PM axes 45 officials under graft probe with his special powers

[craigt3365]

Here's the list:

http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-axes-45-officials-under-graft-probe-with-his-special-powers

[starkey_rich]

With his special powers!

Is he going to start dressing in a red cape and wear his underpants over his trousers?

[Johnny S]

If the list of the so called axed 45 dirty pigs are not public I will call BS to this ...

[elgordo38]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

Why axe the tourism minister? Tourism is up 23%

[elgordo38]

TRANSFER

45 govt officials transferred over corruption charges

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Utilising the interim charter's draconian Article 44, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last night approved the transfer of 45 government officials and civil servants found to be involved in corruption.

Included in the list are Tourism and Sport Ministry permanent secretary Suwat Sitthilor; Tourism Department chief Arnupharb Kesornsuwan; Physical Education Department chief Patthana Chartkritboworn; Udon Thani governor Nopphawat Singsakda and Royal Thai Police inspector-general Pol Lt-General Suraphol Thuanthong.

The list, issued under Order 16/2015 of the National Council for Peace and Order's, categorises the 44 officials into five groups: civil servants; public organisations; local administrative bodies; mayors; and head clerks of government agencies. Also included in the transfer list are five district chiefs and three mayors.

The order also lists the ad hoc positions created to accommodate the 44 officials.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/45-govt-officials-transferred-over-corruption-char-30260231.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-16

At the very least the movers will be busy.

[Lopchan]

Good on the ruling junta and its leaders for at least starting somewhere, unlike the past parties who have done nothing except perpetuate the problem

BUT..........yet again the same sad bunch on TV bemoaning a little progress in dealing with corruption.

If nothing is done you complain.

If something is done, you complain it's not enough.

or You complain and intimate that it's part of a corrupt Vs corrupt campaign.

Really some of you sad bunch really make me sick with your anti- <deleted>-everything attitude.

What a sad sorry bunch of people.

[joejai]

45 officials axed............that's great !!! Only 1000 more to go!

[Baerboxer]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

That's how it works in America isn't it?

The governing elite might fight their battles, play their games and the musical chairs go on. But the rest of us just get to watch.

[NongKhaiKid]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

Why axe the tourism minister? Tourism is up 23%

The minister isn't named but the permanent secretary and director general general of the tourist department are.

The minister is married to an army general !

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

TRANSFER

45 govt officials transferred over corruption charges

The Nation

The order also lists the ad hoc positions created to accommodate the 44 officials.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/45-govt-officials-transferred-over-corruption-char-30260231.html

Well, I'm not quite sure what an "an hoc" position is in the parlance of Thai government bureaucracy.

But it seems The Nation here has answered the question I posed above:

These bureaucrats aren't being FIRED from government service, at least not yet.

They're just being removed from their prior positions, and transferred to sit on a shelf somewhere, presumably continuing to receive government pay.

Will any of them ever actually be fired from government service or prosecuted for their alleged corruption? Will any of us live long enough to ever see the culmination of that?

The other paper reports that they will not receive salaries!

No... try reading the BKK Post article a bit more carefully...

It says the LAO (Local Administrative Organization) officials, who are 20 among the 45 suspended officials, will not receive salaries unless Prayuth orders otherwise.

The article doesn't say anything about the salaries of the other groups, the 24 ministry officicials, including the high ranking tourism guys, and the one police inspector general.

Given that the Post specfically limited its comment about those not receiving salaries to the LAO group, I think it's pretty safe to assume that the various ministry officials and the one police guy will be getting salaries while they're on suspension.

[HooHaa]

people here complain about Corruption. Then when something is done about it, they have nothing but negative things to say.

What is wrong with you people.

If they are trying to rid corruption, they should be applauded for it..

perhaps because some folks here have seen enough of Thai politics to suspect these unilateral gestures by the current regime are not without bias or an agenda and the current rash of sackings is more partisan than impartial.

[biplanebluey]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

Interesting point NS.

Now can you tell us how say, the PTP would do things differently if they were in power ?

Some of the wording you used in your post made me think of the Shins for some reason.

Would the PTP have something like article 44 at their disposal?

I dread to think what Thaksin would do with it, there wouldn't be anything left worth having if he could use this for his financial gain.

