Monk to hold second round of talks on energy sector reform next month

[Lite Beer]

Monk to hold second round of talks on energy sector reform next month
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Though the energy reform forum on Wednesday failed to achieve much in terms of solutions, senior monk Phra Buddha Issara said he would hold another round of talks mid-next month - this time focusing on alternative energy.

The monk explained that the results of this forum would be submitted to the National Reform Council, which is still in the process of being put together.

Also, in his Facebook post, the monk called on all energy experts to gather at Or Noi temple in Kamphaeng Saen district, Nakhon Pathom province on September 5 to put together information and come up with questions for the upcoming forum so it has a more productive outcome.

The last forum was held at the Army Club and resulted in a heated debate between Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT Plc) executives and technocrats on the one hand and energy reform advocates on the other. They obviously did not trust one another and hence failed to achieve any resolutions.

"Someone told me that if I wasn't there, people would be flinging chairs and tables at one another," Phra Buddha said.

However, he added that a few key questions that had been left unanswered would be added to the next forum's agenda, such as the proposal of separating household and industrial energy. The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy.

Other key issues on the agenda will be the push to stop basing local retail prices of oil on the market price in Singapore and reducing the price of gas locally to match PTT's export price, he said.

The monk's role in energy reform has surprised several people. Phra Buddha, who made a name for himself while leading a protest against the Yingluck Shinawatra government early this year, said he was now planning to champion for reform in this important sector.

The monk had joined the People's Democratic Reform Committee, led by former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who has now also taken up saffron robes.

This time though, the people who stood together to oust Yingluck's government seem to differ in terms of energy reform. The Democrat Party-backed technocrats want energy to be reformed according to market forces, while some activists are championing for the nationalisation of energy enterprises.

Buddha Issara brought both these groups together on Wednesday with the objective of achieving a common solution.

He said one of the key reasons behind him accepting the moderator's role is that he wanted to maintain the "right balance" by listening to all sides. He told The Nation that he was "stressed, nervous and excited" as he sat in the moderator's chair that day.

He also admitted that the energy reform advocate group did not fully trust him, which is why they were hesitant in joining the forum and did not spend much time preparing their questions. Hence, he said, their questions to the PTT interest group and technocrats were not very sharp and objective.

On the positive side, though, he said the forum paid a lot of attention to the public and focused on how energy reform is important to ordinary people because it fundamentally affects their lives.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Monk-to-hold-second-round-of-talks-on-energy-secto-30242109.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-30

[englishoak]

Wow this guys ego really is running rampant lol

So is this numpty is supposed to be mediating and holding talks but....... not impartial though it seems.

The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy. Sure while trying to ram his own ideas through apparently, how very impartial.

When a country gets to the point of allowing a guy in a robe and not a modest, unassuming one it seems ( "Someone told me that if I wasn't there, people would be flinging chairs and tables at one another," Phra Buddha said.) to get involved in talks/decisions on energy with little and almost certainly zero understanding of the sector that country probably has more than a few little problems coming down the road

[chooka]

Who died and made this evil person the master. What has it got to do with him, shouldn't this violent piece of work be in the temple begging for forgiveness or be in prison for his crimes.

[JohnnyJazz]

This guy is a gangster in a monk's clothing. On top of being completely useless and only interested in the promotion of his person, he is a rude and vulgar individual. During the previous meeting, as the discussion were going nowhere he urged the participants to hurry up because "he needed to pee". Do we need to say more ?

[Robby nz]

Wow this guys ego really is running rampant lol

So is this numpty is supposed to be mediating and holding talks but....... not impartial though it seems.

The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy. Sure while trying to ram his own ideas through apparently, how very impartial.

When a country gets to the point of allowing a guy in a robe and not a modest, unassuming one it seems ( "Someone told me that if I wasn't there, people would be flinging chairs and tables at one another," Phra Buddha said.) to get involved in talks/decisions on energy with little and almost certainly zero understanding of the sector that country probably has more than a few little problems coming down the road

He is doing something positive for the country (again) by bringing people together who would otherwise not hear what the other has to say except through the media where they could ignore the others opinion.

You choose to call this ego I see it as taking a leadership roll, something that few others will step up and do.

I suspect he knows far more about and has more understanding of the subject than you do.

But if you think you understand tell us, do you think there needs to be reforms in the energy sector ?

