Succeed together or fail

COMMENTARY

Published: 14 Aug 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The point is not the geekiness of announcing that procreation is the national agenda on National Day. The point is the solemnity with which Singaporean policy makers and public servants received the message.

In his National Day address, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Singaporeans to "grow their own families".

"I am happy that we expect more Dragon babies this year, but our fertility trend is still declining. We must go beyond the Chinese zodiac and tackle the underlying causes of our low birth rates," he said.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

Eggmeng
Post : 276
Send message

Discussion 8 : 14 Aug 2012 at 21.158
Post this to my Facebook
I did not realize that Thai youngsters were taught they are superior to other nationalities. On what basis? A prettier passport? I don't mean to be denigrating, but I find the notion frankly laughable.

Look at a tiny country like Ireland. Home of the world's number one golfer, arguably the greatest living screen actor (I refer of course to DDL), some of the greatest writers in the English (or any language), and all this far in excess of what they should have, given their population. What was the source of all this genius? Perhaps it has something to do with what Dostoevsky said about suffering being the root of all consciousness.

With respect, what contribution has sabai sabai Thailand made to civilization in the arts, sciences or any other area, with the possible exception of some very tasty if often overly stimulating cuisine?
Like dislike 4 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
geoffo
Post : 2,907
Send message

Discussion 7 : 14 Aug 2012 at 21.117
Post this to my Facebook
D2 how so indeed , do you something we don't about how a new constitution will handle this matter or the role Mr T sees for himself ?.

I agree with D5 , The US and other countries that count themselves as democracies base themselves on respect for their laws.

Many nice things here but sadly respect for the law is not one of them.
Like dislike 1 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
peterl
Post : 450
Send message

Discussion 6 : 14 Aug 2012 at 12.206
Post this to my Facebook
Excellent contribution to what hopefully will be a growing debate on what Thai democracy ought to entail. Teaching self-respect does not entail teaching superiority.
Like dislike 4 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
uberbraun
Post : 225
Send message

Discussion 5 : 14 Aug 2012 at 11.545
Post this to my Facebook
Thailand is not a democracy. It thinks it is, it would like others to believe it is, but in reality, it is not.

First and foremost there has to be rule of law, something Thailand does not have.

Thailand is in fact, a dictatorship, trying very hard to make itself look democratic. But it is still a dictatorship.

Solve the rule of law issue and reign in corruption and Thailand can then proceed towards becoming a democracy, but not before.
Like dislike 8 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
commonman
Post : 210
Send message

Discussion 4 : 14 Aug 2012 at 07.284
Post this to my Facebook
#1 Thailand is not a parliamentary democracy. Thailand wishes to give the appearance of being a parliamentary democracy while maintaining the invisible hand autocracy.
Like dislike 18 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
spiceman
Post : 3,475
Send message

Discussion 3 : 14 Aug 2012 at 05.403
Post this to my Facebook
Khun Mussashi #2, how so?
Like dislike 4 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
musashi
Post : 444
Send message

Discussion 2 : 14 Aug 2012 at 05.302
Post this to my Facebook
spiceman #1: be careful of what you are proposing here, you might be the next guy charged for LM.
Like dislike 10 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
spiceman
Post : 3,475
Send message

Discussion 1 : 14 Aug 2012 at 03.291
Post this to my Facebook
Singapore's unity and prosperity is made possible largely under the leadership of one legendary incorruptible man, Lee Kuan Yew, however, Thailand's on-going crisis is made possible under the leadership of another legendary but highly (proven) corruptible man, Thaksin Shinnawattra. Another noted difference is that Singapore is a Constitutional Representative Republic like the USA, while Thailand is a Parliamentary Democracy like the rest of the world. So, may be Thailand should be seriously considering copying the unique Constitutional Representative system of Govt in Singapore and the USA.
Like dislike 16 people liked / 13 people disliked this comment

Succeed together or fail | Bangkok Post: opinion