Graft buster to propose impeachment of Pheu Thai’s Chiang Mai MP for unusual wealth

[Artisi]

Past Juntas have used the "unusual wealth" tag to purge undesirable politician and political opponents.

It was quite a popular technique circa 1991.

Funny how they keep using the same old techniques. But then, they've worked before so why not.

On 23 February 1991, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sunthorn Kongsompong, and the generals of the Chulalongkorn Military Academy class 5, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Issarapong Noonpakdi, and Kaset Rojananil, formed the National Peace Keeping Council to depose Chatichai's government in a coup d'état. They accused the elected government of massive corruption and abuse of power for its own advantage. They charged several cabinet members, including Chatichai, with "unusual wealth". At the same time, they acted in the interest of the traditional elite of the bureaucracy, military and Bangkokian business circles, whose influence the Chatichai government had sought to curtail. The coup group called the form of governance under Chatichai "parliamentary dictatorship". and alleged a moral decline.

The more things change...

From Wikipedia:

"General Sunthorn Kongsompong (19311999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 - 1992....Following his death due to cancer, a scandal arose over the distribution of his estate. He decided to leave most of his fortune of approximately US$ 150 million to his mistress. His wife sued to have the decision declared void. However, questions arose on how a general earning a little over US$1,000 a month could accumulate such a large personal fortune."

This is the nasty and ruthless general who:

1). Was a leader in ordering troops to shoot down some 200 civilian unarmed protesters on the streets of Bangkok.

2). Handed the paymaster (only the paymaster) a private telecoms license, with no bids, and at a time when it was solid policy that all telecoms licenses must be held by state owned telecoms organizations.

2.a). The paymaster went on to operate a monopoly (ultimately AIS) and impose outrageous service charges and outrageous call fees etc., and

became a US$ billionaire.

Yes, and?

And what?

[MZurf]

Past Juntas have used the "unusual wealth" tag to purge undesirable politician and political opponents.

It was quite a popular technique circa 1991.

Funny how they keep using the same old techniques. But then, they've worked before so why not.

On 23 February 1991, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sunthorn Kongsompong, and the generals of the Chulalongkorn Military Academy class 5, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Issarapong Noonpakdi, and Kaset Rojananil, formed the National Peace Keeping Council to depose Chatichai's government in a coup d'état. They accused the elected government of massive corruption and abuse of power for its own advantage. They charged several cabinet members, including Chatichai, with "unusual wealth". At the same time, they acted in the interest of the traditional elite of the bureaucracy, military and Bangkokian business circles, whose influence the Chatichai government had sought to curtail. The coup group called the form of governance under Chatichai "parliamentary dictatorship". and alleged a moral decline.

The more things change...

From Wikipedia:

"General Sunthorn Kongsompong (19311999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 - 1992....Following his death due to cancer, a scandal arose over the distribution of his estate. He decided to leave most of his fortune of approximately US$ 150 million to his mistress. His wife sued to have the decision declared void. However, questions arose on how a general earning a little over US$1,000 a month could accumulate such a large personal fortune."

This is the nasty and ruthless general who:

1). Was a leader in ordering troops to shoot down some 200 civilian unarmed protesters on the streets of Bangkok.

2). Handed the paymaster (only the paymaster) a private telecoms license, with no bids, and at a time when it was solid policy that all telecoms licenses must be held by state owned telecoms organizations.

2.a). The paymaster went on to operate a monopoly (ultimately AIS) and impose outrageous service charges and outrageous call fees etc., and

became a US$ billionaire.

Yes, and?

And what?

Yes, that's what I wrote.

[Hugh Jarse]

" Thailand’s military leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has refused to elaborate on the 600 million baht land sale he made to a private company (registered in British Virgin Islands) last year." Chiang Mai Times

but, but, but Prayuth

if true would this be a reason not to go after that ptp guy?

HAve any of these people been featured in the 'Panama Papers" ?

[Snig27]

" Thailand’s military leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has refused to elaborate on the 600 million baht land sale he made to a private company (registered in British Virgin Islands) last year." Chiang Mai Times

but, but, but Prayuth

if true would this be a reason not to go after that ptp guy?

It's an incredibly simple point but it seems to elude you - Prayuth is the (self-anointed) leader of this country's government right now and it's his bunch who are going after this PTP guy.