If so how about trying, for once, to post something positive.

[JeremyBowskill]

Brilliant, maybe the archbishop of canterbury is free for talks on overfishing in UK waters, or maybe Billy Graham could help with gun legislation in the US.........

[ramrod711]

He also admitted that the energy reform advocate group did not fully trust him, which is why they were hesitant in joining the forum and did not spend much time preparing their questions. Hence, he said, their questions to the PTT interest group and technocrats were not very sharp and objective.

The haters speak of crimes, gangster, evil etc. I don't agree, but I do share the concerns about his qualifications. One would think that the best, most knowledgeable person available should have been chosen.

[tx22cb]

On the positive side, the monk should get better with more practice. As he's a true industry outsider, people know his shortcomings and can take his comments with a pinch of S.

And let's face it, this public "energy reform forum" is nothing but entertainment for the masses - the monk is guaranteed to come up with quips galore for the fawning media, and bashing PTT is very popular these days.

At least he would be better than a pseudo-expert like Dr Pornthip, who thinks she's a real scientist and knows it all ... a bullsh*tter who can fool the gullible (GT200 anyone?) and is living proof that a little K is a dangerous T.

[h90]

Brilliant, maybe the archbishop of canterbury is free for talks on overfishing in UK waters, or maybe Billy Graham could help with gun legislation in the US.........

And it would be a good thing.....In south america the priests still try to help, I got told, but nothing in Europe

[englishoak]

Wow this guys ego really is running rampant lol

So is this numpty is supposed to be mediating and holding talks but....... not impartial though it seems.

The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy. Sure while trying to ram his own ideas through apparently, how very impartial.

When a country gets to the point of allowing a guy in a robe and not a modest, unassuming one it seems ( "Someone told me that if I wasn't there, people would be flinging chairs and tables at one another," Phra Buddha said.) to get involved in talks/decisions on energy with little and almost certainly zero understanding of the sector that country probably has more than a few little problems coming down the road

He is doing something positive for the country (again) by bringing people together who would otherwise not hear what the other has to say except through the media where they could ignore the others opinion.

You choose to call this ego I see it as taking a leadership roll, something that few others will step up and do.

I suspect he knows far more about and has more understanding of the subject than you do.

But if you think you understand tell us, do you think there needs to be reforms in the energy sector ?

If so how about trying, for once, to post something positive.

Sigh! depends if your talking about energy reform or reshuffle. I suspect its just a reshuffle for pieces of the pie. I do know in order to reform a sector properly and successfully as important as energy you need first to set up a professional commission with people well qualified in order to completely review that sector, top to bottom if serious, they would usually ask energy experts that are tasked by the commission to produce detailed documents on their findings backed up by hard facts and identify issues and areas that are requiring reform along with proposals,usually academics in that field and energy businesses that are both qualified and experts are asked to do this, the commission then considers presented information backed up by statistics, facts and findings, then reviews and presents a finding if or not where reforms are required, finally it decides on targets and what options it wishes to go for, renewable % green, traditional etc etc, the commission then holds meetings and various talks with various parties in that sector and informs them of its chosen targets and finally tells the energy industry to go away and come back with proposals to meet the required targets or if not possible what can be met, and then reviews again, and so it goes on, this takes time. Finally it comes up with an energy policy and moves in that direction. This also takes time.

Energy is not a sector that costs peanuts it would be wise to get it right for the right type of economy and depending on the country and its own resources, or not. It will cost everyone very dear if it makes the wrong decision if it reforms anything without a proper detailed and informed report.

Ill tell you whats unlikely to work too well and thats a rushed job in haste to reform reshuffle for the sake of it, or by who can shout the loudest/ be the most popular and certainly not round a forum in a room in a couple of days run by a guy in a sheet. Not my idea of a positive move, and very unlikely to be any kind of proper or badly needed real energy reform as is claimed. Its just the usual BS window dressing for the masses imo.

[Boxclever]

Ohh nooo...not Rasputin again!

[poohy]

Energy reforms!........<deleted> has it got to do with a monk!

[2fishin2]

A monk

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[klauskunkel]

A monk

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

...an energetic one. If Thailand could tap his energy - problem solved...

[amse]

Why is this monk dude allowed to mix religion and politics together, better if he got in his Rolls and went back to the temple.

