Is there a jab cover-up in Thailand?

Thitinan Pongsudhirak

THITINAN PONGSUDHIRAKA PROFESSOR AT CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY

PUBLISHED : 9 JUL 2021 AT 04:00

NEWSPAPER SECTION: OPED

Elderly people flock to Bang Sue Grand Station for Covid-19 shots available for those aged 75 and over. They are allowed one family member or helper each to assist them during the vaccination process. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

It has become common knowledge that Thailand's national vaccine plan is inadequate, full of loopholes, flip-flopping and even worse, and might not be enough to deal with the fluid threat and devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic effectively. But vaccine mismanagement no longer appears to be the root cause of Thailand's Covid-19 trials and tribulations.

There are three potentially related processes in motion that underpin Thailand's inadequate vaccine rollout. If all three are found to be at work, their profound and explosive implications and consequences will likely lead to an unprecedented political cataclysm.

First, at a minimum, Thailand's vaccine plan has been a policy blunder. After one full year of grappling with virus outbreaks and infections from early 2020, Thailand ended up with just two vaccines, the British-Swedish AstraZeneca and the China-made Sinovac. Myriad criticisms have been levelled at the Prayut Chan-o-cha government's decision to procure AstraZeneca in an exclusive licensing deal with local manufacturer, Siam Bioscience.

The policy blunder here is that AstraZeneca was set out late last year to be the country's primary vaccine. Betting on AstraZeneca as the main strategic vaccine, the authorities demurred from pursuing other well-known vaccines that neighbouring countries also had including Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna -- both US-made vaccines that subsequent clinical research showed as having more efficacy in dealing with virus mutations.

When Siam Bioscience -- as the licensed manufacturer of AstraZeneca -- fell behind in delivering the previously agreed amount, the government did not provide the public with a clear answer about why and on finding a new substitute. Sinovac -- a China-made vaccine -- suddenly became the substitute until so much of it, 14.5 million doses to date, was purchased and sent from China that it has turned out to be Thailand's primary vaccine.

Much has gone wrong within the realm of policy shortcomings. The lack of AstraZeneca, which is perceived as superior in efficacy to Sinovac, left people feeling short-changed.

Criteria for accessing both vaccines at different stages were subjective and decided in executive session rather than on objectives based on older age groups, frontline professionals, and vulnerable workers, as is practised in more advanced and fairer countries.

Apart from supply shortages, rollout has been slow and uneven. Access through internet applications, such as Mor Prom and Thai Ruam Jai, has been problematic and haphazard. When Sinopharm became the third vaccine that was suddenly purchased by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA) and delivered for local jabs at personal cost, the deal resulted in two-tier treatment with reports of some securing free jabs and others having to fork out 1,000 baht per shot.

As public outrage intensified, the Prayut-led cabinet finally relented and approved a proposal to buy 20 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, and agreed to import an unspecified amount of Moderna on a commercial basis. People then started to question the government's shoddy vaccine strategy.

If these two globally popular US-made vaccines are worthy of purchase and import now, why did the government waste precious time by not stocking them earlier. At the cabinet meeting, another lot of 10.9 million Sinovac doses worth 6.1 billion baht was ordered, even though its relatively lower efficacy is shrouded in doubt.

Many other policy-related questions abound with few answers to meet them. Such a complete policy failure and breakdown is enough to undermine the government's stability. This is why the calls for Prime Minister Prayut's resignation are becoming louder.

The second set of question marks involve the possibility that perhaps there is more than meets the eye in Thailand's vaccine procurement.

The Sinovac vaccine is produced by China-based Sinovac Biotech; it has been reported by foreign media including the Washington Post, that its CEO bribed China's drug regulator for Sars and swine flu vaccine approval back in 2003-2006. The company, nevertheless, became a rising star for investment in biotech.

