Barkar Nash (Page 1,046)

The Move Forward Party (MFP) needs to make it official that its leader Pita Limjaroenrat intends to waive the party’s right to take the opposition leader post, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

His remark came after Mr Pita made it known verbally that neither he nor the MFP wanted the opposition leader’s position. 

The MFP would rather keep its MP for Phitsanulok Padipat Suntiphada in the role of deputy House speaker.

Mr Wan said the right to assume the opposition leader seat must go to the leader of the biggest part of the opposition. But if they are not able or willing to perform the role, the right is passed on to the next biggest party.

A party cannot have its MP concurrently occupy the positions of deputy House speaker and opposition leader.

The MFP has chosen to retain the deputy House speaker, apparently to push its legislative agenda, and so it must officially notify him of its decision to let go of the opportunity to serve as opposition leader, Mr Wan said.

This is so that the right to take on the opposition leadership may be handed to the second-biggest opposition party, which is the Democrat Party. 

“The charter and the parliamentary rules dictate that an opposition leader must be appointed,” he said, explaining that the leader of the opposition takes part in selecting members of some independent agencies. 

However, the Democrats are struggling to convene a meeting to elect its leader due to deep-seated internal divisions.

If the party fails to produce a full-time leader soon, the right to lead the opposition will be offered to smaller parties, including those with one MP, such as the Fair Party.

But Mr Wan insisted no deadline is imposed on when the opposition leader must take office. 

A political source noted the MFP might eventually end up empty-handed as Mr Padipat may risk being stripped of his deputy House speaker post over his alleged online promotion of craft beer, an offence carrying a severe punishment as a political post holder, in Phitsanulok. Mr Padipat denies the allegation. 

Also on Monday, Mr Wan said he stands ready to set a date for a parliament meeting where the new cabinet will unveil its policies once he receives word about the cabinet seats being finalised and the timing of the meeting discussed among the government, opposition and Senate whips.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) needs to make it official that its leader Pita Limjaroenrat intends to waive the party’s right to take the opposition leader post, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

His remark came after Mr Pita made it known verbally that neither he nor the MFP wanted the opposition leader’s position. 

The MFP would rather keep its MP for Phitsanulok Padipat Suntiphada in the role of deputy House speaker.

Mr Wan said the right to assume the opposition leader seat must go to the leader of the biggest part of the opposition. But if they are not able or willing to perform the role, the right is passed on to the next biggest party.

A party cannot have its MP concurrently occupy the positions of deputy House speaker and opposition leader.

The MFP has chosen to retain the deputy House speaker, apparently to push its legislative agenda, and so it must officially notify him of its decision to let go of the opportunity to serve as opposition leader, Mr Wan said.

This is so that the right to take on the opposition leadership may be handed to the second-biggest opposition party, which is the Democrat Party. 

“The charter and the parliamentary rules dictate that an opposition leader must be appointed,” he said, explaining that the leader of the opposition takes part in selecting members of some independent agencies. 

However, the Democrats are struggling to convene a meeting to elect its leader due to deep-seated internal divisions.

If the party fails to produce a full-time leader soon, the right to lead the opposition will be offered to smaller parties, including those with one MP, such as the Fair Party.

But Mr Wan insisted no deadline is imposed on when the opposition leader must take office. 

A political source noted the MFP might eventually end up empty-handed as Mr Padipat may risk being stripped of his deputy House speaker post over his alleged online promotion of craft beer, an offence carrying a severe punishment as a political post holder, in Phitsanulok. Mr Padipat denies the allegation. 

Also on Monday, Mr Wan said he stands ready to set a date for a parliament meeting where the new cabinet will unveil its policies once he receives word about the cabinet seats being finalised and the timing of the meeting discussed among the government, opposition and Senate whips.

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Family, visited her father and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Police General Hospital on Monday.

Thaksin, 74, was admitted to Bangkok Remand Prison on Aug 22 after landing at Don Mueang airport on a private jet, ending 15 years in self-exile, and being immediately taken to the Supreme Court, which jailed  him for eight years on charges he was convicted of in absentia and sentenced.

He was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital at 12.20am on Wednesday, suffering from chest pain, hypertension and low blood oxygen, according to the Department of Corrections (DoC).

The DoC said Thaksin has four critical ailments – heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure and a herniated disc.

After five days in quarantine, the hospital is allowing him visitors from 9am-3pm. Ten people registered to visit Thaksin on the first day. Ms Paetongtarn was the first to see him.

Ms Paetongtarn was accompanied by lawyer Winyat Chartmontree when she arrived at the hospital about 12.30pm in a Mercedes van. From the basement floor of the car park building she took an elevator to the 14th floor of the Maha Bhumibol Rachanusorn 88th Birthday Anniversary Building, where Thaksin is being cared for.

