Chicago Sun-Times: Thailand violates drug patents for its own profit

May 5, 2007

BY PHILIP STEVENS

This week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative issued its annual review of the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights across the world. Twelve countries with particularly egregious policies were placed on the report's Priority Watch List, and for the first time, Thailand was elevated to that classification.

This dishonor was expected. Over the last few months, the nation's military-appointed government has issued several ''compulsory licenses'' on patented medicines.

Citing a World Trade Organization rule that permits a country to breach patents during a ''national emergency,'' the Thai government has granted itself the right to produce copies of Kaletra and Efavirenz, two powerful HIV/AIDS antiretrovirals, and Plavix, the popular heart-disease drug. The government has claimed, with much praise from a broad coalition of health activists and nongovernmental organizations, that it would be unable to meet its commitment to universal health care without compulsory licensing.

The truth is that Thailand's decision has nothing to do with lowering costs or compassion. Instead, the Thai government appears to be violating patents for its own profit. And in doing so, the nation is putting Thai citizens at great risk.

Consider: Earlier this month, Abbott Laboratories announced that it would sell to Thailand and dozens of other low-income nations, Kaletra for $1,000 per patient annually. That's about 55 percent less than Kaletra's current cost and cheaper than every copy of the medicine available. In March, Merck similarly offered to drastically reduce the price of Efavirenz.

Yet Thailand has asserted that it will maintain compulsory licenses for both medicines.

Or look at the Global Fund, which recently announced that it would foot Thailand's entire bill for Efavirenz by purchasing a generic version of the drug from a World Health Organization-approved plant in India.

The Thai government rejected the Global Fund's offer, leaving Thai taxpayers to foot the bill for the drug's manufacture.

Clearly, this isn't about improving access to medicines for the Thai people. It's about establishing Thailand's state-owned drug manufacturer -- the Government Pharmaceutical Organization -- as a dominant regional manufacturer of copycat drugs. Only the GPO can sell copycat drugs to the Thai government, which excludes private manufacturers from receiving government contracts.

This leaves the GPO to reap all the cushy rewards, which flow right back to the government and provide further opportunities for the nation's politically connected to enrich themselves.

In 2005, the GPO made a profit of around $35.5 million and reinvested only about 2 percent of that sum into research and development. As one would expect, this money lines the pockets of Thailand's ruling class.

Further, when it comes to producing drugs, the GPO has a terrifying track record. In 2002, the Global Fund awarded Thailand $133 million to test and manufacture its locally produced HIV/AIDS medication, GPO-Vir.

Last August, however, the Global Fund was forced to withdraw its funding because the GPO's manufacturing facilities did not meet international standards and the GPO's drug had yet to gain WHO approval.

But it was too little too late. In July 2005, it emerged that GPO-Vir had caused a rise in drug-resistant AIDS cases because of its poor quality. Despite this track record, Thailand continues to administer GPO-Vir to its HIV/AIDS patients -- which, ironically, is making the virus even more deadly.

Yet instead of denouncing the Thai government's dangerous and self-interested policies, activist groups have urged it to go further and faster. Even worse, many U.S. lawmakers have piled on. Earlier this year, 22 members of Congress signed a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative expressing their support for Thailand's use of compulsory licenses.

The public-health impact, as the HIV/AIDS example suggests, will likely prove devastating.

By upgrading Thailand to the Priority Watch List, the U.S. Trade Representative has sternly condemned the Thai government's patent violations. U.S. policymakers should take this opportunity to trumpet the trade representative's report and denounce Thailand's behavior.

Philip Stevens is health program director at the International Policy Network, a London-based charity.

This information is fairly old and well-known already. The Thai government is not the most ethical body in the world.

This is the same government that cares so much about the people that it was giving rotten milk to school children so a political big shot could make some corruption money.

I have worked in the medical industry before, so I know the reputation of Big Pharma, and it is not good. But when it comes to medical technologies, developing countries are ripping off the first world a lot. They steal the technology and re-sell it a cheaper price. This is not only about access to drugs for poor people. Thailand wants to frame the debate that way. But the credibility of the Thai government really is less than zero and it could care less about helping the poor. The fact is that Thailand could raise the money for its universal health care system by raising taxes. Instead, it chooses to steal. And, if this article is correct, it is stealing in order to make a profit on somebody else's dime and it is going to make many Aids sufferers worse off because of it.

