Yingluck must set an anti-graft example

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Yingluck must set an anti-graft example
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Pheu Thai's attitude toward corruption charges linked to the rice scheme is deplorable Let's get this straight: The Pheu Thai Party, or what it used to be, has not been picked on by the constitutional anti-corruption mechanism.

Before Thaksin Shinawatra was on trial over the share concealment scandal, the Democrat Party's most powerful figure, the late Sanan Kachornprasart, was banned for five years over a dubious Bt15 million-or-so debt. And senior Democrat Apirak Kosayodhin immediately quit as Bangkok governor once implicated in the city fire-truck purchase scandal. The Election Commission also disqualified many high-profile Senate candidates for offences allegedly committed during a poll campaign.

It's the resistance to what the anti-graft mechanism has tried to do that has amplified the woes of Pheu Thai, as well as the People Power and Thai Rak Thai parties. Of course, what happened to the late Samak Sundaravej may seem suspicious. But his cooking show on TV made him lose the prime minister's post at a time when the fight against corruption had become highly politicised, with politicians in power only to blame.

"Two wrongs can't make a right" or so they say. That's probably true, but one wrong in a nation's fight against corruption is enough to send everything down the slippery slope. When one big fish is let off the hook, or allowed to abuse power to defend himself or herself illogically, the whole anti-graft system is weakened; an agency is at risk of becoming exploited, politicised and in danger of losing all credibility.

There were no anti-government crowds on the streets after Thaksin Shinawatra was acquitted by the Constitution Court. When he was convicted by the Supreme Court's political division of illegally endorsing his former wife's purchase of a block of state land, he fled and decried a

"judicial conspiracy". Thailand's

anti-corruption campaign has been in deep trouble.

The Pheu Thai Party's attitude toward the National Anti-Corruption Commission's attempt to probe the controversial rice-pledging scheme is deplorable. The ruling camp has asked why the NACC has moved so quickly on this issue while seemingly ignorant of cases involving others. That might be a sound political question, but it's an absolutely poor ethical stance. You don't defend yourself by saying others may have done the same thing and got away with it. As far of corruption is concerned, you defend yourself by proving, in a fair and transparent manner, that you did not do it.

The rice-pledging scheme is controversial on a grand scale. Among those who have warned that the programme would court massive corruption are respected figures, some of who even worked for the Yingluck government. If the fact that the government shrugged off the warnings and went ahead with such a highly-suspect policy has been portrayed by Pheu Thai as political courage, those responsible for the policy should also be brave enough to face public scrutiny.

There are several reasons why a war on corruption succeeds or fails. The most important factor, however, is political will. If the politicians in power do not respect the rules on corruption, all hell can break loose. And the PM only has herself to blame on why her pledge to defend "democratic rules" to the bitter end has met with contempt.

Last week, Yingluck only sent a legal team to meet the National Anti-Corruption Commission over the rice scheme charges. But whether she will defend herself according to the rules and whether she will accept the final verdict remain key questions.

It would be far easier for Thailand if politicians - whether from Pheu Thai or the Democrats - were ashamed of graft, and even the mere hint of it. But that may be just a wishful thinking, as corruption has become so intertwined with politics and democracy as a whole. They call it a slippery slope because it's virtually impossible to get back up, and, considering present attitudes, we are probably only half way down.


-- The Nation 2014-03-03

[pedro01]

Excellent article

[noitom]

Kicking Samak out of office was a preposterous Thai hypocrisy. Thailand has to begin the quest for solid professional investigative journalism and relentless prosecution that doesn't quit until the corrupted politicians and business owners are hauled off in public in handcuffs.That's the only way Thailand can begin.

[Soutpeel]

YK must set an anti-graft example

One suspects its a bit late for that now

Or of course the headline is wrong and should read

YK must set graft example

Then she has succeeded beyond everyone's wildest dream's

[Why ask]

The whole lure of becoming a politician in Thailand is the exact graft availability which comes with such a position.

Not much will change, as long as the basis of that lure is not eradicated first.

