Nine NLA members opposed to asset disclosure worth more than Bt200m

[jayboy]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

If they started with a fair inheritance then even more reasonable.

Would you think it wise to have someone who is broke in their later years running the country, someone who has lost or spent everything they ever had ?

Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't you one of the usual suspects that continually go on about Thaksins wealth and the supposed disconnect from "ordinary" people? But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth.........................

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

BTW it would seem that they did report their assets, only didn't like the idea of it being disclosed.

Anyway, one is a former Senator, so I assume he had reported his assets at least two times already, upon being appointed Senator, within so many days of the Senate being dissolved in May. Did you already do some digging?

An earlier comment sums up the attitude of you and your kind - falling over yourself to offer an explanation of the Junta's wealth ( and their acolytes in the NLA).

[rubl]

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

BTW it would seem that they did report their assets, only didn't like the idea of it being disclosed.

Anyway, one is a former Senator, so I assume he had reported his assets at least two times already, upon being appointed Senator, within so many days of the Senate being dissolved in May. Did you already do some digging?

An earlier comment sums up the attitude of you and your kind - falling over yourself to offer an explanation of the Junta's wealth ( and their acolytes in the NLA).

You are falsely accusing me, my dear chap. Objective comments seem beyond you.

[tartempion]

Not different in the medical profession.

I know a few cardiologist who work in a famous hospital and they are high society.

They would not be what they are withouth their rich parents who could afford them studying in Europe and using their social circle to benefit their children.

Same same everywhere on the planet.

[HerbalEd]

These asset disclosures seem to be a useless folly. It discloses that many of these people ... even the army generals ... have way more money than they could have earned legally, and yet no legal action is being taken against them.

[Halion]

Those who are reluctant to disclose their asset's are simply not fit for the positions they hold.

Get rid of them and perhaps someone should look into how a career military public servant can obtain such wealth. Not just one but many.

[fab4]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

If they started with a fair inheritance then even more reasonable.

Would you think it wise to have someone who is broke in their later years running the country, someone who has lost or spent everything they ever had ?

Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't you one of the usual suspects that continually go on about Thaksins wealth and the supposed disconnect from "ordinary" people? But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth.........................

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

BTW it would seem that they did report their assets, only didn't like the idea of it being disclosed.

Anyway, one is a former Senator, so I assume he had reported his assets at least two times already, upon being appointed Senator, within so many days of the Senate being dissolved in May. Did you already do some digging?

Do you honestly believe the junta and the NLA are separate entities? Come on rubl, at least keep a tenuous grasp on reality.

[winstonc]

Don't want to disclose your assets? Find another job! The country doesn't need you, the country needs people that are willing to obey laws and make some sacrifices. Hard to believe that these people don't realize how bad this makes them look.

No...if this government is serious about fighting corruption. They would now be suspended from all jobs and their assets checked in detail....where they come from. If they don't want to disclose their asset we should automatically assume that there is something illegal with them (not paid income tax, corruption, etc).

If something is found, their money....all...their properties and the money and properties of their family if they can not proof where it comes from should be seized.

They of course should stay in jail for at least 10 years.

correct.....just when we thought everything was going swimmingly good here...are we shocked of course not ...i smell corruption here...

[rubl]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

If they started with a fair inheritance then even more reasonable.

Would you think it wise to have someone who is broke in their later years running the country, someone who has lost or spent everything they ever had ?

Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't you one of the usual suspects that continually go on about Thaksins wealth and the supposed disconnect from "ordinary" people? But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth.........................

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

BTW it would seem that they did report their assets, only didn't like the idea of it being disclosed.

Anyway, one is a former Senator, so I assume he had reported his assets at least two times already, upon being appointed Senator, within so many days of the Senate being dissolved in May. Did you already do some digging?

Do you honestly believe the junta and the NLA are separate entities? Come on rubl, at least keep a tenuous grasp on reality.

You really want me to spent time on finding and quoting the relevant parts in the Interim Constitution ?

BTW your comments are tenuous, reminds me of what MacBeth said when being informed of his wife's suicide.

[Robby nz]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

If they started with a fair inheritance then even more reasonable.

Would you think it wise to have someone who is broke in their later years running the country, someone who has lost or spent everything they ever had ?

Tell me if I'm wrong, but aren't you one of the usual suspects that continually go on about Thaksins wealth and the supposed disconnect from "ordinary" people? But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth.........................

Fabrications, Thaksin, is a multi billionaire a far cry from 200 million and how he came by those billions by cheating the Thai people is well documented.

