Thailand upset with EU 'yellow card' over illegal fishing

[kevin2852]

Zydeco is right, moves have already been made as to the Russian demand for fish and crustaceans shipped overland from Vladivostok and via China. That will be the next great announcement

[robblok]

Zydeco is right, moves have already been made as to the Russian demand for fish and crustaceans shipped overland from Vladivostok and via China. That will be the next great announcement

As such it is Thailand's right to sell to markets that don't oppose bans. I condemn their practice but that does not mean they can't sell to non EU countries to avoid problems of the ban.

[givenall]

Go cry to China

[NongKhaiKid]

They complain too much.. they got half a year to clean up their act. Nothing has happened and if they are so good underway with their plans surely in half a year it will be all solved. If not they only got themselves to blame.

Unfortunately they will as per usual blame everybody and everything else.

Accepting responsibility isn't a strong suit.

[Lupatria]

Excerpt from “The Secret Rules of Thainess”

Chapter - THAIS CAN NEVER DO WRONG ALL EVIL COMES FROM OUTSIDE

§ 1265

Never ever admit to your own mistakes! Instead put on a stupid grin and walk away!

§ 1266

If you get caught for creating a mess to your own situation, blame a foreigner!

[No Apologist]

Can't the supreme leader invoke Section 44 and this will all go away?

ha, "Crackdown on foreign countries noticing things'

[Eric Loh]

Phillipines received similar warning and responded positively and now EU has lifted the threat. Thailand is bundled with Cambodia over poor and inadequate regulations to thwart illegal fishing. Shame that a minister made such remark. Doesn't help. If Philippines can take responsible action, amended their system, switch to proactive approach against illegal fishing and impose tough penalties on such activities, Thailand can do the same if the have the political will. They now have article 44 and they can clean up the mess unless there are uniforms that reaping benefits from illegal fishing. The military will never go against their own kind.

[monkeycountry]

One day Thailand might realise that simply forgetting about problems does not solve them, and that the modern world (the west) does not accept the Thai way of "solving" problems. In short "mai ben rai" is not an accepted solution in the west.

But as always, I suspect Thailands focus will be on complaining to the EU about unfair treatment and punishing whoever dares publish these news. In 6 months, nothing will have been done to address the actual problem, and the EU ban will be enforced. Then everyone from the PM down will scrable to find some emergency solution, just like what recently happened in the airline industry.

[quandow]

All PM Cha-cha needs to do is bring the EU in for mental reorientation. I suspect he believes this is quite possible with Article 44.

Edited April 22, 2015 by quandow

[deecee10]

Time for a red card.

[recycler]

The first solution that was suggested to execute reporters that would write damaging information may not be the type of transparent measure that satisfies the EU...

[wabothai]

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You made my day never sure !

[Benmart]

As the Borg (Star Trek) collective thought stated, "Resistance is futile". I see a red card coming if "they" continue to resist.

[Srikcir]

The Ubetter be careful or General Prayut will use Article 44 on them.

[Suffinator]

He also demanded the EU to consider Thailand’s efforts in addressing the problem in a fair and transparent manner without prejudice and in line with the real situation in Thailand.

Demanded? Ummm, I suspect any demands will be ignored considering their history. The real situation in Thailand is it's problem of 'Thainess' and they are soon to learn that the west doesn't atone to their ideologies of mai pen rai on all critical issues such as human rights abuses, slavery, human trafficking and so forth.

Transparency is not possible in a country that corrupt to the core and where people are ruled under the threat of violence or imprisonment on the whim of the elite.

EU said on Tuesday that it denounced Thailand’s shortcomings in its fisheries monitoring, control and sanctioning systems and concluded that Thailand is not doing enough. To avoid the ban, Thailand must “implement a tailor-made action plan to drive illegal fishing out of its waters within the next six months, said EU.

That's a bit worrying ... The Thais are actually pretty adept at coming up with action plans; they have one for everything but unfortunately appear incapable of implementing said plans. What the EU needs to do is to insist on a plan that will be followed up with measurable achievements; anything less than this would be a farce.

The facts remain ... Thailand was issued T3 from the US and this is NOT the first time the EU has asked Thailand to take action. As usual the only thing the Thai gov can do is throw a fit and act like babies; yeah it's just not fair and I want my rattle back.

