NewsFRONT: Somchai Wongsawat, brother in law of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, has been selected as the PPP coalition candidate for Wednesday's vote by Parilament for a new PM.
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LOOKING for a real leader, a new way in politics for the future? An uncompromising route to prosperity?
The answer to the prayers of Phuket and Thailand lies not far away, in a hospital in Singapore.
Lee Kwan Yew, the founder of the city-state, celebrates his 85th birthday on Tuesday. He remains the perfect benevolent dictator model for any aspiring South East Asian nation.
Or a holiday island in trouble, for that matter.
With Thailand set to choose a new Prime Minister this week at a time of political turmoil, what could be better than a lesson in political and economic management from the birthday boy?
Lee's own version of ''new politics'' carried Singapore to a remarkable level of development in rapid time, transforming the ''little red dot'' from a British backwater into a financial powerhouse and technological mecca.
There are even those who have always said that Phuket should model itself on Singapore, if only because the city-state is roughly the same size as the Andaman holiday dewdrop.
Phuket is still trailing a little. Singapore today has the world's busiest port. It is the third-largest oil refiner and a major center of global manufacturing and service industries.
Proving colonialism may not be a lifetime curse, Singapore's GNP is now higher than that of Britain.
It was Lee who drove the island's commercial development as a priority and made its people wealthy, if a little repressed.
Since Lee moved aside in 1990, Singapore has grown increasingly liberal to the point where the city-state now has a huge imported labor force, a large, booming sex industry, and a couple of casinos scheduled for 2009.
Lee abused pure ''democracy'' and made his version of it the base for a purpose-built model that was far from democratic, but 100 percent effective.
Could Thailand do with a version of Lee Kwan Yew ''new politics?'' You bet.
While Lee may be ageing, Asia's most admired strongman has never been reticent about expressing an opinion, and recently he offered this advice about his closest neighbors:
''Thailand and Malaysia are in a state of political flux,'' he wrote. ''Money politics is at the heart of the problems in many countries in Asia.
'''Money politics' is a code-word for buying of votes to gain power and after gaining power to recover your expenses plus some profit for the next round of vote-buying.
''There is no money politics in Singapore. The integrity of ministers and public officials is fundamental for political stability.
''Politics in Singapore is all above-board and so has not been troubled by such politicking. There are some who yearn for multi-party politics and rotating party governments.
''They should study Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Rotating party governments have led to more corruption and misgovernment.
''And a 'free wheeling press' has not cleaned up corruption, although according to American 'Democracy' theories it is designed to do so.
''Furthermore frequent chop and change in governments and policies have hampered Taiwan's and Thailand's economic growth and increased unemployment and caused political instability.''
So there. Perhaps this week, Thailand will have a home-grown Lee Kwan Yew in place to guide it, nodding towards ''new politics'' and aiming for national prosperity.
Alternatively, an absent government run by a benevolent dictator from a Singapore hospital bed might not be such a bad idea for the next 30 years.
SINGAPORE Foreign Minister George Yeo said on Sunday that he expects instability in Thailand to last a while longer, so the Singapore travel warning will stay in effect. (That's a travel warning for Thailand, not Singapore.)
''I do not think the situation in Thailand has fully stabilised yet,'' he was reported as saying.
''This is only an interim government, and parliament will have to nominate a new prime minister. There will have to be compromises, there could be further struggles, we do not know.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would ''continue to evaluate the situation to see whether there is a need for us to amend our advisory, but I expect this period of instability to last a while longer.''
It will be interesting to see how the other governments that have issued warnings react this week. While the warnings are on, the tourism industry will struggle to recover.
WE SAW the new @Park Rawai ''community shopping mall'' in full checkout rehearsal on Sunday for Monday's opening, with a brass band and spectacular showgirls leading the shoppers.
Nearby, the local Sunday market was still thriving but some other shops appeared to be distinctly quieter.
Getting in and out of the car park through one entrance-exit caused confusion and delay.
The neat supermarket does not pretend to offer everything that the island's main Tesco-Lotus has on its shelves, so weekly shopping trips may still have to be made.
