Let's keep it real in the rice field

COMMENTARY

Let's keep it real in the rice field

Published: 7 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Some 260 billion baht has already been spent on subsidising rice prices and another 405 billion baht will follow for the next farming season. If one were to view the rice pledging scheme from an economic perspective, surely one would see that it is full of holes. If one were to assume that the intention of the scheme is to better the lives of farmers, surely it's obvious that any benefits would be minimal and temporary. But if one were to look at the scheme from a realpolitik perspective, surely one would see its merits.

Oftentimes we misjudge a government policy because we misinterpret its motives and intentions, and such is the case with the rice pledging scheme. If one views the scheme in the big picture context of this ''sensitive and transitional period'' in Thai history, it can be understood as a sound strategy on the part of Thaksin Shinawatra and the Pheu Thai Party.

Every move, every sneeze and every passing of wind from both sides of the political divide is for one goal only, complete political victory. For Thaksin, this means his return to Thailand, his being exonerated from any wrongdoings and his return to power. The wheels have been in motion over the past year of Pheu Thai's term.

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domdunnn
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Discussion 42 : 07 Oct 2012 at 18.0842
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englishjohn D40

Well its all a matter of perspective, you say AV has personal integrity, I cant stand him because he refused to condemn the military coup and later went along with the military plot to get him into the PMs job.

The coup was an act against the Thai Constitution and anti-democratic and I consider that those things did more harm to the country than any amount of financial corruption.

I don't know any PT politicians but I'd bet that a number of their senior figures do believe that what they are doing is in what they see as the best interests of the country, exactly the same as those behind the coup believed when they overthrew the elected government. The difference is in what you consider to be the country's best interests.
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peterl
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Discussion 41 : 07 Oct 2012 at 17.2341
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One obvious point to emerge from this discussion of the rice pledging scheme is the urgent requirement for the government to put in place a tough auditing process and take serious steps to root out the alleged widespread corruption in its implementation. Mr Voranai's argument is that it won't be done because the dictates of what he calls political realism and competitive self interest don't require it. That is not exactly the right message to send out at a time when the actual players in the political process might well themselves start believing it. However, I am sure that Mr Voranai himself has the best of intentions and that that is not in fact his goal.
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englishjon
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Discussion 40 : 07 Oct 2012 at 17.2140
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@domdunn:

Most red-shirts cling to the notion the the farang here love the 'elite' establishment and look down our noses at PT and their supporters.

Speaking for myself, you are totally wrong. As khun Vornai explains well, the whole basis of Thai politics is based on deception and lies.

This is what we find so repulsive about PT : they are not the only offendors, but they go about their corrupt work with a total disregard of what damage they are doing to their country.

At least Abhisit has some personal integrity : I have seen none in any PT politician yet (and I'm looking hard).
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domdunnn
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Discussion 39 : 07 Oct 2012 at 16.1939
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Democrazy D 32.

This figure of 45M who didn't vote PT is nonsense. In 2011 there were 47M people registered to vote out of a population of 67M, the rest being children, criminals and lunatics.

Of the 45M eligible voters, about 75% or 35M bothered to cast a vote and in a democracy they are the only ones who count. PT got 48% of the votes and over half the house seats and with coalition partners represents over 50% of the votes cast.

Yes you do have to accept the elected governments policies, whether you consider them nonsense or not, that is democracy. Next election all you have to do is persuade the 10M who didn't vote this time to vote for your party and you will be the elected government and the losers will have to accept your policies.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 38 : 07 Oct 2012 at 15.5138
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bikeme D15

I am a proud member of the 'red brethren' and I agree with almost everything that VV has written because, unlike the majority that post here, he is even handed and criticises both sides.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 37 : 07 Oct 2012 at 15.4637
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OldThaiHand D16

Large parts of the Thai academic/intellectual body have discredited themselves over the years by supporting or turning a blind eye to various military coups and other anti-democratic actions. Naturally the people now view all their actions with suspicion.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 36 : 07 Oct 2012 at 15.0536
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D31,Khun LazarisBK : Yes,you are correct and I am truly sorry for all the misery my tax-payments have caused...I would quit paying if I could but my company is registered.
D34,Khun Renaissance : And thank you. I am afraid that nothing will change in any foreseeable future as the only place where continuous governments do not invest is in education. Change has to be demanded by the voters and such demands are far below hand-outs/easy money on the wishing-list of Thai people. Thaksin is closely and wisely following the words of Sun Tzu and it is very hard,if not impossible to counter when the majority of populace is un-educated. I am afraid he'll last much longer than anyone of us had ever thought.
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samurai
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Discussion 35 : 07 Oct 2012 at 14.4335
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We'll soon see the rents for ricefields go up or landlords taking them back to cash in on the largesse. The only winners will be Thaksin and his friends. Farmers and the general taxpayer will be losers as usual.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 34 : 07 Oct 2012 at 14.2734
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Bangmodken, thank you for your comment. I also realize that Thais have no interest in our comments. For sure they will have to learn the hard way, though they will no doubt fall for the excuses they are told as to why it all went wrong when it does. Thaksinomics rules for now, but it will end when Thaksin feels invincible and untouchable, and takes one step too far, like last time when he avoided paying 40 billion Baht or so in tax at a time when everyone was paying their taxes. People of his ilk come and go. They wreak their destruction, get their karma, and then disappear infamously into the history books. He won't last anywhere nearly as long as he thinks he will.
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joninnak
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Discussion 33 : 07 Oct 2012 at 14.2433
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One regular contributor to this site is keeping a very low Profile. He could let us know how others think as he is part of the rice "elite" So come on RICEFIELD RADIO where are you.
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Let's keep it real in the rice field | Bangkok Post: opinion