Barkar Nash (Page 1,006)

MFP ‘orange shirts’ seen as ‘misguided’

The Democrat Party wants to woo investors by dusting off its plan to transform the commercial district of Hat Yai in Songkhla into an economic powerhouse.

Its economic team had initiated a plan to seek the enactment of a special law to upgrade Hat Yai into an economic boom town that can rival Singapore and Hong Kong, according to Nipon Boonyamanee, the party’s deputy leader and election director.

The party has pledged to implement the plan if it returns to government.

It also stressed the need for the government to generate revenue. A way to achieve this is to link up with major free trade areas (FTAs) as the party, which supervises the Commerce Ministry, negotiates deals through economic cooperation.

The Democrat Party’s goal is to engage with 27-30 countries through FTAs which will accelerate exports and create revenue streams for the country.

Increasing exports means more tax to be collected from exporters, which augments revenue to be injected into the economic system, said Mr Nipon.

The party also reiterated its campaign promises which include offering a two-million-baht cash infusion into every village and community nationwide.

Orange shirts

The “orange” political movement holds a misguided view on how to reform the country, according to a senior member of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).

In an apparent attack on the Move Forward Party (MFP), PPRP deputy leader Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn noted political conflicts have been more pronounced, especially in the lead-up to the May 14 election.

“The newcomer orange shirts are even worse than the red and yellow shirts,” he said, referring to the colour-coded conflict.

Red shirts are known to be mainly loyal supporters of the Pheu Thai Party, while the yellow shirts are monarchist groups. The “orange shirts”, meanwhile, support a liberal democratic cause, and orange is also the MFP’s colour of choice.

The “orange shirts” are eager to tackle the country’s problems by pushing for major changes right at their sources. However, Mr Chaiwut said he and the orange shirts see the roots of the problems differently.

“In my view, the sources of problems are corrupt politicians who fight for vested interests. The problems have nothing to do with the nation, religions, or the monarchy [the pillar institutions],” he said.

Opposing dissolution

Dissolving a political party over election-related undertakings benefits no one, said Bhumjajthai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

“Our party doesn’t support a dissolution of any party,” he said, explaining that election-related affairs are part and parcel of democracy.

Mr Anutin added a violation of election law is committed by an individual member or members of a party, so the entire party should not be held culpable and punished for it.

Responding to a recent statement by Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, chief strategist of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, that at least four major parties may face the prospect of dissolution, Mr Anutin said it was a matter of opinion.

Also yesterday, Chumsai Sriyapai, deputy secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, criticised activist Srisuwan Janya for petitioning the Election Commission (EC) to probe the party over the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout scheme.

He said the EC has been rather enthusiastic about speeding up its scrutiny of party election policies to see if they defy election restrictions, which may be grounds for dissolving some parties.

Electoral policies introduced by parties do not carry enough weight to warrant a party dissolution as they are pledges which, when executed, would serve people across the population.

Election pooper warning

Employers are liable for a jail term if they prevent their employees from going to vote on advance voting day or on Election Day, the EC warned yesterday.

Under the Election of MPs Act, employers who obstruct or refuse to allow their employees to vote at a general election are subject to a jail term of up to two years, a maximum fine of 40,000 baht, or both.

The legal condition is applicable for advance voting on May 7 and on Election Day on May 14.

Meanwhile, EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong explained the mix-up in campaign numbers of Pheu Thai Party and Thailand’s Future Party candidates on documents distributed to Thai voters in the United Kingdom has been rectified.

The EC has looked into the matter and found the mistake was made during document preparation by the EC’s Bangkok office before the documents were mailed to the Thai embassy in the UK for distribution.

Scheme would cover bills for four months

The government plans to allocate more than 11 billion baht to subsidise low-income earners for another four months to help with their power bills, starting in May.

However, the matter must be sent to the Election Commission (EC) for consideration before a final decision is made.

Speaking after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government is trying its best to address the problem of costly electricity bills for households.

“As for political parties promising to cut power tariff rates, they should know that there are reasons and necessities as well as complicated details regarding the issue,” Gen Prayut said.

“Please trust in the government. We are trying our best,” Gen Prayut said, adding that a budget allocation of more than 11 billion baht is needed.

The cabinet has signed off on the subsidy so the matter will now rest in the hands of the EC, he said.

A naval officer holds a child dressed in a sailor’s uniform in front of the newly built HTMS ‘Chang’, which arrived at the Sattahip naval base from China on Tuesday. The new warship serving as a submarine tender will support HTMS ‘Ang Thong’ until the navy receives its S26T submarine order. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

Under Section 169 of the constitution, a budget allocation for emergencies approved by an outgoing cabinet after a House dissolution must be endorsed by the poll agency first.

“I assure you that the government will ensure fairness to all sectors that play a role in energy management as the government cannot invest solely and needs investment from the private sector.

“Everything must be in line with the law. The Energy Ministry has sent contracts [made with the private sector to produce power] to public prosecutors to consider. Several contracts have existed for a long time,” Gen Prayut said.

“We must be careful in spending the budget by focusing our attention on necessary targets. The government will do its best to look after vulnerable groups.”

The government has already provided a 3.2-billion-baht subsidy for vulnerable groups — such as low-income earners and households that consume fewer than 300 units of electricity per month from January to April. They get a cut-off from the fuel tariff (Ft) before the VAT calculation.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri fleshed out the subsidy plan, saying the power subsidy will be extended for another four months from May. It will apply to households that consume less than 300 units per month.

Those that consume 1-150 units a month will get a reduction of 92.04 satang per unit while those using 151-300 units will be given a reduction of 67.04 satang per unit, he said.

