NATION ANALYSIS
PM escapes the woes of Bangkok
Jintana Panyaarvudh
The Sunday Nation:

Embattled caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra receives roses from supporters during her visit to a royal project in Chiang Mai yesterday.
.
BANGKOK: -- Yingluck cheered by welcome from supporters in home town; returns to face the music today

The last appearance of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra seen in Bangkok was when she could not hold back her tears during a press interview about demands from anti-government protesters that she and her family leave the country.

"I have backed down to the point where I don't know how to back down any further," Yingluck said with tears briefly formed in her eyes and trying her best to remain composed and strong.

That happened on Tuesday, the day after she dissolved parliament.

Normally, the globe-trotting leader has had a habit of flying out of Thailand to foreign countries to get away from political heat. But the current situation is far from normal and prevents her from getting away abroad.

Yingluck spent five days in her hometown in Chiang Mai and stayed away from the capital, where thousands of anti-government protesters continue their rally, a short distance from her office at Government House.

Originally, her trip north was set only for Thursday and Friday.

On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North. On Friday, her main duty was to ride a special train from Chiang Mai to Lampang with several ministers.

But her journey from Bangkok to her hometown began a day early. She flew to Chiang Mai on Wednesday night.

The PM appeared with a broad smile and delight when she was greeted by thousands of supporters at the northern airport. She was welcomed by chants of "fighting fighting", plus flowers, hugs, kisses, and a poster that said "Chiang Mai people love PM Yingluck". A Buddha amulet from a revered monk was also given to her.

On Thursday, as well as chairing the pollution meeting, she also chaired a video conference with governors in the South about ongoing problems from flooding. She was also greeted by red-shirt supporters in front of the city hall.

A tweet from @jeerapong_nna said Yingluck told reporters who covered her duties in Chiang Mai "I feel heartened here [in Chiang Mai]."

In the train to Lampang on Friday, there were loud cheers and chants of support. A group of kamnans and village headmen were seen waiting to see the premier when the train stopped at Lamphun.

She waved her hand through the train window to greet supporters. And in Lampang, Yingluck rode in a horse carriage, a well-known means of transport in that city, to greet local people.

The premier was supposed to come back to Bangkok on Friday but she opted to stayed overnight in her hometown for a third day.

Yesterday, she visited Doi Mon Jam tourist attraction in Chiang Mai. You can see on her Facebook page how she had a happy moment, taking photos with hilltribe children with a backdrop of beautiful scenery.

Like they say, there's no place like home.

Yingluck enjoyed much on familiar ground, where everyone and everything appeared to comfort her and greet her with a homecoming welcome. She was seen in a very good mood and always with a smile on her face. If there were tears in her eyes, they came from joy. And her journey would have helped her forget the tension and drama in the capital.

The North is her world. But the deeper question is how long she can escape from reality.

Yingluck will return to Bangkok today and has planned her next trip to the Northeast - her party's political stronghold - in the coming week.

It is not wrong for a leader to stay in her hometown or to travel upcountry, but there are questions about what is the most appropriate course of action at any given time.

While the political impasse remains and people from all parts of society have asked for national reforms, would it have been better to confront the crisis and try to help solve it, than seeming to want to escape it?

-- The Nation 2013-12-15

How apt! The people of Chiang Mai hand her roses with the thorns removed.

PM escapes the woes of Bangkok

I do that sometimes and visit the woes of Pattaya, Phuket, etc.

How apt! The people of Chiang Mai hand her roses with the thorns removed.

And as ever; an eager farang is ready to distribute the thorns.

How apt! The people of Chiang Mai hand her roses with the thorns removed.

And as ever; an eager farang is ready to distribute the thorns.

As has been pointed out before, we are merely observers. She has got the roses, the people of the country have the thorny problems. A bit like the goldmine and the shaft.

Run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run,

Don't let reality spoil your fun, fun, fun,

You'll get by,

So long as you know how to cry,

So run rabbit, run rabbit, run, run, run.

"On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North."

The success of this meeting is evident by the billowing smoke in the background

Wasn't hard to tell she was in town and out the Sansai way. Traffic disrupted and the steady convoy of police vehicles with lights flashing escorting the 30 odd vehicles required to convey her to the noodle shop for lunch. Geez the Australian P.M jumps in the company car with a driver and that is it, no huge police escort with lights flashing or an entourage of 30 vehicles including buses.

Maybe all these buses and vehicles being escorted by police were her fans being transported to her for the rose presentation.

So little sis needed to recharge her batteries. Nothing wrong with that.

We never see any Chiang Mai reps screaming for fair representation nor do we ever see any from the north in Isaan and the south in the muslim provinces. Bangkok Thais seem to think that the Thai "nation" is Bangkok except when they need their votes.

 

How apt! The people of Chiang Mai hand her roses with the thorns removed.

And as ever; an eager farang is ready to distribute the thorns.

 

I dont think its the farangs protesting in bkk. Farangs dislike who ever is in power. "the grass is greener..... " mentality.

just a friendly FYI

She's made billions stealing from the people of Bangkok. I wish I had those sort of woes.

Its a pity Yingluck has so much family 'baggage' - because she certainly has resilience

Its a pity Yingluck has so much family 'baggage' - because she certainly has resilience

Resilience maybe but loyalty certainly, she has begged her brother to let her resign on a few occasions but he tells her to stay for the good of the family and she does.

