Barkar Nash – Page 1085

Farmers demand closure of crop polluting potash mine

On: June 26, 2023

Farmers from three tambons in Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima, rally at Thao Suranari monument in Muang district on Monday demanding the closure of a potash mine. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: About 150 farmers rallied at the Thao Suranari monument in Muang district on Monday demanding the closure of a potash mine they allege has discharged wastewater onto their land, reducing their harvests.

The farmers were from three tambons – Nong Bua Takiat, Nong Sai and Non Muang Pattana – in Dan Khun Thot district.

They said they had been affected by a potash mine operated under a 25-year (2015-2040) concession by Thai Kali Co. The potash concession covers about 9,000 rai in the three tambons.

Wastewater had been discharged from the mining area into the natural water supply and onto farmland, making the soil salty and reducing harvests of rice and other crops, the farmers said.

The rally began at 9am, with the leaders taking turns speaking from a stage near the Thao Suranari monument, voicing their grievances.

The farmers planned to march to the city hall to submit a letter to provicial governor Sayam Sirimongkol demanding the closure of the potash mine. They said they would stay overnight in front of the city hall and continue to rally on Tuesday, waiting for the governor’s reply.

If there was no satisfactory response, they would proceed to Government House in Bangkok and file a complaint there.

Farmer Khanung Bangkhunthot, 62, of Sai Ngam village in tambon Nong Sai, said she had 23 rai of land – 10 rai used for sugarcane and 13 for rice. After the potash mine started operating, wastewater had been discharged into the natural waterways and onto farmland. The soil had become salty, causing yields to drop.

Last year, she had invested about 90,000 baht in growing her rice crop. It was 100% damaged, but she received only a small sum in compensation from the state.

She said the villagers had filed complaints with several government offices. Samples of soil were taken from the land. So far, no concrete measures had been taken to solve the problem.

A committee had been set up, comprising representatives of farmers and the company, to look into the matter, but nothing came of it, Mrs Khanung said.

The farmers wanted the potash mine shut down, as the most effective way to solve the problem, she said.

Illegal beach villa to be demolished

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 26, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment officials examine the villa built illegally on a beach on Koh Tao in Surat Thani’s Koh Phangan district. The owner has agreed to remove it. (Photo supplied)

SURAT THANI: The owner of a small villa built illegally on a beach on Koh Tao in Koh Phangan district has agreed to its demolition.

The single-storey stone-faced concrete building covers 48 square metres and encroaches on a beach on Koh Tao. and is privately owned by a resort company.

The villa was built on a rocks with direct access to the sea and belongs to Cape Shark Villas, a luxury resort with at least 30 pool villas on its hilltop property in the island’s south.

It became controversial after the provincial anti-corruption Facebook page “STRONG” posted pictures of it following public questions about its legality, since the entire of island is state property under the supervision of the Treasury Department.

On Sunday, officials led by Yuthapol Angkinan, an adviser to the minister of natural resources and environment, went to the island for an on-the-spot inspection.

Mr Yuthapol was accompanied by Chewapap Chewatham, chief inspector of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Apichai Ekwanakul, deputy director-general of the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Supachok Buathong, chief of the treasury office of Surat Thani, Vacharin Fasiriporn, the mayor of Tambon Koh Tao Municipality, and a representative of the resort company.

It was concluded that the company built the villa resort although it had not been allowed to rent the land from the Treasury Department; it was built without permission from Tambon Koh Tao Municipality; and, its construction on the beach could damage natural resources and the environment.

At a subsequent meeting, the company agreed to demolish the building in compliance with the law.

Pride ‘hypocrisy’ sparks backlash

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

LGBTQ+ campaigners take aim at ‘rainbow washing’

An LGBTQ+ group parades along Khao San Road to celebrate Pride Month and promote gender equality. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

LGBTQ+ rights campaigners have criticised businesses for cashing in on products promoted during Pride Month while failing to support the call for equal rights.

Nikki Phinyapincha, founder of TransTalents Consulting Group, told the Bangkok Post that Pride Month, held in June, has been incorporated into companies’ marketing strategies in a move she calls “rainbow washing”.

Businesses use rainbow flags, logos and social media hashtags to promote their goods, she said, adding some have even produced special Pride Month edition goods to generate more income.

However, they are overlooking the true meaning of Pride Month, she said.

“They make us [into] merely a source of income. Pride was not originally a celebration but [a commemoration] of our struggle for not only civil rights but also socio-economic inclusion and empowerment, such as equal rights to employment, promotions and access to education,” she said. “These rights are important as they improve our living conditions.”

The business sector needs to back its support for the LGBTQ+ community with action, she said, adding each company needs to ensure a safe workplace policy for LGBTQ+ people and provide them with mental health support.

