Many irked by Panadda's comment on PAO officials

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Many irked by Panadda's comment on PAO officials
The Nation


Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Administrative Organisation

BANGKOK: -- PM's Office permanent secretary ML Panadda Diskul yesterday defended his Facebook comment about local leaders living in the lap of luxury, saying he said this because he wanted to see local and central governments provide checks and balances for each other.

However, officials from provincial administrative organisations (PAO) nationwide chose to wear black in order to protest against Panadda's claim that they were living in luxury, flying first class, drinking wine that cost Bt100,000 per bottle and owned vacation homes in Europe.

Panadda said he had worked as a deputy governor in several provinces and as governor in two provinces and that he had always got on well with PAO executives.

"I did not intend to upset anybody, but just want to see a strong checks-and-balance system between local and central governments. The public is the boss. If you economise, you are the face and honour of your organisation," he said.

He added that he was ready to apologise to anyone who thought he was stereotyping them, adding that his remark did not mean all PAO executives were living in luxury. However, he refused to elaborate, saying he could not name the person he was referring to due to the circumstances. He added that Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha did not ask him about the matter.

Meanwhile, Udon Thani PAO adviser Prasit Wiratchai said he wore black to work yesterday because he wanted to show his disapproval of Panadda's comment. He went on to say that he expected more people to wear black once they came to know about the matter.

In response to a statement from the PAO Association of Thailand, more than half of the PAO executives in Phichit province chose to wear black indefinitely. In its statement, the association said Panadda's remark had tarnished PAO's image and called on all PAO officials to join the protest.

Later yesterday, Panadda posted a message on Facebook saying his remark was not politically motivated and did not refer to all PAO officials. He said that he wrote the comment after realising that though many leaders adopt the sufficiency philosophy, several provinces still splurge on unnecessary spending. However, he said, since the National Council for Peace and Order leader did not wish to see more conflicts in the country, he wanted to offer his apology to any PAO executive who may have taken umbrage.

Mit Kaewpradit, a local leader in Songkhla, led a meeting yesterday to discuss steps that can be taken to protest against Panadda's remark. At the meeting, a PAO official said wearing black was not enough to protect PAO officials and that the remark affected everybody, especially since Panadda has refused to identify the person he was referring to. Nipon Bunyamani, PAO president for Songkhla, called on Panadda to identify the person, while Phattalung's PAO president Wisut Thammapet said the problem was with one individual, yet Panadda's comment covered everybody. Wisut said his agency would take further action after the PAO Association of Thailand decides on its next move.

Meanwhile, PAO association of Thailand president Chaimongkol Chairob said Panadda called him and apologised, saying he would also offer an apology on his Facebook page, hence the association has decided to lift the protest. Chaimongkol added that the PAO protest did not violate martial law.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Many-irked-by-Panaddas-comment-on-PAO-officials-30241790.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-26

[clockman]

The truth always hurts!

[smedly]

the problem is that proper budget control does not exist which allows abuse - not everybody takes advantage but the fact they can needs attention

[tomyummer]

I think all government workers should wear black, all the time. At least it would match their pace of work, like a funeral procession.

[chainarong]

Why is there such a disparity between local and central Governments when it comes to checks and balances, these measures should encompass both , transparency should be governed by the central government , with inspectors checking all relevant details of local government operations , not just the financial side of things either.

[MobileContent]

I think he should at least have said which province he was referring to but I would put my money on Chiang Mai as he was a governor before of Chiang Mai.

[mca]

One PAO leader was so irked he couldn't decide between wearing his black Dolce and Gabbana leather trench coat or his Armani black label wool suit.

[GentlemanJim]

They had a protest like this down in Trang and it has really pi**ed the locals off because they KNOW what Panadda said is 100% true. Guess where our local 'council' are off to soon - yes the lot of them (not one or two - the lot of them!) are going to New Zealand to check out how local councils are run down there!!! But there is no money to put children's facilities in the town etc etc etc. They will pay for the wearing black and the NZ trip at the next local elections.

[inzman]

The ones that protest the loudest usually have something to hide. I would check there first.

[tx22cb]

"ML" Panadda should name and shame the official(s) he saw drinking 100k wines, living beyond means.

Or explain why he did nothing at the time - as Governor, he had the power to do something about it.

Otherwise, shut up, and don't be such a drama queen. Typical Thai style - he's a very senior person now, close to the Junta leaders, in a position to do something about corruption he has personally witnessed .... but timidly backs down. All talk, no balls - no leadership mettle.

[DonThaiToMe]

Any ´normal´ PAO official who isn´t living in luxury would regard the statement from khun Panadda as good and something to strive for.

The ones protesting just shows they are scared to lose their luxury way of life that they have gotten used too.

[Prbkk]

The comments were, at best, ill considered. This is meant to be a period of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help. Maybe looking a little closer to home in the heart of the Bangkok elite would uncover some skeletons.

[slovitz]

The truth always hurts!

It hurts those that it applies to.

The "irked" PAO officials should know that Panadda certainly did not say all (as reiterated in the article) officials are corrupt.

Apparently the "if the shoe fits" caveat in his original and subsequent truthful statements has hurt them.

[slovitz]

They had a protest like this down in Trang and it has really pi**ed the locals off because they KNOW what Panadda said is 100% true. Guess where our local 'council' are off to soon - yes the lot of them (not one or two - the lot of them!) are going to New Zealand to check out how local councils are run down there!!! But there is no money to put children's facilities in the town etc etc etc. They will pay for the wearing black and the NZ trip at the next local elections.

An excellent and specific example of the sort of shenanigans the PAO officials are up to. Thanks.

[scorecard]

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"ML" Panadda should name and shame the official(s) he saw drinking 100k wines, living beyond means.

