Suan Dusit Poll: Military-dominated cabinet could suppress corruption

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Suan Dusit Poll: Military-dominated cabinet could suppress corruption
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 1 -- A majority of Thai people believe a military-dominated government of Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, could help lower corruption in Thailand and eradicate social divisiveness, according to the Suan Dusit Poll.

The poll conducted by Suan Dusit Ratchabhat University among 1,446 people nationwide last Thursday, Friday and Saturday found that four our of five respondents -- 81.95 per cent -- agreed that malpractice would decrease while slightly fewer -- 80.57 per cent -- said social divisiveness would disappear.

The respondents were asked for their opinions regarding advantages of Thailand’s having a cabinet of non-politicians.

The poll also found that 77.59 per cent of the respondents believed the interim cabinet would give an opportunity for new faces to work for the country.

According to the poll, 85.48 per cent of the respondents said the military-dominated administration could help restore peace in the country, while 81.12 per cent said work by the cabinet would be efficient and 75.1 per cent cited speedy decision-making.

When asked about disadvantages of the military-dominated cabinet, 81.19 per cent of the respondents cited a possible lack of personnel with experience in national administration, while 71.09 per cent agreed that the new cabinet ministers would not understand the real problems faced by the people.

Some three out of four respondents -- 78.42 per cent -- also said the military-dominated cabinet would cause a negative national image in the eyes of international community, according to the poll. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-01

[Always18]

I sincerely hope that this military administration does succeed in reducing the systemic corruption in Thailand but until Thais actually understand what corruption means - and that the definition includes requiring "facilitation payments" - the root cause will remain undiminished as it is seen as "traditional" and therefore acceptable.

Yes, I am speaking from direct recent personal experience here "up country" where it's the same old story when dealing with any local government department.

[chainarong]

Whilst you are under a dictatorship and lets face it that's all Thailand is being governed by (like or lump it) you would never know whether they are telling the whole story or telling everyone what they want you to know , for all intents and purposes the coup was to introduce reform and Democracy, but was this really the motive or was there an ulterior motive , something General Prayuth to think about.

[Fab5BKK]

When in Thailand, catholic schools ask for " donations" in order to "facilitate the entry process" and when locals find it 'normal", it shows how the whole system is rotten, fully rotten

Just my 2 cents

[NongKhaiKid]

The majority of Thai people believe the military dominated government could lower corruption.

Would this be the same majority who in other polls regularly say corruption is ok as long as it's not excessive and everyone can share ?

[toybits]

But why do I get that feel about wolves watching over sheep? It must take a lot of self restraint to remain untarnished. Will the temptation be too much to bear?

[tbthailand]

Whilst you are under a dictatorship and lets face it that's all Thailand is being governed by (like or lump it) you would never know whether they are telling the whole story or telling everyone what they want you to know , for all intents and purposes the coup was to introduce reform and Democracy, but was this really the motive or was there an ulterior motive , something General Prayuth to think about.

It's pretty clear that the coup had nothing to do with reforms, democracy or corruption.

[rethaier]

So people believe that the previous cabinet members recruited from friends and family had more experience with managing a nation. In my experience, most countries politicians are/were lawyers. What experience do they have in places like health care, education, social reform, national security etc? On the other hand, often you find business men in government positions whose only real interest is in passing legislation which benefits their or their associates particular business goals.

[Local Drunk]

Just a thought... but the majority of Thai people allowed allowed the Shin dynasty to happen.

[rickirs]

"The army is like a racehorse, and governments are merely jockeys who come and go,..." - Privy Councilor Prem Tinsulanonda, a former army chief and Prime Minister, during a speech to military cadets in July 2006.

And for twelve races that horse has placed first without a rider. Definitely a good horse to place your bet on.

[phuket43]

Why would a military led Government have any positive impact om reducing corruption? The military is was equally corrupt. Most recent public case, the X-scanners, non commissioned hardware, bought for lots of Baht, only to line the pockets of the military. Really tragic how short the memories are.

[spidermike007]

So, that means every single official in Surat Thani province, and Koh Samui will have to be replaced. Every single one. There is not one who is not corrupt. Not one. Where would they start? Where would they find straight men and women, who are not on the dole? How would they build their new villas, buy their new yachts, buy their first class air tickets all over the world, and send their children to the finest universities overseas? These are perfectly worthy objectives, but the general has a long, long way to go to convince us he is capable of pulling off the kinds of gargantuan feats of will he is talking about. Do not talk about it. Do it. Show us. Jawboning only works if you can back it up. We are waiting. We are hopeful. But, we are skeptical.

So far, there is no Anna Harare of Thailand, standing up, and taking the lead on corruption. Sure, Prayuth is making alot of noise. The question is, will he follow it up with real action? That means putting these corrupt individuals in front of impartial, uncompromised prosecutors, and judges. Where will they be found? And then assuring they pay massive fines into the millions of baht, and spend many years in prison. And their families have to be held responsible for these massive fines, decades into the future, with interest accrued to the state. Getting tough means getting tough. Otherwise, just empty promises are being made.