Blame the coup for Thailand's Tier 3 rating woes

[jesimps]

The USA seem to be using this human trafficking issue as a political tool to punish Thailand for diverging from the path that THEY had planned for it. Democracy has nothing to do with it obviously going by America turning a blind eye to the undemocratic PTP (yes, yes yingluck was elected. I am talking about the other 14 principles).

Human trafficking is a social issue with political impact, but some don't want to see it that way which unfortunately does nothing to fix the problem. In fact America is inadvertently exacerbating the issue by turning it into a political conundrum to further their agenda. Maybe Thailand could come up with a Tier rating for America's human trafficking issues with Mexico? Maybe, just maybe America could set the example for the rest of the world by cleaning up their house first. But it is not about human trafficking. That is just a tool for them to use against Thailand.

The measures that this current popular govt have taken to fight this scourge is admirable. They have stepped up to the plate and made changes that are noticeable to all. Changes that were ignored or lethargically acknowledged, but never actioned by the undemocrats before them (yes yes yingluck was elected....I get it!)

The majority can safely see the Junta as a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line. That messy end being true democracy because democracy is never straight forward.

This issue of human trafficking is not just social, its economic.

The Junta (Are we allowed to call them that?) inherited a raft of issues related to corruption in Thailand.

The current world economy status increases pressure on Thailand's economy and the government's ability to perform.

Human trafficking/Rice Scams/Inactive paid government positions/reduced FDI (foreign investments). High public/household. debt all contribute to the ailing economy's under performance.

Expecting a new government to come in a manage everything in 1 year is unrealistic.

Blame should be laid at previous governments doorstep - Why is Yingsy not being charged for allowing it to flourish?

Didn't dear Yingluck point out on FB that "her" government had made great in roads in sorting this all out? Or was it an interview and photo op?

Just like she eradicated all corruption in "her" government, negotiated fantastic rice deals on her many trips abroad, and thinks the rice scheme never made a loss.

The size of the crap heap the current government inherited shouldn't be ignored. Nor can they fire or those corrupt individuals in one go - be very few left!

The current govt didn't "inherit" anything. They took it. Therefore the ball's in their court and they have to shoulder the responsibility.

[Down the rabbit hole]

I think the point of the article is perfectly clear. It states the problem has existed for some time and previous governments have turned a blind eye for decades. Why? Because the whole scam is facilitated by officials, police and the military. If you look all these guys have very nice cars and are not anywhere near as poor as their salaries might suggest.

The article states many high ranking officials and military generals are involved and possibly even controlling the whole corrupt business which is precisely why politicians have not got the balls to tackle the problem.

Now we have Prayut who is the army chief and he is sidestepping questions asking about military involvement. You don't have to be smart to understand why he gets annoyed because the light sjone on the corrupt by these questions is blinding. And unwelcome. The same goes on in the logging business and also in the drug trade which is connected with Koh Tao.

And so it becomes clear that there is no intent in really tackling and eradicating the problem at all. It is all a veneer to deflect media attention and pretend something serious is being done to tackle the hideous problem. Unfortunately foreign governments have finally woken up to the veneer of smiles and lies and are calling the Thais out on it. There is mo room for such management of the country and persecution of it's people so I welcome all who challenge Thailand to start actually doing what it pretends to do and ignoring it otherwise as there will be no change if the status quo is allowed to continue will all mouthing pleasantries and doing bugger all foreign office style.

A good post, thanks for the interesting read.

I strongly suspect the courts will not try, much less convict anyone charged with trafficking crimes, though Prayuth seems to think charging them is the end product, not just the first step.

I fully expect it will be adjournment after adjournment until everyone in Thailand forgets about it, shrugs and moves on to the next 9-day wonder. A previous poster suggests Prayuths enthusiasm to deal with this long-standing problem may already have waned. Indeed. I think he's running out of puff across the board. So much for meaningful reforms in the country. I think his 'Thailand reformed' initiatives were still-born or died in infancy.

