PM Paetongtarn sole target of censure motion

Opposition claims that among the many issues covered will be the effect of Thaksin.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra hugs her father Thaksin Shinawatra on Aug 18 last year after she received the royal command appointing her as prime minister. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
After receiving the royal order appointing her as prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra hugs her father Thaksin Shinawatra on August 18, 2013. ( Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

The opposition made a number of charges against her, including putting pressure on her parents Thaksin Shinawatra, and filed a censure motion on Thursday, targeting just Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Opposition head and Women’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the prime minister lacked management, skills, knowledge and skills to mind the regional management.

He made the comment at congress, where Ms. Paetongtarn had her first official meeting since her appointment as prime minister in August, in August. Her presence came after numerous requests from Members to appear and respond to inquiries.

She stated on Wednesday that she would allow ministers to respond to any questions that may worry them and that she was prepared to answer any questions in a discussion over censure. She added that because of its power, the coalition would endure a reprimand debate.

Mr. Natthaphong claimed that the premier had no desire to solve people’s issues and that he had failed in economic management because Southeast Asian countries’ economies ‘ economies’ economies ‘ economies ‘ economies grow most slowly.

The opposition head made reference to former prime minister Thaksin and said that the prime minister had allowed employees to have control over her and that her father had allowed them to influence her.

He claimed that the debate, which is scheduled to begin on March 24, had address issues involving Thaksin, despite warnings from some Pheu Thai Party statistics that the criticism may concentrate solely on those who are really in the state.

Mr. Natthaphong claimed that the opposition had consciously chosen to question the prime minister solely because she was the underlying cause of all the national administration’s failures.

He claimed that the primary secretary should have the opportunity to address issues about the country’s problems at the same time.

Because the prime minister is responsible for all of the difficulties, he said, “it may be useless to criticize another individual ministries.”

He claimed that Prime Minister Paetongtarn failed to control the coalition’s vote and that the loss was the result of the formation of a partnership state with political parties from various wires.

The alliance came together just to satisfy the social demands made by parties with varying ideologies, and officials ‘ appointments were not based on their abilities and knowledge, he claimed.

Mr. Natthaphong claimed that the no-confidence motion’s content may concern some ministries and alliance parties, even though it only addressed the prime minister.

The opposition’s numerous concerns, according to Mr. Natthaphong, were supported by strong evidence that could lead to further studies.

He added that the outcome of the conversation may also indicate whether the prime minister had the power to control the coalition’s votes.

Pale Muhamad Noor Matha, the president of the Parliament, predicted that the discussion may begin on March 24. The criticism wants five days but paddles from the government, the opposition and House people have yet to acknowledge on its length, he added.

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Rescued teen ‘ordered to trick 100 scam victims a day’

14-year-old from Rayong brought up from spot near Cambodia-Vietnam borders

A teenage girl hugs her mother near the border in Sa Kaeo on Wednesday night after being brought back from Cambodia, where she said she had been taken to work in a scam call centre. Activist Chalida Palamat, right, witnesses the reunion. (Screenshot from Ton Oar Pen Nueng Facebook page)
After being flown up from Cambodia, where she claimed to have been taken to work in a con call center, a young girl hugs her mom in Sa Kaeo on Wednesday evening. Activist Chalida Palamat, straight, witnesses the meeting. ( Screenshot taken from the Facebook page of Ton Oar Pen Nueng )

SA KAEO: A 14-year-old woman who was saved from a con gang in Cambodia claimed that she was given the ultimatum to trap at least 100 victims per day or she would be abused and imprisoned.

The small, who had vanished from her home in Rayong province past Saturday, was apparently persuaded to join a call-centre gang that was close to the Cambodia-Vietnam border.

According to sources, Thai police and military coordinated the evacuation with their Thai counterparts. On Wednesday evening, the lady was apparently transported for time from a place close to the Cambodia-Vietnam borders to the Khlong Luek immigration station in Sa Kaeo state of Thailand. She gave her kids a teary-eyed hug after the meeting.

A gentleman had offered her a job in Sa Kaeo, the lady, who was only identified as Mook, told authorities. She was picked up at her home, but he forbade her to preserve the job offer a solution.

