Thailand Politics
Pressure Mounting on the Prayut Government to Contain Covid-19
The government might have a respite from protesters, but pressure will still mount on containing the new virus outbreak – Nattaya Chetchotiros
This year will pose economic and political challenges to the government as it will struggle to cope with the impact of the new outbreak of Covid-19 and the dispute over charter amendments will take centre stage this year, observers said.
Phichai Ratnatilaka Na Bhuket, a political scientist at the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) told the Bangkok Post the new outbreak will not only have an impact on public health and the economy, but also on politics.
On the plus side, the new surge of the coronavirus will provide the government with a welcome respite from the pressure of anti-government demonstrations as fears of the pandemic will halt street rallies for the time being, even though the anti-government campaign will continue on online platforms, Mr Phichai said.
Money for relief measures
The public are now primarily concerned about their health safety during the pandemic, he said. However, the new wave of infections is expected to be more severe and the government will find it harder to bring the situation under control.
As a result, the government will emerge as a target of criticism because it may not be able to find the money for relief measures quickly enough as in the first outbreak early last year, Mr Phichai said.
He suggested the government suspend military arms procurement projects, halt some construction projects which are not urgent, and cut unnecessary spending and divert the funds to subsidise measures to help people. He went on to say that charter amendments remain a controversial political issue this year.
Of seven charter amendment bills, only two, one sponsored by the government and another by the opposition bloc, were passed in the first reading in November.
A parliamentary committee set up to scrutinise the bills is expected to complete its task in the second reading by February, and the bills will go to parliament for a vote in the third reading in March.
Hurdle for a referendum
During this period, conflicts are expected to intensify because the opposition’s bill calls for a 200-member charter drafting assembly (CDA) whose members are directly elected by voters across the country, while the coalition government’s CDA comprises 200 members: 150 elected across the country, 20 picked by parliament, 10 public law experts, 10 political experts and 10 representatives from student groups, Mr Phichai said.
The government coalition parties have agreed the constitution’s chapters 1 and 2, which contain general principles and sections associated with the monarchy, will be left unchanged, but the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) disagreed and wanted to push for changes, he said.
Most senators have also opposed the proposal to set up a CDA to draw up a new charter, he said. “They prefer the charter to be amended section by section,” he said.
“The differing views between the three groups of parliamentarians will make it difficult for any of those bills to get through parliament in the third reading. “Even if it is passed, it has to clear another hurdle — a referendum.”
Constitution has serious problems
Sutin Klungsang, the opposition’s chief whip who is from the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, told the Bangkok Post that politics has now taken a back seat to fears about the new virus outbreak.
It is also likely that parliamentarians will not be able to meet during the remainder of this month, and this will delay the opposition’s censure motion against the government.
“However, people are suffering the economic impact of the pandemic and this will ratchet up pressure on the government,” Mr Sutin said.
He echoed the view that charter amendments will become a hot issue as the coalition government has made it clear that it will stick to its draft and will be at loggerheads with the MFP over amendments to chapters 1 and 2 of the charter.
Sen Somchai Swangkarn, who sits on the committee vetting the charter amendment bills, said the committee has not found the current constitution having any serious problems that need to be addressed.
“I believe there are no more than five sections that may pose obstacles to democracy. I also believe most senators are willing to support changes if they are justified,” he said.
(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.
According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.
The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.
According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.
This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.
Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.
Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.
The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.
Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.
About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.
Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.
The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.
More in: Move Forward Party
Thailand Politics
Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation
(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.
The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.
The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.
Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.
ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.
In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.
Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.
The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.
A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.
Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.
The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.
Thailand Politics
Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom
(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.
Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.
Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.
Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond
Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.
Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.
Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.
“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.
The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.
-
News3 years agoLet’s Know About Ultra High Net Worth Individual
-
Entertainment2 years ago
Mabelle Prior: The Voice of Hope, Resilience, and Diversity Inspiring Generations
-
Health3 years agoHow Much Ivermectin Should You Take?
-
Tech2 years agoTop Forex Brokers of 2023: Reviews and Analysis for Successful Trading
-
Lifestyles2 years agoAries Soulmate Signs
-
Movies2 years agoWhat Should I Do If Disney Plus Keeps Logging Me Out of TV?
-
Health3 years agoCan I Buy Ivermectin Without A Prescription in the USA?
-
Learning2 years agoVirtual Numbers: What Are They For?