PM Abhisit sweeps up his office after busy SMS day

Today is Abhisit's first Friday as Prime Minister of Thailand. It's also his first day at the Government House which was left in a huge mess by the PAD protesters following a 4 month-long occupation.


(Photo credit: Manager Online)

Abhisit starts his first day in office not by sipping Starbucks coffee, not by biting off a chicken wing from KFC, but by picking up a large broom and sweeping up the Government House along with other BMA workers! Yes you heard it, he helped cleaners clean up the Government House compound.

Abhisit's nickname is Mark, and the media have started calling him "Obamark", a reference to US President-elect Barack Obama - both are from Democratic Party.

He is also named "Lord of the Ring", after he mentioned about his bond with Isaan people through "the ring", given to him by 84-year-old Grandma Niam Phanmanee, the Isaan villager, as a memento for his engagement and commitment to the Northeast Isaan people. He met her on the campaign trail in the lead-up to the December 23 election. Grandma Nium is in hospital now due to high fever and high blood pressure. Could this be a result of overnight fame brought to her by the "Master of the Ring" aka Abhisit?


(Photo credit: Dailyxpress)

Yesterday was a very busy day for Abhisit, as he had to send SMS text messages to the entire Thai population.


(Photo credit: Dailyxpress)

Some Thais got the first SMS that read "I am Abhisit Vejjajiva. Please accept my thanks. I will be in touch with you shortly."

Some lucky mobile phone users got another one that read "I am your new PM. I would like to invite you to help pull our country pull of the crisis. If you are interested in receiving my messages, please send your five-digit postal code to 9191. (3 Baht service charge)"

It wasn't just text messages! The luckier people got a message in their voicemail saying: "I am Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister. I am aware that people are suffering from many problems and stress. I am determined to serve the country to the best of my abilities. I would like to ask you to help, because without unity, my mission can never be successful."

Some people weren't so happy to get his SMS, one of them was Consumer Advocate Saree Ongsomwang who quickly reminded about the possible offence that Abhisit's SMS might violate people's privacy. She probably wanted Abhisit to stick to age old means via television and radio.

Why isn't she reminding so many other companies who send spammy SMS messages each day to millions of people. Lots of people I know get SMS spam that goes like "download free crappy ring tones", "free mp3", "free calling melody", "free concert tickets to Golf and Mike", "check your horoscope", etc.

I haven't got any SMS from Abhisit yet, I got a Thai friend to register my SIM card, so if Thais are the only target then I should get one. Most of my Thai friends are still waiting for the SMS from Abhisit. But many friends from Pathumthani and Thonburi have got it already. Maybe the other provinces are getting it first?