Barkar Nash (Page 1,052)

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is scheduled to visit Phuket and Phang-nga on Friday and Saturday to engage with locals and gather opinions from the private sector to explore ways of promoting tourism in these two southern provinces, the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket) announced.

On Friday from 7.30am-8.30am, Mr Srettha and members of the Pheu Thai Party’s tourism policy committee, led by Dr Prommin Lertsuridej, were scheduled to meet with administrators of the Suvarnabhumi airport for a briefing on its operation issues.

The prime minister and his entourage would then depart from Suvarnabhumi to Phuket on a Thai Smiles flight.

At Phuket airport, Mr Srettha and his team would meet with the airport administration for a briefing on the expansion of the airport to increase its capacity to cope with the growing number of tourists.

The prime minister would give a brief media interview at the airport around noon.

He was scheduled to meet with members of the private sector in Phuket from 2.30pm-4.30pm at the Ramada Plaza Chao Fah Phuket Hotel. They were expected to discuss Phuket’s development strategies. Following the meeting, the Pheu Thai team would proceed to meet with tourism business operators at the Phuket Old Town from 4.50pm-5.30pm.

In the evening, the prime minister would meet with business operators and tourists on Bang La road and Patong beach and listen to problems over limitations on the operating time of entertaining venues on the beach.

On Saturday, Mr Srettha and his entourage would proceed to Khao Lak in Ta Kua Pa district of Phang-nga.

The prime minister and his team were scheduled to meet with tourist business operators at the Moracea by Khao Lak Resort from 10am-11am. The meeting was to discuss to discuss the prospects of wellness tourism in the Andaman coastal area before returning to Phuket, from which they would return to Suvarnabhumi airport on a Bangkok Airways flight.

The Justice Ministry has denied media reports that former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has been transferred from the Police General Hospital to a privately run facility.

Sahakan Phetnarin, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, on Thursday insisted that Thaksin was not transferred to a privately run hospital as reported, but the ministry cannot provide a picture of the former prime minister as an inmate or a patient as proof due to his rights.

“Thaksin remains in the custody of a prison although he is being treated at the Police General Hospital,” Mr Sahakan said.

He said he is also confident that the Police General Hospital has better equipment to treat Thaksin, in line with a memorandum of understanding on the transfer of patients signed between the Department of Corrections and the Royal Thai Police. During treatment in the hospital, Thaksin is guarded by four prison staff for his safety, he said.

He stressed that Thaksin has underlying illnesses, including ischemic cardiomyopathy, hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and spondylosis.

Under the regulations, the number of family members and relatives allowed to visit Thaksin must not exceed 10, he said. They must inform Bangkok Remand Prison in advance before visiting Thaksin during treatment in hospital, he said.

Visits in the first five days are prohibited due to a quarantine, he said, adding aside from family members, only important persons, such as diplomats, are allowed to visit. Doctors will determine if Thaksin is well enough to return to prison, he said.

Nastee Thongplad, chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, said 10 people have requested to see Thaksin, but the details were withheld.

A police source said that Pol Maj Gen Nakarin Sukhonthawit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 6, has received a request from Pathumwan police station, asking for a deployment of officers to help ensure Thaksin’s safety during his treatment in hospital from Aug 24 to 31.

When asked about Thaksin’s treatment, Pol Lt Gen Dr Sophonrat Singhajaru, chief physician of the Police General Hospital, said he would meet with a team to get an update on the ex-prime minister.

Former red shirt says nation’s colour-coded conflict remains an issue

The endorsement of Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, which coincided with deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to face jail time, has nothing to do with political struggles involving the red-shirt and yellow-shirt groups, former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan has said.

Mr Jatuporn said the prime ministerial vote on Tuesday was a political deal in which outgoing prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returned the power he seized from Pheu Thai in 2014 back to the party.

The former chairman of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) backed his claim by pointing out that most senators who voted for Mr Srettha have close connections to Gen Prayut.

