Yingluck shows the touch of a fairy godmother

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Yingluck shows the touch of a fairy godmother
Jintana Panyaarvudh

BANGKOK: -- Almost every prime minister uses the word "appropriate" when choosing people for their Cabinet, and of course, each choice is met with a positive or negative response.

However, this time, we have chosen to focus on the good points of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's latest Cabinet reshuffle.

A woman's touch: Some may wonder what Thailand's first female prime minister really meant when she told the Asia Society in New York last September that she hoped to use her womanly charms when addressing disputes in the South China Sea. Her fourth Cabinet reshuffle shows that she was not joking.

Unlike her brother, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra - who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 - this political novice knows that to protect herself, she needs to make friends with the top brass. After all, if she didn't have the support of the armed forces, how could she possibly have become the country's first defence minister? Obviously, her woman's touch worked in this case. Now we can only hope that her womanly charms will help resolve prolonged security problems, especially in the South, amid peace talks with Barisan Revolusi Nasional and ongoing disputes with Cambodia.

Promoting women's role and status: Yingluck - who set a record by becoming a country's leader in just 49 days - seems to have made history on at least three counts. She is not only Thailand's first female premier, she is also Thailand's, and Asean's, first female defence minister.

Plus, she is unselfishly giving other women a chance to step in and help run the country. The best example is Pavena Hongsakul, who has been given the Social Development and Human Security portfolio. Pavena, founder of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, is perfect as no-one can match her saintliness.

The six-time Bangkok MP is so well-suited to this portfolio that she beat outstanding contenders such as Sudarat Keyuraphan, former deputy leader of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Both these ladies were among the 111 executives banned when the party was dissolved. Their ban ended in May last year.

Bringing about reconciliation: The repeated exclusion of Jatuporn Promphan, red-shirt leader and No 1 enemy of the elite who ousted Thaksin, from her Cabinet and relegation of some hardcore ministers could be a sign that Yingluck is trying to lay a gentler path toward reconciliation.

According to Pheu Thai's Samut Prakan MP Worachai Hema, another red-shirt, Yingluck is demoting her "warriors" and Chalerm Yoobamrung is a great example. He was shifted from deputy PM - and oversight of national security and also played a big part in attacks on the opposition - to the Labour Ministry. Also, ACM Sukampol Suwannathat lost his Defence post despite being instrumental in stripping former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva of his military rank. Worachai fears Yingluck is trying to make friends with enemies.

A sense of appreciation: Shinawatras never forget favours. Two senior bureaucrats who once favoured them have been paid back with portfolios. The newly appointed Deputy Finance Minister Benja Louichareon once played a prominent role when Shin Corp shares were sold to the Singapore government's investment arm, Temasek. She was deputy head of the Revenue Department then and insisted that the "first family" did not have to pay tax on the sale.

Former attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri has been given the Justice Ministry, because when he was chief public prosecutor, he had to oversee many graft-related probes led by the Assets Examination Committee against the Thaksin government. Chaikasem made even bigger headlines when he dropped cases linked to the CTX bomb scanners and loans from Krungthai Bank.

Generosity: Yingluck also appears to have been very generous. This time, she chose a very well qualified man - PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn - to stand by the side of Agriculture Minister Yukol Limlaemthong, who hails from Banharn Silapa-archa's Chart Thai Pattana Party. His party has been in charge of this ministry since they were part of Abhisit's coalition. Yet, in this case, her good intentions could be seen in a bad light. Banharn might misconstrue her actions and think that she doesn't trust her coalition partners. He might even think that she sent her right-hand man to spy on him.

Cracking down on gambling: Moving Chalerm from his post as deputy premier to the helm of the Labour Ministry shows that the PM is serious about cracking down on gambling dens.

Chalerm accused Pol Colonel Thawee Sodsong, head of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, of telling Thaksin and Yingluck 'pure lies' that the police were unhappy with him for setting up gambling dens. So, now we must wonder if this was so.


-- The Nation 2013-07-02

[NongKhaiKid]

What utter crap ! A fairy godmother appears when she is needed and Yingluck never appears.

When the going gets tough, the tough get getting. Usually on an overseas trip.

[BrianCR]

What utter crap ! A fairy godmother appears when she is needed and Yingluck never appears.

When the going gets tough, the tough get getting. Usually on an overseas trip.

Give her a break, she is only using up her air miles!

[patongphil]

Just a fairy.

