The Pros and Cons of Thaksin

[redzonerocker]

i don't really know enough about thai politics to make any judgement either way.
the opinion i got from the people in general & that would be thais & farangs, are quite divided.
isn't that pretty much the same the world over? what ever country,there are always those in support of the government & those opposed. some good policies some not so? & doesn't any prospective party buy votes with promises of better things ahead?
you have to ask yourself who is actually pulling the strings in asia at the moment? with the emerging nations like vietnam, korea, malaysia etc thailand can't really afford to isolate themselves politically or in economic terms if they want to stay in the market place.
whether it is a protest vote on sunday or not, it will have a significant bearing on the future of thailand.

[STEVE G]

I've just been on the phone to my partner, who is up in our place in Issan at the moment, and she tells me that in this election the paying for votes that normally goes on has been made very illegal, with the authorities on the prowl for any offenders. When I asked her why this was not the case in previous elections she replied, "nobody knew before"
and when I pointed out that even I knew about it 10,000 km away, she laughed and said "Thailand!"
She is tells me that in her area the people still feel that Thaksin was the only politician that did anything for them, and everybody will vote 100%: "No", and it will be the same in the whole North East region.
And Lomu, if you are going to discuss politics with your other half; it's much safer done over the phone from another continent!

[GLCQuantum]

The posts so far have been very interesting to read, bar one which had no clarification of WHY Thaksin is/was so bad, it simply stated that there are no pros with him which is not what I was trying to achieve from this thread.

To be honest I know next to nothing about the goings on in with the government as everything I read in the papers regarding political issues, contradicts itself so many times over a short space of time that I got bored of reading it as I know the next day something completely different will be said.

On this thread members have given their reasons for the disliking of Thaksin of which I agree 100 % with, yet only one forum member, sorry moderator (Wanderlust), has mentioned that there may be no better alternative to him, however much of a money grabber he was.

Wanderlust said...

Having said all that, I don't know if there is anyone any better to run this country, and to be honest, I don't really believe that there are many politicians anywhere in the world that I think do the best for their country

Can anyone say how the removal of Thaksin has benefited them to this day and how they think it will benefit them in the future?

We know what damage he has done regarding certain issues, but is there going to be a drastic change of things from the new government, or may it get worse for us now?

[dtaai-maai]

Down boy, down! Your thread's entitled "The Pros and Cons of Thaksin", and the guy said that there were no pros. That may not be an in depth academic analysis of the current political situation in Thailand, but it's a fair enough comment, surely?

I agree with you, there have been some intelligent opinions expressed (apart from the nonsense about clothing laws), but just what is it you are trying to achieve? Like you, nobody knows the "goings on" of/with/in the government here, any more than we know the inner workings of our own governments.

[GLCQuantum]

Down boy, down! Your thread's entitled "The Pros and Cons of Thaksin", and the guy said that there were no pros. That may not be an in depth academic analysis of the current political situation in Thailand, but it's a fair enough comment, surely?

True, a fair enough comment to be made, but we could all just post "Yes there are pros", "No there aren't any pros". Now that would have the recipe for an interesting thread.

I agree with you, there have been some intelligent opinions expressed (apart from the nonsense about clothing laws)

I will try to find out where the source of this came from, I believe it was either Thai TV or a Thai newspaper. Not nonsense, just what has been reported.

but just what is it you are trying to achieve?

Is this not a forum in which you can find out peoples opinions about certain topics or am I mistaken. I do apologise if I have made a mistake Sir.

I'm in a dreadfully good mood tonight as I've watched Spurs get their first win of the season today and now I shall retreat to my bed.

Please

[dtaai-maai]

Ah... well... ahem... I'm a Spurs fan, too (which is probably why I tend to feel obliged to support the underdog), and as we are undoubtedly a persecuted minority, most of your many undoubted faults are (at least partially) forgiven.

Having said that, you can't really have a go at a bloke for expressing a specific opinion, however uncomplicated, while all you've done is ask a question and agree with all the answers... (apart from the bloke in question!). What do you think?

Me?

No idea.

[DawnHRD]

I think the post that you're alluding to (the one with no qualifying reasons) was a pun, GLC. That's why CONS was capitalised - cons=scams.

