THAI TALK
Even the government's 'good news' is badly handled
Suthichai Yoon
The Nation


Commerce Minister Boonsong Taeriyapirom and his two deputy ministers meet the press.

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was supposed to have blown her top during a special meeting of Cabinet members on June 7 at Baan Phitsanulok. Thai Post Daily said she was very upset that ministers and their assistants had left her to defend the government almost all alone.

It was the same day that Commerce Minister Boonsong Taeriyapirom and his two deputy ministers met the press to say that they couldn't offer any exact numbers on the heavy financial losses incurred from the government's controversial rice-price pledging programme.

"The reported Bt260-billion loss, as claimed in the press, is wrong. It is politically motivated," he declared.

Reporters kept up a barrage of questions demanding to know the exact numbers. If the minister said the reported figure was wrong, what's the truth?

The ministers appeared dumbfounded. Minister Boonsong said, "I can't give you the figures because it's still a work in progress. The whole scheme will end perhaps in two or three years," he said, suggesting that he can probably offer some numbers by then.

In fact, one of his deputies even said the statistics on the losses couldn't be revealed because "it's a government secret".

It wasn't even funny. It was a bad joke. Reporters left the press conference not only disappointed. They went away even more confident that the government is hiding some nasty facts from the public.

That's probably what the premier was mad about when she told her Cabinet members that they must be proactive about doing public relations on the government's performance. Minister Boonsong might have been urged by the premier to "go out there and talk to the public" about this highly sensitive issue that has plagued the government. But when he finally did, it was nothing short of a major PR disaster.

The question wasn't that the minister hadn't tried to give out "good news" about the government. The real issue was that there was no good news to be delivered - and even when attempts were made to face the press, the minister made things worse by saying a lot without saying anything.

Premier Yingluck was quoted by the Thai-language newspaper as complaining loudly to her Cabinet members that only about 30 per cent of the news being circulated is favourable to the government, while 70 per cent is negative. She probably wanted that ratio reversed when she appointed a cross-ministry PR committee to make sure that the public, from now on, gets more good news about her and her government.

That won't come soon enough, though. The public demands more accurate, open and transparent information about all the major projects that will weigh heavily on taxpayers. But nothing has been forthcoming. If anything, Cabinet members and senior bureaucrats concerned have been holding back on vital facts and figures. Newsmen trying to pry open the doors that conceal hidden information have been targeted as "enemies", while partisan news outlets have lost credibility.

Good PR doesn't mean force-feeding "good news" to the public. It means dealing with bad news in an open and down-to-earth manner. It means respecting criticism from various quarters and accepting responsibility for mistakes when they are made. No government can ram "good news" down the people's throats. A good government humbly accepts its setbacks and makes clear how it intends not to repeat them.

Good PR also means being serious and honest with facts and figures. The commerce minister was seen to be trying to avoid telling the truth, and was caught off-guard when reporters refused to let him off the hook.

Premier Yingluck, in her position as chairman of the National Rice Policy Committee, cannot pass the blame solely onto the minister. She is right there in the eye of the storm. The only way out is for her to sack the ministers involved and take personal charge of the situation - if she finally comes to accept the full range of responsibilities as the country's CEO. That's where the buck stops.


-- The Nation 2013-06-13

"The reported Bt260-billion loss, as claimed in the press, is wrong. It is politically motivated," he declared."

Naturally, blame poor old Abhisit & the Dems, yet again.

I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for poor Nuttawut. He really gave his all on stage, both inciting burning/violence, and also accepting any blame himself for actions carried out by his listeners. He seems to be one of his masters most loyal underlings, and has been richly rewarded both in amulets and political power.

So why the heck has he been put in the commerce ministry which is going down faster than a shot buffalo? If he is not very careful he may well find himself cast aside politically and all his hard work done for nothing. It just doesn't seem fair. Far better for the owner of PTP to move him immediately to a non controversial post, if there are any left.

Lets face it the PTP are a pretty loose lot of spiffs, to have good PR knowledge you need to be worldly, with a little humour , unfortunately they have neither, they have the same old Thai trait, Chiang Mai withdrawal syndrome , we are in charge, we say what we want, whether it's correct or not that is just an inconvenience, arrogance holds no bounds.

Even the government's 'good news' is badly handled

Does any exist?

