Barkar Nash (Page 2)

A leaked internal memo from the Social Security Office ( SSO ) that warned staff to refrain from giving third parties internal information and official documents was not intended to thwart the opposition’s efforts to investigate irregularities surrounding the creation of its web application.

The memo, which was recently shared on social media by SSO chairman of legal affairs Maitree Khunthong, cautioned SSO employees that disclosing interior documents to illegal parties would result in administrative and legal actions.

Rakchanok Srinok, the Person’s Party MP for Bangkok, requested more information about the company’s website app, which the government paid over 850 million ringgit and was delayed for more than six months.

According to SSO spokesperson Niyada Seneemanomai, memos are frequently distributed to all SSO workers to convince them to be extra careful when handling authorities documents and information.

The letter was distributed in an effort to stop the unapproved discharge of official information, which, according to her, could lead to misinterpretations of the SSO and undermine public trust in the organization.

Opposition lawmakers are now questioning the agency’s new spending, which includes 450 million baht for printing calendars, in an effort to justify its sky-high operating costs.

On February 27, SSO staff made an appearance before a House committee that was looking into budgetary and investing issues. They were asked to provide more details about the online application, but they were unsure whether doing so would break state laws.

The Ministry of Labor is in charge of the Social Security Fund’s committee, which has 25 million users.

Authorities are rushing to identify which of the 119 Thai nationals released from scam call centres in Cambodia and deported back to Thailand on Saturday were actual victims of human trafficking and who went there voluntarily.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiewphan, chief of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB), said on Sunday authorities are acting in accordance with the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), a standard practice used for handling people suspected to be victims of human trafficking and forced labour.

That is despite suggestions by the Cambodian authorities that they all arrived voluntarily with the intention to work in illicit activities. They refer to them as criminal suspects.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong said the victim-offender separation process is being jointly conducted by Sa Kaeo provincial police, Provincial Police Region 2 police, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD), the Immigration Bureau and the CCIB.

Preliminary information obtained from the police’s crime database system and a related online criminal record system called “Thaipolice online” showed at least seven out of these 119 people have had arrest warrants arising in 11 cases, involving drugs and fraud among other misdemeanours, he said.

Ten of the 119 people, including the first seven, have also been named suspects in 46 cases filed with the police.

“If they are proven criminals, they will face charges of fraud, involvement in a transnational crime syndicate and money laundering, Pol Lt Gen Trairong said.

“As such, their assets will be traced, seized and sold at auction for money, which will later be returned to their victims.”

There were also 121 mobile phones seized from the group for inspection, which will help provide information useful for separating victims from offenders, he added.

Cambodian media had reported previously that it was highly unusual that 119 “imprisoned” Thais would have fled from Cambodian authorities during the crackdown instead of seeking help from the officials.

All were found to have mobile phones with them. Normally, human trafficking victims forced to work in scam gangs aren’t allowed to use a personal phone, said the reports, pointing to the likelihood the Thais knew what they were doing.

The Thai nationals, 61 men and 58 women, were among 230 foreigners reportedly freed from a scam call centre in Poipet following a three-month investigation into the Chinese-run operations in Cambodia.

A no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been proposed to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha for consideration before it is placed on the parliamentary agenda, according to Pol Sub Lt Arpath Sukhanunth, secretary-general of the House of Representatives.

Pol Sub Lt Arpath on Sunday said that the verification process for the no-confidence motion filed by the opposition parties against Ms Paetongtarn had been completed.

The verification process involved the checking of signatures and the content of the motion, which has now been submitted to Mr Wan for consideration before it is included in the agenda.

When asked whether the motion referred to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was perceived as an outsider under regulations, Pol Sub Lt Arpath responded by saying that the decision rests with the House Speaker and his deputies to deliberate such matters during the debate.

“The verification process did not offer the removal of any content from the motion. The motion has been submitted to the House Speaker for a listing in the agenda,” he said.

Meanwhile, Anusorn Eiamsaard, a Pheu Thai Party-list MP, commented on the opposition’s submission of a no-confidence motion against the government, which targets Ms Paetongtarn as the sole subject of debate.

Mr Anusorn urged the opposition to exercise this right on a constructive basis rather than using negative political tactics that foster hatred and undermine the credibility of the administration.

Regarding Thaksin, who is the father of Ms Paetongtarn, Mr Anusorn argued that since Thaksin is not a cabinet member and holds no official position, he cannot be the subject of a parliamentary debate.

He emphasised that all sides should use the parliamentary platform to benefit the nation and its people.

Pheu Thai spokesman Danuporn Punakanta said the party would discuss legal aspects on Tuesday to determine which topics could or could not be discussed in parliament.

Mr Danuporn reiterated that Thaksin is not part of the cabinet and cannot make clarifications himself.

He added that if the debate lasts five days for just one person, it would be excessive, urging both government and opposition whips to agree on a reasonable timeframe.

Regarding rumours of a war room being set up by Thaksin at parliament during the debate, he said it is not true. Any such preparation would be conducted by the party’s secretary-general. If it was set up, it would be for countering misinformation.

National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) conducted an opinion survey late last month and found that most respondents were dissatisfied with the performance of the government and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The poll was done with 1,310 respondents sampled nationwide from Feb 24 to 26.