Hong Kong-listed Sino Biopharmaceutical, with CP Pharmaceutical Group as a shareholder, invested $515 million, giving it a 15% stake in Sinovac Life Sciences, the unit in charge of the Sinovac vaccine.

When Sinovac's efficacy is being questioned in Chile, Indonesia and elsewhere, where Sinovac-immunised people have contracted Covid variants, why has the Prayut cabinet kept ordering more and more of this Chinese vaccine instead of pursuing superior doses elsewhere?

How come the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), whose board members are associated with the Bhumjaithai Party under Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, seem hellbent on importing this vaccine, while seemingly being reluctant when it comes to procurement of the US-made vaccines that are reported to have more efficacy?

Could it be that American companies are regulated by their country's Foreign Corrupt Practices Act? These are valid questions when the Prayut government has gambled the country's public health on limited choices and is reluctant to acquire better alternatives.

Finally, as Thailand's Covid death toll rises steadily towards 3,000 and more people suffer untold hardships, the government's sordid policy and gross incompetence alone warrant its riddance.

But if there is fishy business involved, the possibility of criminal lawsuits must come into the picture. Are people dying and succumbing to the virus because of policy shenanigans?

To be sure, Thailand is not alone in suffering from the multiple crises of virus, variants, and vaccines.

Other countries that did well last year in virus containment, such as South Korea and Taiwan, have also seen case spikes in recent weeks.

But few countries are encountering Thailand's combination of doubtful policy, government mismanagement, and accused conflicts of interest, at the expense of public health and economic well-being.

Thailand no longer has a free and open space for the investigative journalism needed to reveal what's behind these vaccine suspicions and irregularities. Opposition politicians are doing some of it but much more muckraking is imperative.

The vaccine saga looks like a "vaccine-gate", full of questions with few answers so far. The more we know, the more we realise what we don't know and need to know.

Getting to the bottom of Thailand's vaccine crisis as the virus situation goes from bad to worse will likely compound the political rumblings seen and heard last year, confirming this country is indeed overdue for fundamental reforms.

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Larryc Thailand Posted : 6 | 12 Jul 2021 at 09.08

Professor Pongsudhirak article is brave and shows a concern for the situation in Thailand. Bravo!

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Selmer Singapore Posted : 104 | 11 Jul 2021 at 19.58

Prayut has to pay back his friends and major supporters sometime!

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nakhonR Thailand Posted : 806 | 11 Jul 2021 at 14.15

A better question headline would be, "Is there anything in Thailand that is not a scam, corruption, or coverup?

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GettingBy Thailand Posted : 1 | 10 Jul 2021 at 18.05

Alrighty Then :-D Great Article. Thank you for the information

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semiotics Thailand Posted : 470 | 10 Jul 2021 at 17.26

don't suppose we could do what we did 3 years ago: respect human rights and allow People outside and to Travel without Government intervention. Let People decide what's best for themselves and others.

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rockplanet Thailand | 11 Jul 2021 at 08.26

but when we do, we make very bad choices. example, asking our western leaders to endlessly talk about "fossil fuels" and "climate change", instead of cutting back on actual emissions while, with a 70 year lag, we begin to see why the other large rock planet, and there is only one of those because of the speed of light "problem", is 500 C all day and all night as well.

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hoare Thailand Posted : 857 | 10 Jul 2021 at 15.29

yes........but like everything in Thailand its all TALK and NO corrective action.

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donduck Thailand Posted : 572 | 10 Jul 2021 at 11.39

Yes. Next question? Is there a jab cover-up in Thailand?

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LiousChans United States Posted : 490 | 9 Jul 2021 at 15.14

A brave & hard hitting article. Sadly the reality is that firstly ignorance is bliss. In any so called democracy the majority vote the powers into office (assuming no election interference with the process of course). A national IQ of 91 with a couple of standard deviations up and down is a massive majority. Mr. T figured that one out many years ago & used it to his advantage. Therefore either the education system works harder to compensate for the lack of political comprehension due to that 91 reality or a country gets what they deserve, slavery to the rich & in this case distressed assets gobbled up by the rich.

