Yingluck Shinawatra steps back into Thailand's political arena

[webfact]

Yingluck Shinawatra steps back into Thailand's political arena
By Jonathan Head
South East Asia correspondent

BANGKOK: -- When she was stripped of her job as prime minister in a controversial Constitutional Court verdict two years ago, and then, two weeks later, her government was deposed by a military coup, Yingluck Shinawatra's brief political career appeared to be over.

It seemed a certainty after a military-appointed assembly banned her from political office for five years, and then a criminal charge was filed against her.

For most of the past two years the telegenic sister of political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra has been out of the public eye.

Full story: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36422838

-- BBC 2016-06-01

[baboon]

Let the apoplexy begin...

[JAG]

Ooh my oh my - stand by for a "Jonathan Head hatefest"...

Edited to add: Drat - baboon got in first!

[thesetat2013]

I must say that this articles headline is misleading and that it was a complete waste of time reading it.

[NongKhaiKid]

BBC World is showing footage of her visiting a school in the North East and being mobbed by schoolchildren too young to have any idea about politics so presumably doing exactly what family and teachers told them to do.

It was supposedly something to do with a competition posted on her Facebook account and due to the age of her ' supporters ' she can claim it wasn't political as the children are too young to vote, providing they could that is.

However she must be aware, as do so many others. that the law and legal niceties mean nothing to the junta when it suits.

The current situation with the monk is a prime example.

[JAG]

BBC World is showing footage of her visiting a school in the North East and being mobbed by schoolchildren too young to have any idea about politics so presumably doing exactly what family and teachers told them to do.

It was supposedly something to do with a competition posted on her Facebook account and due to the age of her ' supporters ' she can claim it wasn't political as the children are too young to vote, providing they could that is.

However she must be aware, as do so many others. that the law and legal niceties mean nothing to the junta when it suits.

The current situation with the monk is a prime example.

To be fair the footage linked to the OP shows her meeting with and talking with adults too.

I think she knows exactly what she is doing. In the words of a certain Irish "politician" "They haven't gone away you know". And no, I am not comparing Yingluck or the Pheu Thai to the Provisional I R A.!

It is a bit of a challenge to the junta though isn't it - I do rather wonder how they will react. I expect someones bowl of Wheatabix got thrown at the dog this morning!

[NongKhaiKid]

BBC World is showing footage of her visiting a school in the North East and being mobbed by schoolchildren too young to have any idea about politics so presumably doing exactly what family and teachers told them to do.

It was supposedly something to do with a competition posted on her Facebook account and due to the age of her ' supporters ' she can claim it wasn't political as the children are too young to vote, providing they could that is.

However she must be aware, as do so many others. that the law and legal niceties mean nothing to the junta when it suits.

The current situation with the monk is a prime example.

To be fair the footage linked to the OP shows her meeting with and talking with adults too.

I think she knows exactly what she is doing. In the words of a certain Irish "politician" "They haven't gone away you know". And no, I am not comparing Yingluck or the Pheu Thai to the Provisional I R A.!

It is a bit of a challenge to the junta though isn't it - I do rather wonder how they will react. I expect someones bowl of Wheatabix got thrown at the dog this morning!

BBC did show one woman being interviewed and stressing how afraid she is and although she watches the news a lot will only discuss with friends never with people she doesn't know out of fear.

Maybe she would have been better not to say anything as on return home there might well have been a green coloured vehicle parked at her front door !

I'm sure she would be easily identified in what i suppose was a rural area. Now there's a challenge the junta can easily handle.

[JAG]

BBC World is showing footage of her visiting a school in the North East and being mobbed by schoolchildren too young to have any idea about politics so presumably doing exactly what family and teachers told them to do.

It was supposedly something to do with a competition posted on her Facebook account and due to the age of her ' supporters ' she can claim it wasn't political as the children are too young to vote, providing they could that is.

However she must be aware, as do so many others. that the law and legal niceties mean nothing to the junta when it suits.

The current situation with the monk is a prime example.

To be fair the footage linked to the OP shows her meeting with and talking with adults too.

I think she knows exactly what she is doing. In the words of a certain Irish "politician" "They haven't gone away you know". And no, I am not comparing Yingluck or the Pheu Thai to the Provisional I R A.!

It is a bit of a challenge to the junta though isn't it - I do rather wonder how they will react. I expect someones bowl of Wheatabix got thrown at the dog this morning!

BBC did show one woman being interviewed and stressing how afraid she is and although she watches the news a lot will only discuss with friends never with people she doesn't know out of fear.

Maybe she would have been better not to say anything as on return home there might well have been a green coloured vehicle parked at her front door !

I'm sure she would be easily identified in what i suppose was a rural area. Now there's a challenge the junta can easily handle.

Very true, but if, having been interviewed as you describe on BBC World, she was then to be lifted by the military, it would make one hell of a follow up story wouldn't it? I'm not sure that the junta would relish that challenge - that is if they think that far ahead!

