Academics urged to find a solution for the country

[Thai at Heart]

Dr Kasem sounds like he's in danger of believing the lie that Thailand ever had a golden past. Like people in every other poor country, the primary aspiration of most Thais is financial.

There appears to be no intellectual life and precious little historical knowledge in this place. Where are the philosophers, writers, scientists and artists? Sandwiched between the traditions of India and China, Thais have taken bits and pieces from both but have failed to do the one thing that actually generates ideas: to seek to create a unified system of thought.

The lese majeste laws have had a crippling effect on the whole intellectual landscape of this country. The people will never be able to think aloud until they break this chain.

The one thread of thought that may help Thais is Buddhism, but when I compare it to, say, Tibetan Buddhism, I feel it needs to freshen itself up for the modern problems that people face.

The irony is that Thais may well be perfectly suited to the coming corporate neo-feudalism as they have never intellectually gone beyond the medieval version.

Indeed this endless revisionism is crazy.

I sometimes wonder what Thailand would be like as a country and culture if its neighbours hadn't ripped themselves asunder with civil wars and communism or army domination.

I think in some ways it has given Thailand an easy run because it gave them a very clear advantage. This advantage has made them a bit content and arrogant when its not really justified.

If that's the case, they've been very lucky, but just look at them floundering now Myanmar is coming along. Just look at what they thought could be achieved with the rice scheme. Its all basically pipe dreams. Build a port, control the region. Control the rice, control the region.

It isn't that simple and I can't help feeling that pride comes before a fall, and that once these neighbouring countries really get their act together, Thailand will be in for a big shock.

A week is a long time in politics. Just imagine what a decade of neglect in Thailand versus a decade of progress in a neighbouring country is worth. Thailand needs to shape up quick and get a little humble and admit its problems or they are going to be the land that business forgot.

They are only in the position they are because their neighbours took a different path 40 years ago. In terms of society and economic development 40 years is the blink of an eye.

[PatOngo]

that sounds something like an election. maybe we should have one of those

Yawn. Usual repetitive fever.

"glorious hissy fit, and for your own sake id suggest you learn to use the ignore feature on this forum"

Hard to ignore you lemon boy,you make us all feel superior

[issanaus]

Dr Kasem sounds like he's in danger of believing the lie that Thailand ever had a golden past. Like people in every other poor country, the primary aspiration of most Thais is financial.

There appears to be no intellectual life and precious little historical knowledge in this place. Where are the philosophers, writers, scientists and artists? Sandwiched between the traditions of India and China, Thais have taken bits and pieces from both but have failed to do the one thing that actually generates ideas: to seek to create a unified system of thought.

The lese majeste laws have had a crippling effect on the whole intellectual landscape of this country. The people will never be able to think aloud until they break this chain.

The one thread of thought that may help Thais is Buddhism, but when I compare it to, say, Tibetan Buddhism, I feel it needs to freshen itself up for the modern problems that people face.

The irony is that Thais may well be perfectly suited to the coming corporate neo-feudalism as they have never intellectually gone beyond the medieval version.

Indeed this endless revisionism is crazy.

I sometimes wonder what Thailand would be like as a country and culture if its neighbours hadn't ripped themselves asunder with civil wars and communism or army domination.

I think in some ways it has given Thailand an easy run because it gave them a very clear advantage. This advantage has made them a bit content and arrogant when its not really justified.

If that's the case, they've been very lucky, but just look at them floundering now Myanmar is coming along. Just look at what they thought could be achieved with the rice scheme. Its all basically pipe dreams. Build a port, control the region. Control the rice, control the region.

It isn't that simple and I can't help feeling that pride comes before a fall, and that once these neighbouring countries really get their act together, Thailand will be in for a big shock.

A week is a long time in politics. Just imagine what a decade of neglect in Thailand versus a decade of progress in a neighbouring country is worth. Thailand needs to shape up quick and get a little humble and admit its problems or they are going to be the land that business forgot.

They are only in the position they are because their neighbours took a different path 40 years ago. In terms of society and economic development 40 years is the blink of an eye.

IMHO Thailand has been in a similar position before when the Burmese sacked the old capital and push the Thais to move the capital to BKK. The country was divided, economic stuffed and morally bankrupt. The rebuilding is what has defined Thailand since and the way Thais see themselves. If there is no understanding of that period much of what has happened makes no sense. What Thailand had going for it was a great leader suited to the time.

