The recent devastating floods in southern Thailand have intensified pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government, pushing the leader into the eye of a storm of criticism.
With severe flooding wreaking havoc in the south, many are questioning her ability to manage a national crisis effectively. The prime minister, who initially struggled to establish her footing in the north, eventually launched the Flood, Storm, and Landslide Disaster Relief Operations Centre, following efforts from civil society groups. However, her response to the southern crisis has fallen short of expectations.
A comment from the Thai prime minister, which quickly went viral, added fuel to the fire. Rather than offering reassurance to affected communities, she wrote, “Regarding claims of neglecting the south, my husband is from the south, and his family is southern. If I neglected or didn’t love the south, I couldn’t have married a southerner, could I?”
This remark, widely regarded as tone-deaf, left many questioning her understanding of the gravity of the situation. Political opponents were quick to voice their concerns.
Pukkamon Nunarnan, an opposition MP, remarked, “Thai people already recognise the warmth and charm of the prime minister’s family but such personal matters should remain private. The public expects professional leadership.”
Former MP Amarat Chokepamitkul went further, accusing the Thai PM of a self-centered mindset in her responses to the crisis. Adding to the pressure, former senator Wanchai Sornsiri advised the 38 year old PM to reconsider her public approach, including her attire and involvement of family members in government matters, reported The Nation.
“If improvements aren’t made, it could soon have adverse effects.”
Despite the backlash, a recent survey conducted by Suan Dusit University reveals that the Thai government’s performance ratings have improved in October compared to September, with PM Paetongtarn emerging as the most popular coalition politician.
The Suan Dusit Poll, which surveyed 2,136 people across Thailand from October 25 to 30, asked participants to evaluate both government and opposition performance across 25 different areas using a scale of 1 to 10.
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