Can Thailand keep from falling apart?

What the upheaval in Bangkok last week really means for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy -- and the global companies operating there
By Erika Fry, reporter

FORTUNE -- Last Wednesday, Yingluck Shinawatra lost her job as Prime Minister in Thailand. She was removed by the country's Constitutional Court, which ruled she had abused power in 2011 when she transferred a civil servant to a different post.

On Thursday, lest the prospects for Yingluck's political future not be clear, Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Court separately indicted and recommended impeachment proceedings against the ousted Prime Minister for her role in a national rice subsidy program.

As a result, Yingluck may face up to a five-year ban from politics and criminal charges. [read more...]

Full story: http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/05/12/can-thailand-keep-from-falling-apart/

-- CNN Money 2014-05-13

Amazing, isn't it, how little Erika can post an entry on Thailand's economic state and what is contributing to it without making mention of the bankrupting rice scam.

if Thailand does not sort out the insane corruption then it will totally fail as it cant continue at this rate, when i first came to Thailand corruption was nothing like today approx 30% of all contracts

Thailand must feel the pain to see the light as so many just dont care and are happy living as MSG braindead slaves

It's funny how people keep on mentioning about the rice scam. This program is designed to help the farmers. There are other programs that the government has done such as 30 baht medical program and funds for the military to upgrade military machinery. These are considered loss investment programs. However, they serve other purposes. They do not generate revenue like business investments. Are there any evidences that the money was put in their bank account? If it is, then it's considered corruption. So far, it is just a speculation because of the loss in this program.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Amazing, isn't it, how little Erika can post an entry on Thailand's economic state and what is contributing to it without making mention of the bankrupting rice scam.

Not as bad as Robert Amsterdam on CNBC this morning , he's take on the perfect law abiding Shinawatra family was hilarious , the Dems, Suthep got a nice old one sided view, I can see after watching this clown where PTP are going wrong .

Thailand are in this right up to their necks and there is no way out , the whole agenda revolves around the integrity of the PTP , they just cannot be trusted , they double speak, go back on their word , interpret laws to suit themselves, blame everyone else for poor execution of policy and programs , the good Thai people do not believe these people and to continually push for elections , what is their secret agenda ,why are they so keen to possibly get into power , is it because the clean up will begin , get all the trouble makers out of the equation , so that reforms and totalitarian governance walk hand in hand, if that happens Thailand ,you are on your own..

I certainly hope not.

As I said before in another post, to build the new, first you have to tear the old decaying things.

Right now we are tearing down the old and decaying.

Amazing, isn't it, how little Erika can post an entry on Thailand's economic state and what is contributing to it without making mention of the bankrupting rice scam.

"recommended impeachment proceedings against the ousted Prime Minister for her role in a national rice subsidy program."

Um, duh! She did mention it.

PTP are voted by the people. Suthep does not want to cooperate with the government himself to discuss about the reforms. He wanted his people council. He violated the laws and caused unrest to the society. The person who is backing him dragged Constitutional Court and EC into this mess. It sure make them look like a fool to the people in Thailand and other countries.

PTP are voted by the people. Suthep does not want to cooperate with the government himself to discuss about the reforms. He wanted his people council. He violated the laws and caused unrest to the society. The person who is backing him dragged Constitutional Court and EC into this mess. It sure make them look like a fool to the people in Thailand and other countries.

Maybe to you. To most people it s clear that this Government is corrupt to the roots. Now what needs to be done: change electoral laws and have new elections. The way to do this is sit down and talk with the two largest political parties. Leave Suthep and the Shins out of it. Both have, in their odd ways, served their purpose.

Robert Amsterdam is a muppet of the highest order, and if that is the best the Shinawatra (Amsterdam couldn't even pronounce the surname correctly) family can do to get their international message out, then it's no wonder they are in the position they find themselves now.

Both sides need to, but won't, take significant steps backwards and accept some compromise.

You have to wonder if Thai people treasure their life as it is now, or would prefer a worse scenario in the coming weeks and months. For most, there really is no benefit to getting involved in a power struggle between elitist families. They should let the families scratch each other's eyes out in a cat fight.

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I certainly hope not.

As I said before in another post, to build the new, first you have to tear the old decaying things.

Right now we are tearing down the old and decaying.

Very true

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

I certainly hope not.

As I said before in another post, to build the new, first you have to tear the old decaying things.

Right now we are tearing down the old and decaying.

Very true

Are u sure they are tearing down the right bit? Hope they don't just take down the facade and leave those shonky foundations in place.

The pattern - sadly established in the past - is that cooler heads generally do not prevail, and emotions carry people over the top. That certainly seems to be the case here. The political arguments do not just accentuate a polarized divide - they are each charged with emotion. Sidney Greenstreet makes a wonderful comment to Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon that in the heat of the moment, people tend to forget where their best interests lie, and let their emotions carry them. It's a wonderful line in a wonderful movie, but it is also a human truism. History is sadly replete with episodes that are pinioned not by human strengths but rather by human frailties.

PTP are voted by the people. Suthep does not want to cooperate with the government himself to discuss about the reforms. He wanted his people council. He violated the laws and caused unrest to the society. The person who is backing him dragged Constitutional Court and EC into this mess. It sure make them look like a fool to the people in Thailand and other countries.

Maybe to you. To most people it s clear that this Government is corrupt to the roots. Now what needs to be done: change electoral laws and have new elections. The way to do this is sit down and talk with the two largest political parties. Leave Suthep and the Shins out of it. Both have, in their odd ways, served their purpose.

