Thai politics: Jobs for the family may be legal - but ethical?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Jobs for the family may be legal - but ethical?
Attayuth Bootsripoom

BANGKOK: -- A number of National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members are reported to have appointed their family members to assist with their work. This has caused many observers to conclude they are no different from politicians.

Earlier, we questioned the ethics of politicians who abused their power and took advantage of legal loopholes to make personal gains. Many politicians were strongly criticised for cronyism, by appointing people close to them to assist with their work.

NLA president Phornpetch Wichitcholchai's remarks in response to the latest controversy involving members of the assembly have disappointed many people. They'd hoped NLA members were different from the politicians they scorned.

Phornpetch said the NLA regulations did not prohibit assembly members from appointing their wives, children or relatives as experts or advisers for their teams. The NLA president said the members might want people they could trust to work for them. "The NLA is following the Parliament's existing regulations. We have made no changes to the rules," said Phornpetch, who could be likened to the head of the legislature in normal times.

Worse still, Army commander-in-chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, who is also deputy defence minister and secretary general of the National Council for Peace and Order, voiced his support for Phornpetch's standpoint. "I agree with Phornpetch. It is not against the law. If the family members were qualified, they could be appointed to do the job. This depends on personal judgement. The regulations do not prohibit that," he said.

This comment reflects the thinking of a key figure in the NCPO, whose main goal is to reform the country. He and his colleagues call for strict scrutiny of politicians' ethical standards and want this issue to be written into the new constitution.

It is true that what the NLA members did was not against the law. But people with common sense should decide for themselves if it is proper. Do they think the practice is proper if it is done by politicians?

Many may view there should be nothing wrong with appointing family members or cohorts, as they just help the NLA members with their work. But in fact those appointees also get handsome salaries, ranging from Bt15,000 for an assistant, Bt20,000 for a specialist to Bt24,000 for an expert. Critics asked if the appointees were qualified for the positions and whether they actually could do the job.

NLA members who appointed their family members to work for them included those with military backgrounds and also some from the group known as the "40 former senators", who earlier campaigned for politicians to strictly observe the code of ethics.

Those people called for politicians to comply with ethical standards that are higher than those for ordinary people. They said that what should be done did not necessarily always have to be written in the law.

Credibility is vital for the ongoing reform movement. People responsible for reforming the country should not act in a way that they do not want others to do. If they do so, confidence in the reform movement would be adversely affected. The rules they are writing would be viewed as an attempt to persecute people they disliked.

The same standard must be applied to everyone in the system in a fair manner. The reformists should avoid acting like "the pot calling the kettle black", or the reform efforts will fail. If they are serious about the reform, they should not practise double standards.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Jobs-for-the-family-may-be-legal--but-ethical-30255339.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-05

[NongKhaiKid]

Don't bring ethics into this as they don't exist here. Let's talk noses in the trough which is more applicable.

The BP website is carrying list of those involved and the family members they have employed and it's impossible to believe anything other than seizing a golden opportunity for the family to benefit.

This is the sort of thing that needs leadership from the very top to establish credibility but so far it's sadly lacking.

[Robby nz]

To me hiring family member no matter how qualified is a form of corruption and should not be done, particularly by the present lot when only yesterday we saw :

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday told his cabinet ministers to be role models to fight and get rid of corruption

I see in the BKK Post that one of them has hired his wife for 3 different jobs and she is getting 3 salaries, not on.

Then we have another recent story of the economy being held back because of slow budget disbursement when the PM had ordered the ministries to speed up getting the budget money out.

OK Mr PM now is the time to show us what you are made of, get down these people, go back to army general mode and give orders.

All rellies out as of tomorrow or you are out, and the ministries have a week to get on with the job or heads will roll.

[WhamBam]

Ah, yes, jobs for the boys (and girls and uncles and and and). Not unlike many other countries who employ family members as researches etc.

[Chris Lawrence]

The Italian Mafia works this way. They don't have any problem? or its not talked about due to their special code?

But how would you feel, waiting for a promotion on merit, and the boss's young kid or wife is appointed over the top? Plus their pay packet is bigger than yours? Or worse still, the wife doesn't like you and during pillow talk your position is decided to be terminated.

Nepotism is best avoided in the work place.

[chainarong]

Ethics don't make us laugh, the word is totally unknown in Thai politics and for that matter business as well, if anyone can pull a shifty on anyone you needn't look past the last effort as a government.

[oneday]

Anything deemed to be inappropriate, whether legal or just overlooked in the law, should be avoided in politics. Politicians need to be seen to be ethical and abiding by all laws or they will not be trusted.

In the English language the word nepotism has a very negative connotation. The only word I could find in the Thai language is "คติเห็นแก่ญาติ" which means something like "a way or a principle or model of thinking about relatives", which I'm willing to bet does not necessarily carry as much negative connotation to it as in the west, though I do not know this as a fact, but according to these news reports it sure sounds like "nepotism" is a very negative concept in Thailand as well.

These politicians just don't get it. They are too thick-headed and they feel entitled.

[soalbundy]

Ethical,ethical, it's just all so hypothetical.

Where's your willy shakespeare now

[timewilltell]

No sense of ethics, no sense of duty, no sense of responsibility, self self self - Thainess

[tif]

Anything deemed to be inappropriate, whether legal or just overlooked in the law, should be avoided in politics. Politicians need to be seen to be ethical and abiding by all laws or they will not be trusted.