She told authorities that she had been ordered to trap at least 100 patients a moment, then, she could not have and would be assaulted.

The save comes at a time when Vietnamese, Thai, and Myanmar authorities are making more aggressive efforts to stop popular call-center scams based in the area.

China has given the assault its primary thrust, as the majority of the scammers as well as their victims are Taiwanese.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra plans to meet with representatives at the border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo on Friday to talk about the fraud center issue.

She said on Tuesday that the government won’t put an end to its campaign against fraud gangs operating in neighboring states kidnapping Thai citizens until the issue is resolved.

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Thailand jails 43 Montagnards from Vietnam

No immediate threat of deportation, state authorities, but rights organizations are concerned

Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam was the site of attacks in 2023 in which nine public officials were killed. Vietnamese authorities blamed the incidents on a “terrorist” group agitating for more rights for hill tribe people. (Photo: DXLINH via Wikimedia Commons)
Thirteen public officials were killed in attacks in Dak Lak state, Vietnam’s Central Highlands, in 2023. Authorities in Vietnam attributed the incidents to a “terrorist” team that was demanding more rights for valley tribers. ( Photo: DXLINH via Wikimedia Commons )

According to human rights activists, 43 members of a minority Asian hill community group have been imprisoned in Bangkok for entering Thailand improperly.

The family of inmate activist Y Quynh Bdap, who is battling extradition from Thailand to Vietnam where he faces a 10-year prison sentence for violence, has been sentenced on Wednesday. He has denied this claim.

68 asylum applicants were detained on Sunday during a police raid on a funeral services in a Nonthaburi group house, including the 43 Montagnards. The company had been organised by Y Quynh Bdap’s woman for her family, who died just in Vietnam.

According to the immigrant help organization Boat People SOS, the majority of those detained were taken into immigration authorities.

Eventually, Thai authorities later confirmed that more than 40 persons had been detained for unlawful entry but that they did not face the threat of deportation right away.

” They were tried for illegal entry and fined 4, 000 baht each. They did not have the money so they were jailed for eight weeks instead”, Pol Col Ronapat Tubtimtong, chief of police in Bang Yai area, told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.

” They were never workers, they had immigrant cards. They will be incarcerated at the Suan Phlu detention facility after serving their conditions. Generally, NGOs would find bail for them. They will not encounter immediate imprisonment”.

Some of the 68 immediately detained were lawfully able to remain in Thailand and were released, according to Pol Col Ronapat.

All of those detained are Montagnards, people of hills nations from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The majority of them are Christians who have long been hostile toward the socialist state.

Bdap, a part of the Ede community, fled with his family to Thailand in 2018, complaining of spiritual oppression in Vietnam.

He was granted refugee status by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR ), but he was detained in Bangkok in June of last year as a result of a request from Vietnam for extradition. In pending a review of the demand from Hanoi, he was immediately sentenced to six months in jail for entering illegally.

Montagnards Stand For Justice ( MSFJ), which the Hanoi government has designated as a terrorist organization, was founded by Bdap. It claims that the organization was a part of a Dak Lak county attack on two public buildings in June 2023 that resulted in nine fatalities.

Bdap and the team have denied the claim. If extradited to Vietnam, he faces a 10-year prison word for “terrorism”, handed down in proceedings by the Dak Lak People’s Court in January 2024.

According to rights activists, there is a great chance that Bdap may become tortured if he is returned to Vietnam.

In September 2024, the Criminal Court in Bangkok ruled in favour of Bdap’s abduction. His attorney, Nadthasiri Bergman, filed an appeal on Feb 14 but said she has never heard anything from the jury since then.

” The abduction involves considering Thailand’s new rules — the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, 2022″, she said, adding that there is no date for the judge’s decision.

During Vietnam’s decades-long conflict, Montagnards favored the US-backed South, and some want more independence while others advocate regional democracy.

US-based Boat People SOS was referred to as a “terrorist” earlier this month by Vietnamese authorities because it supposedly funded MSFJ. Additionally, they charged the charitable organization with looking for a way to stop Y Quynh Bdap from being deported to Thailand.

