Thai PM Abhisit Has Matured Like A Good Wine, Poll Suggests

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EDITORIAL

PM has matured like a good wine, poll suggests

By The Nation

Country has benefitted from sound policies and premier's clean image over past year; latest poll is positive

Any world leader must be jealous of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's current poll standing. The latest survey by Abac Poll of Assumption University showed that more than 70 per cent of respondents felt he had shown stronger leadership this year compared to last year. Furthermore, his leadership indices were measured at: 75 per cent for honesty, 74 per cent for his ability to stay composed, 72 per cent for moral standards, 72 per cent for adhering more to the interests of the majority than of close associates, 71 per cent for his reliability, 71 per cent for his charisma, and 69 per cent for his being democratic. These statistics bode well for the prime minister to carry out his tasks.

The opposition and pressure groups have tried to portray Abhisit as a weak leader who acts in the interest of the military. Quite often, the pressure groups, including both the red and yellow shirts, unfairly attack Abhisit for acting on behalf of the military. The survey showed that the public did not buy into that kind of stereotyping. Indeed, credit should be given to Abhisit for installing working and trustful relations between the civilian and military leaders. He and the retired General Anupong Paochinda should be praised for not using force and following strict rules of engagement during civil unrest.

Nevertheless, the debate among some of the 'elite' has been completely negative about Abhisit, who refuses continuously to court the media and opinion leaders, including academics.

Unlike previous Thai leaders, Abhisit has stood on his own feet and experience. His political and economic training allow him to make intelligent judgements. His various policies, albeit populist in nature, have benefited the poor in the rural areas. As an economist, he knows that these stimulus packages, if employed at the right time with the right time frame, will help the economy. That's exactly what has happened to the Thai economy in the past 12 months.

One quality that is hard to beat is the prime minister's clean image as an honest and accountable leader. That alone should help him in guiding the country. Abhisit's political longevity depends on public perception of his being squeaky clean. Otherwise, he could have been toppled by the street protests and political manoeuvrings.

It would not surprise anyone if Abhisit decides to call an early election during the first quarter of next year. He thinks that would be the best time to take advantage of the disarray among the opposition parties. Pheu Thai Party's dismal by-election results will add salt to injury if the election comes soon. Its exiled leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, continues to point the party's direction. Certainly, his money and reputation still hold in certain areas of the Northeast - but not all. Abhisit is gaining confidence that as time goes by and good policies take effect the war on hearts and minds by the government will prevail.

Abhisit's leadership qualities will enable Thailand to move on and attain the much-needed stability for economic growth in coming years. Against all odds, the Democrat Party under Abhisit will certainly come back in the next election. The party might not get the most votes. But with the coalition parties on the same page, he is likely to serve as prime minister again. Lest we forgot, if he fails to achieve his goals here he can always take up a prestigious job overseas.

-- The Nation 2010-12-19

[stander]

A measure of his maturity will be how he takes defeat in the next election.

[timekeeper]

A measure of his maturity will be how he takes defeat in the next election.

dream on Stander

Abhisit and Korn will win the next election with a landslide

[stander]

Yes by hook or by crook, unfortunately you are probably correct.

Edited December 19, 2010 by stander

[asiawatcher]

Fortunately the poll shows there are intelligent people who can see through the mire of Thai politics. Abhisit certainly is the best hope for Thailand in the next decade with the inevitable likely passing of the ailing patriarch. The country will need extremely strong leadership from that point and the PM has the ability and determination and if Thailand can rally behind him now, its future is assured as one of the Asian Tiger economies.

[stander]

Asiawatcher sadly you are probably correct, as obliviously the Bangkok elite will by any means necessary make sure that they have their man in place when the inevitable happens.

[Ulysses G.]

Abhisit certainly is the best hope for Thailand in the next decade...

He is certainly the best (elected) PM that I can remember.

[whybother]

A measure of his maturity will be how he takes defeat in the next election.

Yes by hook or by crook, unfortunately you are probably correct.

So, they're not going to win, but they are probably going to win.

Can you explain, based on 2007 election results, all the by-election results, polls, and the lack of support from smaller parties, how the PTP could possibly get into government?

