Feb. 9, 2006.
ANUCHA CHAROENPO

A good administrator needs ethics and morality, not just ability and intelligence, Privy Council chairman and elder statesman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda told doctoral candidates yesterday. ''I'm glad to see that Thai people at all levels are now talking more about ethics and morality, which was rarely talked about in the past,'' he said.

''Being smart and intelligent is a good thing, but if there is no morality and ethics it is not so good.''

Opening his address on ''Public Administration under the Royal Initiatives for Thailand in the Future'', at a seminar organised by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University's Doctorate Programme on Public Administration, Gen Prem said his presentation was not aimed at anybody.

The former prime minister's 30-minute address comes at a time when Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is under intense pressure over the sale of his family's stake in Shin Corp for 73.3 billion baht to Singapore's Temasek Holdings without paying any taxes.

Critics have long accused the prime minister of abuse of power and of helping his family and close associates benefit from government policies since he took office five years ago.

Gen Prem said the King had created many initiatives for the administration of the country since his accession to the throne 60 years ago.

He believed many Thai people had a good understanding of the royal initiatives and applied them in their lives, but there were others who dismissed them since they did not clearly understand them.

''His Majesty the King has said that public administration must be performed for the nation's stability, security and the public good, and not involve personal interests or the interests of one's own kin or cronies,'' he said.

Good administrators must forge unity because that leads to cooperation and strength, the former prime minister said.

''We must understand that a difference of opinion is not conflict or dissent. Good administrators must be willing to listen to other opinions and allow subordinates to play a part in making decisions because we all wish our organisation and country well,'' Gen Prem said.

He also told the doctoral candidates that the King says good administrators must be honest in thought, speech and deeds, and must make sure that the people around them are also honest.

Good administrators must also be righteous and apply a single code of conduct across the board, he said.

They must be good coordinators, have perseverance and consistency and always educate and improve themselves.

They must have sound judgment, be courageous enough to take responsibility and correct their mistakes and be good role models for their subordinates.

And they must perform good deeds without ostentation, Gen Prem said.

Ref: Bangkok Post