Thread: Thailand : Majority Backs Government’s Crackdown

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

Originally Posted by panama hat

You had a question? A question that was germane to the topic? I'd love to see it.

Desperate avoidance to answer, noted.

Yet again you don't understand: You had a question? A question that was germane to the topic?

Same question that was posed to Panda, applies to you as well "Why do you live here, when you clearly hate it here?"

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

"Why do you live here, when you clearly hate it here?"

Easy answer: I don't anymore. Tried it, didn't like it, left.

See, ask a real question, not a loaded one, and get a real answer.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

"Why do you live here, when you clearly hate it here?"

Easy answer: I don't anymore. Tried it, didn't like it, left.

See, ask a real question, not a loaded one, and get a real answer.

OK. Do you think there are there significant parallels between Malaysia and Thailand? Thailand is ruled apparently by a elite/army clique, where as Malaysia is ruled by an elite/religious/ethnic group.

The Chinese malaysians are probably MORE discriminated against that the rural Thais, and both countries have a penchant for smearing/jailing or other wise nobbling the opposition (both within and outside its own party, viz mahathir and anwar).

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by DaffyDuck

"Why do you live here, when you clearly hate it here?"

Easy answer: I don't anymore. Tried it, didn't like it, left.

See, ask a real question, not a loaded one, and get a real answer.

Fair enough.

Good follow-up question by Niddhog.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Do you think there are there significant parallels between Malaysia and Thailand?

In some ways yes, but there are more differences than similarities I would say. First of all, the societal structure is more developed, as is the economy and the general infrastructure.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Thailand is ruled apparently by a elite/army clique, where as Malaysia is ruled by an elite/religious/ethnic group.

True, the army has very little say in the workings of the country and the religious aspect is only applicable to the Muslims. Non-Muslims are fairly free to do as they wish and the various Chinese organisations and Indian organisations play an integral part in all aspects of the place

Originally Posted by nidhogg

The Chinese malaysians are probably MORE discriminated against that the rural Thais

Officially no. Unofficially yes. Having said that, however, the minorities have managed to carve out a very unequal share of the country's wealth . . . usually acquired from the Malays who benefited from the positive discrimination they receive from the government.
An example. Vehicle import licenses are given to Malays . . . basically a license to continued wealth. They sell these license to the Chinese or Indians who make a long-lasting business out of them . . . Other examples are building permits, land-ownership etc...

Having said that, the Malay population is generally quite well educated and could run the country themselves . . . but not in the state it is in currently as education does not engender entrepreneur class or way of thinking.

In my business I deal with all three main ethnicities and they all have their foibles . . . but as long as the business potential is real I prefer working with Indians and Malays.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

both countries have a penchant for smearing/jailing or other wise nobbling the opposition (both within and outside its own party, viz mahathir and anwar).

Well, the Anwar/Najib/Mahatir squabbles are inter-Malay issues and don't really affect the other ethnicities.


Working here is much easier than in Thailand. Having a business here is much easier than in Thailand. There is less corruption at every level, though it does exist, but if you don't operate in the larger scale projects you are fairly safe from this crap.

Two examples:

I have a new customer who recently leased a 200.000 ha plantation from the federal government. The previous state-owned operations brought in a loss year after year . . . the managers pocketing ALL the profits . . . and they could do so because of this system of baksheesh. My customer has taken over the operation and decided to introduce our technology and he has replaced all the middle-men with his people. He is Malay but has used mainly Chinese and Indian management.
Zero problems so far

I was recently approached by an Indian acquaintance to assist him in exploring the possibilities of starting up a bio-diesel plant, small - about 20.000 litres a day. The company behind it is Australian who were fleeced by the local government to such an extent that they withdrew their plans . . . only to re-try it on a 'private' level. No backhanders necessary.

I could go on . . . suffice it to say that the difference between Thailand and Malaysia is like night and day . . . though it can be frustrating being here at times as well.

One thing Thais have over Malaysians . . . Thais are more considerate drivers, believe it or not

Pretty much would agree with everything. Except possibly re: chinese. As far as I am aware (and I agree I am a tad out of date) there is currently no chinese political party on the national level - it has been discouraged. Also, the population demographics (last time I looked) are very, very close to there being a chinese majority.

