Sudarat defends herself over ‘self-promoting’ flower parade

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION

 

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan on a pickup truck equipped with a banner of her name during a marigold-|planting activity in tribute to the late King.

 

PHEU THAI PARTY key figure and former minister Sudarat Keyuraphan yesterday defended herself against claims that she used a marigold-planting activity in tribute to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a political tool to boost her own popularity.

With teary eyes, Sudarat said with shaken voice: “It’s true that I used to be a politician but should it stop my intention to express loyalty to the late King, like other people do? Our activity is so minor compared with what the King had done for us for many years.”

 

The veteran politician spoke after photos were circulated online of her riding a pickup truck equipped with speakers and a banner with her name, similar to a political campaigning truck, in a car parade during the activity organised by the local community of Lat Pla Khao region in Bangkok. 

 

Sudarat’s truck was accompanied by several motorcycles, whose riders were wearing uniforms, and the parade was led by a police car. 

 

The photos sparked controversy among social media users, who accused Sudarat of using the condolence period for her own benefit and using security protection like a serving officer. Some even called on the ruling junta to prolong its ban on political activities.

 

In a press briefing yesterday, Sudarat explained that she had not known the truck she rode would be highlighted with her name, because she got on it from behind.

 

“It has been used for 10 years, mainly for my foundation’s activity. I thought it was already retired,” she said. “It was my fault. I got on three cars that day and didn’t have a thorough look at all of them.”

 

Other banners did not include her name on them, and Sudarat claimed that this proved that she did not wish to popularise herself through the activity. 

 

Motorcycle riders surrounding her truck were civil defence volunteers who came to help with managing the flow of thousands of people attending the event on the day, explained Den Kanbutr, an organising committee member.

 

Given the large scale of the activity along Lat Pla Khao road, police volunteered themselves to manage traffic in the area and did not provide a special guard for Sudarat, Den said.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said he plans to have some officers talk to Sudarat about appropriateness regarding what he saw as “self promotion”. The Pheu Thai figure said that she would be fine with this and would explain things factually.

 

However, she refused to comment on whether the junta would consider the controversy as a reason to prolong the political ban. “I wouldn’t know how they think,” she said.

 

Meanwhile, Bang Khen district director Wanida Chiangpaisalkul said that the district authority was invited to join the event on Sunday, when the controversy happened, but did not attend.

 

The authority partially coordinated with the organising committee, which came from the private sector, merely by asking shop owners to decorate their premises with marigolds, Wanida added.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30329417

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-10-17

But, political activities are banned.

 Would be interesting to know who the other people are on the back of the 'truck', and who they are affiliated with.

 

 

Edited October 17, 20178 yr by scorecard

4 hours ago, webfact said:

riding a pickup truck equipped with speakers

Who ever told Thais that hiring a man with a van driving slowly round city centres holding up traffic is a good way to advertise their business?  Are these people aware that nobody walks in Thailand consequently their brief, garbled message reaches very few ears?

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Pheu Thai figure said that she would be fine with this and would explain things factually.

alternative facts ?

Smart, the steam is building up faster than expected! 

9 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

Smart, the steam is building up faster than expected! 

And in Bangkok too. An open act of defiance or intent? Unlikely to invoke a strong (arm) response at this particular time.

Sudarat’s truck was accompanied by several motorcycles, whose riders were wearing uniforms, but not crash helmets

Typical politician using something like this to promote herself.. shame on her. 

1 hour ago, robblok said:

Typical politician using something like this to promote herself.. shame on her. 

There is no shame, it is good politics.

 

Even the worst politicians are better than the best generals when it comes to governing a modern nation.

 

Why are politicians better than general's.... because the people can remove politicians, the General's however, answer to no one - ever. 

20 minutes ago, pornprong said:

There is no shame, it is good politics.

 

Even the worst politicians are better than the best generals when it comes to governing a modern nation.

 

Why are politicians better than general's.... because the people can remove politicians, the General's however, answer to no one - ever. 

That is what you say.. most Thais find it without respect.

 

Politicians better than generals,  (in Thailand). That is like saying jackhals are better then hyena's both are not that great. 

1 minute ago, robblok said:

That is what you say.. most Thais find it without respect.

What on Earth makes you think that you can speak on behalf of "most Thais"?

 

1 minute ago, robblok said:

 

Politicians better than generals,  (in Thailand). That is like saying jackhals are better then hyena's both are not that great. 

False argument here my friend.

 

If jackals (politicians) can be got rid off and hyenas (generals) cannot be got rid off - then clearly hyenas are a far worse threat than jackals.

 

What I find amusing is that you know the generals are bad so you persist with your only option which is to repeat nonsense about politicians in the hope of making them appear so bad as to make the generals look good. What a sad situation you've put yourself in.

 

 

Some people will stoop to anything for a dollar

Scum

She's promoting the buying of marigolds. I can't figure out why such a promotion, for whatever reason, would get anyone upset. It's hysteria. Manufactured in the service of control.