Thai PM Yingluck Slams 'Nonsense' Attacks, Sues Rivals

[webfact]

POLITICS

PM slams 'nonsense' attacks, sues rivals

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In Facebook message, Yingluck defends her meeting with businessmen at hotel; files libel complaint against four Democrats

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has issued an emotional response to what she called a "nonsense" attack against her recent controversial presence at the Four Seasons Hotel.

After days of controversy and a war of words between the government and the Opposition as well as by supporters of both sides on social media, Yingluck wrote on her Facebook page yesterday that the visit to the Four Seasons Hotel was meant to exchange ideas with a group of businessmen.

It was her longest and most detailed response so far to charges of improper conduct.

"The Executive Club on the seventh floor [of the hotel] where we met is an open space. I joined the meeting to listen to suggestions and discuss problems related to the economy and the country's situation. The meeting was aimed at benefiting the country. There are a lot of eyewitnesses to the meeting such as hotel staff, waiters, and security guards," her Facebook page stated.

Information about the meeting was not relayed to the media because the businessmen did not want to be in the news, Yingluck wrote.

"There was neither discussion of personal business, land expropriation for floodways, delaying of land evaluation, nor facilitating benefits for anyone as has been alleged," her Facebook stated.

Yingluck said she had not reacted to the "nonsense" accusation at first because it was a political game, which she was not keen to get involved in.

"I dedicate myself to work for the people. As an executive, I believe my performance will prove my sincerity. I reaffirm that I won't act for personal benefit or for any person or a group of people. My every act is for the happiness and prosperity of the people as a whole," her Facebook message said.

Regarding the allegation that she had skipped a House meeting and parliamentary work by visiting the hotel on February 8, she clarified there were no meetings on the agenda that involved her in the afternoon. But after finishing the meeting with the businessmen, she returned for the House meeting in the evening.

She also rejected the accusation that she had skipped answering a question about her visit to Four Seasons Hotel, raised by Democrat Party MP for Samut Songkhram Rangsima Rodrasamee, at a House meeting on February 16.

She said that on that day she was on duty, visiting flood-hit areas in Lop Buri and Ayutthaya. She said she had assigned Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha to answer the question on her behalf, which is allowed by House regulations.

Meanwhile, PM Yingluck filed three police complaints for defamation against four Democrats in connection with accusations related to the Four Seasons Hotel meeting.

Yingluck's legal team lodged the complaints yesterday at Lumpini Police Station, targeting three Democrat MPs and a party spokesman. The MPs are Thepthai Senpong, Sirichok Sopha and Mallika Boonmeetrakul. Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intara-komalyasut is also on the list of the accused.

"The police complaints are necessary to defend the integrity of PM Yingluck in her role as a woman and mother," Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

Prompong said the accused had smeared the reputation and dishonoured Yingluck and her family beyond the airing of criticism of a public figure.

In the first case, Thepthai, Sirichok and Chavanond were accused of making malicious remarks against Yingluck in a talk show aired on February 15 by Blue Sky Channel, a satellite television station.

In the second case, Chavanond gave various interviews from February 15-21, accusing Yingluck of conflict of interest.

Mallika has been accused of portraying Yingluck as unfit to be a mother and to serve in the position of prime minister.

Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Maj-General Anuchai Lekbumrung said the Lumpini police would handle the complaints as three separate cases.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

[webfact]

POLITICS

Groups question Yingluck's conduct, demand investigation

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Some 30 female members of the multicoloured-shirts lodged a petition with the Office of Ombudsman demanding that it investigate Prime Minister Yinglunk Shinawatra's conduct.

The group said it suspected impropriety because Yingluck had failed to dispel doubts about conflict of interest and extramarital affairs.

In a separate move, the Green Politics advocacy group is calling for a probe into the ethical conduct of Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong in connection with the PM's controversial meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel.

In a petition filed yesterday, the group urged the Office of Ombudsman to widen its inquiry on Yingluck to include Kittiratt.

Kittiratt had stepped forward in defence of the premier to say that he was present at the February 8 meeting, which was held with six or seven real-estate developers, including Srettha Thavisin.