What Thailand needs now in addition to that identified in the OP is a great leader for this time something that we have yet see emerge -sadly.

[Thai at Heart]

Dr Kasem sounds like he's in danger of believing the lie that Thailand ever had a golden past. Like people in every other poor country, the primary aspiration of most Thais is financial.

There appears to be no intellectual life and precious little historical knowledge in this place. Where are the philosophers, writers, scientists and artists? Sandwiched between the traditions of India and China, Thais have taken bits and pieces from both but have failed to do the one thing that actually generates ideas: to seek to create a unified system of thought.

The lese majeste laws have had a crippling effect on the whole intellectual landscape of this country. The people will never be able to think aloud until they break this chain.

The one thread of thought that may help Thais is Buddhism, but when I compare it to, say, Tibetan Buddhism, I feel it needs to freshen itself up for the modern problems that people face.

The irony is that Thais may well be perfectly suited to the coming corporate neo-feudalism as they have never intellectually gone beyond the medieval version.

Indeed this endless revisionism is crazy.

I sometimes wonder what Thailand would be like as a country and culture if its neighbours hadn't ripped themselves asunder with civil wars and communism or army domination.

I think in some ways it has given Thailand an easy run because it gave them a very clear advantage. This advantage has made them a bit content and arrogant when its not really justified.

If that's the case, they've been very lucky, but just look at them floundering now Myanmar is coming along. Just look at what they thought could be achieved with the rice scheme. Its all basically pipe dreams. Build a port, control the region. Control the rice, control the region.

It isn't that simple and I can't help feeling that pride comes before a fall, and that once these neighbouring countries really get their act together, Thailand will be in for a big shock.

A week is a long time in politics. Just imagine what a decade of neglect in Thailand versus a decade of progress in a neighbouring country is worth. Thailand needs to shape up quick and get a little humble and admit its problems or they are going to be the land that business forgot.

They are only in the position they are because their neighbours took a different path 40 years ago. In terms of society and economic development 40 years is the blink of an eye.

IMHO Thailand has been in a similar position before when the Burmese sacked the old capital and push the Thais to move the capital to BKK. The country was divided, economic stuffed and morally bankrupt. The rebuilding is what has defined Thailand since and the way Thais see themselves. If there is no understanding of that period much of what has happened makes no sense. What Thailand had going for it was a great leader suited to the time.

What Thailand needs now in addition to that identified in the OP is a great leader for this time something that we have yet see emerge -sadly.

Thailand's politics is bereft of principle.

The only principle they have is to be in power and then decide what to do. I don't mind rabidly socialist or right wing politics. At least u know what u are getting.

What exists in Thailand is a bunch of charlatans looking to protect their businesses through exploiting the domestic market. Until someone comes along to either reduce the size of government and borrowing and govt to save waste and be too corruption, or comes along to protect workers and provide better social development for schools and hospitals, there is no discussion worth having.

At the moment, its "vote for me, I have something I need to sell to you", be it cars, food, clothes banking or coke. Politics in Thailand is business, and nothing else.

[Chris Lawrence]

Let the elected Govt. run its course. Take the power away from the Generals/elite Thais. And put the owners of the Nation in Goal . Maybe let the farmers decide the solution?

[Baerboxer]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

That's the sort of definition that Pol Pot would come up with! And Lenin, Stalin and Mao!

Go on treat yourself - do some research on learning, the knowledge economy as well as history.

Agree just talking solves nothing - but just getting most Thais to talk about things like politics, corrupt governments, inept rich elites, is a major step forward in their social contexts. Now we need people with the capability, capacity, motivation and above all sincerity to implement change.

[Baerboxer]

Let the elected Govt. run its course. Take the power away from the Generals/elite Thais. And put the owners of the Nation in Goal . Maybe let the farmers decide the solution?

So your first suggestion is to let a government which acts illegally, lies and cheats "run its course". Would your home country allow such a government, one that is openly controlled by a convicted fugitive fraudster, to "run its course"? Would your country allow a government to refuse to divulge real figures, refuse transparency or refuse to account for vast amounts of money? Interesting that you think Thailand should, and that it is a solution to the current problems.

Let the "farmers" decide - farmers has a very broad definition. Rich elite landowners, not unlike Europe's old aristocracy, and very poor tenant farmers scraping to stay above the poverty line which sadly many fail to achieve. Do you mean all farmers or a specific segment and how do you think the rest of Thai society will respond to the mob rule you advocate by only one segment of the workforce?