That, in itself is a qualifying reason to me.

[GLCQuantum]

I think the post that you're alluding to (the one with no qualifying reasons) was a pun, GLC. That's why CONS was capitalised - cons=scams.

Ohhh yes.

Silly me. Apologies.

[Wanderlust]

GLC,
Even though you are a S***s supporter I will still contribute to your thread!
I don't have a wide knowledge of Thai politicians, but what I do know and have heard is that they are all as bad as each other as regards corruption. This extends into all levels of government as far as I know, and is evident in many ways to the man in the street - a classic example is the road building; we have all seen brand new roads deteriorate into mush within months of being built, and often farangs will put this down to shoddy workmanship, or the road builders in Thailand not knowing what they are doing - WRONG! It is because of the amount allocated to the project, which would probably be enough to do it properly, being siphoned off by the various authority figures who get their grubby hands involved, eventually leaving the contractor with maybe only half of the intended funds, and so he does the best job he can with the funds he has (less the obligatory %age for his pocket!).

The thing is that this sort of attitude is endemic amongst the Thais - given the opportunity they will skim some off the top, be it a shop assistant or an army colonel. Until this attitude is addressed, from the top down, they are never going to effectively compete with the rest of the world. I'm not saying that corruption doesn't happen elsewhere, but it is in the very fabric of Thai society. Having said that though, it is part of what makes Thailand such an interesting and different place to live, and why some things are easier to do here than in our own countries - can you imagine what would happen if you tried to bribe a copper to avoid the fine for not wearing a crash helmet/seatbelt?

The final thing I would like to say is that I found it a blessed relief to not have to think about politics and politicians when I came here - I don't have a vote or any rights here, so I can just be an interested observer or forget about the whole thing completely if I want. I have never been entirely convinced that democracy is all that it is cracked up to be, and that feeling has got stronger over the years as i watch the bastion of democracy, the USA, trample all over the rights of both it's citizens and those of other countries, along with it's staunch ally, the UK. Give me a benevolent dictatorship anytime, or a monarchy where the King or Queen actually has usable power!

[redzonerocker]

a good post & i have to agree with you 100% wanderlust.

[tigger]

Well said Wanderlust. I think anyone would agree that fairness and justice without the hypocracy is becoming extinct. When we look at the world as a whole when will all this stupidity stop. The corruption in Thailand is nothing compared to The States, Russia, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Greece etc .. etc.. You guys honestly believe that the Bush regime exists legally. The Poodle got in the Uk Fairly, Italy's government not run by the Mafia.. Same for Putin .. Mafia leader or politician???? Perhaps more open over here, cannot cover their asses as good as the Europeans.

[GLCQuantum]

GLC,

Even though you are a S***s supporter I will still contribute to your thread!

I thank you for giving me the time of day St***.... sorry Wanderlust. I have forgotten what team you support so please fill me in my friend.

You are absolutely spot on with everything you have said.

The thing is that this sort of attitude is endemic amongst the Thais - given the opportunity they will skim some off the top, be it a shop assistant or an army colonel. Until this attitude is addressed, from the top down, they are never going to effectively compete with the rest of the world. I'm not saying that corruption doesn't happen elsewhere, but it is in the very fabric of Thai society.

Speaking as a clueless man....has anybody heard of anything from the new government stating that they are going to address this matter (try to), or has nothing been mentioned about the problem with corruption?

[STEVE G]

Speaking as a clueless man....has anybody heard of anything from the new government stating that they are going to address this matter (try to), or has nothing been mentioned about the problem with corruption?

The 2007 constitution contains pretty much the same wording on this matter as the 1997 version, so seeing as the small effect it had before, I wouldn't get your hopes up too much!

[long-in-thailand]

I also have a work permit and thank Dear Leader for making an already difficult life for Farang in Thailand even more difficult. He was a disaster for the country. Now he is in charge of Man City I am looking forward to them getting relegated as he tries to insist on having Thai players in the team. I also wonder if Sven will last the season as he gets fed up with the Great Man's meddling.

[klikster]

I get most of my info from Thai friends.

- one of the early-on new rules changed the appointment of civil service department head positions from educational achievement to seniority (regardless of competence)

- business is way down, "No one has money."