[rkidlad]

Fairy godmothers are what children and stupid people believe in. (No offence to children)

[bigbamboo]

As far as I can see the only impact her 'womanly charms' have had on international affairs is that Mrs O will make sure she won't be invited to the White House any time soon.

[gemini81]

A spoiled bimbo's touch.

As far as I can see the only impact her 'womanly charms' have had on international affairs is that Mrs O will make sure she won't be invited to the White House any time soon.

Last, he visited Burma; with no interest in meeting the Fairy Bimbo.

[GentlemanJim]

Can Thai Visa not change the newspaper it gets it's news from?

Plus, she is unselfishly giving other women a chance to step in and help run the country. The best example is Pavena Hongsakul, who has been given the Social Development and Human Security portfolio. Pavena, founder of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, is perfect as no-one can match her saintliness.

How can she unselfishly give other women jobs, that would mean the alternative is to take all the ministers positions herself............well it will be family soon! Pavena is 'perfect, as no one can match her saintliness' ?

[tominbkk]

Man that is one of the most disgusting pieces of swill I've read from the Nation in a long time. If they get their tongue any further up there I think we are going to lose the whole head! I don't remember The Nation being such a huge shill for the PTP before, or maybe it's because I never read their paper.

[waza]

Yingluck shows the touch of a fairy godmother

Does this make her term a fairy tale?

[Bellweather]

It's just impossible to take this story seriously.

[Tatsujin]

womanly charms . . . she's taking a leaf out of the go-go dancers book?

[jackspratt]

I guess it would be too much to expect that some of TV's more "astute" members would be able to recognise irony when it slaps them in the face.

Dear oh dear!

[Tatsujin]

I guess it would be too much to expect that some of TV's more "astute" members would be able to recognise irony when it slaps them in the face.

Dear oh dear!

Thai's + irony? Not a chance in hell.

[Pops]

Quote:

"Now we can only hope that her womanly charms will help resolve prolonged security problems, especially in the South, amid peace talks with Barisan Revolusi Nasional and ongoing disputes with Cambodia.:"

Is it sure that muslim extremists, like the ones down south, will negotiate with a woman ?

[Neilly]

BURNING ISSUE

Yingluck shows the touch of a fairy godmother

Jintana Panyaarvudh

How fairy godmothers work in Thailand

[Bakseeda]

I guess it would be too much to expect that some of TV's more "astute" members would be able to recognise irony when it slaps them in the face.

Dear oh dear!

Well said Jack.... a very good article .. and all so true..

[darren84310]

Fairy godmothers are what children and stupid people believe in. (No offence to children)

Looks like a shrewd move then Miss Yingluck's making

[Baerboxer]

Can Thai Visa not change the newspaper it gets it's news from?

Plus, she is unselfishly giving other women a chance to step in and help run the country. The best example is Pavena Hongsakul, who has been given the Social Development and Human Security portfolio. Pavena, founder of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, is perfect as no-one can match her saintliness.

How can she unselfishly give other women jobs, that would mean the alternative is to take all the ministers positions herself............well it will be family soon! Pavena is 'perfect, as no one can match her saintliness' ?

Indeed Jim. So saintly she got banned from politics for 5 years ! Perhaps just an innocent saintly bystander caught up with a bunch of crooks? Who knows?

[Bagwan]

Yingluck as a Fairy Godmother? Jeez. I nominate TS, a Dubai ex-pat, to be the Demon King. I ask readers to scout the fleshpots of Nana, Cowboy, Patpong, Soi 6 to discover a damsel to play the part of Cinderella.

[hellodolly]

Can Thai Visa not change the newspaper it gets it's news from?

Plus, she is unselfishly giving other women a chance to step in and help run the country. The best example is Pavena Hongsakul, who has been given the Social Development and Human Security portfolio. Pavena, founder of the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, is perfect as no-one can match her saintliness.

How can she unselfishly give other women jobs, that would mean the alternative is to take all the ministers positions herself............well it will be family soon! Pavena is 'perfect, as no one can match her saintliness' ?

I was wondering about giving other women jobs. I noticed she only gave one seat in the cabinet to a women. Other than her self.

[chainarong]

I disagree on all counts , obviously the author of this blurb dose not know the fairy tails of old, Yingluck could be described as Thailand's version of the Sugar Plumb fairy, who stumbles, is flat footed , jumps when shouldn't, ungainly in disputes and thinks Democracy is in Dubai.

[kimamey]

Quote:

"Now we can only hope that her womanly charms will help resolve prolonged security problems, especially in the South, amid peace talks with Barisan Revolusi Nasional and ongoing disputes with Cambodia.:"

Is it sure that muslim extremists, like the ones down south, will negotiate with a woman ?

