Heckling Of Education Minister 'Staged' By Democrats

[Thaddeus]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

Why?

The Thai education system has been a total shambles for decades, it didn't just turn that way during AV's tenure.

If anything, PTP have far more to answer for, as they (him) made grandiose promises to get elected and failed to deliver on them.

Of course he is going to get heckled, it's his head sticking out over the parapet.

It is his choice to follow the master, or make a difference.

He took the easy retirement plan option, therefore deserves heckling by anyone that has children here or actually does care about the country and its future.

[473geo]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

Why?

The Thai education system has been a total shambles for decades, it didn't just turn that way during AV's tenure.

If anything, PTP have far more to answer for, as they (him) made grandiose promises to get elected and failed to deliver on them.

Of course he is going to get heckled, it's his head sticking out over the parapet.

It is his choice to follow the master, or make a difference.

He took the easy retirement plan option, therefore deserves heckling by anyone that has children here or actually does care about the country and its future.

I think I would pen a letter rather than rely on the effect of blowing a whistle.....I think it would impress my children a little more too!

But a Democrat MP has to use the best resource available I guess

I wonder how many of the guys that post here have actually gone to the trouble of contacting a relevant minister or one of his associated staff?

[JRSoul]

I think I would pen a letter rather than rely on the effect of blowing a whistle.....I think it would impress my children a little more too!

But a Democrat MP has to use the best resource available I guess

I wonder how many of the guys that post here have actually gone to the trouble of contacting a relevant minister or one of his associated staff?

If you wrote your letter to the minister on toilet paper, it might possibly be of more use.

[Thainy Tim]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

I am sorry, but you clearly have a lot to learn about Thai culture.

To the Thai people this is not considered childish or pathetic. This is a way of non-violent confrontation designed not to force a personal loss of face. Meaning no words or jeering insults.

Maybe the west will laugh at this, but then again the westerners laugh at a lot of crazy stuff in Thailand that Thais do, just have to read a lot of threads on here to confirm that. But at the end of the day, it is just your ignorance that compares Thai politicians to the ultra restrained and stiff upper lip, ultra conservative stuffed shirt politicians of the west.

Your mocking is just another person showing they still don't understand how Thais think. Which probably explains your one track narrow minded and very repetitive posting.

At least Thai politics is both colourful and interesting. I suggest that you stick to the world news section where you can enjoy a much more boring starchy political debate.

You constantly demand proof from posters on this forum to back up their anti-government orientated postings. So can you please provide proof that Abhisit organized this incident? If not, then you are nothing but a hypocrite.

We are waiting for your proof.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Thainy Tim

[farangman]

What are his qualifications to be the Education Minister?

In a democratic country, one would expect some knowledge in the field they are governing.

Please let us all know.

He learnt everything he knows about education from a previous Education Minister. Unfortunately during Thaksin's time as Ed minister, education didn't improve either.

To be honest , this guy is one of few I believe to have sincere intentions currently sitting in the cabinet. Sure he is on the defensive with current policy decisions but he plays the game with his heart on his sleeves.

He is beholden by his current paymaster but I suspect he is independent thinker and one of the first who will break ranks when the time will come ;whenever that may be!

I hated him when he led his party, but the guy was on a hiding to nothing then

[Thainy Tim]

What are his qualifications to be the Education Minister?

In a democratic country, one would expect some knowledge in the field they are governing.

Please let us all know.

He learnt everything he knows about education from a previous Education Minister. Unfortunately during Thaksin's time as Ed minister, education didn't improve either.

To be honest , this guy is one of few I believe to have sincere intentions currently sitting in the cabinet. Sure he is on the defensive with current policy decisions but he plays the game with his heart on his sleeves.

He is beholden by his current paymaster but I suspect he is independent thinker and one of the first who will break ranks when the time will come ;whenever that may be!

