Thailand’s first female Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra won over journalists at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand’s annual Prime Minister dinner last Friday March 23, despite doubts about her competence speaking English and discussing policy.
The FCCT hosted the dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in Chit Lom, across the road from the organization’s penthouse club room in the Maneeya building. Guests enjoyed drinks and conversation in the third level foyer before sitting down for dinner in the ballroom.
With a VIP-packed guest list, security was tight and cameras were everywhere. One journalist’s T-shirt, reading, “Kiss me before my boyfriend comes back” provided a stark contrast to the formal attire worn by the ministers, prominent journalists, embassy representatives, and other interested parties attending the event.
Prior to the event various journalists expressed concerns over whether or not Yingluck would be able to answer their questions in English, citing her frequent gaffes even in her native language.
The Prime Minister shocked the FCCT board by arriving 25 minutes early. After a private answer and question session, dinner was served in the ballroom. Following a three-course meal of salad, salmon, and chocolate cake, FCCT president Nirmal Ghosh opened for the evening’s Keynote Speaker.
Tense anticipation filled the ballroom as the Prime Minister took the stage, some looking hopeful while others apathetically leaned back in their seats. Yingluck asked the crowd to, “Be kind to me na ka,” before commencing her speech. Despite some difficulties understanding her, she endeared attendees through her confident poise and demure stature.
It was no surprise that the focal point of the Prime Minister’s speech was last year’s floods and how to prevent the disaster from reoccurring. Yingluck assured guests the government has taken the necessary steps to prevent future inundation. Methods she mentioned included building better dams and waterways and improving communications between city residents and administrative officials.
Yingluck asked that society give women a chance to excel in politics and business, saying, “Women will help economic growth if you let them.” A journalist quoted her after her election last fall when she said, “being a woman will not affect my prime ministry” and alluded that there was conflict between her male counterparts. Yingluck amicably responded, “I think men and women are made to compliment each other not fight against each other.”
Other topics addressed in the Prime Minister’s talk included the construction of a high speed train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, continuing into Laos and China, which would supposedly advance trade and foster relations between these neighboring countries.
An open mic question and answer session followed her speech. Often the PM answered the questions by simply reiterating what she said in her speech, especially on questions concerning the floods.
Mr. Ghosh assisted the Prime Minister with questions she couldn’t understand, either rephrasing the question or repeating it. Often these were long-winded anecdotes and spoken quickly into the microphone placed amidst the tables in front of the stage. A few times Yingluck looked to one of her ministers to translate the question into Thai.
Most questions centered around foreign business concerns in the wake of catastrophic flooding as well as inquiries into the Prime Minister’s infamous brother and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Yingluck skirted around the Thaksin questions and repeated her convictions about future flooding.
Some questions Yingluck failed to answer, such as whether or not Russia will dig for oil in the disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia.
The evening ended light-heartedly with one journalist asking her what music was on her iPod. The Prime Minister answered, “Easy listening, both in English and in Thai,” but was unable to name a specific artist.
Upon closing, the FCCT presented Yingluck with a framed picture of herself knee-high in floodwater.
Though Yingluck’s level of English is somewhat egregious considering she studied in the United States, she managed to say what she needed to say with wit and charm. She definitely seemed to surpass expectations for the evening. The mood was light and hope seemed to hang in the air as guests exited the banquet hall. After taking a few photos with some of the guests, Yingluck made a quick, yet polite, exit.