But there are clearly advantages in having other shops, especially the banks with their ATMs, so close. The prices looked extremely competitive.
It's clearly the end for mom and pop shops in the surrounding streets, and a new era in the supermarket battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of island residents.
Convenient? Yes. Progress? We are not so sure about that.
*Lee Kwan Yew was released from hospital on Monday after treatment for a minor heart complaint.
Related Article:
Travel Warning: Ambassador Alert for Andaman
Travel warnings are a blot on the tourism industry, causing unnecessary pain and suffering. With a plan for a group of ambassadors to visit Phang Nga, perhaps it's time to tell them to cool it.
Travel Warning: Ambassador Alert for Andaman
Look for
Latest
September 11
The Andaman's added attractions this high season will include a month of widespread price cutting in November, part of a push to revitalise the tourism industry on Phuket and in the region.
Phuket Price Packages Chase Tourism Rebound
September 5
Why did they do it? That's the week's big question. The invasion of Phuket International Airport was a big mistake that is going to cost Phuket people dearly. Why?; Jobs is the critical topic as tourism slows.
Phuket Flights: Why Was Airport Invaded?
September 4
The Prime Minister defends his right to remain in power, and Cabinet follows up with a plan for a public referendum to defuse the political crisis. A referendum may also divide the protestors.
Samak Tells Thailand: I Am Not Going Anywhere
September 3
Phuket occupancy rates are down from 55 percent to 30 percent and the recovery will take up to two years, a tourism industry leader says. The island and airlines continue to count the cost of the airport siege.
Phuket Air Siege: Two Years For Recovery
September 2
With a state of emergency announced in Bangkok, a survey of Phuket resorts indicates that the airport siege cost the tourism industry dearly. One thing is sure: Phuket is no longer the haven from political unrest it was last week.
Phuket Resorts Report Cancellations, Uncertainty
September 1
Phuket is flying again. Perhaps not as high as it would like yet, but that will come in time. What was the cost of the airport blockade and what are the lessons for the island? Here's our analysis.
Phuket Flights Return, Island Counts The Cost
Catch
Phuketwan UPDATES
Monday TRENDS
LOOKING for a real leader, a new way in politics for the future? An uncompromising route to prosperity?
The answer to the prayers of Phuket and Thailand lies not far away, in a hospital in Singapore.
Lee Kwan Yew, the founder of the city-state, celebrates his 85th birthday on Tuesday. He remains the perfect benevolent dictator model for any aspiring South East Asian nation.
Or a holiday island in trouble, for that matter.
With Thailand set to choose a new Prime Minister this week at a time of political turmoil, what could be better than a lesson in political and economic management from the birthday boy?
Lee's own version of ''new politics'' carried Singapore to a remarkable level of development in rapid time, transforming the ''little red dot'' from a British backwater into a financial powerhouse and technological mecca.
There are even those who have always said that Phuket should model itself on Singapore, if only because the city-state is roughly the same size as the Andaman holiday dewdrop.
Phuket is still trailing a little. Singapore today has the world's busiest port. It is the third-largest oil refiner and a major center of global manufacturing and service industries.
Proving colonialism may not be a lifetime curse, Singapore's GNP is now higher than that of Britain.
It was Lee who drove the island's commercial development as a priority and made its people wealthy, if a little repressed.
Since Lee moved aside in 1990, Singapore has grown increasingly liberal to the point where the city-state now has a huge imported labor force, a large, booming sex industry, and a couple of casinos scheduled for 2009.
Lee abused pure ''democracy'' and made his version of it the base for a purpose-built model that was far from democratic, but 100 percent effective.
Could Thailand do with a version of Lee Kwan Yew ''new politics?'' You bet.
While Lee may be ageing, Asia's most admired strongman has never been reticent about expressing an opinion, and recently he offered this advice about his closest neighbors:
''Thailand and Malaysia are in a state of political flux,'' he wrote. ''Money politics is at the heart of the problems in many countries in Asia.
'''Money politics' is a code-word for buying of votes to gain power and after gaining power to recover your expenses plus some profit for the next round of vote-buying.
''There is no money politics in Singapore. The integrity of ministers and public officials is fundamental for political stability.