The rampant hypocrisy in this is that he has a vast amount of wealth he simply has been unable to explain. Aside from those who are blindly willing to buy his explanations with holes big enough to drive a train through, nobody seems to accept his stories for this wealth.

So, it's not "but, but Prayuth" at all. That wasn't even a good try on your part.

[Srikcir]

" Thailand’s military leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has refused to elaborate on the 600 million baht land sale he made to a private company (registered in British Virgin Islands) last year." Chiang Mai Times

but, but, but Prayuth

if true would this be a reason not to go after that ptp guy?

HAve any of these people been featured in the 'Panama Papers" ?

From a news source:

"...numerous news agencies from reporting that hundreds of Thai citizens have been “named” in the massive “Panama Papers” leak, apparently confusing it with a similar leak from three years ago called “Offshore Leaks.”

"Both leaks were disseminated by the same organization, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, whose 3-year-old database of what the 2013 leak has been widely cited and linked to. It identified 780 individuals in Thailand with ties to offshore shell companies in tax havens like the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands

Until the leaked information is released in its entirety - possibly early May - neither the domestic media nor law enforcement will know who is among the 21 Thais linked to Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca, along with 963 companies, 40 beneficiaries and 757 shareholders in Thailand.....While it’s possible some of the same names from the 2013 leak are also implicated in the Panama Papers, there is no guarantee of that until the full set is released."

http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1460013781

Expect a lot of defamation lawsuits.

[Srikcir]

Quite honestly most of the important people in power (and out of) are all unusually rich. So, where's this going from here?

Clearing the way for a pro-royalist elected government in 2017?

[Familyaffairs]

He just followed a great example...he too should have parked it with his maid, dead driver, etc.

[Katipo]

I am sure I am not the only one to have heard this, but apparently it costs millions of baht to run for office (I'll leave it up to your imaginations to guess how that money is spent), and that once elected the said officials expect a 'return on their investment'. So basically the whole process is money orientated right from the outset.

[chuang]

Strange why only red shirts are unusually rich...what about the yellow shirts, the army and the police...

[Broken Record]

Strange why only red shirts are unusually rich...what about the yellow shirts, the army and the police...

Sorry guy's, a long post, obviously some things are not set in stone and I don't claim them to be accurate, but in a long post I can forgive myself some mistakes.

Going after the head of the Army could be suicidal to any government with tanks on the streets and yet another coup. Keeping the Army sweet is pivotal to a governments existence.

Unless the word comes down from the very top, the Army will stay out of the political spotlight because they don't need to be seen to be involved although they are in fact deeply entrenched, but like to be seen as being apolitical.

The Chief of the Army will amass a fortune in corruption without anyone bothering to investigate him, it's in his best interest to stay out of the glare of publicity, of course if the word comes from the top he has to then do what he has to do, do what he has been paid for, the untold Millions of USD he has acquired through the rampant corruption, he needs to obey his masters or he's toast, his masters are untouchable, he's not, he has to obey them.

He's now in the world spotlight, his massive wealth is exposed, laws are hastily made by himself to protect himself and his loyalists from investigation and accountability, civil protests are made illegal, social media and the general media are severely censored.

Family and friends are placed in power positions to protect the same man that was once the Chief protector himself, he's the one who now needs protecting.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, he signed a paper, a death sentence was carried out by mindless thugs in uniform, ordered by their superiors to carry it out, but those superiors where also allowed massive corruption and abuse of power for following the orders of the person at the very top, millions of people were murdered in this way, and using this system there is no accountability, the money flows uphill, up to those at the very top, the plight of the millions of poor is inconsequential.

Likewise the Police are there to keep people in their place, keep the wealthy and privileged on their velvet cushions and the poor on a dirt floor, extorting money from anyone of no importance whist ignoring the wrongdoings of the elite, unless ordered to do otherwise by the untouchables. By providing this service, the Chiefs of this organization can get away with almost anything and acquire massive wealth, and as long as they are loyal to their masters they will get away with amassing Millions of USD that could never be justified if investigated, this is why they will obey their masters without question, it is not in their interest and could be fatal to question an order from the top, so orders are given and obeyed, because if they don't obey somebody who will obey will be sitting in their seat in a nanosecond, this is why morals and ethics go out of the window, self preservation is all important.

