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On Phuket It's Corruption, Corruption, Corruption. When Will Residents See Action, Action, Action?
By Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian Thursday, May 23, 2013
PHUKET: Residents on Phuket are beginning to wonder just what has to happen for charges of corruption to be laid against any individual on the island.
Yet another visit was made to Phuket yesterday by Bangkok lawmakers and senior anti-corruption officials.
Yet again, they were pictured touring spots where corrupt former officials are reported to have corruptly erected corrupt buildings.
And yet again, a lot was said but no action was taken.
The whole world knows that Phuket is a place where favors can be bought, a place where oficials have in the past abused their positions for private gain. In some cases, some officials may still be doing so.
When will action be taken to start turning the tide, to start ridding Phuket of corruption?
Talk of Phuket becoming another Singapore is laughable unless government authorities start to impose serious penalties for corruption, corruption, corruption.
People are beginning to wonder: just what is it that stops the authorities from taking action?
It can't be lack of prima facie evidence. Phuketwan has been shown documents in some cases that make it obvious that charges should be laid - not against one or two people, but in many cases of (alleged) illegal encroachment.
For Phuket to continue to attract international tourists, international investors and international admiration, international standards must be adopted.
This means all agents of the government must oppose corruption, in all its forms, otherwise honest citizens are sent the wrong message.
When will the people responsible for fighting corruption in Thailand swing into action? When will a corruption charge be laid on Phuket?
For the record, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Senate on Natural Resources and the Environment, Kwonchai Panomkwan, toured suspected sites yesterday with his team and will meet with Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin today.
Expect more words.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
My sentiments precisely. All talk, no action.
Something countless readers have said all along, only to get lambasted by the Editor for being cheerleaders for the wrongdoers.
Posted by
Observer
on
May 23, 2013 09:28
Editor Comment:
Nonsense. Readers have been lambasted by the editor for saying ''Nothing Will Ever Change.'' That is cheerleading for the wrong-doers. Your first comment - welcome. I hope your comprehension improves.
I would very interesed to see statistics regarding the number of proposed violations versus those that have actually been enforced or been put through the legal system.
Posted by
eezergood
on
May 23, 2013 10:31
Unfortunately as long as the apathy fueled by self interest by the "powerful" continues, those that try to change things will be relegated to positions with no power to change....?
Posted by
david
on
May 23, 2013 10:34
Editor Comment:
That's very close to saying ''Nothing will ever change,'' which would be just what the wrong-doers want you to think and say. Before the internet, cynics just sat and did nothing. Now their do-nothing voices are heard. Cynicism is not wanted here. It's useful only in small doses, as a seldom-used option for constructive thinkers.
Your article states that Phuket could become another Singapore..Is that really what we want?..Singaporeans are some of the most stressed out people in the World..All the rules and regulations..
After 2 days in Singapore, i can't wait to get back to Phuket!
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 23, 2013 10:54
Editor Comment:
A ''clean'' Phuket would help.
@Ed. You go on about the naysayers and doomsayers etc, but as news outlet why dont you take up the cause of something here on Phuket Island and follow through on it. For example the Airport Buses - The follow up meeting never happened and its been swept underneath the carpet as if it never existed. Bring this issue to the fore and help change Phuket for the better. The more people talk about this the more publicity it will get and eventually the powers that be will have to listen.
Posted by
Jimbo
on
May 23, 2013 10:54
Editor Comment:
We work seven days a week from 5am to 11pm and the airport bus service is just one of many items on our long ''to-do'' list. At the top are issues or life or death: drownings, road toll, safety and security. The airport bus is on the list and it will be pursued.
Unfortunalely, the 3 English websites with forums and comments in Phuket are in English version only.
Most of civil servants in Phuket and Thailand at large are able to speak and read basic English only.
Educatated Thai people in the business or as senior civil servants do not have time to surf on the net about bad comments as most of Thais want to read only positive articles.
The key point to move forward all message through articles on websites would be to have wwww.phuketwan.com in English and in Thai languages.
Also to reduce corruption, DSI (Department of Special Investigation) , NACC (National Anti Corruption Committee) should push low-paid civil servants to denounce senior civil servants in case of corruption or malpractices.
DSI (DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION)
128 Moo 3, Chern Wattana Road, Lak Si,
Bangkok 10210 THAILAND
Phone: 02 831 98 88
Pol Lt Col Somboon SARASIT
Mobile: 085 660 0845
email: somboon911@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.dsi.go.th/index.php?lang=th
NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION
165/1 Phitsanulok Road, Dusit,
Bangkok 10300 Thailand
http://www.nacc.go.th
Posted by
Whistle-Blower
on
May 23, 2013 10:59
Editor Comment:
Indeed. We'd welcome readers becoming sponsors and allowing us to grow our readership in the Thai language. Phuketwan's aim is not to grow the business bigger, but to change Phuket for the better. We are certainly read by some key people, but the residents of Phuket are not always made aware of all issues that affect them directly. It's not true to say that Thais only want to read positive articles, but that's what they are often fed.
Ed, was it not the intention of the Phuket Wan to close shop this year if it didn't find a publisher? Or has that idea been knocked on the head?