If Malaysia ever does fracture along racial lines (and unless the bumiputra stuff gets scrapped soon, it might) it will make Thailand look like a picnic...

Originally Posted by nidhogg

As far as I am aware (and I agree I am a tad out of date) there is currently no chinese political party on the national level

Well, there is the MCA, which is a political party and they control one state, Penang, the only majority Chinese state. You are right, however, that elsewhere they have no input, or very little. Currently there are three main parties; BN - the traditional party that has ruled federally since independence, PKR - around Anwar and PAS, the religious party

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Also, the population demographics (last time I looked) are very, very close to there being a chinese majority.

Actually, the Chinese population percentage is decreasing due to immigration and a lower birth rate . . .

The population of Malaysia, 28 million, is:

55% Malay
23% Chinese
7.5% Indian
11% other 'Bumiputras', largely the indigenous populations of Sabah and Sarawak

You ask any Chinese here and it is virtually a given that someone in their extended family has emigrated to Australia, NZ or the UK.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

If Malaysia ever does fracture along racial lines (and unless the bumiputra stuff gets scrapped soon, it might) it will make Thailand look like a picnic...

Well, it happened in the late 60s . . . and it could happen again, but it won't come from the minorities, it will come from the Malays who see the unequal distribution of wealth as the 'foreigners' controlling their country.

The ridiculous Bumi laws can't be taken away because of that, though most Malays don't need positive discrimination to lead a prosperous life anymore . . . but the politicians use them to shore up support.

Most Chinese and Indians that I know don't like the institutionalised racism but they work with it and still do well . . . the common reason is that the Malays are not really an economic threat. It is far more difficult yo be economically successful if they have to compete with the local population in, say, Australia or any other western country or even China


I guess the basic difference between Thailand and Malaysia is that the chasm between the haves and have-nots is nowhere near as large as in Thailand.

Originally Posted by panama hat

I guess the basic difference between Thailand and Malaysia is that the chasm between the haves and have-nots is nowhere near as large as in Thailand.

That might be the best point of all. Difficult to get too uptight with the guy driving a merc from behind the wheel of your honda. Much easier when you don't even have a bicycle....

I like Malaysia. Good mix, great food. So long as it does not head too far down the PAS street, it will remain a good place. With great food (better than Thailands!!)...

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Difficult to get too uptight with the guy driving a merc from behind the wheel of your honda.

Agreed

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Much easier when you don't even have a bicycle....

Agreed

Originally Posted by nidhogg

like Malaysia.

Agreed

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Good mix

Agreed

Originally Posted by nidhogg

great food.

Agreed

Originally Posted by nidhogg

So long as it does not head too far down the PAS street, it will remain a good place.

Agreed

Originally Posted by nidhogg

With great food (better than Thailands!!)...

Agreed



Very agreeable! The nicest part of all: You don't get ripped off or looked at askance for being a whitey

the problem in Malaysia is the beers are quite expensive and as lame as Thailand

KL is also quite small and not as "modern" and "diversify" as Bangkok is in terms of social life

Hmm, a lot closer than I thought..

Originally Posted by Butterfly

ask around in Bangkok, and you will see that the answers are in line with the poll

I would like to see a poll with the option "the government should have acted much faster". The number would be hugher than many here would like.

Originally Posted by Fabian

Originally Posted by Butterfly

ask around in Bangkok, and you will see that the answers are in line with the poll

I would like to see a poll with the option "the government should have acted much faster". The number would be hugher than many here would like.

Hmmm. Not sure about that. Perhaps our crystal balls are not the same.

Originally Posted by panama hat

I have a new customer who recently leased a 200.000 ha plantation

Apologies, that should be 200.000 trees, not hectare

Originally Posted by Butterfly

the problem in Malaysia is the beers are quite expensive and as lame as Thailand

KL is also quite small and not as "modern" and "diversify" as Bangkok is in terms of social life

Come on mate, Leo is a quality lager.

Originally Posted by bkkrunner

Leo is a quality lager

Any posters here know of ANY alcohol (brew/mix/concoction) bottled in Asia that does NOT contain glycol (antifreeze) in the mix?

I would be interested to know.

I brew my own.

^ I drink none. Problem solved.

#63 myofb
U got crystal ones?

A bit sore, fragile like, eh?