''Politics in Singapore is all above-board and so has not been troubled by such politicking. There are some who yearn for multi-party politics and rotating party governments.
''They should study Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines. Rotating party governments have led to more corruption and misgovernment.
''And a 'free wheeling press' has not cleaned up corruption, although according to American 'Democracy' theories it is designed to do so.
''Furthermore frequent chop and change in governments and policies have hampered Taiwan's and Thailand's economic growth and increased unemployment and caused political instability.''
So there. Perhaps this week, Thailand will have a home-grown Lee Kwan Yew in place to guide it, nodding towards ''new politics'' and aiming for national prosperity.
Alternatively, an absent government run by a benevolent dictator from a Singapore hospital bed might not be such a bad idea for the next 30 years.
Travel Warning Stays In Place
SINGAPORE Foreign Minister George Yeo said on Sunday that he expects instability in Thailand to last a while longer, so the Singapore travel warning will stay in effect. (That's a travel warning for Thailand, not Singapore.)
''I do not think the situation in Thailand has fully stabilised yet,'' he was reported as saying.
''This is only an interim government, and parliament will have to nominate a new prime minister. There will have to be compromises, there could be further struggles, we do not know.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would ''continue to evaluate the situation to see whether there is a need for us to amend our advisory, but I expect this period of instability to last a while longer.''
It will be interesting to see how the other governments that have issued warnings react this week. While the warnings are on, the tourism industry will struggle to recover.
Rawai Grows a New Shopping Heart
WE SAW the new @Park Rawai ''community shopping mall'' in full checkout rehearsal on Sunday for Monday's opening, with a brass band and spectacular showgirls leading the shoppers.
Nearby, the local Sunday market was still thriving but some other shops appeared to be distinctly quieter.
Getting in and out of the car park through one entrance-exit caused confusion and delay.
The neat supermarket does not pretend to offer everything that the island's main Tesco-Lotus has on its shelves, so weekly shopping trips may still have to be made.
But there are clearly advantages in having other shops, especially the banks with their ATMs, so close. The prices looked extremely competitive.
It's clearly the end for mom and pop shops in the surrounding streets, and a new era in the supermarket battle for the hearts, minds and wallets of island residents.
Convenient? Yes. Progress? We are not so sure about that.
*Lee Kwan Yew was released from hospital on Monday after treatment for a minor heart complaint.
Related Article:
Travel Warning: Ambassador Alert for Andaman
Travel warnings are a blot on the tourism industry, causing unnecessary pain and suffering. With a plan for a group of ambassadors to visit Phang Nga, perhaps it's time to tell them to cool it.
Travel Warning: Ambassador Alert for Andaman
Look for
TRENDS
every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.Latest
TRENDS
from Phuketwan:September 11
The Andaman's added attractions this high season will include a month of widespread price cutting in November, part of a push to revitalise the tourism industry on Phuket and in the region.
Phuket Price Packages Chase Tourism Rebound
September 5
Why did they do it? That's the week's big question. The invasion of Phuket International Airport was a big mistake that is going to cost Phuket people dearly. Why?; Jobs is the critical topic as tourism slows.
Phuket Flights: Why Was Airport Invaded?
September 4
The Prime Minister defends his right to remain in power, and Cabinet follows up with a plan for a public referendum to defuse the political crisis. A referendum may also divide the protestors.
Samak Tells Thailand: I Am Not Going Anywhere
September 3
Phuket occupancy rates are down from 55 percent to 30 percent and the recovery will take up to two years, a tourism industry leader says. The island and airlines continue to count the cost of the airport siege.
Phuket Air Siege: Two Years For Recovery
September 2
With a state of emergency announced in Bangkok, a survey of Phuket resorts indicates that the airport siege cost the tourism industry dearly. One thing is sure: Phuket is no longer the haven from political unrest it was last week.
Phuket Resorts Report Cancellations, Uncertainty
September 1
Phuket is flying again. Perhaps not as high as it would like yet, but that will come in time. What was the cost of the airport blockade and what are the lessons for the island? Here's our analysis.
Phuket Flights Return, Island Counts The Cost