The group said it suspected that there might be a conflict of interest since Kittiratt said the points discussed included interest rates, financial affairs, land valuation, fiscal policy as well as economic and political affairs.

"Kittiratt is in charge of the economy and he has suspiciously set aside business hours to meet privately with businessmen," the group said in its petition.

Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij acknowledged the petition and said his office would check to see if there were any grounds to launch an inquiry on Kittiratt.

This group has launched three petitions on ethical conduct over the past two months. In its first petition, it targeted Yingluck and Cabinet secretary-general Amphon Kittiamphon in relation to the appointment of PM's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin and Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua.

Nalinee's alleged ties with Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has put her on a US Treasury blacklist, while Natthawut faces terrorism charges in connection with the 2010 political disturbances.

The second petition also targeted Yingluck in relation to the controversial February 8 meeting, while the third one focuses on Kittiratt.

The Office of Ombudsman has already launched inquiries into the first and second cases. It has given Yingluck 30 days to explain the private meeting and submit her rebuttals on the two ministerial appointments by next week.

Siracha said his office would release Yingluck's rebuttals once the review is completed.

-- The Nation 2012-02-24

[Buchholz]

Yingluck wrote on her Facebook page yesterday

Is she truly writing her Facebook page these days or did she hire a new Facebook Team, after firing her previous Facebook Team earlier, when she blamed her egregious Facebook writings on them.

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4896287

.

Edited February 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[LuckyLew]

There is one thing that is certain

Thailand is the hub of sueing for libel

Seems on a daily basis there is someone filing libel lawsuits

It is no wonder Thailand does not move forward, they are too

busy suing each other

[pimay11]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

[nurofiend]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

"Had she done this it would be a non issue"

doubt it but i agree that she didn't deal with it well at the start. she said there was no meeting, now whether this was to protect businessmen involved who wanted privacy as is now being alleged or not, it was still a bare faced lie...

[Ricardo]

PM-Yingluck doesn't want to play political games, which some might assume went with the job, but puts a secret-meeting ahead of being in Parliament, and now sues some of the people who exposed this, some might call that playing traditional Thai political games !

And meeting privately with leading property-developers, when her government is about to decide where to put 2-million-rais' worth of flood-water every year, which might affect land-values, can she not see the potential for conflict-of-interest ?

Especially when she was previously president of the family property-development company, was she used to holding private meetings with the then-PMs then, to discuss the national-economy and the country's situation ?

If she visits the poor, as with her recent survey of her governments' plans for dealing with floods next monsoon-season, does she try to keep it quiet or invite the Press along ? So why is it different when she holds a private-meeting in-working-hours with rich businessmen ?

It was probably a misjudgement to go to this meeting herself, rather than delegate it, and then to try to avoid revealing who had attended & what had been discussed. It might in fact be a storm-in-a-teacup, but its one she brought upon herself through lack-of-skill in playing political games, now she has to hustle to spin it as consulting with all parts of society, to overcome the apparent possible conflict-of-interest.

Edited February 24, 2012 by Ricardo

[whybother]

If the business men were just exchanging ideas, why would they want to keep their identities a secret?

[Soutpeel]

'I reaffirm that I won't act for personal benefit or for any person or a group of people"

So why where your cabinet trying to get your big brother back into Thailand then ?

further it appears the only time you do act is when big brother says so !

If the "attacks" are nonesense...why are you suing people ?

[TheWalkingMan]

Sounds like The States. Have an issue.. sue them!

[WhizBang]

This whole episode reeks.

If there was nothing wrong, then why deny in the first place and why use facebook to address the issue?

If there was nothing wrong with the meeting she should have answered reporters questions when asked.

Now sueing for libel is an attempt to A: shut up anyone who questions her, and B: to further obfuscate the whole matter.

Typical Shinawatra playbook move.

This whole thing reeks.

Edited February 24, 2012 by WhizBang

[Reasonableman]

We used to have a poster deploring such tactics. Now he has fallen strangely quiet on the matter. Changed his mind, or did his "inquiries" tell him to <deleted>?

