Yingluck's Baptism Of Fire

[webfact]

ANALYSIS

Yingluck's baptism of fire

The Nation

In politics, sympathy never comes when you need it most. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's brief emotional moment yesterday - displayed through reddened eyes and a stricken voice - could amplify criticism instead of easing it. All of a sudden, the fairytale and romance of the election campaign, which saw support grow wherever she went, has become a distant memory.

Normally-sympathetic local and foreign press have begun to question her political leadership, or her misfortune for not having it. An opinion poll has stated that a clear majority of people surveyed did not trust the government's Flood Relief Operations Centre (FROC), compounding its credibility crisis. And yesterday, Sudarat Keyuraphan, the most charismatic woman in the Pheu Thai camp, re-emerged in public to give Thailand's first female prime minister a stunning advice that what FROC had been doing could have been wrong.

Yingluck is obviously on the back foot. Pheu Thai's high-ranking sources listed a few factors that are menacingly chipping away at her "Lady Knight on a White Horse" image. The biggest reason they cited, though, has to do with the fact that she had no real right-hand person to help her in this mega-crisis.

The failures of Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit not only meant that key responsibility had to be shifted to "lesser powers" - first Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee and then Justice Minister Pracha Promnok - but also complicated the chain of command to flood-hit provinces and related agencies. To add to that, none of the trio possesses the commanding presence to help her calm down the public. And, probably with the exception of Plodprasob, FROC's top echelon boasted no expertise to deal with a flood crisis of this magnitude.

Reason number two why Yingluck could cave in to this disaster is the fact that this is a two-pronged battle. The Abhisit government also faced a serious flood crisis but Bangkok was not in danger at the time. Now, Yingluck has been pressured by MPs representing flood-hit provinces on one side, and the urgency besieging the capital on the other. Moreover, this is a two-way battle complicated by Thailand's political divisions.

Reason number three is the continued failure of her government and the military to see eye to eye. The bad blood has politicised the pressing question of whether she could declare a state of emergency and give the armed forces greater power to help her fight this crisis.

The military has been helping, of course, but their role has been largely passive, which feeds the vicious circle of mistrust. Some red-shirt leaders have claimed the soldiers were not helping at full capacity in order to put Yingluck on the spot, an allegation that certainly has ruffled the feathers of the men in uniform.

The fourth reason concerns the awkward relations between her government and the Democrat-controlled Bangkok administration.

Press conferences have been done mostly separately and some contradicting information has been given out. There are unsettling signs of jurisdiction problems and even the simple issue of getting sandbags to outer Bangkok looked ready to be politicised.

Through all this national and personal crisis, Yingluck must be thinking of one man. Whether she's desperate for his help or cursing him for putting her in this situation is a bit harder to tell.

-- The Nation 2011-10-20

[SunDaRi]

I agree.

[ThaiOats]

Knowing that there's flooding ever so often at this time of year should've given the new government a hint where their priorities should've been. Ya know, like inspecting flood prone areas preventive measures along with Plans A, B and C. Of course the previous governments should've placed higher priority in setting a long-term solution but that's way back in the past and perhaps they were criticized as we are currently criticizing this one now. But no, priority went elsewhere (foosball in Cambodia, amnesty, shifting people, etc.) and the flood was shrugged off. She doesn't even know who she's working with and what their capabilities are so how is she supposed to manage a crisis like this? She definitely lacks leadership quality.

Instead of randomly assigning people to their duties and govern passively, she should be the voice of the government. If she wants to prove her leadership, IMHO she should be the one assessing the situation and make it clear to the public. On the government TV station she's often seen reading off a queue card or script, droning out for 30 minutes without any conviction in her voice or any emotion at all! Seriously as a leader, one should be captivating so that the listener/followers can comprehend and take your message seriously. Yingluck has in every media coverage 1) given vague, useless information 2) dodged questions 3) drone on without purpose.

I really wish that after all this Yingluck would say to herself "I don't want to be a puppet anymore, I really want to do it for the country" and start showing some initiative by getting the right people for the right job. But with the appointment of the new Chief of Police... that wish will probably remain a wish.

[whybother]

Where has Chalerm been the last few weeks. He was in the news every day prior to the floods, and Yingluck was giving him every task under the sun (it was still sunny then). But since the floods started, he's been strangely quiet.

[Phuket Stan]

Where has Chalerm been the last few weeks. He was in the news every day prior to the floods, and Yingluck was giving him every task under the sun (it was still sunny then). But since the floods started, he's been strangely quiet.

Most likely gone on leave to rest his over worked tongue sic....he knows when to duck for cover wily old politician that he is....same goes for that other pillar of strength Barnharm

[looping]

Maybe now she realizes why is traditional for people with prior political experience to become leaders of countries!

Her brothers games are affecting the country arguably more than ever, albeit more indirectly than before.

[jonclark]

She wanted the job, she took the job, so shut up stop complaining or looking for excuses and get on with it.

Sorry I can't be more constructive with my comments but it makes my blood boil when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones and we see a teary eyed PM looking for sympathy for her and her administration crapness.

The stoicism of the Thai people is to be commended

[wintermute]

The stoicism of the Thai people is to be commended

Not really.

If Thai people were less passive, less deferential, and more selective about their leaders based on competence instead of face or wealth then maybe these situations would not happen to this degree of severity.

Thai people bend to authority far too much and when authority is grossly incompetent then the people suffer.

[nicky1982]

I say sum num na to the lot of them they all brought it on themselves now deal with it greed it is the mother of all causes .. :jap:

Edited October 20, 2011 by metisdead
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[ETatBKK]

in war, enemy is well defined, morale is high, unity is not aquestion, and need a lot of muscle ( and money ). in a'natural' disaster, surviving is critical, decisive leadership and strong mindare basic chaalenge.these qualities arenot by assignment, they are not given.

again, this is not one man or one woman fault. it is simply a problem of government administration. do we see enough ?

Edited October 20, 2011 by metisdead
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[jonclark]

The stoicism of the Thai people is to be commended

Not really.

If Thai people were less passive, less deferential, and more selective about their leaders based on competence instead of face or wealth then maybe these situations would not happen to this degree of severity.

Thai people bend to authority far too much and when authority is grossly incompetent then the people suffer.

Yeah you're right my mistake

[MunterHunter]

<Snip>when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones </snip>

The PTP/Red's didn't seem to care much when they occupied parts of central Bangkok, nor when they (allegedly) were firing grenades at BTS stations or burning down parts of the capital... why should they care now?

[jonclark]

<Snip>when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones </snip>

The PTP/Red's didn't seem to care much when they occupied parts of central Bangkok, nor when they (allegedly) were firing grenades at BTS stations or burning down parts of the capital... why should they care now?

yes, yes we all know about that, get over it and move on, moaning about the past will not help now and it certainly won't change anything. This topic is not about the Bangkok riots, don't hijack it

[MunterHunter]

<Snip>when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones </snip>

The PTP/Red's didn't seem to care much when they occupied parts of central Bangkok, nor when they (allegedly) were firing grenades at BTS stations or burning down parts of the capital... why should they care now?

yes, yes we all know about that, get over it and move on, moaning about the past will not help now and it certainly won't change anything. This topic is not about the Bangkok riots, don't hijack it

Not moaning my friend, pointing out a fact.

They didn't care then, they don't care now...

[MaxLee]

..."The Abhisit government also faced a serious flood crisis but Bangkok was not in danger at the time."....

Now seriously, you gotta be kidding me. What a lame statement, the Governments of the last 5 1/2 years have done NOTHING to prepare for such a scenario or didn't take the threats that were forecasted seriously. Every freakin' political party and their followers were too busy to fight each other ever since the coup, closing down airports, raiding Bangkok, fighting their neighbors of Cambodia over a meaningless dispute about a World Heritage which has long been declared to Cambodia, "fighting cybercrime and stuff like that" ....

Everybody was too freakin' busy to notice the wrath of mother nature which is taking revenge on all of us...

And now they blame it on a sole female, who just got into office.

Of course the current government's proposed policies kinda suck, but bottom line is, if you want to blame someone so badly, blame the previous generation and former Prime Ministers who messed everything up with corrupt schemes and their "saving face" CRAP

It's definitely high time for "Yellow shirts" and "red shirts" to forget their differences and work together at times like that...

[scorecard]

She wanted the job, she took the job, so shut up stop complaining or looking for excuses and get on with it.

Sorry I can't be more constructive with my comments but it makes my blood boil when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones and we see a teary eyed PM looking for sympathy for her and her administration crapness.

The stoicism of the Thai people is to be commended

Agree, the greed of the power crazy puppeteer led to appointing a totally unprepared PM, plus there can be no doubt that the selection of all the ministers is the handywork of the puppeteer, not one of them qualified or capable or experienced, plus none of them have any morals, or sincerity.

None of the ministers has contributed anything of any value whatever during this crisis. One, the science minister, has shown very clearly that he is a loudmouth fool. Note, his order the day before yesterday to build 10,000 bamboo rafts quickly got covered over.

Thanks puppeteer!

And as mentioned, where the big mouth when there's something a bit more difficult?

It is true that yingluck didn't cause the floods, but there are insightful, knowledgeable and experienced people who should have been listened to.

In another thread one of the ministers made a comment on the suggestion to announce an emergency decree - his comment 'can't do that, it would give the military too much power'. They just continue to play games. And never mind the hell that the low income workers are going through and will continue to go through for some time into the future (plus others of course) - the very people that pt and the reds say they are the champions of.

Edited October 20, 2011 by scorecard

[Macmundi]

It is in times like this where Thais must keep and eye out for worthy politicians. Leaders who appoint the 'right people', because times like these, there is no corrupting a public bid. Leaders who get into part of assessing the issue rather than look for cameramen or reporters so they can show their faces on TV. Amongst the ones present in our flood stricken areas, some have showed up to 'understand and express concern for the people.' Some have simply gone into hiding or spending time contemplating as to where to park their sports car collection.

My main point to the Military engineers is: Dig deep where the channel narrows. Short cutting will not work as it will end up in a bottle neck where it meets again. Dig deep to increase volume of the flow. If you cannot expand horizontally, you must expand vertically.

[nikster]

I agree.

+1

This is what happens when you surround yourself with idiots. The PT party unfortunately has more than its fair share of those - people who are simply utterly incompetent and probably only thinking about how to split up the pie while the north was already underwater. The Plodprasop in particular is the last person on this earth you'd want to handle a crisis - Krusty the Clown would do a better job.

[culicine]

<Snip>when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones </snip>

The PTP/Red's didn't seem to care much when they occupied parts of central Bangkok, nor when they (allegedly) were firing grenades at BTS stations or burning down parts of the capital... why should they care now?

What's ironic is that her supporters besieged and burned Bangkok, now this government is doing all it can to save Bangkok, while diverting flood waters to the provinces where many of her supporters live!

[siampolee]

What's ironic is that her supporters besieged and burned Bangkok, now this government is doing all it can to save Bangkok, while diverting flood waters to the provinces where many of her supporters live!

Karma.

[culicine]

What's ironic is that her supporters besieged and burned Bangkok, now this government is doing all it can to save Bangkok, while diverting flood waters to the provinces where many of her supporters live!

Karma.

exactly.....

[jonclark]

<Snip>when so many ordinary people lose their jobs, homes businesses and in some cases loved ones </snip>

The PTP/Red's didn't seem to care much when they occupied parts of central Bangkok, nor when they (allegedly) were firing grenades at BTS stations or burning down parts of the capital... why should they care now?

yes, yes we all know about that, get over it and move on, moaning about the past will not help now and it certainly won't change anything. This topic is not about the Bangkok riots, don't hijack it

Not moaning my friend, pointing out a fact.

They didn't care then, they don't care now...

Apologies for the blunt reply - didn't realize it until i revisited my post. I think its a bit harsh to say they don't care, they just don't know what to do. Its just a failure of leadership plain and simple and Yingluck needs to be held accountable for her failings

Yingluck Shinawatra - Suckling Trashiness (TV own spell check suggestions LOL)

[hyperdimension]

Yingluck Shinawatra - Suckling Trashiness (TV own spell check suggestions LOL)

Edited October 20, 2011 by hyperdimension

[OzMick]

If Plodprasob is the peak of experience for FROC, I suggest anybody living in BKK start inflating inner tubes.

[bigbamboo]

The stoicism of the Thai people is to be commended

Not really.

If Thai people were less passive, less deferential, and more selective about their leaders based on competence instead of face or wealth then maybe these situations would not happen to this degree of severity.

Thai people bend to authority far too much and when authority is grossly incompetent then the people suffer.

To paraphrase de Maistre, every nation gets the leader they deserve.

[Payboy]

Maybe she could start a war with the Khmers to boost her falling ratings.

[wintermute]

Maybe she could start a war with the Khmers to boost her falling ratings.

Isn't Cambodia partially flooded to?

They can recreate pirates of the caribbean in their little longtail dinghies shooting rifles at each other from 200 meters away before mutually deciding to retreat.

[FalangBaa]

Don't you mean "baptism of water"? As far as I know, there isn't any fire yet. Though strange as it may seem widespread flooding can also cause a lot of fires.

[Derifo]

Where has Chalerm been the last few weeks. He was in the news every day prior to the floods, and Yingluck was giving him every task under the sun (it was still sunny then). But since the floods started, he's been strangely quiet.

That's a very big question.

[SICHONSTEVE]

I agree.

"The failures of Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit not only meant that key responsibility had to be shifted to "lesser powers" - first Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadee and then Justice Minister Pracha Promnok"

An extreme case of "pass the hot potato".