[Chang_paarp]

Kicking Samak out of office was a preposterous Thai hypocrisy. Thailand has to begin the quest for solid professional investigative journalism and relentless prosecution that doesn't quit until the corrupted politicians and business owners are hauled off in public in handcuffs.That's the only way Thailand can begin.

Samak broke the rules in a very public way, that it was minor action does not make it right.

As to investigative journalism, that will be non event whilst the libel laws are in the criminal code rather than the civil code. A defence of truth might help too, rather than the issue being about a loss of face.

Currently if you publish the truth that causes a loss of face you are liable to a prison term as well as fine and compensation to the offended, even if the published story is the truth, and can be demonstrated to be so. Look at Singapore for the way this is done successfully, the Lee family has used their libel laws for years to mute the opposition.

[slapout]

The Thai justification of corruption, seems to be 'its as old as the country, thus it will take time to correct the problem'. If they want a example, of one approach, google , county comissioner scandel, Oklahoma, and see how a system can work when the people are fed up with corruption.

Now for some of you skeptics, Oklahoma became a state in 1912, prior to this, there was virtually no law enforcement within its bourder, thus it was accepted as a outlaw refuge.. What seemed a small step at the time, was followed expanded to some of the "hiso", "wealthy" politicans. Other state governments followed suit. Its been a two pronged attack in the US, both from the top and the bottom of the political status, but granted, its not brought about the goal of 'zero' corruption, its working that way. It can be done, but the excuse "its always been this way and they are doing the same or worse" is a cop out by the citizens, the judical system, and those who offer these self serving excuses.

The old saying "can't never accomplished a thing" seems to be battle cry of the people in some countries while other peoples continue their downhill slide uttering excuses for their failures.

[seajae]

about as much chance as thaksin coming back to face justice, sfa.

[dcutman]

This picture speaks a 1000 words. A few of those would be "What A Joke"

Yingluck launches anti-corruption campaign
Piyanart Srivalo,
The Nation

Edited March 3, 2014 by dcutman

[worgeordie]

No one goes to prison here for corruption,if they did maybe the house

of cards would fall down, all politicians know they can get away with

anything ,without fear of been brought to book,it needs the very same

people to get REALLY serious about corruption,so nothings going to

change soon,and all the time the Country and people are just going

to suffer.its a cancer with no cure in sight.

regards Worgeordie

[PepperMe]

The whole lure of becoming a politician in Thailand is the exact graft availability which comes with such a position.

Not much will change, as long as the basis of that lure is not eradicated first.

That lure will disintegrate before everyone's eyes once the first dozen of so politicians are seen to be hauled off to prison and FORCED to do the time in jail.... NOT using the money they took to pay for freedom.

You will see a huge decrese in the amount of people wanting to get involved in politics and this will open the doors for many people who are actually interested in politics for the good of the country.

[GuestHouse]

The PTP was established by a man convicted of corruption and abuse of power. He fled Thailand to avoid being jailed for the crimes of which he as convicted.

The whole and single purpose of the PTP is to do what ever is necessary to obtain an amnesty for their paymaster and thereby allow him to return to Thailand a free man and to return the billions he stole from the country to him.

The founding principle of the PTP is that Thaksin Shinawatra shall not be held accountable for his crimes.

The message of the PTP is that politicians (who are with us) are above the law.

[mrtoad]

The PTP was established by a man convicted of corruption and abuse of power. He fled Thailand to avoid being jailed for the crimes of which he as convicted.

The whole and single purpose of the PTP is to do what ever is necessary to obtain an amnesty for their paymaster and thereby allow him to return to Thailand a free man and to return the billions he stole from the country to him.

The founding principle of the PTP is that Thaksin Shinawatra shall not be held accountable for his crimes.

The message of the PTP is that politicians (who are with us) are above the law.

I think that is rather succinctly put, and hard to dispute, given the way PTP has been run and funded.

