Is Yingluck's Silence An Asset?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Is Yingluck's silence an asset?

By Jintana Panyaarvudh, Piyanart Srivalo

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's first day in Parliament on Tuesday - when she presented her government's policies - could be considered a success.

She read the 44-page statement in a soft and gentle voice, stopping for a sip of water occasionally to maintain the rhythm of her two-hour-long speech.

Unlike her predecessors, Yingluck - Thailand's first female premier - showed no signs of aggression and offered no counter attacks to members of the opposition Democrat Party. Instead, she left that duty up to her main guardian, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung, who is known for his outspokenness.

This could be because she is known for her gentle personality, one that has not been tainted by political scandals and is therefore a good shield against her opponents because they did not have much to attack her with.

Yet, people waited patiently to see if she would stand up to the scrutiny and answer questions herself. And though she did react at one point, she was only able to provide a brief statement on two issues - replies that many considered meaningless.

Though, a political novice - who has been described by her brother, ex-PM Thaksin, as his "clone - Yingluck shares many of her sibling's traits. However, she is very different in one aspect - Yingluck does not speak as much as her brother does. This might be a good trait for a premier to have, but sometimes the leader of a country is expected to tell the public about his/her thoughts and ideas.

Since Yingluck took office, she has been criticised for failing to provide the media with clear answers. Instead, she seems to avoid addressing issues by providing brief, non-committal answers that tend to stop the press in its tracks - the reporters are usually left scratching their heads wondering what they can ask next.

Her stock answers so far have been: "everything goes in line with prescribed procedures", "let the involved people or agencies answer the questions or give details", "it involves details and we need to look into it" or "let us hear it in Parliament".

Yingluck has found it difficult to handle the media, especially when she is bombarded with tough questions about her brother. Her advisers have suggested that she only meet the press at Pheu Thai headquarters, where she is more comfortable, rather than Government House or Parliament.

The premier already has an entourage of former reporters, who brief her on daily issues and offer guidance on how she should answer questions. She is also briefed daily by the government spokesman's staff.

Yet, all this support and intensive training has failed to boost her confidence, because in reality, she does not know how to deal with the questions the media flings at her.

There have been rumours that if Yingluck continues being bombarded with these difficult questions, then the ruling party may ask some members of the media - especially those who are supportive of Pheu Thai - to help out by asking gentler questions and easing the tension during interviews.

For now though, Yingluck has decided to start posting messages on her Facebook instead of confronting the media. Her Facebook post on Monday read that the media had either distorted or cooked up many issues to put the blame on her government.

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's main political asset is his talent for speaking, though this skill turned into a weakness because the public began to see him as a man of all talk but no action. In contrast, his successor Yingluck is using silence as her asset, but it is too early to tell if this will become a liability in the future.

In fact, it is really up to Yingluck to prove that she can turn this to her benefit.

-- The Nation 2011-08-25

[lovelomsak]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

[huanga]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Or could it be she really does not know anything to say??? Everything she did or said was completely orchestrated by her party members. When questioned - give evasive reply, delegate to another cabinet member, or just simply ignore it! This looks like the symptoms of some novice being thrust into a position of uncomfortability!

NO-PRIOR-EXPERIENCE-OR-TRAINING-SO-SHE-DOES-NOT-WANT-TO-MAKE-A-FOOL-OUT-OF-HERSELF is more like the action that she is taking on NOW. MY ADVICE IS: HEY, IF YOU CANNOT STAND THE HEAT, DON'T GO IN THE KITCHEN. One day, you will still need to make a stand and act like a leader of a nation! Then again, this is Thailand, strange things and logic seem to prevail over common sense!

Edited August 25, 2011 by huanga

[MunterHunter]

Shes the only woman i know who does keep her mouth shut! Perhaps she needs her brother to give her all the answers...

[gemini81]

If you can't handle your job or even communicate, take a hike Yingluck.

[rubl]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Or could it be she really does not know anything to say??? Everything she did or said was completely orchestrated by her party members. When questioned - give evasive reply, delegate to another cabinet member, or just simply ignore it! This looks like the symptoms of some novice being thrust into a position of uncomfortability!

NO-PRIOR-EXPERIENCE-OR-TRAINING-SO-SHE-DOES-NOT-WANT-TO-MAKE-A-FOOL-OUT-OF-HERSELF is more like the action that she is taking on NOW. MY ADVICE IS: HEY, IF YOU CANNOT STAND THE HEAT, DON'T GO IN THE KITCHEN. One day, you will still need to make a stand and act like a leader of a nation! Then again, this is Thailand, strange things and logic seem to prevail over common sense!

No offence, and watching my back for the whiplash, but in case of Ms. Yingluck the proper saying might be

"if you can't stands the heat, go back to the kitchen"

[Crushdepth]

If her handlers won't let her speak to the media, that's a pretty good sign she's incompetent.

[Bakseedaa]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

Edited August 25, 2011 by Lite Beer
Flame removed

[samurai]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

not just 146 but over 146?

And he didn't intent to win this election, according to you, because he is so smart?

He swept to victory?

[rubl]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

not just 146 but over 146?

And he didn't intent to win this election, according to you, because he is so smart?

He swept to victory?

You mean to say the Pheu Thai may have swept to victory because of more limited intelligence and a beautifully smiling Thai woman who is at her best saying nothing?

[samurai]

You mean to say the Pheu Thai may have swept to victory because of more limited intelligence and a beautifully smiling Thai woman who is at her best saying nothing?

No.

