The man's ignorance (and ignorance of his own ignorance) knows no depths.

PM tells envoys to talk directly to him
Concerned about his image on world stage
Bhanravee Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post, 23 August 2002

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asked Thai ambassadors and consuls-general to report directly to his office and the Foreign Ministry to speed up inter-agency coordination.

Speaking to an annual conference of 80 Thai envoys and consuls-general, Mr Thaksin said the new step would help build understandings on more complex issues.

Foreign policy, he stressed, must be united and clear otherwise there would be no credibility for the prime minister on the world stage.

Any damage to his credibility has always been of his own doing. Every foreign diplomat I've talked to politely says that he leaves them confused.

Anyone who did not conform with the policy or caused ``lack of unity'' would be committing an offence, he said.

And I thought Thailand was a pluralistic society where differences of opinion are encouraged so that we get the best solutions.

The envoys should work not only to build relations with their host countries or to make a small profit.

They ``should be more pro-active as salesmen, understand products and work faster,'' he said

Again showing his ignorance of diplomacy. Now he wants one of the most highly regarded professions to become one of the lowest regarded.

The Foreign Ministry should forge more bilateral strategies with these 80 countries, Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai quoted the prime minister as saying.

Duh!

The envoys, said the prime minister, should constantly update themselves of changes in globalisation, and adjust to any new working process in Thailand.

Enough with these platitudes already! Where's the beef?

The government's policy was to co-operate with other countries through strategic partnerships, not to ask for financial assistance, Mr Thaksin said.

Thailand would not interfere in the internal affairs of neighbouring countries but would promote human rights and democracy. Thai products should be promoted and imports cut to save costs.

Can you believe the man's simple-minded view of how the world works?

Asians should come together in his proposed Asia Co-operation Dialogue, and work for market openings.

But I thought you wanted to cut imports, so why are you now saying you want open markets?

There should be more co-operation along the lines of the recent rubber pact between Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Foreign Ministry could use its discretion to close or open more embassies.

But of course! Why did we never think of that? Duh!

It could also determine what other government agencies should be represented in embassies, depending on the economic or political importance of host countries.

More communication was needed between Thai envoys and Asian departments in their host countries, and between foreign diplomats and the Foreign Ministry here. Korn Dabbaransri, the deputy prime minister in charge of CEO ambassadors, said Mr Thaksin emphasised the need for more agility, urging a change from economies of scale to economies of speed.

It all sounds very hip and with-it, and I'm sure you cribbed that off some hot management book, but you never tell us what it means in the public sector context. Economies of scale, scope and speed are business concepts aimed at decreasing costs. Speed in customer service is desirable, but speed in diplomacy does not necessarily translate to well-considered policies. Look at how many times Thaksin's speed in opening his mouth before turning on his brain has gotten him into trouble. As he has so often shown, speed without intelligence is worthless.