This is how tens of millions of people can be controlled by just a few ultra rich and privileged clans, they don't care how it's done, but it's important those poor people are kept away from them, they fear the tens of millions, yes propaganda and brainwashing used to work on the majority, but this is the age of technology, information is available now in ways that it was never available before and the natives are getting restless, they are gaining knowledge, they are asking questions, they seek answers, more laws are made to restrict them, but the snowball effect has already begun. The elite are scared that their time may well be limited and they are going to do anything including seeing thousands of their own countrymen die on the streets to keep their lifestyle, and if it all gets hopeless and the poor look like gaining the upper hand, the elite will be on their private jets and will exile themselves with their billions, and the country will be left to the next lot of tyrants to continue the cycle.

[halloween]

Strange why only red shirts are unusually rich...what about the yellow shirts, the army and the police...

Sorry guy's, a long post, obviously some things are not set in stone and I don't claim them to be accurate, but in a long post I can forgive myself some mistakes.

Going after the head of the Army could be suicidal to any government with tanks on the streets and yet another coup. Keeping the Army sweet is pivotal to a governments existence.

Unless the word comes down from the very top, the Army will stay out of the political spotlight because they don't need to be seen to be involved although they are in fact deeply entrenched, but like to be seen as being apolitical.

The Chief of the Army will amass a fortune in corruption without anyone bothering to investigate him, it's in his best interest to stay out of the glare of publicity, of course if the word comes from the top he has to then do what he has to do, do what he has been paid for, the untold Millions of USD he has acquired through the rampant corruption, he needs to obey his masters or he's toast, his masters are untouchable, he's not, he has to obey them.

He's now in the world spotlight, his massive wealth is exposed, laws are hastily made by himself to protect himself and his loyalists from investigation and accountability, civil protests are made illegal, social media and the general media are severely censored.

Family and friends are placed in power positions to protect the same man that was once the Chief protector himself, he's the one who now needs protecting.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, he signed a paper, a death sentence was carried out by mindless thugs in uniform, ordered by their superiors to carry it out, but those superiors where also allowed massive corruption and abuse of power for following the orders of the person at the very top, millions of people were murdered in this way, and using this system there is no accountability, the money flows uphill, up to those at the very top, the plight of the millions of poor is inconsequential.

Likewise the Police are there to keep people in their place, keep the wealthy and privileged on their velvet cushions and the poor on a dirt floor, extorting money from anyone of no importance whist ignoring the wrongdoings of the elite, unless ordered to do otherwise by the untouchables. By providing this service, the Chiefs of this organization can get away with almost anything and acquire massive wealth, and as long as they are loyal to their masters they will get away with amassing Millions of USD that could never be justified if investigated, this is why they will obey their masters without question, it is not in their interest and could be fatal to question an order from the top, so orders are given and obeyed, because if they don't obey somebody who will obey will be sitting in their seat in a nanosecond, this is why morals and ethics go out of the window, self preservation is all important.

This is how tens of millions of people can be controlled by just a few ultra rich and privileged clans, they don't care how it's done, but it's important those poor people are kept away from them, they fear the tens of millions, yes propaganda and brainwashing used to work on the majority, but this is the age of technology, information is available now in ways that it was never available before and the natives are getting restless, they are gaining knowledge, they are asking questions, they seek answers, more laws are made to restrict them, but the snowball effect has already begun. The elite are scared that their time may well be limited and they are going to do anything including seeing thousands of their own countrymen die on the streets to keep their lifestyle, and if it all gets hopeless and the poor look like gaining the upper hand, the elite will be on their private jets and will exile themselves with their billions, and the country will be left to the next lot of tyrants to continue the cycle.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, so let's compare Prayuth to him. The number of deaths he is responsible for may even be a negative number.

[elgordo38]

Quite honestly most of the important people in power (and out of) are all unusually rich. So, where's this going from here?

Its another example of selective policing. Most of the hierarchy here in my opinion have unusual wealth its all a matter of who you know and who you b..w

[elgordo38]

Past Juntas have used the "unusual wealth" tag to purge undesirable politician and political opponents.

It was quite a popular technique circa 1991.

Funny how they keep using the same old techniques. But then, they've worked before so why not.

