Tourist Association Backs Protest
By Phuketwan Reporter Saturday, November 30, 2013
PHUKET: In a move that may surprise some, the Phuket Tourist Association has called on Thailand's government to give ''power to the people.''
According to the PTA, which represents most of the Thai holiday island's tourism-related groups, the protests throughout Thailand are justified.
A statement issued yesterday by the PTA says that corruption and lack of political morals were the true causes of the travel cautions about Thailand issued by 32 countries so far.
''The Government of Yingluck Shinawatra is clinging to power for the benefit of themselves,'' the statement said.
As a result, Thailand's important tourism industry was being affected, the statement said. The PTA asked PM Yingluck to respect the will of the people.
Large numbers of protesters in the streets of Bangkok, Phuket and some other provinces have occupied government buildings this week. A general strike by government workers has been called for next week.
Phuket people appear to have ignored an editorial in a tabloid newspaper recently that advised them to forgo their political right to protest in the interests of putting Phuket's tourism economy first.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
The "power to the people" rant would be amusing if it wasn't so serious and mind-numbingly stupid. THE PEOPLE voted for this government by a landslide, and would do the same if there was an election tomorrow. Do you want democracy or do you want to be controlled by the elite as has been the case for hundreds of years ?
Posted by
chris g
on
November 30, 2013 09:38
Editor Comment:
Democracy in which corruption and greed have become too great for many clearly doesn't sit well.
Considering the staggering level of home brewed corruption right here on Phuket, I find it quite ironic that PTA chooses to blame BKK for corruption.
What has PTA done to weed out corruption on Phuket ?
Protest all you want but don't expect someone else to solve your problems.
A good start would be for all Hotel and Resort owners to team up against the Taxi groups abusing, intimidating and fleecing off customers right at their doorstep.
PTA is best positioned to organize this but has done nothing of that kind.
Posted by
ThaiMike
on
November 30, 2013 10:05
Editor Comment:
And there's the significant life and death issue of 30 drownings at Phuket's beaches so far this year. The PTA should be persuading resorts to try real csr that saves lives.
Give back power to the people? Back to the ruling elite, more like.
This party has won five elections in a row. The power is already with the people.
Posted by
sir burr
on
November 30, 2013 10:39
Editor Comment:
The power is actually with the family, isn't it?
It seems the editor isn??t in favor of democratic elections.
Posted by
Remarkable
on
November 30, 2013 16:47
Editor Comment:
Your guesswork is as far from the truth on this issue as on most issues, remarkable. if you have nothing to add, best not to rely on the top of your head. It ain't the chamber of all knowledge.
In a few months the impact will be seen on tourism, a lot of people in the tourism industry will not be able to pay there loans due to lack of tourists, will then Suthep and co be there to pay for them? Sure not, democracy means that problems have to be solved in parlement. Suthep is not bringing any solutuon, the democrats either, the solution is with thai people dont accept money to vote.As long as this will not finish Thailand will walk from one crisis into another.That they are red or yelllow all of them are involved in corruption, by the way the Suthep clan also is not an angel. Do they want to remove a tiger and bring in a lion ?
Posted by
Eric
on
November 30, 2013 20:26
Editor Comment:
Is there some suggestion Suthep is a candidate for a top position? No sign of that yet. He has resigned from Parliament, faces a murder charge, and will probably never run for office again. Some people always presume self-interest is involved, perhaps because it's the way many people operate.
The self interest is the prize that is Thai politics. Immunity from meaningful prosecution, unlimited corrupt cash to be had. The going rate is 30% on all contracts. And if it goes belly up leave the country and spend the money. A prize worth fighting for wouldn't you agree.
Posted by
gee
on
November 30, 2013 21:33
The PM is reported to be the richest minister. Funny how she doesn't come across as a ruthless entrepreneur. Odd isn't it?
Posted by
gee
on
November 30, 2013 21:35
The Iron Lady Mrs. Thatcher set a president for females in government and she was the daughter of a back street greengrocer.
Posted by
gee
on
November 30, 2013 21:37
Editor Comment:
''Precedent.'' And that has nothing to do with Thailand or Thai politics.