No they probably won't but then I doubt she'll have much to do with it anyway.

[ballpoint]

A good analogy. If I remember correctly, traditional fairy godmothers create butlers and footmen out of rats and toads. Yingluck has created a cabinet out of the same raw material.

[Bluespunk]

Only read first half of the "story" and started to felt nauseous. Terrible, terrible article.

Edited July 2, 2013 by Bluespunk

[TheGhostWithin]

Yingluck as a Fairy Godmother? Jeez. I nominate TS, a Dubai ex-pat, to be the Demon King. I ask readers to scout the fleshpots of Nana, Cowboy, Patpong, Soi 6 to discover a damsel to play the part of Cinderella.

I have seen many ladies far more deserving (both in looks, and in a few cases kindness and many in potential intelligence) of becoming a fair godmother after they too have finished important meetings at Central Bangkok hotels with people they will not discuss (unless of course over dinner discretely with friends!).

The article is utter rubbish, this woman does not have any impact on anything outside of the Kingdom and commands no respect unless she commands it using either the Thai judicial system, her red thugs, or a deformed, disgusting combination of both.

[jackspratt]

Yingluck as a Fairy Godmother? Jeez. I nominate TS, a Dubai ex-pat, to be the Demon King. I ask readers to scout the fleshpots of Nana, Cowboy, Patpong, Soi 6 to discover a damsel to play the part of Cinderella.

I have seen many ladies far more deserving (both in looks, and in a few cases kindness and many in potential intelligence) of becoming a fair godmother after they too have finished important meetings at Central Bangkok hotels with people they will not discuss (unless of course over dinner discretely with friends!).

The article is utter rubbish, this woman does not have any impact on anything outside of the Kingdom and commands no respect unless she commands it using either the Thai judicial system, her red thugs, or a deformed, disgusting combination of both.

OK - to spell it out again:

the article is intended to be irony

Definition of irony

noun (plural ironies)[mass noun] the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect:

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/irony?q=irony

They certainly are a quick mob on TV.

[TheGhostWithin]

It is intended to keep the political establishment in the minds of the public. Unfortunately they have just annoyed a very large amount of the populace both directly and indirectly by reducing subsidies on rice after it being one of their big election promises. Perhaps the current cabinet should take a lesson from HM the King in keeping promises to the people... even if keeping that promise means a lifetime of servitude to the "mob". A true leader exists to ensure the needs of the people, the people do not exist to serve the needs the leader.

Thais do not like people that promise things and then do not follow through with them. Thais and Foreigners alike have been stabbed and shot for less. I wonder what is in store for the hairy fairy god mother. Cabinet reshuffling does not matter when the ship you command is already sinking.

And just so that you and your mob which go around poking fun and pointing fingers at those who put thought in to try to comprehend some of what is posted here in the news section, I am not part of any "mob" - unless you consider those attempting reasonable and rational thought a "mob". By the way, "mobs" have overseen the downfall of dictators, of city states, of countries, and of regions. Would I have been "linked" in coordinated attempts to skew the thoughts of others on this forum I would be honored to be considered part of an honorable "mob". Oh the irony.

Edited July 2, 2013 by TheGhostWithin

[jpduggan]

''how could she possibly have become the country's first defence minister?'' Don't you mean first female defence minister?

[jackspratt]

And just so that you and your mob which go around poking fun and pointing fingers at those who put thought in to try to comprehend some of what is posted here in the news section, I am not part of any "mob" - unless you consider those attempting reasonable and rational thought a "mob". By the way, "mobs" have overseen the downfall of dictators, of city states, of countries, and of regions. Would I have been "linked" in coordinated attempts to skew the thoughts of others on this forum I would be honored to be considered part of an honorable "mob". Oh the irony.

I suspect you have a vastly overrated sense of both your ability to "reason" and produce "rational thought".

How much "thought" went into this classic?:

I have seen many ladies far more deserving (both in looks, and in a few cases kindness and many in potential intelligence) of becoming a fair godmother after they too have finished important meetings at Central Bangkok hotels with people they will not discuss (unless of course over dinner discretely with friends!).

The article is utter rubbish, this woman does not have any impact on anything outside of the Kingdom and commands no respect unless she commands it using either the Thai judicial system, her red thugs, or a deformed, disgusting combination of both.

For a ghost, you certainly are scary. Even ghosts are able to recognise irony.