Pheu Thai hit for ‘sowing panic’

[phoenixdoglover]

Don't Panic!

Sorry, but I had to say it.

Thanks. I put my evac bag back in the closet and cracked open a Leo.

[waldroj]

More propaganda to mask its own failures!

The only way any country can have a strong and decent government is for it to also have a strong opposition (to keep the pressure on those in power).

The reality for Thailand today is that it is being controlled by a military junta that seized power for dubious reasons, and is hell-bent on maintaining its totalitarian regime as it sees fit.

Such a pity for the Thai people.

[phoenixdoglover]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

Perhaps the one in which three different studies - including one linked to several times on this site from an Australian university which was peer reviewed - stated that the last two elections were largely fair and democratic.

If you have some solid evidence otherwise it might you good to submit your own research paper so we can balance the evidence. Looking forward to it.

You put far more trust in peer reviewed university reports and articles than I do.

Wouldn't have been written by that same Aussie Uni and lecturer who was on telly trying to portray the Shins as the "people's party, true socialists, honest and just" was it?

"Largely fair and democratic" - so depends on your interpretation then. Would need to understand their methodology but did the go to Chiang Mai and witness the intimidation of non Shin patronage candidates and party canvassers? Or to the villages where money was promised, only if the whole 100% block vote was delivered - so not voting as instructed would cost all your neighbors their "bonus" - no pressure then.

The same Australia the bans Junta members and their families from visiting, but is happy to send it's ministers here and do trade deals. And pay people smugglers to take the people back or somewhere else. Wonder if that hypocrisy extends to academic bias too?

Ah this is more like it. To hell with peer reviewed reports. We prefer speculation, ad hominens, and cherry picking. A classic.

[NCC1701A]

these political stories and everybody arguing back and forth. sort of boring.

what happened to the naked model from a few days ago? that is really important. anyone get her facebook page?

[Eric Loh]

PTP has been continually lying about this subject for years now. After the first military coup, the military government abolished the 30 baht co-payment for using the universal government health care system, and made it totally free instead, as the Ministry of Public Health reported that it cost more money in administration fees than it brought in. So to increase efficiency, and make things easier for the poor, the 30 baht fee was abolished. PTP responded by claiming that the government health care system had been abolished, and then campaigned that they would 'bring back 30 baht health care' fee when they took over. So in 2012 they they started charging for health care again, instead of having it totally free.

The Ministry of Public Health DOES NOT WANT the 30 baht co-payment. The administration costs are too expensive and it makes things difficult and complicated for hospitals and for patients. PTP keeps spreading misinformation about this because '30 baht health care' is associated with Thaksin

So an introduction of the 30 B to relieve the burden of funding is politically incorrect. Not to overlook potential moral hazard arising from overutilization of free treatments and a charge would help increase system efficiency by limiting pressure on overburdened service units.

[FangFerang]

so, in fact, the junta has floated the trial balloon to cancel or completely transform the 30B program since almost immediately after they took power...

Hmmmm, ... generals don't tell any fibs, now, that might create "confusion".

But in all the p.ssing in the wind by this particular general, what he claims all Thais must never forget is:

He said some former Pheu Thai MPs had misled the public into burning down the country in the past. "It is a tragedy that Thais cannot forget.

Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok...

But of course, the general has forgotten that the Oct 6th memorials were all cancelled under junta orders and I imagine that there won't be any May 19th memorials this year either...

When it comes to thing to not forget, maybe not forgetting all the killing done by the Thai Military should be the "tragedy that Thais cannot forget".

The dinosaurs have the power, but they still have pea-sized brains...

You wrote "Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok..."

Brilliant!

Inconvenient truths yellow cheerleaders and even red cheerleaders forget....conveniently.

[DP25]

PTP has been continually lying about this subject for years now. After the first military coup, the military government abolished the 30 baht co-payment for using the universal government health care system, and made it totally free instead, as the Ministry of Public Health reported that it cost more money in administration fees than it brought in. So to increase efficiency, and make things easier for the poor, the 30 baht fee was abolished. PTP responded by claiming that the government health care system had been abolished, and then campaigned that they would 'bring back 30 baht health care' fee when they took over. So in 2012 they they started charging for health care again, instead of having it totally free.