[stander]

A measure of his maturity will be how he takes defeat in the next election.

Yes by hook or by crook, unfortunately you are probably correct.

So, they're not going to win, but they are probably going to win.

Can you explain, based on 2007 election results, all the by-election results, polls, and the lack of support from smaller parties, how the PTP could possibly get into government?

Their strategy is fairly simple "Divide and Conquer"

To quote Wikipedia

Divide and conquer

A combination of political, military and economic strategies that aim to gain and maintain power by breaking up larger concentrations of power into chunks that individually have less power than the one implementing the strategy.

[backfromouterspace]

70 per cent of respondents felt he had shown stronger leadership this year compared to last year.

Probably because he had more protesters sot this year than last.

Against all odds, the Democrat Party under Abhisit will certainly come back in the next election.

Tough when all the Dems have on their side are the judiciary, army, big business and the 'establishment'.

[whybother]

A measure of his maturity will be how he takes defeat in the next election.

Yes by hook or by crook, unfortunately you are probably correct.

So, they're not going to win, but they are probably going to win.

Can you explain, based on 2007 election results, all the by-election results, polls, and the lack of support from smaller parties, how the PTP could possibly get into government?

Their strategy is fairly simple "Divide and Conquer"

<snip>

They've been practicing that using themselves as guinea pigs.

It's a legitimate strategy, but do you think it could actually work in this case?

[whybother]

70 per cent of respondents felt he had shown stronger leadership this year compared to last year.

Probably because he had more protesters sot this year than last.

Against all odds, the Democrat Party under Abhisit will certainly come back in the next election.

Tough when all the Dems have on their side are the judiciary, army, big business and the 'establishment'.

But more importantly, the voters.

[geriatrickid]

The wikileaks which have been supressed in Thailand do not inspire confidence in Mr, Abhisit.

He better hope that none of the diplomatic messages circulate.

Mind you, he's in good company on that.

[whybother]

The wikileaks which have been supressed in Thailand do not inspire confidence in Mr, Abhisit.

He better hope that none of the diplomatic messages circulate.

Mind you, he's in good company on that.

Have any if the cables mentioned Abhisit specifically? (except for one where Obama was going to call Abhisit - or something like that).

[mca]

^^Yeah there's a whole herd of elephants charging around the room at the moment.

Edited December 19, 2010 by mca

[stander]

^

[whybother]

^^Yeah there's a whole herd of elephants charging around the room at the moment.

Specifics?

[Siam Simon]

Yeah, like all good vintages he's turned up trumps. He didn't quite turn out to be quite what the right wing uglies on TV expected him to, but he still got there. Lataz, ugliz.

[mca]

It's out there mate.

[SomTumTiger]

The wikileaks which have been supressed in Thailand do not inspire confidence in Mr, Abhisit.

He better hope that none of the diplomatic messages circulate.

Mind you, he's in good company on that.

Have any if the cables mentioned Abhisit specifically? (except for one where Obama was going to call Abhisit - or something like that).

No, they don't, but GK is never one to stand on the details of an argument.

[whybother]

It's out there mate.

The only leaks that I can find in relation to Abhisit are related to Bout.

edit: I even found an article suggesting the same: http://www.chinapost...554/Look-at.htm

What others are there?

edit2:

Abhisit must consider himself extremely lucky as his opponents so far were unable to capitalize on the leaks by attacking him. His comments on Bout portrayed him in a good light because they showed consistency — no difference from his published statements in the media during the trial.

Edited December 19, 2010 by whybother

[mca]

The wikileaks which have been supressed in Thailand do not inspire confidence in Mr, Abhisit.

He better hope that none of the diplomatic messages circulate.

Mind you, he's in good company on that.

Have any if the cables mentioned Abhisit specifically? (except for one where Obama was going to call Abhisit - or something like that).

No, they don't, but GK is never one to stand on the details of an argument.

You really should check your facts before posting. It avoids egg on your face.

[mca]

It's out there mate.

The only leaks that I can find in relation to Abhisit are related to Bout.

edit: I even found an article suggesting the same: http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/special-to-the-china-post/2010/12/06/282554/Look-at.htm

What others are there?

