PM-Designate Yingluck Seeks Time To Prove Her Abilities

[webfact]

PM-designate seeks time to prove her abilities

By THE NATION

Promises Cabinet line-up will not include anyone the public deems 'yucky'

After being voted in as Thailand's first female head of government and the country's 28th prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra called on the public yesterday to give her time to prove her worth and efficiency.

She said she was excited about the chance to serve in the position, adding that she would start her duties as soon as she obtains royal endorsement.

"I will do the job to the best of my ability," she told reporters after winning the vote in the House of Representatives.

Yingluck said her Cabinet line-up should be ready within a week, adding: "I want it to be done as quickly as possible." She also said she did not believe the line-up would include anyone the general public considered "yucky".

She said her first priority would be to address urgently the rising cost of living, since food and consumer products were becoming more expensive. Also, she said, her first duty as prime minister would be to visit areas affected by flooding.

A key figure from the Pheu Thai Party confirmed that Yingluck needed time to prove her capabilities. The party official added that Yingluck had promised to work "to the best of her abilities" with different elements in society for the sake of the public interest, adding that she also intended to report her progress to the public.

The new prime minister-designate said more than 60 per cent of her government's economic policies had been readied, adding that the Pheu Thai Party would finalise these strategies with other coalition partners and relevant state agencies.

Late yesterday morning, the House of Representatives voted 296-3 to elect Yingluck as the next prime minister, while 197 MPs, mostly from the opposition, abstained.

The three MPs who voted against Yingluck's nomination came from the opposition Democrat Party - Bonyod Sukthinthai, Watchara Phetthong and Atthaporn Ponlaboot.

None of the opposition parties, including Bhum Jai Thai, Rak Thailand, Matubhum and Rak Santi, cast an approval vote.

After the voting session was over, many coalition MPs surrounded Yingluck to congratulate her. The prime minister-elect then went to Chumpol Silapa-archa and Sanan Kachornprasart, senior figures from the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, to pay them respect.

Outside, outgoing deputy prime minister and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban offered Yingluck his hand to congratulate her, but she thanked him with a traditional wai.

-- The Nation 2011-08-06

[AbdulJabaar01]

She'll need a long time to show her true abilities, and a couple bottles of tequila and a little advice from her friends / brother.

[Ricardo]

Even assuming she didn't think about her possible Cabinet, until after the election, she's still already had 5 weeks, but "her Cabinet line-up should be ready within a week", so decisiveness is clearly one of her management traits !

Perhaps the phone-line to Dubai is down.

[leo12345]

I wait to see how business owners cope with 300 baht per day minimum and 15000 baht salary out of university.

And when these salaries do go up, how will that affect costs of living expenses? As that will have to go up to meet the wage increase.

The Thai Government is the 13th richest government in the world as by 2011 stastitistics.

Makes you wonder.....

[ETatBKK]

I know nothing about politics. last week the CEO of our company was elected, then next day the management team handed in a list to the CEO - SUGGESTION FOR IMPROVEMENT, and the last word - DO THE BEST EFFORT :-)

if you are working in our company, what do you think ?

A key figure from the Pheu Thai Party confirmed that Yingluck needed time to prove her capabilities. The party official added that Yingluck had promised to work "to the best of her abilities" with different elements in society for the sake of the public interest, adding that she also intended to report her progress to the public.

[AleG]

I still find it amusing that a PM candidate and now elected PM keeps asking (and her supporters) to wait until after she is elected to demonstrate she is worthy of the position.

I always thought that it was the other way around, but what do I know.

[hammered]

Now she is PM she will be judged by the people on her performance. First up is the cabinet. Then fulfilling as many campaign promises as possible and dealing with tricky issues like food prices, which to most people is a lot more important than who did what in May 2010, Thaksin or who gets a cabinet seat

[cup-O-coffee]

At AbdulJabaar01: Why so negative? Oh, I think I already know. Is the phrase, "Give someone a chance." too much for you?

At Ricardo: So what's wrong with taking the side of caution and seeing how things play out. She is the first woman PM. She is going up against "The Gentleman's Club"; a long standing tradition.

At leo12345: What do you mean? Do you mean that companies will have to start cutting back, and laying off their worst employees, and those employees will have to go back to school, and they will demand those schools improve their education structure, and "professors" and "doctors" will get the pink slip and good teachers will get hired, and Thailand will generally experience an increase in the quality of education, and the graduates can go back and re-apply for the jobs they lost because they were incompetent and non-productive? Isn't this a possibility?

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

It's so easy to be blinded by bias.

[OzMick]

At AbdulJabaar01: Why so negative? Oh, I think I already know. Is the phrase, "Give someone a chance." too much for you?

