| The situation in Thailand reminds me the old | | | | unusually large and the middle class grows small |
| saying - be careful what you ask for you may | | | | and the lower class becomes huge. |
| just get it. In September of 2006, Thailand went | | | | Ex-PM Taskin used his political power and turned it |
| through a military coup. The military asked for the | | | | into wealth for him and his friends. His political |
| Prime Minister to step down. After the coup, the | | | | power came from his campaign promises to the |
| provisional government investigated the ousted | | | | people outside of Bangkok which led to his |
| Prime Minister and charged him with many things, | | | | election. So, while he was PM he had to make it |
| mostly related to a misuse of his position as PM, | | | | seem that the people living in these areas |
| which lead to a huge increase in his and his | | | | benefited. But did they benefit? Well, yes and no. |
| family's personal wealth. | | | | Yes, they benefited directly by decreased taxes |
| I had the fortune to be seated next to another | | | | or a new blanket or other some such item. |
| expat on my travels from Thailand recently, he | | | | However, the amount of wealth distributed to the |
| from the UK and me from the US. He lived in | | | | people was very small compared the amount of |
| Thailand outside Bangkok and me living in Bangkok. | | | | ENORMOUS wealth which went to his friends and |
| We had a discussion about ousted PM Taskin. He | | | | family instead of making its way by unimpeded |
| indicated that he believed Taskin did great things | | | | economic forces. |
| for Thailand, giving more money to people living | | | | Now, a little over a year later after the coup, |
| outside Bangkok. I believe ex-PM Taskin did give | | | | there is still political unrest in Thailand. The new |
| things and money to people living outside | | | | democratically elected Prime Minister has invited |
| Bangkok. However, the amount of wealth | | | | the Ex-PM back to the country. There are many |
| distributed in these outlining areas is quite small | | | | questions arising about the ability of the current |
| compared to ENORMOUS increase in personal | | | | Prime Ministers ability to govern, such as: |
| wealth of ex-PM Taskin and his Family. | | | | 1. There is a question concerning the validity of |
| In a capitalistic economy, wealth is distributed by | | | | the elections that put the current PM into office; |
| competition. Basically if something is desired by | | | | 2. There is a question concerning his ability to |
| the people, the person/company that can | | | | remember past important events; and |
| manufacturer the item better and cheaper will sell | | | | 3. There is a question concerning his ability to deal |
| more, gaining wealth. The company produces | | | | with Thailand's neighboring countries and their |
| more of these items and hires more people. | | | | human rights abuses. |
| These people spend their money on food and | | | | Now, the old PM has returned to Thailand and |
| things they desire and the economy hums along. | | | | pleaded not guilty to the charges of abuse of |
| When normal competition is interfered with by | | | | power. I can almost feel the Thai people taking a |
| governments, the distribution of wealth becomes | | | | big breadth, waiting to see what happens. I |
| skewed and the wealth tends to stay in the | | | | originally came to Thailand because it feels like a |
| hands of the few with power. We have all heard | | | | safe place to live and the people are polite and |
| of countries where the upper class grows | | | | friendly. I can only hope it can stay that way. |