Sorry for not being clearer. I was referencing GKs comment about hoping how people would hope some of the diplomatic messages don't circulate. Messages that concern other topics.

[SomTumTiger]

He must be referring to the memo about Prem "talking about Abhisit" that is a year old, and pretty much irrelevant . And I like egg MCA - where is your Thaksin avatar? I miss thinking of you and 'ol Square face together hand in hand.

[mca]

What Thaksin avatar?

[Emptyset]

A measure of his maturity will be how he takes defeat in the next election.

dream on Stander

Abhisit and Korn will win the next election with a landslide

It's more likely to have to do with how CT & BJT (& PP depending on who they side with) do vs PT than this pair. Although the party-list vote should certainly give an indicator of their popularity. I doubt it'll be a landslide though, remember people in 2007 thought PPP were done for, and that was before they picked Samak and made it a lot harder for themselves. My bet is that the current coalition will be back again unless something dramatic happens.

[Bakseedaa]

Rock on Abhisit..... A Geordie for me anytime..... Who would you rather have.. ? Apart from Khorn ?

[Northman061]

I think I, like many, hope the PM could be the "right man" for Thailand, but so far I believe he is failing the people of Thailand.

We have had 9 months of unopposed CRES control, now he is considering handing over policing duties to the Army via the ISA, thereby establish troops on regular duty, patrols on the street and:

Article 17, allowing the ISOC director to take command of state agencies by “issuing a notification commanding state officials not to perform any act or to perform any act” to the extent that this is necessary for preventing, suppressing, stopping, and rectifying any situation that affects internal security.

This is a blank check to override all laws and human rights protections.

<LI>Article 18, allowing the ISOC director and designated officials to undertake criminal investigators without providing any safeguards or judicial oversight of summons, arrests and detentions.

Among other due process concerns, this heightens the risk of torture and other mistreatment of individuals in custody or while under interrogation.

<LI>Article 19, allowing the ISOC director and designated officials to act as criminal investigation officials and have powers similar to those of public prosecutors and judges.

They are given the authority to sentence any person found involved in a threat to internal security to attend re-education camps for up to six months

He has given the military an extra 60 Billion Baht in the budget and has NO control over them.

Corruption at the highest levels has not been touched and we seen thieves returned to power and welcomed back into the fold.

All the independent International "watch" groups state that Thailand now has more restrictions on information, state obseveration (both open and covert) of the people and is more militaristic than even under Thaksin.

The xenophobic "laws" which prohibit fair competion for National and State contracts allows the "Elites" to maintain power over the public.

There are many things wrong, just basics, that are not getting acted upon, and that is my fear for the PM. He seems all smiles and good words, but sadly, everything must be run past the old systems "Feudal Lords" who will always have the final say.

The ISA is simply a "legal" way of letting the Military overrun the Civil law........i fear for Thailand.

[Roadman]

The Nation Editorial is not a suprise. Pinnochio started showing he could dance the strings when Bangkok and Thailand were being terrorised. The Army and Elite Pupperteers who helped him there certainly had the right man and it has been a pleasure watching him and his team grow and build their platforms. His team deserves the support of the Thai public that is being bestowed.

Newin by now should know that in coalition he can gain more than he needs and advance his own position by honourable means and earnt the respect that few Thai politicians do.

I think he would take defeat at the election box with dignity because after all that is the Democratic platform he and the Army and Elites who backed him have wanted installed since the golden opportunity presented with the fall of the previous goverment / circus. And in the eventually of that ocurrance I hope he would go to the opposition bench where he would do a far better job than some soft overseas posting. Thai governance needs him and more importantly his morals and values.

I hope he wins the next election, and in coalition would be fine, and complete a 2nd consecutive Democrats term. That would be another big step forward for Thai politics.

[dezrat773]

Did you know that fine wine turns to vinegar in the Thai heat! The only thing as matured is his off shore bank account. Just talk to a taxi driver about their love for "A", or ask the shop owner what they think! If you ask the right group you can get almost any poll numbers you want!