Thai interview: 'Society must value integrity'

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
'Society must value integrity'
KRIS BHROMSUTHI,
NITIPOL KIRAVANICH
THE NATION


Thienchai Kiranan, a newly appointed member of the National Reform Council

Instilling moral values could be the key to solving national woes, says likely NRC chief Thienchai

BANGKOK: -- Thienchai Kiranan, a newly appointed member of the National Reform Council and a leading candidate to become the NRC's president, says his main contribution will be to foster the concept of moral integrity in society, because this can solve deep-rooted problems that have contributed to national crises.

"Political influence in public office is not unusual, but it has to be within a moral framework," he said. "If the government wants to replace government officials because they want people who are more effective in their jobs, that's fine, because it's within a moral framework."

He said the absence of integrity also played a significant role in corruption, which he identified as one of the country's key problems.

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

He said the key to success or failure of the junta's national reform programme was how to ensure its continuity after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and current administration step down.

"We need to ensure the continuity of the reform agenda; otherwise, what we are doing now will be wasted.

"In the past, when there was a shift of power, rules of law were amended and government officials were replaced. This resulted in

discontinuity. It is our responsibility to discuss measures to prevent this."

'I will perform the best I can'

The 70-year-old professor is among the leading candidates tipped to become NRC president, and he offers strong credentials and professional experience. He said he was ready to take on the presidency if fellow members voted for him. "If by any chance I am elected [NRC president], I intend to perform the duty to the best of my ability."

He admitted that he might lack experience for such responsibility, but said he was willing to take on the challenge.

Thienchai is a former rector of Chulalongkorn University and former chairman of the Council of University Presidents of Thailand.

He received a doctoral degree in economics at Duke University in the US state of North Carolina.

In 1996, he received a national award for outstanding research in economics from the National Research Council of Thailand.

In his exclusive interview with The Nation, Thienchai demonstrated a casual approach. However, most of his answers were moderate and cautious. He gave the impression of an intelligent, calm and composed figure who was well mannered, and who occasionally shared a good sense of humour.

'Don't be too idealistic'

When asked whether it will be necessary for the NRC to remain after the current military administration has stepped down, he joked, "If that's the case, then I might have to resign!"

On a more serious note, however, he urged people not to be too idealistic about their expectations of the NRC.

"People expect that after a year, we can end all conflicts and create a corruption-free election that results in ethical and moral politicians serving the country. For me, that is too idealistic.

"People need to have more realistic expectations of the progress of national reform, because when people's expectations are too high and cannot be fulfilled, that can create big problems."

The NRC is facing a great challenge, he said, because of the time constraints and the expectations of the people.

He pointed out that the selection process of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) would have to be done within 15 days after the
NRC begin its first meeting on October 21.

"Most of the members do not know one another well, and now we are expected to form a consensus on nominating CDC member within 15 days. This is challenging."

The CDC will consist of 36 members. The committee chairman will be nominated by the NCPO; 20 members will be nominated by the NRC, and the National Legislative Assembly, the Cabinet and the NCPO will each nominate five members.

The CDC's task is to draft a constitution within 120 days of receiving the framework from the NRC. Thienchai said that given the short timeframe, an innovative approach might be needed when drafting the charter.

'We need a rethink'

There has been some debate on whether the new constitution should be based on certain charters of the past, for example that of 1997 or 2007, while some say the committee should start from the beginning. On this matter, he said: "The key challenge is not the issue of deciding whether to start all over again or to base it on certain [previous] constitutions, but to rethink [the process] from the foundations that include everyone in society.

"The constitution must be approved by the people, [even] it it means a referendum [being held]," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Society-must-value-integrity-30245347.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-13

[Somtamnication]

Ok, so lets start with the police, government, beach chairs........the list goes on and on.... no space here.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing.

[Fiddlesticks]

Wow! Sounds like there is finally someone who gets it! Now, let's see this start at the highest levels within the nation. If the law makers and law enforcement personnel can not instill integrity through example, then there is little hope that the rest of the country can or will.

[T_Dog]

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing.

It does feel like it is going backwards. Would not doubt it at all if social forums get blocked with the conscience they have tried to provide the police and government. This story says it all in the opening line "Instilling moral values could be the key to solving national woes, says likely NRC chief Thienchai" and they could make a first step by looking at the actual suspects in the Koh Tao hoe killings. If they don't get that investigation back on the right track, integrity has no hope in Thailand and it will continue its slide toward a bush league state, fueled by cronyism and corruption.

[daveAustin]

'Society must value integrity'

Indeed. It should also be able to criticize itself. Face taken to the enth degree keeps one in third world territory.

