To Christiane Amanpour, welcome to Yingluck's Potemkin Village

[fab4]

Amanpour is filled with herself. She's not the only one. The integrity of journalism today is held for ransom by the corrupt politicians who are being interviewed. The best interviewer See is Charlie Rose. His interview yesterday with Masayoshi Son was terrific. He asked tough questions and Son was great. Where he couldn't answer, he said so.

The BBC can also come up with some good interviewing. Even the "great and the good" , come up short when they are presented with "real" questions, here interviewed by Mishal Husain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzSJyFVQlTU

[rickirs]

When you compare the half hour or more that CNN spends on reporting and interviewing on the Ukraine protests and the Venzuela protests compared to the five minute prepared Q&A with Yingluck, you'd have to admit that CNN doesn't display any concern with Yingluck's government. And yet CNN does a very competent job with other countries to dig into all the underlying corruptions and abuses of governments. So why the disparity in reporting? When the Democrat anti-government protesters support a former dictator-style government that operated similarily to current Venzuela and former Ukraine governments, was displaced by a democratic process, and continues to oppose a democratic rule of law, Thailand only deserves lip service. I've watched BBC, Al Jeezera News and China News who give even less attention to Thailand's anti-government protests than CNN.

[lomatopo]

Because it was bought and paid for like many other of the "degrees" touted by Thais.

FYI, the author of the article in the OP claims to have graduated from Stanford (presumably University) in 1983, at age 33.

An example of Ms. Kanchanalak's "objectivity", comparing Khun Abhisit to Obama and Hercules:

TELL IT AS IT IS

One hundred and forty one days and counting

By Pornpimol Kanchanalak

Published on May 7, 2009

"May the winds be at your back, and the road rise to meet you," are the oft-spoken words for a new incumbency or journey. But the first 100 days of Abhisit Vejjajiva's premiership have been anything but a tailwind and welcoming road for the 44 year-old Thai leader.

Our prime minister - whose credentials, track record and integrity would make decent citizens of any country proud to have him as their leader - has been in constant battles politically and economically. He has taken an unrelenting beating from the get go, from all directions. But he has shown his mettle and grace under pressure. Friend or foe, one thing is clear to all - he is not one to be taken for a ride.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/07/opinion/opinion_30102126.php

http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/pauline-kanchanalak

http://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/09/us/an-inquiry-clouds-a-lobbyist-s-success-story.html

https://thaipoliticalprisoners.wordpress.com/tag/pornpimol-kanchanalak/

[bigbamboo]

Amanpour's interviews are all about Amanpour, and I find her utterly unwatchable, her ego dwarfs everybody else in the room. Also the questions she puts are totally couched in her rigid beliefs on "the way things are" which she totally believes are the only correct viewpoint. This is only my own personal and humble opinion.

No it isn't. It's shared by many.

[bigbamboo]

CNN is a joke these days and no longer do you see it screened in hotels and airports across the world.

As for Yingluck....how can you have a Masters in English and not be able to speak the language?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$.........

[Dogmatix]

The interview would have been better left to Panthongtae's Voice TV.

Amanpour is now a sad burned out shell. Time for her to retire and write her memoirs about when she was still a hard hitting investigative reporter and make way for younger journalists who still have the fire in the belly to make a difference, rather than just make money.

[Stan7444]

It was a fair and balanced report on CNN. It is no surprise that some posters will find that objectionable

Also felt it was a good and fair report and enjoy Christine's reporting all the time. As someone else mentioned here, people around the world don't care about Thailand and what craziness is going on here the past few months. All the concern is focused upon the Ukraine problem with Russia trying to annex the Crimea, which could result in a bloodbath far worse than this Thailand mess at the present. The purpose of the interview was suppose to be on the Malaysian flight that went missing and Thailand's contribution to locating it, which has captured the attention of the world, as opposed to the Thai rice program of which nobody outside Thailand has ever heard about before and could give a hoot.

[Dogmatix]

CNN is a joke these days and no longer do you see it screened in hotels and airports across the world.

As for Yingluck....how can you have a Masters in English and not be able to speak the language?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$.........

