In Politics And Crisis, Image Still Counts For Much: Thai Opinion

[webfact]

EDITORIAL

In politics and crisis, image still counts for much

The Nation

It may seem petty to deride the PM for her choice of fashion accessories, but sometimes the public understands what is appropriate and what isn't

In his book, The Audacity Of Hope, US President Barack Obama disclosed to the public his preference for Dijon mustard. In the book, Obama, who was on the campaign trail, had asked for Dijon mustard at a hamburger restaurant in Illinois.

"When the waitress brought the food I asked her if she had any Dijon mustard. Dan shook his head. 'He doesn't want Dijon,' he insisted, waving the waitress off. 'Here' - he shoved a yellow bottle of French's mustard in my direction - 'here's some mustard right here.' The waitress looked confused. 'We got Dijon if you want it,' she said to me. I smiled. 'That would be great, thanks.' As the waitress walked away, I leaned over to Dan and whispered that I didn't think there were any photographers around." Some years later, his opponents would use that against him when somebody overheard him ordering Dijon mustard to go with his hamburger.

The point of this amusing story is that public figures, wherever they are, must understand the very concept of appropriateness or else they will fall victim to the "gotcha" political police.

Obama's campaign advisor, Dan, was right on the spot to be watching his back on the campaign trail. Stick to American products instead of that spicy French stuff. This is an election campaign. Perception counts.

Today's reporters can be unkind, and at times, unkind to the point of being cruel. But why blame the messenger? Like it or not, this kind of thing comes with the territory. A public figure will always have to watch his or her back because once you go public, you put yourself in a position that subjects you to criticism, both fairly and unfairly.

It lets us look at public figures a little differently. That's why we have political cartoons. Satirical commentary is an important part of our freedom of speech, no matter how unpopular or controversial it may be.

In Thailand, over this past couple of weeks, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has come under criticism for showing up in her Burberry boots to observe the floods and evacuated villagers.

Other criticism has fallen on the fact that some of her people put "From Thaksin" labels on goods donated from the general public to the flood victims.

While Obama's preference for French mustard could have rubbed some Americans up the wrong way - especially given the anti-French sentiment among some Americans after France spoke out against the war in Iraq - it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley and his Versace shirt. Or perhaps he is waiting for Bentley to build a boat.

There is an old saying in Thailand: "Whatever rich people do, it's never going to be ugly."

But in the face of this flood disaster, in which so many lives and businesses have been ruined, public figures should display some degree of sense and sensibility.

And while the Yingluck government might survive this deluge and remain intact, the prime minister should know that it's not just her image that is at stake; it's Thailand as well.

Nearly three-quarters of a million people are now out of work as a result of the inundation, while seven major industrial estates in the central region have come to a standstill. The "Motown of Asia" has become "Waterworld" overnight. The real challenge for Yingluck and her Cabinet now is whether they can engineer a speedy recovery. She will be judged by her actions, not because of inappropriate fashion items. After all, if sense and sensibility were important issues, the vast majority of these politicians would never have been elected in the first place.

-- The Nation 2011-11-02

[Buchholz]

it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

.

[Buchholz]

Has anyone ever seen Chalerm's car plying the roads of Bangkok?

It's an awesome looking vehicle.

[wintermute]

Has anyone ever seen Chalerm's car plying the roads of Bangkok?

It's an awesome looking vehicle.

Nothing says that you have ascended past the mere mortal proletarian masses than a pink aristocrat carriage. This is truly something out of Dickens. All he needs to do is steamroll some peasant boys in the street to complete the image.

[plumeria]

I don't agree with most of this writer's conclusions or analysis.

He got more than a few things wrong.

But I give him credit for at least exercising his brain cells and trying to understand and analyze.

The PMs wardrobe is obscene, offensive but an "in your face" announcement to every Thai that:

- I'm rich

- I DON'T give a rat's ass what you think you moron scumbags

- I DON'T care what you feel

- It's not my problem how deep the water is in your house. I'm dry.

- Of course, upcountry people don't count -- except at election time.

- And my bro told me a little cash can buy your way out of any problem.

- Sometimes it only takes passing out some new pots and pans to the rabble and a new truck for the village headman.

- Let them eat cake.

Yingbadluck is the modern equivalent of Marie Antoinette and surely her role model but she probably thinks she can avoid the same end.

ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Sam Wa Canal was opened because of "public pressure".

Somebody did not come up with the required cash.

This is just brinkmanship.

The PM probably got her ideas watching the Quantas drama.

Boy, are we all screwed in every which way.

And still Thais do not say "enough is enough".

[Gweiloman]

I don't agree with most of this writer's conclusions or analysis.

He got more than a few things wrong.

But I give him credit for at least exercising his brain cells and trying to understand and analyze.

The PMs wardrobe is obscene, offensive but an "in your face" announcement to every Thai that:

- I'm rich

- I DON'T give a rat's ass what you think you moron scumbags

- I DON'T care what you feel

- It's not my problem how deep the water is in your house. I'm dry.

- Of course, upcountry people don't count -- except at election time.

- And my bro told me a little cash can buy your way out of any problem.

- Sometimes it only takes passing out some new pots and pans to the rabble and a new truck for the village headman.

- Let them eat cake.

Yingbadluck is the modern equivalent of Marie Antoinette and surely her role model but she probably thinks she can avoid the same end.

ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Sam Wa Canal was opened because of "public pressure".

Somebody did not come up with the required cash.

This is just brinkmanship.

The PM probably got her ideas watching the Quantas drama.

Boy, are we all screwed in every which way.

And still Thais do not say "enough is enough".

What exactly are you ranting on about?

[serenitynow]

it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

.

And on a cops salary! He must be quite the penny pincher.

[slapout]

I believe he had an extended holiday overseas when the question arose as to his accumulation of wealth. The 'Statue of Limitation' has taken care of lots of seemly smaller legal problems for Thai politicians.

[Buchholz]

it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

And on a cops salary! He must be quite the penny pincher.

His asset declaration following the July elections have Chalerm with 178 million baht in assets. While taking that with a grain of salt, if true, it's surprising that 25 of that was put into a single car.

I wonder if he's made an offer to Paris for the other in order to have sole possession of all of these awesome looking vehicles.

.

.

Edited November 3, 2011 by Buchholz

[ratcatcher]

it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

And on a cops salary! He must be quite the penny pincher.

His asset declaration following the July elections have Chalerm with 178 million baht in assets. While taking that with a grain of salt, if true, it's surprising that 25 of that was put into a single car.

I wonder if he's made an offer to Paris for the other in order to have sole possession of all of these awesome looking vehicles.

.

.

Do you think this might be more appropriate for an ex-policeman?

[DocN]

I don't agree with most of this writer's conclusions or analysis.

He got more than a few things wrong.

But I give him credit for at least exercising his brain cells and trying to understand and analyze.

The PMs wardrobe is obscene, offensive but an "in your face" announcement to every Thai that:

- I'm rich

- I DON'T give a rat's ass what you think you moron scumbags

- I DON'T care what you feel

- It's not my problem how deep the water is in your house. I'm dry.

- Of course, upcountry people don't count -- except at election time.

- And my bro told me a little cash can buy your way out of any problem.

- Sometimes it only takes passing out some new pots and pans to the rabble and a new truck for the village headman.

- Let them eat cake.

Yingbadluck is the modern equivalent of Marie Antoinette and surely her role model but she probably thinks she can avoid the same end.

ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Sam Wa Canal was opened because of "public pressure".

Somebody did not come up with the required cash.

This is just brinkmanship.

The PM probably got her ideas watching the Quantas drama.

Boy, are we all screwed in every which way.

And still Thais do not say "enough is enough".

...and what is the name of the stuff you are taking?!

[Gweiloman]

it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

And on a cops salary! He must be quite the penny pincher.

His asset declaration following the July elections have Chalerm with 178 million baht in assets. While taking that with a grain of salt, if true, it's surprising that 25 of that was put into a single car.

I wonder if he's made an offer to Paris for the other in order to have sole possession of all of these awesome looking vehicles.

.

.

Ever heard of something called a loan? Sure you must have, it's because of this dirty world that Americans are so fond of that the world has been brought into an economic crisis.

[Buchholz]

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

And on a cops salary! He must be quite the penny pincher.

His asset declaration following the July elections have Chalerm with 178 million baht in assets. While taking that with a grain of salt, if true, it's surprising that 25 of that was put into a single car.

I wonder if he's made an offer to Paris for the other in order to have sole possession of all of these awesome looking vehicles.

Ever heard of something called a loan? Sure you must have, it's because of this dirty world that Americans are so fond of that the world has been brought into an economic crisis.

Yes, I've heard of loans. Chalerm didn't use one.

Maybe he didn't want to dirty the world.... at least not on this occasion.

.

Edited November 3, 2011 by Buchholz

[overhaul38]

I don't agree with most of this writer's conclusions or analysis.

He got more than a few things wrong.

But I give him credit for at least exercising his brain cells and trying to understand and analyze.

The PMs wardrobe is obscene, offensive but an "in your face" announcement to every Thai that:

- I'm rich

- I DON'T give a rat's ass what you think you moron scumbags

- I DON'T care what you feel

- It's not my problem how deep the water is in your house. I'm dry.

- Of course, upcountry people don't count -- except at election time.

- And my bro told me a little cash can buy your way out of any problem.

- Sometimes it only takes passing out some new pots and pans to the rabble and a new truck for the village headman.

- Let them eat cake.

Yingbadluck is the modern equivalent of Marie Antoinette and surely her role model but she probably thinks she can avoid the same end.

ABSOLUTELY NO WAY Sam Wa Canal was opened because of "public pressure".

Somebody did not come up with the required cash.

This is just brinkmanship.

The PM probably got her ideas watching the Quantas drama.

Boy, are we all screwed in every which way.

And still Thais do not say "enough is enough".

Not sure what the objections are but I think the PMs clothing choices are fine. I think she is doing a good job considering what she inherited and what she has to work with.

[Famespear]

So then is Chalerm not only the richest policeman in the world, but also the most gay? What real guy in his right mind would want a pink car, be it a bentley or not? This is so weird!

it's understandable that some of the general public in Thailand could easily see Yingluck as being pretentious and out of touch with the flood victims because of her designer boots. Thank heavens for her ruling Pheu Thai Party that Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung didn't show up in his pink Bentley

The 25 million baht Pink Bentley, one of only two in the world. Paris Hilton has the other.

.