On 23 February 1991, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sunthorn Kongsompong, and the generals of the Chulalongkorn Military Academy class 5, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Issarapong Noonpakdi, and Kaset Rojananil, formed the National Peace Keeping Council to depose Chatichai's government in a coup d'état. They accused the elected government of massive corruption and abuse of power for its own advantage. They charged several cabinet members, including Chatichai, with "unusual wealth". At the same time, they acted in the interest of the traditional elite of the bureaucracy, military and Bangkokian business circles, whose influence the Chatichai government had sought to curtail. The coup group called the form of governance under Chatichai "parliamentary dictatorship". and alleged a moral decline.

The more things change...

Governance has been under moral decline for years. They have invented new tools through trial and error to decimate their opposition and the people in general. Look at China.

[elgordo38]

I'm still waiting for investigations of police chiefs, civil servants, and military officers with unusual wealth. If all they go after are politicians, then they are protecting entrenched corruption, not eliminating it.

Your a fast learner

[Broken Record]

Strange why only red shirts are unusually rich...what about the yellow shirts, the army and the police...

Sorry guy's, a long post, obviously some things are not set in stone and I don't claim them to be accurate, but in a long post I can forgive myself some mistakes.

Going after the head of the Army could be suicidal to any government with tanks on the streets and yet another coup. Keeping the Army sweet is pivotal to a governments existence.

Unless the word comes down from the very top, the Army will stay out of the political spotlight because they don't need to be seen to be involved although they are in fact deeply entrenched, but like to be seen as being apolitical.

The Chief of the Army will amass a fortune in corruption without anyone bothering to investigate him, it's in his best interest to stay out of the glare of publicity, of course if the word comes from the top he has to then do what he has to do, do what he has been paid for, the untold Millions of USD he has acquired through the rampant corruption, he needs to obey his masters or he's toast, his masters are untouchable, he's not, he has to obey them.

He's now in the world spotlight, his massive wealth is exposed, laws are hastily made by himself to protect himself and his loyalists from investigation and accountability, civil protests are made illegal, social media and the general media are severely censored.

Family and friends are placed in power positions to protect the same man that was once the Chief protector himself, he's the one who now needs protecting.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, he signed a paper, a death sentence was carried out by mindless thugs in uniform, ordered by their superiors to carry it out, but those superiors where also allowed massive corruption and abuse of power for following the orders of the person at the very top, millions of people were murdered in this way, and using this system there is no accountability, the money flows uphill, up to those at the very top, the plight of the millions of poor is inconsequential.

Likewise the Police are there to keep people in their place, keep the wealthy and privileged on their velvet cushions and the poor on a dirt floor, extorting money from anyone of no importance whist ignoring the wrongdoings of the elite, unless ordered to do otherwise by the untouchables. By providing this service, the Chiefs of this organization can get away with almost anything and acquire massive wealth, and as long as they are loyal to their masters they will get away with amassing Millions of USD that could never be justified if investigated, this is why they will obey their masters without question, it is not in their interest and could be fatal to question an order from the top, so orders are given and obeyed, because if they don't obey somebody who will obey will be sitting in their seat in a nanosecond, this is why morals and ethics go out of the window, self preservation is all important.

This is how tens of millions of people can be controlled by just a few ultra rich and privileged clans, they don't care how it's done, but it's important those poor people are kept away from them, they fear the tens of millions, yes propaganda and brainwashing used to work on the majority, but this is the age of technology, information is available now in ways that it was never available before and the natives are getting restless, they are gaining knowledge, they are asking questions, they seek answers, more laws are made to restrict them, but the snowball effect has already begun. The elite are scared that their time may well be limited and they are going to do anything including seeing thousands of their own countrymen die on the streets to keep their lifestyle, and if it all gets hopeless and the poor look like gaining the upper hand, the elite will be on their private jets and will exile themselves with their billions, and the country will be left to the next lot of tyrants to continue the cycle.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, so let's compare Prayuth to him. The number of deaths he is responsible for may even be a negative number.

It's an exampfle of an historical event, not a comparison of the 2 men mentioned, it's an extreme example to show how just a few can control the lives or even deaths of the masses at will, I am not directly comparing Prayuth to Stalin or anyone else.

Prayuth was and is just following orders from above, he had no say in the matter, he cannot disobey the orders from above, his replacement would be in his seat in a nano second if he did.

[MZurf]

Strange why only red shirts are unusually rich...what about the yellow shirts, the army and the police...

Sorry guy's, a long post, obviously some things are not set in stone and I don't claim them to be accurate, but in a long post I can forgive myself some mistakes.

