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Thai PM To Skip APEC Summit Due To Flood Crisis


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Posted

Thai PM to skip APEC summit due to flood crisis

BANGKOK, November 8, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's prime minister said on Tuesday she would miss an Asia-Pacific summit in Hawaii this weekend, postponing her debut on the world stage to deal with the kingdom's worst floods in half a century.

The announcement came as the death toll from the three-month-old disaster climbed to 527 and the floodwaters advanced deeper into the capital.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, facing the first crisis of her fledgling leadership, had been planning to brief leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) about the crisis and boost investor confidence in the country.

But with the mass of water now threatening the heart of Bangkok, a city of 12 million people, Yingluck said she would send Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong, who is also the commerce minister, on her behalf.

"I think that at this time all Thai people must help" in the flood crisis, she told reporters about her decision.

Yingluck said she would discuss with her cabinet whether to attend a gathering of Southeast Asian leaders in Bali next week.

The November 12-13 APEC meeting would have been the first international summit for Yingluck, a political novice and sister of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who only came to power three months ago.

APEC is a 21-member Asia-Pacific bloc that encompasses more than half of the world economy and includes the United States, China, Japan and Australia.

Yingluck's administration has faced criticism over its handling of the flood crisis, and heading to Honolulu in the midst of the disaster would have provided easy ammunition for her political opponents.

The Thai floods, triggered by months of unusually heavy rains, have damaged the homes and livelihoods of millions around the country.

The waters also forced the closure of thousands of factories -- interrupting global supply chains, putting more than half a million people temporarily out of work and costing the economy billions of dollars.

afplogo.jpg

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-11-08

Posted

Thai PM cancels plan to attend APEC summit

image_2011110810402781433D21-A4C8-3F21-D56196BD3A84FF72.jpg

BANGKOK, Nov 8 -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday said she has cancelled her plan to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Nov 12-15, saying she is obliged to focus on the flood crisis response at home.

Deputy Prime Minister Kittirat Na Ranong has been assigned to represent her at the Hawaii meeting, she said.

However, the schedule to attend the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders meeting in Bali, Indonesia Nov 17-19 remains unchanged.

Government spokeswoman Thitima Chaisaeng earlier told reporters that the prime minister would attend the 19th ASEAN Summit next week and she would use the meeting as arena to rebuild confidence among foreign investors on Thailand after the country has been severely hit by the flood crisis, which caused seven industrial estates and parks to close.

Ms Yingluck will also take the opportunity to explain to the international community Thailand's rehabilitation measures and assure foreign investors of her government's plan to support flood-affected foreign factories.

Ms Thitima said that on Friday the premier will attend the inauguration of the third Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River connecting Thailand's northeastern Nakhon Phanom Province with Thakhek in the Lao PDR province of Khammouane. (MCOT online news)

tnalogo.jpg

-- TNA 2011-11-08

Posted

Screwed if she does. Screwed if she doesn't.

Makes no difference if she goes or stays. The inmates are still running the asylum :crazy: . Anyone know where I can get a delicious lion steak?

Posted

Screwed if she does. Screwed if she doesn't.

Makes no difference if she goes or stays. The inmates are still running the asylum :crazy: . Anyone know where I can get a delicious lion steak?

You mean she has been screwed regardless?

Posted (edited)

Screwed if she does. Screwed if she doesn't.

Makes no difference if she goes or stays. The inmates are still running the asylum :crazy: . Anyone know where I can get a delicious lion steak?

You mean she has been screwed regardless?

The situation is so bad political recovery is probably nil.

But there is the don't switch horses in mid stream dictum,

so she may survive the flood, but not likely all that long after.

Still aftere the attempted lambasting her side gave Abhisit for taking the first well deserved weekend off he's had in years, then it would be political suicide for her to leave for dry land and catered meals ANYWHERE. Abhisit had no official powers to be seen walking out on, but she most certainly does. So she stays. Will Thaksin make an appearance circling APEC like a shark in chummed waters?

The big question is; if her brother does some big grandstanding stunt with perfect timing, to make all others but him look like duffers, and convince the average Thai HE'S SAVED THE DAY!!!!! And throw down for the election early. Can't really see HOW, but seems he'd think he can and try anyway. The fall out from this flood is too big to spin using normal means, you need to create a world class scapegoat to take the blame... The only real candidates were put in place by DXr T. himself... how to fudge that fact?