Bangkok Post: Dishonestly Linking Thaksin to US Action Over IP

Thaksin linked to US action

Govt suspicious after country put on list

Bangkok Post


PRADIT RUANGDIT & APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL


The government is checking whether the recent movements of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are linked to the decision of the US Trade Representative (USTR) to downgrade Thailand to a country deemed to have poor intellectual property protection. Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalap revealed the government's response action when asked to comment on speculation to this effect.

Six days ago, The Washington Times published an article critical of the coup, the government's economic policies and its decision to adopt compulsory licensing. The article was penned by Ken Adelman, who is a senior counsellor of a public relations company which has Mr Thaksin among its clients and also an executive director of USA for Innovation.

This really proves how truly worthless Thai journalists are. They either are stupid or being dishonest on purpose. The Bangkok Post won't make the distinction that Ken Adelman was acting in his capacity as head of USA for Innovation and not acting as senior counsellor for Edelmen. Not only that, these reporters refused to contact Ken Adelman or Edelman for comment. Also, they didn't contact Thaksin for his comment also. Now, any real newspaper with journalistic ethics and with a competent editorial staff would actually contact the other side before going to print. But, in this case, the Bangkok Post chose its own political interests over what it is professionally right.

The USTR on Monday placed Thailand and 11 other countries on a ''priority watch list'' to monitor them for their handling of intellectual property rights.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he wanted to know why the US took this step and admitted he was concerned about the possible economic impact.

People living with HIV/Aids and health activists yesterday announced plans to rally at the US embassy today to protest against the USTR's decision.

''We have to let them know that this US attempt to protect its trade benefits is unacceptable. Millions of poor patients, not only in Thailand but in other developing countries, who depend on costly drugs will die because of such selfish action,'' said Virat Poorahong of the Thai Network Living with HIV/Aids.


Here is another unchallenged lie, which the Bangkok Post doesn't refute. The US is not protecting any trade benefits. The fact is that the US has been giving unreciprocated trade benefits to Thailand. Here is a link(KRC Predicts IP trade problems) to another story in the Bangkok Post that refutes this quote.

Further, the United States is not responsible for giving free Aids medication to Thais, who contracted HIV in Thailand through their own risky behaviors. HIV/Aids is preventable. If Thailand is worried about the spread of Aids maybe it should shut down it multibillion dollar sex industry.


Mr Virat and 30 HIV-positive people met Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla to show their support for compulsory licensing of generic versions of the Aids and heart drugs Efavirenz, Kaletra and Plavix. They were concerned that the government would retreat from the move under pressure from the USTR.

Dr Mongkol said he was worried about the impact on trade but insisted that poor people should have access to cheap drugs.

''We can't let our poor patients die without dignity,'' he added.

There are millions of Thais dying of diseases unrelated to Aids every year. Their dignity has never been a priority of the Thai government . It seems that only when foreigners and their money and technology is involved does the dignity of Thais get top priority.

Washington should respect Thailand's decision, which he stressed was in line with the World Trade Organisation's Trade-Related Aspects on Intellectual Property Rights (Trips) rules.

''They should avoid putting pressure on us as long as what we're trying to do is legitimate,'' he said. Dr Mongkol will visit Washington on May 21-22 to explain the government's decision, in a trip planned long before the USTR announcement.


What the Thai government is doing is illegitimate and it hasn't been enforcing intellectual property laws across the board.


Here is another story on the Aids topic:


Aids activists lash out at US

Bangkok (TNA, dpa)

Activists of the Thai Network of People Living with HIV/Aids have called for retaliation against the United States, and for the US to be placed on a "watch list" for violating international sovereignty and patients' rights worldwide.The puckish yet angry suggestion came after the US Trade Representative placed Thailand on a 12-nation "Priority Watch List" for intellectual property piracy.

Dozens of network members, with representatives of the Aids Access Foundation, on Thursday gathered at the US Embassy and denounced Washington's move as an action taken for commercial purposes only, disregarding morality and human lives.

They said the US accusation of Thailand's failure to sufficiently protect American producers from widespread piracy lacked factual information.

"Evil USA stop threatening access to treatment in Thailand," said one of the banners.


Love their mentality. They engage in risky behavior. They want others to pay for the risky behavior that puts their health at risk. And then they blame the country with the drugs for their inability to pay for their health problems. How about paying the 50 baht for a pack of condoms? How about engaging a profession that doesn't put your health at risk?

In other words, these activists want free handouts from another country's industry because they are incapable of taking care of the sexual health.