I hated him when he led his party, but the guy was on a hiding to nothing then

It's a pity then that he did not exercise his free thinking and vote against the amnesty bill. But he didn't, he voted for it, so to many, he is a political target to the opposition and its supporters. An abstention would have been suffice, but he obviously wanted to vote it in. Which in my book makes him as guilty as the rest.

Edited November 13, 2013 by Thainy Tim

[rijb]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

I am sorry, but you clearly have a lot to learn about Thai culture.

To the Thai people this is not considered childish or pathetic. This is a way of non-violent confrontation designed not to force a personal loss of face. Meaning no words or jeering insults.

Maybe the west will laugh at this, but then again the westerners laugh at a lot of crazy stuff in Thailand that Thais do, just have to read a lot of threads on here to confirm that. But at the end of the day, it is just your ignorance that compares Thai politicians to the ultra restrained and stiff upper lip, ultra conservative stuffed shirt politicians of the west.

Your mocking is just another person showing they still don't understand how Thais think. Which probably explains your one track narrow minded and very repetitive posting.

At least Thai politics is both colourful and interesting. I suggest that you stick to the world news section where you can enjoy a much more boring starchy political debate.

You constantly demand proof from posters on this forum to back up their anti-government orientated postings. So can you please provide proof that Abhisit organized this incident? If not, then you are nothing but a hypocrite.

We are waiting for your proof.

Interesting. An expert on 'Thainess' who doesn't read all the facts…

a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5ETTBNamt5TkE9PQ==&sectionid=TURFd01BPT0=

Edited November 14, 2013 by rijb

[moe666]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

As far as laughing stocks go it is not even on the same planet compared to the rice pledging, computer tablets, vote buying, corruption, economic policies (economic hand grenades weapons of mass destruction), drunken Dep Prime Ministers during Peace negotiations and a Prime Minister without portfolio as all the shots are being called by a criminal fugitive on the run. You think the western media will find blowing whistles funny compared to all that? Do you even read the western media? Have you seen the ripping apart Thaksin and this Government are currently getting in good media outlets?

Well now we all know the courage of the red supporters here, they are ready to defend over some nonsense but where have they been on the rice scam, not a bleep.

[whybother]

Interesting. An expert on 'Thainess' who doesn't read all the facts…

a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5ETTBNamt5TkE9PQ==&sectionid=TURFd01BPT0=

How is that proof that Abhisit organised it?

[Emptyset]

Get off your high horse, again. Do you even read your posts? A silly post arguing over what political group is more silly.

Now days, "good media outlets" is an oxymoron. However, isn't western media supposed to be in the business of reporting facts, not "ripping" one side.

A western media report (ripping one side?): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24903958

An eastern media report (ripping both sides?): http://asiancorrespondent.com/115693/thailand-amnesty-bandwagon-full-of-hubris-hatred-and-hidden-agendas/

Thanks for that. The latter piece is well written and lays into both sides. Also note that Abhisit shouted on stage: If there is even one dead protester, dont even hope to continue living in this land, the whole [shinawatra] clan!" That sort of statement seems very familiar, but in the past it was Jatuporn shouting similar things about Abhisit.

Did he really say that? <deleted>?

Apparently so. It was noted a while back - a year or so - that Abhisit was sounding a lot more 'street' in his public rhetoric, sounding more like you'd expect the leader of a street protest group to sound rather than a distinguished parliamentarian. And I guess this sort of statement is part of that attempt to change his image and connect with ordinary people.

[Emptyset]

What are his qualifications to be the Education Minister?

In a democratic country, one would expect some knowledge in the field they are governing.

Please let us all know.

He learnt everything he knows about education from a previous Education Minister. Unfortunately during Thaksin's time as Ed minister, education didn't improve either.

To be honest , this guy is one of few I believe to have sincere intentions currently sitting in the cabinet. Sure he is on the defensive with current policy decisions but he plays the game with his heart on his sleeves.

He is beholden by his current paymaster but I suspect he is independent thinker and one of the first who will break ranks when the time will come ;whenever that may be!