Edited by animatic
Posted

Screwed if she does. Screwed if she doesn't.

Makes no difference if she goes or stays. The inmates are still running the asylum :crazy: . Anyone know where I can get a delicious lion steak?

You mean she has been screwed regardless?

Exactly. Put in to the PM role by her big brother. Absolutely no knowledge of how to run a country much less a major crisis... Her brother appoints only his cronies and minions as cabinet members. They know absolutely nothing about flood control. Then instead of calling in flood control experts she relies on these minions to advise how to work through the flood crisis. It's like building the space shuttle using a bunch of plummers as engineers. I don't know if K T ordered her to use these buffons or not but the fact remains it is a total fiasco.

Posted

She should probably go to the summit to present herself as the new leader of Thailand before it's too late.

Her being out of the country will make no difference to the situation here. In fact - it might make it better. It can't possibly get any worse.

No work at the moment, apartment area severely flooded and having to pay for hotels for god knows how long. I consider myself one the lucky ones. I'd hate to be in a situation some of her fellow countrymen find themselves in.

If we can't learn from our own mistakes or other people's, we'll never learn.

Posted

Do remember her brother left the country once to attend a U.N, meeting and was declared surplus to requirements whilst away, she's probably been told to " sit tight no action replays wanted ."..

Posted

Do remember her brother left the country once to attend a U.N, meeting and was declared surplus to requirements whilst away, she's probably been told to " sit tight no action replays wanted ."..

I thought exactly the same thing when I read the article.

Posted

"Still aftere the attempted lambasting her side gave Abhisit for taking the first well deserved weekend off he's had in years, then it would be political suicide for her to leave for dry land and catered meals ANYWHERE. Abhisit had no official powers to be seen walking out on, but she most certainly does."

1) my heart is bleeding for the ex- PM!

2) I guess, you could hardly compare a holiday with a scheduled meeting of Asean head of states.

3) Oh wait...sure you can. After all AV met the President of the Maledives to officially discuss the floods, and as we all know, the Maledives have a whole army of flood experts.

4) But wait...this can't be! He has no official powers, so why should he discuss matters with ...

5) Oh, I got it...because Thaksin might show up at the Asean summit and he has no political powers, too. So if he can, AV can , too!

6) Too bad, she is not going, otherwise I can imagine what will be going on, in this forum.

Posted

"Still aftere the attempted lambasting her side gave Abhisit for taking the first well deserved weekend off he's had in years, then it would be political suicide for her to leave for dry land and catered meals ANYWHERE. Abhisit had no official powers to be seen walking out on, but she most certainly does."

1) my heart is bleeding for the ex- PM!

2) I guess, you could hardly compare a holiday with a scheduled meeting of Asean head of states.

3) Oh wait...sure you can. After all AV met the President of the Maledives to officially discuss the floods, and as we all know, the Maledives have a whole army of flood experts.

4) But wait...this can't be! He has no official powers, so why should he discuss matters with ...

5) Oh, I got it...because Thaksin might show up at the Asean summit and he has no political powers, too. So if he can, AV can , too!

6) Too bad, she is not going, otherwise I can imagine what will be going on, in this forum.

Thaksin seems to be able to discuss official Thai business when he visits other countries, and he's not even an elected MP. :whistling:

Also, opposition leaders DO meet foreign leaders, and if Abhisit and the Maldives PM did meet, I am sure the Thailand floods would have been discussed - not that there would have been anything constructive from that, but just passing along information on what was happening.

Posted

"Still aftere the attempted lambasting her side gave Abhisit for taking the first well deserved weekend off he's had in years, then it would be political suicide for her to leave for dry land and catered meals ANYWHERE. Abhisit had no official powers to be seen walking out on, but she most certainly does."

1) my heart is bleeding for the ex- PM!

2) I guess, you could hardly compare a holiday with a scheduled meeting of Asean head of states.

3) Oh wait...sure you can. After all AV met the President of the Maledives to officially discuss the floods, and as we all know, the Maledives have a whole army of flood experts.

4) But wait...this can't be! He has no official powers, so why should he discuss matters with ...