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sf02bkk United States Posted : 40 | 9 Jul 2021 at 15.14

Oh but the previous administration had to go! They had a rice scandal (mostly dismissed now). Pryut assured us all that corruption would be eliminated and “happiness returned to the people”. It has been 7 long years of his “leadership” Are the people unhappy? Is corruption eliminated?

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1369bill Thailand | 11 Jul 2021 at 19.22

The subtle reference to the US's Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, a vigorously enforced law, that tells US executives: If you are caught bribing to solicit a foreign contract, you will personally go to jail.... Is there some inference in the article that the inability to give under-the-table payments to Thai officials possibily affected the decision not to order Moderna/Pfizer early on??? Holy Batman.....!

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noelbino Thailand | 10 Jul 2021 at 09.52

And lottery tickets are impossible to find!?

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KennyS Thailand Posted : 2 | 9 Jul 2021 at 15.03

It's hard to fathom the mismanagement of vaccinating Thais because it defies logic, reason and science. The continued government purchase of Sinovac is beyond cynical because there isn't a Thai who doesn't know it doesn't work well. Why isn't the government purchasing other, better vaccines?

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ubuntu Thailand | 10 Jul 2021 at 14.41

"defies logic, reason and science". Sorry but what country are you in?

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Felix_Qui Thailand Posted : 22,305 | 9 Jul 2021 at 14.53

With so many Thais from every background getting so close to calling out the obvious nakedness, it's no wonder that Prayut and his are resorting to the usual thuggish intimidation tactics by grossly unjust, anti-democratic law to try to hold back the swell of pent up truths the students protestors last year let loose.

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Sibeymai Australia Posted : 845 | 9 Jul 2021 at 14.51

Is Prayut going to become Thailand's Suharto? Marcos? How many pairs of shoes does his wife have? Come on Thais. The Indonesians, Burmese and Filipinos have shown you what to do. Grow some and get on with it.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 10 Jul 2021 at 10.05

"Ninety percent of Thais are too ignorant to know what you’re talking about"... That's funny! 99.999 percent of Americans could not find SE Asia on map designed for children.

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Roelofj Malaysia Posted : 159 | 9 Jul 2021 at 14.09

Mr T puts his finger right into the festering boil. Of course CP is involved. This ultra sinister company has got the whole of Thai government and army in it's pocket. And in the never ending race for profits over the backs of Thai people, they have progressed from poisoning people with chemically altered industrial junk foods, to abusing Thai labor laws and practising open slavery, to destroying the environment and now to causing unnecessary suffering and death by peddling ineffective vaccins. In the mean time the godfathers, scions, trophy wifes and other hangers on live it up with the billions of ill gotten wealth stashed away abroad.

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Rof Thailand Posted : 136 | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.39

An excellent article. Unfortunately none of the issues that bare public enquiry will see the light of day again. If so many human lives did not hang in limbo due to the vaccination shambles this would be a comedy. Instead it is truly a tragedy. A tragedy that will slowly be exposed on the world stage while being suppressed within Thailand by the "anti free speech" legislation promulgated by the (military) government Why does this government continue to put people in Thailand last?

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Farang13 United States Posted : 899 | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.36

You want the truth? The comments section can't handle the truth!

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Daodeng Thailand Posted : 802 | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.15

Seven years ago many from the south and Bangkok flooded the streets to topple an elected government. Many a journalist, monk and politicians cheered the people on. They considered it their duty to blow whistles and attack people. Where are they now? How can you expect your leaders to show responsibility for their failures when the people do not accept responsibility for their wrong doings. Before pointing fingers at government its time for those who blew whistles to publicly acknowledge they did wrong and to take responsibility for the mess the country is in. Then act to change government within acceptable international law.