So if this is clear to 'most people' theres no problem to have a referendum on the subject then ??

No. No it can't.

PTP are voted by the people. Suthep does not want to cooperate with the government himself to discuss about the reforms. He wanted his people council. He violated the laws and caused unrest to the society. The person who is backing him dragged Constitutional Court and EC into this mess. It sure make them look like a fool to the people in Thailand and other countries.

I think the government are the ones with egg on their faces to the international community and media.

3 Shinwatra selected PMs kicked out.....now 9 MPs kicked out as well.......the government cannot manage protests at all.....

Any other civilised country would have ended these protests months ago...........

The international community wouldn't have a clue who Suthep is.......but they sure know of Yingluck!

When did they adopt the famous slogan: "Now everyone can fly" in journalism?

when she transferred a civil servant to a different post...

Isn't there something missing here to be fair and trustworthy Erika?

I wonder how it feels to be the only "journalist" not reckoning this country fell apart already some time ago.

Over-reaction ,saying "faling apart"

Can Thailand keep falling apart?

It's sure trying its best, with a harlem of idiots trying to continue to pave its way, and not accepting defeat once the scores are in.

I believe the question should rather be: Can the whole world, as we know it keep from falling apart?

Merely by looking at the global situation, it should be clear by now that we all are up for a big bang, a global reset. Thailand is just a small piece in the puzzle.

Focussing on Thailand, I fear this Catch22 situation can't be solved anymore without a violent climax.

It's funny how people keep on mentioning about the rice scam. This program is designed to help the farmers. There are other programs that the government has done such as 30 baht medical program and funds for the military to upgrade military machinery. These are considered loss investment programs. However, they serve other purposes. They do not generate revenue like business investments. Are there any evidences that the money was put in their bank account? If it is, then it's considered corruption. So far, it is just a speculation because of the loss in this program.

designed to help the farmers...well apart from 1.2 million of them .then yes a roaring success....

It's funny how people keep on mentioning about the rice scam. This program is designed to help the farmers. There are other programs that the government has done such as 30 baht medical program and funds for the military to upgrade military machinery. These are considered loss investment programs. However, they serve other purposes. They do not generate revenue like business investments. Are there any evidences that the money was put in their bank account? If it is, then it's considered corruption. So far, it is just a speculation because of the loss in this program.

So where do you think 100's of billijons went? farmers not paid ... and money is gone .... does not take a rocket scientist

Amazing, isn't it, how little Erika can post an entry on Thailand's economic state and what is contributing to it without making mention of the bankrupting rice scam.

Or that the transfer of the official was in order to place one of her family in the key job instead and was done at the behest of the real PM in Dubai.

Just goes to prove that journo's have axes to grind like anyone else.

Thailand can't keep from falling apart... There is no heart, honour, sincerity, goodwill, integrity in any of the institutions. (And there hasn't been for nearly 100 years, and before that it didn't matter anyway.) Thailand is in moral free fall and will only stop when it hits the rocks at the bottom. When the reality starts to hit, Thailand will be a broken nation, and then hopefully it can rebuild. </Rant>

We need a type like Putin here as an interim National Manager.

Amazing, isn't it, how little Erika can post an entry on Thailand's economic state and what is contributing to it without making mention of the bankrupting rice scam.

Since you are so smart and well informed, please detail Europen countries, Japan and United States subsidy systems! What exact percentage of GDP do they spend on agricultural subsidies, has it bankrupted their respective economies! Please provide a direct comparison to Thailand with facts, unless of course you are a hysterical political bullshit junkie and just want to propagate more rubbish on a program designed and operational to benefit the lowest strata of the Thai economic life!!!

if Thailand does not sort out the insane corruption then it will totally fail as it cant continue at this rate, when i first came to Thailand corruption was nothing like today approx 30% of all contracts

Thailand must feel the pain to see the light as so many just dont care and are happy living as MSG braindead slaves

Well bugger me dead! Thailand has managed 80plus years with corruption so far! The 80's and 90's saw there fair share and it ain't any worse now. So why the hysterical claim of armageddon!

PTP are voted by the people. Suthep does not want to cooperate with the government himself to discuss about the reforms. He wanted his people council. He violated the laws and caused unrest to the society. The person who is backing him dragged Constitutional Court and EC into this mess. It sure make them look like a fool to the people in Thailand and other countries.

I think the government are the ones with egg on their faces to the international community and media.

3 Shinwatra selected PMs kicked out.....now 9 MPs kicked out as well.......the government cannot manage protests at all.....

Any other civilised country would have ended these protests months ago...........

The international community wouldn't have a clue who Suthep is.......but they sure know of Yingluck!

Eggs on their face! The International community are not so naive!

Amazing, isn't it, how little Erika can post an entry on Thailand's economic state and what is contributing to it without making mention of the bankrupting rice scam.

Since you are so smart and well informed, please detail Europen countries, Japan and United States subsidy systems! What exact percentage of GDP do they spend on agricultural subsidies, has it bankrupted their respective economies! Please provide a direct comparison to Thailand with facts, unless of course you are a hysterical political bullshit junkie and just want to propagate more rubbish on a program designed and operational to benefit the lowest strata of the Thai economic life!!!

The difference, of course, is that in the US and Europe, the subsidies actually go to the people they are intended to help, such as the farmers. They don't "disappear" into the ether of government and middle men, while the intended beneficiaries commit suicide. Now, try and think about retiring that exclamation point at the end of all your sentences before you stroke out. --Nah, on second thought, let your blood pressure blow.