'No room for corruption'

[marcusd]

With all the bombastic proclamations, he's after all only one man and he's as good

as the people that are with him, no way in the world to stamp out corruptions,

it is here to stay and flourish, the question remains, can you minimize corruptions

to a mangagable level? if you have done that, your work is done....

this is something that needs great thought.

Corruption will never die because it works

[leighd7]

Traffic police still asking and taking bribes here In chiang mai.

[marcusd]

Primeminister?

Of course Dictstors don't need to be voted in. I wonder who will be in his cabinet.

jb1

too much Jim beam out of the bottle I think...

[h90]

Start with eradicating corruption in military first!

They buy 1 baht / liter from government.

They use it as they see fit. Sell to others at discounted price. Fulfill the cars of their girlfriends etc.

Unlike 30 percent rule, Military has no limits in terms of corruption and shaving money.

That is one of the most minor things.....They can fill up all their cars for the next 1000 years to pocket as much money as the Shinawatra clan in 1 year.

I guess alone the airport contracts of the other sister is more worth than that gasoline.

[Pinot]

He has already done more than all previous governments have done in years. To wipe out all corruption is a goal. Not all goals are achievable but starting at the top is the way to go. Every country in the world has corruption whether they admit it or not. Thailand has run on it for years, and if anybody can change that then I think he is the man to do it. Western democracies may not be happy with an unelected government, but fail to recognise that previous governments have been elected on the back of corruption. He should ignore Western protests and focus on taking Thailand forwards which was the main theme of his speech last night.

He's been in power 3 months with a remarkable record. I'm wary and hopeful this will continue.

Living in Phuket I saw every politician and cop as bent. That is beginning to change.

[Neeranam]

The only way to stop it is to offer cash rewards for those exposing corruption, anonymously, of course.

[Thomas Hannah]

Bla Bla Bla,,heard it ,so many times before..Remember,,it is lie land,,

[NongKhaiKid]

Corruption has been a way of life ever since man set foot in Thailand...

Eradicating it totally in Thailand is a impossible mission, but knocking a big dent in it is not.

Starting at the top, ensuring that ministers, MP's, senators, judges, chefs of police, top civil servants are not only uncorrectable but they should also be responsible for ensuring those under them are not corrupt and they also take action to ensure those under them are not corrupt all the way down.

Most importantly the courts should not treat it as a misdemeanour, but as a felony.

Apart from corruption you have rolled in another major problem here and that's accountability or rather the lack of it.

No one in authority accepts responsibility for anything and have little worry about being held accountable as they should.

It may just backfire on YL though.

[Lite Beer]

Both sides in bribery should be punished – Prayuth

BANGKOK: Recognising that it takes two to tango, Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday August 29)said that laws must be amended so that private companies or individuals found to have bribed bureaucrats will also be subject to legal punishment.

In a further expression of his zero-tolerance attitude to corruption he also said that changes to the law must be introduced to remove the statute of limitations in corruption cases.

In his weekly Returning Happiness to the People TV address, the general reiterated the pressing need to combat corruption that has become so deeply entrenched in Thailand.

He said efforts to battle graft must produce tangible outcomes within one year, adding that collaboration from all sectors was needed to achieve the aim.

The coup leader also revealed that military men will be included in his Cabinet, and defended the need to appoint them.

Initial reports suggest that 12 of the 36 ministers will be serving or retired military men. Royal endorsement of the cabinet is not expected until late September, after all prospective members have been vetted.

“I don’t think it’s a problem,” he said. “The point is where the problems lie and how we can fix them.

“Don’t look at how many officers there will be. I have thought about this thoroughly and it is impossible not to have officers because security remains a problem.”

Strong candidates from the armed forces to help Gen Prayuth administer the country include Surasak Kanchanarat, the permanent secretary for defence; air force commander Prajin Jantong, Supreme Commander Tanasak Patimapragorn, former defence minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan and former army commander Anupong Paojinda.

Preliminary indications are that Gen Surasak could take up the labour minister’s post, ACM Prajin would be transport minister and Gen Anupong would control the Interior Ministry.

Gen Prayuth, however, pledged no favouritism for ministers coming from the armed forces and challenged sceptics to judge him and his team on their actions.

“I’ve made all those decisions. Let’s wait and see,” he said.

