Big Businessmen at the Helm: Th e Politics of Confl ict of Interest in Th ailand

CONTENTS 29.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 483 29.2 A Confl ict of Interest .......................................................................................... 484 29.3 Th e Manipulation of Confl ict of Interest Situations by Big Businessmen ............ 485 29.4 Th e Political Game: Tactics to Overrule Confl ict of Interest Accusations ........... 488 29.4.1 First Tactic: Th e Legal Argument .......................................................... 488 29.4.2 Second Tactic: Political Supremacy ....................................................... 489 29.4.3 Th ird Tactic: Absolute Control of the State Machinery ......................... 489 29.4.4 Fourth Tactic: Takeover of Accountability Mechanisms ........................ 490 29.4.5 Fifth Tactic: Censorship of the Press ..................................................... 490 29.4.6 Sixth Tactic: Distract Citizens from Confl ict of Interest Issue ................491 29.5 Conclusion: Making Profi t from Being in Government .......................................492