According to its site, Virginia-based BPSOS, which helped rescue more than 25, 000 Asian ship people in the 1980s, works to assist victims of human rights violations and Asian asylum seekers in neighboring countries.

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PM seeks to clarify ‘honesty’

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that she has requested clarification regarding the definition of” a lack of clear honesty” in relation to those who want to be cabinet ministers so she can act accordingly.

She claimed she gave the courtroom instructions to ask Prime Minister Chusak Sirinil to officially request clarification.

She referred to Section 160 of the law, which outlines the skills required to become a government secretary. Ministers may demonstrate obvious honesty and refrain from committing any grave social offenses under this section.

We want to know how broadly the term “honesty” may be defined in order to have a solid framework in place,” she said.

She added that any possible cabinet reshuffle would not be related to the demand for the prosecutor’s interpretation. ” We need to guarantee we can avoid any problems regarding ethical transgressions”, she said.

Some experts have speculated that this area could be used against Ms. Paetongtarn, who was formerly a stockholder in Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club, following her removal from office as a result of this area.

The Constitutional Court made a ruling on August 14 of last year to replace Mr. Srettha as prime minister in response to his appointment of previous prisoner Pichit Chuenban as a government minister. The decision Pheu Thai Party recently introduced a bill to the legislature that would change sections of the 2017 law, including Area 160.

Analysts warn that Ms. Paetongtarn remains vulnerable as a result of a 2017 court ruling against previous Pheu Thai head Yongyuth Wichaidit despite her previous ownership of the Shinawatra family and other businesses before taking office.

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Thaksin’s ‘peace’  vow spurs concerns

Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra

A political scientist at Thammasat University said on Wednesday that the government’s pledge to put an end to the turmoil in the southeastern region by the year has sparked concerns and questions about how it will really resolve the issue.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made a historical trip to the deep South next Sunday in his ability as an unofficial adviser to the Asean head. He apologized during the visit to Muslim families who lost loved ones during the Narathiwat murder in 2004 while he was perfect secretary. Additionally, he made a pledge to stop the violence in the southern provinces.

” I don’t think anyone wants the turmoil in the south to stop right away,” he said. What matters more is how the problem may get addressed”, said Chayanit Poonyarat, a professor at the University of Political Science at Thammasat University.

She expressed particular concern over Thaksin’s claim that he anticipates positive changes in peace work this year, followed by a year-long total turmoil.

” If we rely on the use of force, tranquility may be partially restored, but that didn’t really address the problem”, she said.

She urged the government to prioritize peace talks with separatist parties as a more lasting strategy for resolving the issue. She also made note of the fact that the earlier peace negotiation team had essentially left its position at the end of the Srettha Thavisin management.

” The continuing unrest is largely a consequence of Thailand’s social instability. Every time a government is replaced, peace talks are constantly scuttled, she said.

She demanded a study to assess the effectiveness of the law in light of the currently in effect disaster order in the far south to stop violence. The conclusions, she said, may be especially useful in determining whether the order may be lifted.

However, Adul Khiewboriboon, chairman of the Committee of Relatives of the 1992 Black May Heroes, welcomed Thaksin’s apologies to the people of those who died in the Tak Bai event.

Chayanit: ' Speak to protest groups '

Chayanit: ‘ Speak to protest groups ‘

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Chinese firm accused of Chachoengsao land grab

Hunderts of acres of private jungle have been cleared for edible plantations.

The investigation into a Chinese company that fraudulently cleared more 600 ray of national bush area in Chachoengsao’s Tha Takiab district to foster citrus is growing more and more serious.

After receiving complaints about illegal durian orchards in the Khwae Rabom and Siyat National Forest Reserves, Cheewapap Cheewatham, the committee chairman, convened a meeting on Wednesday with representatives from the Royal Forest Department ( RFD ) and the Chachoengsao Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office.

Since then, the RFD has taken control of the area.

He claimed that the RFD had been given instructions by the council to conduct an investigation and gather information, including information on local people selling reserved forest area to a international investment as part of the National Land Policy Committee program.

According to preliminary results, the offenders unlawfully occupied forest land and violated Sections 54 and 14 of the National Reserved Forest Act by encroaching on a regional designated forest area.

