Speaking out on politics

It’s a rare treat to be given the chance of working closely with both a former prime minister and his finance minister so little wonder that ex DJ and TV personality Teemah Kanchanapairin is making the most of every minute.

Teemah, or Judge as he is known to family and friends, made his debut in the political arena last year when he was appointed as an assistant to Democrat party deputy leader and former finance minister Korn Chatikavanich. Last month, he made another move, this time becoming a spokesman for opposition leader and ex-premier Abhisit Vejjajiva. 

“I think I’m very lucky to be working with geniuses,” he says. “Only a few people in this country can meet with, call and ask a domestically and internationally recognised prime minister what he thinks about this or that. It’s a great opportunity to absorb knowledge and gain experience.” 

Teemah was working as a DJ on an army-run radio station in 2011 when he made a video criticising the current government's handling of the severe flooding that hit the country late that year and was fired. He didn’t stay unemployed for long: Less than a month later, he joined the pro-Democrat Blue Sky satellite TV channel, where he hosted the popular political commentary “Fah Talai Jone”.

His political career began in June last year when he gave his debut political speech during the Democrats' first “Pah Kwam Jing” (“Bare the Truth”) mobile forum in Wong Wian Yai. The party was impressed with his performance and Teemah was offered a job as Korn’s parliamentary assistant. His appointment as spokesman for Abhisit came into effect last month. 

Although the controversial ex DJ-turned satellite TV presenter has a talent for speaking and giving clear and concise answers to questions, he says he often worries about measuring up to the task, especially as Abhisit is so eloquent and at ease with the media.

“He is such a sophisticated speaker,” he says. “But this is just the beginning for me.” 

His main duties include speaking on behalf of Abhisit on selected political matters and sometimes acting as Democrat Party spokesman. He also wants to inform the public about the roles and performance of the opposition party leader and explain that, despite what it says in the papers, the Democrats don’t always oppose everything or pull the government to pieces.

“Abhisit told me that there is never a need to use harsh words in a press conference that’s full of heated exchanges. He also told me that I should be determined to perform my duty at all times and harvest all the experience I gain while I’m in this post,” he says. 

But despite his wealth of radio and TV experience, and his skill at giving speeches on the political stage, Teemah says he still gets nervous.

“The press conference is the hardest because it’s spontaneous and doesn’t have a text that can be memorised in advance. A good conference needs presentations and explanations that are short, concise, to the point and accurate,” he says.

His first two press conferences since taking up his spokesman duties have earned him both praise and criticism.

At the latest, he expressed doubt that the four foreign PR companies and lobbyists allegedly hired by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra to help his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck, would reap rewards on the international stage. Despite clearly stating that he was referring to a report from a Thai website, he came under attack from government supporters, who accused him of copying  information from other sources and lacking evidence for his allegation.

“The criticism floored me but I will take it as a lesson to improve my performance,” he says.

Teemah, who graduated in performance communication from Chulalongkorn University and has acted in movies, says neither his studies nor his experience in the entertainment business put him at an advantage compared to other spokesmen.

“Being a spokesman is not about acting but being yourself and having ‘something’ inside your brain. Just being a skilled speaker doesn’t make you a good political spokesman. It’s far more important to have the ability to use solid information that shuts off the opportunities for argument and counterattack,” he says.

A year into his political career, the 31 year-old insists he’s not too young for the job but admits that since becoming spokesman, he sometimes feels like a novice.

“A political career is not like the ‘action and sequence in a film. It takes much time and devotion as well as constant homework. It’s very different from being a DJ or news anchor,” he says, adding that his short apprenticeship to the political world has made him realise that this is where his future lies.

“It may be early and I know it will take me time to adjust, but I know it’s my destiny. It’s not easy to get an opportunity like this,” he says. 

Asked if he would become an MP candidate if offered the opportunity, Teemah doesn’t hesitate. “If the party gives me a chance, I’ll definitely say ‘yes’,” he says.

For now, however, he is happy working as a member of the backup team and wants to do his best as spokesman. He adds that he has given little thought to becoming an MP or fighting for a ministerial post. 

Every political spokesman is inevitably given a nickname and Teemah, who was dubbed “Judge Jud Nhak” (Judge making an all-out attack) after criticising the government's handling of the floods, says he’d prefer not to be stuck with another moniker.

“My aim is to perform to the very best of my ability and prove the trust Abhisit has in me is not misplaced. I want to be remembered as a spokesman of the opposition leader,” he says.

He also wants press conference participants to go away happy and for the public to understand that he is not aiming to discredit the government but simply wants answers.

Asked what he would do were he Yingluck’s personal spokesman, Teemah says he would advise her not to avoid the media’s questions. He would also have a team briefing her on the latest news every morning and preparing information for her  answers to the media. 

“If the premier were to show her sincerity about improving her communication skills, she would get sympathy from the public,” he says. 

And if his current boss Abhisit returns to the premiership again, will he become his personal spokesman? Teemah laughs, saying that this would depend entirely on Abhisit. 

The harder question as to whether Abhisit will have a chance to return as premier is wisely left both unasked and unanswered.