Only one of the many instances is his Govt loan to Burma to buy telecommunications from his company.

Then there is the law change to make the sale of his company to a Singapore Company, and make it Tax free.

Convert 200 billion baht to any western currency and you will see that it is not that unusual a sum.

None of the people mentioned are on any of the Thai rich lists, how they made their money I don't know and neither do you or any of those slagging off at them.

And no I don't go on about Thaksins wealth what I do post about is his interference in this country on a political level and his instigating and financing the 2010 riots.

I do agree that they should not have objected to declaring their wealth as it was a requirement set down. They only pointed fingers at themselves by doing so is and it was an error of judgment.

Lets hope they don't make more errors as NLA members.

[ParadiseLost]

When I get reincarnated, I want to come back as a Thai General, Police General or Admiral. They seem to have all the luck with money?

Go for the navy, they're rolling in USD...

[ParadiseLost]

Can someone remind me - is this a Buddhist country or not? Enlightenment can be bought now, in one of the many new shopping malls. No new temples... Next move will be to convert temples into malls?

How ridiculous is it that the rich are in charge - they are the source of all evil in Thailand. Foxes in charge of the hen-house.

But then - as it is a 'trickle-down' economy, it's sure to succeed - but sadly the only thing trickling here is tainted DNA - just look to the elite's offspring for proof of that...

[heybruce]

Most generals are from HiSo stock and alongside their military careers sit on the boards of large national companies. You need wealth and patronage to rise to the top.

In the US, and I assume in other countries with professional militaries, officers with any kind of influence on how the military budget is spent are not allowed any kind of business interests that represents a conflict of interest. They can go to prison for many years for such conflicts of interest.

But I'm sure these are large national companies that do no business with the Thai military.

[Globeman]

Generals seem to be unusually rich when you compare to Generals from other countries.

Military Generals, Police Generals in fact all sorts of officials have assets that don't exactly square with their salaries.

Maybe their wives are very good with the housekeeping money.

[jcsmith]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

Oh yeah, it's a mere $7M. Just a drop in the bucket. Now you put it that way...

[Arkady]

Generals seem to be unusually rich when you compare to Generals from other countries.

Despite earning much lower salaries than generals in developed country militarise.

[fab4]

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

BTW it would seem that they did report their assets, only didn't like the idea of it being disclosed.

Anyway, one is a former Senator, so I assume he had reported his assets at least two times already, upon being appointed Senator, within so many days of the Senate being dissolved in May. Did you already do some digging?

Do you honestly believe the junta and the NLA are separate entities? Come on rubl, at least keep a tenuous grasp on reality.

You really want me to spent time on finding and quoting the relevant parts in the Interim Constitution ?

BTW your comments are tenuous, reminds me of what MacBeth said when being informed of his wife's suicide.

Quote all you like, the reality is the junta picked the NLA, they are not likely to bite the hand that feeds them. Your comments remind me of a western junta punter.

[tbthailand]

Most generals are from HiSo stock and alongside their military careers sit on the boards of large national companies. You need wealth and patronage to rise to the top.

In the US, and I assume in other countries with professional militaries, officers with any kind of influence on how the military budget is spent are not allowed any kind of business interests that represents a conflict of interest. They can go to prison for many years for such conflicts of interest.

But I'm sure these are large national companies that do no business with the Thai military.

Of course here, the Generals may have multiple positions as Directors on the boards of Thai companies. Not only drawing salaries from these positions, but influence too?

Yeah, I think so.

[fobuff]

and here we go... $$$$$$$$ come on generals show us your portfolio as a civil servant.... hippocrates

[monkeycountry]

Generals seem to be unusually rich when you compare to Generals from other countries.

Military Generals, Police Generals in fact all sorts of officials have assets that don't exactly square with their salaries.

Not to mention their tax payments (or lack thereof)

[tullynagardy]

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

junta noun 1. a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force.

So by very definition a group of people hand picked by the military to govern the country (half of whom are military anyway) are the junta!

Not sure if this will work in Thailand as the dictatorship blocks hard copies of the economist and online version sometimes as well. With stories like this I can see why.

<removed link>

"the bureaucracy and most of the wealthiest Thai families back the military government. These rich Chinese-Thai families, along with the Thai elites, control much of the country’s assets. In the course of the 20th century a small group courtiers and businessmen have played their cards right with the monarchy and managed to join them. The result is that 0.1% of Thais own half the nation’s assets, a concentration of wealth that makes America’s mind-bogglingly unequal wealth distribution (where 0.1% of citizens own 22%) look like a socialist dream come true. These very wealthy families crave control and stability above all, not the sort of rapid economic growth that raises living standards for all."

