Share your thoughts

Discussion 1 : 03/10/2012 at 10:00 PM

dumm - "...t she "spoke fluidly" during an English language interview at the Asia Society." Interesting, no where in the Forbes 1" article, did it say the interview was in English. Just make that up, Dom?

Discussion 2 : 03/10/2012 at 02:10 PM

brilliant D41 The article is headlined "Yingluck glides at Asia Society", don't know what 'glides' means either. She seems to have done well though.

Discussion 3 : 03/10/2012 at 05:17 AM

dom dumm - ""spoke fluidly"" Is that something like speaking fluently? I've never heard in my entire life of someone speaking fluidly. Maybe they meant like with a mouth full of water?

Discussion 4 : 02/10/2012 at 09:21 PM

android - I know enough about Thai "culture" to know when it comes to "face" and money, blood isn't thicker than water. A "powerful" Thai person would stab his own brother in the back for enough money. Oh wait, that exact thing has happened in Thailand.

Discussion 5 : 02/10/2012 at 08:46 PM

pete D38 No, I didn't know polls were 'hollow', they are not always accurate but overall I believe they give a fair indication of what people are thinking. Granted the polls in Thailand are less reliable, but YS hasn't had a negative set of figures from any of the polling organisations for some months now. Last week during her NY trip Forbes Magazine described her government as "surprisingly popular" and said that she "spoke fluidly" during an English language interview at the Asia Society.

Discussion 6 : 02/10/2012 at 05:17 PM

Disc 35: domdunnn: Oh come on, surely you know polls are hollow, and are you trying to emulate your fellow countryman again by saying “she doesn't pretend she knows everything”. Oscar said “The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything”. You’ve still got a lot to learn domdunnn.

Discussion 7 : 02/10/2012 at 04:56 PM

soltair D 19 Appointing Jutaporn to the cabinet whilst he is on bail on terrorism charges would not set a precedent, remember Dem. Foreign Minister Kasit?

Discussion 8 : 02/10/2012 at 03:00 PM

anyone reading this would think that she makes the decisions, rather than her older brother.

Discussion 9 : 02/10/2012 at 02:23 PM

Eric D15 Agree. And for a democratic politician YS has a big thing going for her, she is popular, the people like her. The latest Suan Dusit poll shows her ratings up from 6 months ago and now in the high sixties. I suspect that NITNOI D12 has hit the nail on the head, people don't mind her inexperience as long as she doesn't pretend she knows everything. She is learning on the job and the public seem happy to give her time.

Discussion 10 : 02/10/2012 at 02:06 PM

the prime minister does not want to pander to members of the so-called House No.111, or former executives of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, who did nothing to help Pheu Thai's election campaign last year..."The 111 politicians cannot be brought into the cabinet because they cannot live together [with the prime minister]. Who wants to appoint people who would overshadow them?" once these 111 be in cabinet, soon the shadow of thaksin will be gone and sure YS has asked his brother about the decision.

Discussion 11 : 02/10/2012 at 01:57 PM

Weng Tojirakarn, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP and member of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said that the party should consider Jatuporn Prompan for a cabinet post, ideally to replace Mr Yongyuth, because Mr Jatuporn had worked tirelessly for the party. WOW, wait a minute; working tirelessly for UDD/rally/incitement/threatening.

Discussion 12 : 02/10/2012 at 12:46 PM

The biggest weakness of Thaksin, UDD, PTP and all of its incarnations is that it has been clear all along that it is a personality cult, an autocracy, a dictatorship - all betraying the "democratic" rhetoric ... and the struggle all along has been to portray each cog as "independent." From the UDD to Thaksin's placeholder PM sister, they have made weak attempts (this being the latest) to portray independence between the interlocking cogs.

Discussion 13 : 02/10/2012 at 11:21 AM

Why the charade that Yingluck will have anything to do with the decision making .She better go and tour some flooding while the decisions are really made .

Discussion 14 : 02/10/2012 at 11:17 AM

Unnamed sources close to the PM leak information to the press. Why not just call it a press release from the 'boss'.

Discussion 15 : 02/10/2012 at 10:53 AM

The PM only needs a few “Good Men” to help her run the country; an inner circle of “heavy-duty” ministers, if you like. Having too many “Indian Chiefs” in the cabinet will only complicate matters as many “111-TTT” are factions with very different mind-sets from PT. Nevertheless, the PM should not rule them out altogether as some of them have the experiences, qualifications and integrity to help her in the affairs of the States; a wise and confident person will always employ people smarter than themselves.

