Thailand loses a tourist family

From today's Sunday Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/david-cameron/8148805/Camerons-no-longer-dreaming-of-a-Thai-Christmas.html

Camerons no longer dreaming of a Thai Christmas David and Samantha Cameron have cancelled their controversial trip to Thailand following mounting criticism that it sent the wrong signal at a time when the country is facing widespread job losses and spending cuts.

David and Samantha Cameron have cancelled their trip to Thailand By Melissa Kite, Deputy Political Editor 10:00PM GMT 20 Nov 2010

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It was meant to be a well-earned break in a luxurious setting. But no sooner had the Cameron family booked their first foreign holiday since entering Downing Street than questions began to be asked.

Was a trip to a five-star resort in Thailand this Christmas for some winter sun really appropriate in times of austerity, even though the Camerons were paying for the trip themselves?

As the rest of Britain felt the pain of spending cuts, should the Prime Minister be seen enjoying a much more lavish lifestyle than the rest of the country can afford?

The human rights record of the Thai government did not help either. Nor did the fact that David Cameron was at Eton at the same time as the Thai Prime Minister, who is facing worldwide criticism for his handling of recent pro-democracy demonstrations, which ended in protesters being killed.

Now, Mr Cameron has cancelled the controversial trip after mounting criticism that it sent the wrong signal, The Sunday Telegraph can disclose.

His decision to scrap the visit comes after he also performed a U-turn on paying his personal photographer out of the public purse. The Prime Minister faced accusations about several "vanity staff" put on the public payroll including Andy Parsons, his photographer, and Nicky Woodhouse, a film-maker who produced the Tory leader's WebCameron broadcasts in opposition.

It is understood that the decision to cancel the holiday comes after Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha were urged to do so by their closest Downing Street advisers.

Andy Coulson, Mr Cameron's director of communications, intervened personally to urge the Prime Minister not to go, amid concerns that the trip could reignite personal criticism of him.

Thailand is a holiday destination for tens of thousands of Britons each year but Mr Cameron's decision to visit the country raised eyebrows.

There was speculation in Thai newspapers that he would be staying at one of two resorts in Phuket whose luxury rooms cost at least £1,000 a night, and there was mounting concern in Number Ten that the trip looked extravagant at a time when most Britons were cutting back.

The Prime Minister's advisers are eager to avoid the sort of controversy which accompanied Tony Blair on his many luxury holidays whilst Prime Minister.

Controversy over the trip was fuelled when it emerged that Mr Cameron and Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Thai Prime Minister, are both Old Etonians, and it was thought at first that Thailand might have been chosen because of the association.

Downing Street dismissed this suggestion, but the denial failed to dampen criticism, including from human rights groups.

Thailand's United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship – better known as the Red Shirts – claims that during violent clashes with government troops earlier this year at least 90 demonstrators were killed and more than 100 injured after the government ordered the soldiers to end the protests one way or another.

The group is hoping that Britain will support the abuse claims it submitted last month to the International Criminal Court.

So, is Cameron supporting the Red-Shirts and Thaksin, or is it only his advisors in Downing Street?

I realise that he has to watch his step with all this, but if he had combined this holiday break with a visit to Aung San Suu Kyi all the 'human rights' lefties would have been waving flags rather than condemning him.

Better photo opps feeding the ducks in St James' park on Christmas Day.

Better photo opps feeding the ducks in St James' park on Christmas Day.

Feeding them to the homeless?

Better photo opps feeding the ducks in St James' park on Christmas Day.

Feeding them to the homeless?

Maybe a few swans disappearing as well this year. Honestly I've never seen so many homeless in London since maybe '89.....the 3 for 1 offers in the shops tell their own story.

No doubt Mr Cameron will be enjoying a fat goose tho.....after his usual morning run....

Certainly his PR team are praying for a white Christmas......Primrose hill anyone?

Whatever happened to the tradition of noblesse oblige?

I thought you meant me for a minute, but I guess the Indy wont notice when I book the family holiday tomorrow for December!

I thought you meant me for a minute, but I guess the Indy wont notice when I book the family holiday tomorrow for December!

Should come to Vietnam instead.

Lovely beaches on the Southern half, then Ha Long Bay in the North is much bigger than Phan Nga Bay and similar island scene.

Christmas is very lively, shops all decorated.

No girly bars to speak of, much more of a family place.

Full of damned Ockers, though.

Late January is Tet - even more hectic than it was in 1968. But less loss of life (barring motor-cycle riders)