Or explain why he did nothing at the time - as Governor, he had the power to do something about it.

Otherwise, shut up, and don't be such a drama queen. Typical Thai style - he's a very senior person now, close to the Junta leaders, in a position to do something about corruption he has personally witnessed .... but timidly backs down. All talk, no balls - no leadership mettle.

Who is the drama queen?

[scorecard]

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The ones that protest the loudest usually have something to hide. I would check there first.

Example:

Family member had to get several clearance documents. Office and aligned officers should be there and working every working day, all day.

But family member had to make an appointment for the following week on a specific day and time, plus tea money.

At the appointed time the senior official made it quite plain that this was inconvenient for him because he was very busy with other matters.

Where were the officials? At their own office running their own business.

[rickirs]

"The public is the boss."

Still living in 2013?

[smedly]

The comments were, at best, ill considered. This is meant to be a period of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help. Maybe looking a little closer to home in the heart of the Bangkok elite would uncover some skeletons.

OK here is what I would like to see happen

Lets send in an audit team to find out what these people have been spending/wasting money on and then make it fully public including names

You are confusing "rebuilding Trust" with bringing some responsibility accountability and justification to all government and local authorities and their budgets - this would then rebuild trust with the Thai people who are ultimately footing the bill - also include public companies like Thai and PTT who are ultimately owned by the people of this country - leave no stone uncovered

Lets bring some order to this country with accountability to the people and their money

[ChrisY1]

The comments were, at best, ill considered. This is meant to be a period of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help. Maybe looking a little closer to home in the heart of the Bangkok elite would uncover some skeletons.

Agree....

Unfortunately, many Thai officials open their mouths before they engage their small brain......had he just gone ahead, gathered evidence, sought legal advice, he may well have been able to actually nail a big name....

[moe666]

The comments were, at best, ill considered. This is meant to be a period of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help. Maybe looking a little closer to home in the heart of the Bangkok elite would uncover some skeletons.

and while you are at it check on all of the skeletons up here in Chiang Mai with the elite, O forgot no longer elite out of office

[Prbkk]

The comments were, at best, ill considered. This is meant to be a period of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help. Maybe looking a little closer to home in the heart of the Bangkok elite would uncover some skeletons.

and while you are at it check on all of the skeletons up here in Chiang Mai with the elite, O forgot no longer elite out of office

You believe the elite is out? Interesting thought.

[kalbo123]

Thought protest are not allowed...

[Baerboxer]

They had a protest like this down in Trang and it has really pi**ed the locals off because they KNOW what Panadda said is 100% true. Guess where our local 'council' are off to soon - yes the lot of them (not one or two - the lot of them!) are going to New Zealand to check out how local councils are run down there!!! But there is no money to put children's facilities in the town etc etc etc. They will pay for the wearing black and the NZ trip at the next local elections.

Jobs for the boys, trips for the boys. Same mentality in local governments all over the place. Come next elections they'll be handing out to get elected as usual regardless of what happens in NZ.

[Baerboxer]

The comments were, at best, ill considered. This is meant to be a period of rebuilding trust and relationships. Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help. Maybe looking a little closer to home in the heart of the Bangkok elite would uncover some skeletons.

The wine comment does seem somewhat exaggerated. They'd get plenty of free drinks flying first class in the lounge and on board. However, the Thai propensity for showing off and increasing face makes anything possible and not surprising.

These sort of generalizations and shots in the dark don't really help - like Chalerm's constant rantings and giving clues he knew who it was by divulging initials

Time to put some real checks and balances, audits and accountability in at all levels. That's if they are really serious.

[rametindallas]

Message to PAOs: If the shoe fits, wear it. Or: Methinks the lady doth protest too much.

ML Pannada was repeating what he had heard so, under Thai libel laws, he cannot name names. In fact, if the truth hurts someone's reputation, he can go to court for damages; even it it's the provable truth. ML Pannada mentioned only one PAO, and yet ALL are offended. Are they All guilty to one extent or another? I think so. It was accountants that brought down the ultra-powerful gangster, Al Capone and some accountants on the money trail of PAO expenditures would most likely bring shame and hopefully indictments for abuse of power and wasting taxpayers' money on these persons of inflated importance. Hell, Chalerm is such a 'god' that he is accompanied by a man who ties his shoes for him when he leaves temple. All these government pu yais need to be brought down to a 'human' level. I hope the NCPO is up to the task.

[slovitz]

Ridiculous comments like these, 100,000 Baht wine etc, do not help.

Not "ridiculous" at all, although it's understandable that a balloon chaser might think so.

TripAdvisor review:

The wine list here is extensive, the wines start from around 1200baht to well over 100,000baht.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293919-d1636741-r146122885-Royal_Grill_Room_Wine_Cellar-Pattaya_Chonburi_Province.html

.

Edited August 26, 2014 by slovitz

[seajae]

we can see exactly what these "officials" are doing if we just listen to the local gossip, they demand money for everything and allow anything to take place as long as enough is paid. They are simply p*ssed because they have been outed and they dont want their laundry exposed in public, time for the govt to actually start criminal proceedings against all of these officials, the free meals, drinking sessions, parties and backhanders need to be stopped.

[rebelplatoon]

M.L. Pannadda calling it like it is. Of course he meant the higher ranking officials. As all over the globe they think they are in that position for themselves, not for the public.

[trainman34014]

The Pigs are squealing and now is the time to get right in there with auditors and check out every last satang. If the Junta are really serious about Public Officials behaving in an honest and transparent way they have to give the worst offenders plenty of jail time, seize assets and lay new ground rules for the future. No good making statements about unnamed people and then apologising afterwards. Too much talk the talk but no walk the walk.