[Curt1591]

YK must set an anti-graft example

One suspects its a bit late for that now

Or of course the headline is wrong and should read

YK must set graft example

Then she has succeeded beyond everyone's wildest dream's

Had she been convicted of corruption, or any other wrong doing, she would have been gone, long ago. However. She hasn't.

On the other hand, Suthep has been found corrupt and removed from office. A bit ironic that he leads a "fight against corruption", don't you think?

[rubl]

This picture speaks a 1000 words. A few of those would be "What A Joke"

Yingluck launches anti-corruption campaign

Piyanart Srivalo,

The Nation

Stop corruption, let your government take care of it?

[fab4]

rubl, on 03 Mar 2014 - 11:41, said:

Stop corruption, let your government take care of it?

Any proof for that statement, rubl? Or just more throwaway defamatory allegations?

[rubl]

rubl, on 03 Mar 2014 - 11:41, said:

Stop corruption, let your government take care of it?

Any proof for that statement, rubl? Or just more throwaway defamatory allegations?

700++ billion Baht transparently thrown away with farmers not paid. Is that enough for you?

BTW manage your knee-jerk reactions, please. I just wrote a question, not an allegation.

Edited March 3, 2014 by rubl

[bigbamboo]

The whole lure of becoming a politician in Thailand is the exact graft availability which comes with such a position.

Not much will change, as long as the basis of that lure is not eradicated first.

That lure will disintegrate before everyone's eyes once the first dozen of so politicians are seen to be hauled off to prison and FORCED to do the time in jail.... NOT using the money they took to pay for freedom.

You will see a huge decrese in the amount of people wanting to get involved in politics and this will open the doors for many people who are actually interested in politics for the good of the country.

If it ever happens that really would justify 'Amazing Thailand'.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Kicking Samak out of office was a preposterous Thai hypocrisy. Thailand has to begin the quest for solid professional investigative journalism and relentless prosecution that doesn't quit until the corrupted politicians and business owners are hauled off in public in handcuffs.That's the only way Thailand can begin.

There WAS investigative journalism in Thailand. It was slowly growing prior to the 97-00 financial crisis up until the 1st Thaksin administration. A year or so after T came to power, ITV had to be closed down. It was strangled by the Thaksin administration. They bought 55% of the shares and kicked out anybody who dissented.

Freedom of the press was growing in this country until 2001. After that it was intimidated, sued and threatened into submission by the Thaksin Gestapo.

Thaksin publicly stated that:

"As long as I am PM, the interests of the nation are paramount. The people have no ned to worry. Sometimes I get attacked. This happens because either:

one, they just have to attack me; two, they don't know what is going on; or three, they have good intentions towards the country but lack full information"

From Chris Baker's excellent book on Thaksin, (Nayok Thaksin lem 2.) If people want to know what he has done and is still doing today, read this book.

Btw, the only newsgroup who dared resist the Shin Clan intimidation was... Nation Group.

All the obfuscation and misdirection of the Yingluck admin complaining about how the NACC managed to bring a case in just 21 days is just absurd.

You might guess that the NACC had been collecting evidence for much longer and/or the evidence was in such plain sight it was easy to collect.

Why do they do it now? Because now they dare.

All this <deleted> about the Yingluck admin being "democratically elected" fails to see what is staring in everybody's face: The Shin Clan mean to take over all institutions in this country because they see that as the only way forward to achieve their goal. Complete and utter dominance of Thailand.

Democratically elected dictatorship.

All the people moaning about Suthep being corrupt too do not see what he really is: A figurehead. A frontman. Do people no see that the forces behind this movement are of such influence that their names cannot be mentioned?

In the meantime, you have the North and Northeast being agitated into open talk of secession and a republic. Who has the power to cause such?

Edited March 3, 2014 by EvilDrSomkid

[gemini81]

YK must set an anti-graft example

One suspects its a bit late for that now

Or of course the headline is wrong and should read

YK must set graft example

Then she has succeeded beyond everyone's wildest dream's

Had she been convicted of corruption, or any other wrong doing, she would have been gone, long ago. However. She hasn't.