This attitude won't get them anywhere and if sanctions are imposed the billions lost will certainly be felt and to many this is the only way to force the Thai gov into any type of real action. Of course they could take the usual Thai stance in that they are the greatest nation on earth and don't need any type of foreign contact, business or otherwise. Alas for the educated they will know that in the real world most economies rely on exports and foreign investment in order to survive.

[Suffinator]

Sometimes I wish these foreign countries -- Japan, South Korea, Singapore with aviation, EU with fishing, US with human rights -- would simply impose sanctions on Thailand in the first instance. Thailand doesn't deserve the more dignified warnings and extensions and other help that foreign countries continually give. The country is an arrogant pariah that thinks it's a big player in the game and can make demands and wiggle it's way out of it's obligations.

The world needs to really stick it to Thailand to bring them out of their arrogance. See how they get on with their tourism industry severely impacted due to airline bans and their fishing exports severely limited due to bans in EU and US and their FDI severely curtailed due to their arrogant proposed changes to the FBA and perhaps the Japanese beginning to leave.

Let's see how the country gets along truly with a Thailand that is only for the Thais and their self-sufficiency. Give it a try.

In my view such is well overdue and it's time Thailand learned the hard way. They wouldn't last more than a couple of years if certain sanctions where imposed. As for the FBA ... the last military coup leaders tried to change it but decided not to implement the changes as they quickly discovered there would be a mass exodus of foreign investors. Frankly they are like selfish spoiled brats who think that their wealth and position makes them immune.

Personally I'd like to see the sanctions being imposed and maybe then they'll learn that you cannot abuse human rights etc with impunity.

[Anthony5]

EU gave Thailand six months to clean up its fishing industry or face a ban on seafood exports to EU worth about 270 billion baht.

6 months that is end of this year. Isn't that the time Thailand economy would pick up and be thriving according to a soldier minister yesterday?

[Halion]

This sort of beyond reproach attitude has landed Thailand where it is today and it deserves every thing it gets from the EU who have been more than fair and most patient, however it has come to a point where they see the Thai authorities are treating them with the same disdain and propaganda that they treat the Thai in the street and they have decided enough is enough. Such actions may well be the only means to get this country to understand accountability.

[No Apologist]

He also demanded the EU to consider Thailand’s efforts in addressing the problem in a fair and transparent manner without prejudice and in line with the real situation in Thailand.

Demanded? Ummm, I suspect any demands will be ignored considering their history. The real situation in Thailand is it's problem of 'Thainess' and they are soon to learn that the west doesn't atone to their ideologies of mai pen rai on all critical issues such as human rights abuses, slavery, human trafficking and so forth.

Transparency is not possible in a country that corrupt to the core and where people are ruled under the threat of violence or imprisonment on the whim of the elite.

EU said on Tuesday that it denounced Thailand’s shortcomings in its fisheries monitoring, control and sanctioning systems and concluded that Thailand is not doing enough. To avoid the ban, Thailand must “implement a tailor-made action plan to drive illegal fishing out of its waters within the next six months, said EU.

That's a bit worrying ... The Thais are actually pretty adept at coming up with action plans; they have one for everything but unfortunately appear incapable of implementing said plans. What the EU needs to do is to insist on a plan that will be followed up with measurable achievements; anything less than this would be a farce.

The facts remain ... Thailand was issued T3 from the US and this is NOT the first time the EU has asked Thailand to take action. As usual the only thing the Thai gov can do is throw a fit and act like babies; yeah it's just not fair and I want my rattle back.

This attitude won't get them anywhere and if sanctions are imposed the billions lost will certainly be felt and to many this is the only way to force the Thai gov into any type of real action. Of course they could take the usual Thai stance in that they are the greatest nation on earth and don't need any type of foreign contact, business or otherwise. Alas for the educated they will know that in the real world most economies rely on exports and foreign investment in order to survive.

The way that Prayut governs with the mindset of a scorned bar-girl, I dont feel much hope for Thailand as long as he's in power.

Edited April 22, 2015 by No Apologist

[monkeycountry]

He also demanded the EU to consider Thailand’s efforts in addressing the problem in a fair and transparent manner without prejudice and in line with the real situation in Thailand.

Demanded? Ummm, I suspect any demands will be ignored considering their history. The real situation in Thailand is it's problem of 'Thainess' and they are soon to learn that the west doesn't atone to their ideologies of mai pen rai on all critical issues such as human rights abuses, slavery, human trafficking and so forth.

