Bruce551 Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Economic disparity will led to conflict, academic warns Published on June 25, 2009 , The Nation Wide social and economic disparity- if not reversed - may lead to greater social and political conflict, Chulalongkorn University economist Pasuk Pongpaijit warned yesterday. "Thai society may head towards inevitable conflict," said Pasuk, speaking at a symposium on the future of Thailand marking the 77th anniversary of the end of absolute monarchy, organised at Thammasat University by the Faculty of Liberal Arts. Pasuk said in Japan, the gap between the combined wealth of the top 20 per cent of population to that of the combined lowest 20 per cent of its population is 3.4 times. In Thailand it's 13 times. Pasuk urged Thais not to support future military intervention in politics, saying it does more harm than good for Thai democracy. "This issue is something we must recognise. We must try to nurture the parliamentary system and solve problems through a parliamentary framework." Former Democrat Party leader Banyat Bantattharn said future Thai democracy should be free of corruption and government must be effective. Banyat criticised the control of business people over Thai politics, saying these groups now demand as much as 20 per cent in kickbacks from mega projects, while corruption once meant a mere 3 to 5 per cent. He also criticised past coup makers for using corruption eradication as a pretext to overthrow government, only to end up being corrupt themselves. Former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Chaturon Chaisaeng said numerous coups in the past meant Thai people do not trust constitutionalism. He said the Thai media had played a crucial role in undermining democracy over the past three years. "Mainstream media energetically supported the process which makes the country undemocratic," he said, in reference to media endorsement of the September 19, 2006 coup and beyond. Writer Kamsingh Srimork, aka Lao Kamhorm lamented the current situation where his friends now are deeply divided into yellow and red-shirt camps and will not join parties attended by rival shirt members. The Gov. does have some "small" IT & Agrow. projects to help the poor farmer. Seems like the rice business really sucks for the small farmer. And, does the Thai middle class really give a **** what happens to the small farmer? :?: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeMarc Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 There is always hope as long as there are voices and minds of reason, and that they can have the freedom to speak. The positive changes mentioned here will be a very long time coming IMHO and not in our lifetime unfortunately Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Economic disparity will led to conflict, academic warnsPublished on June 25, 2009 , The Nation Wide social and economic disparity- if not reversed - may lead to greater social and political conflict, Chulalongkorn University economist Pasuk Pongpaijit warned yesterday. "Thai society may head towards inevitable conflict," said Pasuk, speaking at a symposium on the future of Thailand marking the 77th anniversary of the end of absolute monarchy, organised at Thammasat University by the Faculty of Liberal Arts. Pasuk said in Japan, the gap between the combined wealth of the top 20 per cent of population to that of the combined lowest 20 per cent of its population is 3.4 times. In Thailand it's 13 times. Pasuk urged Thais not to support future military intervention in politics, saying it does more harm than good for Thai democracy. "This issue is something we must recognise. We must try to nurture the parliamentary system and solve problems through a parliamentary framework." Former Democrat Party leader Banyat Bantattharn said future Thai democracy should be free of corruption and government must be effective. Banyat criticised the control of business people over Thai politics, saying these groups now demand as much as 20 per cent in kickbacks from mega projects, while corruption once meant a mere 3 to 5 per cent. He also criticised past coup makers for using corruption eradication as a pretext to overthrow government, only to end up being corrupt themselves. Former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Chaturon Chaisaeng said numerous coups in the past meant Thai people do not trust constitutionalism. He said the Thai media had played a crucial role in undermining democracy over the past three years. "Mainstream media energetically supported the process which makes the country undemocratic," he said, in reference to media endorsement of the September 19, 2006 coup and beyond. Writer Kamsingh Srimork, aka Lao Kamhorm lamented the current situation where his friends now are deeply divided into yellow and red-shirt camps and will not join parties attended by rival shirt members. The Gov. does have some "small" IT & Agrow. projects to help the poor farmer. Seems like the rice business really sucks for the small farmer. And, does the Thai middle class really give a sh*t what happens to the small farmer? :?: Funny kind of report... Economic disparity will led to conflict vs Thai society may head towards inevitable conflict So which is it? 'May' or 'Inevitable'? Corruption here is endemic and out of control... Businesses steal money from the govt while doing any kind of contract work. Lazy and inefficient accounting leads to virtually zero chance of being caught. Those few that are caught, then rely on the 'buddy system' to apply pressure to the justice system to ensure no punishment is received. Right now, a few people are finding they no longer have the 'right buddies'. However, on the other foot, businesses are forced to pay under the table to receive anything from the govt to which they're entitled. Land deeds, liquor licences... you need to pay a bribe to get anything, even if your paperwork is all legit! The media also must share the blame... where are the investigative journalists? Where are the hidden cameras and microphones that would send these people to prison? When was the last time there was a 'Thaigate' that ended with a conviction and punishment? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJack Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 When was the last time there was a 'Thaigate' that ended with a conviction and punishment? thats the point. thai culture does not allow for that. thais know that you dont stick your neck out cause the mafia will chop it off. the govt is the mafia. the military is the biggest mafia and the police are second. then there is private sector mafia. if i were thai I cannot say that I would act any differently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neo Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 thats the point. thai culture does not allow for that. thais know that you dont stick your neck out cause the mafia will chop it off. the govt is the mafia. the military is the biggest mafia and the police are second. then there is private sector mafia. if i were thai I cannot say that I would act any differently. Sadly so. Thai culture tends to make people less outspoken, but look what happened to the journalist that printed some facts about Thaksin's dirty deals (hint.. she went to jail even though she was only doing her job). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigKus Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 Since i have been working for this company which is 'handle' many MEGA projects for both thai government and private sectors. We run business with 'no under table money' policy. Luckily, no matter what/ who will be in power (of the cabinet / government) the projects will keep runing. Things go well so far. But, with no surprise, we have been shamlessly asking for 'commission' from small equipments selling to Or. bor. tor, Thedsaban etc, the small portion of government construction which still have 'old-fashioned' working style which, obviously, even worse in previous government. Now you know why/what's causes the recently choas ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJack Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 But, with no surprise, we have been shamlessly asking for 'commission' from small equipments selling to Or. bor. tor, Thedsaban etc, the small portion of government construction which still have 'old-fashioned' working style which, obviously, even worse in previous government. Now you know why/what's causes the recently choas ! So, how much you shamelessly ask for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigKus Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 But, with no surprise, we have been shamlessly asking for 'commission' from small equipments selling to Or. bor. tor, Thedsaban etc, the small portion of government construction which still have 'old-fashioned' working style which, obviously, even worse in previous government. Now you know why/what's causes the recently choas ! So, how much you shamelessly ask for? Arai wah, PJack ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJack Posted June 25, 2009 Report Share Posted June 25, 2009 But, with no surprise, we have been shamlessly asking for 'commission' from small equipments selling to Or. bor. tor, Thedsaban etc, the small portion of government construction which still have 'old-fashioned' working style which, obviously, even worse in previous government. Now you know why/what's causes the recently choas ! So, how much you shamelessly ask for? Arai wah, PJack ?? you said you were shamelessly asking for commissions. i simply asked how much they were. arai wah, indeed. suparp sutree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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