The Ministry of Public Health DOES NOT WANT the 30 baht co-payment. The administration costs are too expensive and it makes things difficult and complicated for hospitals and for patients. PTP keeps spreading misinformation about this because '30 baht health care' is associated with Thaksin

So an introduction of the 30 B to relieve the burden of funding is politically incorrect. Not to overlook potential moral hazard arising from overutilization of free treatments and a charge would help increase system efficiency by limiting pressure on overburdened service units.

The 30 baht fee does not relieve financial burden, it CAUSES financial burden. The paperwork, the staff, the administration, etc all cost time and money that the tiny 30 baht fee they collected did not cover. That is why the Ministry of Public Health wanted it abolished, but Thaksin refused because it was his idea to charge 30 baht (for similar reasons you stated that sound ok on paper but in reality did not work). The military government complied, and the Abhisit government continued the policy. Then PTP then used it as a campaign platform to start charging again, by saying that the '30 baht plan' had been abolished even though it had simply been made totally free (because collecting the 30 baht was losing them money).

[bangrak]

'Pheu Thay intentionally gave out false information...': scandalous, what a disgrace, this political party's single focus is the well-being of all people inside a totally democratic Thailand, this party would not do, never has, been giving out any false information!

And to think that there are posters here who actually (pretend to?) believe this, deep sigh...

[tbthailand]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

What a crock!!! You democratic supporters of the previous gov STILL fail to see that YL refused to release her position as ACTING PM when the timeframe was completed. Mind you also! You seek to forget that YL became ACTING PM at her own doing with the hopes that a quick election would bring her back to power and justify her own initial "paid for" election. Fortunately her and backfired when elections were prevented by the yellow shirts. Fortunately the Army took over and kicked her butt to the streets and fortunately it was done before any blood was seriously shed. It was all fortunate for Thailand and for the people. Unfortunately! The current powers that be did not deliver what was promised but at least the countries coffers are not completely depleted and their are no more rioters or threats of civil war. Albeit, everything is still messed up heheee. But you YL supporters need to wake up and see that YL was trying to do the same as her brother by holding on to power even though her time was past. I believe this is also happening now as well. But perhaps it is still better than before.

yeah, it's funny that we can't see, in fact down right hilarious, ROFLMAO gut-busting funny that we can't see how she was just, ...

... following the process outlined in the Thai constitution.

How ... amazingly ... funny .... now I understand why we needed a coup... not.

[Eric Loh]

PTP has been continually lying about this subject for years now. After the first military coup, the military government abolished the 30 baht co-payment for using the universal government health care system, and made it totally free instead, as the Ministry of Public Health reported that it cost more money in administration fees than it brought in. So to increase efficiency, and make things easier for the poor, the 30 baht fee was abolished. PTP responded by claiming that the government health care system had been abolished, and then campaigned that they would 'bring back 30 baht health care' fee when they took over. So in 2012 they they started charging for health care again, instead of having it totally free.

The Ministry of Public Health DOES NOT WANT the 30 baht co-payment. The administration costs are too expensive and it makes things difficult and complicated for hospitals and for patients. PTP keeps spreading misinformation about this because '30 baht health care' is associated with Thaksin

So an introduction of the 30 B to relieve the burden of funding is politically incorrect. Not to overlook potential moral hazard arising from overutilization of free treatments and a charge would help increase system efficiency by limiting pressure on overburdened service units.

The 30 baht fee does not relieve financial burden, it CAUSES financial burden. The paperwork, the staff, the administration, etc all cost time and money that the tiny 30 baht fee they collected did not cover. That is why the Ministry of Public Health wanted it abolished, but Thaksin refused because it was his idea to charge 30 baht (for similar reasons you stated that sound ok on paper but in reality did not work). The military government complied, and the Abhisit government continued the policy. Then PTP then used it as a campaign platform to start charging again, by saying that the '30 baht plan' had been abolished even though it had simply been made totally free (because collecting the 30 baht was losing them money).

Better for you to stop explaining as it come off as completely confusing and contradicting. And your logic is that PTP campaign policy was to charge as against free treatment and you think they gained political advantage by that "lie". Astonishing logic.

[EnglishJohn]

so, in fact, the junta has floated the trial balloon to cancel or completely transform the 30B program since almost immediately after they took power...

Hmmmm, ... generals don't tell any fibs, now, that might create "confusion".