5) Oh, I got it...because Thaksin might show up at the Asean summit and he has no political powers, too. So if he can, AV can , too!

6) Too bad, she is not going, otherwise I can imagine what will be going on, in this forum.

Thaksin seems to be able to discuss official Thai business when he visits other countries, and he's not even an elected MP. :whistling:

Also, opposition leaders DO meet foreign leaders, and if Abhisit and the Maldives PM did meet, I am sure the Thailand floods would have been discussed - not that there would have been anything constructive from that, but just passing along information on what was happening.

Except...it was a holiday!

Posted

"Still aftere the attempted lambasting her side gave Abhisit for taking the first well deserved weekend off he's had in years, then it would be political suicide for her to leave for dry land and catered meals ANYWHERE. Abhisit had no official powers to be seen walking out on, but she most certainly does."

1) my heart is bleeding for the ex- PM!

2) I guess, you could hardly compare a holiday with a scheduled meeting of Asean head of states.

3) Oh wait...sure you can. After all AV met the President of the Maledives to officially discuss the floods, and as we all know, the Maledives have a whole army of flood experts.

4) But wait...this can't be! He has no official powers, so why should he discuss matters with ...

5) Oh, I got it...because Thaksin might show up at the Asean summit and he has no political powers, too. So if he can, AV can , too!

6) Too bad, she is not going, otherwise I can imagine what will be going on, in this forum.

Thaksin seems to be able to discuss official Thai business when he visits other countries, and he's not even an elected MP. :whistling:

Also, opposition leaders DO meet foreign leaders, and if Abhisit and the Maldives PM did meet, I am sure the Thailand floods would have been discussed - not that there would have been anything constructive from that, but just passing along information on what was happening.

Except...it was a holiday!

Evidently you missed this bit of news: Abhisit ready to help Yingluck, waiting for invitation.

She ignored his offer, might lose face of course. I suppose in your thinking he should stay close to the phone 24/7 waiting for her to call like a good boy?

Posted

Except...it was a holiday!

Yep. Apparently, it was a long planned holiday. And while he was there, he met the Maldives PM. And when he met the PM, they discussed the floods.

I'm sure he didn't go there to discuss the floods.

It would be the same whether he was here or there. He can talk to people and discuss issues, but he is not in a position to spend government money or order around government resources. Given that he wasn't involved in the government's flood (mis-) management, all he could do would be to help distribute relief goods. He is not in a position to make decisions.

Yingluck is the one making the decisions, so she should probably not be going away at the moment, although APEC is an important international meeting.

Posted

"Still aftere the attempted lambasting her side gave Abhisit for taking the first well deserved weekend off he's had in years, then it would be political suicide for her to leave for dry land and catered meals ANYWHERE. Abhisit had no official powers to be seen walking out on, but she most certainly does."

1) my heart is bleeding for the ex- PM!

2) I guess, you could hardly compare a holiday with a scheduled meeting of Asean head of states.

3) Oh wait...sure you can. After all AV met the President of the Maledives to officially discuss the floods, and as we all know, the Maledives have a whole army of flood experts.

4) But wait...this can't be! He has no official powers, so why should he discuss matters with ...

5) Oh, I got it...because Thaksin might show up at the Asean summit and he has no political powers, too. So if he can, AV can , too!

6) Too bad, she is not going, otherwise I can imagine what will be going on, in this forum.

Thaksin seems to be able to discuss official Thai business when he visits other countries, and he's not even an elected MP. :whistling:

Also, opposition leaders DO meet foreign leaders, and if Abhisit and the Maldives PM did meet, I am sure the Thailand floods would have been discussed - not that there would have been anything constructive from that, but just passing along information on what was happening.

Except...it was a holiday!

Evidently you missed this bit of news: Abhisit ready to help Yingluck, waiting for invitation.

She ignored his offer, might lose face of course. I suppose in your thinking he should stay close to the phone 24/7 waiting for her to call like a good boy?

I "suppose", if it was a "well deserved" holiday, that you call it that.

And not make up a ridicilous excuse about an official meeting with the president.

Unless, of course...and god forbid that...as an opposition leader you COULD have stayed IN the country, giving moral support to "your" people.

This discussion about her not asking him and him offering her is is as stupid as the discussion, if you should help your neighbors against the flood, although you are a farang and have no workpermit for shoveling sand into bags!

