What's wrong with Thailand (and the rest of Southeast Asia)

Here is the lede to an article titled "Bargaining Time" published in Friday's Bangkok Post:

Behind-the-scenes lobbying for lucrative ministerial posts has begun in earnest as Somchai Wongsawat awaits royal endorsement as the country's leader.

Granted, the media of Thailand -- Bangkok Post included -- is notoriously biased against the party of the new prime minister. Nevertheless, the notion that ministerial posts are "lucrative" raises few eyebrows in Southeast Asian capitals. The public understands that ministerial posts tend to be lucrative for the ministers themselves. This is said to have been the case under Thaksin -- although his supporters point out that this was nothing new.