This is why a benevolent dictatorship is far superior to democracy - I bet Obama wishes he had article 44 at his disposal!!! Boy, when your own party votes you down almost unanimously whilst the Republicans back you and you cannot seal a Pacific rim deal or US-EU pact because of your own party's non-support then that is kind of embarrassing!!!

He wanted to make it so that lawmakers were prevented from making alterations after they were signed off (how very democratic Mr. Obama).

He is doing an excellent job in sabotaging the next Democrat's chances of being elected. Obama is in bed with corporate America and is slowly killing you all without you realising it!!

If this post was about America,or Alibaba----- sorry OBAMA---- would be interesting to some but it's the Generals recent stance on corruption------------------------------------------------------ Got any views on that?

[maidee]

sack everyone, check their financials & their family

get them into office

check their finances every few month ...

too mutt trouble

[Wombat6]

Time to move his family and friends into those vacant positions.

His name isn't Yingluck

[Alwyn]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

Interesting point NS.

Now can you tell us how say, the PTP would do things differently if they were in power ?

Some of the wording you used in your post made me think of the Shins for some reason.

any wording makes you think of the Shins Mike.

[kaorop]

people here complain about Corruption. Then when something is done about it, they have nothing but negative things to say.

What is wrong with you people.

If they are trying to rid corruption, they should be applauded for it..

perhaps because some folks here have seen enough of Thai politics to suspect these unilateral gestures by the current regime are not without bias or an agenda and the current rash of sackings is more partisan than impartial.

Dont bring adult rational thought to cry baby squeals.

The critical masse is, if there are no checks and balances put in place to reduce corruption then the next guy appointed will just continue with tradition and fill his boots.

Without those checks and balances its just the Bkk vs Issan fight all over again and what 'we' fear.

[jesimps]

Well done, Mr. Prayut. Bravo and thank you.

Are you Thai? If not, why are you thanking him??

[firestar]

If only there was a free press we might know if this is a re-branded political shuffle or not. Unfortunately since the press has been muzzled to the point they are fully part of the PR machine we will never know.

[Guitar God]

My wife's big boss in Ubon got fired yesterday. Cleaned out his desk and left. Replacement manager starts tomorrow. According to her, his replacement avoided any corruption while working there. It seems like as least here, their list of who's naughty and who isn't is fairly accurate.

[Muirton]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

Interesting point NS.

Now can you tell us how say, the PTP would do things differently if they were in power ?

Some of the wording you used in your post made me think of the Shins for some reason.

Would the PTP have something like article 44 at their disposal?

I dread to think what Thaksin would do with it, there wouldn't be anything left worth having if he could use this for his financial gain.

This is why a benevolent dictatorship is far superior to democracy - I bet Obama wishes he had article 44 at his disposal!!! Boy, when your own party votes you down almost unanimously whilst the Republicans back you and you cannot seal a Pacific rim deal or US-EU pact because of your own party's non-support then that is kind of embarrassing!!!

He wanted to make it so that lawmakers were prevented from making alterations after they were signed off (how very democratic Mr. Obama).

He is doing an excellent job in sabotaging the next Democrat's chances of being elected. Obama is in bed with corporate America and is slowly killing you all without you realising it!!

Huh?

[Muirton]

I'll take him seriously when he disbands the Thai Occupation Army.

And re-instates the PTP enabling a fugitive criminal to once again pull the strings and bleed the country dry, fund thugs to run riot and murder people who disagree with their ideals while promising everyone who believes that they are only interested in the welfare of all Thai people. Yep sounds like your ideal solution.

This is incoherent beyond any possible comprehension.

[Muirton]

Good on the ruling junta and its leaders for at least starting somewhere, unlike the past parties who have done nothing except perpetuate the problem

BUT..........yet again the same sad bunch on TV bemoaning a little progress in dealing with corruption.

If nothing is done you complain.

If something is done, you complain it's not enough.

or You complain and intimate that it's part of a corrupt Vs corrupt campaign.

Really some of you sad bunch really make me sick with your anti- <deleted>-everything attitude.

What a sad sorry bunch of people.

Wouldn't your opinion be more appropriate on the "Fascism Is Our Friend" website?

