Thailand's poltical crisis, on one easy summary

POSTED BY: SIGNYM
UPDATED: Sunday, October 26, 2025 15:00
VIEWED: 3880
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SIGNYM

Monday, March 10, 2014 4:29 AM

What I read was this - slightly rearranging the text of the linked article and pointing out some biases:

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A controversial rice subsidy scheme, which paid farmers up to 50 percent above [international?] market rates, helped her sweep to power in 2011 but now appears to be unravelling. Critics say ["Some say..."] the program has incubated massive corruption, drained the public finances, dislodged the kingdom as the world's top rice exporter and created an estimated 18 million-ton stockpile of the grain.

Thailand .... was unable to find buyers after rival producers such as India and Vietnam unexpectedly boosted their shipments. A deal to sell one million tons of stockpiled grain to a Chinese state firm recently collapsed after opposition politician Warong Dechgitvigrom [...] submitted the graft complaint. The Thai Rice Exporters Association forecasts the kingdom will sell 7.5 million tonnes overseas this year, down more than 30 percent compared with 2011. [NOTE that the one million-ton deal would have made up for approximately one-third of the grain sale shortfall ... if it had gone thru.]

Hundreds of farmers have protested recently in Bangkok to demand payment after the government ran short of cash to buy their pledged crops late last year, adding to pressure on Yingluck, who has faced months of opposition rallies. The cabinet earmarked nearly $22 million Tuesday for about 3,900 farmers but, in a sign of the policy constraints it faces, the payments must be approved by the Election Commission.

"We are trying to solve the problem as best we can... but the banks will not approve loans," Yingluck told reporters on Tuesday. "The government's financial and monetary status is good."

[Anti-democracy] Opposition demonstrators [...] disrupted the February 2 election... leaving her caretaker administration with limited power to raise funds.[But] Until voting is held in dozens of protest-hit constituencies, there are not enough MPs to appoint a new government even if Yingluck's party wins.

The government has not revealed the exact annual cost of the scheme, but the TDRI says estimates range from $4.6 billion to $6 billion – roughly 6% to 8% of the annual budget.

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So, as I gather it... The opposition disrupted elections, tanked an export deal with China, and interfered with the government's ability to disburse funds. And now, they're claiming the program has "failed". Right?

MAL4PREZ

Monday, March 10, 2014 5:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:

So, as I gather it... The opposition disrupted elections, tanked an export deal with China, and interfered with the government's ability to disburse funds. And now, they're claiming the program has "failed". Right?

Strangely familiar tactics...

You know, as much as I bitch about some aspects of this site, threads like this are one reason I still check in. I don't hear about this stuff elsewhere. Hadn't heard about this one before. Not that I'm convinced by one or two articles, but it's good to be somewhat aware.

*-------------------------------------------------*
What trolls reveal about themselves when they troll:
http://fireflyfans.net/mthread.aspx?bid=18&tid=57532
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REAVERFAN

Monday, March 10, 2014 6:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:

Strangely familiar tactics...

Indeed...

1KIKI

Monday, March 10, 2014 8:33 AM

"Not that I'm convinced by one or two articles, but it's good to be somewhat aware."

The problem with > waiting < for more information to come your way, to have a state of understanding that is convincingly solid, is that it's not going to happen. Except for here, this is not information you're just going to run across. You have to dig for it. Just sayin'.

OONJERAH
We are too dumb to live and smart enough to wipe ourselves out.

MAL4PREZ

Monday, March 10, 2014 9:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 1kiki:
"Not that I'm convinced by one or two articles, but it's good to be somewhat aware."

The problem with > waiting < for more information to come your way, to have a state of understanding that is convincingly solid, is that it's not going to happen. Except for here, this is not information you're just going to run across. You have to dig for it. Just sayin'.

Well, funny thing, I don't believe that any amount of "internet digging" will reveal The Ultimate Truth, and I have a lot to do besides trying to pick which blog is the most believable. Most I'm willing and able to do at this point is read a few posts from someone I don't always agree with but I know she's smart and has resources.

Can't I just give her that compliment without getting a guilt trip in reply?

Just sayin.

*-------------------------------------------------*
What trolls reveal about themselves when they troll:
http://fireflyfans.net/mthread.aspx?bid=18&tid=57532
*-------------------------------------------------*

1KIKI

Monday, March 10, 2014 9:54 AM

Oops. Not my intention. There's been a lot of posts about things NOT in the media over the last few threads, starting with the Venezuela thread. And it's been on my mind, especially the fragility of how this information comes to light. So, I came back with an observation about the state of the news, availability of the news, trustworthiness of the news. It wasn't directed at you, just making what was intended to be a generic observation.

GEEZER

Monday, March 10, 2014 7:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
What I read was this - massively rearranging the text of the linked article, editing out any criticism of the government, and adding some biases:

Fixed that for you.

Is this your internship project for RTV?

"When your heart breaks, you choose what to fill the cracks with. Love or hate. But hate won't ever heal. Only love can do that."

STORYMARK

Monday, March 10, 2014 8:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
Quote:
Originally posted by SIGNYM:
What I read was this - massively rearranging the text of the linked article, editing out any criticism of the government, and adding some biases:

Fixed that for you.

Is this your internship project for RTV?

"When your heart breaks, you choose what to fill the cracks with. Love or hate. But hate won't ever heal. Only love can do that."

That's adorable. At least Sig marked the changes...

Unlike you, who will omit details from an article, and then play dumb when caught.

"Goram it kid, let's frak this thing and go home! Engage!"

GEEZER

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 12:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
[That's adorable. At least Sig marked the changes...

Unlike you, who will omit details from an article, and then play dumb when caught.

Aww. Story to the rescue. How sweet.

"When your heart breaks, you choose what to fill the cracks with. Love or hate. But hate won't ever heal. Only love can do that."

MAL4PREZ

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 1:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 1kiki:
Oops. Not my intention. There's been a lot of posts about things NOT in the media over the last few threads, starting with the Venezuela thread. And it's been on my mind, especially the fragility of how this information comes to light. So, I came back with an observation about the state of the news, availability of the news, trustworthiness of the news. It wasn't directed at you, just making what was intended to be a generic observation.

Ahh. Gotcha. Sorry for taking it personal. ;)

You do have a good point, one I agree with. The "popular" news is of similar quality to popular food, popular music and popular entertainment these days.

*-------------------------------------------------*
What trolls reveal about themselves when they troll:
http://fireflyfans.net/mthread.aspx?bid=18&tid=57532
*-------------------------------------------------*

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