If these activists are so concerned about Aids in Thailand, you would think they would be on the front lines of ending prostitution in Thailand. But, guess what, they aren't.

And what about sex education? Is that a priority? Nope. There only priority seems to blame Americans for their problems.

Also, if these activists are really concerned about this problem, why don't they demand that the Thai government invest is own money in research and development in its own pharmaceutical industry?

If the government can't afford the medicines, why doesn't the government advocate raising taxes?

Here is a list of things that can be taxed.

Tourism, health tourism, sin products like the lottery, alcohol, and cigarettes, massage parlours, brothels, and go go bars.

Why not have a lottery to raise money for medicines?

The fact is that the Thai government is trying to pull a fast one and wants to get something for free.

Also, I think it is interesting that Bill Gates and Bill Clinton can raise hundreds of millions of dollars in private funds to help in the fight against Aids.

I have to wonder, however, how many Thai billionaires have put up their own millions to defeat Aids or provide treatment for their own people.

Bangkok Post Sunday Persepective Report: Siam Commercial Bank Securities Executives Cheating Farang and Thai Investors

INVESTORS SCALDED IN SECURITIES FRAUD


A sweet-talking stock broker allegedly is responsible for relieving several dozen investors of their hard-won savings, writes SIRIPORN SACHAMUNEEWONGSE


Bangkok Post


It was in May last year when Michael's friends in Chiang Mai, the Meyers, introduced him to a securities firm in Bangkok , the Siam Commercial Bank Securities (SCBS). The Meyers had initially found out about SCBS and its services from a marketing executive/broker of the company, Mrs Wanavadee Sripurd, who had flown to Chiang Mai to present them an investment proposal that she said allowed prosperous returns on initial investments. The Meyers had invested with Wanavadee, a friendly 33-year-old Thai woman, three months previous and had already made some quick returns.


What do you think happened?


On February 21, the SEC also accused Wanavadee Sripurd of fraud - in the amount of 130 million baht. She is nowhere to be found.

She has been called by the police to come in for questioning, but has thus far failed to show up. As of now there are no arrest warrants out for her.

Siam Commercial Bank did nothing. The Thai police did nothing. They didn't even issue an arrest for this woman who clearly defrauded many people out of their money in the name of Siam Commercial Bank Securities.

Read the rest here. cache

What is the moral of this story? Don't trust a system when there is no rule of law.

Also, there are also those favorite maxims that our elders always taught us : "There is no such thing as a sure thing." That is unless you are part of a criminal conspiracy in Thailand and you have the government protecting your criminal behavior.

Thai Police Allegedly Kidnap an American Businessman

Three police linked to US trader's kidnap get the sack


Bangkok Post


MANOP THIP-OSOD

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has dismissed three of its officers for allegedly collaborating with American suspects in the kidnap for ransom of a 47-year-old American oil trader.

Adisorn Nonsi, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the inquiry team found several suspects were involved in the abduction of Mark Hutchison on April 7.

Three of the suspects are metropolitan police officers. The bureau has taken disciplinary action against them by dismissing them from the police service as they have been charged with serious criminal offences, said Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn.

Continued


This is a weird story. How did all these cops know this American guy had millions of baht lying around?

In Columbia and Mexico, the kidnapping gangs are usually tied into drugs. Something not quite right about this story.

American Businessman Murdered in Chiang Mai: Thai Murder Suspects Blame the Wife Back in US

Thai men related to US businessmen murder

CHIANG MAI Police Saturday arrested the secretary of an American businessman for the contract killing of his boss. The secretary claimed he was paid by the man's wife in the United States.

Police are seeking the extradition of the wife.

Provincial Police Region 5 commander Lt-General Kittithat Ruenthip said police believed they had sufficient evidence to prosecute both the secretary and the gunman. They were arrested Saturday morning.

Sujin Chusaengroj, 28, allegedly hired gunman Suparp Nokham, 48, to kill coffee exporter John Allan Chapelle at his Hang Dong home on September 28 last year.

Police said Sujin told them he got into an argument with Chapelle over Sujin's suspected relationship with Chapelle's girlfriend and several thousand baht in back pay.

Sujin wanted to resign but Chapelle refused.

Police said Sujin telephoned Chapelle's wife in the US, Dara Panany. The man told police the wife did not want Chapelle to return to the US because she wanted to gain control of his property there.

The Nation


I have a suspicion that the wife in the US had nothing to do with this conspiracy. In other words, business as usual in Amazing Thailand.

