Showing 61 - 70 of 79
At the superpowers table, off their menu
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 18/11/2012
» It is all so exciting. US President Barack Obama has come to Bangkok, soon to be followed by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao _ the world's two superpowers, back to back. Immediately, talk of which side Thailand should take abounds, debated by everyone from ordinary citizens to national pundits, so allow me to pitch in.
A political game played with fear, hatred and anger
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 11/11/2012
» A Shinawatra only has to sneeze, and the entire country catches a cold _ it's a dangerous political game being played.
Rise of the planet of the merchants
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 28/10/2012
» When the merchant elites buy up the provincial lords, what do the traditional elites have left in their hands? The answer requires a bit of background.
Greed is good
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 18/10/2012
» Giveaway. Getaway. Got away. All is well in Thailand. The rich get richer. The poor get tips. The middle class click "like".
The ego has landed
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 14/10/2012
» The government's 2.75 trillion baht infrastructure development plan unveiled on Oct 5 will, at best, have a mediocre effect on the development of Thailand. This is not a knock against the Pheu Thai regime. It would be mediocre with any of the previous governments in charge as well. We're not even factoring in corruption; instead we're factoring in an unyielding mindset.
Let's keep it real in the rice field
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 07/10/2012
» 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.
Proverbs, murderers but no buffaloes
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 02/09/2012
» The Thai language has many proverbs that echo the wisdom of old and demonstrate the foolishness of modern times. Worry not about rules of law, justice, morals, etc. Today, we look at the political game through the prism of human nature, captured best by proverbs. Abhisit Vejjajiva was the prime minister and Suthep Thaugsuban was deputy prime minister and in charge of security during the political crisis of April/May 2010 that led to 92 deaths _ both civilians and members of security forces _ and the burning of Bangkok and provincial city halls.
Kittiratt, I love the way you lie
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 26/08/2012
» For Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong the issue isn't that he lied, or admitted that he lied. The issue is his belief that he has the right to lie. That he believes it was good for the country that he told a lie.
Bang heads, take stats, tell lies
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 19/08/2012
» Is the government's war on drugs a success? No, it's not. You might colour it a successful PR campaign, but not much else. Banging heads and taking stats, making front page news, is nothing more than the time-honoured tradition of putting up a good face. The lords of illusion are at work and everyone else eats it up.
Who's your daddy?
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 08/07/2012
» If you ever get into a haggling match with somebody, you should accuse that person of plotting to overthrow the monarchy. Street vendor try to pull one over on you? That's a plot to overthrow the monarchy. A police officer tries to write you a ticket? Plot to overthrow the monarchy. Girl won't give you her phone number? A plot to overthrow the monarchy. This is the surest way to get things to go your way in this, my dearest, Kingdom.