“The safe workplace for LGBTQ+ [people] is crucial, they need a place where they can express their sexuality freely,” she said. “This could help increase their productivity as they will not need to be afraid for being who they are.”

She said companies should provide LGBTQ+ people equal opportunities in climbing the corporate ladder.

Many companies still have the perception that having an LGBTQ+ leader makes their business look unprofessional and unreliable, she said.

In fact, having LGBTQ+ people in leadership roles will help companies diversify to drive systematic change in the business, she said.

“If [corporations] seek money from us, please make sure to give back by listening to what we need and what we fight for,” she said.

Nada Chaiyajit, lawyer and human rights adviser, said “rainbow washing” is also being used in politics.

Some parties launched pro-LGBTQ+ campaigns to gain votes from the community, she said.

However, there is real support from some parties, she said, including the Move Forward Party (MFP), which has drafted a marriage equality bill to amend Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which defines marriage as a union between a man and woman.

The MFP bill aims to make the marriage law applicable to all couples, regardless of gender, she said.

In addition, the party has announced support for Thailand to host World Pride in 2028 to promote equality, she said.

However, there is also a need for change at the national level, she said. Politicians need to ensure LGBTQ+-friendly welfare policies that include paid gender affirmation leave, equal pay and civil-servant programmes that extend to partners.

She also supports the idea of having a minimum quota for LGBTQ+ and women politicians in parliament to help them advance their political careers. It would help diversify parliament because they would have a chance to voice their wants, she said.

According to the May 14 general election result, five openly LGBTQ+ MPs from the MFP were elected, but one of them, Nateepat Kulsetthasith, resigned over a drunk driving incident on May 16.

“Having a gender quota is important because we need people who truly know what we need,” Ms Nada said. “We want many political representatives from our community to vote for bills that are necessary for us LGBTQ+ people.

“Many politicians do not know what our problems are, even if they say they support us,” she noted.

The new government should consider the gender issue when assigning ministerial positions to ensure it would be gender-inclusive, she said.

“Our pride is not a one-month-long campaign, but every single second of our lives,” she said.

“We need people like us to sit in parliament to ensure our voices are heard and equally protected.”

New station plan irks local residents

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Historic shophouses at the centre of the backlash against Democracy Monument Station

Former senator Rosana Tositrakul posted this picture of seven shop houses on Phra Sumen Road. The buildings are being expropriated to make way for the Purple Line. (Photo: Rosana Tositrakul Facebook Account)

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) is waiting for the Fine Arts Department to approve its plan for the new Democracy Monument Station, which has come under fire from conservationists and residents alike over its likely impact on historic buildings, in what is one of Bangkok’s oldest neighbourhoods.

The station, which was known as Phan Fa Station before the Department of Rail Transport renamed it to bring it in line with the naming convention for the capital’s rail network, is part of the extended Purple Line electric rail route. The extension will have 17 stations along its 23.6-kilometre route from Tao Poon to Rat Burana, effectively linking Nonthaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan provinces.

As the extension will pass through Rattanakosin Island, also known as the heart of Bangkok’s Old Town neighbourhood, residents are concerned the construction will have an adverse impact on the area’s historical sites — in particular, seven old shophouses on Phra Sumen Road in Phra Nakhon district, which the MRTA plans to incorporate into the new station.

Strong opposition

The plan, however, is opposed by Rosana Tositrakul, a former Bangkok senator and president of Rattanakosin Heritage Conservation Group (RHCG), who fears the shophouses would ultimately be torn down to make way for the station.

As such, she has urged the MRTA to consider building the station away from the neighbourhood’s older buildings — a suggestion dismissed by the MRTA, which said that doing so would hurt the station’s accessibility.

As of now, the buildings remain sealed off. Before the land on which the buildings stand was appropriated by the MRTA, the shophouses hosted a local grocery store as well as a steamed bun and coffee stall.

The grocer who ran his business from one of the shophouses, Vissanukorn Jaidee, told the Bangkok Post that the building has been around for at least eight decades.

He inherited the store from his father and ran it for thirty years until he was told to vacate the building.

“Personally, I don’t want the land to be expropriated as I am old and feel attached to this place. Besides, I don’t think building the station here will boost ridership, as this area is not a busy zone,” he said.

Not many passengers use Sam Yot Station on the Blue Line, which was also built in a historic neighbourhood.

Boonsub Poonsawat, who ran the coffee shop next door, said she hoped the MRTA would reconsider its plan so future generations can have a piece of the neighbourhood’s historical heritage.

Surangrat Suriyasomboon, who owned the seven shophouses, said the land belonged to the grandfather of Lek Nana, one of the founders of the Democrat Party, who was once known as the Landlord of Bangkok.

His grandfather was given the royal rank of Phrapitesatraphanich during the reign of King Rama V, a title which has stayed in the Nana family for generations.

“We didn’t receive as much compensation for the land, but we understand we have to make sacrifices for the public.