A business inspection revealed that the Chinese company had formally promoted its 5, 335 ray of edible farms in Thailand and 339 ray in Malaysia. Electrical, water and system systems were nearly fully established.

We demand that all parties involved in the case be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, not only local candidates. Traders, officials, and individuals who sold designated house to the Chinese firm must be identified by authorities. Anyone involved in the illegal land transaction may face legal effects”, he said.

At its upcoming reading, the council will call the Tha Takiab police for additional testimony.

Also, he stated that the RFD has been given the task of developing practical steps to prevent future encroachments on nationwide forest land and enforcing the removal of unlawful durian orchards to recover the area.

An investigation revealed that a Thai-owned business had been acquiring property from local residents and collecting 1,400 ray for cashew nuts farming, according to Phansak Thammarat, the Chachoengsao Provincial Natural Resources and Environment Office’s head of natural assets.

However, the company later sold the land to the Chinese firm, which has already planted durian on 450 ray of its 600-rai story while allowing visitors to grow vegetation on the remaining property.

Authorities are now prosecuting the residents who allegedly illegally sold their land rights, he continued.

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Festivals to attract visitors all year round

(Photo: Government House)
( Photo: Government House )

The Thailand Summer Festivals battle, which the state has unveiled, aims to boost the business and keep tourism alive all year long.

The battle under the style” 7 Months, 7 Magic June Festivals” features a series of festivals celebrating Songkran, Pride, society, music, sports, foods and the arts. The situations run from March through to September.

Speaking at the battle release on Wednesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said commerce accounts for 14 % of the country’s GDP. The industry has the potential to grow further and bring in a lot of money for the nation.

Ms Paetongtarn said the government is working to solve the “low time” for European tourists, often from May to October, when international arrivals fall.

She claimed that the government wants to make sure that every area hosts events and festivals that pique visitors year round.

” The government wants Thailand to be a year-round vacation destination. Every state has a distinct cultural traditions, and the government intends to show it to international visitors so they can visit them all year,” she said.

Ms Paetongtarn said the summer holidays will start with the Songkran events, which last year attracted 1.5 million customers, a 40 % increase from 2023.

She claimed that the government anticipates that the next Songkran event will attract even more customers, raising both the GDP and economic activity globally.

The prime minister urged all provinces to get ready to promote their individuality, claiming that the government is willing to support their programs.

She added that Thailand’s persons, who she described as the government’s true soft power, are also important factors in commerce.

” Indian citizens are the region’s greatest soft power. Foreign tourists return because of our compassion, generosity, and willingness to help even when there may be a speech barrier”, she said.

She urged the general public to accept their position as visitors in order to increase overall tourism appeal.

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Paetongtarn launches national crackdown on vapes

According to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Wednesday, a one-month date has been set for a assault on the illegally imported and sold cigarettes, particularly in areas close to educational institutions.

The global activity is being simultaneously conducted by the Royal Thai Police (RTP), the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Interior, and the Customs Department, the PM wrote in a social media post following a meeting with these companies. In addition to these condition authorities, the community is even encouraged to help by reporting any improper management of e-cigarettes, she said.

” I urge people to work together to protect our young people from the illicit cigarette business.” Please don’t hesitate to record any vape sales to younger people to the police, the PM urged.

She added that officials will work closely together to stop both the outlawed buy and sale of marijuana and also look for hidden storage facilities. Additionally, more attention will be given to people schooling regarding possible health risks of vaping.

According to federal police captain Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, the Metropolitan Police Bureau will direct the assault in the cash while the municipal authorities will be in charge of enforcement outside Bangkok.

Last month, authorities conducted up to 2, 000 attacks on stores selling cigarettes near academic organizations, he said, adding that procedures continue this year with an increasing number of tip-offs from the government.

Police officers and other state officials involved in the illegal smoke trade were likewise warned by the RTP last year to stop their activities or encounter yet harsher penalties than human offenders, according to Pol Gen Kittharath.

