Some citizens not impressed by junta’s performance

KIATANANTHA LOUNKAEW, ECONOMICS DEAN AT DHURAKIJ PUNDIT UNIVERSITY AND DIRECTOR OF ITS RESEARCH CENTRE

The junta apparently lacks or has not shown a clear vision for handling the economy, which is affecting business, so those running the country now cannot see clearly the direction the country will go. No matter which government takes office, SMEs in particular, have to make quick adjustments to survive in the competitive market. But most Thai entrepreneurs couldn’t do so, so they couldn’t compete with their domestic and overseas rivals.

Although it was good that the government launched policies such as SME soft loans, it has failed to manage unregistered SME accounts to be in line with the system, so they still can’t take full advantage of the policy.

“If the non-registered companies are not supported and only big SMEs are bolstered, the gap between the strong and weak companies will appear bigger, and the strong companies will then control the market,” he said. 

The regime’s short-term policy to boost the economy did not benefit the country in the long run. The policy mentioned including extended holiday periods aimed at encouraging people to spend their money and boost the domestic economy. The higher personal consumption during the extended holiday periods resulted in the fastest GDP growth in three years – 3.2 per cent in the first quarter of this year. However, people might have money for shopping only early in the year. At the year-end, their purchasing power would decline.

“It’s impossible for the state to help everyone. People in all sectors should adapt and rely on themselves. If we just wait for the regime to feed us, the country will go nowhere,” he said.

 

SOMCHAI SEWANAPHON, 57, A TEACHER AND FARMER IN THE SOUTH’S PHATTHALUNG PROVINCE

The current economic policy focus appears to favour only certain groups. 

“That policy only benefits the rich and government servants who have purchasing power, but not farmers, the majority of Thais,” he said.

The quality of life of people in the province was increasingly deteriorating in the past two years due to falling crop prices.

“Most people are rubber, rice and fruit farmers. Prices of the crops are lower and they are unsold, as the local people do not have money to buy goods,” he said.

The locals have less money due to higher household debts and less income. Some students have had to drop out because their parents can’t afford to put them through school.

The villagers think that it’s partly because of the global economic slowdown, but the government doesn’t do much to help farmers.

“We feel there is such a big gap between the locals and the state. The military regime does not care about us like in the past,” he said.

 

SAMA-AE JEHMUDOR, 62, CHIEF OF A THAI FISHERMEN’S ASSOCIATION FROM SOUTH’S PATTANI PROVINCE

Local fishermen have been affected by the regime’s tough actions – launching fisheries-related legal action without inclusive discussions with concerned people.

The government rushes the work to quell illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing following the European Union’s warning and imposes more stringent measures to seize certain fishing gear and boats.

However, the government’s laws fail to effectively crack down on illegal practices by fat cat fisheries, and instead obstruct local fishermen from making a living.

“If the regime wants to solve the IUU issues, they should listen to the people who make a living in this industry rather than listen to those who just sit in an office,” he said.

Over the past year, the insurgency has also appeared more intense.

“We just hope that the regime can find the right solution to tackle this prolonged conflict,” he said.

 

NUTCHANART THANTHONG, 48, CHIEF OF A THAI SLUM COMMUNITY GROUP IN SAMUT PRAKAN

Slum dwellers nationwide are experiencing more intense eviction. The regime has made hasty efforts to boost investment and facilitate property developers, so several crowded communities had been relocated.

“No land for us anymore. “We have to collect everyone’s money to find a new place for our community, as the compensation received from the government is not enough for them to buy a house individually,” she said. 

In the past two years, people in many rundown neighbourhoods had been unfairly exiled. She and her companions held a public talk in 2014. The regime never listened to the poor.

“It ended up that we were taken to a police station for hours. The police said we couldn’t carry out such an activity, as it would violate the orders of the National Council for Peace and Order. They asked me if I had got involved in any political groups,” she said.

“I turned to them for justice. Why did they have to link me to political issues?” she asked, 

Plainclothes officers have kept observing around her house for four months since their release. “I know the lives of my next generation will be more difficult as the state has put us aside,” she said.

WISIT ITTHIWARAPORNKUL, A BUSINESSMAN IN THE SOUTH’S PHUKET PROVINCE

Over the last two years, the government has failed to take care of crop prices. It focused on tourism. However, many problems had ensued.

Tourism entrepreneurs have made a major adjustment due to the government policy to welcome waves of Chinese visitors. 

Chinese entrepreneurs have also come to take over resorts and hotels in the province at a cheap price but with a long-term contact. 

To deal with the issue, Thai owners have had to give in, as Chinese entrepreneurs can guarantee that they will bring their tourists to the hotels and Thai owners don’t want to risk lower number of Western visitors.The government did not impose rules to regulate this issue, which might inflict on the country.

The government should be cautious and consider the results of the regime’s decisions and actions. Their actions affect the country. 

 

THITINAN WANNASAN, A POLICEMAN IN THE NORTHEAST’S NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

“The police and concerned bodies put more effort into rearranging social order, cracking down on corruption, encroachment and the influencers. “But concrete results still remain to be seen,” he said.

 

SUTHIN AMTADE, A BUSINESSMAN FROM THE NORTH’S CHIANG MAI PROVINCE 

The corruption issues in local administrative bodies have appeared to decline following the coup, possibly because officials fear the regime’s crackdown on corruption.

 

RANGSIMAN ROME, 24, A GRADUATE STUDENT

“My life has been changed a lot.” At this time last year, Rangsiman, who was a senior, led his group to stage symbolic activities opposition to the regime and he then was charged. After he graduated, he decided against finding a job, as he had planned. 

He is now pursuing a master’s degree in law and still leads activist groups. 

“I have to fight for justice, principles and real democracy as it is my and my dear friends’ duty to eliminate this abnormal phenomenon.” 

“My family has increasing been worried about my safety and future. However, I have to carry on in a bid to bring back democracy to my next generation.”