The last paragraph of the Nation article summed it up. The Prime Minister as chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee must accept responsibility by revealing the facts and dismissing the incompetent ministers.

Is she able to do this, intellectually and emotionally?

Please send your answers on a postcard to Government House.

The last paragraph of the Nation article summed it up. The Prime Minister as chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee must accept responsibility by revealing the facts and dismissing the incompetent ministers.

Is she able to do this, intellectually and emotionally?

Please send your answers on a postcard to Government House.

Dismiss the incompetent ministers?

You mean she would be there in Parliament all on her own except for a few friendly Dems on the opposition benches?

Why didn't she appoint Mr 'Good News' Kittirat (aka the Lying King) as her spokesperson? He won't be missed at the Finance Ministry.

Even the government's 'good news' is badly handled

Does any exist?

I checked this thread to see if they had dissolved parliament, alas just more of the same buffoonery.

Lets face it the PTP are a pretty loose lot of spiffs, to have good PR knowledge you need to be worldly, with a little humour , unfortunately they have neither, they have the same old Thai trait, Chiang Mai withdrawal syndrome , we are in charge, we say what we want, whether it's correct or not that is just an inconvenience, arrogance holds no bounds.

This is it completely, arrogance and over confidence. As Billy Connolly put it " raw meat for the balcony " as the government knows the reds will believe whatever they are told, no questioning, no thought just accept be it pro-PTP or anti-anyone else and feed on it..

Of course criticism of a government is politically motivated. Duh.....

It means dealing with bad news in an open and down-to-earth manner. It means respecting criticism from various quarters and accepting responsibility for mistakes when they are made.

From the PTP?...more likely to see a squadron of these over Bangkok

I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for poor Nuttawut. He really gave his all on stage, both inciting burning/violence, and also accepting any blame himself for actions carried out by his listeners. He seems to be one of his masters most loyal underlings, and has been richly rewarded both in amulets and political power.

So why the heck has he been put in the commerce ministry which is going down faster than a shot buffalo? If he is not very careful he may well find himself cast aside politically and all his hard work done for nothing. It just doesn't seem fair. Far better for the owner of PTP to move him immediately to a non controversial post, if there are any left.

The Commerce Ministry has the best 'skim'. It is a most lucrative post; a top reward.

I'm very pleased to see the Thai Press is growing a spine. It seems the incompetence/unprofessionalism of the Ministers is breeding contempt by the press. I sincerely hope this trend continues.

Where are they going to find the next good news story?

All a bit thin on the ground at the moment

70% bad news, 30% good.

Probably similar to most incumbent Governments around the world at the moment.

I would expect with a policy involving huge amounts of government expenditure that a summary of the rice stored, its current quality and value at market prices, monies owed and income received as at the last day of each month would arrive on the Minister's desk no later than the 7th of each following month. Then he would have an accurate figure of losses incurred to give to his PM, the cabinet or the press whenever it was required. I would also expect the PM and cabinet to want to know these figures on a regular basis.

If a storage facility is presenting a monthly account, the tonnage stored should be noted on the account. Asking for an assessment of the quality doesn't seem excessive.

Banks involved should be able to give a current balance at the press of a button. Are there not enough competent ministry staff available to compile a report?

No supporters here today I guess the rats have decided to leave a sinking ship. Yes you won the election by some accounts by a landslide but that doesn't excuse you of providing a competent government. Too the stocks with the lot.

"Premier Yingluck was quoted by the Thai-language newspaper as complaining loudly to her Cabinet members that only about 30 per cent of the news being circulated is favourable to the government, while 70 per cent is negative. She probably wanted that ratio reversed when she appointed a cross-ministry PR committee to make sure that the public, from now on, gets more good news about her and her government."

I noticed she did not instruct them to start doing some thing positive for the country. Just carry on same same but hire spin doctors to cover it up.

"Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was supposed to have blown her top during a special meeting of Cabinet members on June 7 at Baan Phitsanulok. Thai Post Daily said she was very upset that ministers and their assistants had left her to defend the government almost all alone".

It's your and your brothers government. And the underlings are getting worried. LIVE WITH IT.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was supposed to have blown her top during a special meeting of Cabinet members

Must've been a very small explosion.