About 7.6 billion baht will be drawn from the 2023 budget for emergency purposes to finance the plan. About 18.36 million households will benefit.

Another way to help people with costly power bills is to give a reduction of 150 baht before VAT to households using no more than 500 units per month, valid for May only. The measure will need funds of no more than 3.5 billion baht from the 2023 budget, Mr Anucha said, adding that more than 23.4 million households will benefit.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will also start lowering the Ft next month following a recommendation by a subcommittee responsible for its calculation.

According to Khomgrich Tantravanich, secretary-general of the ERC, the new rate will result in a seven-satang reduction in the price of electricity, from 4.77 baht a unit to 4.70 baht.

Mr Khomgrich said the ERC’s next move would be to issue the adjustment guidelines for Egat, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, and the Provincial Electricity Authority ahead of next month’s billing cycle.

Scheme would cover bills for 4 months

The government plans to allocate more than 11 billion baht to subsidise low-income earners for another four months to help with their power bills, starting in May.

However, the matter must be sent to the Election Commission (EC) for consideration before a final decision is made.

Speaking after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government is trying its best to address the problem of costly electricity bills for households.

“As for political parties promising to cut power tariff rates, they should know that there are reasons and necessities as well as complicated details regarding the issue,” Gen Prayut said.

“Please trust in the government. We are trying our best,” Gen Prayut said, adding that a budget allocation of more than 11 billion baht is needed.

The cabinet has signed off on the subsidy so the matter will now rest in the hands of the EC, he said.

Under Section 169 of the constitution, a budget allocation for emergencies approved by an outgoing cabinet after a House dissolution must be endorsed by the poll agency first.

“I assure you that the government will ensure fairness to all sectors that play a role in energy management as the government cannot invest solely and needs investment from the private sector.

“Everything must be in line with the law. The Energy Ministry has sent contracts [made with the private sector to produce power] to public prosecutors to consider. Several contracts have existed for a long time,” Gen Prayut said.

“We must be careful in spending the budget by focusing our attention on necessary targets. The government will do its best to look after vulnerable groups.”

The government has already provided a 3.2-billion-baht subsidy for vulnerable groups — such as low-income earners and households that consume fewer than 300 units of electricity per month from January to April. They get a cut-off from the fuel tariff (Ft) before the VAT calculation.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri fleshed out the subsidy plan, saying the power subsidy will be extended for another four months from May. It will apply to households that consume less than 300 units per month.

Those that consume 1-150 units a month will get a reduction of 92.04 satang per unit while those using 151-300 units will be given a reduction of 67.04 satang per unit, he said.

About 7.6 billion baht will be drawn from the 2023 budget for emergency purposes to finance the plan. About 18.36 million households will benefit.

Another way to help people with costly power bills is to give a reduction of 150 baht before VAT to households using no more than 500 units per month, valid for May only. The measure will need funds of no more than 3.5 billion baht from the 2023 budget, Mr Anucha said, adding that more than 23.4 million households will benefit.

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will also start lowering the Ft next month following a recommendation by a subcommittee responsible for its calculation.

According to Khomgrich Tantravanich, secretary-general of the ERC, the new rate will result in a seven-satang reduction in the price of electricity, from 4.77 baht a unit to 4.70 baht.

Mr Khomgrich said the ERC’s next move would be to issue the adjustment guidelines for Egat, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, and the Provincial Electricity Authority ahead of next month’s billing cycle.

Jiangxi Dragon gang used call scam tactics

Six Chinese men accused of duping wealthy Thai-Chinese in Chinatown into buying fake gold worth about 10 million baht have been arrested with almost 200 fake ingots.

Investigators from the Metropolitan Police Bureau apprehended the six suspects in front of Hua Lamphong railway station in the Rong Muang area of Pathumwan district on Monday on charges of colluding in theft and criminal association, Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Thumsutee, chief of investigation at the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) said yesterday.

They were identified as Zhong Xiaocong, 44, Li Xiaoyuan, 45, Zeng Nanjing, 54, Yang Cuiyuan, 51, Zhu Zhihua, 48, and Guo Xianyu, 49.

Officers also seized 179 fake gold bars, 10 fake gold statues, 8 thin sheets of real gold, 46 books belonging to a Chinese association in Thailand, 24 ATM cards, 12 mobile phones and goldsmithing tools, Pol Maj Gen Teeradej said.

The suspects were members of the “Mangkorn Jiangxi” [Jiangxi Dragon] gang and allegedly swindled Thais of Chinese descent in Chinatown out of about 10 million baht.

The suspects found their victims in a book detailing names of Thai-Chinese descendants. They selected wealthy people and then phoned them, using the same methods as call scam gangs. The gang had previously worked as phone scammers in Indonesia, Pol Maj Gen Teeradej said.

The gang included real gold among the fake gold, using the former as proof of authenticity. The suspects lied to their victims, claiming to have a gold mining concession in Ayutthaya province.

The arrests followed a complaint by a Chinese man of Thai nationality who said he had been swindled out of 500,000 baht by a Chinese gang into buying gold that later turned out to be fake.

Police investigators found the gang had used a similar ploy to swindle other victims. To entice them into the trap, the gang showed many gold bars and cut one into small pieces that the victims could test to verify.

Gold shops had confirmed the samples were real. Once the money was paid, the gang vanished. The victims only then found out the gold was counterfeit.

All suspects denied the charges. They told police that they had travelled from Jiangxi in China, but admitted they worked for a phone scam gang in Indonesia before moving to Thailand.

The suspects were handed over to police at the adjacent Noppawong railway station for legal action.