Yingluck Will Be A Puppet For Thaksin: Suthep

[webfact]

Yingluck will be a puppet for Thaksin: Suthep

By The Nation

Chalerm says Pheu Thai will enjoy big poll win

The ruling Democrat Party should win the upcoming election as several opinion polls conducted by the party showed strong backing from voters, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday.

Suthep said the Democrats should win some 20 seats in the Northeast, which is a traditional stronghold of the opposition Pheu Thai Party.

His comments are in contrast to what Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday.

The veteran politician, who is a member of the opposition, predicted that Pheu Thai Party would gain a 30-seat edge over the Democrats in the overall poll result.

The deputy premier rejected this, saying the Democrats would win at least 200 seats and that Pheu Thai's top candidate - Yingluck Shinawatra - would only listen to what her older brother, convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, told her over the phone.

He said Yingluck could not compare to her main adversary, Abhisit Vejjajiva, who had proved he could run the country.

"Voters don't know how Yingluck will do her job as she will be listening to her brother's voice on the phone. She will be like a shadow puppet, which puts her at a great disadvantage," Suthep said, adding that he had to mind the comments he made because Yingluck was a woman.

He said Abhisit would get a perfect 10 as a candidate for the top job because he had steered the country through a crisis over the past two years.

However, Chalerm spoke in Yingluck's defence, saying she knew what to do and people should not underestimate her abilities. He said she would be given proper advice by several old hands. He compared the Democrat Party to a boxer who knew he was losing a sparring match, adding that he was 1 million per cent certain Pheu Thai would win.

Meanwhile, Chumpol Silapa-archa, leader of the coalition partner Chart Thai Pattana Party, said it was far too early to judge anything despite the many opinion polls that have been conducted.

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person and expressed fear that moves to destroy Yingluck's character had already begun.

-- The Nation 2011-05-17

[Buchholz]

Chalerm spoke in Yingluck's defence,

adding that he was 1 million per cent certain Pheu Thai would win.

Is that 1% for every one of the 1,000,000 Red Shirts that were routinely announced as coming for their rallies, but which we were 1 gazillion per cent sure never materialized?

Edited May 16, 2011 by Buchholz

[siampolee]

Chalerm spoke in Yingluck's defence,

adding that he was 1 million per cent certain Pheu Thai would win.

Many candidates stated that they were1 million baht certain that they would win their seat.

[Nisa]

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person..

If they think that being a good public speaker doesn't have to do with running a country or being a politician then it only makes sense he is urging people to vote for a party that is being led by a fugitive and has made their legal leader somebody with absolutely no experience and extremely unqualified to be PM.

This party is so out their in terms of lacking any positive agenda, goals and policies regarding Thailand that there only hope is to appeal to women and die hard and out of touch Thaksin supporters .... oh and to offer free credit cards to people without any further details.

[whybother]

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator.

The PM is not an administrator. That's what the civil servants do. The ministries administer.

The PM has to speak on TV and to reporters at news conferences. The PM has to speak to foreign leaders and dignitaries. The PM has to speak to the people.

The main thing a leader has to be good at is public speaking.

Edited May 17, 2011 by whybother

[Buchholz]

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person..

If they think that being a good public speaker doesn't have to do with running a country or being a politician then it only makes sense he is urging people to vote for a party that is being led by a fugitive and has made their legal leader somebody with absolutely no experience and extremely unqualified to be PM.

This party is so out their in terms of lacking any positive agenda, goals and policies regarding Thailand that there only hope is to appeal to women and die hard and out of touch Thaksin supporters .... oh and to offer free credit cards to people without any further details.

To be fair, Chumphol is not with the Pheu Thai Party, but instead is with the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Your other points regarding the bigger picture and relevance of what a nationally televised debate means are still very valid.

There's much more to a debate than just being a good public speaker,

The country, which wants a debate (by a huge margin) deserves to see and listen to the candidates that will be running their country.

Time for Thailand to join the rest of the global community (there's a heck of lot of countries in addition to the cited USA that have debates) in the 21st century.

.

[Prichard]

From the news article:

“Meanwhile, Chumpol Silapa-archa, leader of the coalition partner Chart Thai Pattana Party, said it was far too early to judge anything despite the many opinion polls that have been conducted.

