With a little help from our friends

[Lite Beer]

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
With a little help from our friends
Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- German ambassador Rolf Schulze talks about the close relationship between Thailand and his country, mutually beneficial business and economic interests and the much-needed improvements to the fishing industry

AS the end of his term in Thailand approaches, German ambassador Rolf Schulze will be going home with the hope that his work in Bangkok over the past four years will leave the impression that Germany is always a good friend of Thailand, especially during these challenging times.

In an interview with The Sunday Nation early this week, the envoy highlighted some of the major achievements during the past years.

First, Schulze says, there are currently more than 170 Thai and German university partnerships for academic training programmes in Thailand. Moreover, there are a number of initiatives that provide vocational training for a growing number of participants.

"To mark the 150th anniversary of Thai-German diplomatic relations in 2012, the dual training initiative was launched based on the renowned German system in which students/trainees study in the classroom and then get practical training on the job."

"As it is part of Germany's economic success we experienced great interest on the Thai side in this unique model. We also worked with Thai and German chambers of commerce and top companies to support the initiative.

"Singha, Mit Phol, Siemens, BMW, Mercedes Benz, BASF and the like are among the participants. To meet the highest standards, we also help certify the training programmes and organise training-of-trainers sessions.

"In addition, a particle accelerator machine worth about one million euro was given free of charge to the Synchrotron Light Research Institute in NakhonRatchasima to support its nuclear physic department."

On the economic front, the envoy, who has served in Asia for the past two decades and was formerly posted to Vietnam, says Thailand remains Germany's biggest trading partner in Asean, with bilateral trade likely to top 10 billion euros (Bt384 billion) this year, up from 8.7 billion euros in 2014.

"There are now more than 600 German firms operating in Thailand with factories on the Eastern Seaboard and elsewhere. DHL alone employs 12,000 workers here and there are also many German SMEs.

"The automobile, chemical, machinery and infrastructure sectors are among the major areas of German businesses in Thailand. In the auto sector, I have spent the past four years trying to bring Volkswagen, the world's No 2 and Germany's biggest carmaker, to invest here.

"Thailand is Asean's hub of auto production for a combined market of 600 million consumers so it's suitable for Volkswagen, which is finalising its decision to open a major factory here."

On the suspended Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Thailand and European Union in which Germany is the leading member, Schulze points out that Thai and EU officials had fully-fledged negotiations on this important FTA until early 2014.

"(In the wake of Thailand's May 2014 coup), Germany has been urging the EU to resume talks on technical issues (of this pending FTA). We've been pushing Brussels to do so but it's the EU's prerogative in this matter," he says.

"We believe the FTA with Thailand would be a win-win for both sides as evidenced by support from German chancellor, Angela Merkel, back in July 2012."

As for the Thailand's political challenges following the coup, Schulze is ever the diplomat.

"Germany is always a good friend to Thailand. We're not away when the situation is difficult as we understand that Thailand is undergoing a painful political transformation process.

"We hope Thailand will return to have a democratically-elected government soon, uphold the rule of law and protect human rights."

Schulze feels that the sooner a general election is held the better, adding that Thai authorities should also ensure that the upcoming election is free and fair, allowing all political forces to compete in a level playing field.

Dr Bawornsak Uwanno, chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), and other CDC members were recently invited to visit Germany to observe the German political system as the CDC finalised its draft charter for a referendum.

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

"European consumers are sensitive and selective about where their food come from so Thailand should improve the regulatory framework.

"Shortcomings remained when the EU issued the yellow card warning in April this year so we welcome the enactment of a new fishing act, the registration of fishing vessels, the use of a vessel monitoring system and other measures.

"In my opinion, whether Thailand will get a red card (which could lead to a ban on shipments to the EU market) or not at the end of a six-month period (around September this year), is not a foregone conclusion. This is an open-ended process."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/With-a-little-help-from-our-friends-30265686.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-02

[zaphod reborn]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

[robblok]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

You mean those regulations that have resulted in increased fish stock in recent years and a water system that has never been cleaner in The Netherlands with fish species coming back that were gone.

You mean those successful regulation that help preserve the ocean for future generations to fish on instead of a rape and pillage industry like it is here.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/08/north-sea-cod-stocks-bounce-back-analysis-shows

I can find similar post on herring and other fish that is more abundant as ever. But hey don't let that get into the way of a good anti EU rant. Facts.. the enemy of idiots.

Edited August 2, 2015 by robblok

[zaphod reborn]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

You mean those regulations that have resulted in increased fish stock in recent years and a water system that has never been cleaner in The Netherlands with fish species coming back that were gone.

You mean those successful regulation that help preserve the ocean for future generations to fish on instead of a rape and pillage industry like it is here.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/08/north-sea-cod-stocks-bounce-back-analysis-shows

I can find similar post on herring and other fish that is more abundant as ever. But hey don't let that get into the way of a good anti EU rant. Facts.. the enemy of idiots.

Yes, those same regulations that have resulted in tremendous waste and put some member nations out of the fishing industry. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/earthnews/3352389/Call-to-end-crazy-EU-regulations-on-fishing-catch-quotas.html

[MZurf]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

It's hard to compete with someone that doesn't have to pay his employers - think about it.

[robblok]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

You mean those regulations that have resulted in increased fish stock in recent years and a water system that has never been cleaner in The Netherlands with fish species coming back that were gone.