Discussion 16 : 02/10/2012 at 10:04 AM

We were always likely to get to the point that the PM felt strong enough to try to move out of her brother's shadow - everyone has their own face and ego (especially the Shinawatra's). Maybe this is it. She might also see that this fixation with appointing ill-qualified Shinawatra relatives and clan members will be her downfall. She may not control who gets into the cabinet (which is still a matter of factional politics) but she does control when which is a powerful tool - but not enough. The end result is not in doubt - which is Khun Thaksin will get his way and if she pushes too hard her brother will sweep her away

Discussion 17 : 02/10/2012 at 09:51 AM

It is all about control. Those members of House No.111 are very difficult to control for Mr.Thaksin as long as he is not arround.They might have their own agenda and not be interested in him at all. For Mr.Thaksin it is much better to keep the people who will actually do as he says. That is actually a very clever move by the siblings.

Discussion 18 : 02/10/2012 at 09:39 AM

This is clearly YS "standing-up" to the old guard. It's taking its toll, however, look at her face showing signs of the strain.

Discussion 19 : 02/10/2012 at 09:27 AM

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra will not bow to pressure from House No.111 politicians into making cabinet changes now or in the near future, a highly placed source said Monday. As "highly a placed source" , as the Dubai desert apparantly ?

Discussion 20 : 02/10/2012 at 09:13 AM

Yongyuth Wichaidit's resignation as deputy prime minister and interior minister following a National Anti-Corruption Commission ruling he had committed a serious breach of discipline in connection with the Alpine land case. So shouldn't the person who bought the land also be punnished?? And when are we going to see the golf course ripped up and the land given back to the temple? The Dems should focus on that as I am sure that will anger thaksin so much.

Discussion 21 : 02/10/2012 at 09:06 AM

Z- politicians would fit better.

Discussion 22 : 02/10/2012 at 09:06 AM

Lets check a simple fact to test Weng's statement that Jatu worked tirelessly. Publish the parliamentary attendance record of Jatu and while you are at it add Nattawut as well.

Discussion 23 : 02/10/2012 at 08:59 AM

there are no "A" grade politicians in Thailand

Discussion 24 : 02/10/2012 at 08:37 AM

@android #18: Thanks for confirming that this is about “blood” and nothing else. You must also have that blood - or maybe you are just dreaming about having it. Otherwise you would maybe think that having the same blood is not enough – in fact the blood has nothing at all to do with the job!

Discussion 25 : 02/10/2012 at 08:24 AM

"Some think themselves as being more capable than the prime minister",---and-- "Weng Tojirakarn, the party should consider Jatuporn Prompan for a cabinet post, ideally to replace Mr Yongyuth" ---- To point one, it does not take much to be better, she a[[ears not in charge anyway, just a pretty face. Point two tell us that Weng and Thida are truly a pair, to suggest to appoint an accused terrorist who is out on bail makes Yongyuth looks innocent. And these are the people in charge running Thailand? Yeah in the ground that is.

Discussion 26 : 02/10/2012 at 08:11 AM

Discussion 4 brilliant : "One or two of the new guys or Yingluck saying no to the guy in Dubai and the trouble will escalate." They are in the same family with the same blood as Thaksin. Don't be so naive that they'll fight with each other. Learn more about thai culture before making any assessment on the thai people.

Discussion 27 : 02/10/2012 at 07:47 AM

"Weng Tojirakarn, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP and member of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said that the party should consider Jatuporn Prompan for a cabinet post, ideally to replace Mr Yongyuth, because Mr Jatuporn had worked tirelessly for the party." Another example of putting those with absolutely no idea only because they are good at following orders rather than leadership. I am sorry but ...Please!!! I do know about tirelessly but if you count how many times you see him screaming and yelling about god know what then I guess that would make anyone tired. However if memory serves me leaders lead, not run or come up with excuses when something they do goes wrong. Another problem in politics, taking responsibility for your own actions.

Discussion 28 : 02/10/2012 at 07:37 AM

@Franklin #3: Great comment!

Discussion 29 : 02/10/2012 at 07:37 AM

After a year in office, PM Yingluck has shown remarkable improvement in fulfilling her responsibilities. She has not change much in her determination to tackle problems and clear on her method to let politics be amicable. With 2 royal honors, recognition from world leaders and consistent positive poll, she has now in a position of strength and can stand up to Taksin and Yawapha. We saw this media speculation last May and the headline then was 'it will shake up the government'. Really nothing happen. There will be very little minor changes this time and just demonstrate that Yingluck has finally come on her own.

Discussion 30 : 02/10/2012 at 07:25 AM

It would be a bunch of rusty A grade actors butting heads with a rookie C grade director. And all the while over in Dubai, Thaksin is pleading 'for goodnessake, can we get this reshuffle over and done with, I'm getting tired of constant house calls'.