[cumgranosalum]

The corrupt axing the corrupt. I'd love to have a database to cross reference to find out which color of shirt appointed these people. It would be interesting to know the backgrounds of their replacements.

Consolidation of power comes to mind.

Interesting point NS.

Now can you tell us how say, the PTP would do things differently if they were in power ?

Some of the wording you used in your post made me think of the Shins for some reason.

Would the PTP have something like article 44 at their disposal?

I dread to think what Thaksin would do with it, there wouldn't be anything left worth having if he could use this for his financial gain.

This is why a benevolent dictatorship is far superior to democracy - I bet Obama wishes he had article 44 at his disposal!!! Boy, when your own party votes you down almost unanimously whilst the Republicans back you and you cannot seal a Pacific rim deal or US-EU pact because of your own party's non-support then that is kind of embarrassing!!!

He wanted to make it so that lawmakers were prevented from making alterations after they were signed off (how very democratic Mr. Obama).

He is doing an excellent job in sabotaging the next Democrat's chances of being elected. Obama is in bed with corporate America and is slowly killing you all without you realising it!!

he introduced the 30 baht per visit universal health scheme......

[a99az]

Forty five down, thousands to go.

Yes its only 45 but these are the big fish the untouchables . Good on you General after 15 year in thailand i finally see things are happening. Keep going the thai people really need a person like you.

Did you marry his sister?

[Lunchbob]

Well done, Mr. Prayut. Bravo and thank you.

Are you Thai? If not, why are you thanking him??

I'm not Thai. I thank him bc it takes courage and integrity to not only fire the corrupt leaders, but publish their names and endure the ignorant tirade that follows.

I support truth and integrity in all gestures big and small. Every day is a little closer to the truth. Clarity requires truth and perhaps even mitigates disaster. Thanks for asking.

[FredNL]

Axed:

[sambum]

people here complain about Corruption. Then when something is done about it, they have nothing but negative things to say.

What is wrong with you people.

If they are trying to rid corruption, they should be applauded for it..

"Damned if they do - damned if they don't" "You can please some of the people some of the time, you can please some of the people all of the time, but you can never please ALL of the people ALL of the time."

However, regardless of what colour "shirt" they wear, this is a step in the right direction - the "axing" of 45 senior officials linked to corruption can only be seen as a good thing. However:-

"The order also lists the ad hoc positions created to accommodate the 44 officials."

So not really axed, then. (Yawn) - just moved to another position - "inactive" or not.

[Nowisee]

My wife's big boss in Ubon got fired yesterday. Cleaned out his desk and left. Replacement manager starts tomorrow. According to her, his replacement avoided any corruption while working there. It seems like as least here, their list of who's naughty and who isn't is fairly accurate.

This is real live accurate reporting...good stuff.

[Acharn]

Would the PTP have something like article 44 at their disposal?

Hilarious ! Only a fool or someone who knew absolutely nothing about the PTP would know they would not need something like Article 44 to carry out their dodgy deals.

Did they have it when they were trying to sneak amnesty laws through in the middle of the night ? Or when they were handpicking cronies for "certain" positions in government ?

They stank to high heaven, with or without Article 44.

Well, I smoked for many years, so my sense of smell may not be as acute as yours, but if the PTP were so powerful, why were they "trying to sneak amnesty laws through in the middle of the night?" Why didn't they just announce them and enforce them like General Prayuth?

[toenail]

I do not read the Thailand news everyday but I do notice a lot of fellows getting "dismissed"/ "axed" / jobs"terminated" and I am sure the government moochers (found in many countries) deserved to be outsteded -but I hope the PM replaces them with someone qualified, not some military official. Yes, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore did not start out with a full democracy it seemed to start with an autocratic type of government and gradually became democracies (correct me out there if I am wrong).

Nice the PM is cleaning house, but if he wants a REAL change, he needs to up grade the education system where it isn't dating back to the 20th Century of remote learning and memorization.Cooperative learning and students collaborating on projects together coming up with their own ideas, less memorization. Thais in general lack the skill of thinking by themselves, they sit and wait to be told...not their fault, just how they are brought up in the educational system. And while the schooling is changed, also throw in a government and civics class so they know how their democracy should run.