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person and expressed fear that moves to destroy Yingluck's character had already begun.”

My comment:

I feel that Mr. Chumpol, as a leader of a political party, should know that the debate has nothing to do with the Thai culture. It is one of the democratic processes to allow voters to assess the qualifications of the candidates including their ideas and convictions in solving the country’s problem, their plans to improve the lives of the citizens, to name just a few.

Also, a leader of a nation (a prime minister in this case) must not only be a good administrator but he/she must possesses a good communication skill as well. He/she must definitely be a good public speaker so that he/she can effectively communicate to the government staffs and to the public both internally and internationally.

Also, I don’t quite agree with Mr. Chumpol comment that people should vote for the party. I think people should vote for a person regardless of his/her party affiliation, who has visions to solve the country’s problem and who has ideas to provide future benefit to the country and its citizens. I understand that most party members have generally the same ideology as the party but the problem I see with Thai politics is that I seldom hear anything concrete from its members personal viewpoints. They always talk about the party’s plans in blue sky, high dream slogans (which are few) and hope that they get elected.

It is sad hearing those comments from a leader of a political party. But thanks to the news, now I learn a bit more.

Anyhow, I sincerely hope for the best for the sake of our beloved country Thailand. Although it is still a long, rocky road for a democracy in Thailand, I’m afraid.

[Nisa]

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person..

If they think that being a good public speaker doesn't have to do with running a country or being a politician then it only makes sense he is urging people to vote for a party that is being led by a fugitive and has made their legal leader somebody with absolutely no experience and extremely unqualified to be PM.

This party is so out their in terms of lacking any positive agenda, goals and policies regarding Thailand that there only hope is to appeal to women and die hard and out of touch Thaksin supporters .... oh and to offer free credit cards to people without any further details.

To be fair, Chumphol is not with the Pheu Thai Party, but instead is with the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Your other points regarding the bigger picture and relevance of what a nationally televised debate means are still very valid.

There's much more to a debate than just being a good public speaker,

The country, which wants a debate (by a huge margin) deserves to see and listen to the candidates that will be running their country.

Time for Thailand to join the rest of the global community (there's a heck of lot of countries in addition to the cited USA that have debates) in the 21st century.

.

I'll be very skeptical of the whole process if Abhisit doesn't doesn't publicly invite a debate. He has everything to win and nothing to lose by doing so regardless if she declines or accepts. If he doesn't do this then the reason would appear even a person like him doesn't want to see change in Thailand because clearly his invite would be setting a precedent for future elections.

PS. excuse me for not knowing if he has already done this as I am not in Thailand at the moment to be that in touch with things.

[jayboy]

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator.

The PM is not an administrator. That's what the civil servants do. The ministries administer.

The PM has to speak on TV and to reporters at news conferences. The PM has to speak to foreign leaders and dignitaries. The PM has to speak to the people.

The main thing a leader has to be good at is public speaking.

A common criticism of Abhisit among Thais is that he is not a good public speaker,too flat and anodyne and sometimes overly sharp tongued.I would draw a distinction between this and private meetings where I understand he is impressive.As to foreign leaders, I would have though Abhisit makes the best impression of any Thai PM for decades.Pity he's piling on the pounds though.

As to Yingluck I think there shouldn't be a rush to judgement.I would be surprised given her background if she wasn't clever and businesslike.Debating her would be tricky for Abhisit.It would be his to lose.He is the experienced politician of course but I'm guessing his advisors (does he have any I wonder who understand these things?) would be suggesting he makes his points clearly but remain kindly (not patronising) and gentlemanly.It's a bit like the Biden/Palin debate and although the military cheerleaders are already making her out to be an airhead, I'm guessing she's not - Sarah Palin on steroids maybe.

[Buchholz]

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person..

If they think that being a good public speaker doesn't have to do with running a country or being a politician then it only makes sense he is urging people to vote for a party that is being led by a fugitive and has made their legal leader somebody with absolutely no experience and extremely unqualified to be PM.

This party is so out their in terms of lacking any positive agenda, goals and policies regarding Thailand that there only hope is to appeal to women and die hard and out of touch Thaksin supporters .... oh and to offer free credit cards to people without any further details.

