Can the protests fix Thailand's inequality?

[webfact]

Can the protests fix Thailand's inequality?
Tan Hui Yee
The Straits Times
Asia News Network

The events unfolding in Bangkok have all the elements of a slow-motion finale to Thailand's political drama: The civil court has banned the caretaker government from dispersing street protesters who have been targeted by armed men.

Angry rice farmers are demanding overdue payments from a government that cannot sell stockpiled rice fast enough. And Premier Yingluck Shinawatra stands to be relieved of her duties after an unusually snappy investigation into her alleged negligence.

Protest leaders tout this as an uprising by the muan mahaprachachon, the people, against her brother and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who calls the shots for the ruling Pheu Thai party from abroad. A comparatively silent swathe of Thailand's population sees it as a veiled effort by elites to impose their views on the electoral majority.

The intriguing part of this divisive landscape is that everyone agrees Thailand seriously needs reform. Asean's second largest economy is one of the most unequal societies in Asia. In 2011, the most recent year for which official figures are available, its Gini coefficient, a widely used measure of inequality, stood at 0.484. This was lower than Hong Kong's 0.537 that year, but higher than the United States' 0.475. The Gini yardstick ranges from zero to one, with higher values meaning more inequality. Singapore's Gini coefficient last year was 0.463.

Chulalongkorn University economist Pasuk Phongpaichit laid bare more figures in a forum last month: About 100,000 bank accounts, each with more than US$300,000, account for nearly half the value of all bank deposits in the country. Yet these accounted for just 0.5 per cent of the total number of bank accounts. The top 10 per cent of landowners own 61 per cent of total title land, she noted.

Land that is not put to commercial use is subject to negligible taxes but there have been no serious attempts to raise them because most politicians are among the top landowners, said Pasuk.

Respected economist Ammar Siamwalla said that people fixated with the idea of a class war tend to forget that politicians themselves form "a very deep important class". "These guys are very expensive to maintain, and there are so many of them."

According to latest figures filed with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Yingluck is worth Bt603 million ($18 million), while Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has assets worth Bt54 million. Protest spokesman Akanat Promphan, a former Democrat legislator, has net assets of Bt101 million and drives a 4.4-million-baht car.

Very unequal societies, say academics, are prone to populism because such policies give quick relief to a broad base of low-income earners. Hence the Pheu Thai government's two-year-old programme to buy rice from farmers at overly inflated prices, or its tax rebates for first-car buyers.

But these ailments are not exclusively associated with any particular political party. And they have bred a deep cynicism among Thais about the state of the country's politics, a cynicism that has helped to swell the ranks of protesters.

Last month, 50-year-old Wanvipa Chokmongkol was among the tens of thousands who flooded Bangkok to "shut down" the city. She declared: "I don't want elections; they have never given us a good government."

She did not vote in the last election in 2011, because she did not think any party was good enough.

This view is fairly typical among the first-time protesters interviewed by the Straits Times. Sick of politicians, they had joined the whistle-blowing crowds in the hope of overhauling the entire system.

While they did not entirely trust protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban - a former Democrat tainted by graft allegations - they had warmed to his vow to give up politics after forcing Yingluck out. To them, Suthep was somewhat less repugnant than ousted former premier Thaksin, who lives in Dubai to evade a jail sentence for corruption.

Seasoned observers of Thailand's political upheavals say the crisis is simply part of the growing pains of a young democracy.

Tos Chirathivat, the chief executive of the Central retail and hotel group whose flagship CentralWorld mall in downtown Bangkok was torched during the last bout of protests in 2010, hopes it will create more accountability. In the long term, "the people will be better in terms of choosing the candidates and the candidates will be better in terms of serving the people", he says.

How Thailand eventually gets there is the question. Reversing inequality takes years if not decades, and the steady hand of a government with a genuine mandate. With the February 2 polls sabotaged by the protesters, Yingluck being hounded out of her temporary office, and a slew of names for a "credible" unelected replacement being increasingly bandied about, the fear is that genuine reform will once again be held hostage to politics.


-- The Nation 2014-02-28

[Thai at Heart]

Falang no understand.

[NongKhaiKid]

Thailand's rich, elite, powerful, hi-so are just bursting for all to be as privileged as they are.

Oh, time for more ear medicine methinks. Nurse, Nurse.

[sirineou]

"Can the protests fix Thailand's inequality?"

Sure they can make everyone equally poor.

[JRSoul]

I wasn't aware that it was ever the aim of the protests to achieve financial equality. The only politician that ever promised "You will all be rich in 6 months!" was a lying piece of crap willing to say anything to keep himself in power, and only believed by morons.