I hated him when he led his party, but the guy was on a hiding to nothing then

It's a pity then that he did not exercise his free thinking and vote against the amnesty bill. But he didn't, he voted for it, so to many, he is a political target to the opposition and its supporters. An abstention would have been suffice, but he obviously wanted to vote it in. Which in my book makes him as guilty as the rest.

Did he vote for it though? He isn't an MP. I mean I doubt he'd have been one of the abstainers, but nevertheless.

[aussieinthailand]

Just in this last week, how many times has the opposition shown themselves as the pathetic excuse for a credible party in opposition,

claimed as a praiseworthy act done by ordinary citizen's, (BULL SHI_T)... UMMM, OOOp'S guy's errr yeah some people can see that we are the privileged few here that are highly over paid, HI-SO politician's that lie, cheat, and use there position to influence outcomes to suit themselves...

What a pack of donkeys trying to put one over the people, wait,,, yeah and so many here are supporting these donkeys...

[mca]

At least Thai politics is both colourful and interesting

I'm sure to the majority of normal Thai folks just trying to get on with their day to day lives it's more like grim and depressing seeing how the supposed " Puu Yai" and their followers on both sides of the political divide conduct themselves

Edited November 14, 2013 by mca

[build6]

What are his qualifications to be the Education Minister?

In a democratic country, one would expect some knowledge in the field they are governing.

Please let us all know.

is he the one whose family member owns one of the bigger massage parlours at Ratchada ? the one that was bombed ?

[roger rederer]

What a bunch of clowns following, Ironic, they pick out one of the few decent politicians from either side to harass.

The actions of an increasingly out of touch Opposition. Their strike calls amounted to nowt. Their staged rallies poorly attended. Their MPs stamp their feet and say "We're not voting ya boo sucks!". Now the Democrat's poodle, the squeaky clean, unbiased Blue Sky Channel just happened to be on hand to catch " ordinary voters" harassing the Education Minister. Except they weren't ordinary at all. How grown up.

Get a grip on your MPs Abhisit or you'll lose what little credibility you have left.

[roger rederer]

Just in this last week, how many times has the opposition shown themselves as the pathetic excuse for a credible party in opposition,

claimed as a praiseworthy act done by ordinary citizen's, (BULL SHI_T)... UMMM, OOOp'S guy's errr yeah some people can see that we are the privileged few here that are highly over paid, HI-SO politician's that lie, cheat, and use there position to influence outcomes to suit themselves...

What a pack of donkeys trying to put one over the people, wait,,, yeah and so many here are supporting these donkeys...

Not quite so many as in the past aussie. TV used to look like the letters page of "the other newspaper". Contributors who, in the past, got away with some outrageous stories and downright lies in their red bashing posts now find the boot's on the other foot. Whilst the Reds and their supporters have learnt to carry out protest with dignity and regard for the law these days the Democrats show themselves to be, at best, acting like schoolkids.

[Emptyset]

Just in this last week, how many times has the opposition shown themselves as the pathetic excuse for a credible party in opposition,

claimed as a praiseworthy act done by ordinary citizen's, (BULL SHI_T)... UMMM, OOOp'S guy's errr yeah some people can see that we are the privileged few here that are highly over paid, HI-SO politician's that lie, cheat, and use there position to influence outcomes to suit themselves...

What a pack of donkeys trying to put one over the people, wait,,, yeah and so many here are supporting these donkeys...

Not quite so many as in the past aussie. TV used to look like the letters page of "the other newspaper". Contributors who, in the past, got away with some outrageous stories and downright lies in their red bashing posts now find the boot's on the other foot. Whilst the Reds and their supporters have learnt to carry out protest with dignity and regard for the law these days the Democrats show themselves to be, at best, acting like schoolkids.