Going after the head of the Army could be suicidal to any government with tanks on the streets and yet another coup. Keeping the Army sweet is pivotal to a governments existence.

Unless the word comes down from the very top, the Army will stay out of the political spotlight because they don't need to be seen to be involved although they are in fact deeply entrenched, but like to be seen as being apolitical.

The Chief of the Army will amass a fortune in corruption without anyone bothering to investigate him, it's in his best interest to stay out of the glare of publicity, of course if the word comes from the top he has to then do what he has to do, do what he has been paid for, the untold Millions of USD he has acquired through the rampant corruption, he needs to obey his masters or he's toast, his masters are untouchable, he's not, he has to obey them.

He's now in the world spotlight, his massive wealth is exposed, laws are hastily made by himself to protect himself and his loyalists from investigation and accountability, civil protests are made illegal, social media and the general media are severely censored.

Family and friends are placed in power positions to protect the same man that was once the Chief protector himself, he's the one who now needs protecting.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, he signed a paper, a death sentence was carried out by mindless thugs in uniform, ordered by their superiors to carry it out, but those superiors where also allowed massive corruption and abuse of power for following the orders of the person at the very top, millions of people were murdered in this way, and using this system there is no accountability, the money flows uphill, up to those at the very top, the plight of the millions of poor is inconsequential.

Likewise the Police are there to keep people in their place, keep the wealthy and privileged on their velvet cushions and the poor on a dirt floor, extorting money from anyone of no importance whist ignoring the wrongdoings of the elite, unless ordered to do otherwise by the untouchables. By providing this service, the Chiefs of this organization can get away with almost anything and acquire massive wealth, and as long as they are loyal to their masters they will get away with amassing Millions of USD that could never be justified if investigated, this is why they will obey their masters without question, it is not in their interest and could be fatal to question an order from the top, so orders are given and obeyed, because if they don't obey somebody who will obey will be sitting in their seat in a nanosecond, this is why morals and ethics go out of the window, self preservation is all important.

This is how tens of millions of people can be controlled by just a few ultra rich and privileged clans, they don't care how it's done, but it's important those poor people are kept away from them, they fear the tens of millions, yes propaganda and brainwashing used to work on the majority, but this is the age of technology, information is available now in ways that it was never available before and the natives are getting restless, they are gaining knowledge, they are asking questions, they seek answers, more laws are made to restrict them, but the snowball effect has already begun. The elite are scared that their time may well be limited and they are going to do anything including seeing thousands of their own countrymen die on the streets to keep their lifestyle, and if it all gets hopeless and the poor look like gaining the upper hand, the elite will be on their private jets and will exile themselves with their billions, and the country will be left to the next lot of tyrants to continue the cycle.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, so let's compare Prayuth to him. The number of deaths he is responsible for may even be a negative number.

Of all the issues brought up in that post that's the one thing you latched onto!

[Broken Record]

I think he is justified to assume I was making a comparison between the 2 men, as he is fiercely behind the junta, but I wasn't, maybe I should have put a disclaimer or worded the beginning differently.

Take Stalin as an historical example of a single mans power over millions...................perhaps that would have been more appropriate.

[ujayujay]

Thaksin is generous to his managers in Thailand

[Baerboxer]

Quite honestly most of the important people in power (and out of) are all unusually rich. So, where's this going from here?

I would use the word amnesty but it's a dirty one just now so let's just say the word from on high was ' hands off ' when it comes to certain people.

Hypocrisy, of course not. We are in charge and make the rules, well two sets of them.

He / She who pays the piper calls the tune - and that is practiced so well in Thailand!

[Baerboxer]

Quite honestly most of the important people in power (and out of) are all unusually rich. So, where's this going from here?

I would use the word amnesty but it's a dirty one just now so let's just say the word from on high was ' hands off ' when it comes to certain people.

Hypocrisy, of course not. We are in charge and make the rules, well two sets of them.

He / She who pays the piper calls the tune - and that is practiced so well in Thailand!

[Baerboxer]

Strange why only red shirts are unusually rich...what about the yellow shirts, the army and the police...

Sorry guy's, a long post, obviously some things are not set in stone and I don't claim them to be accurate, but in a long post I can forgive myself some mistakes.

Going after the head of the Army could be suicidal to any government with tanks on the streets and yet another coup. Keeping the Army sweet is pivotal to a governments existence.

