PM Yingluck won't go to Koh Samet

[webfact]

PM won't go to Koh Samet
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said that she would prefer to stay in Bangkok than go to Koh Samet, after returning from the overseas trip to Africa.

Arriving in Bangkok, she said the situation in Koh Samet is returning to normal, referring to the reports from Energy Minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal. She noted that right now, all parties involved are busy plotting the rehabilitation plan, under the close coordination between the Energy and Interior ministries.

She said that once the facts involving the crude oil leak are available, the authorities would devise policies to prevent reoccurrence in the long term.

A group of anti-government protesters plan to stage a rally in Bangkok this weekend despite the enforcement of the Internal Security Act.

Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan also revealed that the situation on the island has been improving, with help from the government sector, the private sector and the general public. He noted that the prime minister has been closely monitoring the situation while she was in Africa, with full concern in the Thai tourism image.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday visited Ao Phrao in Koh Samet. Accompanied by some Democrat MPs, he was seen conversing with local residents and executives of PTT Group. He urged the government to review precautionary measures and estabish a system to properly handle the rehabilitation process, to restore public confidence.

Bowon Vongsinudom, president of PTT Global Chemical, said today that the oil slick cleanup has continued. Over 10 tonnes of cleanup-related waste have been shipped out of the island. He insisted that the cleanup would be completed within 1-2 days.


-- The Nation 2013-08-02

[dudu]

She doesn't need oil,shes slippery enough...

[Kananga]

Obviously realised that with the situation 'returning to normal' there is nothing left for her down there to skim off the top.

[gl555]

What? Didn't buy your Prada rubber boots yet?

[doremifasol]

"Over 10 tonnes of cleanup-related waste have been shipped out of the island"

Out where?

[laurentbkk]

Black oil doesnt match with Burberrys boots that's true.

[GentlemanJim]

A nice example of Leadership yet again. It must be an area where she knows she can't win any votes and maybe they even deserve the oil spill because they are Democrats. she is also obviously concerned about the damaging effect of crude oil on Burberry Wellingtons.

[laurentbkk]

He insisted that the cleanup would be completed within 1-2 days.

I doubt it .... cleaning oil on shores can take weeks ... unless you just clean the top and the minimum and cover the rest.

[Thai at Heart]

Great answer. can't she just make a white lie and say "My advisors are planning my schedule for next week?"

[wealth]

what about the oil and chemicals that sank?

[Katipo]

It shows how oblivious she is to her role. Having the PM down there a) shows the government actually cares, and would be a huge morale booster for the local people who have been affected.

It isn't uncommon for people in power to believe they are above the masses, but at least the majority of them have enough common sense to pretend they aren't every once and a while.

[Briggsy]

what about the oil and chemicals that sank?

Out of sight, out of mind.

Nothing to see here, move on.

[culicine]

Nice to see the Democrats taking an interest in the environment. Doesn't Thailand have an environment ministry? I highly doubt the energy ministry will be about to properly clean up their mess. I assume they have environmental officers on staff who know how to carry out ecological monitoring to investigate the recovery process.

[h90]

"Over 10 tonnes of cleanup-related waste have been shipped out of the island"

Out where?

10 km south and dumped into the sea??

[Robby nz]

"Over 10 tonnes of cleanup-related waste have been shipped out of the island"

Out where?

They have already said they will burn it at high temperature to avoid air pollution.

Also seem to remember it being said that they would take it to one of their refineries.

Don't know if that would be in Thailand or not.

[Songhua]

Couldn't she at least set aside a few hours to fly over in a helicopter?

[bigbamboo]

"Me? Go to Koh Samet? In these shoes? I don't think so."

[Soutpeel]

Couldn't she at least set aside a few hours to fly over in a helicopter?

In daylight of course...

Seems to me a bit of PR c*ck up on the part of the PM, most politicans the world over would be on to this at least for the photo op, maybe she is waiting for advice from brother number 1 on how to proceed

[MESmith]

"PM won't go to Koh Samet"

At last some good news for the folk living on Koh Samet

[slapout]

Maybe she just was not satisfied with the outfits presented for her wearing on inspection of the beach, etc.

Its hard to get any sense of style or color in white plastic coveralls and a face mask.

[LuckyLew]

Is she that dumb? or is she just getting bad advise?

Only a moron would think it will be all cleaned up in 1-2 days

A fly over is not such a good idea -- did not work so well for G Bush over New Orleans

Her lack of leadership and lack or making an appearance shows how useless of a leader she is

[Soutpeel]

Her lack of leadership and lack or making an appearance shows how useless of a leader she is

What gave you the idea that leadership was part of the job description given to her by her brother ?

[Thai at Heart]

"Over 10 tonnes of cleanup-related waste have been shipped out of the island"

Out where?

They have already said they will burn it at high temperature to avoid air pollution.

Also seem to remember it being said that they would take it to one of their refineries.

Don't know if that would be in Thailand or not.

Ah. Saraburi cement kiln.

[greg71]

Can fly to 3 African nations but cant drive 3 hours to Koh Samet ,this is a national disaster and shame .Maybe she is repacking her bags in preparation of the impending Bangkok protests .

[tominbkk]

Can fly to 3 African nations but cant drive 3 hours to Koh Samet ,this is a national disaster and shame .Maybe she is repacking her bags in preparation of the impending Bangkok protests .

Hopefully!

[geriatrickid]

Nice to see the Democrats taking an interest in the environment. Doesn't Thailand have an environment ministry? I highly doubt the energy ministry will be about to properly clean up their mess. I assume they have environmental officers on staff who know how to carry out ecological monitoring to investigate the recovery process.

Hardly. Why didn't the Democrats stiffen the liability laws and regulations concerning pipelines like the on that leaked when they were in office? The Democrats have the same position as PTP and they both reflect the attitude of Thais on the environment. They do not care enough to protect the environment.

[nong38]

what about the oil and chemicals that sank?

What about it? Next!

[geriatrickid]

The PM said she would not visit the island at this time with good reason. In Thailand, when a dignitary visits, all attention turns to the dignitary. Her visit would be disruptive and would take away from the cleanup efforts. A political PR faux pas because she misses an opportunity to offer empty promises, platitudes and to pose for photos looking concerned like Abhisit. However, the only ministers that should be visiting are those tasked with the cleanup and the local economy.

[nong38]

Look we have top people working on this and I have a karaoke evening to go to so if there is nothing else. right then I am off! Karoake is far fun than squelching about on a slippy beach, I could slip up and that would never do/

[richard_smith237]

IF she were to turn up the same detractors would make accusations of a PR stunt taking the Photo Opportunity.

I'm not a Yingluck follower, but it seems that some look for the worst in every situation.

Time and money are better spent continuing on with the cleanup and relying on her advisors. On the face of it this appears to be a fairly common sense approach that has risen above the opportunity for a PR stunt.