[thesetat2013]

This is a joke right? Integrity in politics heheee

[NongKhaiKid]

Wow! Sounds like there is finally someone who gets it! Now, let's see this start at the highest levels within the nation. If the law makers and law enforcement personnel can not instill integrity through example, then there is little hope that the rest of the country can or will.

Is this likely to go the way of lots of other fine words and ' MUST DO ' requirements and that is Nowhere ?

The people who could make and enforce change etc will not because it doesn't suit them. Say all the right things by all means but don't actually do anything positive.

Government after government comes into power and trots out the ' fighting / war on corruption ' mantra and then what happens ?

[selftaopath]

Wow! Sounds like there is finally someone who gets it! Now, let's see this start at the highest levels within the nation. If the law makers and law enforcement personnel can not instill integrity through example, then there is little hope that the rest of the country can or will.

Yes. Definately. A nudge toward achieving this would be various forms of sanctions i.e. consequences for NOT acting in according to the goal of National Integrity. My current view is Thais have no real concept for cause/effect/ or being held responsible for much.

[Tatsujin]

I had high hopes since the Coup that some substantive changes would be taking place here . . . but I've had to lower those hopes when I finally accepted the fact that they don't actually want to change much here (not really) . . . it's all talk, little real action for change.

[HeijoshinCool]

Smart man.

Except, you can't change the foundation once you've built the house, and Thailand is a shame culture, not a guilt culture. in order for integrity to work here, Face must first be decreased greatly. This will never happen.

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."

Alan K. Simpson

U.S. Senator

[soalbundy]

Is this a remake of ''mission impossible''

[TTom911]

Even though it seems very much like "mission impossible" today, it is good that Thai raise the voices themselves. More of it. It always starts with education and raising awareness, as daunting as as it is.... If Farlang say the same it's easily disregarded as foreign arrogance and being patronising.

[Cake Monster]

Integrity was the thing that made the developed nations what they are today, and for Thailand to progress as a nation, there must be integrity throughout their society.

A very long way off me thinks

[me313]

They flock to temples, they light incense at their alters every morning, they give alms to wandering monks in early morning hours: yet no "integrity" has been instilled. Reminds me of the "Bible Belt" in the USA, where prayer to God in Churches doesn't mean not kicking down the poor, discrimination against minorities, and all the rest of the story that reverberates in every country which celebrates it's piety openly in the streets for everyone to see and admire but practices the same corruption, hypocrisy and exploitation. Religion doesn't seem to work, seems there needs to be other ways to instill decency in human beings other than these dominating religions.

Edited October 13, 2014 by me313

[Always18]

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing.

100% Right.

It came as quite a shock to learn that there is actually a Thai word for "integrity"..................

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

At least someone has said it and it's in print

Hats off to him!!

[rethaier]

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing.

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Oh really. Doesn't he read the news from the states? What is money from a lobbyist? There is corruption in the developed countries, they've just learned to be more discrete.

"Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing."

Methinks it might be best to start with the monks setting an example and preaching the value of self integrity. Maybe if the people believed that merit purchases do not negate wrongdoing things might change.

[visionchaser45]

They flock to temples, they light incense at their alters every morning, they give alms to wandering monks in early morning hours: yet no "integrity" has been instilled. Reminds me of the "Bible Belt" in the USA, where prayer to God in Churches doesn't mean not kicking down the poor, discrimination against minorities, and all the rest of the story that reverberates in every country which celebrates it's piety openly in the streets for everyone to see and admire but practices the same corruption, hypocrisy and exploitation. Religion doesn't seem to work, seems there needs to be other ways to instill decency in human beings other than these dominating religions.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:1 & 2

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27

[TTom911]

"Methinks it might be best to start with the monks setting an example and preaching the value of self integrity. Maybe if the people believed that merit purchases do not negate wrongdoing things might change."

I guess that might actually be a good thing, even if just being one of the many different approaches needed, but some might even listen to that...

and don,t forget an honest and convincing way to teach children at schools... and then, one day, even big old "I know everything better" daddy might start listening

MAYBE....

Edited October 13, 2014 by TTom911

[WitawatWatawit]

Smart man.

Except, you can't change the foundation once you've built the house, and Thailand is a shame culture, not a guilt culture. in order for integrity to work here, Face must first be decreased greatly. This will never happen.

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."

Alan K. Simpson

U.S. Senator

When you come from a society that values probity, decency, honesty, honour etc, the concept of a guilt-based society is something of a shock. It basically means you don't take any responsibility for your actions until you get caught. In that regard, maybe the good professor, as he undertakes this task, should carry the words of Martin Luther King as his motto: "Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness." For that is essentially what these reforms are all about. Edited October 13, 2014 by WitawatWatawit

[yellowboat]

Integrity will not exist so long as there are double standards: Not needing work permit to exhibit at a government funded trade shows as opposed to privately funded ones. Look at the Beer market. It is closed, why ? Started with the double standards imposed by the government.