[ramrod711]

Angry rice farmers are demanding overdue payments from a government that cannot sell stockpiled rice fast enough. And Premier Yingluck Shinawatra stands to be relieved of her duties after an unusually snappy investigation into her alleged negligence.

"Unusually snappy investigation" indeed, perhaps the reason for that is the unusually high level of corruption, and incompetence displayed by this government in a very short period of time. One might be inclined to admire the the work the government has done on creating debt, much the same way you applaud a car that severely cuts you off on the highway, you're really angry that he did it, but appreciate his skill.

[chainarong]

The day Thailand has no equality will be the day we are all millionaires, inequality is in every country , just on different a scale, most Expats are living in Thailand because of inequality of some sort in their countries , most can afford to live in Thailand but not there own country, so inequality reigns supreme , it is doubtful that the top end of Thailand town would like to see equality , that only means less and we can't have that can we.

[kikoman]

Angry rice farmers are demanding overdue payments from a government that cannot sell stockpiled rice fast enough. And Premier Yingluck Shinawatra stands to be relieved of her duties after an unusually snappy investigation into her alleged negligence.

"Unusually snappy investigation" indeed, perhaps the reason for that is the unusually high level of corruption, and incompetence displayed by this government in a very short period of time. One might be inclined to admire the the work the government has done on creating debt, much the same way you applaud a car that severely cuts you off on the highway, you're really angry that he did it, but appreciate his skill.

Could you kindly inform us (the unknowing) of these unusually high level of corruption you posted to for I believe the NACC found "NO" corruption attributed directly to PM Yingluck.

Could you kindly elaborate in view on the "unusually high level of corruption" Why the NACC only charged her with Negligence? That could result in her being given a fair hearing by the "Ammart" controlled appointed Senate!

Cheers

[kikoman]

The day Thailand has no equality will be the day we are all millionaires, inequality is in every country , just on different a scale, most Expats are living in Thailand because of inequality of some sort in their countries , most can afford to live in Thailand but not there own country, so inequality reigns supreme , it is doubtful that the top end of Thailand town would like to see equality , that only means less and we can't have that can we.

While it is true in my home country the top (1) % are outrageously wealthy the differences is that society saw fit to share the wealth with their country men, IE: Social Security system (national retirement system for all) Farm subsidies, Food stamps, Equal right Amendment, labor Unions, Livable wages, a large middle class. Educational opportunities, no bribes to policeman, a well paid police department and military, child labor laws. etc;

While in Thailand the Ammart make money on the suffering of the citizens of the country, many countries have legislated financial equality programs they are the basic reason why there is a perceived problem in Thailand today, the Ammart's opposition to Thailand's wealth sharing programs!

The richest man in Thailand net worth increased from 2.8 billion (USD) to 14.3 billion in just 2 years, don't take my word google it!

Cheers

Edited February 28, 2014 by kikoman

[Curt1591]

I wasn't aware that it was ever the aim of the protests to achieve financial equality. The only politician that ever promised "You will all be rich in 6 months!" was a lying piece of crap willing to say anything to keep himself in power, and only believed by morons.

All politicians will say whatever, to whomever, to achieve their goals. They are all "lying piece of crap".

[JRSoul]

The day Thailand has no equality will be the day we are all millionaires, inequality is in every country , just on different a scale, most Expats are living in Thailand because of inequality of some sort in their countries , most can afford to live in Thailand but not there own country, so inequality reigns supreme , it is doubtful that the top end of Thailand town would like to see equality , that only means less and we can't have that can we.

While it is true in my home country the top (1) % are outrageously wealthy the differences is that society saw fit to share the wealth with their country men, IE: Social Security system (national retirement system for all) Farm subsidies, Food stamps, Equal right Amendment, labor Unions, Livable wages, a large middle class. Educational opportunities, no bribes to policeman, a well paid police department and military, child labor laws. etc;

While in Thailand the Ammart make money on the suffering of the citizens of the country, many countries have legislated financial equality programs they are the basic reason why there is a perceived problem in Thailand today, the Ammart's opposition to Thailand's wealth sharing programs!

The richest man in Thailand net worth increased from 2.8 billion (USD) to 14.3 billion in just 2 years, don't take my word google it!

Cheers

You may have noticed that in your country a large portion of the population aren't engaged in producing small amounts of a crop worth very little. Citizens that produce substantial wealth can pay taxes to enable wealth balancing schemes, but subsidies to allow workers to continue low value production benefit nobody.

