Covid plus lack of democracy ‘spells disaster’ for Thailand

[Pilotman 18,307]

10 hours ago, Miami007 said:

The economy in Thailand wasn't damaged? Restrictions were put in place here and there.. 

not in the same way and not with the same results.  Just look at the numbers, growth figure last quarter in comparison , strength of the currency, level of foreign held reserves.  Thailand is doing far better than many Western democracies, including the UK and  in my view will recover quicker. Watch this space.  

[Pilotman 18,307]

12 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

I will put this nonsense down to a surfeit of sun and an ill fitting set of blinkers.

always someone who wants to replace opinion and debate with a throw away remark. I remember those kids in 5th grade. 

[robblok 40,981]

8 hours ago, KarenBravo said:

Longest enduring? I don't think so.

The Roman empire endured for far, far longer. As did the Ottoman empire.

Those Brits dont let a lets facts get in the way of their fiction. Seriously like its a good thing to rob people of their natural resources and kill their inhabitants (and yes the Dutch did the same). Actually all great empires suppressed and murdered people and took the resources for themselves. 

 

(not attacking you just those other crazy nationalists on the forum)

[herfiehandbag 3,829]

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

That would be both impolite to my hosts and stupid. I am neither. 

But in the area on which you have chosen to comment, perhaps rather naive?

[Pilotman 18,307]

2 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

But in the area on which you have chosen to comment, perhaps rather naive?

No, sorry, you have lost me there. 

[chilli42 2,024]

On 5/23/2020 at 6:30 AM, rooster59 said:

The Covid-19 crisis had laid bare the huge social gap that exists in Thailand, he added. The lockdown has revealed deep problems with household debts, lack of savings and social insecurity, which the semi-democratic system spawned by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had done nothing to solve.

Well it’s not like these problems have not been around for a long time.  In 30 years I have not seen a government that even attempts to solve these problems.  If I were a cynic, I might believe that the wealthy and powerful don’t want to change these things.

[metisdead 8,870]

5 hours ago, metisdead said:

A post using a disallowed trolling reference to the PM has been removed. 

 

Another post using a disallowed trolling reference to the PM has been removed.

 

An off topic post has also been removed. 

[KarenBravo 10,171]

1 hour ago, robblok said:

Those Brits dont let a lets facts get in the way of their fiction. Seriously like its a good thing to rob people of their natural resources and kill their inhabitants (and yes the Dutch did the same). Actually all great empires suppressed and murdered people and took the resources for themselves. 

 

(not attacking you just those other crazy nationalists on the forum)

I'm British and whilst I agree with you, it's a matter of degree.

The British empire was a little bit less exploitive than the Dutch empire and both are infinitely better than the cruelest and most exploitive empire ever in the last few hundred years. An empire that belonged to a single man who's name was King Leopold II. Check out what he did in the Congo.

[billd766 26,177]

18 hours ago, Pilotman said:

haha, good one. Imperialists always come out with that tired argument. 

Then you will be unhappy that today used to be known as Empire Day.

 

https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Empire-Day/489669

 

Empire Day was first celebrated in Canada in 1899. From there it spread to Britain, Australia, and most other parts of the empire. By the 1950s, however, the empire had started to fall apart, and Empire Day lost its importance.

Many of the colonies and territories that were ruled by Britain began to gain independence. As they did so, most of them maintained a relationship with Britain. They formed a new organization called the Commonwealth of Nations. In 1958 Empire Day was changed to Commonwealth Day. Today that holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in March. It honors the partnership and shared history of the more than 50 member countries.

 

More information via the link.

[robblok 40,981]

8 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

I'm British and whilst I agree with you, it's a matter of degree.

The British empire was a little bit less exploitive than the Dutch empire and both are infinitely better than the cruelest and most exploitive empire ever in the last few hundred years. An empire that belonged to a single man who's name was King Leopold II. Check out what he did in the Congo.

I am not sure about the Brittish empire being less exploitive. The Dutch did not have an army to enforce (nothing close to the size of the Brits). The Brits had and used it often. But I wont say what one is better. Point being that all empires exploited and killed the natives. How can that be good for them. 

 

Yes Leopold II was an example of the worst ever. (or at least recent history). I mean the romans were even worse. It all depends how far back you go.

 

But face it empires did not conquer / colonize countries for the good of those countries but for their natural resources and or strategic positioning. If an empire was that good then countries would just join it without a fight. Just look at what the English did to the Irish and the Scots I mean those were their own (in a way) people. What they did in colonies was far worse. 

[DUNROAMIN 783]

Quote " employ people who are knowledgeable, capable, honest and diligent to govern." good luck with that in Thailand.

[herfiehandbag 3,829]

3 hours ago, Pilotman said:

No, sorry, you have lost me there. 

You suggest that Thailand enjoys freedom of speech, within wide boundaries.

[473geo 4,912]

4 hours ago, Pilotman said:

not in the same way and not with the same results.  Just look at the numbers, growth figure last quarter in comparison , strength of the currency, level of foreign held reserves.  Thailand is doing far better than many Western democracies, including the UK and  in my view will recover quicker. Watch this space.  

Sure watch this space, in the countries where democracy has spawned free speech, where unions have over the years negotiated a decent living wage and conditions, creation of pensions, healthcare, infrastructure, where people can make a difference, and governments must take into account the fickle nature of voters

 

I work in the UK my wages are good, I have worked and been rewarded throughout my life, got to travel spent hard and had fun, yet still will have a reasonable pension when I retire

 

So taking all this into account, noting my country, the UK has stood by the population and provided excellent financial assistance through out the 'lockdown' I am prepared for the increase in earnings related taxes, maybe increased VAT, perhaps spending cuts on infrastructure, and local government services. I expect to pay for the support I and many others received, and hopefully get back on track to the point that in the future that support maybe available also for others.

 

I can afford to do this because of historic actions to guide and produce a system that actually does look after the people

 

I wonder how many of you guys with your overseas wealth would be happy with the 5000 baht hand out?

 

If Thailand does 'recover quicker' it is possibly at the expense of the majority of the population who will be further distressed - although I enjoy my life and connections to Thailand, and will hopefully well into the future, I am under no illusion as to where the ability to create this enjoyment was created

[Pilotman 18,307]

9 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

You suggest that Thailand enjoys freedom of speech, within wide boundaries.

it does, yes.  

[Fairynuff 3,643]

On 5/23/2020 at 7:36 AM, Pilotman said:

this social media driven, monumentally economically damaging fiasco

You appear to be talking about the current government so I completely agree with you.