Thailand Live Friday 11 October 2024

[webfact]

Phettong challenges PM over vanished forests
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remark that elected governments had caused 8.6 million rai of forest in the North and Northeastern regions to be destroyed was just a mudslinging statement, former Democrat Party MP Watchara Phetthong said Wednesday.

"It sounds like the PM is blaming democratic governments - but the true reason forests disappeared was that government officials did not do their duty. Some, like those from the Royal Forestry Department, the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation or the Department of Provincial Administration, sought vested interests,'' he said.

"Even in areas under the jurisdiction of the military during the period the PM was then Army Chief, the mountains turned into 'bald' mountains. Did the PM ever look into the problems?" he asked.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Phettong-challenges-PM-over-vanished-forests-30264991.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-22

[djjamie]

"but the true reason forests disappeared was that government officials did not do their duty"

And who oversaw the govt officials?

​Accountability is really not in the vocabulary of a Thai politician.

Next time my wife complains that I left a big mess in the kitchen I will say "The real reason there is a big mess in the kitchen is because you didn't clean it up!"

Edited July 22, 2015 by djjamie

[ddavidovsky]

Rather than just reporting bickering politicians, the Nation should have investigated the issue itself. Quality journalism would help solve many of the country's problems.

[halloween]

Who would you nominate as responsible for the oversight of public service departments, the discovery and reduction of corruption in same, and the preservation of national forests and parks?

1/ The government minister

2/ government MPs

3/ opposition MPs

4/ RTA

5/ all of the above in decreasing order of responsibility

6/ none of the above

[15Peter20]

Of course the PM blames so much on Democracy. It takes power away from him and his backers.

[Fat Haggis]

All is not rosy in the garden of Chan O-Cha these days

[Down the rabbit hole]

Phettong challenges PM over vanished forests
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remark that elected governments had caused 8.6 million rai of forest in the North and Northeastern regions to be destroyed was just a mudslinging statement, former Democrat Party MP Watchara Phetthong said Wednesday.

"It sounds like the PM is blaming democratic governments - but the true reason forests disappeared was that government officials did not do their duty. Some, like those from the Royal Forestry Department, the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation or the Department of Provincial Administration, sought vested interests,'' he said.

"Even in areas under the jurisdiction of the military during the period the PM was then Army Chief, the mountains turned into 'bald' mountains. Did the PM ever look into the problems?" he asked.

*chortle* Lovely. It's foot in the mouth time again for Uncle Too. Can't be much room left in there by now...

Edited July 22, 2015 by Down the rabbit hole

[ramrod711]

"but the true reason forests disappeared was that government officials did not do their duty"

And who oversaw the govt officials?

​Accountability is really not in the vocabulary of a Thai politician.

Next time my wife complains that I left a big mess in the kitchen I will say "The real reason there is a big mess in the kitchen is because you didn't clean it up!"

You had better sleep with one eye open.

[kareona]

Most of the deforestation occured in the period 1950 (forest cover 60%) to 1988 (forest cover 25%). This was a period of military rule. (Sanit, Thanom, Prem). Forest were invaded by poor farmers under population pressure (from 20 million in 1950 to 60 million in 1988), and the military slashed forests in their fight against comminisme, especially in the Northeast.

After 1988, under more or less democratic governments and a law that prohibited cutting of trees everywhere, the decline in forest cover slowed markedly.

The truth is just the opposite of Prayut's remarks. Nothing new here.

[fish fingers]

starting to see a pattern with Prayuth

[heybruce]

Rather than just reporting bickering politicians, the Nation should have investigated the issue itself. Quality journalism would help solve many of the country's problems.

Honest investigative reporting would land the reporter a libel charge or worse. Strangely enough, there seem to be no plans to reform the ridiculous libel laws.

[Mojomor]

Most of the deforestation occured in the period 1950 (forest cover 60%) to 1988 (forest cover 25%). This was a period of military rule. (Sanit, Thanom, Prem). Forest were invaded by poor farmers under population pressure (from 20 million in 1950 to 60 million in 1988), and the military slashed forests in their fight against comminisme, especially in the Northeast.

After 1988, under more or less democratic governments and a law that prohibited cutting of trees everywhere, the decline in forest cover slowed markedly.

The truth is just the opposite of Prayut's remarks. Nothing new here.

Well done Sir. You nailed that nicely. You could have also mentioned Sarit's gifts to his extended family, but it's all a long time ago.

[webfact]

Phettong challenges PM over vanished forests
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remark that elected governments had caused 8.6 million rai of forest in the North and Northeastern regions to be destroyed was just a mudslinging statement, former Democrat Party MP Watchara Phetthong said yesterday.

"It sounds like the PM is blaming democratic governments - but the true reason forests disappeared was that government officials did not do their duty. Some, like those from the Royal Forestry Department, the Department of National Parks Wildlife and Plant Conservation or the Department of Provincial Administration, sought vested interests,'' he said.

"Even in areas under the jurisdiction of the military during the period the PM was then Army Chief, the mountains turned into 'bald' mountains. Did the PM ever look into the problems?" he asked.

"Today [although] the PM has extra powers with Article 44, he has not done anything. Decent state officials have become blind and deaf for fear of getting into trouble,'' he said.

