Opinion: Thai business elite hinders broad economic development
Some people still think that the big companies are the main players in the economy, in terms of economic growth, innovation and sustainability. However, economists know better.
The elite, also called the ruling class in Thailand, demands the monopoly to rule Thailand. Only they could do it properly. Here Tino discusses the underlying beliefs that have a lot to do with the Hindu and Buddhist concept of 'karma'.
Phra Phimonlatham was the son of poor farmers near Khon Kaen in Isan. He rose to become one of the most beloved, learned and honored dignitaries of monasticism, the Sangha. But his advocacy of a Buddhism separate from the State with internal democratic relations and an international orientation made him an enemy of the ruling elite.
"I'm not part of the elite," says billionaire Thanathorn, leader of Thailand's new progressive party
Chris de Boer and I have previously written about the promising new political party Future Forward. In an interview, Thanathorn answered a number of questions about his own person and the dangers an active politician runs.
Assembly to cure Isaners of their stupidity
The deputy governor of Khon Kaen province, Suchai Butsara, issued a letter on March 9 to local administrators inviting them to attend a meeting in preparation for Prime Minister Prayut's visit to that province.
Statement of the week: The Thai elite is digging its own grave
Chirs comes up with the following statement. The rich in Thailand are short-sighted, greedy and also stupid. Because by doing too little for their own country (which they say they love so much), they are digging their own grave and that for their own children and grandchildren.
Elites in Thailand (Part 3): Decadence
“The junta's crusade is an illusion. Decadence is rampant.” With these two sentences my previous article about the elites in Thailand closed. What exactly is decadence and what does it indicate?
Elites in Thailand: a lot of 'well', little 'woe' (part 2)
In part two of the triptych, Chris de Boer writes about the elite in Thailand who are regularly involved in scandals. It is striking that in such cases the elite are mainly concerned with themselves (and crisis management) and actually do not understand the whole fuss around it (and especially on social media). It is believed that money can solve everything. They pay the victims and that should be the end of it. There are usually no apologies.
Elites in Thailand (part 1)
When I open the Bangkok Post, the page with the photos of young bridal couples, the newlyweds of the Thai elites, has my warm interest. The interesting thing is not so much the clothing (modern or classical Thai) or the amount of the dowry paid, but of course who marries whom. Networks are of great importance in Thai society, so it is not only the bride and groom who marry each other, but it is also a new (or a confirmation of an existing) connection between two families, two clans.