Why the hell has he to be asked, to play an active roll in this crisis. Can he only act, if he is courtly invited to join the game???

He made a holiday on the Maledives during "his" country was sinking.

I PERSONALLY don't give a flying fack about that, but I really don't believe it was the right thing to do.

And now, all the defenders of the truth are out in flogs to tear her up about going or not going, as a PM, to an OFFICIAL heads of states meeting.

You just twist and turn, just as you need it!

(NO, I am NOT a reds or PT- supporter!)

Posted

1) my heart is bleeding for the ex- PM!

2) I guess, you could hardly compare a holiday with a scheduled meeting of Asean head of states.

3) Oh wait...sure you can. After all AV met the President of the Maledives to officially discuss the floods, and as we all know, the Maledives have a whole army of flood experts.

4) But wait...this can't be! He has no official powers, so why should he discuss matters with ...

5) Oh, I got it...because Thaksin might show up at the Asean summit and he has no political powers, too. So if he can, AV can , too!

6) Too bad, she is not going, otherwise I can imagine what will be going on, in this forum.

Thaksin seems to be able to discuss official Thai business when he visits other countries, and he's not even an elected MP. :whistling:

Also, opposition leaders DO meet foreign leaders, and if Abhisit and the Maldives PM did meet, I am sure the Thailand floods would have been discussed - not that there would have been anything constructive from that, but just passing along information on what was happening.

Except...it was a holiday!

Evidently you missed this bit of news: Abhisit ready to help Yingluck, waiting for invitation.

She ignored his offer, might lose face of course. I suppose in your thinking he should stay close to the phone 24/7 waiting for her to call like a good boy?

I "suppose", if it was a "well deserved" holiday, that you call it that.

And not make up a ridicilous excuse about an official meeting with the president.

Unless, of course...and god forbid that...as an opposition leader you COULD have stayed IN the country, giving moral support to "your" people.

This discussion about her not asking him and him offering her is is as stupid as the discussion, if you should help your neighbors against the flood, although you are a farang and have no workpermit for shoveling sand into bags!

Why the hell has he to be asked, to play an active roll in this crisis. Can he only act, if he is courtly invited to join the game???

He made a holiday on the Maledives during "his" country was sinking.

I PERSONALLY don't give a flying fack about that, but I really don't believe it was the right thing to do.

And now, all the defenders of the truth are out in flogs to tear her up about going or not going, as a PM, to an OFFICIAL heads of states meeting.

You just twist and turn, just as you need it!

(NO, I am NOT a reds or PT- supporter!)

Who cares about where Abbhisit was? He's not the Prime Minister.

I'm sure he's helping like so many of 'his' people are today. Difference is they're not doing it on an official level. By all means you can offer your services. But at the end of the day, you don't ask - you don't get'

Just because you're Thai doesn't mean you're morally obliged to help Thais. Being a human being means we're all morally obliged to help our fellow 'human beings'

I don't hate Yingluck. I don't hate anyone. All I can say is she's handling these floods awfully. How would you or I make it better? We do what we can to help. Give some money, help someone off or onto a truck, etc. We're not the prime minister.

Posted (edited)

Screwed if she does. Screwed if she doesn't.

Makes no difference if she goes or stays. The inmates are still running the asylum :crazy: . Anyone know where I can get a delicious lion steak?

You mean she has been screwed regardless?

Exactly. Put in to the PM role by her big brother. Absolutely no knowledge of how to run a country much less a major crisis... Her brother appoints only his cronies and minions as cabinet members. They know absolutely nothing about flood control. Then instead of calling in flood control experts she relies on these minions to advise how to work through the flood crisis. It's like building the space shuttle using a bunch of plummers as engineers. I don't know if K T ordered her to use these buffons or not but the fact remains it is a total fiasco.

Poetic.

Remember? The APEC summit at Royal Cliff was abandoned after Reds on big bro Khun Ts orders overran & tried to destroy the place - police on duty just stood back and let them in.

That was Khun Ts way of telling APEC he was still running Thailand.

Perhaps there is a Dog.

Edited by Screws
Posted

Poetic.

Remember? The APEC summit at Royal Cliff was abandoned after Reds on big bro Khun Ts orders overran & tried to destroy the place - police on duty just stood back and let them in.