[hammered]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

Dont think you'll find any takers for that theory in the democrat establishment or the other estbalishment that Abhisit told he would win the election. IQ may be high but abuility to read people is low. And PTPers were almost orgasmic when the dems reselected him. He is utrerly hated in swathes of the country where the Dems need to make inroads to get close to a majority. He is even more unpopular than local democrats who arent hated but just know they cant win with his name attached.

By the way most of the Dem majorities in BKK were reduced to a few thousand. Not enough of a swing for PTP but a swing to PTP nevertheless.

You know if Yingluck proves ot be a drag on PTP popualarity they can unlike the Dems just change leader or they can ust say it doesnt work because Thaksin isnt here, which would play well with huge numbers. I would guess the Dems just havent got a clue what to do right now after all they just chose a sec-gen who brings nothing to the party except defending some close to BKK turf they already controkl at the moment albeit with reduced majorities

[rubl]

You know if Yingluck proves ot be a drag on PTP popualarity they can unlike the Dems just change leader or they can ust say it doesnt work because Thaksin isnt here, which would play well with huge numbers. I would guess the Dems just havent got a clue what to do right now after all they just chose a sec-gen who brings nothing to the party except defending some close to BKK turf they already controkl at the moment albeit with reduced majorities

If Ms. Yingluck is a drag and Pheu Thai can just say it doesn't work because k. Thaksin isn't here, would only officially confirm what all know. Ms. Yingluck may be PM, but not in charge, her brother is

As for reduces majorities of Dem's in BKK districts, don't know. In general the amount of details on numbers seems a bit limited.

[MAJIC]

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's main political asset is his talent for speaking, though this skill turned into a weakness because the public began to see him as a man of all talk but no action. In contrast, his successor Yingluck is using silence as her asset, but it is too early to tell if this will become a liability in the future.

Hmmm....... So everything is OK now,

The new PM is No Talk and No Action

[Siripon]

If Yinglak turns out to be no talk and no action it will reflect badly on Thaksin's judgement and reputation.

[lovelomsak]

The reality is in life it isnot what a person says it is what the person does. A person can verbally offer a lot but if it isnot delivered they are all empty words. I personally will wait to see if she can fill her boots or not. As an observer I felt what she offered was going to be very hard to pull off. Especially with all the opposition she will have to endure.I feel she has no alternative but to remain silent till things start to fall in place or fall apart. If she can do it she is a hero to the people who voted for her. If she fails she is just another politicain that misled them. Only time will answer this. I am sure if she fails the people will demand an election.

As far as Aphisit is concerned "An empty vessel makes the most noise"

[samurai]

Makes me think of the old saying " You can keep your mouth closed and be thought a fool or open it and prove it"

Yingluck keeps her mouth closed, well Aphisit opens his often.

Abhisit has an IQ of over 146 which is pretty high, thats a statistic from his Oxford University days, and from Kentucky Uni , Yinluck had an IQ level of 102..... Thats the reason Abhisit feels at ease opening his mouth, he was also chairman of the Oxford debating team, which is no mean feat... he went to the best school in the world and to one of the worlds top Universities, as a matter of fact, Oxford is the bench mark for the worlds top universities, where he also went back to teach. Do you really think he wanted to win this election..? Sometimes as history has taught us, its better to retreat and bide our time... He swept to victory in Bangkok and thats where it matters..!

Dont think you'll find any takers for that theory in the democrat establishment or the other estbalishment that Abhisit told he would win the election. IQ may be high but abuility to read people is low. And PTPers were almost orgasmic when the dems reselected him. He is utrerly hated in swathes of the country where the Dems need to make inroads to get close to a majority. He is even more unpopular than local democrats who arent hated but just know they cant win with his name attached.

By the way most of the Dem majorities in BKK were reduced to a few thousand. Not enough of a swing for PTP but a swing to PTP nevertheless.

You know if Yingluck proves ot be a drag on PTP popualarity they can unlike the Dems just change leader or they can ust say it doesnt work because Thaksin isnt here, which would play well with huge numbers. I would guess the Dems just havent got a clue what to do right now after all they just chose a sec-gen who brings nothing to the party except defending some close to BKK turf they already controkl at the moment albeit with reduced majorities

So true.

[MaiChai]

Its a tough job being a prime minister. Most politicians work their way up through the ranks and gain experience as they go along, eventually hoping to reach the heady heights of becoming the PM. So when they become PM they are seasoned, experienced and ready for it. However, if you have in effect been given the job like someone born with a golden spoon in your mouth, with no previous political experience, then you are going to be buried. This is what is happening. It just goes to show how corrupted the system has become by Taksin who in effect can buy anyone and anything. He has brain washed the uneducated masses and bought his way back in.

[Beetlejuice]

It`s the calm before the storm.

I still say that she is the key to the door for our Mr Thaksin`s soon dramatic entrance back into Thailand.

[ratcatcher]

It`s the calm before the storm.

I still say that she is the key to the door for our Mr Thaksin`s soon dramatic entrance back into Thailand.

The big question is what date in December. Assuming he still intends to come to Tingtong's wedding.

[Gonsalviz]

I am? was not looking for a grand speech but this 'artist' that wrote this article rather under did the story, don't you think?

[Colin Yai]

If her handlers won't let her speak to the media, that's a pretty good sign she's incompetent.

Yeah CD, GOOD OBSERVATION, obviously she was advised not to take Abhisit on in a pre election debate ,or indeed to be interviewed by the BBC on "Hard talk" , just promise the electorate the moon with out going into detail how it is going to be financed and you are as good as home and hosed , unfortunately there is a price to pay for these rash promise's, which you can bet your <deleted> that the opposition will take full advantage of in the coming weeks and months, ahh yes the "chickens could well now come home to roost" ,I just hope that the brainwashing that the "faithful" here in Issan have received backfires, somehow I think that this may be doubtful .