“If they don’t perform, I can change. A government can be reshuffled as many times as [necessary]. Those with no performance will be out. Those who are corrupt will go to jail. That’s it. Nothing to fear.”

He urged all sides to focus primarily on how to work for the country’s interests, rather than on who will be appointed to the cabinet.

“We don’t want anyone to obstruct our work, but what we need is more support from the people,” the premier said.

Prominent civilians tipped to be in the government include MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, who would be deputy prime minister on economic policy; Narongchai Akrasanee as energy minister, and Wissanu Krea-ngam as deputy premier for legal affairs.

Gen Prayuth said on Wednesday (August 27)that he would appoint five deputy prime ministers. He promised that the cabinet would be ready by September but the resignations of potential ministers over the past two days stirred speculation that it could be announced sooner than expected.

The chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) also tried to mend fences with local administrations after the country’s top civil servant dropped a bombshell by complaining about the extravagant lifestyles of some administrators, such as one who enjoyed 100,000-baht bottles of wine and first-class air travel.

Gen Prayuth said the NCPO had no intention to discredit local administrations and called for a truce to end the hard feelings.

Although some must be improved, most local administrations had been cooperating with the NCPO on reform plans, he added.

-- Phuket News 2014-08-30

[kurnell]

Yes and Yingluck said much the same thing

WHO ?? she only said it--this is different---he means it. do you understand it will take years, but were on the way.

Prayuth does not need a makeover and a photo op with cronies alongside .

Nice headlines we are reading, but nothing has really changed. The money is just going into someone else's pocket.

[NoshowJones]

He has already done more than all previous governments have done in years. To wipe out all corruption is a goal. Not all goals are achievable but starting at the top is the way to go. Every country in the world has corruption whether they admit it or not. Thailand has run on it for years, and if anybody can change that then I think he is the man to do it. Western democracies may not be happy with an unelected government, but fail to recognise that previous governments have been elected on the back of corruption. He should ignore Western protests and focus on taking Thailand forwards which was the main theme of his speech last night.

That he has done more than all previous governments have done in years......I could not agree more! The general has a worthy goal and from what I have seen so far he has made admirable progress toward that. But we all should recognize that it is a long, long-term project that will at times be slow and difficult, but everyone should be willing to support his efforts if they want to restore Thailand to good governance.

We hear many critics shouting for a "return to democracy for Thailand", without much thought into what they are asking for. Read the following link very, very carefully:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/In-Thailand-democracy-is-just-a-fig-leaf-for-klept-30228458.html

Then, when you have finished, ask yourself "Is this the kind of democracy I want Thailand to return to?" Give the man a chance.

But the roads are still full of unlicenced drivers and underage motorcyclists. To my knowledge, nothing has even started in that department yet, all we seem to hear is "this visa and that visa blah blah blah, no drinking after this time etc, vendores cleared from certain sidewalks, which has not happened.

Mr General, please pay attention to my first sentence, then we might start to believe you.

[gchurch259]

Corruption has not stopped in Phuket. This is a huge undertaking for him and it may be too big for him to tackle. Just sayin'.

A good place to start and a good method is from a quote, unknown author, "If you have them by the balls their hearts and minds will follow". I believe the General knows how to apply pressure and location needed !!

[bander]

I have heard that before, now here comes the difficult part: Can you keep your promise?

[al007]

Give the man a chance, so far very good, not a task many would want or be prepared to accept

[biplanebluey]

He did say in his address. that the Thai people seem to accept corruption, and it's this mind-set that has to change, adding that this may take generations.

By the way, doesn't he speak quickly?

Yes he seems to speak too fast for the interpreters--------- there/s sometimes a long pause before the next bit and by then Prayuth has said a lot compared to the amount of translation.Also I wish they would give a strip of plain background to the interpretation on the bottom of the screen-------- But hey, its only for farang anyway

[Roadman]

Yes and Yingluck said much the same thing

WHO ?? she only said it--this is different---he means it. do you understand it will take years, but were on the way.

Prayuth does not need a makeover and a photo op with cronies alongside .

Nice headlines we are reading, but nothing has really changed. The money is just going into someone else's pocket.

And how exactly is it have supposed to change. The Junta has not since seizing power interfered with the judiciary, while he has correctly followed the principles of the Martial Law Act. That is why nothing has changed. How do you expect it to change when the very teams who will be reforming all governance process's so that reform and change can occur are still being nominated for selection. Thankfully Thailand's future direction is being led by the very capable Khun General Prayuth and not the pessimistic Western barstool brigade that Thailand seems to attract.

