the myopic conduit and catalyst for vote buying and electoral fraud.

[DirtFarmer]

and who regulates these elections - the people that get the most votes width=19 alt=whistling.gif>

Well I cannot speak to your village.. but here... there is change from time to time...different people winning the polls and end up being the leaders...etc... the ones that come out and speak to the people and then address the needs...like fixing the roads... keeping the khlongs clean and debris free and running, keeping trees and jungle on jungwat land adjacent fire safe/ vision safe... and actually paying attention to the village concerns... mostly here we have small to medium land owners/farmers that still actually do their own farming etc.. and not too many corporate farms... not sure it is fair to throw a blanket over all villages and automatically assume what ever you are assuming.... here it's more like a round robin and they take turns leading... not yet so jaded as in other places

Edited February 14, 2014 by DirtFarmer

[klauskunkel]

Are they wearing uniforms? "Kamnan uniforms"? O do we have to worry about a new shirt color movement? The beige shirts, the off-whites, the "sandies", or maybe the unwashed?

[Nickymaster]

The people are just now understanding what Suthep is doing to this country.

Suthep wants governors elected like it's done in BKK and not anymore handpicked by the interior minister.

Please explain what people understand. I bet you can't and therefor you are just a troll.

[LuckyLew]

In a truely democratic country the provincial and village leaders are electedd. This is the way it should be in Thailand, Kamnans and village leaders by appointment should be done away with and they should all be elected ... wait that would be democratic

[Bakseeda]

understood... here my wife actually goes to a poll site and ticks the box of her choice..and places the ballot in the box etc.so it is pretty clear that follows some sort of expected electoral process and has been that way since '03... since we've been married but i can't speak for other regions or other practices...nothing of course here is consistent...but the point I was making is that even these relatively "grass roots" individuals are tired of Suthep inserting himself everywhere... the delay and distract and attempt to confuse tactic ( my opinion) by trying to stir every possible pot... maybe starting to backfire on him a bit... I think people are weary of the name Suthep now...

Well DirtBox Farmer.. obviously you live out in the sticks... try living in Bangkok and you will realise that Suthep is a Hero... it was the hard working tax-payers that lost all that hard earned cash that Yinluck and her devils stole from Thailand.. people out in the sticks never pay tax... ask your wife to show you all her tax payment certificates... none.. what right do non-taxpayers have to go to a poll site and tick the box...none.. shame on you...

[seajae]

notice the article doesnt mention where they are from, probably the north east red centre, these idiots run everything and are appointed by the ptp, they simply dont want to lose all their graft money. Half the problem(probably most actually) is that these head reds are able to control the entire village, do as I say or your sh*t, they control the purse strings as well, so if you buck the trend you get nothing. These idiots need to be removed and responsible, elected officials put in place and they need to be audited as well so the graft cannot continue, without the graft only serious people will stand for the office because they want change, not because they can rip people off.

[ScouseTommy]

understood... here my wife actually goes to a poll site and ticks the box of her choice..and places the ballot in the box etc.so it is pretty clear that follows some sort of expected electoral process and has been that way since '03... since we've been married but i can't speak for other regions or other practices...nothing of course here is consistent...but the point I was making is that even these relatively "grass roots" individuals are tired of Suthep inserting himself everywhere... the delay and distract and attempt to confuse tactic ( my opinion) by trying to stir every possible pot... maybe starting to backfire on him a bit... I think people are weary of the name Suthep now...

Well DirtBox Farmer.. obviously you live out in the sticks... try living in Bangkok and you will realise that Suthep is a Hero... it was the hard working tax-payers that lost all that hard earned cash that Yinluck and her devils stole from Thailand.. people out in the sticks never pay tax... ask your wife to show you all her tax payment certificates... none.. what right do non-taxpayers have to go to a poll site and tick the box...none.. shame on you...

Are you serious??? Lets get one thing straight. I live in BKK and have done for years. I pay my taxes and am not a red apologist. I dont like Thaksin and would like to see Yingluck in court for the obvious corruption in the rice scam. BUT your comments are ignorant, rude and arrogant! Dirt box farmer has simply said how it is in the village he lives in. He hasn't mentioned PTP or politics. I live in BKK and Suthep is a hero to some people, however not to a lot of people. He did himself no favours when his supporters physically restrained people who wanted to vote! The shutdown sites are only occupied of a night or weekend and to be honest never really shut anything down to start with! You are right when you say many people in the sticks never pay tax. HOWEVER the GDP in Thailand comes off the backs of these extremely hardworking and impoverished people. Your hero Suthep wants a true and uncorrupt democracy. Check any definition you want too, but what you have said is undemocratic. Your not allowed to vote because you havent paid tax this year??? Complete joke mate! I tend to want a lot of the same things Suthep is campaigning for, Shinawtra's out, crackdown on corruption etc. When i read comments like yours I know Thailand still has a huge mountain to climb. In the end its actually SHAME ON YOU mate!

