NO FREE LUNCHES OR TVS

I always wonder how delusional and easily led many “poor” upcountry Thais can be. Many love former PM Thaksin, now a fugitive from justice, because he gave money to the poor. What was never mentioned is that government money given to the local tambons was not really free but was expected to be repaid within a specified time.

Many people also took the “free” money and bought cars, pickups, large TVs and other things. These unfortunate people went into debt sooner than if they had refused the “free” money, and lost all or nearly everything. People cannot understand that nothing is free in life.

The old proverb, “There is no such thing as a free lunch”, has never been a strong point. We pay for everything to the smallest grain of salt, either directly or indirectly.

I wonder how much debt the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has written off because of Thaksin’s generosity, (taxpayers’ money, not his money, of course) and the “here is free money” offer. Wake up out there. Coniglio