Prime Minister Abhisit "smart But Hestiant"

[webfact]

END-OF-YEAR TRADITION

PM "smart but hestiant" : government house reporters

By The Nation

Published on December 29, 2009

Government House reporters have described Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as "Smart but hesitant" and chose a remark he made after the chaos in Pattaya in April as the political "quote of the year".

After a three-year break following the 2006 coup, journalists covering government affairs resumed their annual tradition of giving monikers to Cabinet members for their performance over the past year. In regard to the break, reporters explained that the Abhisit government was the first elected regime to complete a full year in office.

In calling the PM "Smart but hesitant", reporters explained that while handsome, well educated, and having declared nine rules on how his ministers should conduct themselves after being made PM, he had failed to enforce his rules strictly. Some ministers tainted with corruption had not stepped down to take responsibility.

The quote of the year was: "I regard whoever declares victory in this situation as an enemy of the country."

Abhisit made that statement on April 11 at the Royal Cliff Beach hotel in Pattaya, the venue of the Asean Summit with dialogue partners, after a large group of anti-government red shirts stormed the hotel and forced the event to be cancelled. Certain red-shirt leaders hailed the protest as a victory.

The government's moniker this year was "Who's strong?", mocking the administration's "Strong Thailand" project.

Reporters noted that given the government borrowed some Bt800 billion and there were allegations of irregularities, there was a question if the project would make ordinary citizens or politicians strong.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban was called the "Suffering wet-nurse". Though he did not "give birth to" Abhisit politically, Suthep managed to help the Democrat Party leader achieve his dream of becoming prime minister.

But he later had to suffer difficult tasks from Abhisit.

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey, who once described himself as an "image-maker" for the government, got the nickname of "Stage manager" for his role in holding functions for positive images for the prime minister and his Cabinet.

Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu was called the "Outgoing project scrutiniser". As a deputy premier overlooking economic-related ministries, he often caused irritation to coalition parties for scrutinising their projects. However, irregularities at the Office of Sufficiency Economy Community, which he oversaw, cost him his job in the office and the Cabinet. He is expected to be replaced as deputy PM soon.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya was nicknamed the "Government appendix". His connection to the yellow shirts and outspokenness made him an unwanted figure who could threaten the government if the "appendix" becomes "inflamed".

Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai became the "Godmother whose serves got blocked". Projects she proposed were often opposed by fellow ministers, sometimes causing her to weep during Cabinet meetings.

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul, 73, was called "Old stand-in on the seats". With key figures in his Bhum Jai Thai Party banned from politics, Chaovarat acts as a "stand-in" in ministerial and party seats.

Transport Minister Sophon Saram was called "Pride of the boss" for his good work in the post for his boss Newin Chidchob, who is serving a five-year ban from politics. The nickname mocks his party's name Bhum Jai Thai, which means "Pride of Thailand".

Tech-savvy Finance Minister Korn Chati-kavanij was called "Twittering borrower" for backing a plan to borrow massive amounts of money to fund economic stimulus projects, and being a regular poster on Twitter.

Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan was called "P-powered Pom" because he is known as Pom, and he is one of three powerful men with nicknames starting with "P" - the others are Army chief General Anupong "Pock" Paochinda and Bhum Jai Thai chief Newin "Ped" Chidchob.

-- The Nation 2009/12/29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Credo]

He who hesitates loses.

[airplane]

A polite way of saying he has the backbone of a snake?

[jontom]

A polite way of saying he has the backbone of a snake?

He isn't hesitant, he is connected by strings to the military and just as with any other puppet as soon as they pull his strings he moves.

[jontom]

A polite way of saying he has the backbone of a snake?

After a three-year break following the 2006 coup, journalists covering government affairs resumed their annual tradition of giving monikers to Cabinet members for their performance over the past year. In regard to the break, reporters explained that the Abhisit government was the first elected regime to complete a full year in office.

Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Thaksin the elected regime (and the only government to win 2 elections since world war 2 ) before the military illegally threw him out in a coup? When did Abhisit become quote "the first elected regime to complete a full year in office?"