Posted by
agogohome
on
May 23, 2013 11:29
Editor Comment:
That's not what we said. Please check the original article.
Ed - we understand that you must prioritise your work load & its good to see these thing have not been swept under the carpet. 126 hrs a week, every week? I told you a 100,0o000000 times not to exagerate :)
Posted by
eezergood
on
May 23, 2013 11:31
If you want your readers to become your sponsors, perhaps you should revisit the way you currently treat them. Many of us have been here a lot longer than you have and have personal, inside information on subjects you know little or nothing about. Failure to recognize this only works against your sponsorship pleas.
Can't have it both ways.
We would be happy to have our company sponsor PhuketWan and we value your reporting very much but your personality flaws are something we do not want to be seen supporting or associated with. The constant petty arguments and virtual pissing contest is infantile and erodes the quality reporting your team provides.
Please stop embarking on your ego trip, playing the big fish in the small pond and if you can't resist the dying urge to always having the last word, just don't publish any comments at all.
Including this.
Posted by
Sponsor
on
May 23, 2013 12:42
Editor Comment:
Length of time on Phuket is no guarantee of accurate first-hand knowledge.We know of long-timers who believe everything they hear, and who find themselves talking to the same people, day in and day out, about the same topics, and reaching the same conclusions. That's why cynicism becomes the easy option for most. It offers simple answers to complex issues. And it's easier to say ''Nothing will ever change'' than to do something about it. We are only interested in sponsors who believe Phuket can and should change for the better. Only readers like you try to tell us what to do.
Thanks. But no thanks.
"Talk of Phuket becoming another Singapore..."
who apart from you has talked about this??
Posted by
another steve
on
May 23, 2013 13:26
Editor Comment:
Why don't you get out to a few meetings involving officials on Phuket, another steve. It might open your ears. We've ceased to be interested in being badgered by the ignorant. Goodbye.
Readers are invited to add personal insights, fresh ideas and new information. Nit-pickers? No thanks. We're over you.
If foreigners and their discourse e to have any affect at all- Thais need to be part of the dialogue. Having this site in Thai language would be a huge push, how long would it last I wonder,though before the authorities blocked it? Besmirching of the Thai rep seems to be of crucial offense.
Why not have a fund drive? Not everyone's business can afford expensive ads.
And please give us cynics a break, first step to solving a problem is being bothered by the problem.
Posted by
E B 48
on
May 23, 2013 15:10
Editor Comment:
After years of harassment by cynics, I think it's time the cynics gave the Ed a break. There is no reason to believe that anything we say in English would suddenly become a problem if it was published in Thai. It's a simple matter these days to use Google translate. Certainly, the essence of what's reported on this site is sometimes passed on. But it doesn't reach the average Phuket resident.
Fund drive? No thanks. No time.
Your holier-than-thou, last-word, pedantic comments are the only reason I read your pages. Reminds me how good and tolerant and knowledgeable I really am. (moderated)
Posted by
Ga
on
May 23, 2013 16:02
Editor Comment:
Sure, Ga. Sure. Have you always been so childish or is this something new?
Is their an email to send Information about corrupt police and Phuket government officials ?
Also. Phuket business that evade tax .. Do u have a contact
For tax office where complaints against law breakers can be made ..
Electricity department .. Complain for people by passing their meters so they get FREE ELECTRICITY..
I have sent evidence about All 3 to BBK government department but NOTHING was done about it ..
Posted by
Danny
on
May 24, 2013 03:48
Sad fact:History tells us that "change" often just replaces one form of corrupt 'archy for another.
Often those who advocate "non conforming" change have ended up "non persons"
Understand ed limiting his lambasting pulpit to the powerless choir of ex pats.
Think many would understand if he cut his losses and took up golf and alcoholism prior to having an "unavailable" message re his URL or maybe a Stalin- esque 4am visit.
Okay tongue in cheek but...??
Posted by
david
on
May 24, 2013 11:49
Editor Comment:
I am not sure why you and other commenters waste so much time in denial. Singing the ''things will never change'' chorus makes you the backing choir for the tuk-tuk and taxi drivers. You're humming their favorite song, the tune they wrote especially for you. Before the Internet, cynics had no say, and the world moved forward. I long for the good old days when cynics were silent. If there weren't so many expats singing the tuk-tuk and taxi glee clubs' favorite song, it would be possible for those who believe in change to get on with achieving it. If you also wish to denigrate the expat community's power at the same time as you chorus ''Things will never change,'' you are truly confused. If you have no power, why waste your time saying nothing on this forum? As for you suggesting that action might be taken against us . . . how mixed up can you get? Please sit on the sofa, david, watch tv, twiddle your thumbs, and let us get on with it. I am over golf - it's too expensive on Phuket - and I don't drink enough. Thanks to you, I need a couple right now - but I'll have to wait until tomorrow. There are other places you should stick your tongue.
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My sentiments precisely. All talk, no action.
Something countless readers have said all along, only to get lambasted by the Editor for being cheerleaders for the wrongdoers.
Posted by Observer on May 23, 2013 09:28
Editor Comment:
Nonsense. Readers have been lambasted by the editor for saying ''Nothing Will Ever Change.'' That is cheerleading for the wrong-doers. Your first comment - welcome. I hope your comprehension improves.