But in all the p.ssing in the wind by this particular general, what he claims all Thais must never forget is:

He said some former Pheu Thai MPs had misled the public into burning down the country in the past. "It is a tragedy that Thais cannot forget.

Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok...

But of course, the general has forgotten that the Oct 6th memorials were all cancelled under junta orders and I imagine that there won't be any May 19th memorials this year either...

When it comes to thing to not forget, maybe not forgetting all the killing done by the Thai Military should be the "tragedy that Thais cannot forget".

The dinosaurs have the power, but they still have pea-sized brains...

"On January 27, Natthawut Saikua, a red leader, spoke to the red crowd at Khao Soi Dao, Chanthaburi. He said: "If they seize power, we'll start fires throughout the whole country. Burn them all, my fellow friends and brothers. I will assume the sole responsibility. If they want to find fault with someone, come and get me. If you seize power, just burn it." "

It wasn't public responding to anything. It was red-shirts doing what they intended from the start.

Do you lie on purpose or do you really have no clue what is going on ?.

A 'pea sized brain' would be an upgrade for some people.

[Gunna]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

The same planet as ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections);

"An Asian election monitoring group has hailed Thailand's nationwide election as final results were tallied for being generally peaceful, orderly and allowing the public to express their voice. But, the Asian Network for Free Elections also cited some flaws in the polls and warned the Thai military not to intervene in politics."

"ANFREL issued a statement Tuesday noting there were some flaws in the election, including cases of violence, intimidation and vote-buying that it urged authorities to handle appropriately. But it said there were no major incidents that would call into question the results.

http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-observer-group-commends-thai-election-cites-minor-flaws--125003034/141777.html

What planet do you live? Suthep/Prayuth fairyland planet it seems.

Try quoting from an unbiased source eg Wkipedia.

The election results were acknowledged on 27 July, after the Election Commission dealt with a great number of objections over alleged irregularities.^[8] Reelections and recount were ordered to be held in several provinces, due to electoral fraud discovered by the Commission

or the rest of the article

http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2011/07/13/dark-reality-to-vote-buying-in-thailand/

Votes can also be bought with hard cash, paid in advance. The current rate in Chonburi starts at 300 baht (around $10) and goes up to as much as 3,000 baht ($100). In Thailand, this practice is as old as the electoral process itself and reaches a crescendo the night before an election or, as Thais call it, kheun maa hawn (the night of the howling dogs).

“It’s what happens when gangsters become politicians.”

[Strangebrew]

Is it just me that saw the thainess comment? and here all along I thought thainess was based on lying.

[ianf]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

The same planet as ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections);

"An Asian election monitoring group has hailed Thailand's nationwide election as final results were tallied for being generally peaceful, orderly and allowing the public to express their voice. But, the Asian Network for Free Elections also cited some flaws in the polls and warned the Thai military not to intervene in politics."

"ANFREL issued a statement Tuesday noting there were some flaws in the election, including cases of violence, intimidation and vote-buying that it urged authorities to handle appropriately. But it said there were no major incidents that would call into question the results.

http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-observer-group-commends-thai-election-cites-minor-flaws--125003034/141777.html

What planet do you live? Suthep/Prayuth fairyland planet it seems.

I won't enter into an argument with you because as you have already made up your mind there is no persuasion left. I personally, have the intelligence to question ANFREL as I did at the time. An election where the opposition's voice was continually trampled on - for example, the systematic defacing of Democrat Party posters, where votes were bought and sold, where people in red villages were either threatened or had other possible sanctions against them which meant that some villagers voted in fear of their personal status within their community - all these things and more do not suggest a free choice which is what underpins democracy. Off course, the other thing that underpins democracy is the rule of law - sadly lacking in Thailand both under the 'elected' dictator's proxy or under the current government. Sadly, the coup was necessary as an attempt to put an end to the autocratic dictatorship of the Shinawatras. Personally, I don't think much of how the present Government is going about their business and they've wasted a great opportunity to try and change things here. Sadly, the word 'democracy' was never really part of this country's lexicon. It was introduced on such a grand scale as a smokescreen behind which the Shin's could hide (a clever bit of PR work that gave the reds something to hang onto). And that off course adds to the tragedy here because the way the country is structured - it's reliance on authoritarian rule within the family, at schools and in the work place - means that'll it'll be another 100 years before we see any significant change of attitude which would allow true democracy to take root. So you have to understand that democracy is more, much more, than merely voting. And that goes a little way to explaining the planet upon which I live.