At Ricardo: So what's wrong with taking the side of caution and seeing how things play out. She is the first woman PM. She is going up against "The Gentleman's Club"; a long standing tradition.

At leo12345: What do you mean? Do you mean that companies will have to start cutting back, and laying off their worst employees, and those employees will have to go back to school, and they will demand those schools improve their education structure, and "professors" and "doctors" will get the pink slip and good teachers will get hired, and Thailand will generally experience an increase in the quality of education, and the graduates can go back and re-apply for the jobs they lost because they were incompetent and non-productive? Isn't this a possibility?

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

It's so easy to be blinded by bias.

" Do you mean that companies will have to start cutting back, and laying off their worst employees, and those employees will have to go back to school, and they will demand those schools improve their education structure, and "professors" and "doctors" will get the pink slip and good teachers will get hired, and Thailand will generally experience an increase in the quality of education, and the graduates can go back and re-apply for the jobs they lost because they were incompetent and non-productive? Isn't this a possibility?"

That sir is a consignment of geriatric shoemakers if I ever read one!

[jdinasia]

At AbdulJabaar01: Why so negative? Oh, I think I already know. Is the phrase, "Give someone a chance." too much for you?

At Ricardo: So what's wrong with taking the side of caution and seeing how things play out. She is the first woman PM. She is going up against "The Gentleman's Club"; a long standing tradition.

At leo12345: What do you mean? Do you mean that companies will have to start cutting back, and laying off their worst employees, and those employees will have to go back to school, and they will demand those schools improve their education structure, and "professors" and "doctors" will get the pink slip and good teachers will get hired, and Thailand will generally experience an increase in the quality of education, and the graduates can go back and re-apply for the jobs they lost because they were incompetent and non-productive? Isn't this a possibility?

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

It's so easy to be blinded by bias.

I agree with your last line, though probably not in the way you intend .....

[473geo]

PM designate seeks time to prove her abilities.........

Except from some Tvisa political commentators, who appear to adhere to the belief that Rome was built in a day

[hammered]

PM designate seeks time to prove her abilities.........

Except from some Tvisa political commentators, who appear to adhere to the belief that Rome was built in a day

Some people are having trouble dealing with the reality that the people have chosen Thaksins party to lead the country and oversee reconcilliation in their way. Most ordinary Thai people I know who didnt vote PTP seem to be OK with it though or at least accepting. That is a positive thing I think. I dont have much time for PTP (or Dems or any of the others) myself but you have to accept reality and at the end of the day it is the Thai people through their democracy who will decide.

Right now, it is easier to judge the Democrat led government as they have completed their term. And in that their term is finished and not renewed there lies a judgement from the people already

[AleG]

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

And what does that have to do with what I said? What I gather is that one has to be a petulant child to demand politicians to prove they are worthy of being voted into office. Doesn't make much sense though.

[Ricardo]

At Ricardo: So what's wrong with taking the side of caution and seeing how things play out. She is the first woman PM. She is going up against "The Gentleman's Club"; a long standing tradition.

Nothing at all wrong with that, but if the PTP didn't have a 'Shadow Cabinet' before the election, and has had 5 weeks since then to choose who gets what job, and now PM-Yingluck asks for even more time, doesn't this say something about the party-machine's advance-planning or about her leadership and decision-making skills ?

I have (in another thread) congratulated her, and wished her luck, but she now has less-than 5 months, to deliver on former-PM Thaksins promises, to make every Thai rich within 6 months, so perhaps it's time to get-on-with-it ? Or was that yet-another hollow-promise which will not be delivered ?

[rixalex]

Some people are having trouble dealing with the reality that the people have chosen Thaksins party to lead the country and oversee reconcilliation in their way. Most ordinary Thai people I know who didnt vote PTP seem to be OK with it though or at least accepting. That is a positive thing I think. I dont have much time for PTP (or Dems or any of the others) myself but you have to accept reality and at the end of the day it is the Thai people through their democracy who will decide.

Right now, it is easier to judge the Democrat led government as they have completed their term. And in that their term is finished and not renewed there lies a judgement from the people already

I don't see any problem with people having trouble dealing with the reality that the people have chosen Thaksins party to lead the country and oversee reconcilliation in their way. I think if they were, much more of a fuss would be being made about the way PTP used promises that were blatant and outright lies, to push them over the magic 50% line.

What i do observe, is people having trouble dealing with any criticism leveled at the PTP, valid or otherwise, simply because PTP won. Credible counter argument to any wrong-doing seems to now be, "well this is the will of the people, so to complain in any way is to go against that will - you therefore are being undemocratic". Non sequitur.