Her masters in public administration was not from Yale, Harvard, Stamford, Oxford or Cambridge. It was from Kentucky State U which has to raise money from overseas masters degree students' fees to meet its obligation to provide virtually free bachelors degree education to KY residents. They pass all of them that show up and can write their names and you will notice that their masters degree GPAs are all exponentially better than their bachelors degree grades. No savvy employer will take these degrees seriously.

[casualbiker]

Journalists, especially those who cover Washington, know that every once in a while they will be asked by government officials to "plant" questions at a press conference.

Not that Ms. Kanchanalak is a journalist - she is probably more recognized as having been convicted on illegal campaign contribution charges in the U.S., and thus is an "in-house" expert on corruption - I doubt she sees the irony in her quasi-review/editorial?

"In June 2000, Kanchanalak pled guilty to felony conspiracy and misdemeanor campaign financing charges".

(FYI, various Thai government entities are blocking more and more web-sites which detail Ms. Kanchanalak's "activities" in the U.S.)

On reading a bit it looks like it wasn't just Kanchanalak.. CP boss Dhanin Chearavanont was also implicated.

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1997_Special_Investigation_in_Connection_with_1996_Federal_Election_Campaigns/Section_7

ps: I didn't think much of the interview, Also considering Thailand had one plane and one ship in the search the Malaysian link was a fop.. The questions were asked and answered for the Thai market more than the international .. Even the interpreter was below average!

Edited March 13, 2014 by casualbiker

[Dogmatix]

It was a fair and balanced report on CNN. It is no surprise that some posters will find that objectionable

Also felt it was a good and fair report and enjoy Christine's reporting all the time. As someone else mentioned here, people around the world don't care about Thailand and what craziness is going on here the past few months. All the concern is focused upon the Ukraine problem with Russia trying to annex the Crimea, which could result in a bloodbath far worse than this Thailand mess at the present. The purpose of the interview was suppose to be on the Malaysian flight that went missing and Thailand's contribution to locating it, which has captured the attention of the world, as opposed to the Thai rice program of which nobody outside Thailand has ever heard about before and could give a hoot.

How can you say this was a good and fair report when it just comprised of YL reading prepared statements in Thai written by others from the idiot board? It was not an interview. The only positive point was that she didn't say, "Khob khun kha saam krang" again.

[emanphoto]

It was an opportunity to show the illegitimacy of both sides; one corrupt, the other just as corrupt using a legit protest against the amnesty program to try and launch something to their own benefit they'd never get in an election. It's a delicious scenario any competent journo would have sunk their teeth into…except Amanpour. 2 sides, both lying sacks of monitor lizard poop, and a chance to shine a real light on them, missed.

Amanpour:FAIL.

CNN spends more time promoting their news and programs than actually broadcasting any.

[Baerboxer]

It was a fair and balanced report on CNN. It is no surprise that some posters will find that objectionable

Fair and balanced - based on most of your posts that view isn't a surprise!

It was the usual PR <deleted> that we've come to expect from PTP.

[bigbamboo]

CNN is a joke these days and no longer do you see it screened in hotels and airports across the world.

As for Yingluck....how can you have a Masters in English and not be able to speak the language?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$.........

Her masters in public administration was not from Yale, Harvard, Stamford, Oxford or Cambridge. It was from Kentucky State U which has to raise money from overseas masters degree students' fees to meet its obligation to provide virtually free bachelors degree education to KY residents. They pass all of them that show up and can write their names and you will notice that their masters degree GPAs are all exponentially better than their bachelors degree grades. No savvy employer will take these degrees seriously.

It was a curious choice though for a high society, overseas student from a wealthy family but there must have been a reason. It is ranked number eleven ......... in Kentucky.

Edited March 13, 2014 by bigbamboo

[SoilSpoil]

CNN is a joke these days and no longer do you see it screened in hotels and airports across the world.

As for Yingluck....how can you have a Masters in English and not be able to speak the language?

