Broad smiles are covering real problems

COMMENTARY

Broad smiles are covering real problems

Published: 4 Mar 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Last week was one for Pheu Thai Party politicians plus Thaksin Shinawatra to remember. But it was a week that desk officials really want to forget.

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat came back from Preah Vihear temple with a smile on his face. The ex-air force officer believed the working lunch he had with his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Banh, had sent a message from the Thai-Cambodian border to The Hague, where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is based, that the two countries could live amicably despite their row over the land at the temple.

ACM Sukumpol calmed his critics _ including the Foreign Ministry which gave a polite warning _ who he said were over-reacting to the possible implications of his trip on the court battle between the Thai and Cambodian capitals over the territorial dispute which encompasses a mere 4.6 square kilometres.

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drsmith
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Discussion 5 : 05 Mar 2013 at 01.035
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D4 Spelled it out as true as it can get. Thailand is on the fact track to financial disaster and worse.
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boons
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Discussion 4 : 04 Mar 2013 at 22.154
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Thailand is in the middle of a totally artificial wealth-effect. Everyone feels like they are wealthy, but why? Thailand is a 70% export economy in a world of collapsing consumer demand. Hot money inflows have flooded Thai markets seeking yield. Unsustainable government stimulus policies from rice to autos, and irresponsible credit creation via high-risk loans are all part of the deadly formula which Thailand is mis-identifying as "economic success". Will it last? Of course not. Look to Greece or Spain for an example for how this turns out. But the banks as always smell the lure of near term billions, the future be damned.
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deville
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Discussion 3 : 04 Mar 2013 at 20.573
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Re Thaksin's "poor calculation a decade ago which led to the return of violence in 2004":

"poor calculation" ?? The Post seems too afraid to use the words 'Thaksin' and 'mistake' in the same sentence.

Has it really come to this?
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Openshaw
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Discussion 2 : 04 Mar 2013 at 17.182
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I think that involving Malaysia in seeking to resolve the southern insurgency is good news. Unless there is real will and co-operation between both countries, the insurgents will continue to cross the border to escape capture, as well as store their arms and explosives. Dialogue with the factions is also highly important to stop the mindless maiming and atrocities. There will have to be some form of compromise on both sides, but the important factor is to maintain a dialogue and engender some mutual trust for actions.
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shopwow
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Discussion 1 : 04 Mar 2013 at 10.261
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Dont know if the author would dare to write something like my comment but here it is. With the P.T and the reds it has always been the 'feel good' feeling that is more important than reality. Let the taxis feel good by using credit cards to buy fuel. Let the farmers feel good by using credit cards to buy fertilizers. Let the red supporters feel good by believing that they are fighting for a cause larger and more noble than just for,Thaksins return to a heroes welcome. At the end it is the tax payers that will bear the brunt and pay for all these 'i feel good' policies.
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Broad smiles are covering real problems | Bangkok Post: opinion