[rickirs]

I have no problem with Issara being a conference facilitator. Such role requires more personality and ability to understand human nature than scientific and economic expertise. But to place himself as a layperson in the position to decide and direct a professional, scientific and economic based agenda is unrealistic if any meaningful results are expected.

"The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy."

No. Energy sources belong to those who use and pay for them. Industrial users by their consumption of massive amounts of energy should actually pay less than a household on a kilowatt basis due to the economy of scale that can be realized with industrial users that cannot be realized with individual households. If Issara directs an agenda based on populist policy that he seems to embrace, the talks will miss key critical issues in the energy sector such as diversification of energy sources, renewable energy sources, conservation of energy, national energy indepdendence, international energy GTI (generation, transmission & distribution) cooperatives, etc. that will be overlooked or downplayed.

Issara, thus, may inadvertantly create by his meddling an energy hostile environment for manufacturing businesses that will adversely affect Thailand's economy. NCPO took ownership of energy sector reform and should continue to do so. I am sure NCPO will respect any suggestions Issara may propose but it needs to keep the discussions on track.

[rickirs]

Here is what a REAL energy forum looks like, courtesy of the International Geoscience Conference, March 7-8, 2012, Bangkok, Thailand.

The Sustainable Security of Thailand.pdf

[marcusd]

Brilliant, maybe the archbishop of canterbury is free for talks on overfishing in UK waters, or maybe Billy Graham could help with gun legislation in the US.........

if something positive or helpful can come from anyone then let them spew forth their words. Even stupid people have something positive to say sometimes.

But alas... We are still waiting for that moment from you

[billd766]

Wow this guys ego really is running rampant lol

So is this numpty is supposed to be mediating and holding talks but....... not impartial though it seems.

The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy. Sure while trying to ram his own ideas through apparently, how very impartial.

When a country gets to the point of allowing a guy in a robe and not a modest, unassuming one it seems ( "Someone told me that if I wasn't there, people would be flinging chairs and tables at one another," Phra Buddha said.) to get involved in talks/decisions on energy with little and almost certainly zero understanding of the sector that country probably has more than a few little problems coming down the road

Can YOU do any better? Do you think that you know more than he does?

If so then put yourself forward in his place and see how many people will turn up to listen to you carping on about the past.

Try a bit of forward thinking for a change to see what the future holds.

[billd766]

Who died and made this evil person the master. What has it got to do with him, shouldn't this violent piece of work be in the temple begging for forgiveness or be in prison for his crimes.

What has it got to do with you either? Do YOU have any voice in the way that Thailand is run?

At least Thai people listen to him, which is more than they do to you.

[Soutpeel]

Wow this guys ego really is running rampant lol

So is this numpty is supposed to be mediating and holding talks but....... not impartial though it seems.

The monk argues that domestic energy sources belong to the people, and should therefore be reserved for household consumption at a cheaper price, while industries should rely on imported energy. Sure while trying to ram his own ideas through apparently, how very impartial.

When a country gets to the point of allowing a guy in a robe and not a modest, unassuming one it seems ( "Someone told me that if I wasn't there, people would be flinging chairs and tables at one another," Phra Buddha said.) to get involved in talks/decisions on energy with little and almost certainly zero understanding of the sector that country probably has more than a few little problems coming down the road

He is doing something positive for the country (again) by bringing people together who would otherwise not hear what the other has to say except through the media where they could ignore the others opinion.

You choose to call this ego I see it as taking a leadership roll, something that few others will step up and do.

I suspect he knows far more about and has more understanding of the subject than you do.

But if you think you understand tell us, do you think there needs to be reforms in the energy sector ?

If so how about trying, for once, to post something positive.

Sigh! depends if your talking about energy reform or reshuffle. I suspect its just a reshuffle for pieces of the pie. I do know in order to reform a sector properly and successfully as important as energy you need first to set up a professional commission with people well qualified in order to completely review that sector, top to bottom if serious, they would usually ask energy experts that are tasked by the commission to produce detailed documents on their findings backed up by hard facts and identify issues and areas that are requiring reform along with proposals,usually academics in that field and energy businesses that are both qualified and experts are asked to do this, the commission then considers presented information backed up by statistics, facts and findings, then reviews and presents a finding if or not where reforms are required, finally it decides on targets and what options it wishes to go for, renewable % green, traditional etc etc, the commission then holds meetings and various talks with various parties in that sector and informs them of its chosen targets and finally tells the energy industry to go away and come back with proposals to meet the required targets or if not possible what can be met, and then reviews again, and so it goes on, this takes time. Finally it comes up with an energy policy and moves in that direction. This also takes time.

