Thai editorial: Why do we need a coup-maker to do simple things?

[rubl]

No brainer answer. Politicians will not go near these simple things for fear of upsetting the voter base and reduce their election chances. Moreover, things like these tend to be exploited politically. The NCPO need not worry about upsetting the electorate and they have the martial law to back up their actions. All these are good stuffs from the NCPO.

So, you seem to say these simple things don't get done with politicians around. Now the big question would be if these simple things need to be tackled. If the answer is yes (as answers here seem to suggest) it would seem politicians are avoiding to do what the population / electorate wants for fear of upsetting them.

The logic does escape me I must admit. You're probably only afraid to tell you really admire the NCPO for what they do for the population and electorate.

[rubl]

Yes I can see it now.

Scenario 1. PTP government demolish buildings encroaching on beach and illegal taxi stands. Articles appear in The Nation decrying such actions as "populist" and heavyhanded. Owners, Local mafia and politicians exploit situation and organise demonstrations. Some violence is caused by hired armed "security personnel". Police are called in to break up demonstrations. Expat forums are filled with posts blaming "Takky". Courts rule demonstrations are peaceful and governments hands are tied.

Who is seen as the Bad Boy in this?

Scenario 2. Military Junta backed by Martial Law, ban on demonstrations and censorship, demolish buildings encroaching on beach and illegal taxi stands. Articles appear in The Nation praising return to "natural beauty" that they have not cared a fig about, much less write articles about, in the intervening years between coups. Owners, local mafia (there are no politicians to speak of) keep quiet, because they have to. Expat forums are filled with posts praising Prayuth.

Who is seen as the Good Boy in this?

Actually I don't see it, or at least not as you describe.

Scenario 1.: Ms. Yingluck goes on television stating her government is committed to clean beaches, tourist friendliness and therefore she had told her Dept. PM Pol. Captain Chalerm to take care of it. K. Chalerm states he'll solve the problem in three months. After three months the problem is (supposed to be or declared) solved, k. Chalerm still writing the final report. All hope the public forgets the issue and politicians are more than happy to continue to ignore it.

Scenario 2.: NCPO orders police with assistance of army personel to demolish buildings encroaching beaches. Illegal taxi stands are cleaned up, illegal taxi confiscated with drivers taken in and charged. Next.

Simple really.

Edited August 27, 2014 by rubl

[northernjohn]

In both cases, they respect the law despite being quite able to break it without being caught. So which nationality is behaving strangely here?

Here is your answer in a nut shell. Thai's respect only themselves and the baht. Everything is about 'me' and how to make another baht. Is it surprising to see this reflected in the lives of the politicians and the police? Hell no. This is how they were brought up.

Strange thing to say

Thai's respect only themselves and the baht.

If Thais respect the baht why do they not put their helmets on and drive sober?

That would save them a lot of baht's.

[northernjohn]

Yes I can see it now.

Scenario 1. PTP government demolish buildings encroaching on beach and illegal taxi stands. Articles appear in The Nation decrying such actions as "populist" and heavyhanded. Owners, Local mafia and politicians exploit situation and organise demonstrations. Some violence is caused by hired armed "security personnel". Police are called in to break up demonstrations. Expat forums are filled with posts blaming "Takky". Courts rule demonstrations are peaceful and governments hands are tied.

Who is seen as the Bad Boy in this?

Scenario 2. Military Junta backed by Martial Law, ban on demonstrations and censorship, demolish buildings encroaching on beach and illegal taxi stands. Articles appear in The Nation praising return to "natural beauty" that they have not cared a fig about, much less write articles about, in the intervening years between coups. Owners, local mafia (there are no politicians to speak of) keep quiet, because they have to. Expat forums are filled with posts praising Prayuth.

Who is seen as the Good Boy in this?

Actually I don't see it, or at least not as you describe.

Scenario 1.: Ms. Yingluck goes on television stating her government is committed to clean beaches, tourist friendliness and therefore she had told her Dept. PM Pol. Captain Chalerm to take care of it. K. Chalerm states he'll solve the problem in three months. After three months the problem is (supposed to be or declared) solved, k. Chalerm still writing the final report. All hope the public forgets the issue and politicians are more than happy to continue to ignore it.

Scenario 2.: NCPO orders police with assistance of army personel to demolish buildings encroaching beaches. Illegal taxi stands are cleaned up, illegal taxi confiscated with drivers taken in and charged. Next.

Simple really.

I can hardly wait to see how fabby tries to wipe the egg off his face.

[northernjohn]

The military government is trying to convince us that the pros of non-elected rule outweigh the cons, delivering as much if not more. Yet if we look at the quick-fix measures launched by the NCPO, none should be beyond the scope of an elected government.

Which elected government did it happen under?

It is happening right now under a non elected government and people are happy with it. Of course the law breakers are going to be unhappy but they for the most part on the beaches will not be fined and on the traffic will not be finned enough.

