There is another “smear job” in the Bangkok Compost today
about the current Thai
government. This time they tried to discredit the Ministry of Science
Technology. The National Science and
Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) said that science and technology development in Thailand is "going
downhill" under the Pheu Thai government.
I’m calling “Bull Shit’ on this!
First of all, it is impossible for the
Ministry of Science and Technology go any further downhill with regards to
research when that ministry under the Abhisit led regime hit rock bottom. The only way to go is up. You would assume that the scientists at the
NSTDA would know even the basics of gravity.
Of course
there was not even a peep out of the NSTDA when the Minister of Science and Technology
under the Abhisit regime, Kalaya Sophonpanich, made this statement to Thai
students and scientists in London about those fraudulent GP200 bomb detectors
the morons in the military got snookered with:
"Regarding people's beliefs,
some kinds of beliefs are harmless. If these beliefs make people comfortable,
we should just leave them alone, shouldn't we? Some people are happy to worship
trees, for example. We don't need to disturb them, do we?"
Kalaya Sophonpanich, Science Hack
Not exactly a grand motivational message for students and
scientists to go out and do research.
But that was then and this is now. The current
government earlier announced a goal to raise spending on research from 0.25% of
gross domestic product to between 1% and 2%, which I believe they have done. But
that didn’t stop the NTSDA in calling on people to wear black on Monday to
protest against Pheu Thai's failure to keep its promises to improve research
and innovation.
The NSTDA claimed in an open letter released on Friday that policies imposed on different
agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology are not in line with the
government's declaration. One of these
agencies which policies were imposed on was the NSTDA itself which is probably why
they’re whining so much.
One
of these polices the NSTDA is complaining about is that any project costing more than 2 million baht
must be approved personally by the science and technology minister. The NSTDA claims that this type of “political
micro-management” makes conditions worse for researchers.
“Political micro-management”?! The government has a duty to carefully spend
tax payers’ money and they have a responsibility to see that there is no waste
or fraud.
The letter from the NSTDA grumbles further that, it has
been assigned to work on projects that focus on generating revenue for the
organization instead of creating knowledge for further application.
This, to me, isn’t unreasonable. If the NSTDA can generate
income on projects then they can spend that money on whatever research they
like.
The
bitching in the NTSDA letter only continued by claiming, “The usage of
creativity and innovation had dropped due to limitations placed on researchers.”
I can only assume that the NTSDA would prefer an “anything goes” policy when it
comes to spending tax payer’s money. Do they really believe the government should
hand them money with no strings attached when there is a current public
environment expressly concerned with corruption and waste?
Would you just hand money over to an NTSDA scientist such as the one pictured below?
"We're
concerned about the internal and external changes and challenges that affect
our country, and the fact that our country attaches little importance to
creating knowledge and innovation that will increase skills in the long run."
"The government only sees
science and technology as a way to solve short-term problems or to create
business opportunities.
"As a result, our country's
skills and competitive edge are steadily declining."
They
actually start to make a bit of a point here but by this time they had already
lost most of their credibility. It would help if the NTSDA would have offered
at least one example of research which would have increased the country’s skills and
competitive edge in the long run but was dropped due to the Ministry of Science
and Technology’s policies. But I doubt that they could.
And I also seriously doubt NTSDA could offer any evidence
on a vile accusation they made about government funding being used on other
activities besides research. Throwing around baseless accusations is shameful.
We should expect better from the NTSDA.
Last week, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Yingluck
Shinawatra gave a wonderful speech at the 7th Ministerial Conference
of the Community of Democracies in Mongolia.
Thailand's Always Gracious PM Yingluck Shinawatra Giving Her Speech
She brought to light how those in
Thailand who oppose democracy would intimidate, jail and even kill those
standing in their way of total dominance in Thailand. She also extolled the
people who “fought
back for their freedom” (the Red Shirts).
The speech was
obviously very good because it has the democracy haters’ “fascist panties in a bunch.”
Thai Rath’s
spare cartoonist and yellow shirted loser, Chai Rachawat, (real name Somchai Katanyutanan) who really hates democracy to the core, posted photos
of Yingluck with the message: "Please
understand that prostitutes are not bad women. Prostitutes only sell their
bodies, but a bad woman has been wandering around trying to sell the country."
Yellow Shirted Loser Chai Rachawat
I posted a
video of the speech on my Youtube account and some of the comments were just as
atrocious. They certainly lacked the truth and graciousness of Yingluck’s
speech.
Here’s an example
from another ass clown named “Hacker009Jr”:
“The
MOST Truth is .. This Fucking BITCH from CHINAWATRA Family's Speech(s) always
be LIE and MENDACIOUS.
The FACT in Files Folders is ..
Every-Persons from CHINAWATRA Family are CROOKs and Cruel-DESPOTIC-DICTATOR.
Their Greedy Rapacious Swinish Voracious
POLICY(s) oppress Citizen.
CHINAWATRA
Family & their Gang are TREACHEROUS TRAITOROUS Politician(s).”
Another viewer, appropriately named “AsylumLunatic,” had this to say:
“heard from other ppl how
she lied to the world! thanks for the vid..so now i can hear them with my own ears! shame on her!”
I’ve provided the video of this
speech and the transcript below and hope that you have a chance to either
listen to it or read it in order to judge for yourself.
Mr. Chairman, Excellencies,
Delegates to the Conference, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to begin by expressing my
appreciation to His Excellency the President of Mongolia for inviting me to
speak at this Conference of the Community of Democracies.
