Retirement can be a rude shock for CEOs
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Re: "Rich beyond the wildest dreams of corporate execs", Letters, November 6.
Are Vint Chavala’s letter and Achara Deboonme’s column of November 3 – “Hanker for the life of a corporate god? Think again” – supposed to make all the corporate gods weep? No, I don’t think so.
Adirek Sripratak’s reported envy of journalists for their wide contacts was only a momentary lament. The THAI president must be having the same feeling now that he may wish to be a clerk.
But innately human beings love power and luxury perks. They believe that they are good and deserve all that remuneration and the perks. Time is no problem when they enjoy those offerings even though they risk togetherness with their families.
Those with a good balancing act between family and business tend to have the best of both worlds.
However, it is after that corporate life that some don’t adjust well without those perks. One CEO was given an entertainment allowance and ended up an alcoholic upon retirement.
Some like to state that they are happy in retirement, having time to smell roses, looking after grandchildren and getting closer to religious teachings.
Those who are always saying how happy they are tend to be the ones who are not happy in retirement.
The quiet ones are contented and knew that their power and perks were temporary. They didn’t lose their sense of normalcy when in power.
Songdej Praditsmanont