Unless the word comes down from the very top, the Army will stay out of the political spotlight because they don't need to be seen to be involved although they are in fact deeply entrenched, but like to be seen as being apolitical.

The Chief of the Army will amass a fortune in corruption without anyone bothering to investigate him, it's in his best interest to stay out of the glare of publicity, of course if the word comes from the top he has to then do what he has to do, do what he has been paid for, the untold Millions of USD he has acquired through the rampant corruption, he needs to obey his masters or he's toast, his masters are untouchable, he's not, he has to obey them.

He's now in the world spotlight, his massive wealth is exposed, laws are hastily made by himself to protect himself and his loyalists from investigation and accountability, civil protests are made illegal, social media and the general media are severely censored.

Family and friends are placed in power positions to protect the same man that was once the Chief protector himself, he's the one who now needs protecting.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, he signed a paper, a death sentence was carried out by mindless thugs in uniform, ordered by their superiors to carry it out, but those superiors where also allowed massive corruption and abuse of power for following the orders of the person at the very top, millions of people were murdered in this way, and using this system there is no accountability, the money flows uphill, up to those at the very top, the plight of the millions of poor is inconsequential.

Likewise the Police are there to keep people in their place, keep the wealthy and privileged on their velvet cushions and the poor on a dirt floor, extorting money from anyone of no importance whist ignoring the wrongdoings of the elite, unless ordered to do otherwise by the untouchables. By providing this service, the Chiefs of this organization can get away with almost anything and acquire massive wealth, and as long as they are loyal to their masters they will get away with amassing Millions of USD that could never be justified if investigated, this is why they will obey their masters without question, it is not in their interest and could be fatal to question an order from the top, so orders are given and obeyed, because if they don't obey somebody who will obey will be sitting in their seat in a nanosecond, this is why morals and ethics go out of the window, self preservation is all important.

This is how tens of millions of people can be controlled by just a few ultra rich and privileged clans, they don't care how it's done, but it's important those poor people are kept away from them, they fear the tens of millions, yes propaganda and brainwashing used to work on the majority, but this is the age of technology, information is available now in ways that it was never available before and the natives are getting restless, they are gaining knowledge, they are asking questions, they seek answers, more laws are made to restrict them, but the snowball effect has already begun. The elite are scared that their time may well be limited and they are going to do anything including seeing thousands of their own countrymen die on the streets to keep their lifestyle, and if it all gets hopeless and the poor look like gaining the upper hand, the elite will be on their private jets and will exile themselves with their billions, and the country will be left to the next lot of tyrants to continue the cycle.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, so let's compare Prayuth to him. The number of deaths he is responsible for may even be a negative number.

Of all the issues brought up in that post that's the one thing you latched onto!

Because apart from that one thing, the rest is a fair synopsis of how a few can control and exploit the many.

Regardless whether a government is elected, whether the country is a one party or multiple party state, or totalitarian, the "establishment", those at the top, want to protect their position and ensure future generations can enjoy the same privileges and opulence.

Used to be the hallmark of a third world country. Now so called developed countries are seeing the gap between rich and poor widen again, and the poor being controlled far more.

Everything here works on connections, families, favors and alliances. Political and justice systems do not go against that or make any attempt change it. The rivalry for control, influence and access to the trough is fought for among themselves.

[MZurf]

Sorry guy's, a long post, obviously some things are not set in stone and I don't claim them to be accurate, but in a long post I can forgive myself some mistakes.

Going after the head of the Army could be suicidal to any government with tanks on the streets and yet another coup. Keeping the Army sweet is pivotal to a governments existence.

Unless the word comes down from the very top, the Army will stay out of the political spotlight because they don't need to be seen to be involved although they are in fact deeply entrenched, but like to be seen as being apolitical.

The Chief of the Army will amass a fortune in corruption without anyone bothering to investigate him, it's in his best interest to stay out of the glare of publicity, of course if the word comes from the top he has to then do what he has to do, do what he has been paid for, the untold Millions of USD he has acquired through the rampant corruption, he needs to obey his masters or he's toast, his masters are untouchable, he's not, he has to obey them.

He's now in the world spotlight, his massive wealth is exposed, laws are hastily made by himself to protect himself and his loyalists from investigation and accountability, civil protests are made illegal, social media and the general media are severely censored.

