Yingluck - the PM who's always missing

[webfact]

Yingluck - the PM who's always missing
HATAIKARN TREESUWAN
THE NATION



Opposition condemns premier for constrantly skipping House Session and avoiding debates'

BANGKOK: -- "YINGLUCK, where are you?" - this phrase seems to be regularly chanted by opposition Democrat MPs at House meetings. They possibly do this to highlight the fact that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is often absent when lawmakers are debating key issues.

Yingluck seems to be facing some tough tests as her two-year-old government is moving to push some key legislation through Parliament, including an amnesty bill and a constitutional amendment.

The opposition's allegation is that these laws would benefit Yingluck's brother, fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. This is perhaps one of the reasons why Yingluck keeps distancing herself from Parliament - she usually signs the attendance register but is seen leaving shortly after.

As an elected member of Parliament representing the ruling-Pheu Thai Party, the prime minister has often been criticised for avoiding parliamentary work. Critics and observers often ask if she really wants to do her job as an MP.

"Yingluck enjoys visiting other countries and going on field trips. She doesn't care much about her duties as an MP," a Democrat MP said, echoing the view of several others in the opposition.

Former deputy national police chief Vasit Dejkunchorn, who initiated the anti-government Thai Spring group, recently questioned Yingluck's trip to the provinces while the amnesty bill was going through its first reading in the House.

On August 7-8, the House was debating the bill proposed by Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema and the premier was on a train to Nakhon Pathom, where she chaired a meeting on a railway development plan. She then travelled to Nong Pho Dairy Cooperative in Ratchaburi and observed wild elephants at the National Park in Prachuab Khiri Khan.

In his article, Vasit said that as Yingluck did not have the experience or the debating skills to counter arguments raised by opposition MPs, her older brother preferred that if she kept herself busy with other activities on the day.

The current 24th House of Representatives has had five regular sessions and one extraordinary session so far. Though Yingluck tried to attend House meetings early in her term, she started skipping them soon after.

She has also only answered three queries - one put forward by a government MP and two others by Democrats.

She was given "one star" as an MP in her first year because she attended less than 70 per cent of the meetings, according to the MP's "report book", which is part of the Thailand Political Database - a website that monitors Thai politicians.

In 2012, her second year, Yingluck's attendance went down to 50 per cent in September, rose to 60 per cent in November and fell to 56 per cent in March this year.

Charas Suwanmala, former dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science and head of the Thailand Political Database project, said he believed the poor attendance of Yingluck and some of her ministers could be attributed to their busy schedules as Cabinet members. "However, they cannot always use that as an excuse for not attending Parliament meetings.

The prime minister should attend more often," Charas said.

Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi, however, defended Yingluck's absence, saying she attended Parliament whenever she had the time, but the media does not always cover it. Parliament is her top priority, he insisted.

"The opposition picks on the PM no matter what she does. For instance, they accuse her of just signing the attendance register and leaving shortly. She doesn't care much about what people think, she has good intentions," the spokesman said.

Though Yingluck has missed several debates on important subjects during the current parliamentary session, the government spokesman said she always monitored these meetings.

For instance, she was briefed about the debate on Worachai's bill. Also, according to the spokesman, she knew "all the details" about an incident that erupted during a heated debate on constitutional amendment on August 20-21, when she was visiting Tajikistan and Pakistan. Immediately after arriving in Bangkok, she called to check if she should attend the House debate that night, the spokesman said.

He admitted that though Yingluck's role as an MP might not be prominent, as an administrator she is "good and has many supporters".

"She is perfect as an efficient coordinator," Teerat said.


-- The Nation 2013-09-02

[Siripon]

She looks good so it's better to use her as a ribbon cutter smiling for the cameras.

Regarding issues, I doubt she actually understands most of them and would embarrass herself if she took part in parliamentary debates.

[theblether]

She did not want the job.

She does not want the job.

She will do anything to avoid doing the part of the job she hates most.

Yingluck is not interested in being PM and she will disappear out of the job the first time she gets a chance. She is a prisoner of her family.

This is not a defence of her performance. It's a statement of fact, and everyone knows it.

[Pimay1]

This article reminds me of the theme song of a sitcom back in the 60s, car 54 where are you.

There's a holdup in the Bronx, Brooklyn's broken out in fights; There's a traffic jam in Harlem That's backed up to Jackson Heights; There's a scout troop short a child, Khrushchev's due at Idlewild! Car 54, Where Are You??

[Ricardo]

Perhaps she should take-on the FM-job, since it involves the travel to obscure foreign countries, or making speeches on freedom to obscure conferences, which she appears to enjoy so much ?

