Can we really afford all these?

[p.chow]

So far our current government has spent and committed trillions of baht on unsustainable policies which they have already started to hit back on our economy. With latest failure being the abolishment of oil levy which has costed us tens of billions of baht, our government is still keen on introducing similar policies.

These policies are surely attractive as they greatly benefit people with lower income which will reduce the inequality on short-term basis and thus increase the popularity. But on the other hand -- can we really afford all these?

Of course, government can't pay for these through the revenue collected from local residents. So does this mean that it's the next generation, those children who are still celebrating, will be the one who will have to pay the price? Yes, our debt level is still far from the crisis level but do we have enough creditability to keep our interest low as our borrowing keep rising?

I can't stop wonder how the prime minister look at those children in the eyes on Children's Day and not feel the sympathy for the price they will be paying for her failure.

[clarkkent]

Populist handouts are gained from taxpayers (salaried workers and industry) and borrowings. Borrowings that taxpayers and their children and grandchildren have to pay back.

However these taxpayers aren't the ones receiving the government's largess and favor. But it's those sad neglected people in the Provincial rural areas who have never paid taxes, little educated, with low productivity, and with lots of free time on their hands who receive the bulk of handouts. These so-called disenfranchised clamor for equality and democracy without really knowing or being responsible for it.

Fiscal discipline in unknown to Thai politicians. Improvement to people's livlihood through education, training, and emphasis on increase to agricultural productivity is needed to truly improve the lives of the peoiple and will be a long-tem remedy to inequality.

[drake]

As long as the Visa card isn't maxed out....
And we can always file for bankruptcy !

[Absara]

Why not? It's just a number. The whole world is going bankrupt anyway!

[Voice]

First I like to say hello to Drake and Absara for have been true BP fan.

Now what happen in the west will have the negative effect to the third world countries. Every time the west wanted war the poor countries will be paying for the price. Like them or hate them most Thai government have tried very hard to keep the price of essential thing's like food and petrol price low for economy can strive. When the economy collapsing in the west the whole world will feel the same effect but worst.