Thailand Saves Over a Billion Baht a Year By Stealing US-European Intellectual Property

Drug licences could free up Bt1 billion


The compulsory licensing of three life-saving medicines could help save the state budget between Bt1 billion and Bt1.7 billion per year and allow the distribution of drugs to far more patients, according to estimates by the National Health Security Office (NHSO).

It might mean the government's universal healthcare scheme could double the distribution of the anti-retroviral efavirenz drugs, said NHSO boss Dr Sa-nguan Nitayarumphong.

Efavirenz was the first HIV drug to receive a compulsory government license.

The government could also save up to 40 per cent on distribution of the second compulsorily licensed HIV drug, Kaletra, allowing its distribution to more than 50 per cent more of those patients who were initially turned down for treatment, Sa-nguan said.

He said the compulsory licensing on Plavix, the anti-platelet drug, which is used by heart disease patients, would allow the government to buy a generic version of the medication at a sixth of the price. Before compulsory licensing, only 20 per cent of patients who needed the drug received the medication but this will change when the treatment prices tumble, added Sa-nguan. The compulsory licensing would help to save at least Bt200 million a year in case of efavirenz, Bt200 million for Kaletra and Bt600 million on the Plavix budget, he said.

All together, the country could free up more than Bt1 billion after the compulsory licensing of the three drugs, said Sa-nguan.

Plus hundreds of millions of dollars in software, movies, games, DVDs, and brand name clothes.

Thailand: How Do We Screw Foreigners Out Of Their Property Investments And Get Away With It?

PROPERTY / OWNERSHIP REGULATIONS

Foreign-owned companies urged to fix shareholding structures

KANANA KATHARANGSIPORN

Real-estate companies owned by foreigners through nominees should restructure their shareholdings now to avoid future problems involving land-holding rights, according to a local lawyer. Foreigners seeking rights to property in Thailand should also consider alternative laws, especially the long-overlooked Real Rights Act, said Nirut Dej-udom, a partner with Bangkok Jurist Limited.

Mr Nirut said that for several decades the governments' stance on the enforcement of real-estate laws had been inconsistent and unclear. This had led foreign-owned developers to exploit lax supervision and loopholes and register themselves as Thai entities. But the amendments to the Foreign Business Act were about to change all that, he added.

Therefore, he urged the companies with nominees to seek real Thai partners who could genuinely invest in their businesses. Once the amended law takes effect, their shareholding structures might be explored and the credibility of the investment by each shareholder scrutinised.

A company that neglects to declare the sources of investment by its shareholders, in particular Thai ones, will face legal action with a maximum jail term of three years and/or a fine of 20,000 baht for an individual and a 50,000-baht fine for a business.

For foreigners seeking the rights to Thai property, he suggested that their contracts be based on the real rights law, which offered more protection to rights holders than normal leasing contracts. Under this law, the rights are attached to the assets, while under leasing contracts, they are attached to individuals.

The Real Rights Act endorses the rights of holders to use the property according to the agreed terms within a specific period. This law has been in place for a long time but is not popular due to its complications.

Clayton Wave, managing director of the property consulting firm Senior Home Real Estate, noted that the amended law had put an end to a decade-long boom in Pattaya's real-estate market during which foreign demand had pushed land prices in the resort city by about 20% a year.

Sophon Pornchokchai, managing director of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs, viewed that Thailand should not fully allow foreigners to own land, citing similar restrictions in neighbouring countries.

He said the government should focus instead on foreign direct investment in export-oriented industries to further strengthen the economy. To attract such inflows, long land leases with low fees could be used as an incentive.

''Vietnam, Cambodia and China allow only long-term land leasing. Although they don't allow foreigners to buy land, foreigners flock to them. It's not necessary to lure investors with the prospects of land ownership,'' said Dr Sophon.

I think this article is good, because it is a warning of things to come.

But what will happen when all these foreign companies/individuals start looking for partners and no Thais will come in and buy?

What happens then?

How far will prices drop?

How much will foreigners get fined?

How many will be forced just to abandon their projects and their homes?

And I wonder which political and economic interests will come in and pick up all these assets on the cheap?

Will The Nation and Bangkok Post ever print that information? Of course not.

Thailand Raising Fees For International Passengers to Pay for Corruption and Repairing Bangkok's New Airport

Over at Thailand Tattler:

A hefty increase in passenger service charges at airports run by the Airports of Thailand (AoT) went into effect quietly yesterday, as airlines questioned the justification for the move. The charge for international departure flights increased by 40% from 500 baht to 700 baht, and doubled for domestic flights, from 50 baht to 100 baht.

