Petulant playground politics

COMMENTARY

Published: 20 Nov 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

We know the pillars of democracy _ the courage to do the right thing, freedom of expression and all those seemingly important, nice-sounding things _ risk becoming a joke when those in authority start behaving like three-year-old kids.

That has already happened, and the joke is a sad one.

The incident in question is a recent press conference given by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung. Mr Chalerm must have realised that Santa would probably not be making a stop in Bang Bon, where his home is, this year, so he went into full pouting mode.

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bennu
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Discussion 43 : 20 Nov 2012 at 23.2243
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Communication with the people is important for democracy to be understood.
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ringmaster
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Discussion 42 : 20 Nov 2012 at 22.4242
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brilliant #39 Choosing not to answer questions is Chalerm's right and does not impede press freedom. Somjit is still free to report whatever she wants. Cessation of press freedon was when Abhisit and his army sponsors were raiding and closing radio and TV sites right and left, imprisoning journalists and blocking thousands of internet websites. Feel free to review Reporters without Borders Press Freedom indices over the terms of Yingluck, Abhisit, and even Thaksin.
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ricefield
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Discussion 41 : 20 Nov 2012 at 22.2641
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Disc 35 - "The problem with the question was what exactly?" Nothing but what you quoted wasn't the question asked and the question asked hasn't been printed in the English press and if I quoted it here it wouldn't be printed either.
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genii
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Discussion 40 : 20 Nov 2012 at 21.5840
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Everyone has their party preference including politicians and journalist. You can find these types arguments everyday anywhere in the country.
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brilliant
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Discussion 39 : 20 Nov 2012 at 21.4739
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ricefield - "There is nothing new here and a politician has the right to shun any reporter. "

Not true, not if there is real freedom of the press. This reminds me of Thaksin and how he handled reporters even using the little No sign when he didn't want to answer a question. How immature.
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facts_only
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Discussion 38 : 20 Nov 2012 at 20.2338
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"Conscientious journalists from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility." - Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics

"The appearance of the Cabinet, is it uglier than the PM?" - Somjit, while interviewing PM Yingluck, Aug 2011
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peterl
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Discussion 37 : 20 Nov 2012 at 18.4637
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Chalerm has obviously made quite a serious mistake. His best course is to apologize, explain that he has had second thoughts and that he would in fact be happy to be interviewed again about the Pitak Siam rally with Ms Somjit present. But will he? Or is he still part of the Thai culture that "face" is everything?
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lungstib
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Discussion 36 : 20 Nov 2012 at 17.1336
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Hes just not a gracious man is he?
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fundeena
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Discussion 35 : 20 Nov 2012 at 16.3935
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' Ms Somjit asked if Mr Chalerm, as deputy premier in charge of security, would be there to oversee the rally.'

The problem with the question was what exactly?
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bikeme
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Discussion 34 : 20 Nov 2012 at 16.2934
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D19 Android - CNN & BBC both have reporters that will make Khun Somjit's questioning look like a child's practice. Bottom line, if a highly placed politician can't field questions, then he/she is not qualified for the post. In a democracy, all government appointees and elected representatives are answerable to ALL citizens of their country.
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