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snig27 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 18.28

@Daodeng absolutely true - Veera Prateepchaikul, a former editor of the BP, wrote repeated editorials here supporting the coup and the whistle mob. The only voice of reason here, Vorani, was forced out. While it's great to see the BP finally posting op/eds like this, it's hard to forget its role. I doubt they will publish this.

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Daodeng Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 15.35

Whizbang yes they did, but they did not do it alone. Journalist working for BP, average Joe's in Bangkok, southern hitman (was used as security), companies that made donations and Democrat party politicians all worked together to overthrow the government. Now many of these people are complaining about the people their actions brought to power, but none if them has come out and said sorry we made a mistake. They all blame the useless government without taking responsibility for their part in this dead end road.

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faraggo Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 15.25

The problem is that nobody is organising live music, comedians, food and free transportation to the venues.These are all necessary ingredients for a Thai style demonstration.

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WhizBang Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.31

You are overlooking the fact that Suthep and friends were colluding with Prayut to create conditions to justify the coup. Suthep AND the Thai military got what they wanted... a military dictatorship.

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NatareCola Italy Posted : 1,479 | 9 Jul 2021 at 11.33

We all hope that at least on this occasion people stop saying "I know, the government is corrupt, but what can we do, it has always been like this and whoever comes will be even worse". It’s the moment to stop resigning, but a question arises: how can we think of democratically removing a dictatorship that is the result of an illegal coup? The military won't let go easily.

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Fearlessly Australia | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.52

Mass demonstrations,paople power rebellion,create really negative foreign press,stop investing in Thailand,boycotts ,sanctions,many ways to stir up a hornets nest !

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Rudyvdb Thailand Posted : 35 | 9 Jul 2021 at 11.28

Thailand just reordered 10.9 million doses for 6.1 billion Baht. This comes out at 560 Baht per dose or a little more than 17 US$. A little research on the internet shows that Indonesia (sometimes also slightly corrupt) pays 13.6 US$ per dose. The difference is 3.4 US$ per dose. 10.9 million doses times 3.4 US$ is over 37 million US$ or 1.2 Billion Baht. Looks like a well stuffed envelope to me

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crushdepth Antarctica | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.55

They could charge 1,000 baht per dose and it would still be cheap.

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MartinN Thailand Posted : 1,462 | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.44

K. Thitinan has the ability to point to the core of the problems and put them into clear perspective. Again, Kudos.

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simonthai1 Thailand Posted : 4,007 | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.32

When you wipe away democracy and install a self appointed melomaniac this is what you get Thailand is well on the road to a full dictatorship. This damage is directly related to the whistle blowers support for a coup planned by the shistle blower and the military at the time. No accountability and massive corruption are the result. Thai citizens let it happen when they accepted the destroyed election allowing the coup.

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ralfpiegac Belgium | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.35

A good aphorism by a good sordid pro dictatorship. ''allowed to vote'', you see the under educated who don't know was is the democracy.. IT is a basic right, nathanw... At it's a basic crime to openly call a military dictatorship with the plotters and seditious. Your condescension is like you... nauseous.

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unblockthe Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.18

Let's be clear, a whistleblower who is also a mass murderer.

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Felix_Qui Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.00

NateW, even someone as rotten as Thaksin is angelic compared to Prayut. Indeeed, Prayut's single most impressive achievement has been to make a whole new generation of Thais love Thaksin in preference to Prayut and his enemies of democracy.

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Fearlessly Australia | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.53

The country is doomed and will comninue to spiral down whilst the current goons are still in power !

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.20

"Allowed to vote, they consistently elect even worse"... Worse than Prayuth? If I have to choose between a corrupt PM with a brain and a corrupt one without, the choice is isn't difficult.

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NateW Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 11.50

Allowed to vote, they consistently elect even worse.

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Felix_Qui Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.36

A variety of traditionally corrupt Thai institutions also colluded as usual in that coup against the people of Thailand.