How apt! The people of Chiang Mai hand her roses with the thorns removed.

And as ever; an eager farang is ready to distribute the thorns.

As has been pointed out before, we are merely observers. She has got the roses, the people of the country have the thorny problems. A bit like the goldmine and the shaft.

She does make me a little thorny.

"On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North."

The success of this meeting is evident by the billowing smoke in the background

Perhaps more giant billboards around town in English with her photo saying, "STOP BURNING!" are in order. Seemed to have worked well years past. All mountain farmers frequent the city and can read English, didn't ya know?

How apt! The people of Chiang Mai hand her roses with the thorns removed.

And as ever; an eager farang is ready to distribute the thorns.

As has been pointed out before, we are merely observers. She has got the roses, the people of the country have the thorny problems. A bit like the goldmine and the shaft.

She does make me a little thorny.

Roses don't have thorns, they have prickles.

"On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North."

The success of this meeting is evident by the billowing smoke in the background

Perhaps more giant billboards around town in English with her photo saying, "STOP BURNING!" are in order. Seemed to have worked well years past. All mountain farmers frequent the city and can read English, didn't ya know?

If what your saying is correct then this committee set up by Yingluck is just another publicity stunt with foreigner as the target audience.

My comment was referring to the pic in the news item that is the topic.

"On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North."

The success of this meeting is evident by the billowing smoke in the background

That looks like clouds in the photo, not smoke. Mon Jam is up in the clouds. Beautiful location.

"On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North."

The success of this meeting is evident by the billowing smoke in the background

That looks like clouds in the photo, not smoke. Mon Jam is up in the clouds. Beautiful location.

Yes beautiful clouds that obscure the trees behind her, then disappear in other camera angles.

I can understand you want to defend her but try not to be so obviously deceptive, or are you really deceiving yourself?

Yes I have been to Mon Jam but I fail to see what that has to do with my post.

some posters may not like it but she has the majority of Thailand on her side as will be shown in the elections (again) and a little local trouble down in amartland won't stop PTP winning (again)

now the Army have said they support elections (good for them) and the Chief said he didn't understand Dear Leader :

Gen Tanasak in his opening remarks admitted he had heard Mr Suthep's speeches at rallies but "didn't understand them".

"On Thursday, she was scheduled to chair a meeting with the head of government offices on how to solve fog and smoke pollution problem in the North."

The success of this meeting is evident by the billowing smoke in the background

That looks like clouds in the photo, not smoke. Mon Jam is up in the clouds. Beautiful location.

Yes beautiful cloud that obscure the trees behind her. I can understand you want to defend her but try not to be so obviously deceptive, or are you really deceiving yourself?

Have you been to Mon Jam? The clouds rise up from below, rolling over the ridge.

So...YL chills out in Mai...no big deal. However....the country is in turmoil and she'd gain

more respect if she had stayed in BKK to see it all through until elections...and then

split for Mai or Rai or wherever. YL isn't a leader one iota....I doubt she could lead a

squad of Girl Scouts down a street on a cookie sale.

PRETTY PATHETIC of everyone poor girl cant even go home without being beat down

i so pretty ... look at me ... I so pretty ... everyone loves me ... I so pretty

Useless to the core

i so pretty ... look at me ... I so pretty ... everyone loves me ... I so pretty

Useless to the core

You forgot "Smirk now, thank you three times !"

Its a pity Yingluck has so much family 'baggage' - because she certainly has resilience

Resilience maybe but loyalty certainly, she has begged her brother to let her resign on a few occasions but he tells her to stay for the good of the family and she does.

Do we really know that, or is it another thorny rumour ?

i so pretty ... look at me ... I so pretty ... everyone loves me ... I so pretty

Useless to the core

useless to the core huh? Thailand's first female PM, held her own throughout the attempted coup, dissolved parliament to test the 'people's power' at a democratic election and winning the last election of course

you might not agree with her but she is not 'useless to the core' by any stretch of any reasonable imagination

once Dear Leader is a spent force she will come through this as quite a towering figure. Granted she is not a 'great' by any means but I quite admire her fortitude against all the bullying and name calling.

Eventually I hope Thailand finds a 'Mandela' or 'Aung San Suu Kyi" but there is no one remotely like that on the present horizon and she is a far better choice than Dear Leader who wants an unelected council.

Give her a break

some posters may not like it but she has the majority of Thailand on her side as will be shown in the elections (again) and a little local trouble down in amartland won't stop PTP winning (again)

now the Army have said they support elections (good for them) and the Chief said he didn't understand Dear Leader :

Gen Tanasak in his opening remarks admitted he had heard Mr Suthep's speeches at rallies but "didn't understand them".

She certainly does NOT have the majority of Thais on her side... she was voted in as prime minister by a majority of MPs, she was not voted in by the Thai peoples. And PTP, had the majority of seats NOT the majority of individual votes. And I am sure every one of those MPs who voted for her are on her brothers payroll... She is a lackey for her brother and his Plebs...sad woman.. and so sad for Thailand.

"The North is her land."

Wut? Since when?

She never went north when she was an executive in Shin Corp... she was a Bangkokian through and through....

The north is her brother Thaksin's land. Hence, I think some reporter got confused about who the actual leader is/was again.

-mel.