I'm starting to feel a bit sorry for poor Nuttawut. He really gave his all on stage, both inciting burning/violence, and also accepting any blame himself for actions carried out by his listeners. He seems to be one of his masters most loyal underlings, and has been richly rewarded both in amulets and political power.

So why the heck has he been put in the commerce ministry which is going down faster than a shot buffalo? If he is not very careful he may well find himself cast aside politically and all his hard work done for nothing. It just doesn't seem fair. Far better for the owner of PTP to move him immediately to a non controversial post, if there are any left.

I have NO sympathy for anyone in the government at all.

They ALL thought it would be so easy as they won by a "landslide" of 47% of the electorate.

WE won so WE can do what WE want and WE don't care what anybody else thinks.

Most of this lot have little experience of public service and no idea of decency, honesty, morality at all (the Dems are a bit like that too).

The Ministers were alledgely selected for their skill and qualifications and I suspect that none of them really know what they are doing or even how to do it.

The (s)elected Prime Minister Yingluck had absolutely NO experience of politics yet was nominally put in charge of the country by a convicted fugitive who runs what he considers is his personal (th) fiefdom by remote control via Skype from a country which has no extradition treaty with Thailand.

If Thailand crashes whyt would he care? Neither he nor his money is in Thailand. His family will quit the country quicker than a rat up a drainpipe and then somebody will have to clear up the mess.

My concern is that I have a Thai family and that they will suffer along with the rest of the people except for those in the know and at the top and Thailand will become a basket case for many years into the future.

And that sadly is Thaksins legacy to Thailand.

maybe they should ask ROBERT MUGARBE how to run (RUIN) the country ,hes a bright lad aswell,,nothing will happen unless maybe we can have a famine or the like here,then maybe the people will wake up,,but im not holding me breath,,,

'Premier Yingluck, in her position as chairman of the National Rice Policy Committee....'

Yes, well....

Thai Post Daily said she was very upset that ministers and their
assistants had left her to defend the government almost all alone.

She should get support from her ministers as that is part of their job and she shouldn't have to deal with this on her own. On the other hand she has spent a long time avoiding any responsibility for difficult issues and letting her ministers and others take the flak. Now she knows what it's like.

I wouldn't blame her entirely though as she wasn't put in that position to do the job of a PM and she didn't have the experience to carry it out.

The last paragraph of the Nation article summed it up. The Prime Minister as chairwoman of the National Rice Policy Committee must accept responsibility by revealing the facts and dismissing the incompetent ministers.

Is she able to do this, intellectually and emotionally?

Please send your answers on a postcard to Government House.

Dismiss the incompetent ministers?

You mean she would be there in Parliament all on her own except for a few friendly Dems on the opposition benches?

You might find it's just the few friendly Dems.

Thai Post Daily said she was very upset that ministers and their

assistants had left her to defend the government almost all alone.

She should get support from her ministers as that is part of their job and she shouldn't have to deal with this on her own. On the other hand she has spent a long time avoiding any responsibility for difficult issues and letting her ministers and others take the flak. Now she knows what it's like.

I wouldn't blame her entirely though as she wasn't put in that position to do the job of a PM and she didn't have the experience to carry it out.

Why run crying to the press? She should take this up with her brother. He gave her the job.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was supposed to have blown her top during a special meeting of Cabinet members

Must've been a very small explosion.

I was imagining the buttons on her blouse popping off and her bra strap breaking.

My only excuse is my age and perverted mind.

Thai Post Daily said she was very upset that ministers and their

assistants had left her to defend the government almost all alone.

She should get support from her ministers as that is part of their job and she shouldn't have to deal with this on her own. On the other hand she has spent a long time avoiding any responsibility for difficult issues and letting her ministers and others take the flak. Now she knows what it's like.

I wouldn't blame her entirely though as she wasn't put in that position to do the job of a PM and she didn't have the experience to carry it out

good point

How ever she did have the position that gave her the power to appoint people capable of the position they were handed. It would have upset her brother but what could he do. Call in all his debts turn the red army of thugs lose on her. Not really he would have been helpless.Plus Mad

Or he could have really started a war.

Yingluk concedes that at some point over the last 2 years she could have asked her minister how their most expensive policy was progressing, but she was in (insert preferred country here) at the time.