[blows]

Will she threaten to kill herself next? That seems to be Thainess.

[LindsayBKK]

First she (I don't want to mention her name) said to the media a meeting never took place but now on facebook says she did.

So basically she lied from the beginning. Now she is trying to sue to take away attention of the issue.

He Brother would be so proud she is so learning fast.

Edited February 24, 2012 by LindsayBKK

[blows]

PM slams 'nonsense' attacks, with a 'nonsense' lawsuit.

so much for "Thai PM Yingluck Vows To Cooperate Over Hotel Meeting"

Edited February 24, 2012 by blows

[rixalex]

If the business men were just exchanging ideas, why would they want to keep their identities a secret?

Indeed, if all they were doing was offering advise to help the nation, why pass up the sort of PR that would bring their companies prestige and respect. Makes no sense. If it is true and they did ask for secrecy, why did the PM not tell them that to do so would place her in a potentially difficult situation and that if they were not prepared to be open and public about it, they would have to find some other less potentially scandalous way of exchanging ideas, either that or not meet up at all. She is the PM for goodness sake. Surely she can determine the terms in which she meets others, not have them determined to her.

Edited February 24, 2012 by rixalex

[Unkomoncents]

While they may be 'nonsense' attacks (c'mon, Thai politicians are as reliable as crocodiles), it's pretty upsetting to watch this again, and again. This is how wealthy people shut 'others' up: "You talk about me, I sue the hell out of you (in one of the most anti-defamation-friendly legal environments EVER)". Ahhh, saving face. Round and round we go!

Edited February 24, 2012 by Unkomoncents

[geriatrickid]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

The alleged journalist did not ask a forthright question. it was a cheap attempt at gotchya politics.

There was no stonewalling. Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. The media did indeed ask staff from the hotel about the meeting. The media chose not to publish all the facts and insted tried to create a scandal. All this while some Democrats were attempting to besmirch the PM.

Know what this has accomplished? It's created a groundswell of sympathy and support for the PM. The Nation and others have shot themselves in the foot as they tried to make a non event into a scandal.

[MikeOboe57]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

The alleged journalist did not ask a forthright question. it was a cheap attempt at gotchya politics.

There was no stonewalling. Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. The media did indeed ask staff from the hotel about the meeting. The media chose not to publish all the facts and insted tried to create a scandal. All this while some Democrats were attempting to besmirch the PM.

Know what this has accomplished? It's created a groundswell of sympathy and support for the PM. The Nation and others have shot themselves in the foot as they tried to make a non event into a scandal.

Of course she isn't stonewalling. The reason she doesn't answer questions right away is - depening on the subject - either

a: she has no clue, or

b: she has to receive instructions from Dubai first.

She most probably was ordered by DL to attend and followed blindly without pondering over any possible repercussions.

[Reasonableman]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

The alleged journalist did not ask a forthright question. it was a cheap attempt at gotchya politics.

There was no stonewalling. Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. The media did indeed ask staff from the hotel about the meeting. The media chose not to publish all the facts and insted tried to create a scandal. All this while some Democrats were attempting to besmirch the PM.

Know what this has accomplished? It's created a groundswell of sympathy and support for the PM. The Nation and others have shot themselves in the foot as they tried to make a non event into a scandal.

The phrase "whistling in the dark" means to 'put on a brave face' or pretend to be confident. Whistling is generally a sign of brightness/cheerfulness, whereas darkness is often seen as frightening. Accordingly, if you 'whistle in the dark' you are just covering up the truth that you are really quite scared.

[Moruya]

Miracle Thailand.

In today's news we take a look at how Thailand, under Thaksin's Clone kid sister, Yingluck, has changed the shape of national governance since coming to power last year.

The government, who plans to give millions of low quality Chines manufactured tablet PCs to all students eventually, has taken the use of technology to new highs. Skype, the virtual meeting software of choice for the government, alows de facto leader Thaksin to be present at board (sorry, cabinet) meetings where he can fulfil his role as virtual leader from his exile in Dubai. Now, Parrot PM Yingluck has decided to dispense with addressing the nation in person and will henceforth use her Facebook pages, edited by people with a better grasp of her native language.