Transparency is not possible in a country that corrupt to the core and where people are ruled under the threat of violence or imprisonment on the whim of the elite.

EU said on Tuesday that it denounced Thailand’s shortcomings in its fisheries monitoring, control and sanctioning systems and concluded that Thailand is not doing enough. To avoid the ban, Thailand must “implement a tailor-made action plan to drive illegal fishing out of its waters within the next six months, said EU.

That's a bit worrying ... The Thais are actually pretty adept at coming up with action plans; they have one for everything but unfortunately appear incapable of implementing said plans. What the EU needs to do is to insist on a plan that will be followed up with measurable achievements; anything less than this would be a farce.

The facts remain ... Thailand was issued T3 from the US and this is NOT the first time the EU has asked Thailand to take action. As usual the only thing the Thai gov can do is throw a fit and act like babies; yeah it's just not fair and I want my rattle back.

This attitude won't get them anywhere and if sanctions are imposed the billions lost will certainly be felt and to many this is the only way to force the Thai gov into any type of real action. Of course they could take the usual Thai stance in that they are the greatest nation on earth and don't need any type of foreign contact, business or otherwise. Alas for the educated they will know that in the real world most economies rely on exports and foreign investment in order to survive.

The way that Prayut governs with the mindset of a scorned bar-girl, I dont feel much hope for Thailand as long as he's in power.

I don't think this has anything to do with Prayuth specifically. This was an issue long before Prayuth became PM, and nothing was done then either. It is more a matter of Thainess - hiding/forgetting the problem, instead of solving it. Something most Thai leaders at all levels are exceptionally good at.

[cloudhopper]

Well I hope the EU has more impact than the US 'sanctions' have...

http://news.yahoo.com/us-lets-thai-fish-caught-slaves-despite-law-192857567.html

[Laughing Gravy]

The rattle and dummy has been spat out and thrown out the pram. It is a great opportunity for this, errm, whatever they are (people in power) to step up, show that they truly care and do some real action. I believe if this ban goes ahead it will be very detrimental to Thailand.

Come on get it sorted.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Perhaps the Thai Navy can argue here that it needs its new/old submarines to go after those bad bad fishermen....

Fire a few torpedoes... Problem solved!!!

[DM07]

".....but...but...but..Thainess..."

[maddermax]

To control the Thai fishery they would need to put a quota and monitoring system in place. This means that there would have to be inspectors on most fishing boats to monitor the catches. In the EU this is accepted by the fishermen. Imagine a Thai inspector trying to control some roudy Thai fishermen out on the sea. Not quite the same! It would also mean that the catches would be monitored on landing for processing. Again, there are dangers involved for the inspectors and corruption would rear its ugly head again.

[casindonet]

"Mr Seth Wannamethee, spokesman of the Foreign Ministry, said that EU’s warning showed that it was totally unaware of the determination and tangible progress made by Thailand in the attempt to solve the problem as well as Thailand’s long record of cooperation with the EU to fight against illegal fishing."

We are all unaware of this.

I'm aware that nothing is done just lots of hot hair.

[Shiver]

Perhaps the Thai Navy can argue here that it needs its new/old submarines to go after those bad bad fishermen....

Fire a few torpedoes... Problem solved!!!

I'm sure they would, but I believe the tender is still out for who will supply the mallee/jasmine to hang on the rear view mirror of the subs...and maybe also the velcro to attach some toy story figurines to the dashboard.

{Edit]: So subs drive on the left here? Subway, fast food for the periscope enabled.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Shiver

[outsider]

Go ahead. Pout like the petulant child that you are, Thailand.

"...EU’s warning showed that it was totally unaware of the determination and tangible progress made by Thailand..." From experience, inept, unproductive and (literally) useless workers, staffs and employees always talk about 'the process'. About what is being done, or what is being planned.

Quite whining and show results. Sheesh...

[onetik]

Easy solution ... Turn off your green light ... everybody saw you from space

[klauskunkel]

EU’s warning showed that it was totally unaware of the determination and tangible progress made by Thailand in the attempt to solve the problem

Hey EU, this is our progress, you can touch it, it's totally tangible, ...ok, ok, its a progress of an attempt, not quite the real thing, but what do you expect, it looks the same...who cares if the Rolex was bought in Patpong or Switzerland, just touch it, please!