[Baerboxer]

Its people like this who get asked to to write constitutions.

After 19 attempts they still haven't got a watertight one. I doubt their efforts to find a solution will be any better.

The answer is not in the writing, but evolving a constitution that everyone believes in. Too many people here with vested interests who want to manipulate everything to benefit their particular extended family.

[fab4]

Who's this bloke?

A sutep clone?

An ex colleague of Thaksin as Education Minister but resigned abruptly in 2001 for "health reasons" and then was was swallowed up by the Privy Council - has been a vocal critic of Thaksin ever since...........

[sundrenched]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

Wow.

How do you think you were able to fly here, use a computer and post on the internet? Thank people who never worked with their hands. As if working with your brain isn't work in the 21st century. I'm really glad we had layabouts doing science, engineering, medicine, philosophy, history, art, music and social sciences, and not only "real people" doing "real work". So enough of this recurring nonsense that because someone's an academic, he has no credibility. Enough of those cheap shots at academics.

Edited April 26, 2014 by sundrenched

[yellow1red1]

whatever they come up with, let's hope it's something the rest of the corrupt world can use too, 'specially ameriKa the home of demoCrazy

[Thai at Heart]

Its people like this who get asked to to write constitutions.

After 19 attempts they still haven't got a watertight one. I doubt their efforts to find a solution will be any better.

The answer is not in the writing, but evolving a constitution that everyone believes in. Too many people here with vested interests who want to manipulate everything to benefit their particular extended family.

Of course. You would think they would have worked that out.

Just look what happened trying to "evolve" this one. Very successful so far.

[yellow1red1]

What about getting rid of all the useless politicians, re-naming the country Siam and going back to an absolute monarchy.

It would set the country back by decades, but it would be an improvement.

or,,, like John Locke said, > Locke did not demand a republic. Rather, Locke felt that a legitimate contract could easily exist between citizens and a monarchy

[[[sect. 132. THE majority having, as has been shewed, upon men's first

uniting into society, the whole power of the community naturally in

them, may employ all that power in making laws for the community from

time to time, and executing those laws by officers of their own

appointing; and then the form of the government is a perfect democracy:

or else may put the power of making laws into the hands of a few select

men, and their heirs or successors; and then it is an oligarchy: or else

into the hands of one man, and then it is a monarchy: if to him and his

heirs, it is an hereditary monarchy: if to him only for life, but upon

his death the power only of nominating a successor to return to them; an

elective monarchy. < And so accordingly of these the community may make

compounded and mixed forms of government, as they think good. > And if the

legislative power be at first given by the majority to one or more

persons only for their lives, or any limited time, and then the supreme

power to revert to them again; when it is so reverted, the community may

dispose of it again anew into what hands they please, and so constitute

a new form of government: for the form of government depending upon the

placing the supreme power, which is the legislative, it being impossible

to conceive that an inferior power should prescribe to a superior, or

any but the supreme make laws, according as the power of making laws is

placed, such is the form of the commonwealth.

Edited April 26, 2014 by yellow1red1

[yellow1red1]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

That's the sort of definition that Pol Pot would come up with! And Lenin, Stalin and Mao!

Go on treat yourself - do some research on learning, the knowledge economy as well as history.

Agree just talking solves nothing - but just getting most Thais to talk about things like politics, corrupt governments, inept rich elites, is a major step forward in their social contexts. Now we need people with the capability, capacity, motivation and above all sincerity to implement change.

just for the record, > Pol Pot, [saloth Sar] WAS an academic, a palace raised elite, schooled in Europe and a popular school teacher who admired Tito of Yugoslavia. He was forced into the jungle by yankee puppet Lon Nol's Death Squads and would have died of malaria or been hunted down, but ameriKan genocidal bombing of civilians [500,000] using old road maps for targeting points, by CIA's own documents allowed for a resurgence of the Khmer Rouge. [Operation Menu] and [Operation Freedom Deal], both illegal without Congressional knowledge or approval. [brother Number One] is an education on how Cambodia was stuck in the middle of the struggle between 3 super powers.

http://rabble.ca/toolkit/on-this-day/us-secret-bombing-cambodia

[rreddin]

What about getting rid of all the useless politicians, re-naming the country Siam and going back to an absolute monarchy.