Yes, on the schoolkids point, one must admit it was pretty amusing. All good japes. High jinx and high spirits! What makes it even funnier though, is Suthep's remark that "some of the civil disobedience measures were effective, citing a whistle-blowing protest against a Cabinet member at a Bangkok hotel yesterday." Effective indeed. The Democrat MPs whistle blowing antics must have put poor old Chaturon right off his lunch. Damn good show boys. Much more of this and the government will have to recamp to Chiang Mai again, as they did in 2008!

[slapout]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

I have to admit the Education Minister has made some positive noises about the sorry state the Thai education is in. I have not seen too many solutions proposed, other than a larger budget is needed.

The western media and many western people judge people by their accomplishments and maybe equally important, who they associate with. The present coalition government has drawn enough laughter from the real world, that I doubt a blast of whistles directed at one of the cabinet members will do much to distract from the real problems.

[LomSak27]

Well this looks like a a way to get a new election going

Goooooo Team Yellow!

[thaicbr]

Heckling Of Education Minister 'Staged' By Democrats

 

 

Minister of Education Chaturon Chaisang has expressed his disappointment over the opposition MPs who had heckled him with whistle-blowing as he left the hotel where he had lunch.

The incident was made known to the public by Mr. Vittayen Muttamara, the director of Blue Sky Channel, a satellite TV channel allied to the Democrat Party, who published on his Facebook a video showing a group of individuals blowing their whistles at Mr. Chaturon while he walked to his car at a hotel parking lot.

The leaders of the anti-government protests at Ratchadamnoen Avenue have previously urged their supporters to carry whistles with them at all time and to use them in confronting any member of PM Yingluck Shinawatra′s Cabinet members they might encounter.

The video was shared widely by anti-government critics on the social network as a praiseworthy episode of ordinary citizens heckling one of the top politicians in Ms. Yingluck′s government.

However, a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

Speaking to our correspondent about the video, Mr. Chaturon said he was having lunch at Royal Princess Hotel before he encountered the group of Democrats as he left the hotel.

Mr. Chaturon said although he did not feel threatened by the heckling Democrats, he was disappointed that the MPs, many of whom he knew personally, would choose to harass him on his private time.

"I was merely having lunch on my own. I didn′t attend any political appointment at the hotel.," Mr. Chaturon complained, "It′s inappropriate how they blow their whistles in front of the hotel like that, because it might harm the business there. These fellow politicians know me personally. They shouldn′t have acted like that. They behaved as though they never knew me".

He added, "It′s not a spontaneous expression of disappointment [against the government]. It′s all staged with political result in mind. They recorded and broadcast the incident in a manner that unsuspecting viewers would see it as a minister getting heckled by the people".

Nevertheless, Mr. Chaturon said he had no plan to increase his security.

 

--KHAOSOD English 2013-11-13

Here is the video (or part anyway)

One point. He says he was having lunch by himself BUT comes out with his aides AND a gift basket.... OK

Sent from my phone with the app thingy.

[Ricardo]

What a bunch of clowns following, Ironic, they pick out one of the few decent politicians from either side to harass.

The actions of an increasingly out of touch Opposition. Their strike calls amounted to nowt. Their staged rallies poorly attended. Their MPs stamp their feet and say "We're not voting ya boo sucks!". Now the Democrat's poodle, the squeaky clean, unbiased Blue Sky Channel just happened to be on hand to catch " ordinary voters" harassing the Education Minister. Except they weren't ordinary at all. How grown up.

Get a grip on your MPs Abhisit or you'll lose what little credibility you have left.

"Get a grip on your MPs Abhisit"

Since they've recently resigned from the party, and also as MPs, how do you suggest former-PM Abhisit do that, exactly ?

[ballpoint]

Just in this last week, how many times has the opposition shown themselves as the pathetic excuse for a credible party in opposition,

claimed as a praiseworthy act done by ordinary citizen's, (BULL SHI_T)... UMMM, OOOp'S guy's errr yeah some people can see that we are the privileged few here that are highly over paid, HI-SO politician's that lie, cheat, and use there position to influence outcomes to suit themselves...