[givenall]

I guess they RED folks made mistake when they thought they can push him around. He is a smart politician and has adapted to the way the RED people have worked to create chaos in Thailand.

I like the way he deals with problem, using logic and calm politic. It works; I think he will be liked as people realize he is working to make Thailand better and not working to make himself rich, like others before him

[MHM]

Better 'hestiant' than 'impalsive'. Don't you just love Nation spelling?

[Garry9999]

I guess they RED folks made mistake when they thought they can push him around. He is a smart politician and has adapted to the way the RED people have worked to create chaos in Thailand.

I like the way he deals with problem, using logic and calm politic. It works; I think he will be liked as people realize he is working to make Thailand better and not working to make himself rich, like others before him

Then he should have no hesitation to call an election next year and let the people judge his performance.

[RegularReader]

I guess they RED folks made mistake when they thought they can push him around. He is a smart politician and has adapted to the way the RED people have worked to create chaos in Thailand.

I like the way he deals with problem, using logic and calm politic. It works; I think he will be liked as people realize he is working to make Thailand better and not working to make himself rich, like others before him

Then he should have no hesitation to call an election next year and let the people judge his performance.

Better wait until the other side has an "approved" leader first...not one approved by the people, but by the Financial Adviser to Cambodia.

That would be real democracy, wouldn't it ?

[caf]

I guess they RED folks made mistake when they thought they can push him around. He is a smart politician and has adapted to the way the RED people have worked to create chaos in Thailand.

I like the way he deals with problem, using logic and calm politic. It works; I think he will be liked as people realize he is working to make Thailand better and not working to make himself rich, like others before him

Then he should have no hesitation to call an election next year and let the people judge his performance.

Better wait until the other side has an "approved" leader first...not one approved by the people, but by the Financial Adviser to Cambodia.

That would be real democracy, wouldn't it ?

the party and not the people elect the leader. the people elect the party members in parliament

[RegularReader]

I guess they RED folks made mistake when they thought they can push him around. He is a smart politician and has adapted to the way the RED people have worked to create chaos in Thailand.

I like the way he deals with problem, using logic and calm politic. It works; I think he will be liked as people realize he is working to make Thailand better and not working to make himself rich, like others before him

Then he should have no hesitation to call an election next year and let the people judge his performance.

Better wait until the other side has an "approved" leader first...not one approved by the people, but by the Financial Adviser to Cambodia.

That would be real democracy, wouldn't it ?

the party and not the people elect the leader. the people elect the party members in parliament

True, but in Thailand, there appears to be a situation where parties select leaders, based on the desires of others - that's what both sides say of each other.

Edited December 29, 2009 by RegularReader

[Oberkommando]

He hasn't listened to Jiminy and is now in the clutches of Stromboli.

[RegularReader]

He hasn't listened to Jiminy and is now in the clutches of Stromboli.

Qui ?

What on earth are you talking about ?

[JetsetBkk]

He who hestiates can't spell.

(Google 'he who hestiates': 6,600 hits, so you're not the only one, webfact. )

[Publicus]

Perhaps the Thai journalists 'humor' gets (completely) lost in the translation, as their "humourous" remarks are rather lame, unimaginative and flat. They might try some time with Brit or US journalists, not to mention the rough humor of the Aussie ones. 

In fairness much of humor is cultural anyway. 

[britadders28]

Perhaps the Thai journalists 'humor' gets (completely) lost in the translation, as their "humourous" remarks are rather lame, unimaginative and flat. They might try some time with Brit or US journalists, not to mention the rough humor of the Aussie ones.

In fairness much of humor is cultural anyway.

Smart, i would be bloody smart if i was educated at eton and oxford, sadly doesnt mean they learn any common sense or manners or human rights and most their are stuck up <deleted> with too much money, an old english joke is how do you know a uni graduate has used your computer - they leave tippex on the screen or why do grads where hats, so they know which end to wipe!!

[LaoPo]

Better 'hestiant' than 'impalsive'. Don't you just love Nation spelling?

The headlines are getting better and better

A shame really.

LaoPo