[hammered]

Some people are having trouble dealing with the reality that the people have chosen Thaksins party to lead the country and oversee reconcilliation in their way. Most ordinary Thai people I know who didnt vote PTP seem to be OK with it though or at least accepting. That is a positive thing I think. I dont have much time for PTP (or Dems or any of the others) myself but you have to accept reality and at the end of the day it is the Thai people through their democracy who will decide.

Right now, it is easier to judge the Democrat led government as they have completed their term. And in that their term is finished and not renewed there lies a judgement from the people already

I don't see any problem with people having trouble dealing with the reality that the people have chosen Thaksins party to lead the country and oversee reconcilliation in their way. I think if they were, much more of a fuss would be being made about the way PTP used promises that were blatant and outright lies, to push them over the magic 50% line.

What i do observe, is people having trouble dealing with any criticism leveled at the PTP, valid or otherwise, simply because PTP won. Credible counter argument to any wrong-doing seems to now be, "well this is the will of the people, so to complain in any way is to go against that will - you therefore are being undemocratic". Non sequitur.

I think you miss my point whihc is to judge based on performance. At the moment the government has not even been formed so there is nothing to judge it by. In fact now would be a good time for those interested to be judging the previous government whose term is complete. When the new government is formed we can start to judge it as it goes. How can you call their promises lies when they havent even had chance to show whether they will implement them or not. That is prejudging.

If we take the Obama/Cameron standards we will see that many governments renege on a lot of promises. It will be interesting to see what percentage PTP implement. They wont have to implement many to pass Obamas percentbut o be fair comparing a gridlocked multi-camarel system with a parlaimentary system that enables change and government to make decisions may not be totally fair on the US leader

[Colin Yai]

PM designate seeks time to prove her abilities.........

Except from some Tvisa political commentators, who appear to adhere to the belief that Rome was built in a day

Whatever the majority of TV political commentators say does not matter one Iota,it is the Thai Electorate who will sit in judgement on Yingluck as far as "delivering" goes, personally my view is they will expect overnight miracles, as Patience is hardly a virtue here is it,IMHO after the short"honeymoon" period is over ,very serious questions will be asked in the House by opposition MP's whether she can come up with satisfactory answers however is quite another story ain't it!.

[rixalex]

I think you miss my point whihc is to judge based on performance. At the moment the government has not even been formed so there is nothing to judge it by.

Just because government hasn't be formed, doesn't mean there is some sort of embargo on criticising all the things they are doing and saying now. Take for example the business of them claiming that Thaksin is in no way deciding the cabinet line-up. If people think this is blatant BS, should they not be allowed to voice that opinion? I

How can you call their promises lies when they havent even had chance to show whether they will implement them or not. That is prejudging.

I don't really think it is. Straight after the election win, they announced that the 300 baht and the 15,000 baht wage policies were simply "campaign speak". Did you, or did you not interpret that to be an admission that they themselves think that what they have promised can not be implemented? I did, and i'm sorry, but if they themselves think their promises impossible to implement, i don't think it is prejudging them to state that i agree.

If we take the Obama/Cameron standards we will see that many governments renege on a lot of promises. It will be interesting to see what percentage PTP implement. They wont have to implement many to pass Obamas percentbut o be fair comparing a gridlocked multi-camarel system with a parlaimentary system that enables change and government to make decisions may not be totally fair on the US leader

Politicians tend to renege a lot on general non-specific promises, and this is pretty accepted practice, and the public tends to not take too seriously not delivering on something that was quite vague in the first place, but when they state something as specific and as black and white as PTP did on wages, actually giving exact figures, i think they have to be held accountable to that promise, or if not, why doesn't a party at the next election simply promise to transfer into everyone's bank account 100,000 baht, and then simply u-turn on the promise when in power? There has to be a line as to what is acceptable campaigning speak and what isn't. For me PTP crossed that line, and i have a feeling that were it the Dems we were discussing, you would be agreeing. Not that i am saying you are a PTP supporter. Just that you seem to feel that for you, part of the process of accepting the PTP win is to stop criticising them. It is possible to accept and criticise at the same time you know?

[473geo]

PM designate seeks time to prove her abilities.........

Except from some Tvisa political commentators, who appear to adhere to the belief that Rome was built in a day

Whatever the majority of TV political commentators say does not matter one Iota,it is the Thai Electorate who will sit in judgement on Yingluck as far as "delivering" goes, personally my view is they will expect overnight miracles, as Patience is hardly a virtue here is it,IMHO after the short"honeymoon" period is over ,very serious questions will be asked in the House by opposition MP's whether she can come up with satisfactory answers however is quite another story ain't it!.