Another reason the country's water resources had turned into bald mountains was that a giant conglomerate lures poor farmers to grow corn to be used as animal feed. This has caused natural disasters like floods, landslide and drought, he said.

"Politicians and senior officials encroach upon reserve forests, water sources, mangrove forests and the Sor Por Kor land. How can the Land Department issue land title deeds for them? The PM must order a check of all plots and exercise Article 44 to confiscate the land,'' he said.

Watchara also urged Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Borwornsak Uwanno to incorporate in the charter draft a rule that MPs, Senators, ministers must not be involved in forest encroachment, either directly or indirectly through nominees.

The politician said he served as a House committee spokesman for two terms and knew that the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry's re-forestation funds each year reached tens of billions of baht. "This amount of money could grow trees ten times the area of forests in Thailand. If the PM dares not exercise power, he will not be different from the people he accuses,'' Watchara said.

The outspoken politician added that forest encroachment also took place during the Prayut government. "If he does not believe me, get into a helicopter and look at Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai,'' he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Phettong-challenges-PM-over-vanished-forests-30265034.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-23

[bobmac10]

The top military officers used military equipment, men, vehicles to move a lot of the timber out of the areas that were illegally logged to the ports and across the borders.

How do I know this,?

I have actually spoken to villagers in the North East who told me that they personally witnessed the wide scale clear-felling of forests in their area by the army in the 60's and 70's.

The top military personnel and their proxies are the ones who have contributed to the majority of illegal logging in Thailand.

Look at the immense wealth accumulated by generals (now retired) living in unbelievable splendour around Bangkok. Fingers in so many pies.

Prayut won't mention this.

[MZurf]

The top military officers used military equipment, men, vehicles to move a lot of the timber out of the areas that were illegally logged to the ports and across the borders.

How do I know this,?

I have actually spoken to villagers in the North East who told me that they personally witnessed the wide scale clear-felling of forests in their area by the army in the 60's and 70's.

The top military personnel and their proxies are the ones who have contributed to the majority of illegal logging in Thailand.

Look at the immense wealth accumulated by generals (now retired) living in unbelievable splendour around Bangkok. Fingers in so many pies.

Prayut won't mention this.

But, but ,but...Thaksin!

[tbthailand]

for information rather than blah-blah-not-my-fault "claims" from the current "PM",

http://dev.mtnforum.org/sites/default/files/publication/files/857.pdf

[FangFerang]

The military is their own worst PR disaster, and their claims are rather specious, at best.

Those cheerleaders for the junta would never support a coup in their home countries, and even believe their lives here will somehow miraculously improve if they cheer on. Dolts.

[mikemac]

^ Why bother posting that link ? Who is going to read it ? Fourteen pages of blah-blah-blah with the occasional pretty graph.

[Fat Haggis]

I read it !!!

[zakk9]

As usual, instead of doing something, like planting trees, they spend the time blaming each other. Soldiers in this country are not very busy. Send them out to plant trees.

[ginjag]

All is not rosy in the garden of Chan O-Cha these days

Fat Haggis do some comparisons from previous, it will tell you volumes, we have to learn from any foul administrations, including this one in a couple of years, the only way to improve---NOT to be in denial----please not forget that there was years before this last year to take into account.

This is my main gripe, not just Names like Thaksin and sister or PTP, it is how they governed that is the problem NOT if they were democratically elected or if it is the military---it is how you perform over a given period.

[ginjag]

As usual, instead of doing something, like planting trees, they spend the time blaming each other. Soldiers in this country are not very busy. Send them out to plant trees.

In Udon province a good high ranking lady friend of mine, in the health and environment department in conjunction with the daughter of the highest, are on a tree planting program ---under the press and politics there IS a mega operation to start to replace, it will take 2 decades to do because it has been 3 decades of neglect.

Why because the program is cut 2 down plant 3 some are trying.

[ginjag]

The military is their own worst PR disaster, and their claims are rather specious, at best.

Those cheerleaders for the junta would never support a coup in their home countries, and even believe their lives here will somehow miraculously improve if they cheer on. Dolts.

Is that your agenda contribution to the said topic ?? all I hear is JUNTA MILITARY COUP, is that all you have to say. ?? Military or not -and whether you like it or not, THIS government is running the country BETTER than the last Democratically elected lot.

As for England Maybe if you had a vote most of the country would welcome a COUP instead of Cameron in charge. So please enlighten me where PTP were better than the military ?? where Yingluck was better than Prayuth......................TRUTH. do not give me anymore fair election rubbish.

[halloween]

As usual, instead of doing something, like planting trees, they spend the time blaming each other. Soldiers in this country are not very busy. Send them out to plant trees.

Soldiers are running the country while politicians are unemployed. Plant Trees Party - I don't think so.

[zakk9]

As usual, instead of doing something, like planting trees, they spend the time blaming each other. Soldiers in this country are not very busy. Send them out to plant trees.

In Udon province a good high ranking lady friend of mine, in the health and environment department in conjunction with the daughter of the highest, are on a tree planting program ---under the press and politics there IS a mega operation to start to replace, it will take 2 decades to do because it has been 3 decades of neglect.

Why because the program is cut 2 down plant 3 some are trying.

You can easily expand that to century of neglect. The problem with the tree planting in Thailand today is that they are mostly hobby projects. They need to do it on a much larger scale. If they did that, they could even establish a sustainable industry around this. I'm not very optimistic though.