Photo Of Abhisit Visiting Disaster-Struck Koh Samet Backfires

[Lite Beer]

Photo Of Abhisit Visiting Disaster-Struck Koh Samet Backfires

KOH SAMET: -- The photo of the opposition leader visiting the resort island in Gulf of Thailand to inspect the crisis of oil spill on the island′s beaches was seized by his critics as example of his "eliteness".

Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, the leader of the Democrat Party and former Prime Minister of Thailand, was visiting Koh Samet with some of his associates this morning. The group landed on Ao Phrao Bay which was the scene of the most severe oil spill that reached the island, forcing many tourists to cancel their trips and causing environmental damage in the popular island.

The oil was leaked from underwater pipeline operated by PTT Chemical Group, a subsidiary of the state-run petroleum giant PTT.

During his visit there, Mr. Abhisit criticised the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra for being too slow in their response to the crisis, and suggested that the government must work harder to convince the locals and tourists that the incident was being handled appropriately.

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?".

Later, the Facebook page of Blue Sky Channel, the TV channel allied to the Democrat Party, clarified about the photo, saying that the landing pier is a normal way tourists disembark on Ao Phrao. According to the statement, usually the pier is driven by a truck but as the vehicles were unavailable today the staff at the beach had to draw the pier by hands.

The channel said the Redshirts were trying to twist reality to smear Mr. Abhisit. It also accused Ms. Yingluck of "spending a marvellous time abroad, walking on the red carpet" rather than caring about the oil spill crisis in Gulf of Thailand, referring to Ms. Yingluck′s trip to some African nations at the moment.

Meanwhile, PTT Plc announced an official apology statement, adding that they are they are actively proceeding with the clean-up process which is "90% complete" and expected to last "at least for another 2-3 weeks".

The company also launched a live broadcast on its website showing the operation in Ao Phrao.

Local authorities are calling for related organisations and the government to regain more trust from tourists and seafood consumers in order to revive the businesses, the main income sources for the popular resort island.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNM05UUTBOak13Tmc9PQ==&subcatid=

--KHAOSOD ONLINE 2013-08-02

[Fozfromoz]

The elite Eton educated former leader at least showed up. The current corn flakes packet educated leader is far too busy to do the same.

[Robby nz]

That is one photo of him when he arrived are there any others of what he did when he was there?

I see elsewhere it was reported that he talked to locals and some of those involved in the clean up.

Did they wheel him around for that or did he walk?

[tominbkk]

Reds just trying to scuttle the fact that shopaholic yingluck couldn't bother to even go there.

Edited August 2, 2013 by tominbkk

[Tatsujin]

At least he was there. Someone else couldn't tear herself away from seeing the latest Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done ...

[ratcatcher]

At least he was there. Someone else couldn't tear herself away from seeing the latest Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done ...

She's been impressing the East African leaders and has probably also been busy buying up ivory statues and leopard skin handbags in Dar es Salaam .

As P.M. and The Fence Minister, it's not her job to be seen swanning around on oily beaches, that's the environment minister's job.

[Misterwhisper]

Yeah, that's right. How elitist of Abhisit indeed!

If Yingluck showed up, I am sure she'd insist on wading waste deep in crude oil sludge and also had absolutely no second thoughts about ruining her nail polish by digging both hands into congealed tar heaps, not to mention that she'd also sacrifice her expensive Burberry wellingtons to prove what an exemplary leader she is.

Only.... she's already announced she wouldn't go.

End of story.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Misterwhisper

[jackr]

Looks like the idea was to take them right over the water to see it... nowt wrong with how they've done it and I bet not one politician anywhere in the world would actually walk right into it. As others, sorry, you'll have to do better than that. Dollybird would probably have a hard time swinging by in her chopper.

[LuckyLew]

Big sale at Grayson Mall ... yingluck no time for kho Samet

[BrianCR]

If either of them, or none of them go will that solve the problem?

[Calimotty]

Surely it is the intellect and not the institution which separates the Prime Minister and Abhisit.

• Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done .

• shopaholic yingluck

• The current corn flakes packet educated leader

There is no place for the usual negative Triped out nonsense on this forum or for the ex leader in Thailand's politics.

The Thai people have given a clear mandate.

What drunken condo bound falungs think is totally irrelevant, if not some what amusing.

[ETatBKK]

oh, she could not find another boots cheaper than that Burberry wellingtons, and clearly avoid being a web-star again. getting smart !

[hellodolly]

Looks like signs of desperation on the PTP red shirt part.

Doesn't matter what Abhist does they are going to try to discredit him they see the axe man coming and are getting desperate. If Abhist agreed to white wash Thaksin and prosecute himself for murder they would try to put a negative spin on it even though that is what they really want.

Edited August 2, 2013 by hellodolly

[hellodolly]

Surely it is the intellect and not the institution which separates the Prime Minister and Abhisit.

• Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done .

• shopaholic yingluck

• The current corn flakes packet educated leader

There is no place for the usual negative Triped out nonsense on this forum or for the ex leader in Thailand's politics.

The Thai people have given a clear mandate.

What drunken condo bound falungs think is totally irrelevant, if not some what amusing.

Maybe you could enlighten us with the clear mandate 52% of the voting population gave.

Better to be amusing than siting on a bar stool paying some over the hill lady to tell you she loves you. Or to being just plain ignorant.

[jayboy]

Surely it is the intellect and not the institution which separates the Prime Minister and Abhisit.

• Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done .

