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.

Didn't affect the flood photo ops though eh?

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.

Dissagree, Forget the -if she did --if she doesn"t bit.

IT IS normal for PMs / presidents to go at the earliest oportunity to bolster up the affected people for starters and secondly to thank all the persons who are there working all hours to try to make things better.

The problem prior to this gave the impression she cared, now it has been proved -she doesn't feel it's that important.

Ask the people affected ? near all would applaud a caring PM.....IT IS HER DUTY, she gets paid to carry it out.

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 .

drive?

Helicopter

Question a little bit off topic.

In what countries Yingluck has been in Africa?

Moçambique, Tanzania and Uganda.

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

Nah ...!! Like all Thai girls she just doesn't want to get Black skin and waste all that $$$ she just spent on those whitening creams she bought abroad ///!!

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.

What a lame excuse. It seems even you find it impossible to give a good reason for KY's string of blunders.

As the PM of Thailand she is obliged to visit disaster sites, especially if they have far reaching consequences on the economy. But we all know that she is the PM of Redland at best. And as the people of Koh Samet are most probably not voting for her in the next election there is no need to show up. Thaksin had a reputation of ignoring those who did not vote for him, and as his puppet (or "clone") she closely follows his lead.

And your allegation of "empty promises" - as PM she is in the position to make solid commitments, unlike Abhisit who can offer little more than compassion.

I find KY's refusal to visit Koh Samet despicable, but I did not expect anything else from her. She is now more concerned with getting the "Persilschein" (whitewash) for her beloved brother through Parliament.

Maybe Abhisit really IS concerned, maybe not. But he's there showing he cares whether you believe it sincere or not.

We do know that Yingluck with her obvious lack of interest doesn't really give a sh$t about the spill. After all, how does showing concern about an environmental disaster help in bringing her brother back home?

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.

@luckylew: "Is she that dumb? or is she just getting bad advise?"

Yes.

Question a little bit off topic.

In what countries Yingluck has been in Africa?

I read an article of signing a wildlife protection treaty between Thailand and Tanzania the other day.
I assume hence, that Thailand's Air Force One flew to Dar Es Salaam to get the paper signed at the lower right corner where the pencil cross is.

Ever since the Somsaks at Chatuchak (JJ) Market in Morchit increased prices for all those species of endangered wildlife animals on sale there. Tagline there is "if it is still alive we can get it for you"!

Alternatively it maybe was a secretive mission on hiding oil slicks ......

Doesn't want to be linked to any kind of bad news story.

Let's keep it out of sight and out of mind.

Oil slick? What oil slick?

It's all gone.

"PM Yingluck won't go to Koh Samet"

"Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday visited Ao Phrao in Koh Samet"

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.

Yes, I am sure that is why she decided to stay away Is that also why she stays away from parliament and pretty much everything else? To make sure she is not disrupting things?

I applaud she is not going. Thais love photo ops (maybe do a reenactment like police?), but would disrupt and serve no useful purpose. Jimmy Carter went to 3 mile island, but he was trained as nuclear engineer. Otherwise, these official visits just waste resources needed to clean up the mess.

Oil spill is a drop in the ocean compared to the far more important crisis of getting Thaksin home without losing control of her country.

"PM Yingluck won't go to Koh Samet"

"Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday visited Ao Phrao in Koh Samet"

Yes he did, and he was ridiculed for the visit. You might want to read Khaosod's article on the event. Here's an excerpt;

However, the public seemed to be distracted from what he spoke at the island to the photo of the moment Mr. Abhisit and his team reached the shore of Ao Phrao Bay. The photo showed Mr. Abhisit standing - looking impeccably dressed with his shirt unblemished - with his companions on a carriage pier being moved toward the shore with a number of staff. His critics of the social network forwarded the photo, saying it is yet another proof of Mr. Abhisit's elite aloofness and his unwillingness to get his hands dirty.

The Eton-educated former leader was also accused by some on social network of visiting Koh Samet only for photo-op and PR stunt.

The comedy Facebook page “Somrak Pak Puen Geng” (Somrak for Gay People Party) posted the picture with a caption saying that Mr. Abhisit and his fellows were having “good time” at the beach, while other people carrying the pier were wondering "why wouldn′t Abhisit and his friends just stay home and follow the news on TV?".

I feel sorry for Abhisit. Maybe he meant well, but look at the result. His visit become a political event and did nothing to help the cleanup.