A truly disgusting figure that is the root cause of problems here and until it is addressed the problems will continue. The wealth of the Juntas members lets everyone know where they sit in this divide.

So sad that coup mongerers on here, mostly retired sexpats living in Issan, support this charade in the deluded belief they somehow form part of this ruling class.

Edited October 5, 2014 by ubonjoe
Removed link with prohibited mention of the royal family

[tbthailand]

Junta? These are members of the NLA.

junta noun 1. a military or political group that rules a country after taking power by force.

So by very definition a group of people hand picked by the military to govern the country (half of whom are military anyway) are the junta!

<removed link>

Not sure if this will work in Thailand as the dictatorship blocks hard copies of the economist and online version sometimes as well. With stories like this I can see why.

"the bureaucracy and most of the wealthiest Thai families back the military government. These rich Chinese-Thai families, along with the Thai elites, control much of the country’s assets. In the course of the 20th century a small group courtiers and businessmen have played their cards right with the monarchy and managed to join them. The result is that 0.1% of Thais own half the nation’s assets, a concentration of wealth that makes America’s mind-bogglingly unequal wealth distribution (where 0.1% of citizens own 22%) look like a socialist dream come true. These very wealthy families crave control and stability above all, not the sort of rapid economic growth that raises living standards for all."

A truly disgusting figure that is the root cause of problems here and until it is addressed the problems will continue. The wealth of the Juntas members lets everyone know where they sit in this divide.

So sad that coup mongerers on here, mostly retired sexpats living in Issan, support this charade in the deluded belief they somehow form part of this ruling class.

I had also seen that Economist article. It was interesting.

The 0.1% owning nearly half of Thailand is from The Nation of all places. It's an important point.

[Baerboxer]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

If they started with a fair inheritance then even more reasonable.

Would you think it wise to have someone who is broke in their later years running the country, someone who has lost or spent everything they ever had ?

I respect H90's previous post.He is someone with whom I frequently disagree and I presume is a supporter of Suthep and possibly the military intervention.Yet he has the integrity to make clear his disgust at these scumbags.

Some are the precise opposite, contemptible lickspittles - seeking to defend the indefensible.

"Some are the precise opposite, contemptible lickspittles - seeking to defend the indefensible."

Ah yes, like some used to try to defend the lies, "ethical" lies, little white lies and fairy stories the previous Thaksin controlled government used to regularly issue. Some even liked to pretend Yingluck was really in control and made decisions and that the Shins actually wanted democracy. Yes, I know, just too ridiculous for words. They even used to resort to insulting the intelligence of any who wouldn't kow tow to their messiah and accept a Shin dynasty. Unbelievably, but there you are,

It would be interesting if all rich elite hiso families in Thailand, including the more shall we say noveau rich, had to really declare their assets, and show the wealth had been acquired. Some interesting new wealthy who seemed to accumulate very quickly. Of course will never happen. Large off shore amounts will never be included, and regardless of who you support, it's like a club. Once you've joined, you're in and a part of it. Sadly seems to work like this in many many countries. The price of entry may be different, but once in, different "rules" apply.

[billd766]

Don't want to disclose your assets? Find another job! The country doesn't need you, the country needs people that are willing to obey laws and make some sacrifices. Hard to believe that these people don't realize how bad this makes them look.

This is my feeling more than anything. It is clearly obvious that they are all very wealthy however they may have come from it. I expect a lot of the police and army are wealthy due to coming from long lines of police and army families where wealth has been accumulated by hook or crook and/or legitimate business over the years. I am imagine the onset of increased media, social media etc, that even if the transparency now is not great, it at least makes those up to no good be a bit more circumspect than it was going back 25+years.

Like you my overwhelming feeling is how can these people not see the reality of how this appears to those outside, the reluctance to declare assets. Surely they knew this would come up, and if they really did not want to declare they could easily step back. I am unsure whether they are somehow detached from reality in some respect, or are just surrounded by people who would never question them, and just cannot gauge or have any feeling/self awareness of public perception. I really do find it all a little strange how these people are seemingly so out of touch with reality of the modern world.

I don't often agree with what you say but I am with you 100% on this one.

[Fat Haggis]

Investing = the new buzzword for corrupt(ion)

As if the population of generals know how to play the stock market ?

Looks like a duck , walks like a duck and sounds like a duck.

