Is Abhisit Corrupt?

[ipsut]

I believe the most important problem in Thailand that needs to be surmounted is corruption. The level of corruption during the Thaksin government is clear to all. Is Prime Minister Abhisit corrupt? I have not heard any real evidence to date that he is. True he was not elected by the people, however he was elected constitutionally in a 235 to 198 vote. Would those those that decry him do so if Khun Pracha Promnok were elected in the same fashion? Is a politician that buys votes (Thaksin) any better than one that wins an election using rules that were accepted by all of it's participants at the time? Corruption needs to end. Is Abhisit Corrupt? If so, in what way? Rumors need not apply.

[trtrz]

I believe the most important problem in Thailand that needs to be surmounted is corruption. The level of corruption during the Thaksin government is clear to all. Is Prime Minister Abhisit corrupt? I have not heard any real evidence to date that he is. True he was not elected by the people, however he was elected constitutionally in a 235 to 198 vote. Would those those that decry him do so if Khun Pracha Promnok were elected in the same fashion? Is a politician that buys votes (Thaksin) any better than one that wins an election using rules that were accepted by all of it's participants at the time? Corruption needs to end. Is Abhisit Corrupt? If so, in what way? Rumors need not apply.

I don't think Abhisit individually corrupts. However, I am not too sure about his understudies in Democrats Party.

There is certainly some lobbying going on in regions in all parties and someone like Suthep is not particularly clean. But what I am sure about is that the tactic of Democrats has always been to try to stay clean at least in Bangkok, because that's one of their key selling point. Meanwhile, Puea Thai is not reluctant to get dirty with the mafias. One particular district is Klong Tuey, which used to be pro-Thaksin, but Democrats has conquered that area (under Korn Chatikavanij) and the mafias in that area were not particularly happy, because they lost all those benefits they got when the other side used to be in charge. They recently sent gangsters to intimidate local Democrats MPs by machine gunning the Democrats headquarter. This happens last year, you can search for the news.

[Twilight Zone]

I agree with ipsut. Thailand is now the least corrupt country in the world. Under Mr. Abhisit's administration, all ministers, especially those under the banned politician's party who made his premiership possible, are absolutely clean. There are no more commissions to be paid for all the road buildings and the multi billion baht NGV bus purchase. All Thai citizens can rest assured that every single tax baht is spent effectively and efficiently. Under Abhisit, without all the evil of past corruption, our prosperity is assured, and we will be number one in Asia in the middle of next year at the latest.

Even the military weapon purchase is now very transparent. All generals now are now people of integrity who will refuse any kickbacks from all the arms dealers. All fighter jets and submarines are absolutely necessary for our security in this time of overt threats from our vicious neighboring countries. Even the plastic cases with antennae sticking out are very useful in detecting bombs if the soldiers are trained in psychic enhancement programs. The military blimp is even more useful for surveillance as soon as they figure the way to get it off the ground, which of course they will under the expertise of Thai military engineers. They just need a little more money on "research and development".

I can go on and on in praise of this administration. Who needs proof when Mr. Abhisit passed the law outlawing corruption and the ministers are required to issue receipts for all the funny money appearing in their accounts, onshore of offshore? Mr. Abhisit has single handedly turned around Thailand and we should all be proud of him, and proud to be Thai. I can't believe we have finally arrived at Utopia.

All hail our wonderful Prime Minister.

Everyone, please stay quiet and don't disturb me. I am still enjoying my sleep and such wonderful dream. Oh heaven!

[ipsut]

Twilight Zone: I understand the system is corrupt, the question is, is Prime Minister Abhisit Corrupt. So far you have no example demonstrating that he is. If that is the case, I am able to understand that it takes a long time for a Ship Captain to change the course of an Ocean Liner, and Thailands corruption is much larger than an ocean liner.

[taurus]

I agree with ipsut. Thailand is now the least corrupt country in the world. Under Mr. Abhisit's administration, all ministers, especially those under the banned politician's party who made his premiership possible, are absolutely clean. There are no more commissions to be paid for all the road buildings and the multi billion baht NGV bus purchase. All Thai citizens can rest assured that every single tax baht is spent effectively and efficiently. Under Abhisit, without all the evil of past corruption, our prosperity is assured, and we will be number one in Asia in the middle of next year at the latest.

Even the military weapon purchase is now very transparent. All generals now are now people of integrity who will refuse any kickbacks from all the arms dealers. All fighter jets and submarines are absolutely necessary for our security in this time of overt threats from our vicious neighboring countries. Even the plastic cases with antennae sticking out are very useful in detecting bombs if the soldiers are trained in psychic enhancement programs. The military blimp is even more useful for surveillance as soon as they figure the way to get it off the ground, which of course they will under the expertise of Thai military engineers. They just need a little more money on "research and development".

I can go on and on in praise of this administration. Who needs proof when Mr. Abhisit passed the law outlawing corruption and the ministers are required to issue receipts for all the funny money appearing in their accounts, onshore of offshore? Mr. Abhisit has single handedly turned around Thailand and we should all be proud of him, and proud to be Thai. I can't believe we have finally arrived at Utopia.

All hail our wonderful Prime Minister.

Everyone, please stay quiet and don't disturb me. I am still enjoying my sleep and such wonderful dream. Oh heaven!

Hi TZ,"All hail our wonderful prime minister" any chance you could dream up a name from the opposition who could do the job better, I have alway been a great admirer of yours from way way back ,and your sarcasm betrays your obvious talent as a profound thinker , so I would appreciate a straight answer .