As previously mentioned, the PTA should first set an example locally and take a clear and decisive position in respect to the multiple serious issues that do far more damage to local tourism than does the national government. It is no secret that some of the Thai tourist sector players on Phuket have longstanding links to the Democrat party. In fairness to other tourist sector businesses, the PTA neither represents their views nor speaks on their behalf in respect to national political issues. The foreign investors in Phuket's better known resorts have a neutral position. The PTA should also pay attention to the recent Chinese government press releases on the situation, specifically the expression of support for the stability of the Thai national government. That position is also shared in the public statements of other countries from whom Phuket draws its visitors. Prudent tourist operators side with calm and stability, and not with disruptive protests. Unrest and protests do far more harm to Thailand's image and tourism sector than does the current national government.
Posted by
Ryan
on
November 30, 2013 23:27
Editor Comment:
Prudent tourist operators shouldn't ''side with calm and stability'' just because it appears to be good for their bank balance. (Actually some of the most prudent investors have been downsizing their exposure in Thailand for years.) To say nothing and do nothing for the sake of preserving income is morally corrupt. Choosing right from wrong should be what all good people do, including tourism operators. This is as true when it comes to the needless loss of life through drownings as it is with politics. Phuket's (and Thailand's) problems need to be fixed, not ignored. Once the problems are fixed, investments have real value - and tourism operators will be able to sleep at night. The way some people love money, above choosing right from wrong, is Thailand's biggest problem.
I agree with Chris G., Sir Burr and others. And yes, it is clear that the editor's position is HEAVILY slanted towards the Yellow Shirts and elites. The people have spoken (many times) and it seems that the only way the countries' elite can ever get back into power is by doing it through non-elected means.
The people get the government they vote for...nothing less.
Posted by
David Stonham (USA with Thai wife & child)
on
December 1, 2013 08:26
Editor Comment:
You guys live in your imaginations and agree with every bit of guesswork each other makes up. Your previous unpublishable comment includes the sentence: ''Thaksin-nomics worked well and it has been used as a model all over the developing world.'' I guess that makes you an unbiased observer. Phuketwan supports true democracy, free from corruption. You guys follow the money.
Don't write anything that the editor disagrees with. Wanker
Posted by
Peter
on
December 1, 2013 09:48
Editor Comment:
I don't have any problems with people familiar with all kinds of ideas who understand and have the ability to use logic persuasively, Peter. But you obviously have no opportunity to grasp anything worthwhile.
The editor uses bulling tactics to lure readers back again and again to retort, in order to up the site's hits. I suggest readers stop making any comments, and when the site's Thai owners(as foreigners cannot own news media,) see the hits drop, perhaps they will enforce impartiality upon their ill-mannered, biased editor.
Posted by
Media Watcher
on
December 1, 2013 10:18
Editor Comment:
You're always good for a laugh, Media Watcher. Feel free never to be lured back again.
On the website of Phuket Tourist Association objective no 13 says verbatim: "Do not trade and is not associated with any political way. The direct or indirect"
Is the official message from the entire committee of PTA, that they don't respect their own house rules?
Posted by
Sherlock
on
December 1, 2013 18:28
@Media Watcher: Well, he's got it up to $45,000 according to Hostcabi.net.
Blast! I just clicked it up another dime or two.
Posted by
Buster
on
December 1, 2013 19:00
So many people think rule by elites and democracy are necessarily two different things. If the ruling elite(Thaksin)is elected to dole out borrowed cash to buy the loyalty of "the people" it is still rule by elites.
Posted by
democracyrules
on
December 3, 2013 14:24
If you all loved literacy as much as you love "the people" and majority tyranny, you might understand that elections don't solve right and wrong and a majority alone should not be the way a society governs itself. BTW, should Martin Luther King have simply abided by the decisions of those elected by the wonderful majority? I guess the Jews should have checked themselves into Auschwitz voluntarily too because, you know, the people have spoken. And learn to spell before lecturing others on the virtue of rolling over for the majority.
Posted by
democracyrules
on
December 3, 2013 14:46
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The "power to the people" rant would be amusing if it wasn't so serious and mind-numbingly stupid. THE PEOPLE voted for this government by a landslide, and would do the same if there was an election tomorrow. Do you want democracy or do you want to be controlled by the elite as has been the case for hundreds of years ?
Posted by chris g on November 30, 2013 09:38
Editor Comment:
Democracy in which corruption and greed have become too great for many clearly doesn't sit well.