To be fair, Chumphol is not with the Pheu Thai Party, but instead is with the Chart Thai Pattana Party.

Your other points regarding the bigger picture and relevance of what a nationally televised debate means are still very valid.

There's much more to a debate than just being a good public speaker,

The country, which wants a debate (by a huge margin) deserves to see and listen to the candidates that will be running their country.

Time for Thailand to join the rest of the global community (there's a heck of lot of countries in addition to the cited USA that have debates) in the 21st century.

.

I'll be very skeptical of the whole process if Abhisit doesn't doesn't publicly invite a debate. He has everything to win and nothing to lose by doing so regardless if she declines or accepts. If he doesn't do this then the reason would appear even a person like him doesn't want to see change in Thailand because clearly his invite would be setting a precedent for future elections.

PS. excuse me for not knowing if he has already done this as I am not in Thailand at the moment to be that in touch with things.

He has initiated the process by asking for a debate 2 days ago. We are still waiting on word whether it will be accepted or not by Yingluck or if a stand-in for her as was suggested by a Pheu Thai Party MP accepts the request.

It would set a precedent as the first nationally-televised debate between PM candidates. A very good one at that and one that would become the expectation in future elections, as you say.

It would be a very good progressive step for multiple reasons as outlined so well by Prichard in his excellent post preceding yours.

Abhisit ready for political debate with Yingluck

BANGKOK, May 15 - The ruling Democrat Party today challenged Yingluck Shinawatra, expected to become the top candidate on the party list of major opposition Puea Thai Party, to a political debate with its leader, caretaker Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva

[animatic]

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator. The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person..

If they think that being a good public speaker doesn't have to do with running a country or being a politician then it only makes sense he is urging people to vote for a party that is being led by a fugitive and has made their legal leader somebody with absolutely no experience and extremely unqualified to be PM.

This party is so out their in terms of lacking any positive agenda, goals and policies regarding Thailand that there only hope is to appeal to women and die hard and out of touch Thaksin supporters .... oh and to offer free credit cards to people without any further details.

1/3 to 1/2 of a PMs time is spent either making public speeches or negotiation one on one with tough players. A one on one debate proves that a candidate can do both. Administration is only a small part of a PM job.

However, Chalerm spoke in Yingluck's defence,

saying she knew what to do and people should not underestimate her abilities.

He said she would be given proper advice by several old hands.

So she will have the dinosaurs, and her brother, advising her,

in other words she won't be making state decisions on her own.

Edited May 17, 2011 by animatic

[cdnvic]

One post & reply that was in bad taste removed.

[Prichard]

About qualifications of Yingluck, let’s consider the following facts:

“Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra serves as Executive President and Secretary of SC Asset Corporation Public Company Limited. Ms. Shinawatra served as Acting President of SC Asset Corporation Public Company Limited since December 1, 2006 and its Acting Senior Vice President of Business Development. Ms. Shinawatra served as President, Wireless Communication of Advanced Info Service Public Co., Ltd. since 2002. Ms. Shinawatra served as Senior Executive Vice President, Wireless Corporate ...” Source: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=3733926&ticker=SC:TB&previousCapId=7845162&previousTitle=PROPERTY%20PERFECT%20PUB%20CO%20LTD

“SC Asset Corporation Public Company Limited Announces Amendment of Memorandum of the Association and Articles of Association; Announces Dividend Payment for the Year 2010, Payable on May 18, 2011; Appoints Pintongta Shinawatra as a New Director in the Additional Position

04/21/2011” From the source: http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=SC:TB

On AIS: She was appointed managing director of the telecommunications company AIS, then owned by the Shinawatra family, in 2002. After the sale of Shin Corporation to Temasek Holdings, Ms Yingluck resigned from AIS, but remained managing director of SC Asset Ltd, the Shinawatra family property development company. Source: <snip>

(Note that Pintongta is now appointed Director to the SC Asset Corporation. Another PM in the making perhaps?).

It looks to me Yingluck experience are within her own family business (though a public company). If this is her only resume, I personally cannot bring myself to be excited about her qualifications. What type of experiences Yingluck could bring in to serve the country? I shudder thinking about experiences Yingluck could bring to govern considering that her brother Thaksin was a former prime minister and was convicted with corruption charges while in office.