Airlines said the steep rises are unjustified when passengers are still putting up with poor service and facilities at the troubled Suvarnabhumi airport. Most of the problems which have annoyed many passengers, ranging from long waits for luggage to insufficient toilet facilities, poor air-conditioning and general uncleanliness, have not been tackled, they said.

The new fees for international departures at Suvarnabhumi and other AoT airports means passengers will be paying more than passengers do when they leave Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, and slightly less than Hong Kong.

This increase is bound to cause a commotion, especially, as mentioned above, that there are so many complaints about the conditions at Suvarnabhumi. And what will really make things worse is that the AoT has said that the increased charges are needed to pay for the repairs to the runways and other areas. So let’s get this straight if we can. The AoT makes a complete mess out of overseeing the construction of Suvarnabhumi (we’re assuming they had a lot to do with this project from its inception, but correct us if we’re wrong) and then wants airline passengers to pay for their mistakes by hiking up passenger fees. That should go over really well PR-wise. What a dumb thing to tell people

The War on Drug Companies: Thailand Stealing Western Intellectual Property

Tha-ing Pharma Down

Thailand's government took the rare and damaging step of overriding patents on key Western medicines for HIV/AIDs and heart disease last week. Bangkok will start using cheaper copies of the drugs and label them generic equivalents. The move was celebrated by AIDS activists and non-governmental organizations, one of whom characterized it as world war three. But Thai patients are sure to lose in this war, as might western pharmaceutical companies. The only winner will be Thailand's historically corrupt Government Pharmaceutical Organization, or GPO, the state-owned pharmaceutical monopoly.


Interesting how the Thai government is driving foreigners out of the Thai economy while simultaneously stealing their intellectual property.

Seriously, how long will the Western countries allow this bullshit to continue?

Thai Crackdown on Foreign Home Ownership Reverberating World-Wide

Thai Anxiety

Will new restrictions on foreign ownership in Thailand lead to panic in the property market, asks Michael Sheridan

British villa owners in Thailand face uncertainty over the legal status of their properties, and might even lose control over their homes following a controversial change in company law by the country’s military appointed government.

With its low property prices and reputation for “sun, smiles and entertainment”, Thailand has been one of the most popular of the “emerging” markets. But it has not been all smooth going for the thousands of Britons who have already taken the plunge. In recent months, the Thai property market has been unsettled by a string of negative news including the imposition of capital controls, restrictions on tourist visas, a military coup, turbulence on the stock and currency markets, a wave of terrorism in southern Thailand and nine bomb blasts in Bangkok, the capital, on New Year’s Eve, that injured British visitors.

The latest blow was an announcement by the Thai government that it is to restrict foreign ownership of the companies that have been used by many British and other nonThais to buy holiday homes. Foreigners are banned from owning land in Thailand.

Famous Monk Rapes Australian Tourist in Thailand

Well-known abbot arrested for allegedly raping Australian girl

King Bumibol Advocated IP protection while Military Junta steals IP from US and French companies

Thailand: Regressing on innovation and betraying their King’s legacy

No Justice for Parents of Slain Backpacker Kristy Jones in Thailand

No Justice for Farang in Thailand: Kristy Jones murderers on the Loose

Kirsty Jones, 23, from Brecon in central Wales, was raped and strangled while staying at a guest house in the city of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, in August 2000.

Her killer is still at large, despite the publicity surrounding her death.

Her local lawmaker, Roger Williams, urged Blair in parliament to ensure fresh impetus for the case, expressing his concern about a "lack of progress" and "failure to follow up certain lines of inquiry".

He called on Blair to meet him and the victim's family to ensure that "justice is delivered for the parents, and that Thailand is a safer place for young people to visit".

Blair replied: "We have been closely involved with the authorities in Bangkok in trying to make progress on this case.

"I know that Foreign Office officials continue to meet the family -- I think weekly -- and we will try to do everything we can to bring this to a proper conclusion.

"I am happy to try and arrange some form of meeting. I'll have to come back to you as to whether that meeting should be appropriate with myself."

Police originally took DNA samples from several suspects but said none of them matched the DNA found on Jones' body.

The university graduate had spent three months backpacking in Thailand and was planning to move on to Australia as part of a two-year world tour.