And the army general? Thats a complete non-starter. There's more chance of an election tomorrow than him being tried by a Thai court.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Down the rabbit hole

[Down the rabbit hole]

The current govt didn't "inherit" anything. They took it. Therefore the ball's in their court and they have to shoulder the responsibility.

Indeed. Be careful what you wish for...

[wabothai]

This is typically poor reporting on a very mediocre newspapers part. Sure, the junta has some responsibility for not cleaning things up more. They do not seem to be going after the slave trading business in a serious way. But, then again, has any administration done that? it almost seems as if it is being condoned, as it has always been. Cheap labor, without any consciousness of the severity of the crime, and an absolute absence of morality, is what is involved here. It is not the Junta. It is Thai society at large, that is to blame, combined with a lack of will, to eradicate this heinous problem.

thai society at large?

Edited August 5, 2015 by wabothai

[Charlie Croker]

The USA seem to be using this human trafficking issue as a political tool to punish Thailand for diverging from the path that THEY had planned for it. Democracy has nothing to do with it obviously going by America turning a blind eye to the undemocratic PTP (yes, yes yingluck was elected. I am talking about the other 14 principles).

Human trafficking is a social issue with political impact, but some don't want to see it that way which unfortunately does nothing to fix the problem. In fact America is inadvertently exacerbating the issue by turning it into a political conundrum to further their agenda. Maybe Thailand could come up with a Tier rating for America's human trafficking issues with Mexico? Maybe, just maybe America could set the example for the rest of the world by cleaning up their house first. But it is not about human trafficking. That is just a tool for them to use against Thailand.

The measures that this current popular govt have taken to fight this scourge is admirable. They have stepped up to the plate and made changes that are noticeable to all. Changes that were ignored or lethargically acknowledged, but never actioned by the undemocrats before them (yes yes yingluck was elected....I get it!)

The majority can safely see the Junta as a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line. That messy end being true democracy because democracy is never straight forward.

This issue of human trafficking is not just social, its economic.

The Junta (Are we allowed to call them that?) inherited a raft of issues related to corruption in Thailand.

The current world economy status increases pressure on Thailand's economy and the government's ability to perform.

Human trafficking/Rice Scams/Inactive paid government positions/reduced FDI (foreign investments). High public/household. debt all contribute to the ailing economy's under performance.

Expecting a new government to come in a manage everything in 1 year is unrealistic.

Blame should be laid at previous governments doorstep - Why is Yingsy not being charged for allowing it to flourish?

Didn't dear Yingluck point out on FB that "her" government had made great in roads in sorting this all out? Or was it an interview and photo op?

Just like she eradicated all corruption in "her" government, negotiated fantastic rice deals on her many trips abroad, and thinks the rice scheme never made a loss.

The size of the crap heap the current government inherited shouldn't be ignored. Nor can they fire or those corrupt individuals in one go - be very few left!

The current govt didn't "inherit" anything. They took it. Therefore the ball's in their court and they have to shoulder the responsibility.

That's the point isn't it, they are doing it and now idioys are blaming them for taking responsibility for dealing with the problem.

Its like calling the police when someone is hitting you and blaming the police for the fight when they come to help.

[spidermike007]

This is typically poor reporting on a very mediocre newspapers part. Sure, the junta has some responsibility for not cleaning things up more. They do not seem to be going after the slave trading business in a serious way. But, then again, has any administration done that? it almost seems as if it is being condoned, as it has always been. Cheap labor, without any consciousness of the severity of the crime, and an absolute absence of morality, is what is involved here. It is not the Junta. It is Thai society at large, that is to blame, combined with a lack of will, to eradicate this heinous problem.

thai society at large?

Absolutely. If the people were ashamed enough, embarrassed enough, appalled enough, the outcry would be loud and clear. At some point, a people have to take some responsibility. Am I wrong on this point?