[rethaier]

They flock to temples, they light incense at their alters every morning, they give alms to wandering monks in early morning hours: yet no "integrity" has been instilled. Reminds me of the "Bible Belt" in the USA, where prayer to God in Churches doesn't mean not kicking down the poor, discrimination against minorities, and all the rest of the story that reverberates in every country which celebrates it's piety openly in the streets for everyone to see and admire but practices the same corruption, hypocrisy and exploitation. Religion doesn't seem to work, seems there needs to be other ways to instill decency in human beings other than these dominating religions.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:1 & 2

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27

What's the point of citing Christian dogma to a Buddhist?

[soalbundy]

They flock to temples, they light incense at their alters every morning, they give alms to wandering monks in early morning hours: yet no "integrity" has been instilled. Reminds me of the "Bible Belt" in the USA, where prayer to God in Churches doesn't mean not kicking down the poor, discrimination against minorities, and all the rest of the story that reverberates in every country which celebrates it's piety openly in the streets for everyone to see and admire but practices the same corruption, hypocrisy and exploitation. Religion doesn't seem to work, seems there needs to be other ways to instill decency in human beings other than these dominating religions.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Matthew 6:1 & 2

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27

'' Thank you vicar, that was a nice short sermon''

''Yes well i try not to be boring''

'' But you were boring''

[TTom911]

reading that a man who expresses such views in writing is" ... a newly appointed member of the National Reform Council and a leading candidate to become the NRC's president ..." makes me feel a little better this morning... Let's see what happens in the afternoon...

[Oziex1]

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing.

It does feel like it is going backwards. Would not doubt it at all if social forums get blocked with the conscience they have tried to provide the police and government. This story says it all in the opening line "Instilling moral values could be the key to solving national woes, says likely NRC chief Thienchai" and they could make a first step by looking at the actual suspects in the Koh Tao hoe killings. If they don't get that investigation back on the right track, integrity has no hope in Thailand and it will continue its slide toward a bush league state, fueled by cronyism and corruption.

I was hoping against hope that the Koh Tao case would be a turning point, hasn't happened.

[asdecas]

Ok, so lets start with the police, government, beach chairs........the list goes on and on.... no space here.

Those who cheered at the usurpation five months ago of elected government, such as it was, and its replacement by the usual suspects, with the declared intention of cleaning up corruption, would do well to note events in Thailand, both criminal and civil, of the past few weeks.

Were readers in Thailand able, without a VPN, to read an article by a threatened but exiled Thai academic in this week's Asia Sentinel online, the scales might fall from a few eyes.

[TTom911]

"If you look at developed countries, people do not accept bribes or commit corruption because they uphold and value personal integrity. That hasn't been the case in our country, and it's something we should try to foster in our society."

Every Thai policeman and Government official should read the above line 10 times per day. Than maybe after a couple of years the country can move up to be a Developing country, now it's going backward, its not even developing.

It does feel like it is going backwards. Would not doubt it at all if social forums get blocked with the conscience they have tried to provide the police and government. This story says it all in the opening line "Instilling moral values could be the key to solving national woes, says likely NRC chief Thienchai" and they could make a first step by looking at the actual suspects in the Koh Tao hoe killings. If they don't get that investigation back on the right track, integrity has no hope in Thailand and it will continue its slide toward a bush league state, fueled by cronyism and corruption.

TOTALLY TRUE. The outcome of that f... up case will tell a lot about Thailand .... I would praise the day for being proven wrong in my skepticism, I'D LOVE TO BE PROVEN WRONG ...

[Mot Dang]

About 2 years ago the Bangkok Post ran a poll asking Thais if corruption was acceptable (or something to that ilk). 70% of respondents (and there were several thousand) came back and said that they believed corruption was acceptable, as long as they as individuals received a benefit from it. That response shocked me. Was this just the Thai Y- generation speaking ? How the hell can you beat an ingrained psych like that ? In the West we are taught from an early age that corruption stands alongside of criminality. Do the Thais understand this ? Being a long time observer, I still just don't know.

[rethaier]

About 2 years ago the Bangkok Post ran a poll asking Thais if corruption was acceptable (or something to that ilk). 70% of respondents (and there were several thousand) came back and said that they believed corruption was acceptable, as long as they as individuals received a benefit from it. That response shocked me. Was this just the Thai Y- generation speaking ? How the hell can you beat an ingrained psych like that ? In the West we are taught from an early age that corruption stands alongside of criminality. Do the Thais understand this ? Being a long time observer, I still just don't know.

I recall reading that myself and I thought the main benefit Thais gained from corruption was the ability to buy their way out of trouble. Be it a traffic ticket or murder.