Being Thai Prime Minister Means You Have To Talk, Talk, Talk

[webfact]

STREET WISE

Being prime minister means you have to talk, talk, talk

By Achara Deboonme

The Nation

All governments are always criticised for dominating media coverage. It is natural, both the criticism and the dominance.

Dominance is natural because people want to hear the views of policy-makers on this or that issue. The views expressed can affect people from all walks of life. Criticism grows naturally, particularly when political dominance expands and the space for others' views shrinks. Criticism grows especially when political leaders are willing to give comments on whatever they are asked.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was one of Thailand's most talkative leaders. He would comment on anything from the global economy to the falling prices of agricultural products.

Given that Thaksin was in a position of power for a long period, incumbent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva may have become familiar with his style. He, too, has developed the trait. He has been busy attending this and that local meeting, aside from international conferences and fairs. But he has managed to spare time for reporters' questions on different occasions.

From what I monitored from 2pm on Monday to 3pm yesterday, he spoke on about 10 different issues.

First thing on Monday morning, he gave a speech on the poor response to the problem of human trafficking. The next issue was equally complicated as it concerned the proposed termination of telecom concessions, to pave the way for a level playing field in this sector. Then, his attention shifted to a controversial advert entitled "Thailand, we apologise", which was banned by free TV channels on the grounds that its images promote further conflict.

Minutes later, Abhisit commented on the closure of the Mae Sot border checkpoint. He said he had had no prior knowledge of the closure, which continued for a second day. After that, he admitted that some red shirts may have been unfairly treated and he supported the idea of all parties presenting clear information on the recent political turmoil.

That afternoon, he made time to meet a South Korean business representative, and expressed a bullish opinion on closer bilateral trade connections. Later, he granted an interview to 13 Muslim reporters from 7 countries, and gave a speech on the government's policy to deal with insurgent violence in the deep South.

Early yesterday morning, he received jasmine cloth from singers to mark Thailand's Mother's Day, and sampled some longan from farmers who have complained about a drastic fall in price.

In the afternoon, after the Cabinet meeting, he briefed reporters on the policy for the deep South, where he commented on the use of M-79 grenades and the escalation of violence. While announcing that three more provinces will be no longer be subject to the emergency decree, he said he had ordered weekly reports on law enforcement in areas subject to the law. He followed this by saying that Loei province represents a good example of a reconciliatory atmosphere, where people of different political views live peacefully. He also said he was waiting for the right timing to visit the northeastern province.

All his comments today will become news tomorrow. As his comments range from social and cultural to political and business issues, his name will appear in all kinds of news categories. There is perhaps little wonder why he is viewed sceptically, even enviously, by the opposition. However, the opposition should admit that it is rare to find a prime minister who is so dedicated to his job and spends time trying to understand every issue. Thailand is so lucky!

-- The Nation 2010-07-21

[chantorn]

Being Thai Prime Minister Means You Have To Talk, Talk, Talk

Wow, my parrots has that talent too.

[siampolee]

Thaksin and his Red Shirt allies used to suffer from verbal diarrhoea too, always spouting a load of male bovine waste faecal matter.

[dom samui]

Being Thai driver Means You Have To drive, drive, drive.

What about a driver who don't?

[TheBarbarian]

And talk talk talk is what they know very well at the Democrat party Headquarters. Chuan talked so much he did not do anything at all. This government talks so much about Thaksin that they do not understand that 70% of the Thai people are in his camp. Talk talk talk and no action. We know.

[scorecard]

And talk talk talk is what they know very well at the Democrat party Headquarters. Chuan talked so much he did not do anything at all. This government talks so much about Thaksin that they do not understand that 70% of the Thai people are in his camp. Talk talk talk and no action. We know.

You know what?

By the way, i'll give an analysis of Khun Chuan Lek Pai:

- Clean

- When the dems lost the election, many analysts indicated:

- Chuan is a good man, but far too slow (he did have a reputation for rechecking everything in fine detail), Thailand needs many things attended to quickly

- The land scandal that some dems had got into

On top of this of course was the start up of 'popular handouts' by the opposition to buy votes on a massive scale.

On top of this of course

[Insight]

Being Thai Prime Minister Means You Have To Talk, Talk, Talk

Wow, my parrots has that talent too.

Are you worried about the competition?

[surangw]

as the saying goes, talk is cheep, but backing up what is said costs ( money, lives, property)