[Eric Loh]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

The same planet as ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections);

"An Asian election monitoring group has hailed Thailand's nationwide election as final results were tallied for being generally peaceful, orderly and allowing the public to express their voice. But, the Asian Network for Free Elections also cited some flaws in the polls and warned the Thai military not to intervene in politics."

"ANFREL issued a statement Tuesday noting there were some flaws in the election, including cases of violence, intimidation and vote-buying that it urged authorities to handle appropriately. But it said there were no major incidents that would call into question the results.

http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-observer-group-commends-thai-election-cites-minor-flaws--125003034/141777.html

What planet do you live? Suthep/Prayuth fairyland planet it seems.

Try quoting from an unbiased source eg Wkipedia.

The election results were acknowledged on 27 July, after the Election Commission dealt with a great number of objections over alleged irregularities.^[8] Reelections and recount were ordered to be held in several provinces, due to electoral fraud discovered by the Commission

or the rest of the article

http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2011/07/13/dark-reality-to-vote-buying-in-thailand/

Votes can also be bought with hard cash, paid in advance. The current rate in Chonburi starts at 300 baht (around $10) and goes up to as much as 3,000 baht ($100). In Thailand, this practice is as old as the electoral process itself and reaches a crescendo the night before an election or, as Thais call it, kheun maa hawn (the night of the howling dogs).

Its what happens when gangsters become politicians.[/

Chonburi !! That's a Dem Party stronghold. 8 districts and 7 won by the Dem. Surely you don't mean to instigate something here. Some here may not like it.

[than]

A new Red lie

[khunken]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

The same planet as ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections);

"An Asian election monitoring group has hailed Thailand's nationwide election as final results were tallied for being generally peaceful, orderly and allowing the public to express their voice. But, the Asian Network for Free Elections also cited some flaws in the polls and warned the Thai military not to intervene in politics."

"ANFREL issued a statement Tuesday noting there were some flaws in the election, including cases of violence, intimidation and vote-buying that it urged authorities to handle appropriately. But it said there were no major incidents that would call into question the results.

http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-observer-group-commends-thai-election-cites-minor-flaws--125003034/141777.html

What planet do you live? Suthep/Prayuth fairyland planet it seems.

Try quoting from an unbiased source eg Wkipedia.

The election results were acknowledged on 27 July, after the Election Commission dealt with a great number of objections over alleged irregularities.^[8] Reelections and recount were ordered to be held in several provinces, due to electoral fraud discovered by the Commission

or the rest of the article

http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2011/07/13/dark-reality-to-vote-buying-in-thailand/

Votes can also be bought with hard cash, paid in advance. The current rate in Chonburi starts at 300 baht (around $10) and goes up to as much as 3,000 baht ($100). In Thailand, this practice is as old as the electoral process itself and reaches a crescendo the night before an election or, as Thais call it, kheun maa hawn (the night of the howling dogs).

Its what happens when gangsters become politicians.[/

Chonburi !! That's a Dem Party stronghold. 8 districts and 7 won by the Dem. Surely you don't mean to instigate something here. Some here may not like it.

Once again Eric, you don't know what you're talking about.

2011 election:

Palang Chon Party - 6 seats

Democrat Party - 1 seat

Pheu Thai Party - 1 seat

The province has been run by the Khunpluem family of the Palang Chon Party, the head honcho being the notorious Kamnan Poh.

Just like PT and most of the other parties, except one, they are ruled by a local or on-the-run godfather.

On the subject of the Op, it is extremely unlikely that any ruling clique would abolish the health system. Targeting some of the excess wastage at the top of some of the health bodies - is an ongoing effort.

The PT 'message' is a lie.

[tbthailand]

so, in fact, the junta has floated the trial balloon to cancel or completely transform the 30B program since almost immediately after they took power...

Hmmmm, ... generals don't tell any fibs, now, that might create "confusion".

But in all the p.ssing in the wind by this particular general, what he claims all Thais must never forget is:

He said some former Pheu Thai MPs had misled the public into burning down the country in the past. "It is a tragedy that Thais cannot forget.

Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok...