As I said, I think she (they) know exactly what they are doing.

The dog is going to get fed up with dodging cereal bowls in the morning!

[Misterwhisper]

She should stick to growing mushrooms. That's where her true vocation lies.

[Cuchulainn]

Worried about the half trillion, eh darlin'?

[Morakot]

The military junta has banned all political activity. Parties are not even allowed to hold meetings of their own members. No-one knows when an election will be held again, although the latest in a series of shifting deadlines is the end of next year. Ms Yingluck has found a way around the strictures of military rule by holding a contest among her five million Facebook followers.

[halloween]

She wants suggestions for a spot to visit? Klong Prem is nice this time of year.

[Mister Fixit]

Ooh my oh my - stand by for a "Jonathan Head hatefest"...

Edited to add: Drat - baboon got in first!

Let me start it. Well, not a hatefest, but an inconsistency (something Mr Head tends to be).

He said at the start of his piece - 'I was curious, partly to see Ms Yingluck interacting with her supporters, as I was not in Thailand when she had campaigned for the 2011 election'.

He then goes on to say later - 'She has not lost the skills she demonstrated during the 2011 election campaign for working a crowd, conversing and joking easily with everyone she met'.

Er, if he wasn't about to see her in 2011, how on earth would he know if she hadn't lost the skills she demonstrated in 2011??

Very inconsistent, and it seems to me he's just made the last part up.

Then again, he isn't much of a journalist, in my opinion.

[aussieinthailand]

She wants suggestions for a spot to visit? Klong Prem is nice this time of year.

Now if your junta leader had not given himself the mother of all amnesty's then that were he would be headed, and had his finances looked at by independent auditor's,

Well one could only guess how long the holiday could be???

Funny you and the few junta huggers are again quiet on the PM's statement regarding the temple stand off and a monk required to appear in court.

Now why is that pumpkin? Just to ridicules a statement to even try to back him up ehhh?

[halloween]

She wants suggestions for a spot to visit? Klong Prem is nice this time of year.

Now if your junta leader had not given himself the mother of all amnesty's then that were he would be headed, and had his finances looked at by independent auditor's,

Well one could only guess how long the holiday could be???

Funny you and the few junta huggers are again quiet on the PM's statement regarding the temple stand off and a monk required to appear in court.

Now why is that pumpkin? Just to ridicules a statement to even try to back him up ehhh?

A typical Shinawatra sycophant response, though they usually have better grasp of English; if you don't like what others have to say, try to change the subject.

My post was clearly flippant - we all know she won't be attending anywhere south of Korat voluntarily.

[The stuttering parrot]

Love her or hate her if an election was held tomorrow she would win in a landslide.

Not that she's got much to beat!

[chainarong]

BBC World is showing footage of her visiting a school in the North East and being mobbed by schoolchildren too young to have any idea about politics so presumably doing exactly what family and teachers told them to do.

It was supposedly something to do with a competition posted on her Facebook account and due to the age of her ' supporters ' she can claim it wasn't political as the children are too young to vote, providing they could that is.

However she must be aware, as do so many others. that the law and legal niceties mean nothing to the junta when it suits.

The current situation with the monk is a prime example.

To be fair the footage linked to the OP shows her meeting with and talking with adults too.

I think she knows exactly what she is doing. In the words of a certain Irish "politician" "They haven't gone away you know". And no, I am not comparing Yingluck or the Pheu Thai to the Provisional I R A.!

It is a bit of a challenge to the junta though isn't it - I do rather wonder how they will react. I expect someones bowl of Wheatabix got thrown at the dog this morning!

Nothing like a gentle reminder to keep the fans happy, as for the dog it does have a liking for WheatBix , how did U know that.

[candide]

Love her or hate her if an election was held tomorrow she would win in a landslide.

Not that she's got much to beat!

The most amusing (if I dare say so) is that the Junta may delay election for such a long time, that her 5 years ban may be over by then.

[baboon]

Love her or hate her if an election was held tomorrow she would win in a landslide.

Not that she's got much to beat!

The most amusing (if I dare say so) is that the Junta may delay election for such a long time, that her 5 years ban may be over by then.

I'm sure inventing a new law banning her for a further 5 years would be straightforward enough for these people...

[eggers]

It seems to have been forgotten she is still in court over her involvement in the rice pledging scheme.

If found guilty, she will have that to still contend with, a possible jail term & most likely appeals process.

Guess clever "puppeteer from Dubai" come up with a way around Junta laws!!

BBC must be light on for real news items, to have a reporter follow Yingluck around the countryside.

[Squeegee]

though they usually have better grasp of English

BTW in your miniscule world do people with poor English or dyslexia etc, not have the right to comment without you trying to belittle them?

Such is the humanity of those who side with anachronistic social and economic parasites; and the intellect and poor judgement to not see they too would be excluded from those who usually have a better grasp of English. School for failed snobs.