Family and friends are placed in power positions to protect the same man that was once the Chief protector himself, he's the one who now needs protecting.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, he signed a paper, a death sentence was carried out by mindless thugs in uniform, ordered by their superiors to carry it out, but those superiors where also allowed massive corruption and abuse of power for following the orders of the person at the very top, millions of people were murdered in this way, and using this system there is no accountability, the money flows uphill, up to those at the very top, the plight of the millions of poor is inconsequential.

Likewise the Police are there to keep people in their place, keep the wealthy and privileged on their velvet cushions and the poor on a dirt floor, extorting money from anyone of no importance whist ignoring the wrongdoings of the elite, unless ordered to do otherwise by the untouchables. By providing this service, the Chiefs of this organization can get away with almost anything and acquire massive wealth, and as long as they are loyal to their masters they will get away with amassing Millions of USD that could never be justified if investigated, this is why they will obey their masters without question, it is not in their interest and could be fatal to question an order from the top, so orders are given and obeyed, because if they don't obey somebody who will obey will be sitting in their seat in a nanosecond, this is why morals and ethics go out of the window, self preservation is all important.

This is how tens of millions of people can be controlled by just a few ultra rich and privileged clans, they don't care how it's done, but it's important those poor people are kept away from them, they fear the tens of millions, yes propaganda and brainwashing used to work on the majority, but this is the age of technology, information is available now in ways that it was never available before and the natives are getting restless, they are gaining knowledge, they are asking questions, they seek answers, more laws are made to restrict them, but the snowball effect has already begun. The elite are scared that their time may well be limited and they are going to do anything including seeing thousands of their own countrymen die on the streets to keep their lifestyle, and if it all gets hopeless and the poor look like gaining the upper hand, the elite will be on their private jets and will exile themselves with their billions, and the country will be left to the next lot of tyrants to continue the cycle.

Stalin was responsible for the deaths of millions, so let's compare Prayuth to him. The number of deaths he is responsible for may even be a negative number.

Of all the issues brought up in that post that's the one thing you latched onto!

Because apart from that one thing, the rest is a fair synopsis of how a few can control and exploit the many.

Regardless whether a government is elected, whether the country is a one party or multiple party state, or totalitarian, the "establishment", those at the top, want to protect their position and ensure future generations can enjoy the same privileges and opulence.

Used to be the hallmark of a third world country. Now so called developed countries are seeing the gap between rich and poor widen again, and the poor being controlled far more.

Everything here works on connections, families, favors and alliances. Political and justice systems do not go against that or make any attempt change it. The rivalry for control, influence and access to the trough is fought for among themselves.

"Because apart from that one thing, the rest is a fair synopsis of how a few can control and exploit the many."

Yes, exactly. That's why I found it amusing that the use of the name Stalin was the only thing he commented on.

[Baerboxer]

Past Juntas have used the "unusual wealth" tag to purge undesirable politician and political opponents.

It was quite a popular technique circa 1991.

Funny how they keep using the same old techniques. But then, they've worked before so why not.

On 23 February 1991, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sunthorn Kongsompong, and the generals of the Chulalongkorn Military Academy class 5, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Issarapong Noonpakdi, and Kaset Rojananil, formed the National Peace Keeping Council to depose Chatichai's government in a coup d'état. They accused the elected government of massive corruption and abuse of power for its own advantage. They charged several cabinet members, including Chatichai, with "unusual wealth". At the same time, they acted in the interest of the traditional elite of the bureaucracy, military and Bangkokian business circles, whose influence the Chatichai government had sought to curtail. The coup group called the form of governance under Chatichai "parliamentary dictatorship". and alleged a moral decline.

The more things change...

From Wikipedia:

"General Sunthorn Kongsompong (1931–1999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 - 1992....Following his death due to cancer, a scandal arose over the distribution of his estate. He decided to leave most of his fortune of approximately US$ 150 million to his mistress. His wife sued to have the decision declared void. However, questions arose on how a general earning a little over US$1,000 a month could accumulate such a large personal fortune."

This is the nasty and ruthless general who:

1). Was a leader in ordering troops to shoot down some 200 civilian unarmed protesters on the streets of Bangkok.

2). Handed the paymaster (only the paymaster) a private telecoms license, with no bids, and at a time when it was solid policy that all telecoms licenses must be held by state owned telecoms organizations.