But of course, the general has forgotten that the Oct 6th memorials were all cancelled under junta orders and I imagine that there won't be any May 19th memorials this year either...

When it comes to thing to not forget, maybe not forgetting all the killing done by the Thai Military should be the "tragedy that Thais cannot forget".

The dinosaurs have the power, but they still have pea-sized brains...

"On January 27, Natthawut Saikua, a red leader, spoke to the red crowd at Khao Soi Dao, Chanthaburi. He said: "If they seize power, we'll start fires throughout the whole country. Burn them all, my fellow friends and brothers. I will assume the sole responsibility. If they want to find fault with someone, come and get me. If you seize power, just burn it." "

It wasn't public responding to anything. It was red-shirts doing what they intended from the start.

Do you lie on purpose or do you really have no clue what is going on ?.

A 'pea sized brain' would be an upgrade for some people.

EJ, the images of people being killed were much more readily available to everyone, supporters and non-supporters, than the speech which you reference.

You are soooo hopelessly uninformed and blinded by a willing bias to remain uninformed that you have no ability at all to comment intelligently on topics like these.

[tbthailand]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

obviously he does not live on the military's version of the planet...

[JAG]

The budget can be put into the black by simply collecting the taxes that the wealthy do not pay. This is what happened to Greece - very few people with money were paying any taxes to support the what the government is mandated to do. In the U.S. if the government spends tax money to subsidize the rich, it is fine with the right wing SOB's, but if it goes to help people who can not help themselves or to feed hungry children then they cry socialism. Same same everywhere. Part of the answer in Thailand is to give autonomy to the provinces. Let them tax themselves and support their schools and small local projects and prosecute corruption.

Actually a very good idea.

I would expect that initially the level of corruption, skimming and so on would be phenomenal, but as it would be much less remote to the man in the street then I should expect that pressure to stop it would grow rapidly. It won't stop corruption, that will take generations, but it would go a long way to reducing it.

[JAG]

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

Perhaps the one in which three different studies - including one linked to several times on this site from an Australian university which was peer reviewed - stated that the last two elections were largely fair and democratic.

If you have some solid evidence otherwise it might you good to submit your own research paper so we can balance the evidence. Looking forward to it.

You put far more trust in peer reviewed university reports and articles than I do.

Wouldn't have been written by that same Aussie Uni and lecturer who was on telly trying to portray the Shins as the "people's party, true socialists, honest and just" was it?

"Largely fair and democratic" - so depends on your interpretation then. Would need to understand their methodology but did the go to Chiang Mai and witness the intimidation of non Shin patronage candidates and party canvassers? Or to the villages where money was promised, only if the whole 100% block vote was delivered - so not voting as instructed would cost all your neighbors their "bonus" - no pressure then.

The same Australia the bans Junta members and their families from visiting, but is happy to send it's ministers here and do trade deals. And pay people smugglers to take the people back or somewhere else. Wonder if that hypocrisy extends to academic bias too?

A superb deflection shot, nowhere near the subject of concerns, real, imagined or even panicking, for the future of the B30 health scheme.

Dr G would be proud of you.

[JAG]

so, in fact, the junta has floated the trial balloon to cancel or completely transform the 30B program since almost immediately after they took power...

Hmmmm, ... generals don't tell any fibs, now, that might create "confusion".

But in all the p.ssing in the wind by this particular general, what he claims all Thais must never forget is:

He said some former Pheu Thai MPs had misled the public into burning down the country in the past. "It is a tragedy that Thais cannot forget.

Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok...

But of course, the general has forgotten that the Oct 6th memorials were all cancelled under junta orders and I imagine that there won't be any May 19th memorials this year either...

When it comes to thing to not forget, maybe not forgetting all the killing done by the Thai Military should be the "tragedy that Thais cannot forget".

The dinosaurs have the power, but they still have pea-sized brains...

"On January 27, Natthawut Saikua, a red leader, spoke to the red crowd at Khao Soi Dao, Chanthaburi. He said: "If they seize power, we'll start fires throughout the whole country. Burn them all, my fellow friends and brothers. I will assume the sole responsibility. If they want to find fault with someone, come and get me. If you seize power, just burn it." "

It wasn't public responding to anything. It was red-shirts doing what they intended from the start.

Do you lie on purpose or do you really have no clue what is going on ?.