“We were supposed to receive 100 million baht, but settled for 60 [million baht] in the end,” she said.

“What can we do? The MRTA has always stressed the need to build the station there.”

FAD’s response

According to the Fine Arts Department, the shophouses are being considered for listing as historic sites.

A source said the building may have been built during the reign of Rama VI. As such, under Section 4 of the Ancient Monuments, Antiques, Objects of Art and National Museums Act 1961, the property could be considered a heritage site due to its architectural significance and historical importance.

That said, there are other elements besides age that must be considered too, he said.

The MRTA said that while the shophouses will have to be torn down to make way for the station’s entrance, they will be rebuilt in the same style, like the agency did at Wat Mangkon and Sanam Chai stations.

The MRTA has yet to proceed with the construction as it is still waiting for the Fine Arts Department to approve the blueprint in an effort to minimise the impact on surrounding buildings.

Other names could be put up for PM’s job

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat meets supporters in the northern province of Lampang mid this month. (Photo: Move Forward Party)

More names could be nominated for the parliamentary selection of the next prime minister other than just Pita Limjaroenrat from the Move Forward Party (MFP), says Senator Akanit Muensawad.

He was responding to mounting pressure by supporters of the MFP for senators to vote for Mr Pita as the new PM. Since there could be more candidates nominated, senators have the right to vote for one who they consider to be the most suitable choice in terms of both ethical standards and capability, said Gen Akanit.

“Well, they should gather 376 votes from MPs from the beginning, then senators will totally opt out of voting [to select the new PM] altogether,” he said, responding to speculation the Senate would be blamed by MFP supporters in the event Mr Pita gets less than 376 votes.

“You will become the government if you get 376 votes right from the beginning. Can you? Don’t make it sound like the Senate’s fault,” he said.

Senator Jate Siratharanont said some senators had closed the door on any possible talks with the MFP as it seeks Senate support for Mr Pita to be the next prime minister,

The party wants to amend Section 112, also known as the lese majeste law, which has put some people off.

Meanwhile, asked about the MFP’s armed forces reform policy, Gen Akanit said he supports reform of the armed forces being implemented by the armed forces themselves, not the version proposed by the MFP.

He accused the MFP of copying the US military’s organisational structure as a model for its own proposed reform of the Thai armed forces.

Under the reforms, conscription would end, while the Defence Council, Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) and military court would be scrapped.

Akanit: Not the Senate’s fault

Pheu Thai to stick to the rules in House speaker bid

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Rival govt coalition ‘won’t function’

The Pheu Thai Party would play by the rules during the selection of the next House speaker and two deputies, party secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong said yesterday.

Mr Prasert was reacting to reports that the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) would nominate Suchart Tancharoen, an elected list-MP of Pheu Thai and ex-deputy House speaker, for the House speaker role.

Talk about Mr Suchart’s nomination comes as Pheu Thai and ally the Move Forward Party (MFP) wrangle over who should get the post.

It was reported earlier that Pheu Thai was open to letting the MFP have the speaker post as long as Pheu Thai was given both deputy posts. However, it later denied such a deal had been reached.

Mr Prasert said that after June 28, the tussle over the House speaker post will be settled, and Pheu Thai will stick with the decision and refrain from resorting to foul play.

Pheu Thai will finalise its stance on the issue during an internal meeting tomorrow before discussing the matter with the MFP on Wednesday, ahead of a planned meeting of the eight prospective coalition parties, he said.

Both parties are expected to settle their differences before the opening of parliament on July 3. Members of parliament are scheduled to select the speaker of the House, who will also serve as parliamentary president, and two deputies, on July 4.

He also dismissed as unlikely the prospect of the current government camp forming a rival coalition, saying that not only would the move be against the people’s will, but the rival coalition would be a minority government and could not function well.

In what was seen as an attempt to reaffirm the Pheu Thai-MFP partnership amid the House speaker dispute, Pheu Thai list-MP Adisorn Piangkate and MFP list-MP Rangsiman Rome shook hands at a forum on Saturday.

However, Mr Adisorn said if the House speaker role could not be settled before the selection, he insisted on a free vote.

“It’s a natural way to resolve the issue. In the House, when you can’t agree, you put it to a vote,” he said.

Raids net kidnap suspects

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

One of the kidnapping suspects, Andi Mama, is arrested at his home in Narathiwat yesterday. POLICE photo

Four members of a gang accused of kidnap were arrested in the South and the Northeast in an operation led by the Crime Suppression Division’s (CSD) special weapons and tactics unit yesterday.

The operation began at 6am yesterday, when 80 members of the Hanuman taskforce were deployed to raid eight targets — three in Yala, four in Narathiwat and one in Khon Kaen.

