Thailand can learn a lot from Singapore

Perhaps this is because the appeals to support his efforts and the King’s sufficiency-economy ideas have fallen on deaf ears.

Most Thais continue enjoying life as usual, expecting higher salaries while working less. If we compare our country to a private company, “Thailand Plc” was heading for the rocks after decades of rotten governments. Now someone has come in determined to stop the rot, but he is not going to be popular with those keen to keep profiting from corruption.

The prime minister might not be perfect, but I believe he is a man of deep integrity. He is committed to reforming Thailand in much the same way as Lee Kuan Yew did in Singapore. Lee was heavily criticised for his draconian methods at the time – but they worked. 

They worked because LKY believed civilian discipline, the enforcement of sensible laws and the elimination of corruption were all essential to creating political stability and economic progress. 

Singapore is now a leading world economy, and it is worth bearing in mind that its resources and landmass are microscopic compared with Thailand’s. 

Some people don’t like the Thai version of LKY or his brusque manner of getting things done. But the bottom line is that Prayut wants Thailand to step forward, and such progress is long overdue. Without him, a return to corrupt authority is inevitable. Rotten apples wait in the wings. Many are ex-politicians facing court cases, afraid of going to jail while their ill-gotten riches are seized. In their eyes, an election is desperately needed so that they can buy their way back into power and avoid jail. 

We have a poor educational status compared to most other Asian countries. When the Asian Economic Community is inaugurated at the end of this year, we risk being overtaken by the expertise and the English-speaking abilities of our neighbours. If we continue opposing a government that is trying to get us out of an inherited mess, we are going to look stupid.

Nobody needs a PhD to realise that public protests will only cause more confrontation, and more unwanted headlines in the global press and social media – a classic lose-lose situation.

Please therefore let me suggest that we all let General Prayut do his job, and support him to do it well. 

May I also respectfully request that foreign-based human-rights agencies mind their own business? This is Thailand. Please let us get on with what we have to do, and attend to what is wrong in your own countries.

Dusit Thammaraks