• shopaholic yingluck

• The current corn flakes packet educated leader

There is no place for the usual negative Triped out nonsense on this forum or for the ex leader in Thailand's politics.

The Thai people have given a clear mandate.

What drunken condo bound falungs think is totally irrelevant, if not some what amusing.

Maybe you could enlighten us with the clear mandate 52% of the voting population gave.

Better to be amusing than siting on a bar stool paying some over the hill lady to tell you she loves you. Or to being just plain ignorant.

It's a clear mandate.All democracies tend to be split more or less down the middle so electoral battles are really about convincing floating voters at the margin.The PTP won this battle at the last election, actually quite easily and thus have a convincing mandate.

Naturally a few Neanderthals argue the toss as they do with Obama's victory in the US.But they're not really worth bothering with.

[hellodolly]

Surely it is the intellect and not the institution which separates the Prime Minister and Abhisit.

• Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done .

• shopaholic yingluck

• The current corn flakes packet educated leader

There is no place for the usual negative Triped out nonsense on this forum or for the ex leader in Thailand's politics.

The Thai people have given a clear mandate.

What drunken condo bound falungs think is totally irrelevant, if not some what amusing.

Maybe you could enlighten us with the clear mandate 52% of the voting population gave.

Better to be amusing than siting on a bar stool paying some over the hill lady to tell you she loves you. Or to being just plain ignorant.

It's a clear mandate.All democracies tend to be split more or less down the middle so electoral battles are really about convincing floating voters at the margin.The PTP won this battle at the last election, actually quite easily and thus have a convincing mandate.

Naturally a few Neanderthals argue the toss as they do with Obama's victory in the US.But they're not really worth bothering with.

Red shirt democracy in action a mandate on how to run the country by the minority.

No body argues Obama's victory in the US. You are thinking of Bush and Gore. Same thing we have here the minority got to choose the mandate and look at the results the US got two unwinable wars and we get to make politicians richer than ever before and the poor just as poor if not more so. Also get to have bills that have nothing to do with reunification of a deeply divided country. Rather ones that no matter which ever way they go will just deepen the divide.

[greg71]

At least he turned up .where was the Pm

[jeffcool]

Surely it is the intellect and not the institution which separates the Prime Minister and Abhisit.

• Louis Vuitton handbag range ... or was it shoes ... or was it she was getting her hair done .

• shopaholic yingluck

• The current corn flakes packet educated leader

There is no place for the usual negative Triped out nonsense on this forum or for the ex leader in Thailand's politics.

The Thai people have given a clear mandate.

What drunken condo bound falungs think is totally irrelevant, if not some what amusing.

You are quite amusing....... Newbie and know it all already..... Thanks for the laugh!!!!

[anotheruser]

oh, she could not find another boots cheaper than that Burberry wellingtons, and clearly avoid being a web-star again. getting smart !

She didn't go and subsequently didn't get criticized in the news. Abhisit on the other hand showed up in Gucci. So what does that say? I am guessing that Yingluck nor could Abhisit could have done anything by being on the ground. If there are big protests about to be staged maybe that is slightly more important? To avoid a disaster that is looming compared to paying lip service to the people already impacted by the spill?

[JetsetBkk]

Surely it is the intellect and not the institution which separates the Prime Minister and Abhisit.

<snip>

You are quite amusing....... Newbie and know it all already..... Thanks for the laugh!!!!

Could be an oldbie. Let's think who hasn't been around for a while...

[ETatBKK]

oh, she could not find another boots cheaper than that Burberry wellingtons, and clearly avoid being a web-star again. getting smart !

She didn't go and subsequently didn't get criticized in the news. Abhisit on the other hand showed up in Gucci. So what does that say? I am guessing that Yingluck nor could Abhisit could have done anything by being on the ground. If there are big protests about to be staged maybe that is slightly more important? To avoid a disaster that is looming compared to paying lip service to the people already impacted by the spill?

agreed though ! at this moment it is a 100% political act, nothing they could help to reverse the disaster nor to ease those in the black.

yet, this is a mature politician should do, and make good senses.

[laurentbkk]

I think this picture shows a very pathetic bunch of people ... when people dirt themselve to clean koh samet , those politician arrive from Bangkok with their nice leather shoes and need to remain dry .... This is the way to show how close to people you can be ?

[Payboy]

Clearly they wanted to step down into the water, but the man in the black was holding them back.

[AleG]

I think this picture shows a very pathetic bunch of people ... when people dirt themselve to clean koh samet , those politician arrive from Bangkok with their nice leather shoes and need to remain dry .... This is the way to show how close to people you can be ?

Should Abhisit had jumped off the boat and waded to the shore to appease your recreational outrage? What would had been the purpose of that?

[StefanBBK]

A very unfortunate photo. Of course this one is used and not the 100 others that may be more suitable / fair.

I like that he actually went there.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Bof]

Priceless.

[virtualtraveller]

Abhisit needs to dress like a Prai, but otherwise, at least he's there, and not out shopping in Mozambique for Burberry gumboots.

[ytyt]

From "Support and a scolding for Yingluck on flood tour", November 4, 2011: the prime minister, safe and dry in the boat; the peasantry up to their chests in polluted water.

[jaidam]

Abhisit has a hard job keeping people happy. When he was in the Maldives during Yingluck's flood he was accused of not being on scene to help. Showing he learned from the criticism and visiting the scene of the latest disaster he is accused of aloofness and elitism. His advisers must be tearing their hair out!

[belg]

maybe yingluck can come now

and drink a sip of water from the sea

and declare it is safe to eat, drink, swim