Will Abhisit's words come back to haunt him?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE
Will Abhisit's words come back to haunt him?
Samudcha Hoonsara
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The words of statesmen and other important figures are often recorded in history and offer lessons for posterity. Thailand is no exception. According to a Thai saying, "You are the master of your own words until they have been spoken. Then those words become your master."

This is particularly true in politics, chiefly due to the fact that many politicians tend not to keep their word, leading to a loss of credibility.

The heated political climate has only made the scrutiny of politicians' words, from both sides of the political divide, more intense - and the consequences of one's words can be immediate.

Comments made by Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on stage at a political rally are the latest to be subject to such scrutiny, becoming tantamount to a new toy for political debate and discussion. Many observers were puzzled by Abhisit's utterance of "stupid woman" on the rally stage - the comment was construed as a reference to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra - and wonder how damaging it will be to his party's popularity.

Abhisit claims it was intended solely for the ears of his party's supporters, but the media were there to record and report on the rally. Looking back, in the days before the September 19, 2006 military coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister, Abhisit was attacked for his support for a plan to have a prime minister royally appointed under Article 7 of the then constitution. His opponents mocked him as "Mark Mor Jed" (Article 7 Mark), "Mark" being Abhisit's nickname.

Now that he has employed such words as "stupid", "slutty" and "whore" in public political discourse, insisting all the while - unconvincingly, to some - that these are not references to anyone in particular, it is to be expected that this old Oxonian would be on the receiving end of a merciless political attack.

Let us not forget that the sharing of text and video is impossible to block in this age of social networking. Now that Abhisit's comments have gone viral, his denials that he was referring to Yingluck could only serve to make the whole affair doubly damaging.

As for Thaksin, he made his ample share of verbal blunders and gaffes, damaging both himself and Thailand - and the Democrats were quick to exploit his words. Thaksin recently acknowledged that there were times when he said things that were not well thought through, or off the cuff, which had negative repercussions. Thaksin's words in fact are partly responsible for the deep political division of the Kingdom into the pro and anti-Thaksin camps that we see today.

It's unclear if Abhisit has learned any lessons from Thaksin on how careless words can come back to harm the speaker.

Let us not forget that the opposition Democrats often criticise Yingluck for her verbal mistakes, which they say are not befitting of a prime minister. Now that the leader of the Democrat Party has employed unbelievably aggressive words, which are deemed as rather immature, such criticism could become a double-edged sword.

Perhaps it's time for Abhisit to change his stance, and this includes his party MPs who have embarked on the same path. They should not express themselves in an unfitting manner, either inside or outside Parliament. Doing so could lead to an anti-Democrat backlash in which some voters, while not necessarily voting for the Pheu Thai Party, might decide not to vote for the Democrats either.


-- The Nation 2013-09-20

[CelticBhoy]

He only said what everyone else is thinking.

Out of character, certainly, but not something

that he should be haunted by. Quite the opposite,

in fact, as it is not going away and is haunting the

person he mocked.

[bigbamboo]

Haunt him?

Abhisit is a Geordie. They don't believe in ghosts.

[NongKhaiKid]

Haunt him?

Abhisit is a Geordie. They don't believe in ghosts.

They might see some now and then depending on how much Newcastle Brown Ale they've had but WorGeordie can clarify no doubt.

[Redhawk]

If it is hard to find something on someone to blame him, people making a elephant of a mosquito to bring him down if once they find a scratch!

[jacknorman]

He only said what everyone else is thinking.

Out of character, certainly, but not something

that he should be haunted by. Quite the opposite,

in fact, as it is not going away and is haunting the

person he mocked.

What he said about dual citizenship Abhisit Vejjajiva is a British Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party

[NomadJoe]

Jesus Christ I am tired of hearing about this story.

Edited September 20, 2013 by NomadJoe

[Mampara]

If it is hard to find something on someone to blame him, people making a elephant of a mosquito to bring him down if once they find a scratch!