A 'pea sized brain' would be an upgrade for some people.

In your enthusiasm to hurl abuse, did you read the quote - a key phrase, used twice: "if they seize power".

Now I don't agree with burning down local government offices, it is unsupportable; as is seizing power if you don't like the result of an election,, or wish to avoid allowing the people to vote in an election which you expect to lose.

[JAG]

We will know when the Junta finally feel really secure in power - the day that they announce the end of free (30 Baht) universal health care.

[MZurf]

so, in fact, the junta has floated the trial balloon to cancel or completely transform the 30B program since almost immediately after they took power...

Hmmmm, ... generals don't tell any fibs, now, that might create "confusion".

But in all the p.ssing in the wind by this particular general, what he claims all Thais must never forget is:

He said some former Pheu Thai MPs had misled the public into burning down the country in the past. "It is a tragedy that Thais cannot forget.

Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok...

But of course, the general has forgotten that the Oct 6th memorials were all cancelled under junta orders and I imagine that there won't be any May 19th memorials this year either...

When it comes to thing to not forget, maybe not forgetting all the killing done by the Thai Military should be the "tragedy that Thais cannot forget".

The dinosaurs have the power, but they still have pea-sized brains...

"On January 27, Natthawut Saikua, a red leader, spoke to the red crowd at Khao Soi Dao, Chanthaburi. He said: "If they seize power, we'll start fires throughout the whole country. Burn them all, my fellow friends and brothers. I will assume the sole responsibility. If they want to find fault with someone, come and get me. If you seize power, just burn it." "

It wasn't public responding to anything. It was red-shirts doing what they intended from the start.

Do you lie on purpose or do you really have no clue what is going on ?.

A 'pea sized brain' would be an upgrade for some people.

"A 'pea sized brain' would be an upgrade for some people."

I'm glad you've reached a modicum of self awareness, John. Good on you, mate!

[tbthailand]

The budget can be put into the black by simply collecting the taxes that the wealthy do not pay. This is what happened to Greece - very few people with money were paying any taxes to support the what the government is mandated to do. In the U.S. if the government spends tax money to subsidize the rich, it is fine with the right wing SOB's, but if it goes to help people who can not help themselves or to feed hungry children then they cry socialism. Same same everywhere. Part of the answer in Thailand is to give autonomy to the provinces. Let them tax themselves and support their schools and small local projects and prosecute corruption.

Actually a very good idea.

I would expect that initially the level of corruption, skimming and so on would be phenomenal, but as it would be much less remote to the man in the street then I should expect that pressure to stop it would grow rapidly. It won't stop corruption, that will take generations, but it would go a long way to reducing it.

here is one easily digestible review of the universal health care plan

http://iis-db.stanford.edu/evnts/5747/presentation_Kannika.pdf

[tbthailand]

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

The same planet as ANFREL (Asian Network for Free Elections);

"An Asian election monitoring group has hailed Thailand's nationwide election as final results were tallied for being generally peaceful, orderly and allowing the public to express their voice. But, the Asian Network for Free Elections also cited some flaws in the polls and warned the Thai military not to intervene in politics."

"ANFREL issued a statement Tuesday noting there were some flaws in the election, including cases of violence, intimidation and vote-buying that it urged authorities to handle appropriately. But it said there were no major incidents that would call into question the results.

http://www.voanews.com/content/asian-observer-group-commends-thai-election-cites-minor-flaws--125003034/141777.html

What planet do you live? Suthep/Prayuth fairyland planet it seems.

Try quoting from an unbiased source eg Wkipedia.

The election results were acknowledged on 27 July, after the Election Commission dealt with a great number of objections over alleged irregularities.^[8] Reelections and recount were ordered to be held in several provinces, due to electoral fraud discovered by the Commission

or the rest of the article

http://asiafoundation.org/in-asia/2011/07/13/dark-reality-to-vote-buying-in-thailand/

Votes can also be bought with hard cash, paid in advance. The current rate in Chonburi starts at 300 baht (around $10) and goes up to as much as 3,000 baht ($100). In Thailand, this practice is as old as the electoral process itself and reaches a crescendo the night before an election or, as Thais call it, kheun maa hawn (the night of the howling dogs).

