Thailand’s Ex-Prime Minister Criticized for ‘Stupid Bitch’ Remark · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Former Thailand Prime Minister and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was criticized for delivering a speech that allegedly insulted women and his rival Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Speaking in an event organized by the Democrat Party, Abhisit questioned Yingluck’s support for a new reality TV show “Smart Lady Thailand”:
Thailand's Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Image from Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
But I ask why do they do this project, why do they have to find a smart lady, why do they make a competition out of this? Because if they are looking for a stupid bitch, there would be no competition!
The project is under the government's Thai Women Empowerment Fund. The show features 12 contestants who have to show leadership skills.
Saksith Saiyasombut analyzed the transcript of the speech and concluded that Abhisit was also referring to Yingluck when he uttered the ‘stupid bitch’ remark:
Since Abhisit was talking about the female prime minister, it is safe to assume that not only he made a derogatory remark about her intelligence, but also specifically about her gender.
…while it is one thing to appear folksy and aggressive, it is an entirely another unacceptable thing to resort a misogynistic remark. There’s no doubt that Abhisit Vejjajiva is no more Mr. Nice Guy.
Major newspapers translated Abihisit’s controversial speech as ‘stupid woman’ and ‘stupid lady’. But Khaosod Online insisted that ‘stupid bitch’ is a more accurate translation:
To convey the shocking aspect of Mr. Abhisit′s remark, we had to resort to an English word so rude that public figures in the West would not consider uttering it to the large crowd of people, let alone in presence of the watching media, which also has a feminine quality. Hence, the word “bitch”.
Although we generally adhere to a universally practised principle of not printing vulgar words, we feel that softening Mr. Abhisit′s remark, like other media agencies have done, would amount to distortion of his words.
A group of women protesters wanted Abhisit to apologize for insulting women. But Abhisit has refused to apologize for his behavior and claimed that he did not insult anyone. He also cited Google which showed images of Yingluck if one searches for ‘stupid bitch’ on the web. But Bangkok Pundit believes this was an indirect admission that Abihist was referring to Yingluck in his speech:
…by Abhisit stating he is only saying/repeating what he saw on google, isn’t he directly linking what he said in the speech with Yingluck? He is making an inside joke when speaking to the Democrat faithful.  It would be an amazing coincidence (and poor choice of words which he has left uncorrected if it was an innocent mistake) if he was not referring to Yingluck….
Areva is disappointed with Abhisit:
Despite being educated in United Kingdom all his childhood life, Abhisit failed in separating politics from his deep-rooted resentment for Yingluck.
Women, regardless of nationality, are entitled to live in dignity. I do not think Abhisit will ever call his mother, wife, daughter and sisters “bitch” so why brand her that?
Veera Prateepchaikul reminded public leaders to be more careful in choosing the words they use in delivering speeches:
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva shot himself in the foot when he uttered an ill-considered remark a man of his stature is not supposed to make in public.
Well, this sideshow  should at least serve as a good lesson for Mr Abhisit and other public figures — they should be careful when speaking in public, as their very own words could bounce back to bite them.
The original aim of Abhisit was to accuse Yingluck of being negligent of her duties since she is always on foreign trips. It seems a valid point since Yingluck was in Europe when Abhisit delivered the controversial speech. But the ’stupid bitch’ or ‘stupid woman’ remark distorted Abhisit’s legitimate intentions.