Damned if she does, and if she doesn't

The Buddha got it right a long time ago: “They blame those who sit silent; they blame those who speak much; they blame those who speak little. In all this world there is no one who is not blamed” (Dhammapada 17:7). Suitably adapted, this could make an excellent motto for the entire worldwide mass media: “We’ll rake you over the coals no matter what you do.”

PM Yingluck will be damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t. She’s not going to the Apec conference, so she gets scolded for missing an opportunity to trumpet Thailand’s glories, never mind that there are other government agencies who are paid to do just that. If she had gone, she would have got scolded for callously abandoning flood-stricken constituents to go schmoozing with the international glitterati amidst the bright lights of Honolulu. Can you imagine the uproar that would have ensued if she had gone jetting off to Hawaii while Thais are floundering up to their necks in filthy floodwaters?

Give the lady a break, people.

S Tsow

Bangkok