You might recall that there was a revolution in 1932 that ended the absolute rule of the monarchy. Ever since then there have been groups of people either trying to go back to pre-1932, or trying to get it to move forward. The 11 successful coups and 7 unsuccessful ones were nearly all an attempt in one way or another to return Thailand to feudal system of government. A system of government under which there was wide spread corruption and abuses of power. Much better, do you not think, to have a democratically elected and accountable government that is asnwerable to the ballot box?

[yellow1red1]

What about getting rid of all the useless politicians, re-naming the country Siam and going back to an absolute monarchy.

You might recall that there was a revolution in 1932 that ended the absolute rule of the monarchy. Ever since then there have been groups of people either trying to go back to pre-1932, or trying to get it to move forward. The 11 successful coups and 7 unsuccessful ones were nearly all an attempt in one way or another to return Thailand to feudal system of government. A system of government under which there was wide spread corruption and abuses of power. Much better, do you not think, to have a democratically elected and accountable government that is asnwerable to the ballot box?

Do you really think We, the People have a say with democrazy? Emma Goldman said in 1900, "I Voting made any difference, they would make it illegal." it's no wonder 15,000,000 have watched this video >

Occupy Wall Street never accomplished anything but it did shine a light on a Corruption of Civility.

[xminator]

There is a solution, its called Elections and need to be respected by the minority even if they have more money then the majority and stand to lose power to the same majority.

[Thaddeus]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

Wow.

How do you think you were able to fly here, use a computer and post on the internet? Thank people who never worked with their hands. As if working with your brain isn't work in the 21st century. I'm really glad we had layabouts doing science, engineering, medicine, philosophy, history, art, music and social sciences, and not only "real people" doing "real work". So enough of this recurring nonsense that because someone's an academic, he has no credibility. Enough of those cheap shots at academics.

Oh purleeze.

I'm not talking about the likes of the Wright Bros, Whittle, Watt, Stephenson, Fleming, Edison, Turing etc

They were achievers, not only did they have the ideas, they worked hard to make those ideas a reality, they do not fall into the academic brackets for me.

I don't see much happening in Thailand, apart from talk.

[GAZZPA]

Thank goodness for Dr Kasem. As one of the countries leading intellectuals he was "shocked" on discovering that 80% of respondents are involved in corruption in someway.

He also found that Thai people look up to the rich irrespective of their behavior (mention no names here) and that Thai people are becoming materialistic.

What revelations, good to see that the Thai elites specialize in the bloody obvious.

i would love to be a fly on the wall during the meeting of intellectuals. I wonder how opulent the surroundings will be during dinner whilst they are discussing the downside of materialism gripping Thailand.

It reminds me of a meeting I once had at work, the title of the meeting was "work life balance for managers", the time of the meeting 5:30pm,, absolutely true...

[GAZZPA]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

Absolutely true.

I think they should embrace the changes, don't see why they feel the need go back to "the old ways". The world is a different animal to 30 years ago.

[GAZZPA]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

Wow.

How do you think you were able to fly here, use a computer and post on the internet? Thank people who never worked with their hands. As if working with your brain isn't work in the 21st century. I'm really glad we had layabouts doing science, engineering, medicine, philosophy, history, art, music and social sciences, and not only "real people" doing "real work". So enough of this recurring nonsense that because someone's an academic, he has no credibility. Enough of those cheap shots at academics.

Blimey did you miss the point, by thousands of miles.

The point being made here is that Thailand is full of academics talking but nothing actually gets done, no action following thought.

Any by the way, planes, computers, the internet, medical breakthroughs, engineering, the industrial revolution etc,etc did not originate in Thailand to my knowledge.

[Thai at Heart]

Thank goodness for Dr Kasem. As one of the countries leading intellectuals he was "shocked" on discovering that 80% of respondents are involved in corruption in someway.

He also found that Thai people look up to the rich irrespective of their behavior (mention no names here) and that Thai people are becoming materialistic.

What revelations, good to see that the Thai elites specialize in the bloody obvious.

i would love to be a fly on the wall during the meeting of intellectuals. I wonder how opulent the surroundings will be during dinner whilst they are discussing the downside of materialism gripping Thailand.

It reminds me of a meeting I once had at work, the title of the meeting was "work life balance for managers", the time of the meeting 5:30pm,, absolutely true...

If he would talk about the simple stuff like rule of law, elections and people declaring taxes and then paying them, it would be a start.

Moaning from his gilded position that Thais respect money and position is just a tad hypocritical don't you think.