They say, that when a ant bites an elephant in a sensitive place the elephant must stop and scratch it.

[Curt1591]

A silver spoon can shovel a lot of sugar ....

[55Jay]

"If the shoe fits....."

[bangon04]

If it is hard to find something on someone to blame him, people making a elephant of a mosquito to bring him down if once they find a scratch!

They say, that when a ant bites an elephant in a sensitive place the elephant must stop and scratch it.

Surely an elephant scratching an ant must be a little dangerous for the ant - unless the elephant is very gentle...

[ggold]

There really can't be much news. They still have to harp on about something that most probably forgot about!

[lifeincnx]

Tired of this story as well.

But let's be honest, politicians of a party that has lost elections years in a row and has a dwindling base should not go out of their way to alienate potential new supporters. Take a cue from America's Republican Party (ten do the opposite) on how to lose new supporters by making outlandish, and more often, insulting statements to women, minorities, or basically anyone who has a different point of view..

[jayboy]

He only said what everyone else is thinking.

Out of character, certainly, but not something

that he should be haunted by. Quite the opposite,

in fact, as it is not going away and is haunting the

person he mocked.

Whether you are correct or just fantasising about what "everyone thinks" will become apparent at the next general election, and the respective fates of Abhisit and Yingluck.

[worgeordie]

Haunt him?

Abhisit is a Geordie. They don't believe in ghosts.

They might see some now and then depending on how much Newcastle Brown Ale they've had but WorGeordie can clarify no doubt.

Seen many things on an excess of Broon ale, but it was mostly the floor!

regards Worgeordie

[NongKhaiKid]

Haunt him?

Abhisit is a Geordie. They don't believe in ghosts.

They might see some now and then depending on how much Newcastle Brown Ale they've had but WorGeordie can clarify no doubt.

Seen many things on an excess of Broon ale, but it was mostly the floor!

regards Worgeordie

LOL...nice one. personally I've always favoured the " big white telephone ".

[billd766]

You mean words like Thaksin Shinawatra saying

"Democracy is not my goal"

or

"The UN is not my Father".

Things like that?

[RubbaJohnny]

I think those of us from democracies where governments are elected largely on economic management need to reflect that things are a little diffeent here.

Firstly there is very little ideology,parties come and go ,banned,reform more like gangs.

Policy is largely I am rich and succesful,therefore vote for me I can bribe you as only I know how better than the other lot.

You are all ignorant peasants and we are wealthy merchants with light skin and thus the grinders.

If it looks like the rules will help the poor we'll stage or threaten a coup amd re-draft the rules.

We will lie cheat ,maim and kill to protect our most precious thing money.

In a country where a pensioner gets 18 years for a text and a rich heir kills a cop and is allowed to skip the country.

[HUAHIN62]

The Thai women will speak with their votes, nothing he can say now will change anything. If he was the opposition leader in a European country he would have been fired by now.

[Calimotty]

Now that he has employed such words as "stupid", "slutty" and "whore" in public political discourse, insisting all the while - unconvincingly, to some - that these are not references to anyone in particular, it is to be expected that this old Oxonian would be on the receiving end of a merciless political attack.

Will Abhisit's words come back to haunt him?

They sure will the Ghost Who Walks is heading his way!

[pookiki]

I guess it all depends on whose '0xonian' is being gored. I used to have a great respect for the Democrats but Abhisit and his fellow paternalistic pommy Korn make me gag.

[siampolee]

Whether you are correct or just fantasising about what "everyone thinks" will become apparent at the next general election, and the respective fates of Abhisit and Yingluck.

That's of course if another election is allowed by the puppet master if the current reconciliation process and the whitewashing bill is on the statute book thus allowing the puppet master to fully assume the reins of power.

Yinglucks fate is to be ferried off to a land of plenty as her reward for being a ventriloquists puppet.

Abhisit and his allies?

