Abhisit apologises for Sukhumbhand's remarks over floods
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DEMOCRAT Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva apologised yesterday for what Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said after flooding hit the capital last week, saying he believed the governor had no intention to hurt people's feelings when reacting to the
“I believe that the Bangkok governor did not have any intention to cause discontent among people,” Abhisit said on the party’s official Facebook page.
“As leader of the Democrat Party that fielded Sukhumbhand in the Bangkok election, I would like to apologise for what the governor said that may have made many people unhappy,” he said.
Sukhumbhand held a press conference last week after the flooding, caused by an unseasonable downpour. His comments came after a reporter asked about the flood scenario in the future.
“I am not an angel who can predict that [the weather]. I would be willing to answer if I were one,” Sukhumbhand said.
The Democrat Party leader expressed his apology in a reconciliatory manner, saying the governor lost his temper because of stress caused by the situation.
“I fully understand that it is not an easy task to solve this problem and that the Bangkok governor might [have felt] tired and stressed when the problem occurred. However, a politician who volunteers to devote himself to serve the public has a duty to work and exercise his utmost restraint vis-a-vis obstacles and questions from media,” Abhisit said.
In his note, the Democrat leader went on to thank Bangkokians for voicing confidence in Sukhumbhand, a senior member of the same party. He said the governor would continue to serve Bangkok residents – and be more careful when addressing the public.