They are all good in theory they just don't want any changes to apply to them.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Thai at Heart

[GAZZPA]

Thank goodness for Dr Kasem. As one of the countries leading intellectuals he was "shocked" on discovering that 80% of respondents are involved in corruption in someway.

He also found that Thai people look up to the rich irrespective of their behavior (mention no names here) and that Thai people are becoming materialistic.

What revelations, good to see that the Thai elites specialize in the bloody obvious.

i would love to be a fly on the wall during the meeting of intellectuals. I wonder how opulent the surroundings will be during dinner whilst they are discussing the downside of materialism gripping Thailand.

It reminds me of a meeting I once had at work, the title of the meeting was "work life balance for managers", the time of the meeting 5:30pm,, absolutely true...

If he would talk about the simple stuff like rule of law, elections and people declaring taxes and then paying them, it would be a start.

Moaning from his gilded position that Thais respect money and position is just a tad hypocritical don't you think.

They are all good in theory they just don't want any changes to apply to them.

Exactly right, complete hypocrisy.

Goes back to the point Thaddeus made earlier, all talk, no action.

If 80% of elites are into corruption it is the majorities personal interests not to change anything at all.

[Baerboxer]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

Wow.

How do you think you were able to fly here, use a computer and post on the internet? Thank people who never worked with their hands. As if working with your brain isn't work in the 21st century. I'm really glad we had layabouts doing science, engineering, medicine, philosophy, history, art, music and social sciences, and not only "real people" doing "real work". So enough of this recurring nonsense that because someone's an academic, he has no credibility. Enough of those cheap shots at academics.

Blimey did you miss the point, by thousands of miles.

The point being made here is that Thailand is full of academics talking but nothing actually gets done, no action following thought.

Any by the way, planes, computers, the internet, medical breakthroughs, engineering, the industrial revolution etc,etc did not originate in Thailand to my knowledge.

Thailand isn't full of academics. It does however have a reasonable amounts of very good academics who could be considerable help. However, there are not the political parties. NGO's, processes or procedures to facilitate this type of change.

The previous poster replied to a post giving a definition for academics that wasn't qualified by any boundary. So although your statement regarding specific things that did not originate may be accurate it is still sophistry.

[Thai at Heart]

Definition of an academic.

Someone who works with their mouth and never with their hands.

Just talking solves nothing.

Wow.

How do you think you were able to fly here, use a computer and post on the internet? Thank people who never worked with their hands. As if working with your brain isn't work in the 21st century. I'm really glad we had layabouts doing science, engineering, medicine, philosophy, history, art, music and social sciences, and not only "real people" doing "real work". So enough of this recurring nonsense that because someone's an academic, he has no credibility. Enough of those cheap shots at academics.

Blimey did you miss the point, by thousands of miles.

The point being made here is that Thailand is full of academics talking but nothing actually gets done, no action following thought.

Any by the way, planes, computers, the internet, medical breakthroughs, engineering, the industrial revolution etc,etc did not originate in Thailand to my knowledge.

Thailand isn't full of academics. It does however have a reasonable amounts of very good academics who could be considerable help. However, there are not the political parties. NGO's, processes or procedures to facilitate this type of change.

The previous poster replied to a post giving a definition for academics that wasn't qualified by any boundary. So although your statement regarding specific things that did not originate may be accurate it is still sophistry.

Problem is, academics in Thailand are split pro and anti establishment, so debate is not exactly flourishing .

Beyond that, do you really think a purely academic qualification in Thailand is worth anything.

a Thai political scientist to analyses Thailand and all he comes up with is this? My lord. This wouldn't even make high school level.

So, I do question the validity of any academic opinion in Thailand because it is basically self censored, biased and limited. Other than that, its all good.

[tingtongteesood]

Oh lord help us ! They will be dragging the Muslim clerics into it next....With the reds already on the verge of jihad, makes little difference I guess....

[moonao]

about 8 years ago according to the Privy council , the judges where the chosen ones for coming up with a solution.

Now it appears they are out of favour, now the academics are the chosen ones. Good luck with that.

Here's an idea, how about the people, its called an election. The privy council should put 100% of their support around a democratic framework that centers around respecting other peoples political choices and respecting the results of an election instead of weaseling around democracy, looking for backdoor "solutions" to replace elections.

[Baerboxer]

Problem is, academics in Thailand are split pro and anti establishment, so debate is not exactly flourishing .