I accepted this invitation not only
because I wanted to visit a country that has made many achievements regarding
democracy, or to exchange ideas and views on democracy. But I am here also
because democracy is so important to me, and more importantly, to the people of
my beloved home, Thailand.
Democracy is not a new concept. Over
the years, It has brought progress and hope to a lot of people. At the same
time, many people have sacrificed their blood and lives in order to protect and
build a democracy.
A government of the people, by the
people and for the people does not come without a price. Rights,
liberties and the belief that all men and women are created equal have to be
fought, and sadly, died for.
Why? This is because there are
people in this world who do not believe in democracy. They are ready to grab
power and wealth through suppression of freedom. This means that they are
willing to take advantage of other people without respecting human rights and
liberties. They use force to gain submission and abuse the power.
This happened in the past and still posed challenges for all of us in the
present.
In many countries, democracy has
taken a firm root. And it is definitely refreshing to see another wave of
democracy in modern times, from Arab Spring to the successful transition in
Myanmar through the efforts of President Thein Sein, and also the changes in my
own country where the people power in Thailand has brought me here today.
At the regional level, the key
principles in the ASEAN Charter are the commitment to rule of law, democracy
and constitutional government. However, we must always beware that
anti-democratic forces never subside. Let me share my story.
In 1997, Thailand had a new
constitution that was created through the participation from the people.
Because of this, we all thought a new era of democracy has finally arrived, an
era without the cycle of coups d’état.
It was not to be. An elected
government which won two elections with a majority was overthrown in 2006.
Thailand lost track and the people spent almost a decade to regain their
democratic freedom.
Many of you here know that the government
I am talking about was the one with my brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, as the
rightfully elected Prime Minister.
Many who don’t know me say that why
complain? It is a normal process that governments come and go. And if I
and my family were the only ones suffering, I might just let it be.
But it was not. Thailand
suffered a setback and lost international credibility. Rule of law in the
country was destroyed. Projects and programs started by my brother’s government
that came from the people’s wishes were removed. The people felt their rights
and liberties were wrongly taken away.
Thai means free, and the people of
Thailand fought back for their freedom. In May 2010, a crackdown on the
protestors, the Red Shirts Movement, led to 91 deaths in the heart of the
commercial district of Bangkok.
Many innocent people were shot dead
by snipers, and the movement crushed with the leaders jailed or fled
abroad. Even today, many political victims remain in jail.
However, the people pushed on, and
finally the government then had to call for an election, which they thought
could be manipulated. In the end, the will of people cannot be denied. I was
elected with an absolute majority.
But the story is not over. It is
clear that elements of anti-democratic regime still exist. The new
constitution, drafted under the coup leaders led government, put in mechanisms
to restrict democracy.
A good example of this is that half
of the Thai Senate is elected, but the other half is appointed by a small group
of people. In addition, the so called independent agencies have abused the
power that should belong to the people, for the benefit of the few rather than
to the Thai society at large.
This is the challenge of Thai
democracy. I would like to see reconciliation and democracy gaining
strength. This can only be achieved through strengthening of the rule of law
and due process. Only then will every person from all walks of life can feel
confident that they will be treated fairly. I announced this as part of the
government policy at Parliament before I fully assumed my duties as Prime
Minister.
Moreover, democracy will also
promote political stability, providing an environment for investments, creating
more jobs and income. And most importantly, I believe political freedom
addresses long term social disparities by opening economic opportunities that
would lead to reducing the income gap between the rich and the poor.
That is why it is so important to
strengthen the grassroots. We can achieve this through education reforms.
Education creates opportunities through knowledge, and democratic culture built
into the ways of life of the people.
Only then will the people have the
knowledge to be able to make informed choices and defend their beliefs from
those wishing to suppress them. That is why Thailand supported Mongolia’s
timely UNGA resolution on education for democracy.
Also important is closing gaps
between rich and poor. Everyone should be given opportunities and no one
should be left behind. This will allow the people to become an active
stakeholder in building the country’s economy and democracy.
That is why my Government initiated
policies to provide the people with the opportunities to make their own living
and contribute to the development of our society. Some of these include creating
the Women Development Fund, supporting local products and SMEs as well as help
raising income for the farmers.
And I believe you need effective and
innovative leadership. Effective in implementing rule of law fairly.
Innovative in finding creative peaceful solutions to address the problems of
the people.
You need leadership not only on the
part of governments but also on the part of the opposition and all
stakeholders. All must respect the rule of law and contribute to democracy.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Another important lesson we
have learnt was that international friends matter. Pressure from
countries who value democracy kept democratic forces in Thailand
alive. Sanctions and non-recognition are essential mechanisms to stop
anti-democratic regimes.
An international forum like
Community of Democracies helps sustain democracy, seeking to promote and
protect democracy through dialogue and cooperation. More importantly, if
any country took the wrong turn against the principle of democracy, all of us
here need to unite to pressure for change and return freedom o the people.
I will always support the Community
of Democracies and the work of the Governing Council. I also welcome
the President’s Asian Partnership Initiative for Democracy and will explore how
to extend our cooperation with it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I would like to end my statement by
declaring that, I hope that the sufferings of my family, the families of the
political victims, and the families of the 91people, who lost their lives in
defending democracy during the bloodshed in May 2010, will be the last.
Let us continue to support democracy
so that the rights and liberties of all human beings will be protected for
future generations to come!