Energy is not a sector that costs peanuts it would be wise to get it right for the right type of economy and depending on the country and its own resources, or not. It will cost everyone very dear if it makes the wrong decision if it reforms anything without a proper detailed and informed report.

Ill tell you whats unlikely to work too well and thats a rushed job in haste to reform reshuffle for the sake of it, or by who can shout the loudest/ be the most popular and certainly not round a forum in a room in a couple of days run by a guy in a sheet. Not my idea of a positive move, and very unlikely to be any kind of proper or badly needed real energy reform as is claimed. Its just the usual BS window dressing for the masses imo.

The funny thing is with reference to your first paragraph, even when the so called "experts/professionals and academics" get involved, with their "detailed documents" they normally screw things up it just as bad as a "non expert/professional" anyway....and this is not unique to Thailand either....

[chooka]

Who died and made this evil person the master. What has it got to do with him, shouldn't this violent piece of work be in the temple begging for forgiveness or be in prison for his crimes.

What has it got to do with you either? Do YOU have any voice in the way that Thailand is run?

At least Thai people listen to him, which is more than they do to you.

Take it up with Thaivisa Admin they posted the story for comments and if you don't like people commenting ask the mods to remove the topic.

I didn't mean to offend you and I am extremely sorry.

[khaowong1]

I find it refreshing to see a monk get involved in trying to sort out the problems facing Thailand. There are a lot of very smart, educated monks out there. I would like to see more get involved.. Some call this mixing religion and politics, I call it helping the people, helping your fellow man, which is a monks job.

[h90]

Why is this monk dude allowed to mix religion and politics together, better if he got in his Rolls and went back to the temple.

As long as I know he doesn't mix and religion and as long as I know he doesn't own a Rolls.

[h90]

I find it refreshing to see a monk get involved in trying to sort out the problems facing Thailand. There are a lot of very smart, educated monks out there. I would like to see more get involved.. Some call this mixing religion and politics, I call it helping the people, helping your fellow man, which is a monks job.

mix of religion and politics would be if he is a decision maker or tries to get minister. But he just moderates talks and his opinion is to make the energy affordable for people.

I can't see a mix of religion and politics. He isn't speaking about Buddhas teaching about electric plants.

[fab4]

I find it refreshing to see a monk get involved in trying to sort out the problems facing Thailand. There are a lot of very smart, educated monks out there. I would like to see more get involved.. Some call this mixing religion and politics, I call it helping the people, helping your fellow man, which is a monks job.

Yes, you're probably right, helping his fellow man

Here he is watching whilst a "walkie talkie" is held to the mans neck. It's obviously not a taser -

he's probably being helped to ring home and tell his missus he's a bit busy having a monk chat.

Edited August 30, 2014 by fab4

[Tokay]

How is this guy permitted to be a monk?

[belg]

euh, why is a monk in charge of such an important item as engery ?

if we all would start to live like REAL buddist monks, than ....

hey, they can always dream outloud , right ?

[billd766]

Who died and made this evil person the master. What has it got to do with him, shouldn't this violent piece of work be in the temple begging for forgiveness or be in prison for his crimes.

What has it got to do with you either? Do YOU have any voice in the way that Thailand is run?

At least Thai people listen to him, which is more than they do to you.

Take it up with Thaivisa Admin they posted the story for comments and if you don't like people commenting ask the mods to remove the topic.

I didn't mean to offend you and I am extremely sorry.

Thank you for your apology.

I had no problem with the post per se but they way you wrote it which came out to me as angry and arrogant and so I replied in the same tone to you and for that I apologise also.

It really doesn't matter what we write on Thai Visa (unless it is personal) as no notice will be taken by Thais anyway.

There is a hardcore of maybe 10 to 15 posters on either side who are so dogmatic and will never be happy at what the "other side" wrote but perhaps if they ever met over a beer and no TV poster names or politics were allowed to be discussed they might even like each other.

[fab4]

How is this guy permitted to be a monk?

Am I right in saying that anybody can become a monk in Thailand? It certainly seems that way

Brothers in Alms (arms, see what I did there?)