That was Khun Ts way of telling APEC he was still running Thailand.

Perhaps there is a dog.

You forget that after the political fallout from this red thuggery in 2009 (which turned out to be a practice run for 2010), Thaksin denied that the violence was caused by the reds, but when that line was overwhelmed by the evidence, then said that the violence was caused by 'fake reds'. From that day on the red spokesmen never looked back from lying their way out of trouble.

If Yingluck turned up at the forthcoming APEC meeting without first the flood waters either receding or being seen to be under control, the pressure would be uncomfortable to say the least. Thaksin probably cursing that he can't just swan in. 'So how's the clone business going?'.

Posted

Screwed if she does. Screwed if she doesn't.

Makes no difference if she goes or stays. The inmates are still running the asylum :crazy: . Anyone know where I can get a delicious lion steak?

You mean she has been screwed regardless?

Exactly. Put in to the PM role by her big brother. Absolutely no knowledge of how to run a country much less a major crisis... Her brother appoints only his cronies and minions as cabinet members. They know absolutely nothing about flood control. Then instead of calling in flood control experts she relies on these minions to advise how to work through the flood crisis. It's like building the space shuttle using a bunch of plummers as engineers. I don't know if K T ordered her to use these buffons or not but the fact remains it is a total fiasco.

Bet she hates Big Brother for making her go for the PM job.

Posted

Thai PM to be chief guest on Republic Day

Yingluck Shinawatra, elected as Thailand’s first female prime minister in August this year, will be the chief guest for India’s 2012 Republic Day celebrations.

Shinawatra was seen by many as a proxy for her brother, telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, who was elected the country’s premier twice, was ousted in a military coup and now lives in Dubai to evade a two-year jail sentence for corruption.

Her immediate challenge is fighting off the charges of administrative and political inexperience, as she struggles to contain the effects of natural disasters — most of Bangkok and low-lying parts in Thailand are in the grip of a flood.

Continues:

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/thai-pm-to-be-chief-guestrepublic-day/454743/

Posted

As an American, I am a bit offended that YS will go to ASEAN in Bali, but not spend her Thai Bhat on American goods in Hawaii. After all, we gave money and assistance during the flooding crisis. The least she could do is go to America and re-pay the favor by buying some of our products... perhaps some new designer boots, in case the Burberry's are getting worn out these days?! Maybe an iPhone/iPad (although I heard there were some delays for components suppliers).

Posted

As an American, I am a bit offended that YS will go to ASEAN in Bali, but not spend her Thai Bhat on American goods in Hawaii. After all, we gave money and assistance during the flooding crisis. The least she could do is go to America and re-pay the favor by buying some of our products... perhaps some new designer boots, in case the Burberry's are getting worn out these days?! Maybe an iPhone/iPad (although I heard there were some delays for components suppliers).

Please tell me you are joking...

Posted

As an American, I am a bit offended that YS will go to ASEAN in Bali, but not spend her Thai Bhat on American goods in Hawaii. After all, we gave money and assistance during the flooding crisis. The least she could do is go to America and re-pay the favor by buying some of our products... perhaps some new designer boots, in case the Burberry's are getting worn out these days?! Maybe an iPhone/iPad (although I heard there were some delays for components suppliers).

Please tell me you are joking...

C'mon now... just a little dark humor!

Posted

As an American, I am a bit offended that YS will go to ASEAN in Bali, but not spend her Thai Bhat on American goods in Hawaii. After all, we gave money and assistance during the flooding crisis. The least she could do is go to America and re-pay the favor by buying some of our products... perhaps some new designer boots, in case the Burberry's are getting worn out these days?! Maybe an iPhone/iPad (although I heard there were some delays for components suppliers).

Please tell me you are joking...

C'mon now... just a little dark humor!

Thank god! You had me shock1.gif

Posted

I see the news that ex-PM Abhisit and his family already left to India for holiday during this flood season. I admired Yingluck for staying back for the Thai people instead going to the global economy forum.

Posted

I see the news that ex-PM Abhisit and his family already left to India for holiday during this flood season. I admired Yingluck for staying back for the Thai people instead going to the global economy forum.

Are you referring to his 3 day trip to the Maldives 3 weeks ago?

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