2.a). The paymaster went on to operate a monopoly (ultimately AIS) and impose outrageous service charges and outrageous call fees etc., and

became a US$ billionaire.

Yes, and?

That little bit of history may come as a surprise to certain posters. You know, the ones who believe, and post accordingly, that Thaksin is a self made billionaire business genius who never ever did anything wrong, is totally innocent, and is only interested in creating a fair democratic meritocracy where the poor will benefit.

Hard to believe, but there are still some who peddle that twallop for whatever reasons. They want to pretend Thaksin and his clan are different instead of admitting they're part of the same problem.

[MZurf]

From Wikipedia:

"General Sunthorn Kongsompong (1931–1999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 - 1992....Following his death due to cancer, a scandal arose over the distribution of his estate. He decided to leave most of his fortune of approximately US$ 150 million to his mistress. His wife sued to have the decision declared void. However, questions arose on how a general earning a little over US$1,000 a month could accumulate such a large personal fortune."

This is the nasty and ruthless general who:

1). Was a leader in ordering troops to shoot down some 200 civilian unarmed protesters on the streets of Bangkok.

2). Handed the paymaster (only the paymaster) a private telecoms license, with no bids, and at a time when it was solid policy that all telecoms licenses must be held by state owned telecoms organizations.

2.a). The paymaster went on to operate a monopoly (ultimately AIS) and impose outrageous service charges and outrageous call fees etc., and

became a US$ billionaire.

Yes, and?

That little bit of history may come as a surprise to certain posters. You know, the ones who believe, and post accordingly, that Thaksin is a self made billionaire business genius who never ever did anything wrong, is totally innocent, and is only interested in creating a fair democratic meritocracy where the poor will benefit.

Hard to believe, but there are still some who peddle that twallop for whatever reasons. They want to pretend Thaksin and his clan are different instead of admitting they're part of the same problem.

"That little bit of history may come as a surprise to certain posters. You know, the ones who believe, and post accordingly, that Thaksin is a self made billionaire business genius who never ever did anything wrong, is totally innocent, and is only interested in creating a fair democratic meritocracy where the poor will benefit."

I'm sure there are those who still believe that fairytale but they seem to be a very small minority, just like the people who think the "PM' and the rest of the junta can do no wrong and are only concerned about fighting corruption and work towards "real" democracy.

[darren84310]

" Thailand’s military leader and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has refused to elaborate on the 600 million baht land sale he made to a private company (registered in British Virgin Islands) last year." Chiang Mai Times

I sincerely hope you are not implying any wrongdoing by the PM.... He wouldn't do that and shame on you if your suggest otherwise!!!

[SABloke]

Past Juntas have used the "unusual wealth" tag to purge undesirable politician and political opponents.

It was quite a popular technique circa 1991.

Funny how they keep using the same old techniques. But then, they've worked before so why not.

On 23 February 1991, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Sunthorn Kongsompong, and the generals of the Chulalongkorn Military Academy class 5, Suchinda Kraprayoon, Issarapong Noonpakdi, and Kaset Rojananil, formed the National Peace Keeping Council to depose Chatichai's government in a coup d'état. They accused the elected government of massive corruption and abuse of power for its own advantage. They charged several cabinet members, including Chatichai, with "unusual wealth". At the same time, they acted in the interest of the traditional elite of the bureaucracy, military and Bangkokian business circles, whose influence the Chatichai government had sought to curtail. The coup group called the form of governance under Chatichai "parliamentary dictatorship". and alleged a moral decline.

The more things change...

From Wikipedia:

"General Sunthorn Kongsompong (19311999) was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 - 1992....Following his death due to cancer, a scandal arose over the distribution of his estate. He decided to leave most of his fortune of approximately US$ 150 million to his mistress. His wife sued to have the decision declared void. However, questions arose on how a general earning a little over US$1,000 a month could accumulate such a large personal fortune."

This is the nasty and ruthless general who:

1). Was a leader in ordering troops to shoot down some 200 civilian unarmed protesters on the streets of Bangkok.

2). Handed the paymaster (only the paymaster) a private telecoms license, with no bids, and at a time when it was solid policy that all telecoms licenses must be held by state owned telecoms organizations.

2.a). The paymaster went on to operate a monopoly (ultimately AIS) and impose outrageous service charges and outrageous call fees etc., and

became a US$ billionaire.

Yes, and?

And what?

Yes, that's what I wrote.

And?