Press Conference or Game Show?

PM Thaksin again demonstrates his disdain for the press during the first of his new program of regular press conferences for both the foreign and Thai media. Hopes that the new format might improve comunication between the PM and the press were dashed once again as the PM chose to treat the event as simply one more opportunity behave as an arrogant prat.

The gimmick this time consisted of two cards brought back from Japan by Thaksin's spoiled brat of a son, apparently borrowed from a Japanese game show. As one reporter asked a question about foreign involvement in the unrest in the South, Thaksin help up one of the cards which had a blue cross on it, pronounced the question "not constructive", and then ignored it by asking for the next question. Questions which the PM liked were rewarded with a red circle (and an answer).

Thaksin later explained that he meant this to be humourous and to relieve the tension in the room. He didn't want journalists to be "too serious". At least some of the journalists in the room didn't get the "joke", and rather thought that the PMs behaviour was patronizing and insulting.

The Nation points out that while the format was not appreciated by the print media and foreign journalists, it recieved good reviews from all TV stations. After all, surely game shows attract more viewers that the news.

When Thaksin visits George Bush next week, perhaps he can pass on some good ideas to the equally moronic president of the US, another leader who likes to avoid questions that are "not constructive".