Beyond that, do you really think a purely academic qualification in Thailand is worth anything.

a Thai political scientist to analyses Thailand and all he comes up with is this? My lord. This wouldn't even make high school level.

So, I do question the validity of any academic opinion in Thailand because it is basically self censored, biased and limited. Other than that, its all good.

This constant demeaning of Thai qualifications is simply not true. How many of those doing so have any real dealing with universities, academics or MOE? Well qualified people still bow to social etiquette and the Thai social norms that are reminiscent of feudal Victorian Europe - don't challenge your teachers, respect your elders, bow to your "betters" etc. Many work hard to get post graduate education and then only use it when it doesn't conflict with the social norms.

The issues here are cultural as well as political. Both sides "recruit" their own bunch of academics, just like they do lawyers, who clearly make statements in line with and supportive of their lieges views. The independent academics, lawyers, business leaders, are confined by social etiquette, fear of somewhat unique defamation laws, and a worry of intimidation and spiteful revenge should they offend the wrong families.

There are many capable people, who understand the realities of what goes on here but are hand cuffed by their social constraints in doing anything about it. And, let's not pretend these restrictive social paradigms have been completely removed in the West either.

[Thai at Heart]

Quote name="Baerboxer" post="7742332" timestamp="1398531883"]

Problem is, academics in Thailand are split pro and anti establishment, so debate is not exactly flourishing .

Beyond that, do you really think a purely academic qualification in Thailand is worth anything.

a Thai political scientist to analyses Thailand and all he comes up with is this? My lord. This wouldn't even make high school level.

So, I do question the validity of any academic opinion in Thailand because it is basically self censored, biased and limited. Other than that, its all good.

This constant demeaning of Thai qualifications is simply not true. How many of those doing so have any real dealing with universities, academics or MOE? Well qualified people still bow to social etiquette and the Thai social norms that are reminiscent of feudal Victorian Europe - don't challenge your teachers, respect your elders, bow to your "betters" etc. Many work hard to get post graduate education and then only use it when it doesn't conflict with the social norms.

The issues here are cultural as well as political. Both sides "recruit" their own bunch of academics, just like they do lawyers, who clearly make statements in line with and supportive of their lieges views. The independent academics, lawyers, business leaders, are confined by social etiquette, fear of somewhat unique defamation laws, and a worry of intimidation and spiteful revenge should they offend the wrong families.

There are many capable people, who understand the realities of what goes on here but are hand cuffed by their social constraints in doing anything about it. And, let's not pretend these restrictive social paradigms have been completely removed in the West either.

I know several, although only from one university. I have actually more time for active lecturers than so called pen pushing academics .

You are saying what I said. The lack of reasoned discourse prevents real discussion. The accusation of disloyalty to the country prevents discourse. The desire to hang onto a misplaced rose tinted time of yore prevents discourse.

At the end of the day, it is nor just academics who are worthy of a voice. Being attached to a university and taking a title means only so much. Where is the media, where is the debate? It is not only so called academics who are worthy to discuss this subject.

[Thaddeus]

Thank goodness for Dr Kasem. As one of the countries leading intellectuals he was "shocked" on discovering that 80% of respondents are involved in corruption in someway.

He also found that Thai people look up to the rich irrespective of their behavior (mention no names here) and that Thai people are becoming materialistic.

What revelations, good to see that the Thai elites specialize in the bloody obvious.

i would love to be a fly on the wall during the meeting of intellectuals. I wonder how opulent the surroundings will be during dinner whilst they are discussing the downside of materialism gripping Thailand.

It reminds me of a meeting I once had at work, the title of the meeting was "work life balance for managers", the time of the meeting 5:30pm,, absolutely true...

If he would talk about the simple stuff like rule of law, elections and people declaring taxes and then paying them, it would be a start.

Moaning from his gilded position that Thais respect money and position is just a tad hypocritical don't you think.

They are all good in theory they just don't want any changes to apply to them.

Exactly right, complete hypocrisy.

Goes back to the point Thaddeus made earlier, all talk, no action.

If 80% of elites are into corruption it is the majorities personal interests not to change anything at all.

Thank you Gaz, and the other handful of people that got it.

Thailand is in dire need of a major sea change, I doubt that this change will come about from internal forces (as that isn't wanted by those really in control) it will be external.

ASEAN could be the best thing to happen to the country, or it could be the worst, only by the real will of real people grasping that will it be decided which way it goes.

Academics only comment.