[ipsut]

RogerRamjet: I'm referring to its common usage, such as enriching oneself in office, or as you mentioned bribery. The other categories you mentioned, wickedness, impurity, or integrity are too subjective for me to address. My point is that I think Prime Minister Abhisit should be given a chance, as up to this point he seems to have more of the integrity you mentioned than previous Thai leaders. Is he perfect? I'm sure not, however he seems light years ahead of what preceded him.

[taurus]

RogerRamjet: I'm referring to its common usage, such as enriching oneself in office, or as you mentioned bribery. The other categories you mentioned, wickedness, impurity, or integrity are too subjective for me to address. My point is that I think Prime Minister Abhisit should be given a chance, as up to this point he seems to have more of the integrity you mentioned than previous Thai leaders. Is he perfect? I'm sure not, however he seems light years ahead of what preceded him.

Of Course you are quite right Ipsut ,give the guy a chance to prove his worth,however I do find it laughable that the very people who are shouting the loudest for Abhi's head cannot name the name of a guy who can do the job any better , which I find rather odd ,after all if he's so bad, nameing a name would be baby's work , instead the silence is deafening, and please, to the Abhi knockers out there don't try to tell me that it will be decided by the people at the next GE, as this just a weak cop out, simply because you do not want to put your OWN opinion on the line

[ipsut]

Taurus:
Yes, so many complain about so many issues, yet are set against the one person most likely to affect the change they insist on. The politicians of old will only continue to enrich themselves at the expense of Thailand.

[Twilight Zone]

I agree with ipsut. Thailand is now the least corrupt country in the world. Under Mr. Abhisit's administration, all ministers, especially those under the banned politician's party who made his premiership possible, are absolutely clean. There are no more commissions to be paid for all the road buildings and the multi billion baht NGV bus purchase. All Thai citizens can rest assured that every single tax baht is spent effectively and efficiently. Under Abhisit, without all the evil of past corruption, our prosperity is assured, and we will be number one in Asia in the middle of next year at the latest.

Even the military weapon purchase is now very transparent. All generals now are now people of integrity who will refuse any kickbacks from all the arms dealers. All fighter jets and submarines are absolutely necessary for our security in this time of overt threats from our vicious neighboring countries. Even the plastic cases with antennae sticking out are very useful in detecting bombs if the soldiers are trained in psychic enhancement programs. The military blimp is even more useful for surveillance as soon as they figure the way to get it off the ground, which of course they will under the expertise of Thai military engineers. They just need a little more money on "research and development".

I can go on and on in praise of this administration. Who needs proof when Mr. Abhisit passed the law outlawing corruption and the ministers are required to issue receipts for all the funny money appearing in their accounts, onshore of offshore? Mr. Abhisit has single handedly turned around Thailand and we should all be proud of him, and proud to be Thai. I can't believe we have finally arrived at Utopia.

All hail our wonderful Prime Minister.

Everyone, please stay quiet and don't disturb me. I am still enjoying my sleep and such wonderful dream. Oh heaven!

Hi TZ,"All hail our wonderful prime minister" any chance you could dream up a name from the opposition who could do the job better, I have alway been a great admirer of yours from way way back ,and your sarcasm betrays your obvious talent as a profound thinker , so I would appreciate a straight answer .

Hello Taurus,

Thank you for your kind words about me being a profound thinker. But if you have read my posts since almost two years ago, you would have known sarcasm is also my specialty. In the “good old days”, I was Prime Minister TZ in the very popular “Joke of the Day” thread. (It might have been deleted.)

Sarcasms aside, if you ask me what I think of Abhisit?,..... I would have to say “not much”. Is he corrupt?.....by my definition, a definite "yes". I know what I am going to write won’t change any of his supporters’ minds. I will be writing for the benefit of people who are standing in the middle and trying to form an opinion.

What is narrowly defined as corruption by the OP is that Abhisit is not known to take monetary kickback from anyone. That might be true because he has this squeaky clean image. However my definition of corruption goes much deeper than that.

What if he knowingly gives some lucrative ministerial portfolios to some well known corrupt politician(s) in exchange for putting him in power, knowing full well the crook(s) will reap billions of baht in corrupt money from all the government contracts to be given out? The excuse that he is the captain of an ocean liner who needs to take a long time to change its direction doesn’t do it for me. He is an accomplice to the crime because he knows it. All of his life he only wanted to be a Prime Minister, and he would do anything to be that.

What if he doesn’t have the courage to stand up to the military (who put him in power), and let them use hard earned tax money (mine) to buy whatever toys they want, regardless of the actual needs of the country? What if he doesn’t prevent conflicts, but actually causes conflicts and creates the need for more security spending for the military? While the country is running some serious fiscal deficit, I think this year military budget has been increased about 10%? Who are we fighting, may I ask?

That is corruption by my definition.

I got to go get some work done again. I still have a lot on my mind about this guy. Hopefully I will be able to write again this evening.

[taurus]

Yeah fair comment TZ , but in the event of Abhi and the Dems loseing the next GE ,do you sincerely think what you correctly wrote about ministers getting their noses well into the "kick backs" trough will all of a sudden change for the better,or just business as usual? I would be the last one to try to inform you of the "inner workings" of government, but I would think its safe to say this sort of thing is institutionalized in no uncertain terms as just the "perks"of the Job whichever party is in power , of course I concur 110% about the military,s "Toys list" but to be fair I think that most if not all PMs have given them free reign in the past , in closing I would appreciate your thoughts on just who in the PTP could lead the government Should they win the next GE