Discussion 31 : 02/10/2012 at 07:21 AM

It would be even more interesting if Ms Yingluck developed the same backbone in respect of her brother.

Discussion 32 : 02/10/2012 at 07:19 AM

If I were elected to the job because of popularity but not ability,I don't mind to have knowledga ble people over shadow me because I love to see the country go in the right direction.If I can't see well I don't mind to have someone hold my hand and lead me.The popularity somehow is still work well in every society.I remember it must have been 40 years ago the Thais were willing to elect a popular movie star "Mitra Chaibuncha" to be PM because of popularity nothing else.

Discussion 33 : 02/10/2012 at 07:18 AM

Come-on, folks! This has been all about a Govt of TS, for TS, and by TS, from the beginning. It is what we call "Tyranny of Democracy."

Discussion 34 : 02/10/2012 at 07:01 AM

One source says there is pressure from the 111 group, another source says the 111 group never pressured anybody, then a source says Yingluck will not bow to the pressure that, according to the other source was never there anyhow, because they didn't do anything in the last elections, but then somebody comes and says that her convicted criminal on the run thinks it would not be fair to let the 111 stand in the rain, and as icing on the cake, another convicted criminal, this one on bail, thinks it would be great to have his multiple to jail sentenced D-Grade fellow politician apointed as minister. Help me to find the right words: a political zoo?

Discussion 35 : 02/10/2012 at 06:45 AM

We can rant and rave about all the greed and corruption in Thailand on every level...regretfully nothing ever changes.

Discussion 36 : 02/10/2012 at 06:35 AM

These stories always amuse me with the source having all the information. Notice everyone has a name but the source. Could it be these stories are simply invented with hidden agendas in mind. Too many times you see this type reporting only to find the truth some time later.

Discussion 37 : 02/10/2012 at 06:22 AM

Disc 3: franklin: Very good all round summing up of this situation and yes, it is moronic. Consider the education levels of some of these ‘applicants’ for leadership positions, how many have degrees from Khao San University, the number one faculty for political science? How many have actual knowledge of government? How many are worthy? How many are honest? Who would be prepared to serve the people before himself? Get the answers right and you are left with the questions. Who cares? Only the self serving, and that’s how it all works. Politics, Thai style.

Discussion 38 : 02/10/2012 at 05:59 AM

Let's call a spade a spade. The House 111 members only want to get into the Cabinet so that they can take part in raiding the state's coffers. I'd love to think that they were just itching to serve their fellow "pee norng" Thais so as to improve their lives and to make them happier.

Discussion 39 : 02/10/2012 at 05:49 AM

Members of the house of 111 can wait till the next GE. At the mean time they can work hard on amending the 2007 un-demonctratic constitution that banned them on wrong doing of one person committed before 2007.

Discussion 40 : 02/10/2012 at 05:40 AM

This is like a house of cards starting to crumble. The old guard fighting against the new with the end game being who can get massively rich off of the graft. One or two of the new guys or Yingluck saying no to the guy in Dubai and the trouble will escalate. This is going to be fun to watch over the next few weeks.

Discussion 41 : 02/10/2012 at 05:27 AM

Would you go to a doctor who has never been to medical school? Fly in an airplane with a pilot who has never even been in a flight-simulator or flown before? Pretty moronic, right? The same applies as incompetent cronies are simply appointed to high level ministries who not only lack the needed particular knowledge and skills of that ministry but the morals that should be found in all leadership positions in government. I couldn’t care less where they come from or their party affiliation as long as they put the nation first and work for the good of Thai people. Sounds like a sad joke, heh? The point is that the Shinawatra Siblings have been at the helm for a year now and how is the country any better without impending future financial burdens on the horizon? Who has really been impressed my any of the speeches and photo opportunities? What concrete betterments have taken place? Civil war in the south? Education? Recon-silly-ation? Infra-structure? Trust from the people? Show some leadership for heaven’s sake. Walk the walk and less hollow self-congratulation!

Discussion 42 : 02/10/2012 at 03:56 AM

"Who wants to appoint people who would overshadow them?" Yes, who wants to appoint people who are better at the job? Not that I think the 111 people are good, better, best - I simply don't know - but having such a "source" in the cabinet ... Yingluck you have to clean up or you'll soon be gone. Your faraway brother still has to pay back some favors. Omit Jatuporn though. Nobody needs another convicted guy on bail.

Discussion 43 : 02/10/2012 at 03:07 AM

If Yingluck wants to prove she works for Thailand's benefit, then she should can the whole lot of her cabinet and ministers, and replace them with people who actually have experience in the field they oversee. The PTP government is too full of patronage appointments instead of quality appointments.