[noitom]

If you don't read the newspaper, you will be uninformed. If you read the newspaper, you will be misinformed. - Mark Twain.

The above article is a good example.

[tomhell]

I am a falang and know nothing....

I think every country with a capitalist system with a so called free market needs a counterforce.

A society just founded on greed, profit and corruption is inhuman.

Thailand needs a honest socialdemocratic/socialist party.

As a human beeing i realized:

I feel happy and satisfied when i work for the common good. Its less a political opinion its my human nature. Some people trample on individual rights, but others sweep the path clear so every can enjoy them. I am not perfect but everyday I try to improve everyones experience.

Benefit for all. A balanced society. This is my deep wish for Thailand and my advice for for any politician.

best wishes

tom

[visionchaser45]

That headline is satire, right? The anti-government protesters and their handlers are at the root of Thailand's inequality, so I seriously doubt that they have any interest in "fixing" it. They speak openly of their disdain for Isaan and North Thailand people, calling them "hillbillies" and acusing them of being "stupid" and "uneducated."

[rwhoov]

That headline is satire, right? The anti-government protesters and their handlers are at the root of Thailand's inequality, so I seriously doubt that they have any interest in "fixing" it. They speak openly of their disdain for Isaan and North Thailand people, calling them "hillbillies" and acusing them of being "stupid" and "uneducated."

You are exactly right, and if another judiciary coup occurs I will know it is time for me and my money to leave this country.

[wprime]

"Can the protests fix Thailand's inequality?"

Sure they can make everyone equally poor.

That's what financial equality is, everyone can't be rich because the cost of production goes up. If everyone has lots of money, then everyone is poor.

That being said, the bulk of the elites have the wrong idea about equality. They should take a page from Thaksin or the western world's book, give plenty of free money to the poor, then give them things to spend it on so you get it all back. This way both sides are happy, the elites still retain power and the poor people can show off that they are rich enough to spend 400 baht on what they would previously only spend 200 baht on.

[Suriya4]

Falang no understand.

Farang is no father of Thai people.

Farang cannot order Thai people to do this to do that.

[Thai at Heart]

Falang no understand.

Farang is no father of Thai people.

Farang cannot order Thai people to do this to do that.

If you are thai. Bravo, lol.

You just keep cutting your nose off to spite your face, brush your teeth and remember to do your homework.

[Pops]

The whole situation is just a battle between 2 rich and influential sides in which the poor (as usual) are used as pawns.

That's all.

[JRSoul]

That headline is satire, right? The anti-government protesters and their handlers are at the root of Thailand's inequality, so I seriously doubt that they have any interest in "fixing" it. They speak openly of their disdain for Isaan and North Thailand people, calling them "hillbillies" and acusing them of being "stupid" and "uneducated."

You are exactly right, and if another judiciary coup occurs I will know it is time for me and my money to leave this country.

Don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out.

BTW the best way to avoid so-called judicial coups is not to break electoral or constitutional law. Why Thaksin's parties fail to recognise this is a matter for conjecture, but IMHO it is intended to stir dissent - aided by his UDD aka the Ministry of Lies.

[Robby nz]

Angry rice farmers are demanding overdue payments from a government that cannot sell stockpiled rice fast enough. And Premier Yingluck Shinawatra stands to be relieved of her duties after an unusually snappy investigation into her alleged negligence.

"Unusually snappy investigation" indeed, perhaps the reason for that is the unusually high level of corruption, and incompetence displayed by this government in a very short period of time. One might be inclined to admire the the work the government has done on creating debt, much the same way you applaud a car that severely cuts you off on the highway, you're really angry that he did it, but appreciate his skill.

Could you kindly inform us (the unknowing) of these unusually high level of corruption you posted to for I believe the NACC found "NO" corruption attributed directly to PM Yingluck.

Could you kindly elaborate in view on the "unusually high level of corruption" Why the NACC only charged her with Negligence? That could result in her being given a fair hearing by the "Ammart" controlled appointed Senate!

Cheers

us (the unknowing)

Great to see you admit it, something we knew for a long time.

To explain; The previous minister and several officials have been charged with corruption over the scheme and Yingluck as the chair of the committee overseeing said scheme has been charged with negligence for allowing those charged to carry on in a corrupt manner.

Therefor she was party to that corruption whether by ignorance or design.

I would suspect the charge of negligence was preferred because it is easier to prove and has the same consequences .

I note that you and your few fellow PT supporters, in almost every post, manage somehow to get in the BS term ammart often coupled with elite, no doubt on the principal that if you tell a lie often enough people will believe you.