I hope and pray that this ‘Yingluck’ thing will not happen to my beloved country Thailand.

Edited May 18, 2011 by craigt3365
URL Removed

[WinnieTheKhwai]

It looks to me Yingluck experience are within her own family business (though a public company). If this is her only resume, I personally cannot bring myself to be excited about her qualifications.

And yet it is more than Abhisit can point to. Abhisit cannot even point to having held any job in any kind of business, not even a corner grocery store.

He's always been in an academic/political environment basically from birth.

Edited May 17, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Insight]

It looks to me Yingluck experience are within her own family business (though a public company). If this is her only resume, I personally cannot bring myself to be excited about her qualifications.

And yet it is more than Abhisit can point to. Abhisit cannot even point to having held any job in any kind of business, not even a corner grocery store.

He's always been in an academic/political environment basically from birth.

^ Which can be frowned upon when perusing a career in politics. Thai politics, that is.

[CNXpuuyaibaan]

Yingluck will be a puppet for Thaksin: Suthep

Abhisit will be a puppet for Suthep: the Thai people

[CheGuava]

Yingluck will be a puppet for Thaksin: Suthep

Abhisit will be a puppet for Suthep: the Thai people

LOL.. Right, as well as a whole lot of other meddling hands.

[RickBradford]

As to foreign leaders, I would have though Abhisit makes the best impression of any Thai PM for decades.

Yes, but that's because he speaks flawless English, and we (as in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ) are shallow enough to always tend to believe a chap more if we think he's one of "us" because he speaks the lingo, rather than some dodgy foreigner who mumbles suspiciously to a translator or speaks English like Stephen Hawking.

[animatic]

It looks to me Yingluck experience are within her own family business (though a public company). If this is her only resume, I personally cannot bring myself to be excited about her qualifications.

And yet it is more than Abhisit can point to. Abhisit cannot even point to having held any job in any kind of business, not even a corner grocery store.

He's always been in an academic/political environment basically from birth.

Abhisit has an interdisciplinary degree from Oxford in disciplines taylor made for a national leader. He then went directly into public service as an MP and dealt with all the aspects of developing legislation, and dealing with political players from both in governments and in opposition.

His degrees pertain to financial and social management of countries and not simply businesses for profit. We have seen how well a profit oriented, family dynasty building CEO PM did in Thailand... I think a trained, experienced, qualified and motivated public servent is a better choice by far.

No matter who gets the job, there will be power brokers, 'political partners', hangers on, nut cases and bagage that must be dealt with or juggled, and the 900lb gorilla 'reset button', sitting in the corner if they attempt to over-reach. It is the nature of the position.

Edited May 17, 2011 by animatic

[hyperdimension]

As for some voters calling for Abhisit and Yingluck to hold a one-on-one political debate like they do in the United States, Chumpol said this was not part of Thai culture.

Having a female to lead the country has not been part of Thai culture either. He is speaking like a dinosaur.

He explained that a person may not be a good public speaker, but could be a good administrator.

This could be seen as an admission that Yingluck is not a good public speaker, and that this is the reason to why she has not accepted the invitation to a debate with Abhisit.

The politician urged people to vote for the party, not the person and expressed fear that moves to destroy Yingluck's character had already begun.

This seems to suggest that Yingluck is indeed weak, so "don't think about Yingluck, just think about Pheu Thai".

Edited May 17, 2011 by hyperdimension

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I think she should do the debate. She's new and an unknown. She has everything to gain compared to her opponent who's been on TV every day for the past years. She doesn't even have to 'beat' Abhisit, she just has to be herself and look confident. The debate shouldn't go on very long so only major topics get discussed, it's really not that hard to highlight the failures of Abhisit's government and what she will do differently. She has a master degree in political science from the US; she should know more than enough to go out there and let viewers get to know her better.

Abhsisit's offer for a debate sounds like an incredible opportunity more than anything else. I don't think debates prior to elections were ever the norm in Thailand, it'd be a great step forward.

She has a real shot at getting even some more middle class vote among women and urban people in the North.

If it does get to a debate I hope I can get my wife to watch; she went to the same uni as Yingluck.. I sense a shot at prying her away from the Dems.

Edited May 17, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai