Even This National Disaster Is Being Used As A Political Weapon: Thai Opinion

[maiphedmaiaroi]

Its all propaganda.

If the hiso upper class believe that report they are dumber then there so called lo so low class freinds.

What a load of crap. Cant believe i wasted a few mins reading that crap.

btw who is that guy in the photo? Did he write it? Jeez what a queen he looks. Obviously doesnt like women for some of the stuff he wrote.

[serenitynow]

The only reason he shouldn't have gone to the Maldives is because it looks bad.

It would make absolutely no difference to anything that happened here.

why does it look bad?

and do you think he doesn't make any difference whether in the country or out?

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

Isn't he a party list member, without a district? Is parliament in session? What might anyone be expecting him to do if unasked?

[nurofiend]

The only reason he shouldn't have gone to the Maldives is because it looks bad.

It would make absolutely no difference to anything that happened here.

why does it look bad?

and do you think he doesn't make any difference whether in the country or out?

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

[thaicbr]

The only reason he shouldn't have gone to the Maldives is because it looks bad.

It would make absolutely no difference to anything that happened here.

why does it look bad?

and do you think he doesn't make any difference whether in the country or out?

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

Your twisting words again... Question have the ruling government been listening to anyone outside their own corridors of power..............NO.

So therefor at this time it would not matter if even Hans Brinker was here waving his chubby little finger around....They would still not listen.

http://members.chello.nl/m.jong9/map12/hansbrinker.html

[whybother]

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

[nurofiend]

Your twisting words again... Question have the ruling government been listening to anyone outside their own corridors of power..............NO.

So therefor at this time it would not matter if even Hans Brinker was here waving his chubby little finger around....They would still not listen.

http://members.chell...ansbrinker.html

give me an example of me twisting words there if you're going to make that claim please

Question did the ruling government ask abhisit to a meeting to give advice on the crisis........YES.

[nurofiend]

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

ok don't answer on anything else you've stated then.

'perception'... yet you don't seem to perceive it negatively.

so it's just propaganda and how it looks rather than what it actually is... mmm

i honestly can't believe people don't see it in a negative light... i mean if bias was ever on a billboard, it's now.

[thaicbr]

Your twisting words again... Question have the ruling government been listening to anyone outside their own corridors of power..............NO.

So therefor at this time it would not matter if even Hans Brinker was here waving his chubby little finger around....They would still not listen.

http://members.chell...ansbrinker.html

give me an example of me twisting words there if you're going to make that claim please

Question did the ruling government ask abhisit to a meeting to give advice on the crisis........YES.

And when was that? 4,5,6 days ago! Do we know if they actually did anything with his advice or was it just a reconciliation photo op. We don't know that's right as we don't know why Abhisit went abroad. As we don't know why there is still a mountain of supplies at FROC while people starve.

[whybother]

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

ok don't answer on anything else you've stated then.

'perception'... yet you don't seem to perceive it negatively.

so it's just propaganda and how it looks rather than what it actually is... mmm

i honestly can't believe people don't see it in a negative light... i mean if bias was ever on a billboard, it's now.

It's not my perception. It's the perception of others. And then that is used as propaganda to fuel peoples negative perceptions.

But really, do you think it makes any difference what so ever? Chalerm has been missing for 3-4 weeks. (which is really a good thing.)

[nurofiend]

Your twisting words again... Question have the ruling government been listening to anyone outside their own corridors of power..............NO.

So therefor at this time it would not matter if even Hans Brinker was here waving his chubby little finger around....They would still not listen.

http://members.chell...ansbrinker.html

give me an example of me twisting words there if you're going to make that claim please

Question did the ruling government ask abhisit to a meeting to give advice on the crisis........YES.

And when was that? 4,5,6 days ago! Do we know if they actually did anything with his advice or was it just a reconciliation photo op. We don't know that's right as we don't know why Abhisit went abroad. As we don't know why there is still a mountain of supplies at FROC while people starve.

but you said they haven't listened to anyone outside their own corridors of power with a defining "NO"

yet obviously with what i've just told you...they have

do we know if they did anything with his advice? i don't but to listen to people outside "their own corridors of power" doesn't mean you have to do what they have said.

again i ask you to show where i've twisted words in the comment you quoted me on, if you're going to make a claim then back it up.

[serenitynow]

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

ok don't answer on anything else you've stated then.

'perception'... yet you don't seem to perceive it negatively.

so it's just propaganda and how it looks rather than what it actually is... mmm

i honestly can't believe people don't see it in a negative light... i mean if bias was ever on a billboard, it's now.

Let's take PTP MP Jatuporn as an example. He was up in Isaan the other day inaugurating a Red Shirt village. He took some flak over that, but not because he wasn't in Bangkok, but because he was involving himself in activities many thought to be devisive and maybe not even legal. I don't know where he is now, and care even less. In fact I'd go so far as to say I WISH he was off in the Maldives.

[thaicbr]

"yet obviously with what i've just told you...they have"

Umm what? They have what?

[nurofiend]

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

ok don't answer on anything else you've stated then.

'perception'... yet you don't seem to perceive it negatively.

so it's just propaganda and how it looks rather than what it actually is... mmm

i honestly can't believe people don't see it in a negative light... i mean if bias was ever on a billboard, it's now.

It's not my perception. It's the perception of others. And then that is used as propaganda to fuel peoples negative perceptions.

But really, do you think it makes any difference what so ever? Chalerm has been missing for 3-4 weeks. (which is really a good thing.)

i think it makes a big difference in simply showing solidarity with his fellow countrymen, yes... and that, i think, is the perception of others you speak of.

do i think what he could have done politically in the three days would've made any difference? more than likely not but that's not the point i'm making.

and yes i agree about chalerm, who's an acting politician and nowhere to be seen... i also agree that it's a good thing.

[nurofiend]

"yet obviously with what i've just told you...they have"

Umm what? They have what?

Umm, try re-reading it.

'listened'

i still don't see you backing up your 'twisting words' accusation

-edited for typo

Edited October 26, 2011 by nurofiend

[nurofiend]

Let's take PTP MP Jatuporn as an example. He was up in Isaan the other day inaugurating a Red Shirt village. He took some flak over that, but not because he wasn't in Bangkok, but because he was involving himself in activities many thought to be devisive and maybe not even legal. I don't know where he is now, and care even less. In fact I'd go so far as to say I WISH he was off in the Maldives.

he took some flak for that, and rightly so.

if you think i'm going to defend that man, you're much mistaken.

if there's a counter argument to what i'm saying in this, i'm not seeing it.

[thaicbr]

"yet obviously with what i've just told you...they have"

Umm what? They have what?

Umm, try re-reading it.

'listened'

i still don't see you backing up your 'twisting words' accuasation

Nuro ..enjoy talking to yourself..night. sleep well.

[nurofiend]

"yet obviously with what i've just told you...they have"

Umm what? They have what?

Umm, try re-reading it.

'listened'

i still don't see you backing up your 'twisting words' accuasation

Nuro ..enjoy talking to yourself..night. sleep well.

goodnight and sweet dreams.

[serenitynow]

Let's take PTP MP Jatuporn as an example. He was up in Isaan the other day inaugurating a Red Shirt village. He took some flak over that, but not because he wasn't in Bangkok, but because he was involving himself in activities many thought to be devisive and maybe not even legal. I don't know where he is now, and care even less. In fact I'd go so far as to say I WISH he was off in the Maldives.

he took some flak for that, and rightly so.

if you think i'm going to defend that man, you're much mistaken.

if there's a counter argument to what i'm saying in this, i'm not seeing it.

I'm saying he is suprfluous to the process unfolding, unless specifically asked. He WAS present when asked to be and appeared to be as conciliatory as anyone could expect and in my opinion offered good suggestions which seem to have gone unheeded. I doubt very much he's been asked for more, but declined because he had travel plans. I imagine he IS working on suggestions to offer when his input is requested again. You're not upset that he isn't out there everyday offering his criticisms are you?

[nurofiend]

Let's take PTP MP Jatuporn as an example. He was up in Isaan the other day inaugurating a Red Shirt village. He took some flak over that, but not because he wasn't in Bangkok, but because he was involving himself in activities many thought to be devisive and maybe not even legal. I don't know where he is now, and care even less. In fact I'd go so far as to say I WISH he was off in the Maldives.

he took some flak for that, and rightly so.

if you think i'm going to defend that man, you're much mistaken.

if there's a counter argument to what i'm saying in this, i'm not seeing it.

I'm saying he is suprfluous to the process unfolding, unless specifically asked. He WAS present when asked to be and appeared to be as conciliatory as anyone could expect and in my opinion offered good suggestions which seem to have gone unheeded. I doubt very much he's been asked for more, but declined because he had travel plans. I imagine he IS working on suggestions to offer when his input is requested again. You're not upset that he isn't out there everyday offering his criticisms are you?

i'm not upset at all...

nor am i suggesting he declined to give help because he had travel plans.

i'll repeat that all i'm saying is that you don't leave the country as a main party leader during a time of crisis such as this, whether for a holiday or a diplomatic visit....nothing more, nothing less.

[serenitynow]

Let's take PTP MP Jatuporn as an example. He was up in Isaan the other day inaugurating a Red Shirt village. He took some flak over that, but not because he wasn't in Bangkok, but because he was involving himself in activities many thought to be devisive and maybe not even legal. I don't know where he is now, and care even less. In fact I'd go so far as to say I WISH he was off in the Maldives.

he took some flak for that, and rightly so.

if you think i'm going to defend that man, you're much mistaken.

if there's a counter argument to what i'm saying in this, i'm not seeing it.

I'm saying he is suprfluous to the process unfolding, unless specifically asked. He WAS present when asked to be and appeared to be as conciliatory as anyone could expect and in my opinion offered good suggestions which seem to have gone unheeded. I doubt very much he's been asked for more, but declined because he had travel plans. I imagine he IS working on suggestions to offer when his input is requested again. You're not upset that he isn't out there everyday offering his criticisms are you?

i'm not upset at all...

nor am i suggesting he declined to give help because he had travel plans.

i'll repeat that all i'm saying is that you don't leave the country as a main party leader during a time of crisis such as this, whether for a holiday or a diplomatic visit....nothing more, nothing less.

Understood and you are certainly entitled to that opinion.

[tlansford]

- snip -

i was just wondering your personal take on why it looks bad, in your words... but fine, if you don't want to word it yourself.

so you think he is powerless as an opposition member? does he not have the power to be heard by the government in his possible idea's to help the country out?

what difference does it make having any members of the dem's here or not, since they're "only opposition" MP's and don't "have any power to do anything anyway"?

considering your belief that "it shouldn't really make a difference" that the actual leader of the dem's is here or not...

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

ok don't answer on anything else you've stated then.

'perception'... yet you don't seem to perceive it negatively.

so it's just propaganda and how it looks rather than what it actually is... mmm

i honestly can't believe people don't see it in a negative light... i mean if bias was ever on a billboard, it's now.

I believe it was just a week or so ago that Jatuporn went really really really really far away, about 8 hours from BKK (by bus), ... just a little day-trip to Udon Thani, and there was a small revolt here on the forum about him not being in BKK 24 hours a day helping with the flood relief.

of course the Democrat's were there to throw stones, too, as faithfully reported by TAN, ...

The Democrat Party Spokesperson Chawanond Intarakomalsut criticized Pheu Thai Party list MP and key red-shirt leader Jatuporn Phromphan for not attending to red-shirt supporters who are suffering from floods in many provinces, to preside over the opening of the red-shirt district in Udon Thani Province instead.

Pick your poison, pleasure trip to the Maldives or Udon Thani ? Mark is a pretty smart guy, isn't he?

[rubl]

I believe it was just a week or so ago that Jatuporn went really really really really far away, about 8 hours from BKK (by bus), ... just a little day-trip to Udon Thani, and there was a small revolt here on the forum about him not being in BKK 24 hours a day helping with the flood relief.

of course the Democrat's were there to throw stones, too, as faithfully reported by TAN, ...

The Democrat Party Spokesperson Chawanond Intarakomalsut criticized Pheu Thai Party list MP and key red-shirt leader Jatuporn Phromphan for not attending to red-shirt supporters who are suffering from floods in many provinces, to preside over the opening of the red-shirt district in Udon Thani Province instead.

Pick your poison, pleasure trip to the Maldives or Udon Thani ? Mark is a pretty smart guy, isn't he?

No stones were thrown, just words.

I'm still not sure whether I like to have Pheu Thai party list MP and UDD leader k. Jatuporn out of sight, or involved in activities like FROC, flood relief, compliments of red-shirt donations.

K. Abhisit should maybe have stayed in BKK to help boost moral and be seen next to PM Yingluck to suggest support of her, her government and FROC's activities. Maybe.

Which reminds me, where's Dept. PM Chalerm? Trying to keep his residence in Thonburi from flooding? He's been very vocal a while back, like "I will bring back k. Thaksin", special workgroup on LM, Computer crime and Internet censorship. Knowing he doesn't know anything about water management, flood prevention, he modestly stepped out of the limelight for a moment? Almost unbelievable for a politician of his caliber

[ThaiOats]

Where was Thaksin to lead his people in the 2009/10 riot? He surely was the leader of the reds.

Where was Thaksin and Yingluck during the 2009 Flood?

Oh wait... where was Yingluck when the country started to flood in September? Where were the MPs?

I think it's excusable for Mark to be anywhere he wants, since he's only the opposition FORMER PM. It's a world of difference when the government in power's politician are elsewhere and I don't I need to explain why. People that are biased against the Democrats will find fault and start jumping on this issue. Trust me, even Democrat supporters will say something if Abhisit is the current PM and went off to Maldives during this crisis. However, the clear difference is that while Reds have tunnel vision and will find excuses, the rest of the normal people will look and criticize things for what they are.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I'm not a supporter of the Democrats either. I think Thais can find a better PM and should continue their search instead of going back to the failed and corrupted Thaksin. If evidence comes up with the Dems (especially Abhisit) of corruption and the courts find him guilty, then move on to the next candidate.

[samran]

She has my sympathy. There is nothing that can be done to stop the deluge that is befalling the country. Whatever could have been done, would never be done by politicians. Politicians simply lack the expertise and will to handle a natural disaster.

The true test will be the aftermath of the current disaster.

She is a lot stronger than I thought she was. The fact that she has continued to hang in there during these extremely stressful times is amazing.

I agree.Pavin's arguments are persuasive and reflect very poorly on Abhisit and Sukhumbhand.Many of the critical reports (eg the US navy issue) have been confirmed as outright lies.Clearly there has been lack of co-ordination but it's stretching credulity to believe the last government would have done better.Any reference made to the institutional problems in the Thai bureaucracy, poor long term planning or the forces of nature itself evoke screams of outrage.For some the only factor is Yingluck and (of course) her elder brother.These people believe that it is a failure not to put the army in control of the emergency (and much else) through a SOE, but it's completely unclear how this would improve co-ordination.The army should of course be fully involved and the relationship developed between Prayuth and Yingluck is of course ignored by the haters.

All true, but this is how politics are going to be played from her on in. To be sure, I don't think the Dem's themselves have been overly overt in saying anything terribly critical and as we've seen, even Abhisit has made a show of trying to be helpful (and then quietly steps back).

In times like this - purely from the politics perspective - it makes much more sense to say nothing and let the inherent disorganisation that is sometimes the RTG (who ever is in charge) reflect badly on this administration. At the moment, pictures speak louder than words.

Having said that, there seems to be a fairly effective social media strategy happening out there almost spontaneously, and that in itself is doing political damage to this current government.

As for Khun Pavin's article, I've met him a couple of times. He's a bit of a contradiction at times. Independently minded but also appears to have somewhat of a soft spot for this current govt.

[jayboy]

She has my sympathy. There is nothing that can be done to stop the deluge that is befalling the country. Whatever could have been done, would never be done by politicians. Politicians simply lack the expertise and will to handle a natural disaster.

The true test will be the aftermath of the current disaster.

She is a lot stronger than I thought she was. The fact that she has continued to hang in there during these extremely stressful times is amazing.

I agree.Pavin's arguments are persuasive and reflect very poorly on Abhisit and Sukhumbhand.Many of the critical reports (eg the US navy issue) have been confirmed as outright lies.Clearly there has been lack of co-ordination but it's stretching credulity to believe the last government would have done better.Any reference made to the institutional problems in the Thai bureaucracy, poor long term planning or the forces of nature itself evoke screams of outrage.For some the only factor is Yingluck and (of course) her elder brother.These people believe that it is a failure not to put the army in control of the emergency (and much else) through a SOE, but it's completely unclear how this would improve co-ordination.The army should of course be fully involved and the relationship developed between Prayuth and Yingluck is of course ignored by the haters.

All true, but this is how politics are going to be played from her on in. To be sure, I don't think the Dem's themselves have been overly overt in saying anything terribly critical and as we've seen, even Abhisit has made a show of trying to be helpful (and then quietly steps back).

In times like this - purely from the politics perspective - it makes much more sense to say nothing and let the inherent disorganisation that is sometimes the RTG (who ever is in charge) reflect badly on this administration. At the moment, pictures speak louder than words.

Having said that, there seems to be a fairly effective social media strategy happening out there almost spontaneously, and that in itself is doing political damage to this current government.

As for Khun Pavin's article, I've met him a couple of times. He's a bit of a contradiction at times. Independently minded but also appears to have somewhat of a soft spot for this current govt.

I hope I'm not embarrassing you when I say this was an excellent post - balanced and thoughtful.

[whybother]

The banner at the side of the truck says, Donated by Thaksin Shinawatra, captured at Don Muang /via@PlaSiuPlaSoi

(with video)

[serenitynow]

"It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed."

Perception and propaganda.

ok don't answer on anything else you've stated then.

'perception'... yet you don't seem to perceive it negatively.

so it's just propaganda and how it looks rather than what it actually is... mmm

i honestly can't believe people don't see it in a negative light... i mean if bias was ever on a billboard, it's now.

I believe it was just a week or so ago that Jatuporn went really really really really far away, about 8 hours from BKK (by bus), ... just a little day-trip to Udon Thani, and there was a small revolt here on the forum about him not being in BKK 24 hours a day helping with the flood relief.

of course the Democrat's were there to throw stones, too, as faithfully reported by TAN, ...

The Democrat Party Spokesperson Chawanond Intarakomalsut criticized Pheu Thai Party list MP and key red-shirt leader Jatuporn Phromphan for not attending to red-shirt supporters who are suffering from floods in many provinces, to preside over the opening of the red-shirt district in Udon Thani Province instead.

Pick your poison, pleasure trip to the Maldives or Udon Thani ? Mark is a pretty smart guy, isn't he?

I doubt anyone objected to Jatuporn not being in Bangkok. Even farther away would have been great, like Mongolia. The objections were to Jatuporn using the cover of a national crisis to sow division. I think I pointed that out already.

[jayboy]

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

I agree with you entirely here and frankly cannot see what the fuss is about (though I suppose inevitably some of the sillier PTP and redshirts tried to make political capital of the trip)

The Maldives visit was long prearranged, was only for 3 days and Abhisit had already showed his support for flood planning relief efforts, and I'm sure will do again.Furthermore Abhisit has no executive or government role so it's different to Chalerm's strange absence.I've been critical of Abhisit on some issues but for heaven's sake he's a decent man - give him a break.

I do however think it's worth noting that on this forum there were outright denials from some of the usual suspects that the trip ever took place.I'm not accusing anyone of lying but it would be helpful not to make assumptions simply based on political prejudices. namely that because it made Abhisit "look bad" (though I don't think it did) it just didn't happen.That's just Stalinist rewriting of history.The trip happened.

Incidentally I have just noticed the Democrat spin machine is pretending it was in fact an official flood relief fact finding mission.Sigh.

[hammered]

It looks bad for the exact reason that it is currently being widely discussed.

I don't believe it made a difference for him to go away for 3 days on a weekend that was between the "high tide weekends".

It shouldn't really make any difference whether he was here or not, since he is only an opposition MP and doesn't have any power to do anything anyway.

I agree with you entirely here and frankly cannot see what the fuss is about (though I suppose inevitably some of the sillier PTP and redshirts tried to make political capital of the trip)

The Maldives visit was long prearranged, was only for 3 days and Abhisit had already showed his support for flood planning relief efforts, and I'm sure will do again.Furthermore Abhisit has no executive or government role so it's different to Chalerm's strange absence.I've been critical of Abhisit on some issues but for heaven's sake he's a decent man - give him a break.

I do however think it's worth noting that on this forum there were outright denials from some of the usual suspects that the trip ever took place.I'm not accusing anyone of lying but it would be helpful not to make assumptions simply based on political prejudices. namely that because it made Abhisit "look bad" (though I don't think it did) it just didn't happen.That's just Stalinist rewriting of history.The trip happened.

Incidentally I have just noticed the Democrat spin machine is pretending it was in fact an official flood relief fact finding mission.Sigh.

It is the Democrat party handling of this that makes it appear so bad. Leaving the country during a time of crisis is obviously something that doesnt look good to some people and isnt recommended political procedure especially for the leader of the opposition, and nobody can complain when political opponents target it. After all the ludicrous claims of Yinglcuk being at a Yanni concert while people were suffering was pushed when it was obviously rubbish. I also cant imagine say Miliband doing such a thing in similar cicumstances. However, if Abhisit had just come back and made a statement along the lines of: stressful times for my family facing flooding and we took a short break that had been planned ages ago etc etc, it would have been less of a story than denying it happened, making sure sympathetic press didnt report it, and then try to rationalize it away in some fact finding or diplomatic mission way that sounds utterly unbelievable. The Democrat party even after getting uttelry humped at the last election, part cause of which was chronically awful PR, still havent learnt the lesson and seem to have a PR team that could make FROC and Sukhumband look efficient.

[jayboy]

It is the Democrat party handling of this that makes it appear so bad. Leaving the country during a time of crisis is obviously something that doesnt look good to some people and isnt recommended political procedure especially for the leader of the opposition, and nobody can complain when political opponents target it. After all the ludicrous claims of Yinglcuk being at a Yanni concert while people were suffering was pushed when it was obviously rubbish. I also cant imagine say Miliband doing such a thing in similar cicumstances. However, if Abhisit had just come back and made a statement along the lines of: stressful times for my family facing flooding and we took a short break that had been planned ages ago etc etc, it would have been less of a story than denying it happened, making sure sympathetic press didnt report it, and then try to rationalize it away in some fact finding or diplomatic mission way that sounds utterly unbelievable. The Democrat party even after getting uttelry humped at the last election, part cause of which was chronically awful PR, still havent learnt the lesson and seem to have a PR team that could make FROC and Sukhumband look efficient.

And on a related point (well not related at all really) it turns out that the PM's infamous Burberry wellies were in fact a Chinese knock off.Whereas the Chanel boots worn by the slightly scary (to my eyes) PAD supporting harpy wife of a leading very rich Democrat politician were the real thing.Go figure