And she could co-ordinate trips to meet her close relatives, at the same time, and carry out their favourite-foods from home, or their shiny new passports ?

Anything rather than actually running the country !

[Mosha]

It's a good job there are plenty of deputy PMs

[Soutpeel]

Parliament is her top priority, he insisted.

"The opposition picks on the PM no matter what she does. For instance, they accuse her of just signing the attendance register and leaving shortly. She doesn't care much about what people think, she has good intentions," the spokesman said.

Signing meeting registers and buggering off is a stunt people pull in their places of employment as well...cos they dont want to be there in the meeting...

[Zolt]

For some perspective, I'd just be interested to see her attendance record compared with other prime ministers in similar position. Tony Blair for example was a notorious parliament absentee, and other PMs after him have done little more.

Like it or not, the PM has other jobs than pampering the lawmakers. Being head of the executive, for one.

[jalansanitwong]

I don tknow why she bothered becoming PM to start with. Presumably she was the only Shinawatra that could win over the issan voters to become big brothers proxy.

She'd be far happier shopping in Milan or Paris.

[rametindallas]

This article reminds me of the theme song of a sitcom back in the 60s, car 54 where are you.

There's a holdup in the Bronx, Brooklyn's broken out in fights; There's a traffic jam in Harlem That's backed up to Jackson Heights; There's a scout troop short a child, Khrushchev's due at Idlewild! Car 54, Where Are You??

You are showing your age.

Really, Ms. Yingluck has so little to contribute that it's just as well OR and as Mark Twain said, "Better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"

[EvilDrSomkid]

I don tknow why she bothered becoming PM to start with. Presumably she was the only Shinawatra that could win over the issan voters to become big brothers proxy.

She'd be far happier shopping in Milan or Paris.

If Yaopawa was not banned at the time of the elections, you can bet your dtoot that she would have been the figurehead.

That would also stop the you are so beautiful comments.

[metisdead]

An off topic post has been removed.

[moe666]

She did not want the job.

She does not want the job.

She will do anything to avoid doing the part of the job she hates most.

Yingluck is not interested in being PM and she will disappear out of the job the first time she gets a chance. She is a prisoner of her family.

This is not a defence of her performance. It's a statement of fact, and everyone knows it.

And you know this is fact how, mind reading.

[winstonc]

pathetic woman.what a sad excuse for a pm...in charge of the country at the centre of the world..mmmmmmmm

[bigbamboo]

It should be understood that her role is more PR than PM.

That was why she was chosen for it.

[Baerboxer]

She did not want the job.

She does not want the job.

She will do anything to avoid doing the part of the job she hates most.

Yingluck is not interested in being PM and she will disappear out of the job the first time she gets a chance. She is a prisoner of her family.

This is not a defence of her performance. It's a statement of fact, and everyone knows it.

And you know this is fact how, mind reading.

Or painting a reasonable picture from observing behavior and performance, reading and listening to the comments and those of her aides and colleagues and opposition.

Her attendance in parliament is documented in the OP and she has answered 3 questions in 2 years. Would seem reasonable to conclude these activities are not something she enjoys or wants to do. She has made numerous trips and enjoys the social aspects of the position, meeting important people and photo ops etc. Her willingness to do this, at every opportunity and wanting to buy aircraft to make it more easy and comfortable are good indications,

What would be interesting would be to know the opinions and evaluations of the various leaders that she has met on her travels or entertained here. But, we're not likely to get this.

It will be interesting to see what she does after she is no longer PM/DM - will she go on the lecture tour like Clinton, Blair and Bush?

[klauskunkel]

Her absence is understandable...showing up at sessions usually means debating stuff...which means having an opinion on how things should or would work...that's where it becomes embarrassing for her...poor dear...

[monkey4u]

She did not want the job.

She does not want the job.

She will do anything to avoid doing the part of the job she hates most.

Yingluck is not interested in being PM and she will disappear out of the job the first time she gets a chance. She is a prisoner of her family.

This is not a defence of her performance. It's a statement of fact, and everyone knows it.

Maybe BUT SHE WANTS that new plane to travel in

[Yunla]

She looks good so it's better to use her as a ribbon cutter smiling for the cameras.

Regarding issues, I doubt she actually understands most of them and would embarrass herself if she took part in parliamentary debates.