On the other hand, Suthep has been found corrupt and removed from office. A bit ironic that he leads a "fight against corruption", don't you think?

That is the point in dispute: she has been involved in endless amounts of corruption; and has NOT been held accountable!

[belg]

ban for life would be nice...

corruption here must have another meaning for thai people, something like: helpfull donation

ah, that is why everybody likes a helpfull donation

Edited March 3, 2014 by belg

[Scamper]

A powerful article. Indeed, the optics of Pheu Thai resisting the whole idea of the courts sets an attitude where tolerance for the rule of law becomes itself vulnerable. The writer poses a very good question - will Yingluck and Phue Thai accept any verdicts given that do not rule in their favour ? The present indications are no. And that places things in a very precarious position. The administration must be beholden to the courts and the rule of law. Only through the administering of the law can the whole issue of corruption be tackled. As the writer points out, there have been many rulings that have gone against the Democratic party. What makes this particular administration so unique is the sheer depth and scale of them. That is what Pheu Thai is afraid of. It's not that they are unaware of the corruption. It's simply that they were always of the belief that they would never be successfully challenged on the basis of it.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Scamper

[Lupatria]

This picture speaks a 1000 words. A few of those would be "What A Joke"

Yingluck launches anti-corruption campaign

Piyanart Srivalo,

The Nation

[Lupatria]

rubl, on 03 Mar 2014 - 11:41, said:

Stop corruption, let your government take care of it?

Any proof for that statement, rubl? Or just more throwaway defamatory allegations?

Maybe this would help to find out about "defamatory allegations":

http://www.briberycorruption.com/corruption/b60bn-allegedly-siphoned-to-hong-kong-in-rice-pledging-scam

[ballpoint]

No! She can do what she likes. Her brother and brother-in-law were already removed from office for breaking the law, so that means no one else from her family can ever again, or that would be a judicial coup. Besides, she was voted into office by 48% of 70% of eligible voters. How dare they try and kick her out! This is the sister of the president of the People's Democratic Republic of North Thailand we're talking about. And what about the Democrats????? Those fascist, thug, yellow, whistling, oil palm owning, elite, jack booted, six grannies in wheelchairs, provocatively bringing their families to markets and shopping centres near rallies when they just know that they will be attacked by pro-government forces. Why don't they all go back to where they came from, eh?

There you go, red trolls, your work is done.

[Robby nz]

This picture speaks a 1000 words. A few of those would be "What A Joke"

Yingluck launches anti-corruption campaign

Piyanart Srivalo,

The Nation

Their first move in the fight against corruption was to cut the budgets of the NACC, the AG office and most of the other checks and balance organisations.

This move alone showed their total distain of the whole concept of stopping corruption.

It should be noted that since that photo the white haired one has already been forced out, why ? Corruption.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Robby nz

[klauskunkel]

This picture speaks a 1000 words. A few of those would be "What A Joke"

Yingluck launches anti-corruption campaign

Piyanart Srivalo,

The Nation

Written in English, so that every Thai understands...

[Baerboxer]

This picture speaks a 1000 words. A few of those would be "What A Joke"

Yingluck launches anti-corruption campaign

Piyanart Srivalo,

The Nation

Their first move in the fight against corruption was to cut the budgets of the NACC, the AG office and most of the other checks and balance organisations.

This move alone showed their total distain of the whole concept of stopping corruption.

It should be noted that since that photo the white haired one has already been forced out, why ? Corruption.

Tut tut Kiwi.

There is no corruption in Yingluck's administration she said so. The rice scheme is a success she said so. The farmers will be paid last week - she vowed so,

The parliament will not be dissolved she said so. The cabinet will not be reshuffled for the umpteenth time she said so.

You can see all the improvements and achievements of her years in power can't you?

There is no corruption in her administration. That is why she was confident to cut the budgets of the NACC, AG and others.

[hawker9000]

Sort of like James Bond setting the anti-gun example...

[muchogra]

She did. She said it all the time!