He disagreed with observations that the latest political development signals that the conflict between the two opposing camps, which has been around for almost two decades, will disappear.

Some analysts see Thaksin’s homecoming and the political alliance between Pheu Thai and those in the so-called conservative camp as a sign of them burying the hatchet.

“For the conflict to end, the process must be straightforward, acknowledged, and accepted by all sides,” he said.

“No personal gains are involved. The conflict between the regime and Pheu Thai is possibly resolved, but a new conflict is also created as some people are unhappy with Pheu Thai.”

Pheu Thai should expect resistance from Move Forward Party (MFP) supporters as well as its own supporters who vouched for the party because of its pro-democracy principles, said Mr Jatuporn.

On social media, MFP voters reacted to Mr Srettha’s endorsement as prime minister with #NotMyPM to show their displeasure towards Pheu Thai, which abandoned the MFP to ally with Bhumjaithai, the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party and the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and several smaller parties.

Mr Jatuporn also predicted the coalition government headed by Mr Srettha would be short-lived due to its zero credibility.

He said the allegations involving irregular land deals against Mr Srettha by whistle-blower Chuvit Kamolvisit would return to haunt him.

“Pheu Thai went back on its word and conspired with those who seized power. This is more than a crisis of faith. How can the government succeed with such a drawback?” he said.

Suthep doubts

Meanwhile, Suthep Thaugsuban, former People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader, cautioned against using the idea of “putting an end to the conflict” when asked about the end of colour-coded divisiveness.

He explained that people can have differences of opinion and live in harmony as long as they respect the law.

He said there is no reason for people to oppose Thaksin because he agreed to enter the justice process and face the consequences.

Mr Suthep said Thaksin made the right call by returning to face a jail term, and his decision to return after almost two decades indicated that Thaksin came to the realisation that he must accept the justice system.

Asked if he would forgive Thaksin, who announced he forgave everyone, the veteran politician said he did not need to be forgiven, nor did Thaksin need it from him.

“He doesn’t have to forgive me, and neither do I. When he accepted the justice system, it’s done. There’s nothing to be forgiven,” he said.

He said people hold no personal grudges against Thaksin, but if the ex-prime minister or his political party abuses power, people can rise up to oppose what is not right.

“And there is the line that should never be crossed. If his people want to rewrite a new charter in a way that affects the monarchy institution, we won’t allow it,” he said.

Asked if the Pheu Thai Party and the MFP could be engaged in a new conflict over the lese majeste law issue, Mr Suthep pointed out that some figures in the “Thaksin regime” are believed to be anti-monarchy.

Pheu Thai has pledged not to amend the lese majeste law while the MFP remains adamant on the controversial policy, which saw its prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat rejected.

Mr Suthep said he will be keeping an eye on the charter amendment campaign, which is one of the Pheu Thai Party’s core policies.

“We welcome any reform proposals by younger generations to help improve the country, but if they want to do away with everything and transform the country, I think it’s unacceptable,” he said.

Deputy national police chief Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol will be the new national police chief, replacing Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, a police source has said.

Torsak: Endorsed by police commission

The source said the national chief seat was among top-tier posts considered at a high-level meeting yesterday presided over by Pol Gen Damrongsak, who is due to retire on Sept 30.

Pol Gen Torsak’s name is among a list of reshuffled officers that need vetting and endorsement by the Police Commission chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today.

The source also said that Pol Lt Gen Ittipon Ittisanronnachai, Provincial Police Region (PPR) 2 commissioner, will be appointed the new Immigration Bureau chief, while Pol Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang would stay put as Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner.

Elsewhere, Pol Lt Gen Surapon Prembut is to be promoted from deputy to commissioner of PPR1, while Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Chintakanon, commissioner of the Royal Thai Police’s national police chief office, was put forward to take on the top position at PPR2.