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RealisReal Thailand Posted : 5,035 | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.12

An excellent article. Everyone knows that CP Pharmaceutical Group is a big supporter of PPP and Prayut, a major donor so of cause, they want something back. Someone asked me, why didn't Prayut and Co NOT order Sinopharm from China? It was approved by the WHO earlier, it returned better Phrase 3 data results, has a higher efficiency rate than Sinovac, and is about the same cost! CP Pharmaceutical Group is the difference!!

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Hobbes1977 Ireland | 10 Jul 2021 at 00.09

Cat got your tongue, Natie-boy?

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RealisReal Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 16.57

@Dystopia2, I fully agree with you! I was simply commenting on the reason for Sinovac! But you are correct as well as others in their assignment of the overall situation with AZ and Siam Bioscience!

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Dystopia2 Canada | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.28

Hobbes 1977. agree. I don't know what NateW is on about. Obviously, if I had violated some law in my comment the BP would not have posted it, which in classic Catch - 22 fashion would still not have violated some fantasy law in Nate's brain because it wouldn't have be posted. So, Nate. enlighten us and as Hobbes says, be precise.

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Hobbes1977 Ireland | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.06

@NateW You seem to be indicating that Dystopia has somehow violated the law. Could you be a little bit more specific? How exactly has he violated the law? And which law are you referring to? Please be precise when you answer these questions.

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Fearlessly Australia | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.11

A really good foreign investigative reporter will get to the bottom of this and if there is behind the scenes back handers,every one who is colluding must be exposed for all to see and severely punished with lengthy jail terms !

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Dystopia2 Canada | 9 Jul 2021 at 11.25

Good. You've got half of the story. The other half is SiamBioscience and its owner. The corruption and kowtowing to special interests is the reason for this whole mess. All the parties involved are criminals. But, unfortunately, in Thailand elite criminals escape justice.

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Felix_Qui Thailand Posted : 22,305 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.59

Neat tip-toeing around the unspeakable that has contributed so much to bringing Thailand to where it is today. But could the man who sincerely promised he was not plotting a coup, who sincerely promised there were would a swift election, who most sincerely promised on tolerance for corruption, who truly sincerely promised transparency possibly be thought to be involved in a cover up? You might as credibly suggest that he would appoint a convicted heroin dealer to high office merely because the convicted one was known to be unspeakably loved, respected, revered and universally praised for his benevolence and unspeakable righteousness. No?

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Fearlessly Australia | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.55

All correct and factual Felix ! its a disgrace and how much longer can the people tolerate all of this,utter shambles,disgraceful and the government must Go !!!!!

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summinsiam Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.13

Well said. All of this can be traced back to a poisonous root cause and in that regard the student protestors were right on the money.

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wuron Thailand Posted : 653 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.41

What else would you expect? Thailand has always been corrupt, it is part of their culture, rotten to the core. Why would you expect a pandemic to change anything.

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Phithinh Thailand Posted : 3,255 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.39

"Is there a jab cover-up.....?" screams the headline. Which begs the question. Is there anything this government does that is NOT covered up

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WhizBang Thailand Posted : 12,284 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.31

Excellent article. Thitinan nicely lists the sequence of Prayut's total failures. Prayut is no leader. He is a puppet, a lackey, a stooge for the elite and especially the unmentionable one. Massive reforms are necessary if Thailand ever recovers from the complete mess Prayut has made things. Prayut and many in his government must be held accountable for the damage they have caused in the last 7 years. They must be sent to prison and stripped of all of their (and their family's) ill gotten gains and that wealth should be distributed to the poor of this country, as they have born the brunt of Prayut's incompetence and indifference.

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Fearlessly Australia | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.11

Rally the support of the people and throw him out !

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rkidlad Thailand Posted : 813 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.29

Maybe people are getting very close to uncovering the truth. Prayut was threatening legal action just yesterday for anyone spreading 'fake news'. Not surprising considering that's his go-to rhetoric when he gets called out for being an awful leader, but maybe (hopefully) something is building up.