The PM does not have a Masters Degree in English. She has an MPA in management information systems. If you have ever attended grad school you will know that many foreign students have some awful language skills. In my graduate classes in the science faculty, we had a Russian doctoral student who led one of our tutorials for biostats. The man was incomprehensible and had the personality of a dishrag. Two of the doctoral researchers in my lab were Chinese nationals who could barely string an English language sentence and yet these guys were also TAs. MIS doesn't require advanced English language skills. Much of the class work is number driven, which has its own "language". MPAs and MBAs are two types of masters diplomas that do not usually require a thesis and defense. One writes a research paper. That's why, the folks in the real sciences crack jokes about the diplomas. These are "finishing" diplomas intended to provide additional knowledge in business management for those with a different underlying education such as engineers. It also provides an opportunity for those with a business education/background to develop a broader knowledge of certain specialties (in the 2nd year).

Maybe no thesis, but surely an independent study and loads of reports to write! Not to mention the presentations one is supposed to give while following higher education. She has bought her degree just as many other Asian students when studying in the USA.

[Jingthing]

I watched it. It was a sickening interview. Yingluck was not pressed. What is it about her? Do interviewers just realize there is no there there and just afraid to be a "bully" to a pretty lady?

[SoilSpoil]

Humorous to see the holder of an English-language Masters degree has abandoned using English in interviews; no doubt due to her abysmal showings in the past. Unfortunately for her, the non-answers still permeate despite the new use of a translator.

What a great interview, thank you for posting it. As I've said before, it's standard protocol for head's of state to give interviews in their native language only. If this is all you have to pick on, her giving interviews in her native language, you really are reaching. I thought Christiane Amanpour asked a lot of poignant and tough questions; the rice scheme, possibility of a coup, her brother's influence, secession. What more do you want? You people are nuts!

And she accepted the answers without hesitation. This was pure Yingluck propaganda. And as always it's those calling others nuts, that are the most twisted.

[Jonmarleesco]

I missed the fun, but if nothing else, it seems that not only did Yingluck not disappoint with her superb grasp of comedic timing, nor did her answer writers' banality.

[bkkbarbara]

Christiane, I so admired your work in Bosnia but this time I think you forgot your journalistic ethics on the way to the office. Softball questions and no follow-up; how could you?

Yingluck, even your supporters should expect you to be more articulate in your native language, but you're not. You still sound like a ditz. Have you heard? Kentucky State called and they want their degree back.

[Goat Roper]

One really does wonder why a respected journalist only covers one side of the story.

No wonder no-one trusts CNN anymore.

Hopefully her readership will diminish for such poor reporting.

Shame on you Ms Amanpour.

As far as I know Ms. Amanpour is a far left leaning news journalist. I have a feeling a list of prepared questions were given to her by YL. This is the first time I recall YL responding in Thai to an English interview.

[rametindallas]

Ha, it's funny watching the endless squirming on Suthep and Dem's Thai far right when the world beyond their shores doesn't quite get their twisted version of reality.

Where do you go to watch Suthep squirming 'endlessly'. Must be quite a spectacle. Can you take some photos for me next time?

[rametindallas]

It was a fair and balanced report on CNN. It is no surprise that some posters will find that objectionable

Fair and balanced - based on most of your posts that view isn't a surprise!

It was the usual PR <deleted> that we've come to expect from PTP.

His name stands for Public Relations Bangkok. He's vying for Noppodon's spokesman job.

Edited March 13, 2014 by rametindallas

[zydeco]

It was a fair and balanced report on CNN. It is no surprise that some posters will find that objectionable

And the other wacko bird gave you a likey

Neither Prbkk or GK have much to cheer about these days. The people they defend are embarrassing failures whose end is nigh. Let them cheerlead CNN, the channel of Amanpour's self righteous rants about the world, Andy Cooper's crying about how the world isn't American enough (the segment today where he lambasted the Malaysians about the jet was sickening), and the supercilious Piers Morgan (or is he an ex-CNNer yet?). And then there are all those annoying CNN anchors in Asia. There is more relevant news about the world coming out of Granma.

[rwhoov]

And we all know how "Fair and Balanced" The Nation is; just another hatchet job. Will be interesting to see how they spin Suthep's monster rally.

