Forbes Global CEO

Somkid Jatusripitak said to CEOs of leading from around the world at the Forbes Global CEO Conference, that after “The Lost Decade”, Thailand has taken three to four years to bring peace and political stability back. That the patient of ASEAN with a GDP lower than 1%, after 3 years passed, has the GDP at 4.8%. Now, the bell ended the round, and elections will be held early next year. But, there is nothing to worry about. The government projects placed in motion will not falter, because he has a hunch that the next prime minister might look very similar to the same one now. This means that Somkid is telling foreign investors to trust him that the election will not result in any change of policy, or contribute to significant change in the government, that there will be a perpetuation of how things are. Gen. Pravit will return, and just as well, Somkid himself, too, shall be back. Everything is still heading for the EEC, high-speed trains, etc., with no glitches. Hearing this, it might sound like something positive, something likely to build economic confidence. It’s a pity, though, that Somkid didn’t make it clearer when he explained to the foreign investors. For example, that the Constitution is not democratic, and that it will benefit the persisting of the said economic policies. Because, there will be 250 senators instated by the NCPO to elect Gen. Prayut as prime minister. Furthermore, there is the Phalang Pracharat Party that’s founded by 4 ministers with close ties to the status quo. Somkid doesn’t have to acknowledge anything other than that he will definitely be back in the next government cabinet. Also guaranteeing that the same economic team will be back, is the Sam Mitr group, which are as thick as thieves with Somkid since the Thai Rak Thai days, and have been wooing the heirs of mafia bosses to join the party. And, there’s the patronage of the vice president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) that brought in candidates to participate in activities promoting Thai Niyom (Thai Favoritism). Meanwhile, the election will be held under the power of article 44, and oversees by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) that was installed by the NLA. Additionally, the current government, unlike ordinary governments, has the power to approve budgets, and move around public positions. But there’s no need for foreign observers to ensure transparency, because it would "not be auspicious" to do so. What Somkid has conveyed, is according to this theory both Thai and foreign investors don't care about democracy, freedom, or justice. That they just want a stable government administering control over a pliant society. And commerce and investments will simply progress. The need for the election is because foreigners, especially the EU, have mandates to negotiate trade with elected governments only. Thus, the need for the transformative makeover from military government into a successor government by a mechanism within an advantageously drafted constitution. Of course, this theory will be blared to the business groups, as well as the new generation who yearn for success, as Gen. Prayut spoke at the event, "Startup Join Dictation of Thailand’s Future", that we have been on the right path, that we have a plan, and that the national strategy needs continuity to be sustainable. So, don’t listen to the rap song "ประเทศกูมี" (Prathet Gu Mee), but listen to Thailand 4.0 instead, according to Suvit Maesincee. Philip Kotler must have taught Somkid very well for him to be able to apply marketing principles to supporting the unjustifiable succession. ‘The Lost Decade’ happened because of the coup, because of the relentless destruction of democracy. The nation’s ailment, its GDP being less than 1% was because of the “ShutDown”, and blocking of elections. Paving the path towards the seizure of power for 5 years by using guns, and issuing orders to command peace, while implementing the previous government’s infrastructure projects. Then, they audaciously tell the people to not interfere, to not interrupt them in their propagation of power, and that the economy will be good and sustainable. This is the ‘debasement theory’ that tells you to throw everything away, liberty, democracy, justice, ect.. Kowtow to the unrighteous powers, and your subsistence will prosper. The Thai business sector could probably continue swallowing the fodder because most grew up on it in this debased society. But will the people accept it? Just imagining the same face complaining that there are a lot of people in poverty because the people don’t think about how to better themselves, makes me sick.

“Somkid” and the Debasement Theory

บริษัท บูรพาทัศน์ (1999) จำกัด