Voranai Vanijaka writes in the
Bangkok Post about corruption:
The point I would like to make is this: We need to point the finger less at the poor masses as the reason Thailand can't develop and democratise and direct it more at ourselves.
When a prai (peasant) commits an act of corruption, it's for 500 baht here, or a 1,000 baht a day. Here, vote for this person. There, get on the bus and go to Ratchaprasong for a month of concerts, festivities and fireworks.
When a middle-class person commits an act of corruption, it's in the millions. When it's a member of the elite, it's in the billions. And when the middle class and the elite are complicit in perpetuating the system, we are selling out the entire country.
One might question whether payment for attendance at a rally even qualifies as "corruption." Nevertheless, Voranai makes an important point: even allegations of petty corruption by the poor have to be put in perspective.
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