Thaksin and co may find them a more difficult case to deal with unless of course they vanish like prominent Muslim lawyers or prosecution witnesses in a Thaksin court case did in Chang Mai some years back.

In my view though if one wishes to hear a high class of insult there is no better pace that the strangers gallery in the House of Commons when it is in session.Indeed a very high level of intellectual scathing mudslinging far in advance of that which the Thai's can manage.

Perchance Abhisit has learned his rhetorical trade at the masters feet in the U,K rather than here in Thailand

Edited September 20, 2013 by siampolee

[jayboy]

Whether you are correct or just fantasising about what "everyone thinks" will become apparent at the next general election, and the respective fates of Abhisit and Yingluck.

That's of course if another election is allowed by the puppet master if the current reconciliation process and the whitewashing bill is on the statute book thus allowing the puppet master to fully assume the reins of power.

Yinglucks fate is to be ferried off to a land of plenty as her reward for being a ventriloquists puppet.

Abhisit and his allies?

Thaksin and co may find them a more difficult case to deal with unless of course they vanish like prominent Muslim lawyers or prosecution witnesses in a Thaksin court case did in Chang Mai some years back.

In my view though if one wishes to hear a high class of insult there is no better pace that the strangers gallery in the House of Commons when it is in session.Indeed a very high level of intellectual scathing mudslinging far in advance of that which the Thai's can manage.

Perchance Abhisit has learned his rhetorical trade at the masters feet in the U,K rather than here in Thailand

Why should Thaksin be nervous about general elections when parties affiliated to him keep on winning them?It's Abhisit and the Democrats that soil their pants at the prospect because the Thai people keep on rejecting them, hence their dependence on street politics, military coups and directed judicial intervention.In other words you have got it completely the wrong way round.

Thaksin's human rights record is deplorable but it was under Abhisit and Suthep that protestors were murdered in Bangkok.

[lungmi]

He only said what everyone else is thinking.

Out of character, certainly, but not something

that he should be haunted by. Quite the opposite,

in fact, as it is not going away and is haunting the

person he mocked.

Whether you are correct or just fantasising about what "everyone thinks" will become apparent at the next general election, and the respective fates of Abhisit and Yingluck.

Mugabe elections?

[kuiburi]

Up to me he can say what he wants , seems hes the less corrupt PM ever . Being PM for about 2 years his personel assets grew from 51.800.000 to 54.400.000 , thats 2.600.000 for 2 years being PM .

I wonder how much the current government MP's and PM's assets grew in this period of time .

[hellodolly]

Tired of this story as well.

But let's be honest, politicians of a party that has lost elections years in a row and has a dwindling base should not go out of their way to alienate potential new supporters. Take a cue from America's Republican Party (ten do the opposite) on how to lose new supporters by making outlandish, and more often, insulting statements to women, minorities, or basically anyone who has a different point of view..

Perhaps his honesty might attract some new supporters. Give me 6 months and just walking away are not exactly attractive excuses and actions if you want to attract mew supporters.

Besides what do we really know. The statement might be understood differently by a Thai.

[hellodolly]

Haunt him?

Abhisit is a Geordie. They don't believe in ghosts.

They might see some now and then depending on how much Newcastle Brown Ale they've had but WorGeordie can clarify no doubt.

Seen many things on an excess of Broon ale, but it was mostly the floor!

regards Worgeordie

LOL...nice one. personally I've always favoured the " big white telephone ".

You could pray at the same time some thing ending with never again

Edited September 20, 2013 by hellodolly

[hellodolly]

The Thai women will speak with their votes, nothing he can say now will change anything. If he was the opposition leader in a European country he would have been fired by now.

You are presuming that the country would have a decent PM not a traveling shopaholic.

Whether you are correct or just fantasising about what "everyone thinks" will become apparent at the next general election, and the respective fates of Abhisit and Yingluck.

That's of course if another election is allowed by the puppet master if the current reconciliation process and the whitewashing bill is on the statute book thus allowing the puppet master to fully assume the reins of power.

