I hesitate to "like" such dire stories as this one. I feel unbelievable sadness for my many friends in Thailand and the wonderful Thai people who should expect better governance than this and who remain at extreme risk with each new variant. As the US is learning the sad lesson the only real way to get this virus finally under control is to be sure the people are vaccinated with doses that are effective against it.
What really strikes me is that Bhumipol's amateur economic theory "Sufficiency Economy" played a role in this disaster. I was once all impressed with the same book that inspired Bhumipol: "Small is Beautiful." I think I was in high school. By early adulthood, I had heard the counter-arguments and regarded the book as well-intentioned nonsense. But around Bhumipol, no one was allowed to challenge the philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy"; on the contrary, what should have been a passing phase in his intellectual thought became official unquestionable policy. Look at the extent of the disaster from humoring him and not challenging the nonsense.
While it’s not impossible, I would say it’s highly unlikely that AZ got involved with this kind of corruption with the compliance systems they must have in place for such decisions. It would be a major issue for AZ globally if they were caught up in a corruption scandal related to their vaccines. I subscribe to Andrew’s suggestion that it was ignorance to the shortcomings of the Thai government and royal institutions, which wasn’t brought to light in their hastily executed due diligence, although it’s widely known that the PM is a coup maker and as such a illegitimate leader by most international measures.
I hesitate to "like" such dire stories as this one. I feel unbelievable sadness for my many friends in Thailand and the wonderful Thai people who should expect better governance than this and who remain at extreme risk with each new variant. As the US is learning the sad lesson the only real way to get this virus finally under control is to be sure the people are vaccinated with doses that are effective against it.
What really strikes me is that Bhumipol's amateur economic theory "Sufficiency Economy" played a role in this disaster. I was once all impressed with the same book that inspired Bhumipol: "Small is Beautiful." I think I was in high school. By early adulthood, I had heard the counter-arguments and regarded the book as well-intentioned nonsense. But around Bhumipol, no one was allowed to challenge the philosophy of "Sufficiency Economy"; on the contrary, what should have been a passing phase in his intellectual thought became official unquestionable policy. Look at the extent of the disaster from humoring him and not challenging the nonsense.
of course you're right... it's all a huge failure, and Thais are dying because of it!
2 Points: For all his faults, Thaksin delivered to a lot more Thais than any king ever did.
That's why he had to go.
Second, I still maintain someone bunged AstraZ executives lots of dosh to get distribution rights for S.A. Asia, not just for Thailand.
While it’s not impossible, I would say it’s highly unlikely that AZ got involved with this kind of corruption with the compliance systems they must have in place for such decisions. It would be a major issue for AZ globally if they were caught up in a corruption scandal related to their vaccines. I subscribe to Andrew’s suggestion that it was ignorance to the shortcomings of the Thai government and royal institutions, which wasn’t brought to light in their hastily executed due diligence, although it’s widely known that the PM is a coup maker and as such a illegitimate leader by most international measures.