Phuket "anti corruption" day.......surely a joke?

[xylophone]

More examples and comments on corruption, for those who don't believe it exists:-

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876610-chalong-police and http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/876591-ex-finance-deputy-permanent-secretary-anuthep-arrested/

And of course the Surin beach "demolition fiasco" and it will be interesting to see how that pans out.

[NoshowJones]

Anti corruption campaign in Phuket...

To quote Farther Christmas (again) Ho, Ho, Ho.

Western countries are full of corruption also, but unlike the Thais, they have the brains to hide it.

Just use the corruption to your own advantage, I doubt if there are any Westerners who don't.

[dageurreotype]

Really ?

Do you have positive PROOF of that assertion ?

Been here long?

First of all look at the replies here regarding this and this will give you a clue.

Then you may wish to peruse and research other posts regarding corruption in Phuket and find out other folks’ experiences.

In amongst that you will find references to the former mayor of Patong, land officials, developers and the fact that many senior positions in this country (Phuket included) are actually bought because of the return on that purchase.

Of course one mustn't forget the "tea money" paid monthly, but then I'll let you research that particular aspect of Phuket life for yourself.

As for proof………you may wish to ask the friends of mine who pay monthly "tea money" if they have proof. Anyone who complains about this or refuses to pay it is often harassed on a regular basis to ensure that their business becomes untenable.

More proof…….I have been asked for a bribe at Phuket Immigration, which I refused to pay; a friend paid many millions of baht to get off a particularly severe and proven charge and the evidence conveniently went missing and the case was dropped.

Those in power here know what goes on and are complicit in this and if they weren't then all of the things mentioned in my original post would have come to pass.

Nice company you keep.

[dageurreotype]

Seems unfair to suggest that Phuket Anti-Corruption initiatives are a joke.

I am sure all the officials involved in corruption in Phuket are taking it very seriously. I am sure they are "mulling" the many possibilities on an ongoing basis. Maybe they have formed a fresh Corruption Committee with lots of new ideas.

The most important thing is coming together to exchange ideas and experience with each other. In this way the corruption can be more efficiently discussed and the various methods to combat corruption can be thoroughly evaluated and noted by all affected participants.

Or they can simply pick up some new tips.

[Suradit69]

I really don't think these people have a clue as to how they are perceived by folk here who really know what's going on.

As opposed to Washington DC, London, Greece, FIFA, major banks, drug companies, British Petroleum, Petrobras or elsewhere in farangland where corruption is so endemic no one in government or in authority cares what people really know?

[Cylon]

Is it going to be a public Holiday ?

[KarenBravo]

I really don't think these people have a clue as to how they are perceived by folk here who really know what's going on.

As opposed to Washington DC, London, Greece, FIFA, major banks, drug companies, British Petroleum, Petrobras or elsewhere in farangland where corruption is so endemic no one in government or in authority cares what people really know?

So because it is prevalent elsewhere, you can excuse it here?

The big difference is that in those countries, the perpetrators of corruption know it is wrong and that they will be punished by the law if they are caught.

Here, it's a way of life and most times if government officials are caught, the only punishment is transfer to an "inactive post", which ensures that they still get their pension.

When Thai citizens were polled on corruption, over 70% responded "that they didn't mind corruption as long as they benefitted".

DELETED

Edited December 8, 2015 by seedy
troll / flaming

[SOTIRIOS]

......this island has quite a history.....

[Snackbar]

Aren't political gatherings banned under a NCPO order?

[nithisa78]

and you sir assume to be one of those people who really know what's going on. rhetorical and doubtful

[benalibina]

Anybody claiming corruption is NOT THAT BIG AN ISSUE, negative, in Thailand ,let alone Phuket, is same as a 4 yr old believing in Santa Claus.

The mind truly boggles !

[xylophone]

Anybody claiming corruption is NOT THAT BIG AN ISSUE, negative, in Thailand ,let alone Phuket, is same as a 4 yr old believing in Santa Claus.

The mind truly boggles !

Seems like at least one poster on here still believes in Santa Claus according to his reply to my original post..........I can't point you to his post(s) as I have put him on my "ignore" list so I can't see them, but I'm sure you can find out who it is!!!

The naivety (polite word as another is more apt) astounds me.........

[Snackbar]

The irony. Lots of government workers skiving off work to attend an anti skiving off work event. TIT.

[DrDave]

I've often thought that if there was one change that could be made to provide the most benefit to the Thai people, that change would be the elimination of corruption.

Corruption touches the lives of everyone, and has changed from a mostly political issue to one that's more cultural in nature.

The coup seemed to provide the perfect opportunity to effect a sea change like this, however it appears that opportunity has been squandered, and the Thai people aren't likely to see the elimination of corruption any time in the foreseeable future.

[xylophone]

I've often thought that if there was one change that could be made to provide the most benefit to the Thai people, that change would be the elimination of corruption.

Corruption touches the lives of everyone, and has changed from a mostly political issue to one that's more cultural in nature.

The coup seemed to provide the perfect opportunity to effect a sea change like this, however it appears that opportunity has been squandered, and the Thai people aren't likely to see the elimination of corruption any time in the foreseeable future.

Agree with you DrDave, and it will be extremely hard to stamp it out because it is embedded in Thai society from the government downwards, so when "top officials" pay for top positions as an investment to get their money back through corruption, then you know that the place is pretty well doomed from the start.

Add to that schools and other learning establishments where grades and entrance can be bought, down to the everyday policeman who is supposed to be looking after the interests of the general population but is more interested in lining his pocket and you can see why children growing up in this environment considering corruption to be the norm.

It would be nice to think that the general population would rebel against this type of thing, but as you have seen from another post, 70% of the Thai population think that corruption is okay provided they benefit.