Yinglucks fate is to be ferried off to a land of plenty as her reward for being a ventriloquists puppet.

Abhisit and his allies?

Thaksin and co may find them a more difficult case to deal with unless of course they vanish like prominent Muslim lawyers or prosecution witnesses in a Thaksin court case did in Chang Mai some years back.

In my view though if one wishes to hear a high class of insult there is no better pace that the strangers gallery in the House of Commons when it is in session.Indeed a very high level of intellectual scathing mudslinging far in advance of that which the Thai's can manage.

Perchance Abhisit has learned his rhetorical trade at the masters feet in the U,K rather than here in Thailand

Why should Thaksin be nervous about general elections when parties affiliated to him keep on winning them?It's Abhisit and the Democrats that soil their pants at the prospect because the Thai people keep on rejecting them, hence their dependence on street politics, military coups and directed judicial intervention.In other words you have got it completely the wrong way round.

Thaksin's human rights record is deplorable but it was under Abhisit and Suthep that protestors were murdered in Bangkok.

Do you think that Thaksin is not going to allow another election. I see you reefer to it as a prospect. I was under the impression it was a sure thing.

Also if your going to insist on telling porkers I would suggest you do it on a red shirt forum. They will believe any thing you want to say against Abhist.

Every one with the sense God gave a goose knows that it was armed opposition illegally firing rockets at transit terminals and invading hospitals from behind barricades they had built to hide behind on public property.

Since when do protesters come armed?

[jayboy]

The Thai women will speak with their votes, nothing he can say now will change anything. If he was the opposition leader in a European country he would have been fired by now.

You are presuming that the country would have a decent PM not a traveling shopaholic.

 

 

 

Whether you are correct or just fantasising about what "everyone thinks" will become apparent at the next general election, and the respective fates of Abhisit and Yingluck.

 

 

That's of course if  another election is allowed  by the puppet master if the  current  reconciliation process and the whitewashing bill is on the statute book thus allowing the  puppet master to fully assume the reins of power.

 

Yinglucks fate is to be  ferried off to a land of plenty as her reward for being a ventriloquists puppet.

 

Abhisit and his  allies?

 

Thaksin and co may find them a more difficult case to deal with unless of course they vanish like prominent Muslim lawyers or prosecution witnesses in a Thaksin court case did in Chang Mai some years back.

 

In my view though if one wishes to hear a  high class of insult there is no better pace that the strangers gallery in the House of Commons when it is in session.Indeed a very high level of intellectual scathing mudslinging far in advance of  that which the Thai's can manage.

 

Perchance Abhisit has learned his rhetorical trade at the masters feet in the U,K rather than here in Thailand

 

 

 

Why should Thaksin be nervous about general elections when parties affiliated to him keep on winning them?It's Abhisit and the Democrats that soil their pants at the prospect because the Thai people keep on rejecting them, hence their dependence on street politics, military coups and directed judicial intervention.In other words you have got it completely the wrong way round.

 

Thaksin's human rights record is deplorable but it was under Abhisit and Suthep that protestors were murdered in Bangkok.

 

 

Do you think that Thaksin is not going to allow another election. I see you reefer to it as a prospect. I was under the impression it was a sure thing.

 

Also if your going to insist on telling porkers I would suggest you do it on a red shirt forum. They will believe any thing you want to say against Abhist.

Every one with the sense God gave a goose knows that it was armed opposition illegally firing rockets at transit terminals and invading hospitals from behind barricades they had built to hide behind on public property.

 

Since when do protesters come armed?

There is no objection to getting wasted on a Friday night but on the whole, in this eventuality, it makes sense to leave the computer alone

[Netizen]

The political environment must be so frustrating to Abhisit whereby Yingluck and Thaksin can openly pay the poor for their votes and cement their dynasty.

The poor don't care about politics. They care about the Shinawatra bagmen bringing them money for their votes.

Thailand will never be rid of corruption while voters can be bought for a few baht.