[Down the rabbit hole]

This is typically poor reporting on a very mediocre newspapers part. Sure, the junta has some responsibility for not cleaning things up more. They do not seem to be going after the slave trading business in a serious way. But, then again, has any administration done that? it almost seems as if it is being condoned, as it has always been. Cheap labor, without any consciousness of the severity of the crime, and an absolute absence of morality, is what is involved here. It is not the Junta. It is Thai society at large, that is to blame, combined with a lack of will, to eradicate this heinous problem.

thai society at large?

Absolutely. If the people were ashamed enough, embarrassed enough, appalled enough, the outcry would be loud and clear. At some point, a people have to take some responsibility. Am I wrong on this point?

Not at all, I think you're pretty much on the button. What you say lies behind the saying that a population gets the government it deserves.

Which seems to apply always.

[Baerboxer]

The USA seem to be using this human trafficking issue as a political tool to punish Thailand for diverging from the path that THEY had planned for it. Democracy has nothing to do with it obviously going by America turning a blind eye to the undemocratic PTP (yes, yes yingluck was elected. I am talking about the other 14 principles).

Human trafficking is a social issue with political impact, but some don't want to see it that way which unfortunately does nothing to fix the problem. In fact America is inadvertently exacerbating the issue by turning it into a political conundrum to further their agenda. Maybe Thailand could come up with a Tier rating for America's human trafficking issues with Mexico? Maybe, just maybe America could set the example for the rest of the world by cleaning up their house first. But it is not about human trafficking. That is just a tool for them to use against Thailand.

The measures that this current popular govt have taken to fight this scourge is admirable. They have stepped up to the plate and made changes that are noticeable to all. Changes that were ignored or lethargically acknowledged, but never actioned by the undemocrats before them (yes yes yingluck was elected....I get it!)

The majority can safely see the Junta as a runaway train going full speed towards a messy end of line. That messy end being true democracy because democracy is never straight forward.

This issue of human trafficking is not just social, its economic.

The Junta (Are we allowed to call them that?) inherited a raft of issues related to corruption in Thailand.

The current world economy status increases pressure on Thailand's economy and the government's ability to perform.

Human trafficking/Rice Scams/Inactive paid government positions/reduced FDI (foreign investments). High public/household. debt all contribute to the ailing economy's under performance.

Expecting a new government to come in a manage everything in 1 year is unrealistic.

Blame should be laid at previous governments doorstep - Why is Yingsy not being charged for allowing it to flourish?

Didn't dear Yingluck point out on FB that "her" government had made great in roads in sorting this all out? Or was it an interview and photo op?

Just like she eradicated all corruption in "her" government, negotiated fantastic rice deals on her many trips abroad, and thinks the rice scheme never made a loss.

The size of the crap heap the current government inherited shouldn't be ignored. Nor can they fire or those corrupt individuals in one go - be very few left!

The current govt didn't "inherit" anything. They took it. Therefore the ball's in their court and they have to shoulder the responsibility.

Semantics. They seized power and expelled a caretaker government controlled by a criminal fugitive that was in disarray mainly caused by crude efforts to get said criminal whitewashed and put above the law.

Now the mess which they then found is not really known to us. But based on PTP's record and inability (or desire) to provide information or facts when questioned do you think they found everything in good order?

Yingluck jumped on FB to remind Prayuth of her governments achievements in combating trafficking. Perhaps you'd care to inform us what the actual detail is behind that claim?

The Junta, or the next appointed, elected or mixed government will fare no better, unless there are dramatic reforms starting with the justice system, police and military. And that would require some very high profile people facing charges and being prosecuted and actually punished if found guilty. Which ain't never gonna happen, never has and never will.

[Dumbastheycome]

Is it only "after" the event those that willingly throw stones in a glasshouse take the time to reflect on the cause of the shards?

[Thai at Heart]

Absolute <deleted>. This has been going on for decades in Thailand.