When the government is turned over to the population for elections there will be a lot of things accomplished that no elected government would do. There will be laws in place to help keep the corrupted people out and yes there will still be work to do. We have human beings in government now not genie's.

Let us just hope they have enough laws to keep the riff raff out of politics. Let us also hope the people enjoy the peace enough to keep it peaceful. All we know for sure is when the people elect a new government they will be given a far better chance at getting a good one than they had previous to the coup.

[northernjohn]

Many populist "crackdowns" happening at the moment....and making headlines almost daily.....and it seems to be working, by getting the people "on side" with the generals...

The real show will start in a few months....when the government gets down to the real business of running the country effectively.........

Will there be open and real transparency? History shows that military governments fail in this regard.....hopefully fot Thailand' sake, things do go well.

Coup makers are always popular at first.Events have a way of changing perspectives, sooner rather than later.Still whatever one's views one would have to be churlish not to welcome many of the early reforms.The problem is that these remedial measures (beach clearances etc) while necessary are rather minor and in any event, going back to the thread subject matter, should really have been the responsibility of local administrations not central government.It should not have needed a military coup to tackle these "low hanginging fruit".The major areas for reform - education, military, police, tax, corruption remain untouched and to be fair it's asking too much of the Junta to do more than face the country in the right direction.

I have a sneaking feeling you are against the improvements ?? Only pick out Quote "beach clearances" and to cap it all you Quote." education-military-police-tax-corruption remain untouched" ??? have you been away for 3 months ?? as you are clearly not wanting to know.

He also failed to mention the really big one paying the rice farmers and working on a plan to get them low interest loans the same as they are trying to set up for the rubber plantations.

Also their willingness to work with the people and make changes. Unlike the previous one who would not even listen to the people much less make changes. Check their immigration handling. they were told it was to harsh and they were willing to soften the blow a little bit. Plus give a month's warning.

He sounds more like a bitter Thaksin supporter that doesn't want to admit it.

[northernjohn]

The reality is that bringing such positive changes does not depend solely on the government in power

Having a government that cared about people, rather than just filling their pockets might be a good place to start.

Can you give an example of a caring government such as you describe anywhere in the Western World.

The present one in Thailand.

[Jonmarleesco]

'... if we look at the quick-fix measures launched by the NCPO, none should be beyond the scope of an elected government.' It is when that government has its own 'non-mandated' agenda.

[SteveFong]

the "editorial" is clearly trying to cause a rift in the people

there is no need for the junta to disclose their assets as, they aren't running for office, they took the office and they have the office

this is a red herring

[manhood]

Well many things are mentioned already: Thailand needs a government does not itself favors, but work well for all the people of the country!

And another important thing has to happen: The people of Thailand has to respect laws as a way to live together with milliongs of people in freedom and respect! Too bad nobody teach this too the children. The respect they teach is just to follow the hierarchy in the family and on authorities without learning to demand transparency and criticize what they are talking and doing!

And a democracy needs free press, investigating journalists and the power and be able to express what they see and find you without reprisals to fear! Sure,also the press have to follow the laws and all they say must be able to be proved!!!!!!!

Thais have to change their mind!!!!!!!!!

[ratcatcher]

The reality is that bringing such positive changes does not depend solely on the government in power

Having a government that cared about people, rather than just filling their pockets might be a good place to start.

we dont even have that in the UK.

Oh, but come now, in the U.K. you have jolly old democrazy to look after the population and the teeming immigrants.

Britannia ruled the waves.

Prayuth waived the rules.

[Fiddlesticks]

In both cases, they respect the law despite being quite able to break it without being caught. So which nationality is behaving strangely here?

Here is your answer in a nut shell. Thai's respect only themselves and the baht. Everything is about 'me' and how to make another baht. Is it surprising to see this reflected in the lives of the politicians and the police? Hell no. This is how they were brought up.

Strange thing to say

Thai's respect only themselves and the baht.

If Thais respect the baht why do they not put their helmets on and drive sober?

That would save them a lot of baht's.

You're kidding, right? Do you really think the average Thai pays a lot for helmet violations or drunk driving? If the average Thai gets stopped twice a year for such things it would surprise the hell out of me. Law enforcement is a joke and the Thai know it all to well.

[northernjohn]

Here is your answer in a nut shell. Thai's respect only themselves and the baht. Everything is about 'me' and how to make another baht. Is it surprising to see this reflected in the lives of the politicians and the police? Hell no. This is how they were brought up.

Strange thing to say

Thai's respect only themselves and the baht.

If Thais respect the baht why do they not put their helmets on and drive sober?

That would save them a lot of baht's.

You're kidding, right? Do you really think the average Thai pays a lot for helmet violations or drunk driving? If the average Thai gets stopped twice a year for such things it would surprise the hell out of me. Law enforcement is a joke and the Thai know it all to well.

Speaking of jokes.

Fiddlesticks

[3NUMBAS]

because theyre all up to their armpits in corrupt practices ,just look at the web on phuket ,right down from the mayor to the cops and down to the taxi drivers ,all bent ,dishonesty rules