Pol Lt Gen Somprasong Yentuam is to remain as PPR3 chief, while police inspector-general Pol Lt Gen Santi Chainiramai will be promoted to PPR4 chief and Police Strategy chief Pol Lt Gen Naiyawat Phadermchit will be PPR5 chief.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwpan, commissioner of the Office of Legal Affairs and Litigation, will take on the role of PPR 7 commissioner, whereas Pol Lt Gen Surapong Thanomjit will stay on as PPR 8 commissioner.

Pol Lt Gen Udon Yomcharoen will become the new head of the Tourist Police, and Pol Maj Gen Yongkiat Monpraneet will be promoted to become the new commander of the Border Patrol Police.

A group of Democrat Party MPs who broke ranks and voted in support of Pheu Thai candidate Srettha Thavisin for prime minister this week have since blamed their decision on the party’s wavering stance.

They denied aspiring to join the Pheu Thai-led coalition government — the Democrats are not included in the multi-party bloc at this point — and said they were fully prepared to join the rest of the party on the opposition bench.

In Tuesday’s parliamentary session, the 16 MPs unexpectedly voted for Mr Srettha, leaving many pundits flabbergasted as it was understood the Democrats had passed a resolution for its MPs to abstain from the vote.

Led by Det-it Khaothong, a caretaker deputy party leader and Songkhla MP, and Chaichana Dechdecho, a caretaker deputy secretary-general of the party and Nakhon Si Thammarat MPs, the group came out in defence of their action yesterday. Four other party MPs joined them at a press conference.

Mr Det-it said when the party’s MPs met on Monday, they were split into three camps on how to proceed.

He said some thought the party should vote against Mr Srettha’s nomination as the two parties had long been in conflict. Others argued the bitter past should be left behind, which is when the more senior MPs walked out of the meeting, he added.

But a third group said the party should give a supporting vote, as the country had hit a political deadlock and many problems still had to be solved, Mr Det-it added.

Mr Det-it said Jurin Laksanawisit, the party’s caretaker leader, then rose and suggested there should not be a vote over this matter as it was the individual right of each MP to vote as they pleased.

“The meeting ended without a vote,” Mr Det-it said.

When MPs voted on Tuesday, the so-called “renegade” band of Democrats sat huddled together in a separate room, listening to the debates about Mr Srettha’s qualifications. Most of them found Mr Srettha to be acceptable, he said.

When it came to voting, they noticed Mr Jurin had abstained while two other former party leaders — Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan — voted against Mr Srettha’s nomination.

Mr Det-it said the inconsistency on the part of the three senior members caused the MPs to conclude the party had not reached a resolution.

Chiang Mai to boost passenger traffic

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has come up with a plan to build new airports in Chiang Mai and Phuket to generate more income from tourism.

Raising tourism revenue was one of Pheu Thai’s campaign promises, which the party intends to make good on, the new premier said yesterday.

He said airports are essential for tourism in both provinces, which are popular destinations. The party attaches importance to how tourists can access the provinces.

The government will see to the construction of new international airports and improve the existing ones in both provinces to augment their tourism-handling capacity, according to Mr Srettha.

Meanwhile, Chiang Mai International Airport yesterday hosted a forum on a development plan aimed at doubling its passenger handling capacity from eight million to 16.5 million a year.

During the seminar yesterday, Sarayut Jumpha, the airport’s deputy director, said the plan was conceived in 2018, before the pandemic, in anticipation of increasing passenger traffic.

According to Mr Sarayut, the plan is divided into two phases to support growing air traffic in the next 20 years. However, the plan does not involve building a new runway.

The first phase, Mr Sarayut said, will chiefly cover projects to accommodate a projected expansion of airport users.

The work will be divided into three main clusters. The first will focus on airside development, including the addition of more aircraft parking bays, from 19 at present to 31.

The second focuses on terminals and auxiliary buildings. According to Mr Sarayut, a new international terminal is expected to be constructed to the south of the airport, while the current terminal will operate domestic flights.