In the run-up to her election as PM, she avoided interview wherever possible, and almost did a full 'commando-roll' to reach the safety of her car when BBC camera crew tried to ask her what her policies were. She was surrounded by bodyguards but not to protect her physically, to protect her from being put in a Q&A situation. All of her wild and anti-logic policies that she has put forward since coming into power, have been tabled without her standing up to defend those policies in direct Q&A. Policies are just put forward and then her party runs around pushing the policies without ever actually defending them in a democratic debate. I believe she IS working very hard, but not for the people of Thailand, that is for sure, and that is why she doesn't feel she has to answer to them or to the opposition Thai parties. Her allegiances lie elsewhere.

[ridkun]

She looks good so it's better to use her as a ribbon cutter smiling for the cameras.

Regarding issues, I doubt she actually understands most of them and would embarrass herself if she took part in parliamentary debates.

In the run-up to her election as PM, she avoided interview wherever possible, and almost did a full 'commando-roll' to reach the safety of her car when BBC camera crew tried to ask her what her policies were. She was surrounded by bodyguards but not to protect her physically, to protect her from being put in a Q&A situation. All of her wild and anti-logic policies that she has put forward since coming into power, have been tabled without her standing up to defend those policies in direct Q&A. Policies are just put forward and then her party runs around pushing the policies without ever actually defending them in a democratic debate. I believe she IS working very hard, but not for the people of Thailand, that is for sure, and that is why she doesn't feel she has to answer to them or to the opposition Thai parties. Her allegiances lie elsewhere.

According to Red shirts in an internet forum, what you have described means she is graceful, does not want to cause conflict and accept all the critics patiently. She is not good at speaking and would prefer to "work" rather than making speech. She is a strong women who won't give up no matter how much critics she got.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Great, this is almost as good an issue as the PM who featured on a TV cooking show.

Well done, The Nation adn its infographic minions.

[sunshine51]

Is it time for Harrod's annual sale?

Just asking....

[sonar6ca]

Government Spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi, however, defended Yingluck's absence, saying she attended Parliament whenever she had the time, but the media does not always cover it. Parliament is her top priority, he insisted.

What a bunch of B.S

[Nooky2]

Come on guys. It takes a lot of time to come up with all those outfits. I have never seen her in the same dress twice. She's not missing, she's just shopping for her next 20 outfits for public appearances.

[Tanis]

She did not want the job.

She does not want the job.

She will do anything to avoid doing the part of the job she hates most.

Yingluck is not interested in being PM and she will disappear out of the job the first time she gets a chance. She is a prisoner of her family.

This is not a defence of her performance. It's a statement of fact, and everyone knows it.

Sounds like the current resident of the oval orifice

[A1Str8]

What's so surprising about that. She knows her presence would be useless.

Sent from one of my devices using the internet

[indyuk]

The PM Yingluck is the epitome of an executive officer that is organised, She controls her government with ease and has clear vision of the objectives that have to be accomplished if Thailand is to prosper. In short she is the ideal manager for an organization of somewhat ill behaved politicians.

Her perception of the needs of the people and of her country mark her out rare among the premiers of the World.

I realise that if you have read this far you are now rolling on the floor in tears of laughter. Good luck to you when you reach for executive power yourself and realise how hard it is to be as effective an executive as Yingluck appears to be.

[johnnie20110]

The PM Yingluck is the epitome of an executive officer

Problem is that, organizationally, she is supposed to be the commanding officer

I realise that if you have read this far you are now rolling on the floor in tears of laughter.

Spot on regarding that point.

[ratcatcher]

The PM Yingluck is the epitome of an executive officer that is organised, She controls her government with ease and has clear vision of the objectives that have to be accomplished if Thailand is to prosper. In short she is the ideal manager for an organization of somewhat ill behaved politicians.

Her perception of the needs of the people and of her country mark her out rare among the premiers of the World.

I realise that if you have read this far you are now rolling on the floor in tears of laughter. Good luck to you when you reach for executive power yourself and realise how hard it is to be as effective an executive as Yingluck appears to be.

There are two words that spring to mind when reading this kind of post.

1. oleaginous

2. obsequious

".......... rare among the premiers of the world............". very droll indy.

[A1Str8]

The PM Yingluck is the epitome of an executive officer that is organised, She controls her government with ease and has clear vision of the objectives that have to be accomplished if Thailand is to prosper. In short she is the ideal manager for an organization of somewhat ill behaved politicians.

 

Her perception of the needs of the people and of her country mark her out rare among the premiers of the World.

 

I realise that if you have read this far you are now rolling on the floor in tears of laughter. Good luck to you when you reach for executive power yourself and realise how hard it is to be as effective an executive as Yingluck appears to be. 

As effective as she appears to be..bullseye! She just appears to be but that's alright.

Things are not what they seem to be nor are they otherwise.

Sent from one of my devices using the internet