The PM has given the mixed task force instructions to give an update on its development to Minister Jiraporn Sinthuprai of the Prime Minister’s Office within 15 days, he said. According to Pol Gen Kittharath, 15 days may be sufficient for the crackdown to produce its preliminary results.

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Condo rentals face probe

Foreign accused of breaking the Hotel Act

According to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, regulators are looking into claims that Chinese citizens have been allegedly renting out their apartments in contravention of the Hotel Act.

He stated on Wednesday that the Department of Provincial Administration was looking into allegations that Chinese residents purchased condominium buildings and rented them out to other foreigners, especially in Sukhumvit Road.

” Those who rent out motel rooms or condominium units must have licences and work in line with the Interior Ministry’s laws”, he said.

He added that no more than 49 % of condos are owned by foreigners.

Former prime minister Srettha Thavisin gave the Interior Ministry an instruction to raise the foreign ownership quota for condos from 49 % to no more than 75 %, according to Mr. Anutin, who referred to a “matter that is under study” in the matter.

The Drama Addict Facebook page recently made the claim that Chinese owners had purchased villas and rented them out to other immigrants. They give their clients a code to open the wallet and get the keycards to get the condo by locking the boxes and using keycards.

According to the website, the customers leave the tips or keycards in the rooms when they check them out.

A package containing secrets was discovered close to a somtam channel, which made the problem known. A foreign visitor had gotten the keys to a condominium when police were called and arrived at the scene, so they took action against the condo unit’s owner, according to Drama Addict.

According to sources, Soi Sukhumvit 42 has many condos that are rented out for short-term using the Airbnb program. Additionally, people who rent the condos have complained about troubling other residents.

For accommodations violated the Hotel Act, options said. Up to a fine of up to 20, 000 baht plus a daily fine of 10,000 baht is imposed on those who do not possess permits to run hotels and rent out rooms until for improper behavior is stopped.

Residents are also prohibited from renting out their units monthly at most condos because it will destroy other people’s protection and pose security risks.

A similar incident, according to solutions, even happened on Soi Sukhumvit 48/2 in the Klong Toey region, where several boxes containing apartments keycards were placed in two big lockboxes close to a bike repair shop about two months ago, and foreign tourists showed up to take the keycards.

The owner of a motorcycle repair shop, who declined to be identified, claimed he was approached by a man who wanted to install the lockboxes close to his shop and offered him$ 10,000 in exchange. He claimed that since then, nearly every foreigner has vanished to retrieve the keycards. He continued, saying that he was aware that this was illegitimate and that he was prepared to assist in the investigation.

Best Wongpairojkul, a lieutenant spokesman for the Thai Sang Thai Party, called on the state, the Interior Ministry in special, and the Immigration Bureau to deal with the problem of improper condo rentals, saying such techniques allow criminals access to properties and put people at risk.

According to Mr. Best, these actions also interfere with condo management in the interests of profit. ” Inaction on the part of the government could lead to suspicions about a lack of transparency, and the government could be deemed to favour foreign investors, which could affect the country’s economy and security”, he said.

Rangsiman Rome, a list MP of the opposition People’s Party, also said he has received complaints about illegal condo rentals. Mr Rangsiman said that it has been found that, in some cases, 80 % of condo units are owned by Chinese nationals. He added that the government must collaborate with condo developers to find solutions right away.

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City to limit pet numbers

According to assistant Bangkok government Tavida Kamolvej, a city regulation that addresses stray animals will become effective in about a year and will set a cap on how many pets an owner can keep.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ) approved the pet control regulation last year, which was published in the Royal Gazette on January 15 and will become effective within a year.

In the interim, Ms. Tavida said City Hall may hold events to inform users about the paperwork required to register their animals, including microchips and vaccination certificates.

By the middle of the time, the BMA will have the documents available, according to the lieutenant governor.

She continued,” Events may be organized to inform users about the significance of the regulation and the limitations that it imposes.”

Under the rules, owners may have their animals microchipped before registration.

In a condominium or house that is between 20 and 80 square meters of living space, one dog may be permitted. Up to three pets may reside in a place between 20 and 50 square feet for a distant home.

Ms. Tavida claimed that the legislation is intended to control the animal population, which can help address issues brought on by strays.

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