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Renaissance Thailand Posted : 19,594 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.14

The writer has said what many will already be thinking, namely that corruption has to be the reason why the government has chosen and continues to deal with a corrupt company. Since politicians are experts at covering their tracks, probably with offshore bank accounts, no evidence of corruption will be found.

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snig27 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 18.35

Konajake and Renaissance, you are both, in a small way, part of the problem this editorial identifies. Noted that you still don't have the substance to walk back on your feckless support for this administration in recent years.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 9 Jul 2021 at 16.33

"You're ineffective as usual"... Effective enough to get you to bite, just like the junta lackeys do on Thai SM. You're all so predictable and ignorant.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.09

"Ren talks cause thats how ideas work"...Hilarious! Your funniest today!

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rkidlad Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.09

Says the man who can barely string a sentence together as he has a tenuous grasp on the English language. Cheers for the laughs, Lessismore.

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Hobbes1977 Ireland | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.37

Maybe your boy is not as clean and incorruptible as you thought he was?

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simonthai1 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.29

But you sir support their lies and lack of transparancy and support of criminals with no accountability. You support the dictator posting daily. You wanted the dictator and his coup with a broken constitution.

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rkidlad Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.23

Well done, Ren. And in other news, in case you didn't already know, 'water is wet'.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.10

Why do you keep talking about "politicians"? We are governed right now by the military. Are you seriously not aware of that?

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Phithinh Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.42

Your'e on the front foot today Ren. Who would have ever thought that had you not exposed it?

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JustinL Thailand Posted : 4 | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.09

Hardly a complete article. Investigative journalism is possible here, just not into anything of significance. It is very clear that subjects of this Kingdom do NOT have a right to know. They will continue to be mislead, coerced, and flat out lied to. Consistent with policy for the last 800 years.

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Felix_Qui Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.34

Thankfully, for Thais who wish to actually know something of worth about Thai history and Thai institutions, there are foreign sources, including Thailand's best historians and academics on Thai Thai history and society.

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dickemery United States | 9 Jul 2021 at 09.27

agree too little too late by these journalist,what more disappointing was my critical comment of them was not published this morning??? they like most here cant handle the truth and pretend to be the voice

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda Posted : 4,151 | 9 Jul 2021 at 08.56

"This is why the calls for Prime Minister Prayut's resignation are becoming louder"... But according to the Village Idiot, Prayuth is "getting stronger". Not surprising, given he hasn't got a clue what Thai people are saying.

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RegFlyer United States | 11 Jul 2021 at 18.29

Nathan - wanna bet? Many a racist loser farang like you has been beaten badly by a group of Thais.

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nathanw Greece | 10 Jul 2021 at 13.26

@Mayham: Ha-ha. Just as I suspected: no response from you. And we all know why. Also, if I do have a chip on my shoulder, I know who's never going to knock it off, and that's you or any other dim-witted, spineless Thai.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 10 Jul 2021 at 10.08

"Let’s see if you can actually respond meaningfully without resorting to trashing me or the US"... Sorry, am I missing something? You are whining because I am "trashing the US and you" ? You spend every waking moment of your life trashing my country, so if you can't take it, I suggest you don't dish it out. Big whining baby. The funny thing is, you would not dare to say this stuff to people in person because you're just a little coward with a very large chip on your shoulder.

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nathanw Greece | 9 Jul 2021 at 19.36

@Mayham: For those who you feel don’t know anything about your country, tell us three positive things about it — three things that make you proud to be Thai. Let’s see if you can actually respond meaningfully without resorting to trashing me or the US.

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Paul81 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 16.11

We're still waiting for you to comment on the story dunceman.