[ScouseTommy]

I am seriously wondering if there is anyone on here who is still sensible and clear minded? It seems everyone is in either a red or yellow(ish) sided camp! Are you all blind? Thailand has massive issues, on that we are all agreed.However to close-mindedly defend any one side is complete idiocy! PTP and the reds have the rice scam and blatant corruption they are by their own admission (Thaksin says....) led by a corrupt criminal living abroad and ruling through his sister! The other side have their own issues with corruption as well as many other capital offences in Thailand. On top of this they gave up on democracy and refused to vote, making themselves a mere sideline in the political theatre. The PDRC want an UNELECTED commitee (sounds a lot like communism to me) to REFORM politics. We all need reform, I agree. What reforms will you make Mr. Suthep? Reply "mmm... we have not thought about that yet"!

Both sides are flawed, both have major issues. In a perfect world no one would ever vote for any of these cowboys! I would love to see people on here who are able to accept that the rural poor have been shat on for years. They may not pay taxes, if they did they would probably be dead through lack of food. Whilst greatly contributing to the GDP they are paid peanuts and work themselves into the ground just to be able to eat. I would also love to see the red side admit that PTP are corrupt, the rice scheme was a scam and failure of major proportions! That the country is being ruled by proxy. That most votes are bought or coerced in the north. Its a fact, If we as foreigners with supposed well established democracies cannot act impartial and rational, how do we expect Thailand whose democracy is less than 100 years old to do the same!

I haven't got the answers to the current crisis, however I at least can see points from both sides of the fence, and do not have to resort to name calling, or blatant ignorism when posting. Rant over, let the colour blinded abuse begin!

[kikoman]

heads of village are notorious for being corrupt and letting all kinds of weird and odd shit slide, who cares about their opinion?

The Thai people care a lot about their opinions, as some of the most heavily contested election takes place on the village leadership level.

You on the other hand as a Farang no one cares about your opinion!

NO ONE!

Edited February 14, 2014 by kikoman

[kikoman]

I am seriously wondering if there is anyone on here who is still sensible and clear minded? It seems everyone is in either a red or yellow(ish) sided camp! Are you all blind? Thailand has massive issues, on that we are all agreed.However to close-mindedly defend any one side is complete idiocy! PTP and the reds have the rice scam and blatant corruption they are by their own admission (Thaksin says....) led by a corrupt criminal living abroad and ruling through his sister! The other side have their own issues with corruption as well as many other capital offences in Thailand. On top of this they gave up on democracy and refused to vote, making themselves a mere sideline in the political theatre. The PDRC want an UNELECTED commitee (sounds a lot like communism to me) to REFORM politics. We all need reform, I agree. What reforms will you make Mr. Suthep? Reply "mmm... we have not thought about that yet"!

Both sides are flawed, both have major issues. In a perfect world no one would ever vote for any of these cowboys! I would love to see people on here who are able to accept that the rural poor have been shat on for years. They may not pay taxes, if they did they would probably be dead through lack of food. Whilst greatly contributing to the GDP they are paid peanuts and work themselves into the ground just to be able to eat. I would also love to see the red side admit that PTP are corrupt, the rice scheme was a scam and failure of major proportions! That the country is being ruled by proxy. That most votes are bought or coerced in the north. Its a fact, If we as foreigners with supposed well established democracies cannot act impartial and rational, how do we expect Thailand whose democracy is less than 100 years old to do the same!

I haven't got the answers to the current crisis, however I at least can see points from both sides of the fence, and do not have to resort to name calling, or blatant ignorism when posting. Rant over, let the colour blinded abuse begin!

I have to disagree with some points in your post, I think PTP heart was in the right place when they introduced the rice program it was meant to help the farmer, It did not work as it was envisioned and needs a major overhaul of the faulty parts of the program, the amount of max. money that can be borrowed should be based on the international market price.

The government place subsidies on the rice price on the international level. the rice middleman needs to be cut out, as in our village a rice storage facility is being built by private owners who will purchase the rice from the farmers for resale over seas,Co-operative purchase, storage, and milling to be done at the village level! the should subsidize the rice IE: enact a subsidies on the rice it the international price drops to low. only then to protect Thailand rice industry!

Cheers

Edited February 14, 2014 by kikoman

[MobileContent]

heads of village are notorious for being corrupt and letting all kinds of weird and odd shit slide, who cares about their opinion?

Have you experienced that yourself and would you mind sharing some of your personal experiences? I have known several Village Heads and they seem to be handling only small matters. A Kamnan is not a village head by the way and are in charge of the Tambon (District). A village head looks after the people in the village, making his daily announcement on the speakers in the arly morning and often around 6pm and from my experience they do a good job. In our village which is red shirt somehow we have someone who is a Christian, don't like the red politics and doesn't even go a Wat and our villagers voted for him because he is the best guy for the job.

[Red Snake]

So let me get this straight they want the governor of each province elected by the people, but half the senate selected by people who do not represent the people.