You're Only Hurting Yourself, Thailand

By Brian Lawler

January 31, 2007

When I was in grad school, we were repeatedly bombarded with examples of governments making idiotic, short-sighted moves that hampered the long-term health of their economies and citizens. And now it appears that Thailand has made just such a gaffe. On Monday, Thailand's government announced that it was going to allow either the manufacture or importation of generic versions of Abbott's (NYSE: ABT) HIV treatment Kaletra and Sanofi-Aventis' (NYSE: SNY) blood clot drug Plavix, even though the drugs are still under patent protection and producing generic versions of them would be illegal in many countries.

Estimates of the savings on health-care costs in Thailand from this move are a measly $24 million a year, and with the Thai economy at almost $600 billion a year (the 21st-largest in the world) the savings will be peanuts. Meanwhile, the perception of how the country treats intellectual property rights and patents could be very costly.

In truth, this decision is not going to have a material impact on Abbott's and Sanofi's bottom lines. Kaletra sales were $1.1 billion last year and Plavix sales were $1.8 billion through the first nine months of the year, and the market for pharmaceuticals in Thailand is tiny compared to the rest of the world. It's the precedent that Thailand's proposal sets for other countries that is worrying for pharmaceutical firms.

While producing generic equivalents of these drugs might (it's still somewhat of a gray area) technically not be illegal -- Thailand is a member of the World Trade Organization, and developing countries have until 2016 to implement protections for pharmaceutical patents -- the country is still obligated to pay and negotiate licensing fees for the drugs, or else risk having a trade complaint filed against it.

Interestingly enough, discouraging pharmaceutical innovation with compulsory rules forcing the price of drugs down doesn't really help countries save on drug costs. The FDA has a white paper that shows that prices of generic drugs are cheaper in the U.S. than their Canadian-branded and generic counterparts, even though the U.S. gives stronger "incentives for R&D" spending.

There's a whole litany of reasons why artificially capping drug prices or circumventing payment for branded drugs under valid patent protections is a bad idea. It only takes a simple understanding of economics to know that the less revenue the pharmaceutical companies receive for their products, the less cash they have to plow back into the R&D of new and improved medicines. Places like Thailand that fail to realize this and attempt to save a buck in the short run really are hurting everyone in the long run, as these sorts of actions slow the pace of pharmaceutical innovation.

More Sufficiency Bullshit from The Nation

Explaining sufficiency economy to foreigners is important, but it is vital for govt to instill its values here



For the benefit of people who still need to be convinced that a sufficiency economy is preferable to Thaksinomics as Thailand's economic management model, Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula offered easy-to-follow arguments backed by compelling reasons in a letter published in yesterday's edition of The Wall Street Journal. In the letter, he addressed the widely misunderstood concept of the sufficiency-economy model. He said a sufficiency economy was neither an economic paradigm nor an economic theory, but rather a philosophy that could be applied to all aspects of life, including economic affairs.

"A sufficiency economy does not deny the principles of globalisation and the market economy, which have been the pillars of our economic management and will continue as such. Two key principles of the sufficiency-economy philosophy are 'moderation' and 'self-immunity'," he wrote.

One possible reason why the concept has been misinterpreted so often is because it sounds too much like Mahatma Gandhi's "village-based self-sufficiency", which was totally different. In his non-violent struggle for independence from then-imperial British rulers, Gandhi urged the development of village-based self-sufficiency in India. To illustrate his point, he referred to the spinning wheel as a symbol for civil disobedience and a practical method of non-cooperation against the British textile monopoly. But then, only the ignorant could have confused the two concepts, which leaves us with the other reason why Thailand's sufficiency-economy model has been so consistently misconstrued even by intelligent people. The concept has been deliberately mislabelled and misrepresented, because many foreigners are reluctant to let go of Thaksinomics, which was, and continues to be, seen as more business-friendly than the sufficiency-economy model.

Perhaps that is because the sufficiency-economy model advocates moderation and immunity. As Pridiyathorn put it, moderation that would "remind us not to grow or expand beyond our capacity, which results in economic excess or bubbles". He said building immunity would remind us to introduce proper risk-management systems and good governance, to safeguard our economic stability and improve our resiliency against the shocks and changes that come with globalisation.

Thaksinomics is a catch-phrase that covers deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra's economic-management style aimed primarily at boosting economic growth at all costs. Thaksinomics is characterised by an unprincipled, often whimsical, economic-management style that is not hedged against the negative impact of globalisation and the corroding effects of political corruption. Thaksinomics could have had a devastating effect on the Thai economy if Thaksin had not been stopped when he was removed from power on September 19. Policies implemented under Thaksinomics coupled with populist policies that pandered to the unprincipled wants of people have accumulated whopping Bt150 billion worth of debts, both on and off the budget.