She began her visit about 1pm and left at 1.45pm without talking to reporters.

When asked about her father’s illness and his mental condition, Ms Paetongtarn did not reply. She said  only that she would answer questions about her visit at Pheu Thai Party head office on Tuesday.

Other people who registered with the hospital to visit Thaksin on Monday included another daughter,  Pintongta, and her husband Nathapong Kunawongkorn, and his eldest son Panthongtae and his wife Natthiya Puangkham. Three lawyers were also on the list of visitors.

Santhana Prayoonrat, a former special branch police officer who was at the hospital to see his father, said the rooms on the 14th floor were reserved for high-level police officers. His father had been admitted for treatment for lung inflammation on July 28 and was on the 10th floor of the same building, he said.

He believed Thaksin was in room 1401. He saw doctors and nurses in front of that room on Aug 23 when he went up the 14th floor to take a look.

Mr Santhana said the room had just been renovated and was fully equipped with such basic amenities as a bed, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. Every room on the 14th floor had a full view of the nearby golf course and horse racecourse, as reported by the media, he confirmed.

Thaipakdee Party representatives went to the Department of Corrections on Monday morning to oppose the expected application for a royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

They were led by treasurer Anant Sakhoncharoen. The party has no MPs.

Mr Anant said Thaksin had been found guilty of corruption and malfeasance during his tenure as prime minister, had fled the country and had not bowed to court rulings.

The party submitted a letter asking the Department of Corrections, which is under the Justice Ministry, to maintain the rule of law.

The demonstrators cited the policy of former justice minister Paibul Khumchaya, who held the portfolio  from 2014-2016, of opposiing a royal pardon for convicts serving corruption sentences, to protect good governance in the country. He is now a privy councillor.

They also doubted that Thaksin was seriously ill.

Bangkok Remand Prison governor has confirned that Thaksin has the right to apply for a royal pardon.

Other representatives of Thaipakdee showed up at the Office of the Attorney-General, asking that it resume prosecution of Thaksin on outstanding cases of defamation and lese majeste. 

The Royal Thai Army accused Thaksin in the Criminal Court of defamation and violation of Section 112 of the Criminal Code (the lese majeste law) nearly a decade ago. The court accepted the case for trial in 2015 and issued a warrant for Thaksin’s arrest, who was overseas and did not appear at the court as ordered.

After 15 years of self-imposed exile, Thaksin returned to the country on Aug 22. The Supreme Court ordered that he serve a term of eight years imprisonment for previous and finalised legal cases.

On the first night of his stay at Bangkok Remand Prison, corrections doctors decided he should be  transferred to Police General Hospital because of chronic illnesses.

The management of Police General Hospital denied authorities had done any favours for Thaksin.

Thaksin Shinawatra appears in front of the private jet terminal at Don Mueang airport on his arrival back in the country on Aug 22. (Photo: Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

The emergency decree imposed in the three southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat will be extended for another three months, from Sept 20 to Dec 19, 2023.

The decision was made on Monday by the committee for administration of the emergency situation during a  video conference chaired by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon from the office of the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation.

Lt Gen Pacharasak Patirupanon, Gen Prawit’s assistant spokesman, said the emergency decree is currently in force throughout in the three provinces, except for Si Sakhon, Sungai Kolok, Waeng and Sukhirin districts of Narathiwat; Yaring, Mayom Mai Kaen districts of Pattani; and Betong and Kabang districts of Yala.

The committee resolved to extend the emergency decree in the southern provinces for another three months, from Sept 20 to Dec 19. The extension, the 73rd, is for the continuation of government operations to cope with the insurgency and maintain peace and security for the people’s lives and property, he said.

The resolution will be forwarded to the National Security Council and the cabinet for further approval.

The meeting also approved the Internal Security Command Region 4’s proposal to remove Kapho district of Pattani from the area under the emergency decree.

CHON BURI: A man from Finland was found dead in a house in Bang Lamung district by neighbours late on Sunday night.

Pol Lt Siriporn Kongphetsak, a Nong Prue investigator, said police and a rescue team were called to a house at Pattaya Rung Ruang housing estate at Moo 5 village in tambon Nong Prue about 11.30pm.

They found a naked man lying dead on the bedroom floor. He was believed to have died several days earlier, based on the condition of the body. There were no traces of physical violence. The house had not been ransacked.

The man was identified as Tim Jhani Muhonen, 54, from Finland.

The neighbours who called police said they had noticed a foul smell eminating from the house for a few  days. The stench had become so strong they had trouble sleeping on Sunday.

They said five or six days earlier a Thai woman came to visit the man. Before she left, she was overheard telling the man not to lock the door.

Police were investigating.