Thai society must change mentality?

[Bruce551]

Banthoon: Money isn't everything

Bank boss: Thai society must change mentality

DARANA CHUDASRI

``There was a poll which found that a majority of the public can forgive corruption by their politicians so long as they are successful ... If Thais still believe this, then we will have problems.''

-Banthoon Lamsam Chief executive officer of Kasikornbank

Thai society must change its mentality and break away from the short-term focus on numbers and material wealth, according to Banthoon Lamsam, the chief executive officer of Kasikornbank.

''There was a poll which found that a majority of the public can forgive corruption by their politicians so long as they are successful,'' Mr Banthoon said.

''If Thais still believe this, then we will have problems.''

Mr Banthoon, speaking at a seminar organised by the Thai Journalists Association last night to mark Reporters Day, called on the public to consider the inherent inequalities present in today's capitalist system.

Capitalism, competition and the free markets have proven to be the most efficient economic system around the world following the demise of communism.

''But if we consider things in detail, can we really say that capitalism is the best system?

''Even the United States, the largest, most successful capitalist economy, suffers inequities as 50 million Americans go without health insurance,'' Mr Banthoon said.

''It is difficult to say that capitalism leads to happiness.''

He rapped local politicians for implementing policies that did not consider issues of equity and fairness.

''Consider the idea to promote Thailand as a medical hub.

''If we use this business model, no doubt medical resources will be shifted to serve those who can pay for services,'' Mr Banthoon said.

''But the 60-plus million Thais will question whether they also will need to pay.''

Mr Banthoon bemoaned the mentality of a society that judged success based on material gains. (What about the King's "Sufficiency" philosophy?)

''Our mentality is based on numbers. Inequality can only follow. Whether it be politics or business, the focus is on the short term, on the need for results. Our rewards system is the same,'' the banker said.

Education reform, a popular talking point promoted by both government and opposition policies, was another example of a misplaced mentality.

''The government says education is important, but we measure and judge success based on numbers.

''The framework focuses on output, on how many years of free education should be given, without any emphasis on quality,'' Mr Banthoon said.

''We should consider how to improve the quality of education, of a child's life.

''Many children spend their lives going to school on the back of a motorcycle or a bus. Yet the children of those setting these policies sit in a Mercedes.''

Mr Banthoon also named the media as unwitting supporters of misplaced values.

''Newspapers only focus on the numbers, on the stock index or gross domestic product. But how many Thais actually invested in the stock market? Millions are not involved,'' he said.

''We should have a different focus, one focused on life, on quality of life.''

Mr Banthoon praised US billionaire Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, as someone who had also challenged the underlying mentality of today's globalised economy. The world's richest man, with a fortune of US$100 billion, has pledged the bulk of his wealth to the Gates Foundation, a philanthropic body set up to fund charity and research around the world.

''Even Bill Gates has said that capitalism is not necessarily fair,'' Mr Banthoon said.

He offered a laugh. ''I am not saying what is right or wrong, only that this is the mentality of Thai society,'' he said.

''But I have to say I am amused at myself as I speak here, as I also wake up in the morning and think of numbers and targets.''

:?:

I like Mr. Banthoon, he's raised some good questions about way Thai people think.

[babyoiy]

Seems you have a big interest in Thailand. Nothing negative, I like your concern Based on your thread they are all about the country in serious issue, politic, economic etc...

Thank you.. So far, I also like what this guy said. But I have to study more about this guy. I totally have no idea who he is apart from his family name.

[biachung]

``There was a poll which found that a majority of the public can forgive corruption by their politicians so long as they are successful ... If Thais still believe this, then we will have problems.''

-Banthoon Lamsam Chief executive officer of Kasikornbank

Thai society must change its mentality and break away from the short-term focus on numbers and material wealth, according to Banthoon Lamsam, the chief executive officer of Kasikornbank.

Mr Banthoon can only be a hypocrite. There's just no other way.

A CEO of a main bank saying it isn't right to focus on material wealth and numbers.

Not only is he CEO, he's also an elected member of one of the 9 regional Red Cross chapters in which Her Majesty Queen Sirikit is President of, I think he's worth listening to.

[SiamHotel]

Thai society?

[SiamHotel]

mentality??

[SiamHotel]

... change???

[SiamHotel]

ha ha ha

[SiamHotel]

... brucy b3llo!

[vbroker]

Bank boss: Thai society must change mentality

''There was a poll which found that a majority of the public can forgive corruption by their politicians so long as they are successful,'' Mr Banthoon said.

''If Thais still believe this, then we will have problems.''

Hmmmmmmm.....didn't I say this already? Several ways? Several times? Several threads? One example:

[b R I B E S] Thread

''Even the United States, the largest, most successful capitalist economy, suffers inequities as 50 million Americans go without health insurance,'' Mr Banthoon said.

Thanks for highlighting the obvious. The best healthcare system is still the U.S.; regardless what that a**hole Michael Moore or anyone else says.

''It is difficult to say that capitalism leads to happiness.''

