Government destroys Thai rice

Thailand’s standing as the world’s biggest rice exporter is most likely to be taken away by Vietnam next year.

This failing rice price-support scheme – together with other Pheu Thai populist platforms – such as the one million PC tablets for Prathom 1 school children; the Bt300 countrywide minimum wage; and the Bt15,000 salaries for new university graduates – came about because Thaksin Shinawatra had vowed that Pheu Thai must win the July 2011 general election at any cost.

Now, it is the country that is shouldering these exorbitant costs – not Thaksin.

Thaksin should stop pauperising his “beloved” country with his popularity-seeking schemes. Populism has been proven to have bad and long-standing effects elsewhere in the world. Examples abound.

As one of its citizens, Thaksin owes Thailand so much, it warrants a call for him to leave it in peace – not in pieces.

Vint Chavala

Lamphun