[wandasloan]

Yes and Yingluck said much the same thing

She wasn't looking a monk directly in the eye when she said it, though.

.

[biplanebluey]

They might have to move most of the Government's staff to "inactive posts" because in my experience most are corrupt.

I would like to see him start from today with a decree that really means the end of corruption.Really do something about it right from day one.Anyone found to be corrupt---- heavy fine,loss of job and time in jail--- that's all it would take.It would mean a constant re-shuffle in many organisations but I am sure that a proper and hard deterrent would soon make these people wake up.And it's not just those at the top,it;s all the way down,so no differential treatment------ it's called "stamping it out"------- the other way is called "Pussy-footing" and it will take a hundred times longer to achieve

[SOTIRIOS]

..let's pass some legislation against Thai women scamming foreigners and then rendering them penniless and homeless....

...more rights to the foreign fathers of children that have sacrificed all....just to be duped by their Thai wives rabid with greed....

...let's give Thailand and Buddhism a better name....and uphold basic human rights of foreigners that came here with good intentions...

[IAMSOBAD]

Start with action and not talk. Show the world by jail for jet ski Mafia. Taxi Mafia get jail and their vehicles crushed on live TV.BIB get jail not a new post. Start there and show us don't tell us .

[Simons3]

three observations...

first is.. good on him if he's actually trying to do stamp out Corruption.

Problem is if he does a good enough job, he wont be round very long... hurt the wrong people bad enough...... look at Mexico, Just saying.

Corruption doesn't die.. it just mutates, right now Thailand is lax and corruption is obvious.. clean that up and they just get smarter and more cautios.... do we think the Iraq war was about anti terrorism? or Oil? do the corporations that contribute almost 2 Billion dollars in a presidential election do it out of altruism and not expect something in return ? are cops not on the take in New York to this day ? and the US screams very loudly that they do not tolerate any corruption...

[IAMSOBAD]

Another thought...Make one person the VOICE OF GOVERNMENT. That person has the PM give him statements and orders. Do not let every Colonel and every General have a microphone or talk to press. They all lie or exaggerate like Chalerm did every five seconds. Use farang friends and don't shut us out.

[duanebigsby]

..let's pass some legislation against Thai women scamming foreigners and then rendering them penniless and homeless....

...more rights to the foreign fathers of children that have sacrificed all....just to be duped by their Thai wives rabid with greed....

...let's give Thailand and Buddhism a better name....and uphold basic human rights of foreigners that came here with good intentions...

I'm sure that the few hundred foreigners ripped off by Thai women each year are far more important to the General than the 65 million Thai's concerns about their country.

[Baerboxer]

Thailand should do the same as Singapore and some European countries. Offering a bribe is a criminal offense and as well accepting the bribe.

A cop in Singapore that takes 100 S$ is going to jail for at least 1 year, being kicked out of the force.

In the UK now it's also a criminal offence to know bribery is going on and chose to ignore it. Turning a blind eye is no longer acceptable.

The fact that the UK has beefed up their bribery laws says a lot about the underlying levels of perceived corruption.

[Baerboxer]

Yes and Yingluck said much the same thing

She wasn't looking a monk directly in the eye when she said it, though.

.

and she had her fingers crossed behind her back

[Torrens54]

Top marks to the Prime Minister!

Looks as though there may be a "wait-list" trying to book passage to "Dubious Dubai."

[jpeg]

It may be a good idea to remove or at least slimdown the onerous beaurocratic processes here to make it less likely many pay to have things sped up, and to also modify ridiculous draconian laws. The more hurdles put in the way, the more avenues of revenue streams are created. Just a thought.

Edited August 30, 2014 by jpeg

[VINCENT2012]

i wish him good luck and hopefully he can do what never..... ever ........... nobody as been able to do...i mean getting rid of corruption every where in thailand.

Edited August 30, 2014 by VINCENT2012

[MaxYakov]

Errrrr ... ummmm ... I missed his national address last night. Did he happen to say something like ... "We don't have a strategy yet ..."?

Edited August 30, 2014 by MaxYakov

[avander]

Thailand has a very long road to travel so we can only hope and wish the new PM and the country the best of luck. They're going to need all the help they can get.

Edited August 30, 2014 by avander