I would question your opinion, my view is that the majority of Thai people will request, but expect no change....business as usual new government.......yes the Thai electorate will make judgement at the next election if the government goes full term......no government will roll out and fulfil their promises in the first week......the improvements I expect will be planned and delivered at strategic times throughout the government term....that is just plain old solid political survival and enhancement mechanism

[cup-O-coffee]

At Ricardo: So what's wrong with taking the side of caution and seeing how things play out. She is the first woman PM. She is going up against "The Gentleman's Club"; a long standing tradition.

Nothing at all wrong with that, but if the PTP didn't have a 'Shadow Cabinet' before the election, and has had 5 weeks since then to choose who gets what job, and now PM-Yingluck asks for even more time, doesn't this say something about the party-machine's advance-planning or about her leadership and decision-making skills ?

I have (in another thread) congratulated her, and wished her luck, but she now has less-than 5 months, to deliver on former-PM Thaksins promises, to make every Thai rich within 6 months, so perhaps it's time to get-on-with-it ? Or was that yet-another hollow-promise which will not be delivered ?

An emphatic No! I respect what you are saying! What I cannot understand is how you seem to project that you seem to know the mechanization of Thai government and the timetable that they go by! I am privileged enough to have family that is "hi-so" enough that my wife can explain things to me on a level comparable with that of government that goes on in the Chonburi area! She tells me how slow things are, and how much every single little decision plays out like a Thai soap opera series. Not one episode; a SERIES! In addition to that, she explain the absolute compromise that goes on behind the scenes that most of you Anti Thaksin people call corruption! Good for the people you like, or even your own behaviors; bad for the people you don't like, if you gather my meaning!

Now; multiply that exponentially for the absolute government that any PM has the great GREAT burden to run. AND, add to that that the PM has only a small fraction of time to make changes, undo past harm, etc. and you get the idea! It's so dam_n easy to criticize a politician (of which I am guilty of numerous times) but would any one of you be able to do any better and still outlive a certain military fortune teller's prediction of harm coming to you?

Anyways. I appreciate your response. I think we both agree on most levels; however I simply like to take it to the next level and ask or push where the average person does not! It gets good responses and information you would not ordinarily get from the team mate! You know... if you play football with your team mates, the play gets boring. When you take it against strangers, it picks up and gets exciting!

I cannot explain in any certain terms, but I really truly honestly feel that Yingluck will bring about a change that the Thai people will unite over!

Edited August 8, 2011 by cup-O-coffee

[cup-O-coffee]

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

And what does that have to do with what I said? What I gather is that one has to be a petulant child to demand politicians to prove they are worthy of being voted into office. Doesn't make much sense though.

"It", my statement, has everything to do with what you said. I gathered that you were nit-picking at Mrs. Ying Kuck's inability to decide. I gathered that you were making a cheap shot at something that perhaps she has a grip on, BUT it is perhaps not on your timetable! I believe she has a timetable. I made my points in other posts and thread that this person is a woman and she has a lot of issues to deal with, and many waters to test. Mrs. Ying Luck is breaking new ground that has never ever been broken in two thousand five hundred and fifty four years. SO; what is a few months? Give the lady a chance. That's all I am saying.Respectfully, of course!

Edited August 8, 2011 by cup-O-coffee

[nurofiend]

she needn't worry, nobody is pre-judging her

this forum is good proof of that...

[AleG]

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

And what does that have to do with what I said? What I gather is that one has to be a petulant child to demand politicians to prove they are worthy of being voted into office. Doesn't make much sense though.

"It", my statement, has everything to do with what you said. I gathered that you were nit-picking at Mrs. Ying Kuck's inability to decide.

...

Then you gathered wrong.

Read my first post in this thread and try again.

[cup-O-coffee]

To AleG: Is it a possibility that people keep badgering and harassing her over her goals and cabinet like a petulant child asking, "Are we there yet?". And she is not asking. She is answering. So to be correct, she keeps answering the same questions that are burning in people's minds, and the media and a lot of people on TV crucify here hesitance in answering with finality. Wouldn't you test the waters before jumping in? Wouldn't you be concerned about making angry someone you should not have forgotten, and may need in the future to get that bill passed? It's politics.

And what does that have to do with what I said? What I gather is that one has to be a petulant child to demand politicians to prove they are worthy of being voted into office. Doesn't make much sense though.

"It", my statement, has everything to do with what you said. I gathered that you were nit-picking at Mrs. Ying Kuck's inability to decide.

...

Then you gathered wrong.

Read my first post in this thread and try again.