The third cluster will concentrate on infrastructural support development, such as a new six-lane road, a power plant and a water plant.

The airport has commissioned the TCMA Consultant Group to study the project’s impact and compile an Environmental Impact Assessment report. The study is expected to take two years, costing 300 million baht.

The construction of all projects is expected to take about three years at a cost of 10 billion baht.

The Pheu Thai Party said yesterday the 10,000-baht digital wallet policy would be implemented before April next year and warned people not to fall victim to scammers luring them to click malicious links to access the handout.

Pheu Thai deputy secretary-general Paopoom Rojanasakul said the 10,000-baht digital wallet is expected to be ready for launch in the first half of next year, and the party will try its best to roll it out before April.

He said the 10,000-baht digital wallet will not be part of the Pao Tang wallet and stressed that links being circulated to supposed 10,000-baht digital wallets are scams and not related to the party’s policy because the Pheu Thai-led government is still being formed.

Treechada Srithada, Pheu Tha’s deputy spokeswoman, said scammers are sending fraudulent “digital wallet” links for people to click on to register to receive digital handouts from the Pheu Thai-led government.

These links are aimed at stealing personal data and money from victims’ bank accounts, she said.

“The new government is yet to be formed, and the Pheu Thai Party has not commenced its national administration,” said the spokeswoman. “No digital wallet application or relevant registration process is in place.”

Pheu Thai’s flagship scheme pledges a 10,000-baht digital handout to every Thai aged 16 and older, delivered via smartphone. The digital money can only be spent within a four-kilometre radius of recipients’ homes, but this is flexible depending on the locations of the recipients.

The digital money is valid for six months, and there is no need to register to access the wallet.

For those without access to the digital wallet app, they can use their national ID card to obtain a personal code in order to spend the digital money.

The policy was shelved following the May 14 election as the priority was given to social welfare policies of the Move Forward Party, which was at that time the core party in forming the government.

Pheu Thai recently announced it would go ahead with the policy after it took the lead in forming the government. It is estimated it will cost up to 560 billion baht.

Police have detained a German national wanted by the German authorities in a criminal case linked with the Hells Angels international outlaw motorcycle club, the Immigration Bureau said yesterday.

Pol Maj Gen Phanthana Nutchanat, deputy chief of the bureau, said the suspect fled Germany after committing a crime involving physical assault.

After being notified by German police of the suspect’s presence in Thailand, the bureau located him in Muang district of the northern province of Chiang Rai, said Pol Maj Gen Phanthana.

The suspect was found to hold a non-immigrant visa, which allows him to stay in Thailand until July 12 next year, said Pol Maj Gen Phanthana. The suspect will be extradited to his home country.

The United States, the European Union and Singapore have congratulated Srettha Thavisin on his election as Thailand’s 30th prime minister.

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said in a US Department of State press statement: “We look forward to working with the Prime Minister to build on last year’s US-Thailand Communiqué on Strategic Alliance and Partnership, and to further strengthen the enduring alliance between the United States and Thailand. We will collaborate closely with the new Thai government to continue advancing our shared values and a free and open, connected, peaceful, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.”

“The EU looks forward to working closely with the Royal Thai government to reinforce further EU-Thailand relations in support of the rules-based international order, regional stability, sustainable development, democracy and human rights, prosperity, and free and fair trade,” said the statement released by the European External Action Service’s Press Team.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement published on Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs website that on behalf of the government of Singapore, he congratulated Mr Srettha as the 30th prime minister of Thailand.

“I am confident that Thailand will continue to grow and prosper under your leadership. I look forward to working closely with you to further broaden and deepen our bilateral relations, and to meet you soon.

“Singapore and Thailand enjoy warm and multi-faceted relations, underpinned by robust economic ties, close institutional links, and regular political and people-to-people exchanges at all levels. Our longstanding and deep cooperation spans many sectors,” Mr Lee said.