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ralfpiegac Belgium | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.50

konajake thinks that a comment anti dictatorship is a moaning. So he moans all day long against to (try) supports his corrupted and incompetent heroes. A donkey can only bray as an hater of Thailand loves it oppressors, plotters and seditious. Nothing new.

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Paul81 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.24

Your comments aren't related to the story dunceismore. Please comment on the article. Yes, we know you support the corruption that has gone on since 2014, but let's hear your defense today. Your excuses would be much welcomed entertainment on this rainy afternoon.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 9 Jul 2021 at 13.11

"You spend all day here lecturing foreigners about how in the know you are"... And? You don't know anything about my country, which is not surprising given that your entire waking life is spent on an expat forum getting ridiculed.... keep barking, little doggie, it amuses me.

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Paul81 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.51

Inescapable dunce. Your posts make me feel more stupid.

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Mayham Antigua And Barbuda | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.21

"The government will carry on making the tough decisions"... Classic! LOL!

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Paul81 Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 12.09

55 lessismore, the only thing you are in touch with is Prawits boot polish.

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rkidlad Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 10.26

The toadies' silence speaks volumes on this article. Mind you, I prefer their silence to Renaissance's playing obtuse and virtue signalling.

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JimPKK Thailand Posted : 998 | 9 Jul 2021 at 08.54

Excellent opinion piece. On target. The three processes - corruption, corruption, and corruption. The next question is - what are the Thai people going to do about this situation? Accept that this is the way it is (the powerful people are too powerful?); or, move to change the system and counter those who benefit from the system? The majority of Thai soldiers and police officers come from average Thai families, families adversely impacted by corruption and COVID-19 - should these soldiers and police support their rich corrupt leaders, or the suffering Thai people? Yes, Archan, a "political cataclysm", the time bomb is ticking.

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jwatch Thailand Posted : 2,689 | 9 Jul 2021 at 08.53

The government has no leadership...it is driven by lobbyists. We all know what that means.

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IanRatm Thailand Posted : 1,013 | 9 Jul 2021 at 08.42

Thailand’s largest conglomerate, Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) says that it will pursue ‘alternative vaccines’ for its workers. The CP Group is a partial owner of the company that manufactures the controversial Sinovac Vaccine.

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Paul81 Thailand Posted : 968 | 9 Jul 2021 at 08.32

The question is (and soon to be answered): How will our little dunce junta fanboy brigade spin this to defend the actions of this indefensible military dictatorship, kleptocratic 'government'. Hello lessismore, gleentea, spareme and bikeme. People are dying.

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sam900 United States Posted : 1,689 | 9 Jul 2021 at 08.19

When you see the greeting exchange between the CP chairman and the royalty, you will understand why Sinovac dominates this country.

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IanRatm Thailand | 11 Jul 2021 at 08.18

criminal really

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colinlenny Thailand Posted : 216 | 9 Jul 2021 at 07.58

That is a good piece of writing If it walks like a duck quacks like a duck it probably is a duck. My guess is we will find out when this government has gone, whoever takes over will find what you are referring to. What goes around comes around for sure, some people just think they are immune but they are not. Good read.

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TPtime Thailand | 9 Jul 2021 at 11.29

Sadly they are immune, just look at how many corrupt politicians have never been held accountable in the past. A few months in a monastery and all is forgiven.

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Geor Australia Posted : 1,250 | 9 Jul 2021 at 07.21

Nice to see it all put succinctly. A famous man once said "It's a government, Jim, but not as we know it."

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lungstib Thailand Posted : 6,292 | 9 Jul 2021 at 07.21

Its the military method, tried and tested for many years in this country. No matter its cost, no matter its operational viability, no matter its real need, place the order, wait for delivery and ensure opacity. Whether its a blimp, submarine, troop carrier, aircraft carrier or tank spend as much as you can and pocket the percentage. We've just moved the military buying strategy into the health and pharmaceutical business.

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Sibeymai Australia | 9 Jul 2021 at 14.34

You forgot to mention bomb detectors.

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