Plans to construct a new location for Parliament have now been shelved explains Deputy PM Chalerm. "Hardly anybody, apart from the Democrats (and they don't count anyway) actually attends house meetings in person. That nice piece of real estate in central Bangkok has attracted a lot of attention from construction magnates that are well known to the government and discussions are moving forwards on it's potential sale."

So it seems that the use of debate as a tool of democratic lawmaking has died. Chalerm explained "Our PM isn't the greatest speaker in the world and she's far too busy meeting with business people to make any meetings so we have decided that the use of emergency decrees is the way forward. We can sit in smoke-filled rooms, with Thaksin's webcam image on the screen and make the real decisions."

The use of Facebook as a tool is an interesting one. Chalerm explained "Yinguck's real asset is her face. With Facebook you can put some nice photos of her on there to make people happy. The words are carefully smithed behind the scenes for example to make the nasty Democrats leave her alone because she is a woman."

[AleG]

The alleged journalist did not ask a forthright question. it was a cheap attempt at gotchya politics.

There was no stonewalling. Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. The media did indeed ask staff from the hotel about the meeting. The media chose not to publish all the facts and insted tried to create a scandal. All this while some Democrats were attempting to besmirch the PM.

Know what this has accomplished? It's created a groundswell of sympathy and support for the PM. The Nation and others have shot themselves in the foot as they tried to make a non event into a scandal.

I would call initially denying any meeting took place as a good example of stonewalling.

[rubl]

On Friday, the 10th of February when asked if she would take legal action against outspoken businessman Akeyuth Anchanbutr for suggesting that she may have been party to misconduct, Yingluck said: "I will be patient. I believe people will carefully consider what he says."

http://www.thaivisa....-bangkok-hotel/

Since k. Akeyuth has not been sued for defamation as far as I know, his remarks must have been deemed NOT a nonsense attack. Interesting

Edited February 24, 2012 by rubl

[pimay11]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

The alleged journalist did not ask a forthright question. it was a cheap attempt at gotchya politics.

There was no stonewalling. Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. The media did indeed ask staff from the hotel about the meeting. The media chose not to publish all the facts and insted tried to create a scandal. All this while some Democrats were attempting to besmirch the PM.

Know what this has accomplished? It's created a groundswell of sympathy and support for the PM. The Nation and others have shot themselves in the foot as they tried to make a non event into a scandal.

Come on GK no stonewalling? First she says there was no meeting? Oops. Then says she can meet anyone she wants as she is a woman? No response to direct questions concerning who was there and the adgenda of the meeting with an ambiguous and veiled response. What is your definition of stonewalling if this is not it?

[AleG]

Come on GK no stonewalling? First she says there was no meeting? Oops. Then says she can meet anyone she wants as she is a woman? No response to direct questions concerning who was there and the adgenda of the meeting with an ambiguous and veiled response. What is your definition of stonewalling if this is not it?

Until she actually builds a real wall with granite blocks and mortar, its not stonewalling.

[blows]

Come on GK no stonewalling? First she says there was no meeting? Oops. Then says she can meet anyone she wants as she is a woman? No response to direct questions concerning who was there and the adgenda of the meeting with an ambiguous and veiled response. What is your definition of stonewalling if this is not it?

Until she actually builds a real wall with granite blocks and mortar, its not stonewalling.

Would it be 'great wall of china'? or maybe a 'fire wall'?

[sparebox2]

"There are a lot of eyewitnesses"

Guess I have just miss the show. Anything on webcam or youtube?

[phiphidon]

Miracle Thailand.

In today's news we take a look at how Thailand, under Thaksin's Clone kid sister, Yingluck, has changed the shape of national governance since coming to power last year.