No need to mate! it doesn't really matter anyways does it; I mean between you and I. I didn't mean to get your goat. Just simple banter and crack. Cheers!

[siampolee]

I cannot explain in any certain terms, but I really truly honestly feel that Yingluck will bring about a change that the Thai people will unite over!

it will probably be called a civil uprising as the mug punters realise how they have been shafted

[TAWP]

I am privileged enough to have family that is "hi-so" enough that my wife can explain things to me on a level comparable with that of government that goes on in the Chonburi area! She tells me how slow things are, and how much every single little decision plays out like a Thai soap opera series. Not one episode; a SERIES!

Your wife is hi-so enough, as demonstrated by the fact that she can draw comparisons between your region and Thai soap operas?

[ginjag]

PM designate seeks time to prove her abilities.........

Except from some Tvisa political commentators, who appear to adhere to the belief that Rome was built in a day

Well they dished out the promises via Dubai NOT Rome in a day, so why would she want time to give the gifts??? it was all clear for all to see =YOU KNOW= you will be rich in 6 months- 15k Univ dosh- 300 b min -Taxi drivers would get special rates for cars - didn't need time telling the poor what they would receive, so why would she want time now ???/\ - dont forget the SAMSUNGS for the kids. So lets not push the Lady, it will take her a bit of time to e.mail and get a reply

[eeconomist]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (PT)

Deputy Prime Ministers1.Yongyuth Wichaidit (PT) also Interior Minister2.Chalerm Yoobamrung (PT)3.Pol Gen Kowit Watana (Outsider-PT)4.Kittirat na Ranong (Outsider- PT) also Commerce Minister5. Chumpol Silapa-archa (CTP) also Tourism and Sports Minister

PM's Office MinistersSurawit Khonsomboon (PT)Kritsana Seehalak (PT)

Defence MinisterGen Yuthasak Sasiprapha (PT)

Finance MinisterThirachai Phuvanatnaranubala (Outsider-PT)

Deputy Finance MinistersBoonsong Teriyaphirom (PT),Viroon Tejapaibul (PT)

Foreign MinisterSurapong Towichukchaikul (PT)

Tourism and Sports MinisterChumpol Silapa-archa (CTP) also DPM

Social Development and Human Security MinisterSanti Promphat (PT)

Agriculture MinisterTheera Wongsamut (CTP)

Deputy Agriculture MinisterPornsak Charoenprasert (PT)

Transport MinisterACM Sukampol Suwannathat (Outsider- PT)

Deputy Transport MinistersLt Pol Gen Chatt Kuldiloke (PT),Kittisakdi Hathasongkroh (PT)

Natural Resources and Environment MinisterPreecha Rengsomboonsuk

Information and Communications Technology MinisterGroup Captain Anudith Nakornthap (PT)

Energy MinisterPichai Naripthaphan (PT)

Commerce MinisterKittirat na Ranong (Outsider- PT) also DPM

Deputy Commerce MinisterPoom Sarapol (PT),Siriwat Kachornprasart (PT)

Interior MinisterYongyuth Wichaidit (PT)- also DPM

Deputy Interior Ministers1.Choochart Harnsawas (PT),2.Thanis Thiengthong (PT)

Justice MinisterPracha Promnok (PT)

Labour MinisterPhadermchai Sasomsap (PT)

Culture MinisterSukumol Kunplome (PC)

Science MinisterPlodprasob Surassawadee (PT)

Education MinisterWoravat Auapinyakul (PT)

Deputy Education MinistersBunruen Srithares (PT),Surapong Ueng-ampornvilai (PT)

Public Health MinisterWitthaya Buranasiri (PT)

Deputy Public Health MinisterTorpong Chaiyasarn (PT)

Industry MinisterWannarat Charnnukul (CPD)

Government Spokesperson

Deputy Government Spokesman

NotesPT = Pheu ThaiCTP = Chart Thai Pattana PC = Phalang ChonCPD = Chart Pattana Puea Pandin

[Ricardo]

Science MinisterPlodprasob Surassawadee (PT)

Well at least he knows what exotic/rare-animals taste like !

(refers to the ChiangMai Night-Safari exotic-meats scandal)

[cup-O-coffee]

I am privileged enough to have family that is "hi-so" enough that my wife can explain things to me on a level comparable with that of government that goes on in the Chonburi area! She tells me how slow things are, and how much every single little decision plays out like a Thai soap opera series. Not one episode; a SERIES!

Your wife is hi-so enough, as demonstrated by the fact that she can draw comparisons between your region and Thai soap operas?

I am not sure I understand what you are on about. Are you making a derogatory comment about my wife's ability to make a comparison using whatever legitimate means she has?