Thailand new government same as the old ones !!!

[jayboy]

This is Baht remember, I guess 200 million isn't all that much for a lifetime of work if they have been prudent and invested wisely, these aren't young men and there is also the likelihood their wives brought something to the pot .

If they started with a fair inheritance then even more reasonable.

Would you think it wise to have someone who is broke in their later years running the country, someone who has lost or spent everything they ever had ?

I respect H90's previous post.He is someone with whom I frequently disagree and I presume is a supporter of Suthep and possibly the military intervention.Yet he has the integrity to make clear his disgust at these scumbags.

Some are the precise opposite, contemptible lickspittles - seeking to defend the indefensible.

"Some are the precise opposite, contemptible lickspittles - seeking to defend the indefensible."

Ah yes, like some used to try to defend the lies, "ethical" lies, little white lies and fairy stories the previous Thaksin controlled government used to regularly issue. Some even liked to pretend Yingluck was really in control and made decisions and that the Shins actually wanted democracy. Yes, I know, just too ridiculous for words. They even used to resort to insulting the intelligence of any who wouldn't kow tow to their messiah and accept a Shin dynasty. Unbelievably, but there you are,

It would be interesting if all rich elite hiso families in Thailand, including the more shall we say noveau rich, had to really declare their assets, and show the wealth had been acquired. Some interesting new wealthy who seemed to accumulate very quickly. Of course will never happen. Large off shore amounts will never be included, and regardless of who you support, it's like a club. Once you've joined, you're in and a part of it. Sadly seems to work like this in many many countries. The price of entry may be different, but once in, different "rules" apply.

What on earth are you talking about? The subject is not the errors and misdemeanours of Thaksin or administrations under his influence.The subject is the disgusting hypocrisy of those who grabbed power with a claim to end corruption and yet had managed to accumulate huge wealth on the basis of very modest public service salaries.Equally hypocritical are those whose moral conscience - so active in the past - suddenly terminates when their political prejudices find its application inconvenient.Strangely the one person who comes out of this sorry affair with some credit is Prayuth who as fas I can see has insisted throughout on full declaration of assets.Now the ball's in his court to follow up on the awkward questions that have emerged.

[ParadiseLost]

Maybe the exchange rate is what is wrong.

If the baht was 500 to the GBP their fortunes would be about right. The poor would still be poor.

Edited October 5, 2014 by ParadiseLost

[rubl]

You really want me to spent time on finding and quoting the relevant parts in the Interim Constitution ?

BTW your comments are tenuous, reminds me of what MacBeth said when being informed of his wife's suicide.

Quote all you like, the reality is the junta picked the NLA, they are not likely to bite the hand that feeds them. Your comments remind me of a western junta punter.

We started this with me replying to your "But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth". I wrote the NCPO is not the NLA.

Now you obfuscate with saying that obviously the NCPO controls the NLA. That seems to try to correct your mistake on 'junta wealth' where the topic has NLA asset declarations without admitting you made a mistake.

[tullynagardy]

You really want me to spent time on finding and quoting the relevant parts in the Interim Constitution ?

BTW your comments are tenuous, reminds me of what MacBeth said when being informed of his wife's suicide.

Quote all you like, the reality is the junta picked the NLA, they are not likely to bite the hand that feeds them. Your comments remind me of a western junta punter.

We started this with me replying to your "But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth". I wrote the NCPO is not the NLA.

Now you obfuscate with saying that obviously the NCPO controls the NLA. That seems to try to correct your mistake on 'junta wealth' where the topic has NLA asset declarations without admitting you made a mistake.

Care to answer my point above?

How is the NLA not part of the junta? Read a dictionary for god sake and stop nit picking to try and defend the indefensible. You come across as someone with far too much time on their hands.

[rubl]

We started this with me replying to your "But when it comes to the junta, you're falling over yourself to offer an explanation for their wealth". I wrote the NCPO is not the NLA.

Now you obfuscate with saying that obviously the NCPO controls the NLA. That seems to try to correct your mistake on 'junta wealth' where the topic has NLA asset declarations without admitting you made a mistake.

Care to answer my point above?

How is the NLA not part of the junta? Read a dictionary for god sake and stop nit picking to try and defend the indefensible. You come across as someone with far too much time on their hands.

What point?

Anyway it would seem that before we know it someone will try to convince me that 'independent committees' setup by a government are really part of the government. Ms. Yingluck will be equally disappointed I fear.

[tullynagardy]

What point?

can you not read? As i say, too much time on your hands.