You mean those successful regulation that help preserve the ocean for future generations to fish on instead of a rape and pillage industry like it is here.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/08/north-sea-cod-stocks-bounce-back-analysis-shows

I can find similar post on herring and other fish that is more abundant as ever. But hey don't let that get into the way of a good anti EU rant. Facts.. the enemy of idiots.

Yes, those same regulations that have resulted in tremendous waste and put some member nations out of the fishing industry. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/earthnews/3352389/Call-to-end-crazy-EU-regulations-on-fishing-catch-quotas.html

Of course one has to throw away that by catch.. fishermen are not to be trusted.. I remember the scandals in Holland about forging papers and such. So yes sometimes tough regulations are needed and yes its wasteful but otherwise you will have them rape the ocean as before. (can just imagine what would happen if it was allowed to bring on by catch) The cost of really checking them would then be even higher.

Its only logical that quota's will put people out of the race as they are not allowed to catch as much to keep things sustained.

But i noticed you did not argue the point that fishing stock have recovered. So the EU measures are working. Thanks for confirming that.

[robblok]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

It's hard to compete with someone that doesn't have to pay his employers - think about it.

I don't care about that (care about slavery of course) but its normal that low wage countries compete on wages. But its not good that they can just rape the fishing stocks till nothing is left. I feel its good to have regulations like this because people are selfish and they will fish on till nothing is left.

[ratcatcher]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

It's hard to compete with someone that doesn't have to pay his employers - think about it.

"....doesn't have to pay his employers"...

Some of the employers don't even pay their employees.

[MZurf]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

It's hard to compete with someone that doesn't have to pay his employers - think about it.

"....doesn't have to pay his employers"...

Some of the employers don't even pay their employees.

Sorry, I meant of course employees, not employers.

[sawadee1947]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

TOTALLY B.S, not any EU fishing industry is even dreaming to compete with Thai fishery. And...the regulations guarantee sustainable environment.

[Down the rabbit hole]

On the Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing issue taken up by the EU, he points out that this has nothing to do with politics. "It's all about fisheries," he says. "In fact, there have been talks about this issue for many years.

And the fact that the German fishing industry can't compete with cheaper Thai exports due to unreasonable socialist regulations imposed by the EU.

You mean those regulations that have resulted in increased fish stock in recent years and a water system that has never been cleaner in The Netherlands with fish species coming back that were gone.

You mean those successful regulation that help preserve the ocean for future generations to fish on instead of a rape and pillage industry like it is here.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/apr/08/north-sea-cod-stocks-bounce-back-analysis-shows

I can find similar post on herring and other fish that is more abundant as ever. But hey don't let that get into the way of a good anti EU rant. Facts.. the enemy of idiots.

The EU imposes some socialist principles, which is why many people don't like them. On fishing, the EU is thinking of 20 years whereas the Thai fishing industry is only concerned with today, as all Buddhists are taught to do. Of course the EU also wants to prevent their fishing industries, with all the cost overheads of conservation and legislation, but SEA exports from companies who do not have that overhead because they're generally 3rd-world countries.

There's nothing wrong with socialism so long as it is practiced sensibly. USA hates the word of course but then 65% of all people hate the USA so we can safely ignore what the USA thinks in that respect.

The only people who don't like socialism are those who think that people poorer than them should not be assisted. they think it's a 'survival of the fittest' thing whereas in most cases its a survival of the boy's club thing..

In my opinion. the only people who vote for conservative-style governments are those who are already exploiting everyone else and those who want to one day.

Edited August 2, 2015 by Down the rabbit hole

[mikemac]

..........................."There's nothing wrong with socialism so long as it is practiced sensibly. USA hates the word of course but then 65% of all people hate the USA so we can safely ignore what the USA thinks in that respect."................................

I would like to know where he plucked that stat from, but I have a fair idea.

[Down the rabbit hole]

..........................."There's nothing wrong with socialism so long as it is practiced sensibly. USA hates the word of course but then 65% of all people hate the USA so we can safely ignore what the USA thinks in that respect."................................

I would like to know where he plucked that stat from, but I have a fair idea.

Well, there've been a number of international surveys published.

Google is your friend.

[Shawn0001]

..........................."There's nothing wrong with socialism so long as it is practiced sensibly. USA hates the word of course but then 65% of all people hate the USA so we can safely ignore what the USA thinks in that respect."................................

I would like to know where he plucked that stat from, but I have a fair idea.

This might help you to know your enemy.

[mikemac]

..........................."There's nothing wrong with socialism so long as it is practiced sensibly. USA hates the word of course but then 65% of all people hate the USA so we can safely ignore what the USA thinks in that respect."................................

I would like to know where he plucked that stat from, but I have a fair idea.

Well, there've been a number of international surveys published.

Google is your friend.

So you make an unsubstantiated claim and I am expected to Google it to prove it either right or wrong ?

Sorry, but that is not how it works. I don't have to do your research for you.

In saying that, I think we both know why you are not game to post links to back up your outlandish claims.

EDIT - I just saw the post above by Shawn0001 after I posted this comment.

Those stats come from the Pew Research Center which is based in Washington. They gather their data by way of opinion polls which I don't believe are necessarily correct.

Read any of the posts on this forum regarding opinion polls and you will see I am not alone.

Edited August 3, 2015 by mikemac