- By Ranger, Thai Intel’s political journalist
There is this aged old Thai saying, that “In time of crisis, Thais come together as one to save the day.”
- Looking at Yingluck’s utterances, throughout this crisis, in time when politics boils over-Yingluck would keep on saying, quote: “This is no time for politics.” Then I have visited the Red Shirts center at Lardprao Road several times, and talk to everyday Red Shirts to their leaders, and it is the same saying that, quote: “We will wait after the flood for everything else, because right now there is a flood crisis.”
The problem, is that as Yingluck and the Red Shirts-have like 90% put their political machine behind, the Democrat Party, establishment, media, and Yellow Shirts-have not abandoned their politics-with arguably, only the Thai military that have went supporting Yingluck’s philosophy of putting politics aside.
But the Democrat Party is playing politics as usual, the anti-Yingluck press is busy criticizing Yingluck as usual, the establishment’s academic is the same with nothing but criticism of Yingluck, and the Yellow Shirts, is greatly active spreading rumors on the internet social net-work.
- The question is, quote: “Is it smart for Yingluck and Red Shirts to abandoned their politics?”
The answer, is that Thai Intel believes “No” this self-censorship have only created a political vacuum that is being filled by anti-Yingluck and anti-Red Shirts sentiments.
On the other side of the argument, off course, many will say, that Thailand is a divided country with a polarized people-and thus if politics creeps into this flood crisis management of Yingluck, things will sure get worse. So in fact, Yingluck is doing the best she could-accepting the hit-as inevitable.
Yet, there is no doubt at all, that this Thai flood crisis have been “Politicized” by the Democrat Party, the Thai establishment, the anti-Yingluck media and the Yellow Shirts-and thus-Yingluck should see and realize that the Thai flood crisis, involved managing politics associated with the flooding as well.
- But again, all Yingluck and Red Shirts say, is that this is no time for politics!
What is at stake, Thai Intel argues, however, is not just the political angle, but the effectiveness of Yingluck’s flood crisis management as well.
- No where can this be seen, more than the total loss of the “Master and Channel Narrative” on this flood crisis-to the anti-Yingluck media. That loss of that “Narrative Control” have hurt the Thais in this flooding crisis management.
“Yes” there are arguments that Yingluck herself lost that narrative control because of in-effective communication. However, that in-effective communications is a problem long identified, could have been corrected-and the fact is, negative press have filed the vacuum.
Self-inflicted problems aside, this total loss of that “Narrative Input” is directly related to Yingluck’s and the Red Shirts total commitment to the philosophy, again, quote: “In time of crisis, Thais comes together as one to solve the crisis.”
That aged old narrative, is clearly, bull shit.
- The type of opinion being passed of as News at the Bangkok Post
(using source and observer)
By naming two flood panels, government admits failure
Published: 10/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The government is having to rely heavily on technocrats to restore its bruised credibility as it faces waning popularity after clearly failing to cope with the flood crisis.
The cabinet on Tuesday appointed a committee to formulate strategies to rehabilitate and rebuild the country for the future headed by former deputy prime minister and respected economist Virabongsa Ramangura. Another panel will draw up water resources management strategies to deal with flood problems and will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong.
Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the King’s Chaipattana Foundation, was appointed adviser of the water management committee.
Both panels are made up of members who are senior cabinet ministers, technocrats, experts in related fields and representatives from the Federation of Thai Industries, the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Bankers’ Association among others.
Setting up the two panels is proof that the government has not measured up to the task of tackling the flooding and is badly in need of a helping hand to shore up waning confidence in the way it is running the country.
Most members of the panels are known to be close to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who wants to help his sister.
A source said Mr Virabongsa was approached by Thaksin himself to help get the country back in shape and to restore investor confidence after the floods recede.
The source said Mr Sumet, His Majesty the King’s close aide, was invited by Mr Kittiratt in the hope that his knowledge and experience of projects initiated by the King would come in handy in boosting the government’s water management strategies.
The panel to rehabilitate the country headed by Mr Virabongsa is largely made up of economic technocrats and representatives from business organisations.
Visanu Krue-ngam, former deputy prime minister during the Thaksin administration, and Pansak Vinyaratn, Thaksin’s former adviser, also sit on the panel. But no representatives from the civic sector have been appointed.
Observers also noted that it was unusual that Mr Virabongsa, who is not a political office holder, was appointed to head the committee while Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit and Commerce Minister Kittiratt sit on the panel as Mr Virabongsa’s deputies. All eyes will be on the panel which is regarded as another cabinet working in parallel with the real cabinet.
This means the panel must tread carefully to avoid stepping on the toes of ministers, particularly from the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
Meanwhile, the water management committee headed by Mr Kittiratt comprises largely former civil servants of the Agriculture Ministry who tend to adhere to conventional approaches to water management.
There are still a few independent experts on water management, but the committee lacks representatives from the river basin areas across the country.
The two panels are reminiscent of those committees responsible for pursuing national reform and for seeking truth and reconciliation set up by the previous Abhisit Vejjajiva administration following last year’s political violence in April and May.
The Yingluck government should also appoint another national level committee to investigate why flood management efforts have failed and find out who is to blame for the mismanagement of the flood crisis that has brought the country to its knees.
It must also not be forgotten that the plan to reconstruct the country and the flood management plan must involve members of the public. Without public participation, the two panels are bound to run into problems.
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