It found that 34.58% of the respondents were quite dissatisfied with the work of the government and 20.00% were never satisfied. Meanwhile, 32.60% said they were quite satisfied and 12.82% said they were highly satisfied.

Asked about the performance of the prime minister, 13.36% said they were highly satisfied with her performance, 31.76% said they were quite satisfied, 32.60% said they were quite dissatisfied and 22.28% said they were completely dissatisfied.

Regarding their confidence in the government’s capabilities to solve national problems, 36.41% said they were quite unconfident, 26.26% said they had no confidence at all, 25.04% said they were quite confident and 12.29% said they were highly confident.

The institute also asked respondents about the performances of individual ministries and most of them said they were not happy with their work.

Most Thais are dissatisfied with the performance of the government and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, according to an opinion poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) late last month.

It found that 34.58% of the respondents were fairly dissatisfied with the work of the government and 20.00% were not at all satisfied. On the other side, 32.60% said they were quite satisfied and 12.82% said they were highly satisfied.

Asked about the performance of the prime minister, 13.36% said they were highly satisfied with her performance, 31.76% said they were fairly satisfied, 32.60% said they were fairly dissatisfied and 22.28% said they were completely dissatisfied.

Regarding their confidence in the government’s capabilities to solve national problems, 36.41% said they had lilttle confidence, 26.26% said they had no confidence at all, 25.04% said they were quite confident and 12.29% said they were highly confident.

The institute also asked respondents about the performances of individual ministries and most of them said they were not happy with their work.

The survey sampled 1,310 respondents nationwide from Feb 24 to 26.

One day enough, says MP Wisut

The Pheu Thai Party insists one day is more than enough for the opposition’s requested no-confidence debate, which targets Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. However, the main opposition People’s Party (PP) argues that one day is insufficient.

Since the prime minister is the only government figure the opposition intends to question in the censure debate, the one-day debate — set for March 24 — should be sufficient to complete proceedings and conduct a vote afterwards, said Pheu Thai list-MP Wisut Chainarun, who also serves as chief government whip, on Saturday.

“One day is enough. Cut to the chase. Don’t beat about the bush,” he said.

However, the government, opposition, and Senate whips will meet again on Monday to reach a final agreement on the exact duration of the debate, Mr Wisut added.

The government will reaffirm its stance that only one day will be allocated for the debate. Whether the opposition agrees or not is their concern, not the government’s, he said.

He dismissed claims that Pheu Thai is limiting the debate to shield the prime minister from scrutiny, arguing that Ms Paetongtarn has no issue responding to questions raised against her.

“In fact, the prime minister is not required to answer all questions herself, as the law allows her to delegate responses to cabinet ministers,” Mr Wisut said.

For example, if the debate involves transport policies, the prime minister may assign the transport minister to respond on her behalf.

Regarding Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of Pheu Thai, Mr Wisut said the party will not prevent the opposition from mentioning his name.

However, objections will be raised if accusations arise, such as claims that Thaksin is manipulating the government, as he will not have the opportunity to defend himself in the chamber.

“A daughter listening to advice from her father, who has served as prime minister twice, does not constitute manipulation,” he said, referring to Ms Paetongtarn and Thaksin.

Meanwhile, Phattharaphong Leelaphat, a PP MP for Chiang Mai and the party’s spokesman, said Thais are asking whether the prime minister will personally respond to questions in the debate.

He said Pheu Thai was scared the opposition will back Ms Paetongtarn into a corner with questions about her father’s role in the government, which is why they are restricting the debate to just one day.

One day enough, says MP Wisut

The Pheu Thai Party insists one day is more than enough for the opposition’s requested no-confidence debate, which targets Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. However, the main opposition People’s Party (PP) argues that one day is insufficient.

Since the prime minister is the only government figure the opposition intends to question in the censure debate, the one-day debate — set for March 24 — should be sufficient to complete proceedings and conduct a vote afterwards, said Pheu Thai list-MP Wisut Chainarun, who also serves as chief government whip, on Saturday.

“One day is enough. Cut to the chase. Don’t beat about the bush,” he said.

However, the government, opposition, and Senate whips will meet again on Monday to reach a final agreement on the exact duration of the debate, Mr Wisut added.

The government will reaffirm its stance that only one day will be allocated for the debate. Whether the opposition agrees or not is their concern, not the government’s, he said.

He dismissed claims that Pheu Thai is limiting the debate to shield the prime minister from scrutiny, arguing that Ms Paetongtarn has no issue responding to questions raised against her.

“In fact, the prime minister is not required to answer all questions herself, as the law allows her to delegate responses to cabinet ministers,” Mr Wisut said.

For example, if the debate involves transport policies, the prime minister may assign the transport minister to respond on her behalf.

Regarding Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of Pheu Thai, Mr Wisut said the party will not prevent the opposition from mentioning his name.

However, objections will be raised if accusations arise, such as claims that Thaksin is manipulating the government, as he will not have the opportunity to defend himself in the chamber.

“A daughter listening to advice from her father, who has served as prime minister twice, does not constitute manipulation,” he said, referring to Ms Paetongtarn and Thaksin.

Meanwhile, Phattharaphong Leelaphat, a PP MP for Chiang Mai and the party’s spokesman, said Thais are asking whether the prime minister will personally respond to questions in the debate.

He said Pheu Thai was scared the opposition will back Ms Paetongtarn into a corner with questions about her father’s role in the government, which is why they are restricting the debate to just one day.