One's MINDSET leads to happiness or unhappiness. The Declaration of Independence says "...Life, Liberty and the PURSUIT of Happiness." Notice it doesn't guarantee happiness; simply the freedom to do what you want in that pursuit. Capitalism is the best (but not perfect; no system is) means to facilitate that pursuit.

Mr Banthoon bemoaned the mentality of a society that judged success based on material gains. (What about the King's "Sufficiency" philosophy?)

The day Thais give as much attention and respect to their political, educational, legal and structural financial institutions as they do their King is the day the country begins to reverse its "backwards" reputation.

''The framework focuses on output, on how many years of free education should be given, without any emphasis on quality,'' Mr Banthoon said.

What he said. "Free" education and the diplomas they produce are too often worth the same thing.

''Newspapers only focus on the numbers, on the stock index or gross domestic product. But how many Thais actually invested in the stock market? Millions are not involved,'' he said.

Because they don't know any better because they aren't EDUCATED to 21st century standards.

''We should have a different focus, one focused on life, on quality of life.''

And what is the foundation of "quality of life?" Quality education.

A CEO of a main bank saying it isn't right to focus on material wealth and numbers.

Having difficulty comprehending? I believe he implied Thais focus ONLY or place too much priority on SHORT TERM material wealth at the expense of longer term goals, honest business and an intolerance for corruption. The example used was giving a pass to corrupt politicians provided they were successful.

A bit like all these prime ministers, presidents and CEO's who in their second career are all suddenly in favour of peace, love and understanding, after grabbing, backstabbing, bombing, if not massmurdering the planet to pieces. At some point you just become one with the lies you're telling it seems.

How much of a fool do you need to be to take these guys serious?

Fairness for the Bushes, the Blairs, the Bills, the Bantoons?

Off with their heads so we can focus on quality of life instead of being cogs in their profit-machines, slaves on their fields, soldiers in their armies.

Leave it to another Thailand residing farang to bash anyone successful as to suggest their success could not have come any other way than by deceit and on the "backs" of others. Yeah....you're real credible from your chrome pole view.

[R.Win]

Thanks for highlighting the obvious. The best healthcare system is still the U.S.; regardless what that a**hole Michael Moore or anyone else says.

V, although I am not an expert on this (let's be clear on that) I don't know what they base this on, the top 10 in the world (U.S. at 1, Holland and it's neighbours Belgium and Germany in the 5 to 10 tenth spot) are among the "best" healthcare systems and countries who spend the most on it. BUT all I know is every working dutch adult pays at least ?107,- to ?128,- (I heard some were lucky enough to only pay ?97,-) each month for healthcare insurance even if you're having a minimum salary, you get a eeny weeny bit back from tax but that does not make up at all for what they steal from you before it arrives on your account and there is no choice in this, you HAVE to pay it.

So although being in the top 10 (7th if I'm correct) how come hospitals are full, doctors are stressed the f**k out, insurance fee is so high and everytime it gets a little difficult or crowded you get put on a list or you have to go somewhere else? A friend of mine went to thailand to have a tumor in his brain removed for example.

From the 2 times I had to go to a hospital here (thankfully I wasn't the one who needed care) my experience was... well... high quality stuff!!! You just walked in, got help real fast, doctors were calm and relaxed (not acting like they are relaxed) and the price was a laughing matter. If I hear from some thai around here they pay about 480 baht per month for an insurance to cover all costs I'd say THAILAND is WAY BETTER than anything I've heard or experienced.

So I really would like to know how U.S., Netherlands etc. are "better"

[GoldMember]

Thanks for highlighting the obvious. The best healthcare system is still the U.S.; regardless what that a**hole Michael Moore or anyone else says.

V, although I am not an expert on this (let's be clear on that) I don't know what they base this on, the top 10 in the world (U.S. at 1, Holland and it's neighbours Belgium and Germany in the 5 to 10 tenth spot) are among the "best" healthcare systems and countries who spend the most on it. BUT all I know is every working dutch adult pays at least ?107,- to ?128,- (I heard some were lucky enough to only pay ?97,-) each month for healthcare insurance even if you're having a minimum salary, you get a eeny weeny bit back from tax but that does not make up at all for what they steal from you before it arrives on your account and there is no choice in this, you HAVE to pay it.

So although being in the top 10 (7th if I'm correct) how come hospitals are full, doctors are stressed the f**k out, insurance fee is so high and everytime it gets a little difficult or crowded you get put on a list or you have to go somewhere else? A friend of mine went to thailand to have a tumor in his brain removed for example.

From the 2 times I had to go to a hospital here (thankfully I wasn't the one who needed care) my experience was... well... high quality stuff!!! You just walked in, got help real fast, doctors were calm and relaxed (not acting like they are relaxed) and the price was a laughing matter. If I hear from some thai around here they pay about 480 baht per month for an insurance to cover all costs I'd say THAILAND is WAY BETTER than anything I've heard or experienced.

So I really would like to know how U.S., Netherlands etc. are "better"

US isnt better thats for sure.Its about number 22 or something.Best ,i vaguely recollect(from source-Time magazine), is somewhere in Scandinavia,France is 3rd.Uk is about the same as the US.