These debts accumulated mostly because Thaksin rushed through populist policies to score quick political points without concerning himself with the crucial question of how to fund them, as a responsible leader should. The sufficiency-economy model is far from perfect and still has room for improvement and refinement but nevertheless diametrically opposed to everything that is bad about Thaksinomics. Our question to critics who jump to conclusions by dismissing it out of hand as "inward-looking" or "anti-foreigner", among other negative labels is: what is there not to like about it?

It is important for the Surayud government to continue to try to explain it to foreign governments and international investors. But of greater importance is determining how to educate our citizens, particularly the rural masses still enamoured with Thaksin's populist policies, about the financial ruin that Thailand may have narrowly averted when corruption-prone Thaksin was removed from power in disgrace.

People must shown Thaksin's irresponsible populism for what it was. They must understand that his game was based on the false premise that the entitlements he showered on people, particularly rural folk, were something they could enjoy without worrying about how the government would pay for it. The truth of the matter is there is no such thing as a free lunch. Taxpayers will have to start paying for Thaksin's populist excess and the mountain of debt he incurred.

BBC reports Thais are stealing US/French intellectual property

Thailand's health ministry says it has approved the production of
cheaper versions of patented anti-Aids and heart disease drugs.

Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla said the step was
necessary to make the cost of the medicines - Kaletra and Plavix - more
affordable.

German Ambassador slaps down arrogant Kulkumut of Thai foreign ministry

No questioning EU-Thai friendship


Text of a letter to The Nation from German Ambassador to Thailand Dr Christoph Bruemmer:

Dear Khun Kulkumut: For us Europeans Thailand is (and remains to be) not only one of the most important regional players in Southeast Asia but also a friendly country. It is only against this basic assumption that you should evaluate the European common reaction to the coup in Thailand (EU statement of September 29, 2006). If we are not ready to embrace a military take-over as something positive per se you should not blame us but ask about your own realities first. In other words: I would like to hope that our concerns about democracy in Thailand are first of all your own concerns. Lamentations about good and not so good friends are missing the point.

As head of the European Affairs Department you should know: It is the formulated and expressed common EU policy which counts - as difficult and divisive the decision making process leading up to it sometimes proves to be. The various groups of EU diplomats including heads of mission convening at least once a month also here in Bangkok are bodies and instruments of excellent consultation, co-operation and fine-tuning of common assessments and recommendations to capitals and to Brussels. The highly successful and commendable Finnish presidency just been handed over to Germany. I wonder how there could be a "more constructive leadership".

To you denigrating "any benchmark set by foreign governments": You should know, that it was PM Surayud Chulanont himself who - in an early stage of his government and in reaction to our expressed interest in a speedy return to democracy in Thailand - told European ambassadors: "Your benchmarks are my benchmarks." Needless to mention that we liked this kind of understanding because it reconfirms the common ground and lacks any self-complacency.

Secondly, you seem to perceive an overriding "business as usual" and affirmative approach in the foreign business community in Thailand. I refrain from lengthy comments. I just would like to ask you not to underestimate growing concern in this field. But again: It is a basically friendly concern and I appreciate very much the prime minister having just made it clear that Thailand wants to keep credentials as a country open and friendly towards foreign economic engagement.

Thirdly, you are putting the blame on people like me having asked for an independent audit concerning certain allegations about possible misuse of tsunami-related funds. Dear Khun Kulkhumit, please don't tarnish the excellent record of Thai-foreign tsunami-related relief cooperation. This was a prime example of what can be achieved by the spirit of sympathy and
friendship in times of disaster. And this praise, which I would not like to see diminished includes, of course, the highly professional and extremely successful cooperation of international and Thai police forces to identify the victims. In comparison the mentioned allegations and our humble request to clear things up have a very limited proportion. More important, however, and you should know about this, they were allegations from Thai sources to which we could not close our eyes.

So, my final request to you, Khun Kulkumut: Don't ask your friends to close their eyes. But even more important and first of all: Don't put into question our friendship either.

Quite frankly, the German ambassador should have gone farther, but he has to live with bullshit Thai diplomacy.

Also, where did the Tsunami relief funds go? Why isn't that information public?

