Pitak Siam lacks social agenda

COMMENTARY

Published: 13 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

What is in a name? Contrary to what Juliet Capulet said, the answer can be many things.

Consider the name Pitak Siam _ protecting Siam _ for example. The name of the latest anti-government group, headed by retired general Boonlert Kaewprasit, alone raises many sharp, ironical questions about its whole existence and objective.

What is Siam? What is the group's idea of Siam? If there was such an idea, has it been communicated to members of the public so that those who choose to attend the rally understand clearly what they are doing to achieve what objective?

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jcwilcox
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Discussion 18 : 15 Nov 2012 at 19.1918
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The word democracy is glibbly used and banded around but how many users understand what democracy is. It's more than having a vote.
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facts_only
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Discussion 17 : 14 Nov 2012 at 11.1817
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bangmodken 15, "the fact that Gen Boonlert hasn't staged a coup...A general clean-up in the politicians private assets would likely give Thailand a major economic boost"

"Gen Boonlert, who previously weathered his own political crises stemming from his role in a failed coup in 1977, is a wealthy retired military officer." - BangkokPost, Nov 8, 2012
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bangmodken
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Discussion 16 : 13 Nov 2012 at 20.1816
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D13,DomDunn : "Alarm over unsubstainable public debt if policy continues". The Nation 13 November 2012. I am sure that you are well aware that this is not the first alarm to sound over the rice policy. You can then add the mega projects,initiated by this government,which are riddled with graft and corruption. On top of that,graft and corruption in general,which seems to be on the rise. Not exactly a pretty picture for Thailand and future tax-payers.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 15 : 13 Nov 2012 at 20.0215
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D14,DomDunn : The difference between Gen Boonlert and so many other coup-makers,aside from the fact that Gen Boonlert hasn't staged a coup,is what he said about politicians. All politicians. He has no preferences and would install people into positions where they had competences.
As for financial ruin,a simple move such as halting and reviewing the current populist policies would be enough. A general clean-up in the politicians private assets would likely give Thailand a major economic boost and would be very helpful to pay off debt,starting with the debt of '97.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 14 : 13 Nov 2012 at 18.2014
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banmodker D11

If a military coup ever did any of those things your argument might have a chance but history shows the only thing they ever do is transfer power, corruption and nepotism to the coup makers.

As for the idea of the military saving the country from financial ruin, I don't think so.
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domdunnn
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Discussion 13 : 13 Nov 2012 at 18.1513
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shopwow D5

"What can we do now?" Well for a start you should calm down, populist policies are not "bound to pull Thailand down financially". Expert opinion is very much divided on what the result will be.
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DocN
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Discussion 12 : 13 Nov 2012 at 17.1212
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D11: 'saving" the country? Or just putting it a) on the verge of a military dictatorship accompanied by a ruling elite class (eg the end of all democracy) and b) handing it over to some people, who will do exactly the same? Maybe that is a social agenda...or is it rather anti- social?
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bangmodken
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Discussion 11 : 13 Nov 2012 at 16.2811
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"Gen Boonlert said too much corruption has taken place under the current government,with projects ranging from flood prevention projects to the rice pledging scheme being tainted by graft. The government has also interfered in the work of civil servants by transferring several high ranking officers without good reason,he said". And the post by D8.
IMO,saving the country from corruption,nepotism and financial ruin which will affect generations to come is the essence of a genuine social agenda.
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onlyasking
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Discussion 10 : 13 Nov 2012 at 16.2010
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They don't need an agenda, they only need to get paid by the traditional elite to destabilise the government. The same can be said about non-politicians spreading rumors of PTP corruption without presenting any proof. If you tell someone something for long enough they start to believe it's the truth, even if it's factually incorrect.
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Deedy
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Discussion 9 : 13 Nov 2012 at 15.199
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Can everyone please stop referring to Pitak Siam as an "anti-government group"? It is an anti-DEMOCRACY group and, just as with the PAD, the difference is lost on a lot of people.
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Pitak Siam lacks social agenda | Bangkok Post: opinion