[nahkit]

Ooh my oh my - stand by for a "Jonathan Head hatefest"...

Edited to add: Drat - baboon got in first!

Let me start it. Well, not a hatefest, but an inconsistency (something Mr Head tends to be).

He said at the start of his piece - 'I was curious, partly to see Ms Yingluck interacting with her supporters, as I was not in Thailand when she had campaigned for the 2011 election'.

He then goes on to say later - 'She has not lost the skills she demonstrated during the 2011 election campaign for working a crowd, conversing and joking easily with everyone she met'.

Er, if he wasn't about to see her in 2011, how on earth would he know if she hadn't lost the skills she demonstrated in 2011??

Very inconsistent, and it seems to me he's just made the last part up.

Then again, he isn't much of a journalist, in my opinion.

He also says that she's married which I believe is incorrect. As far as I am aware, she has a common law husband.

[The stuttering parrot]

Also not quite sure it's quality reporting when saying she's mostly been out of the spotlight for 2 years.

I seem to see her in the media in one way or the other and quite often over the last 2 years.

[Baerboxer]

Love her or hate her if an election was held tomorrow she would win in a landslide.

Not that she's got much to beat!

Well, well, the parrots been resurrected.

No she wouldn't. She's banned for 5 years. Besides which, a lot of people who previously voted for her brother's political party have wised up to the constant lying, cheating and ineptness.

[Baerboxer]

Also not quite sure it's quality reporting when saying she's mostly been out of the spotlight for 2 years.

I seem to see her in the media in one way or the other and quite often over the last 2 years.

Yes, like when turning up eventually for court appearances.

[Baerboxer]

Love her or hate her if an election was held tomorrow she would win in a landslide.

Not that she's got much to beat!

The most amusing (if I dare say so) is that the Junta may delay election for such a long time, that her 5 years ban may be over by then.

I'm sure inventing a new law banning her for a further 5 years would be straightforward enough for these people...

Depends on how her rice scheme trial goes. She may yet face a criminal conviction at some point.

She's been brought out the cupboard and being jerked about again by her brother. Presumably timed to coincide with the trial she currently part of.

Remember how he reacted last time some of the family coffers were seized. Not sure he'd be able to orchestrate such a reaction this time but maybe just testing the support levels in case.

Or more simply getting some favorable press home and away in case the court verdict and sentence isn't to their liking.

Wonder how much staging this cost them?

[djjamie]

She could come back tomorrow and there would not be much chance she would win. She held the majority in contempt for too long. Even her own innocent poor farmer supporters who protested towards the end of her brothers reign a couple of years ago were threatened by his militant supporter base if they continued.

[candide]

Ooh my oh my - stand by for a "Jonathan Head hatefest"...

Edited to add: Drat - baboon got in first!

Let me start it. Well, not a hatefest, but an inconsistency (something Mr Head tends to be).

He said at the start of his piece - 'I was curious, partly to see Ms Yingluck interacting with her supporters, as I was not in Thailand when she had campaigned for the 2011 election'.

He then goes on to say later - 'She has not lost the skills she demonstrated during the 2011 election campaign for working a crowd, conversing and joking easily with everyone she met'.

Er, if he wasn't about to see her in 2011, how on earth would he know if she hadn't lost the skills she demonstrated in 2011??

Very inconsistent, and it seems to me he's just made the last part up.

Then again, he isn't much of a journalist, in my opinion.

"Very inconsistent, and it seems to me he's just made the last part up."

Well, this guy openly states when he was not there. And yet you suggest he actually wasn't there and made up what he reports. Isn't your post inconsistent in this way?

Additionally there has been many reports and videos made when she was campaigning in 2011, and her campaign was successful as her party came first with more than 10% of votes above the dems. So it's not difficult to assess how she was, even to people who were not there.

To be frank, if this small detail is the only thing you found to discredit this article......

[Jimbo2014]

Validating the old idiom that being an idiot is no barrier to a career in politics ?

[Baerboxer]

Ooh my oh my - stand by for a "Jonathan Head hatefest"...

Edited to add: Drat - baboon got in first!

Usual attempt to spike any comments before they're made.

To be fair, please find an article by Mr. Head in which he is ever critical of Thaksin, Yingluck or the Shins. An article in which he does not try to gloss over their, shall we say indiscretions as he normally does.

A Stephen Sakur he is not. An unashamed Shin fan boy whose glowing reports ignore any of the lying cheating and corruption that has been hallmarks of their various regimes.

A serious journalist would have taken Yingluck to task when he had the chance, on the rice scheme, the incessant lies, the cheating in parliamentary procedures, the never in parliament or answering questions, and the role of her brother in running the government with ministers and senior police openly meeting him overseas. And certainly have followed up and the Four Seasons incident.

If you can find articles or taped interviews where he does challenge them and reports the real full detail, both pros and cons, in an article that informs rather than attempts to persuade then I'll happily revise my opinion.

As far as I can see, he so biased it's embarrassing.