What a pack of donkeys trying to put one over the people, wait,,, yeah and so many here are supporting these donkeys...

A government that is ripping off the country, lying to the people, scheming to bring a convicted criminal back into the country, taking orders from said criminal, making increasingly dictatorial comments, and the single cell brigade start foaming all over their keyboards, to the detriment of the caps lock key, over a bunch of guys blowing whistles.

[khunken]

This is so serious that it needs Tarit on the case. Heckling? Blowing whistles? So much worse than intimidation.

Off to the dungeons with them!

[fab4]

Oh, abhisit, has it come to this. How embarassing. A set up with blue thingy on hand to film it. Didn't you realise that this sort of thing was going to happen. What a laughing stock your party will become when that news gets out to the Western Media.

I am sorry, but you clearly have a lot to learn about Thai culture.

To the Thai people this is not considered childish or pathetic. This is a way of non-violent confrontation designed not to force a personal loss of face. Meaning no words or jeering insults.

Maybe the west will laugh at this, but then again the westerners laugh at a lot of crazy stuff in Thailand that Thais do, just have to read a lot of threads on here to confirm that. But at the end of the day, it is just your ignorance that compares Thai politicians to the ultra restrained and stiff upper lip, ultra conservative stuffed shirt politicians of the west.

Your mocking is just another person showing they still don't understand how Thais think. Which probably explains your one track narrow minded and very repetitive posting.

At least Thai politics is both colourful and interesting. I suggest that you stick to the world news section where you can enjoy a much more boring starchy political debate.

You constantly demand proof from posters on this forum to back up their anti-government orientated postings. So can you please provide proof that Abhisit organized this incident? If not, then you are nothing but a hypocrite.

We are waiting for your proof.

If

"This is a way of non-violent confrontation designed not to force a personal loss of face. Meaning no words or jeering insults".

it wasn't seen by other Thais in the mystical way you impart the situation with. In fact, like me, they were remarking upon the very fact that it was an obvious set up with Blue Sky television being on hand. From the OP

The video was shared widely by anti-government critics on the social network as a praiseworthy episode of ordinary citizens heckling one of the top politicians in Ms. Yingluck′s government.

However, a quick glance at the video reveals that the individuals who were blowing their whistles were far from anything that resemble ordinary citizens: they were in fact well-known Democrat MPs and former MPs, such as Mr. Puttipong Punnakan, Mr. Sathit Wongnongtoey, Mr. Thaworn Senniam, and Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek.

The Education Minister had this to say "It′s not a spontaneous expression of disappointment [against the government]. It′s all staged with political result in mind. They recorded and broadcast the incident in a manner that unsuspecting viewers would see it as a minister getting heckled by the people".

So don't try and play the "I've been here x years and can read their minds, you know nothing about their culture" schtick.

And while we're on the subject, abhisits jeers and insults on the stage, is there some special Thai way I should analyse his words?

On your last point , where in my post do I suggest that abhisit had arranged this stunt? I'm sure even he would have advised against it, that's more of a suthep approach, that.

No, abhisit will just have to accept the fallout from the antics on the stage and off ever since he and the democrat party nailed their colours to the democrat stage and street protests in general.

Thats what I find amusing above all.

[mrtoad]

This is so serious that it needs Tarit on the case. Heckling? Blowing whistles? So much worse than intimidation.

Off to the dungeons with them!

Sure Tarit is probably talking to his master now, deciding on how to deal with this pesky democracy lark.

[jdinasia]

Well the "Western Media" has had time Fabby, and they don't seem to think the way you suggest they will. Your animosity to those opposed to the Reds/PTP is obvious to all and it is becoming ludicrous. That being said, congrats for answering in more than one line that just targets the poster and not the topic.

[Thaddeus]

Thats what I find amusing above all.

Your posts are turning blue.

[Nowhereman60]

Once again adults acting like little children or maybe they have inspirations to be parking attendants.