The PM, has seen Abhisit's treatment and the negative reaction. I don't think she wants a repeat.

Several ministers have been to Koh Samet and have met with the locals. The minister of tourism and sports, Somsak Pureesrisak, is there now and is organizing a response to mitigate the damage to tourism. The ministers need to be able to do their job without unnecessary political sideshows.

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

Plus she is too busy cosying up to African countries trying to find a market for rotten rice

She might get her shoes dirty. That...would be a real disaster.

Question a little bit off topic.

In what countries Yingluck has been in Africa?

Republic of Kanda

Republic of Tanzania

Republic of Uganda (Travelled with the President of Tanzania)

"PM Yingluck won't go to Koh Samet"

"Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday visited Ao Phrao in Koh Samet"

Yes he did, and he was ridiculed for the visit. You might want to read Khaosod's article on the event. Here's an excerpt;

However, the public seemed to be distracted from what he spoke at the island to the photo of the moment Mr. Abhisit and his team reached the shore of Ao Phrao Bay. The photo showed Mr. Abhisit standing - looking impeccably dressed with his shirt unblemished - with his companions on a carriage pier being moved toward the shore with a number of staff. His critics of the social network forwarded the photo, saying it is yet another proof of Mr. Abhisit's elite aloofness and his unwillingness to get his hands dirty.

The Eton-educated former leader was also accused by some on social network of visiting Koh Samet only for photo-op and PR stunt.

The comedy Facebook page “Somrak Pak Puen Geng” (Somrak for Gay People Party) posted the picture with a caption saying that Mr. Abhisit and his fellows were having “good time” at the beach, while other people carrying the pier were wondering "why wouldn′t Abhisit and his friends just stay home and follow the news on TV?".

I feel sorry for Abhisit. Maybe he meant well, but look at the result. His visit become a political event and did nothing to help the cleanup.

The PM, has seen Abhisit's treatment and the negative reaction. I don't think she wants a repeat.

Several ministers have been to Koh Samet and have met with the locals. The minister of tourism and sports, Somsak Pureesrisak, is there now and is organizing a response to mitigate the damage to tourism. The ministers need to be able to do their job without unnecessary political sideshows.

"His critics of the social network forwarded the photo, saying it is yet another proof of Mr. Abhisit's elite aloofness and his unwillingness to get his hands dirty."

He was ridiculed by his critics, big surprise. It doesn't really matter if you like it or not, it is standard practice for country leaders all over the world to visit disaster areas. It shows they care.

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

Out where?

10+tons? ONLY??

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.

I agree with you that the Democrats should have done something.

After all during ALL the time that Thaksin and his clones were/are in power they did nothing either for a far longer period.

They had 9 YEARS to Abhisits 2 years.

Would you not agree with that?

Question a little bit off topic.

In what countries Yingluck has been in Africa?

Republic of Kanda

Republic of Tanzania

Republic of Uganda (Travelled with the President of Tanzania)

"Republic of Kanda"?? <deleted> is that? (Not here surely? http://www.nationstates.net/nation=sorata_kanda)

Everyone else thought she'd been to Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.

Question a little bit off topic.

In what countries Yingluck has been in Africa?

Republic of Kanda

Republic of Tanzania

Republic of Uganda (Travelled with the President of Tanzania)

I am sure she was confused that Tasmania was full of black people.

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.

But her whole political carear has consisted of empty promises, platitudes, political faux pas' and posing for cameras. That's what she is good at.

what about the oil and chemicals that sank?

... and the fact that the PRECIOUS, giant coral reef, reportedly had been damaged, by 70%?

Question a little bit off topic.

In what countries Yingluck has been in Africa?

Republic of Kanda

Republic of Tanzania

Republic of Uganda (Travelled with the President of Tanzania)

"Republic of Kanda"?? <deleted> is that? (Not here surely? http://www.nationstates.net/nation=sorata_kanda)

Everyone else thought she'd been to Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda.

An honest mistake.

Kanda and Mozambique are very close in their spelling and pronunciation.

I think there's a boot sale at Burberry's on Koh Samet!

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

Why would she, its only Ko Samet, now if it were Phuket or Ko Samui then her an full entourage would be there on an inspection tour

I love you guys sense of humour, some very funny comments in here. You do realise she will try to sue you all for defamation though, right ? Hahahaha

lol, lol and lolll