The raids followed an incident on Sept 5 last year, when a group of armed men abducted a man from a house in Narathiwat’s Rangae district. The victim was held hostage in a house where he was beaten up, leading to a broken rib.

The group called his relatives, demanding 500,000 baht for his release. They threatened to cut off the victim’s ears or torture him if their demand was not met.

The relatives agreed to pay 300,000 baht, saying the rest would be paid later, and the kidnappers agreed. After taking the money from a spot in Sungai Kolok, the victim was released at a location where he was later picked up by his relatives.

Afterwards, the kidnappers kept calling the relatives, demanding the rest of the ransom. Out of fear for their safety, the relatives paid them 100,000 baht, but the kidnappers kept harassing them.

The victim’s relatives then decided to file a complaint with police in Rangae district and later with the CSD.

The CSD learned the gang consists of mostly former rangers, defence volunteers and insurgents. Warrants were issued for the arrests of five suspects. Two were identified as Abdulroning Salae, 39, and Andi Mama, 33.

Mr Abdulroning was arrested at his house in Yala, while Mr Andi was caught at his house in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district. In Khon Kaen, CSD police also arrested another suspect, not yet identified.

Isoc eyes 2nd ‘Patani state’ complaint

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

A second police complaint will be filed against those involved in calling for a referendum on an independent “Patani state”, according to Fourth Region Army commander Lt Gen Santi Sakuntanak.

Lt Gen Santi, who is also director of Isoc Region 4, said yesterday that security officials are gathering evidence before filing a second complaint.

He declined to say how many people are named in the fresh complaint but said politicians are among those accused of violating the internal security law and the computer crime law. He did not identify the politicians allegedly involved.

“I can guarantee that those involved will face legal action,” he said.

Isoc’s Region 4 Forward Command sent its soldiers to file its first complaint with Pattani provincial police on Friday.

The complaint concerns a June 7 seminar at the Prince of Songkla University’s Pattani campus, in which members of Pelajar Bangsa, or the “national student movement”, simulated a referendum on the deep South separating from the rest of the country.

It was reported that more than 10 individuals, including students and politicians, were found to be involved in the controversial seminar, which was considered a breach of the constitution, Criminal Code and the Computer Act.

According to a source, five people were named in the first complaint, including a politician, a student activist and a civic group leader.

Harley riders salute HM

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Harley-Davidson owners yesterday gathered in Bangkok to show their loyalty to His Majesty the King to mark his birthday next month.

Santhaya Phoket, president of the Immortals Thailand club, said about 1,000 people brought their Harley motorcycles to the Thai-Japanese youth centre in Din Daeng district. They arranged their vehicles to form a message reading “Long Live the King” to show their loyalty to His Majesty, who will turn 71 on July 28.

Participants included actors Baromvudh “Mick” Hiranyasthiti, Patinya “Boat” Vibulnan and Somchai “Tao” Kemklad; artist Manatsawin “Tik Shiro” Nanthasen; Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, secretary-general of the Internal Security Operations Command; and Col Wanchana Sawatdee. Both soldiers starred in the well-known King Naresuan films. “This year is a special one to tell people that the club is loyal to the nation, religion and the monarch. There is no political angle or hidden agenda,” Mr Santhaya said.

Long hours blamed after graduate doctor dies in car crash

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 25, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Yanisa: Justgraduated

The Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) yesterday mourned the death of a newly graduated doctor on Saturday following a road accident in Kanchanaburi.

Yanisa Suebchiang, 24, also known as Dr Mean, sustained fatal injuries in a collision involving three other cars at Mo Ta Khieo intersection in tambon Som Det Charoen of Nong Prue district — a known accident-prone section.

The collision happened about 4pm on Friday while the doctor was on her way to visit two rural hospitals about 100 kilometres away from Phaholpolpayuhasena Hospital, the state-run hospital at where she had worked for only 23 days after graduating from Mahidol University.

While the cause of the crash is being investigated, some believe Dr Yanisa was too exhausted to drive after working multiple shifts in a row or she wasn’t familiar with the route, or both.

Dr Ittaporn Kanacharoen, secretary-general of the MCT, offered condolences to the family of Dr Yanisa, saying an important member of the country’s medical workforce had been lost.

He had learnt that many road accidents had occurred at the same junction and called for local transport officials to prevent any recurrence of this tragedy.

“Be warned, all doctors. Please don’t force yourself to drive if you feel too tired after working a long shift. If you really need to travel on your own, catch some sleep first. It’s never worth risking your life driving while tired after work,” he said.

On June 8, Dr Ittaporn said the MCT had decided to set up two sub-committees to try to alleviate the problem of many fresh graduates quitting due the “insane” working hours demanded at state-run hospitals.

Despite guidance given by the MCT that each doctor should not work more than 40 hours a week, in reality many doctors are working at hospitals which are understaffed and put in much longer hours, he said.

Barkar Nash (Page 1,085)