“It’s what happens when gangsters become politicians.”

yeah, don't trust those independent, external monitoring organizations who were there ... uh, ... monitoring.

But then use an article written by precisely one of the organization's observers sharing one person's view of the election instead...

Jeez...

So the observers noted a number of issues. The most important one was that the EC did not adequately inform people of the need to re-registrer, so as a result, the largest impact was due to a disenfranchisement by the "election" commission itself. They noted that vote-buying did take place and also noted that it did not materially affect the results of the election. ... OK...

There is no doubt that efforts to thwart vote-buying should continue, but it is clearly not the case that vote-buying changed the results of the 2011 election.

(PS: I use wiki, I like wiki, but I recognize that wiki articles are not always "unbiased". )

(PPS: the location of the electoral fraud was not identified in your quote above, however I have seen references to it being mostly in the south... hmmm, surprise. Your own reference was from an observer in Chonburi... Chonburi was carried by the Pulang chon party in 2011... )

[rubl]

so, in fact, the junta has floated the trial balloon to cancel or completely transform the 30B program since almost immediately after they took power...

Hmmmm, ... generals don't tell any fibs, now, that might create "confusion".

But in all the p.ssing in the wind by this particular general, what he claims all Thais must never forget is:

He said some former Pheu Thai MPs had misled the public into burning down the country in the past. "It is a tragedy that Thais cannot forget.

Let's ignore the hyperbole, and let's forget that the public which burned down the symbols of state power did so in response to TV images of soldiers killing fellow Thais in Bangkok...

But of course, the general has forgotten that the Oct 6th memorials were all cancelled under junta orders and I imagine that there won't be any May 19th memorials this year either...

When it comes to thing to not forget, maybe not forgetting all the killing done by the Thai Military should be the "tragedy that Thais cannot forget".

The dinosaurs have the power, but they still have pea-sized brains...

Actually they have talked about restructuring the Healthcare scheme. Dropping the somewhat not so mandatory 30 Baht completely is one step. Proper financing another step. Proper definition of services included yet another.

An aging population does have that type of effects on a Universal Healthcare Scheme which was never properly financed. Of course as American you may not know about all this.

[rubl]

Interestingly I seem to miss to the point statements. I had to work my way through the usual distractions, obfuscation and such, but no one seem really concerned that Pheu Thai lied about the 30 Baht scheme, again.

The first thing Pheu Thai in government did was re-install the 30 Baht fee even if it cost 80 Baht to administer. But that was unimportant as the public needed to be reminded of the Thaksin - 30 Baht link again. Next after many discussions the 30 Baht was said to be optional, people could pay it and some lower income classes didn't have to. More administration, but the 30 Baht was still there for all to admire.

When the Surayut government dropped the 30 Baht TRT/PPP had similar rumours. Nothing really new in this.

Of course I'm waiting for our dear Surapong to tell us he'll personally re-instate the 30 Baht as soon as he's in government again.

[tbthailand]

significantly raising the payments for care is the same thing as scrapping the program. It's like US Republicans claiming they are going to save social security by privatizing it... and that is just another means of killing the program,...

In spite of the title of this article in The LapDog, they are considering major changes by raising the co-pay... pretending that it is such a burden on the budget. The military is a burden on the budget. The rich not paying their own way in this country is a burden on the budget. Providing healthcare which saves lives is not a burden on this country.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/No-major-change-to-health-scheme-30275788.html

This the same stupid trial balloon the Junta tried in the summer of 2014.

They really don't care about the Thai people, well, at least not the ones who are not rich...

[mike324]

History has shown that the leaders of this party favor using the method 'Divide and Rule'.

When they were in power, they set up the red shirts to sow discords.

You mean the same method as the army has been using ever since backing an uprising against the democratically elected government & then committing a coup to ensure themselves & their yellow supporters remain firmly in power at the expense of the poor.

Democratically elected? On which planet do you live?

Earth.

Democratically elected - 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011 and 2014 -------ALL RED

Coups - 2006, 2008 and 2014 -------ALL YELLOW

Being Democratically Elected in this country is just a fancy word. PTP has been running the country for the better part of the decade, what have we seen? increase corruption, increase abuse of Les Majeste Law, education sliding backwards, etc etc

When an individual can run a country for better part of the decade, there is always something no good. Thaksin had a good agenda, but his executions and iron grip on power was his downfall.