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| The First Family |
| UPDATE : 8 July 2009 |
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In Thailand we’ve had Constitutional Democracy for many decades and almost 30 prime ministers but none of those prime ministers’ families are very prominent.
I use the term first family loosely because in the country, we have our Royal Family, which is above all. But I believe there is a void in politics that a more prominent first family can fulfill and who better to start this era of ‘change’ in Thailand than our Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
PM Abhisit is a dream-come-true prime minister for a lot of people, including myself. He cuts a dashing figure and is an asset to the country when traveling abroad with his fluent English skill. He’s not just a pretty face but is talented as well, with extensive political experience and economic and social knowledge. Most importantly, he has a vision of how politics should be, 100% corruption free, and that truly endears him to my heart.
To further boost his popularity especially with people in the provinces, which he has not gotten around in doing so, he should market his picture-perfect family like no politicians have done so. I don’t mean in the way of the political dynasties like we have of the Silapa-archa family, the Chidchob family, the Charnveerakul family and so on. I mean the happy family image like the Obama family in the U.S.
PM Abhisit’s family is an asset and he should market that. His wife, Associate Professor Doctor Pimpen, is a gorgeous woman who’s well-read and a professional working woman. Their children seem to be well-behaved with one just starting college. A local magazine had carried articles about the PM and his wife attending the orientation of their daughter and it made me hunger for more of this beautiful family.
The PM has always said his family values their privacy but I think it is time for them to sacrifice that and step into the public eye for the advancement of Khun Abhisit’s career like no politicians have done before. They have what it takes to make it big and it will just require a little effort.
The PM has been having difficulties visiting the provinces, fearing red-shirt supporters’ opposition and possible chaos so to fill that void like no one else can, he can send his wife. Since Khun Pimpen’s an academic and a professor, she can dabble in trying to improve the livelihoods of school teachers and college professors nationwide. This issue is after all a key problem and something that needs to be addressed as part of educational reform. She can start visiting teachers and professors in the provinces as part of a project to improve their livelihoods. Their daughter, Nong Maprang, can be invited to take part in the various campaigns for teenagers against drugs, etc. She has artistic skills so she should be able to truly contribute. Even Khun Abhisit’s parents and siblings should be marketed to improve his popularity.
The Vejjajiva family is truly a talented family and it is time for them to put their abilities to use to help the country and help Khun Abhisit achieve even greater popularity. I am confident they will not be merely figureheads but can really lend a hand for the various causes that they support. I hope to see a worthy first family with Khun Abhisit as prime minister.
Story by: Chadaporn Lin
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