Govt spokespersons should take heed and improve

Not only is the spokesperson a government's mouthpiece, publicising both domestically and internationally what the administration is up to, but they also get to report on the government's performance.

However, it appears as if Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's team of spokespersons is failing to achieve any of these goals. The team consists of Government Spokesperson Thitima Chaisaeng and her deputies Anusorn Eiamsa-ard, Anuttama Amornvivat and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party's Chalitrat Chandrubeksa. Despite having been in this position for about a month now, the team has failed to impress the media. For instance, they don't appear to completely understand the issues they hold press conferences to discuss or what the government has done so far or even the Cabinet's resolutions.

They are rarely able to explain to answer questions or doubts.

Instead, they just appear to be keen on attacking the government's arch-rival - the opposition Democrat Party.

This ineffectiveness is understandable because the team is made up of new faces with the exception of Thitima, who has been an MP twice and is known in Parliament for her sharp tongue. She was also often seen on stage during red-shirt rallies in her hometown Chachoengsao and Bangkok.

However, it appears as if her deputies are of little help. In fact, it looks as if members of this team work separately without any cooperation or a joint direction.

Thitima, who accompanies Yingluck everywhere, appears to be the premier's personal spokesperson and never hesitates to use her sharp tongue to protect her boss.

Her deputy Anusorn, who formerly worked as a disc jockey for a red-shirt radio station, seems to pay more heed to red-shirt leaders Nattawut Saikua and Jatuporn Promphan instead of his direct boss Thitima. This has led to conflicts between the two, even though publicly they are very supportive of each other.

Thitima was once heard saying that she wanted Anusorn to be soft in his approach.

"I support Anusorn [as my deputy]. I tell my leader that it's difficult to find someone, who can help me do this job," she once said, but now it looks like Anusorn is letting her down.

Anuttama, on the other hand, is too academic. The former Chulalongkorn University lecturer, a newcomer in the field of politics, failed to win in the last election. She was given the job of updating the press on the government's economic and foreign policies, but has failed to impress the media so far. Critics say she is good at reading out loud, but can rarely clarify any issues when asked.

Thitima's third deputy Chalitrat, who was the campaign manager for Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party, has been in politics for several years, but has yet to do anything outstanding.

Even though he is supposed to work as a deputy government spokesperson, he is only seen at Government House once a week - on Tuesdays when the Cabinet holds its weekly meeting. "We are a small party with just seven MPs. We have to be humble," he said.

Perhaps, the ruling Pheu Thai Party's attack strategy could be to blame for the failure of the team of government spokespersons. The party's strategy panel has set up a war room to protect Yingluck, and is quick to hit back every time the Democrats make any move to expose this administration's shortcomings.

This is probably why the government's spokespersons are so caught up in attacking the opposition party. Luckily, there might be some relief in sight for them. On Tuesday, the Cabinet agreed that every ministry could have its own spokesperson.

Also, the team of government spokespersons will hold a luncheon meeting with the media today to help boost relations.

Though the clock is ticking, it's never too late for improvement.

Hopefully, this meeting will end well and the team of spokespersons will leave with some good advice to improve themselves.