In the English language the word nepotism has a very negative connotation. The only word I could find in the Thai language is "คติเห็นแก่ญาติ" which means something like "a way or a principle or model of thinking about relatives", which I'm willing to bet does not necessarily carry as much negative connotation to it as in the west, though I do not know this as a fact, but according to these news reports it sure sounds like "nepotism" is a very negative concept in Thailand as well.

These politicians just don't get it. They are too thick-headed and they feel entitled.

The Thais wouldn't have the same derogatory attitude towards nepotism as in the West as their culture is 'family' oriented. This is why so many ordinary Thais would rather have their family work for them and 'adopt' inter family. They simply don't trust anyone outside their bloodline.

[ldiablo]

Are these people truly experts in the fields that they are being hired to perform. I highly doubt that they are and it is again all about who you know and not What you know. Thos country will never move forward if people continue on the same path as previous officials and politicians.

[Bob12345]

They'd hoped NLA members were different from the politicians they scorned.

[Lupatria]

Just get rid of terms (and the ideas behind them) like moral, ethics, prudence, integrity and philanthropy and replace them with "Thainess" - and you won't be aware of any more problems around here. You would simply live in a land of smiles.

[Exsexyman]

Anything deemed to be inappropriate, whether legal or just overlooked in the law, should be avoided in politics. Politicians need to be seen to be ethical and abiding by all laws or they will not be trusted.

In the English language the word nepotism has a very negative connotation. The only word I could find in the Thai language is "คติเห็นแก่ญาติ" which means something like "a way or a principle or model of thinking about relatives", which I'm willing to bet does not necessarily carry as much negative connotation to it as in the west, though I do not know this as a fact, but according to these news reports it sure sounds like "nepotism" is a very negative concept in Thailand as well.

These politicians just don't get it. They are too thick-headed and they feel entitled.

The Thais wouldn't have the same derogatory attitude towards nepotism as in the West as their culture is 'family' oriented. This is why so many ordinary Thais would rather have their family work for them and 'adopt' inter family. They simply don't trust anyone outside their bloodline.

Trying to pretend that somehow these practices are a 'Thai thing' and that in the West it is different is simply not true. I can't speak for other countries but certainly in the UK it is common for Members of Parliament to employ their wives as assistants, diary secretaries etc, and their children as "researchers', all on salaries way above the national average, all at taxpayers expense. Whilst constantly preaching to the rest of us that we must "tighten our belts", "we are all in this together" etc etc. Hypocrites all.

[Baerboxer]

Ethical,ethical, it's just all so hypothetical.

Where's your willy shakespeare now

Probably turning in his grave.

[Srikcir]

When one holds all the power, there can be NO unethical or illegal acts. Ethical standards are for the subjugated masses and not for the elite. Why else would such people be elite? You can't fault the NLA and NCPO for believing in the correctness of standards they set for themselves.

The only reform the NCPO is pursuing is the restoration of the oligarchy and this necessarily requires double standards.

[soalbundy]

Ethical,ethical, it's just all so hypothetical.

Where's your willy shakespeare now

Probably turning in his grave.

You probably don't appreciate the little rhyme because,said Pooh Bear,it is one of those rhymes which have to be spoken on a rainy day.

[madpat]

Hahahahaha same same, bloody crooks no matter what colour shirts they wear.

[oneday]

Anything deemed to be inappropriate, whether legal or just overlooked in the law, should be avoided in politics. Politicians need to be seen to be ethical and abiding by all laws or they will not be trusted.

In the English language the word nepotism has a very negative connotation. The only word I could find in the Thai language is "คติเห็นแก่ญาติ" which means something like "a way or a principle or model of thinking about relatives", which I'm willing to bet does not necessarily carry as much negative connotation to it as in the west, though I do not know this as a fact, but according to these news reports it sure sounds like "nepotism" is a very negative concept in Thailand as well.

These politicians just don't get it. They are too thick-headed and they feel entitled.

The Thais wouldn't have the same derogatory attitude towards nepotism as in the West as their culture is 'family' oriented. This is why so many ordinary Thais would rather have their family work for them and 'adopt' inter family. They simply don't trust anyone outside their bloodline.

Having lived here for 6 years I can readily agree what you say is most likely true. However, it's obvious Thais, especially privileged, entitled Thais, can be quick to abuse this practice just like anyone in the west, as seems to be the case with this Admiral. Therefore, irregardless of cultural differences, it should be illegal in all cultures.

[chainarong]

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Anything deemed to be inappropriate, whether legal or just overlooked in the law, should be avoided in politics. Politicians need to be seen to be ethical and abiding by all laws or they will not be trusted.

In the English language the word nepotism has a very negative connotation. The only word I could find in the Thai language is "คติเห็นแก่ญาติ" which means something like "a way or a principle or model of thinking about relatives", which I'm willing to bet does not necessarily carry as much negative connotation to it as in the west, though I do not know this as a fact, but according to these news reports it sure sounds like "nepotism" is a very negative concept in Thailand as well.

These politicians just don't get it. They are too thick-headed and they feel entitled.

The Thais wouldn't have the same derogatory attitude towards nepotism as in the West as their culture is 'family' oriented. This is why so many ordinary Thais would rather have their family work for them and 'adopt' inter family. They simply don't trust anyone outside their bloodline.

Well that explains it , Thanks.