Should economic model be formally stipulated?
WICHIT CHANTANUSORNSIRI
Economists and business leaders have called for a debate on whether the country's economic model should be formally stipulated in the new constitution.
The only reason why the clause was put in past constitutions was to act as anti-Communist mechanism, because of the Cold War. Actually, they put that clause in after Pridi's plan was shot down for being communistic. Ironically, Ajarn Pridi may finally get his wish with his economic plan. To avoid lese majestie laws, maybe they should reframe sufficiency theory into Pridinomics to honor all the great Thai economics who honor him with their research.
The 1997 constitution, under Section 87, calls for Thailand to use a "free economic system" based on market forces. The state is also called to not directly engage in "an enterprise in competition with the private sector unless it is necessary for the purpose of maintaining the security of the state, preserving the common interest, or providing public utilities".
We know this is a lie. The notion that Thailand is a free economic system is a joke. The state may not be running the economy, but politicians and bureaucrats interfere to such an extent that this clause is basically meaningless. And I guess the government taking over non-military use satellites and the Shin Group assets are all about "national security."
But academics and economists have questioned whether the government's shift toward the sufficiency economy philosophy, first articulated by His Majesty the King, suggests that the new constitution should be adjusted accordingly.
I think they should do it. Why not? Get rid of democracy and the economic system in the next constitution. Go back to the absolute monarchy and sakdina. If they did that, perhaps they can stop blaming all of Thailand's problems on evil foreign influences like democracy and capitalism.
Somyos Somviwatanachai, the president of Unicon Concrete Products and a member of the constitutional drafting committee, said the 1997 constitution clearly called for Thailand to use a free-market, capitalist economic framework.
"In the past, we have looked for a perfect free-market system," he said at a conference yesterday hosted by the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University.
But an economic system based on consumption had instead fed corruption and power seeking, he said, in a veiled reference to the economic policies of the Thaksin Shinawatra government.
Gotta love this bullshit. Economics based on consumption? What does that mean? People buy, people consume. Sounds evil to me. Corruption and power seeking existed during sakdina also. Can't blame Thai political culture on capitalism.
"The economic system in turn influences public behaviour. If we want to address this, we need to change the system," Mr Somyos said.
Interpretation: Thai economics corrupts Thai politics. Ergo, change Thais. How?
He said members of the constitutional drafting committee were now focused primarily on the overall framework, including principles of human rights and the role of political institutions.
"But we should consider carefully whether we want our economic system to be based on capitalism, on market forces, or on the concept of sufficiency economics," Mr Somyos added.
This is lovely. Economic system based on capitalism, market forces, or sufficiency theory. The first two sounds similar and I thought sufficiency was supposed to be the same thing, or isn't it. No wonder the stupid farang are confused when Thais talk about economic theory. Can you understand this?
Supachai Yimprasert, a historian with Chulalongkorn University, said that stipulating the country's economic system within the law essentially limited the country's choices and the ability of political parties to offer options to the voters, whether they be under a capitalist, communist or socialist model.
I actually agree with this. Why have it in at all?
He noted that capitalism itself came in many forms, from the free-market framework practised by the United States to the more socialist principles of European countries.
Now we are back to the stupidity again. The US and Europe are both mixed systems. Anybody with half a brain cell knows this. The public sector is larger in some parts of Europe.
If Thailand wanted to focus on the principles of sufficiency economics, then it would have to be clearly defined in practice, with an implementation framework established to serve as a policy guideline for the future, Mr Supachai said.
I thought all the Thais say they understand sufficiency theory already, and it was only the stupid farang who didn't understand it, which is why Somkid was hired to educate the world about its superiority to all economic systems known to man.
Narong Petchprasert, an economist with Chulalongkorn University, said the constitution should only contain broad principles regarding the country's economic system.
A commitment to market forces, for instance, would not necessarily limit the options for policymakers, as socialist systems also rely on market forces to a certain extent.
Gotta love this. Why do Thais insist on butchering the English language? Who are the copy editors?
Napaporn Ativanichayapong, an economist with Chulalongkorn University, noted that the concept of sufficiency economics, given its association with the monarchy, had become a theory that did not brook criticism.
"We need to rethink our treatment of this theory to allow full criticism, I believe, to enable co-operation that will eventually lead to the development of practical applications," she said.
In other words, it will never happen.
I think the plan is to keep sufficiency theory a mystery, so that the Thais can pull it out of their asses every time they want to attack somebody who doesn't understand them.
Farang: Why are you taking away my company?
Thai: Sufficiency Theory
Farang: What is that?
Thai: Mai roo
Farang: So then why are you taking away my company?
Thai: Sufficiency Theory. The King make, wery gut.
Farang: So you want to kick foreigners out of Thailand?
Thai (Smiling big) : Uh, No, we like farang money, like wery mut, but we no want you to have any money also, understan?
Farang: That is sufficiency theory?
Thai: You farang ne' wer understan Thai. We tell you king make, wery gut, now here, wear a yellow shirt.
Farang: But you wrote a law that takes away my company. You take away my visa. And you are taking away my home.
Thai (Smiling big): Sufficiency theory, wery wery gut. We take company you, home you and you go home quick quick. Understan?
Farang (pulling hair out): I don't understand
Thai (pulls out telephone)
Farang: Who are you calling?
Thai: Khun Somkid
Farang: Why?
Thai: You stupid farang. He splain sufficiency theory you.
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