Having an anticorruption "office" complete with telephone number is a waste of time, because it is my belief that corruption needs to be stamped out from the top down and when officials are caught, no matter who they are, an example should be made of them with prison sentences and repayment of stolen monies.

When the top officials are clean then it is their job to ensure their departments become clean, and so on down the line so that corruption is seen to be the evil that it is and punishment is meted out accordingly.

Like you, I thought this new government would be tough on corruption, however it is becoming quite clear that corruption is rampant in their ranks as well and has been for some time, so nothing can change especially if you have corrupt people governing corrupt people

As has been quoted many times, "same trough, different snouts" and it will take someone like a Lee Kuan Yew to sort this country out and until that happens, we have to live in this corrupt society and ensure that we do not actively participate in corruption.

I have been asked for bribes and have never given one and don't intend to.

[benalibina]

I've often thought that if there was one change that could be made to provide the most benefit to the Thai people, that change would be the elimination of corruption.

Corruption touches the lives of everyone, and has changed from a mostly political issue to one that's more cultural in nature.

The coup seemed to provide the perfect opportunity to effect a sea change like this, however it appears that opportunity has been squandered, and the Thai people aren't likely to see the elimination of corruption any time in the foreseeable future.

In a hierarchical/feudal country where "keeping face" leads to lack of ...many "bilities", some of the laws even prevent it, where education is severely lacking , where there are too many forms of...."jai"being used inproperly, where there is no freedom of speech etc etc...how can one expect a change via a coup done by the people who benefitted too from that same culture.

If the the people who really run the show in Thailand, some will know who I refer to, dont learn to selfreference and start to truly care for its citizens to improve their lives based upon a clear, moral, ethical and honest vision, it will remain ....a nation beyond salvation.

[lowprofile]

Xylophone, I think you will have to assume Expatbrit is, indeed, a baiter. No one could be THAT naive (or stupid).

[DrDave]

In a hierarchical/feudal country where "keeping face" leads to lack of ...many "bilities", some of the laws even prevent it, where education is severely lacking , where there are too many forms of...."jai"being used inproperly, where there is no freedom of speech etc etc...how can one expect a change via a coup done by the people who benefitted too from that same culture.

If the the people who really run the show in Thailand, some will know who I refer to, dont learn to selfreference and start to truly care for its citizens to improve their lives based upon a clear, moral, ethical and honest vision, it will remain ....a nation beyond salvation.

Agreed!

I really believe that an appeal to the citizenry to stop corruption on moral and ethical grounds has never been made due to the assumption that any such appeal would be ignored, resulting in an unthinkable loss of face and position. This, in turn, would then create a whole new set of problems.

[benalibina]

In a hierarchical/feudal country where "keeping face" leads to lack of ...many "bilities", some of the laws even prevent it, where education is severely lacking , where there are too many forms of...."jai"being used inproperly, where there is no freedom of speech etc etc...how can one expect a change via a coup done by the people who benefitted too from that same culture.

If the the people who really run the show in Thailand, some will know who I refer to, dont learn to selfreference and start to truly care for its citizens to improve their lives based upon a clear, moral, ethical and honest vision, it will remain ....a nation beyond salvation.

Agreed!

I really believe that an appeal to the citizenry to stop corruption on moral and ethical grounds has never been made due to the assumption that any such appeal would be ignored, resulting in an unthinkable loss of face and position. This, in turn, would then create a whole new set of problems.

Thanks for your agreement but I think you somewhat misunderstood my above comment.

Self reference means to look within oneself. Ethics and morals come into play with that. It will be a confrontation with oneself. As Thailand is run by the happy few, hierarchical society, those ones can only truly impose a change of mentality in its populace. But for that they need the above mentioned...self reference. That in itself means a huge loss of face for themselves. If they can get through that phase and accept their own "wrongdoings", at the cost of its own citizens, they must start anew. Showing good example in leadership and moral/ethical behaviour.

Undoubtedly their new vision/actions will be followed by the others downward in the hierarchical structure. Only on this way things can change in this country. IMHO needed for that is a truth and reconcilliation comittee. Only a charismatic leader with clean hands can start all this with permission granted from the "real rulers" of Thailand.

[xylophone]

In a hierarchical/feudal country where "keeping face" leads to lack of ...many "bilities", some of the laws even prevent it, where education is severely lacking , where there are too many forms of...."jai"being used inproperly, where there is no freedom of speech etc etc...how can one expect a change via a coup done by the people who benefitted too from that same culture.

If the the people who really run the show in Thailand, some will know who I refer to, dont learn to selfreference and start to truly care for its citizens to improve their lives based upon a clear, moral, ethical and honest vision, it will remain ....a nation beyond salvation.

Agreed!

I really believe that an appeal to the citizenry to stop corruption on moral and ethical grounds has never been made due to the assumption that any such appeal would be ignored, resulting in an unthinkable loss of face and position. This, in turn, would then create a whole new set of problems.

Thanks for your agreement but I think you somewhat misunderstood my above comment.

Self reference means to look within oneself. Ethics and morals come into play with that. It will be a confrontation with oneself. As Thailand is run by the happy few, hierarchical society, those ones can only truly impose a change of mentality in its populace. But for that they need the above mentioned...self reference. That in itself means a huge loss of face for themselves. If they can get through that phase and accept their own "wrongdoings", at the cost of its own citizens, they must start anew. Showing good example in leadership and moral/ethical behaviour.

Undoubtedly their new vision/actions will be followed by the others downward in the hierarchical structure. Only on this way things can change in this country. IMHO needed for that is a truth and reconcilliation comittee. Only a charismatic leader with clean hands can start all this with permission granted from the "real rulers" of Thailand.

Great post and agree wholeheartedly.