The government, who plans to give millions of low quality Chines manufactured tablet PCs to all students eventually, has taken the use of technology to new highs. Skype, the virtual meeting software of choice for the government, alows de facto leader Thaksin to be present at board (sorry, cabinet) meetings where he can fulfil his role as virtual leader from his exile in Dubai. Now, Parrot PM Yingluck has decided to dispense with addressing the nation in person and will henceforth use her Facebook pages, edited by people with a better grasp of her native language.

Plans to construct a new location for Parliament have now been shelved explains Deputy PM Chalerm. "Hardly anybody, apart from the Democrats (and they don't count anyway) actually attends house meetings in person. That nice piece of real estate in central Bangkok has attracted a lot of attention from construction magnates that are well known to the government and discussions are moving forwards on it's potential sale."

So it seems that the use of debate as a tool of democratic lawmaking has died. Chalerm explained "Our PM isn't the greatest speaker in the world and she's far too busy meeting with business people to make any meetings so we have decided that the use of emergency decrees is the way forward. We can sit in smoke-filled rooms, with Thaksin's webcam image on the screen and make the real decisions."

The use of Facebook as a tool is an interesting one. Chalerm explained "Yinguck's real asset is her face. With Facebook you can put some nice photos of her on there to make people happy. The words are carefully smithed behind the scenes for example to make the nasty Democrats leave her alone because she is a woman."

So how much of the imaginations above is actually about the OP? Or did you just feel a stream of consciousness bout come on?

[Moruya]

Miracle Thailand.

In today's news we take a look at how Thailand, under Thaksin's Clone kid sister, Yingluck, has changed the shape of national governance since coming to power last year.

The government, who plans to give millions of low quality Chines manufactured tablet PCs to all students eventually, has taken the use of technology to new highs. Skype, the virtual meeting software of choice for the government, alows de facto leader Thaksin to be present at board (sorry, cabinet) meetings where he can fulfil his role as virtual leader from his exile in Dubai. Now, Parrot PM Yingluck has decided to dispense with addressing the nation in person and will henceforth use her Facebook pages, edited by people with a better grasp of her native language.

Plans to construct a new location for Parliament have now been shelved explains Deputy PM Chalerm. "Hardly anybody, apart from the Democrats (and they don't count anyway) actually attends house meetings in person. That nice piece of real estate in central Bangkok has attracted a lot of attention from construction magnates that are well known to the government and discussions are moving forwards on it's potential sale."

So it seems that the use of debate as a tool of democratic lawmaking has died. Chalerm explained "Our PM isn't the greatest speaker in the world and she's far too busy meeting with business people to make any meetings so we have decided that the use of emergency decrees is the way forward. We can sit in smoke-filled rooms, with Thaksin's webcam image on the screen and make the real decisions."

The use of Facebook as a tool is an interesting one. Chalerm explained "Yinguck's real asset is her face. With Facebook you can put some nice photos of her on there to make people happy. The words are carefully smithed behind the scenes for example to make the nasty Democrats leave her alone because she is a woman."

So how much of the imaginations above is actually about the OP? Or did you just feel a stream of consciousness bout come on?

Personally I think the timing of the PM's refutal of the various allegations should have been 8th Feb.

Personally I think the mechanism should have been through normal parliamentary channels.

Personally I think she's brought the house into further disrepute by her actions and inactions.

so my earlier post covers these opinions and a few adjacent topics

[thaicbr]

If there was nothing untoward about this meeting all Yingluck had to do was truthfully answer the first reporter that asked her about it instead of just smiling and walking away. Had she done this it would be a non issue. The result of her stonewalling is what we see now.

The alleged journalist did not ask a forthright question. it was a cheap attempt at gotchya politics.

There was no stonewalling. Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. The media did indeed ask staff from the hotel about the meeting. The media chose not to publish all the facts and insted tried to create a scandal. All this while some Democrats were attempting to besmirch the PM.

Know what this has accomplished? It's created a groundswell of sympathy and support for the PM. The Nation and others have shot themselves in the foot as they tried to make a non event into a scandal.

"Her agenda was known. It was no secret as to who was at the meeting. "

I'm pretty sure that it is a secret who was at the meeting. if you know names please tell us. also she skipped out of a house meeting.