Australian Universities Jump the Shark by allowing Thais with Poor English to lower Uni Standards

Asians graduate in Australia despite bad English: study



Why are Thais with poor English allowed to get permanent jobs in Australia when Aussies can't own businesses and property in Thailand?

Foreigners Keep off Thai..land, says head Thai fascist Krirk Jirapaet

Foreigners warned on land

Krirk-krai: Resorts not in Thai hands

UMESH PANDEY

Foreign investors holding property through shell companies using Thai
nominees have been warned to restructure their holdings or face
prosecution.

"Foreigners using shell companies to buy housing across the
country are violating two laws. One, the Land Act that forbids
foreigners from holding land and two, the Foreign Business Act by using
nominee structures. I recommend that they restructure," Commerce
Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet told foreign journalists at a dinner talk
on Friday.

Under Thai law, he pointed out, foreigners can only own land if
they have businesses promoted by the Board of Investment, under the
Industrial Estate Act or with written permission from the Interior
Ministry.

"Look around you _ all the land in Samui, Phuket and Koh Chang
is in the hands of foreigners. They cannot take the land away but
there's a sense of nationalism and therefore they should restructure,"
a combative Mr Krirk-krai said in response to questions from
foreigners.

The resort islands of Phuket and Samui have been the focus of
foreign investors who have snapped up million-dollar villas as second
or retirement homes, but the imminent changes to the Foreign Business
Act have begun to keep investors, developers and buyers at bay.

It is expected that among those to be hurt the most by the new
rules will be companies selling villas to foreign buyers, as any
foreigner will need to set up a company with at least a 51% Thai
shareholding. To comply with the amendments, companies will need to
change from freehold to leasehold contracts.

Market experts believe the villa-for-sale market in resort
destinations will suffer as a result.

Mr Krirk-krai also said that the government would likely look
at ways to plug the loopholes under which companies use Non Voting
Depository Receipts (NVDRs) to circumvent FBA-mandated restrictions on
foreign ownership.

"I will make sure that over the next three or four months we
will plug this loophole," he said.

NVDRs are issued by Thai NVDR, a subsidiary of the Stock
Exchange of Thailand, to foreign investors who have bought shares in
listed companies that are already up to their foreign-ownership limits.

NVDR holders are entitled to full economic rights, including
dividends and rights issues, but are not allowed to vote, except on
motions involving delisting. Voting rights are automatically restored
if the NVDRs are sold back to Thais.

Mr Krirk-krai said the military-installed government was in a
rush to resolve this issue because abuse of the laws was a key reason
for the fall of the previous government.

"It's not that we are backtracking from globalisation and not
welcoming foreign investors, but what we want is good quality
investors, not just any investors," he said.

Money quote:

"If the investors cannot observe one or two laws that are
similar to those in other civilised countries, then we should not care
about them."

Why do foreigners put up with these lies?

Why is it that Thais can own whatever property they want in the West, yet foreigners can't do the same in Thailand?

By the way, it is the Thais who are not civilized and who don't play by the rules of the civilized world. The last 70 years has proven that.

Foreign investors and officers getting fed up with Thai 2 step

For foreign investors in Thailand, it is time to bend over

"We know businesses welcome predictability. We know businesses like to see fairness and transparency, without selectivity," Surayud Chulanont said in a luncheon speech last week that could have come from any textbook on sound governance.

But many among the 700 diplomats and foreign businessmen at the shindig said such noble words from the general asked to fill the shoes of Thaksin Shinawatra after his removal in a September 19 coup were ringing increasingly hollow.

Within 10 minutes of Surayud sitting down, Commerce Minister Krikkrai Jirapaet appeared to contradict his boss, admitting that a drive to tighten up rules for overseas firms in the country was due to "political problems" -- a shorthand reference to Thaksin -- rather than the desire for better laws.

It then emerged that on the same day, Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla was busy signing edicts to allow Thailand to break international patents on HIV/AIDS and heart disease drugs, a move that stunned the pharmaceutical industry.

Compounding the sense of outrage in an increasingly insecure foreign investment community, Mongkol declined to tell the drug companies what he was up to, diplomats and industry representatives said.

"We all know business likes certainty, but what you have here is increasing uncertainty, because there's just no policy," said one diplomat.

Is this the government's effort to be populist: 'We've got to keep Thaksin's support base on-side but don't want to actually spend any money, so let's give them cheaper drugs and just screw the foreigners'?" the diplomat said.

Enough said. Reuters said it for me.