[Goat Roper]

I watched it. It was a sickening interview. Yingluck was not pressed. What is it about her? Do interviewers just realize there is no there there and just afraid to be a "bully" to a pretty lady?

Jing I think Ms. Amanpour was given by YL and her handlers the questions to ask. The interview was a farce and a complete waste of time IMO. I sensed by watching Ms. Amanpour's facial expressions that she was a little bored with the whole thing.

[winstonc]

The Yellow Propaganda machine dont works on CNN. Good!

nor the truth either apparantly eh....good what sort of reply is that..54 and still living at home....

[gemini81]

The Yellow Propaganda machine dont works on CNN. Good!

About as good as red propaganda on an expat forum then, right?

[Thai at Heart]

Honestly, does anyone even watch CNN anymore? It's an all-but-defunct has been news network. It's the butt of endless jokes on both sides of the political spectrum in the US. Amanpour is just "phoning in" her appearances now, collecting huge paychecks like everyone else, until this once great proud news organization makes the inevitable plunge into bankruptcy.

Well they just got rid of piers morgan so its on the up.

Shame is he's probably back to the uk. Dammit

[Morch]

It's a seven minute interview - how in-depth can it get?

Bearing in mind that Thailand is a sideshow and that most viewers do not follow Thai politics - what did you expect?

As for using an interpreter - all for it, less of an embarrassment compared with previous interviews (also easier to be sure when she tries to deflect a question rather than mererly not understanding it).

[Scamper]

Remarkable article. It is indeed surprising that Amanpour - who is known for some very tough interviews - would allow this. The problem - yet again - is that Surapong's bubble is preserved for international consumption. The disservice trickles down to the viewers, and they include many people who simply want to understand what is happening here. Although it still eludes the simplicity of a thirty-second soundbite, just ten minutes would accomplish a lot. Yingluck has gotten away with not talking to anyone. In her own country, she is also only asked soft questions. And of course, she doesn't want to talk to the NACC. If she ever does - and who knows at what point in the future that will be - it would be the price of admission to see what she would do with real, searching questions. It's like the Peter Sellers character in Being There. Half of them think he's brilliant ( like Pheu Thai ) while the other half think something is terribly wrong.

Edited March 13, 2014 by Scamper

[kimamey]

Amanpour is filled with herself. She's not the only one. The integrity of journalism today is held for ransom by the corrupt politicians who are being interviewed. The best interviewer See is Charlie Rose. His interview yesterday with Masayoshi Son was terrific. He asked tough questions and Son was great. Where he couldn't answer, he said so.

The BBC can also come up with some good interviewing. Even the "great and the good" , come up short when they are presented with "real" questions, here interviewed by Mishal Husain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzSJyFVQlTU

This is the first time I'd watched the whole interview and I thought he did pretty well against some good questioning. I did feel he might have defended himself better with different answers but at least he did mention the ROE at the time which is crucial to his murder charge. I'm sure many on here haven't bothered to read them before posting. One poster even said 'Suthep ordered the army to murder people'. That would make a short trial.

Yingluck was never going to sound as good using an interpreter who to be honest didn't seem that good. I've no way of backing this up but my wife says Yingluck's Thai isn't that good either. She didn't look like she was coming up with the answers herself. I wonder how the interview was conducted. Was it filmed and then the delays edited out? I don't know how well Yingluck is able to understand spoken English rather than speaking it but if she was reacting that quick she must be good or the answers were already prepared.

I did think the interviewing was a bit weak. A good interviewer would check all their facts first, starting with how to pronounce the interviewees name. The question about being influenced by her brother was particularly bad as it could have been answered in one word. 'No'. She did say more than that but it didn't have or need much substance. It would have been better if she'd been asked why she was chosen over all the other real politicians in the party and linked that to the question about Thaksin. The rice scheme was another bad one as well. It was referred to as the failed rice scheme which most politicians would counter with a denial and asking what evidence the interviewer had for that claim as while I'm sure that evidence will come it isn't clear cut yet. Much better to try to pin her down with facts and figures such as the reported 18% that went to the farmers.

The thing is Yingluck is never going to come across that well because she hasn't had the experience.