Soft power committee announces changes to censorship rules

On: January 4, 2024

PUBLISHED: January 5, 2024, at 6:07.

According to changes in Thai film censorship regulations made by the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, these restrictions restrict creativity and are no more pertinent to the country’s cultural landscape.

According to Paetongtarn Shinawatra, director of the National Committee on Soft Power Development, private companies will be given more influence over the committee’s decision-making process for movies and videos on Thursday.

Just films with material that could have an impact on the king will be allowed to be seen in Thailand.

Instead of being openly prohibited, films with spiritual and sexual content will be reclassified to appeal to the right audience.

According to her,” Rating groupings will only be an indicator of propriety, not a resource to control film productions.”

According to Ms. Paetongtarn,” All constitutional amendments, maybe, would be finished within the middle of this yr.”

The appropriate authorities will also set up a one-stop service center, which will aid production companies in accelerating the certification of operational procedures required for their productions.

The Pheu Thai Party and the government alliance, according to Ms. Paetongtarn, are prepared to help freedom of expression. She pointed out that Thai repression regulations have come under fire for being vague and ridiculous.

Land Bridge ‘necessary’, PM says

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

Srettha claims economical advantages despite reservations.

PUBLISHED: 05 :44 on January 5, 2024.

The 1 trillion ringgit Land Bridge proposal was defended by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Pheu Thai MPs on Thursday, claiming that it will aid in the nation’s economy and growth.

Mr. Srettha, who was tasked with responding to MPs ‘ inquiries about the job during the House conversation on the 2024 fiscal resources on Thursday, stated that if it is successful, it could help boost the economy.

Thailand wants to serve as a global shipping hotspot, according to Mr. Srettha. He continued,” This initiative will help the nation become more competitive.”

Given that 60 % of the fuel used worldwide passes through the stretch of water, the project also helps to reduce congestion on the Strait of Malacca, he added.

Since the country has no conflicts with other countries, the authorities” conducted this venture with the current political picture in mind,” he continued.

Additionally, Mr. Srettha stated that the project will enable other nations to employ Thailand as a transportation hub.

He declared that he would hold a public hearing about the megaproject’s effects with residents of the counties of Ranong and Chumphon, which are expected to be the sites of it.

In case the job is approved, the state has finished compiling information on it, including the one on the South Economic Corridor, according to Pheu Thai record MP Sriyada Palimaphan.

According to a study, this venture will boost the GDP by 1.5 %.

The proposal, according to Ms. Sriyada,” comes at the right time” in light of worries about traffic overcrowding in the Malacca Strait.

According to her, the site’s planning really began during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, and related projects were completed under the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration.

The land bridge initiative, which is estimated to be worth 1 trillion baht, includes deep-water slots in Ranong and Chumphon, a motorway that cuts across the property to connect the two regions and an extensive railway network.

With a budget of about 6.21 billion ringgit for property eviction, the initiative aims to develop the docks and the streets connecting the two.

The plan is divided into four phases based on a timetable for the site’s growth.

Approximately 610 billion ringgit did be spent on the first step, followed by 165 billion, 229 billion and 85.1 billion in the third and fourth phases, respectively.

Govt military budget slammed

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

Pheu Thai laws are questioned by the opposition.

On Thursday, the opposition parties attacked the world’s military expenditure distributions, claiming they went against Pheu Thai Party policy remarks on reducing and modernizing the armed forces.

Aekkarat Udomamnuay, a Move Forward Party ( MFP ) MP for Bangkok, stated on the second day of the budget bill debate for 2024 that Pheu Thai is in charge of reforming the armed forces to ensure they are professional and replace mandatory conscription with voluntary recruitment.

However, he added,” I wonder if the armed forces will be able to reshape themselves when I look at the Defence Ministry’s budget allocations.”

He stated that the Defense Ministry has asked for 198 billion ringgit, an increase of 3.8 billion from the fiscal year 2023.

Spending on military workers has increased by 55 % annually, and in particular, the military has spent about 64 % of the total budget, according to a breakdown of budget spending, he said.

Is the Defense Ministry attempting to enlarge the military forces? Is this going against its plan to reduce the size of the military? Mr. Aekkarat questioned, adding that the cost of military personnel includes compensation and clothing.

The Defense Ministry’s budget allocations were frequently cut during previous financial crises, according to solutions.

The ministry’s budget for that year was reduced by 21 % from the prior year during the 1999 financial crisis, and its Budget for 2022 was slashed by 6 % over the course of the Covid- 19 pandemic.

The Defence Ministry has sought more than 198 billion baht, away 2 % from about 194 billion in the previous year, even though the current government claims the nation’s economy is still in poor design, according to the resources.

Mr. Aekkarat continued by saying that a budget planning of 565 million baht for placement allowances for military personnel not decreases and that there are more than 2, 000 commanders at the Defense Ministry who are comparable to directors-general at various companies.

Nevertheless, he claimed that there are only about ten directors common in each ministry. Is Pheu Thai actually trying to reduce the size of the military makes? He questioned once more.

Mr. Aekkarat even criticized the Defense Ministry’s covert resources, claiming that the law forbids parliament from reviewing it.

The Defense Ministry’s resources spending on arms purchasing has been cut by 2.4 billion ringgit, according to Chayapol Sathondee, an MFP MP for Bangkok, primarily because the government has chosen” a smaller down payment and a long-term payment plan.”

According to Mr. Chayapol, the government made a 13 % down payment on the purchase of wings in the 2023 fiscal year and 9 % of the same amount in 2024.

However, he said that the government may be required to pay off long-term loan worth 57 billion baht, which will double in 2023.

Romdon Panjor, an MFP record MP, concentrated on the funds for addressing the turmoil in the deep South, stating that it has been allocated about 25 billion baht, or 6.5 % of the past year. More than 1 billion ringgit should be cut from the budget, he suggested.

More than 5 billion baht have been set aside for the Internal Security Operations Command ( Isoc ), Mr. Romdon continued.

He asserted that more than 3.5 billion rmb may be connected to “ghost” employees who had never worked in the area and asked Isoc to explain.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin responded to criticism from the opposition by saying that work from all sides have helped to calm the turmoil in the heavy South.

” I think Isoc also wants to bring peace back to the area. Isoc’s resources spending is also something I’m willing to consider, Mr. Srettha said.

3.48 trillion ringgit are sought by the funds. It was supposed to go into effect on October 1 but was postponed a few months after the vote so that the coalition government may establish itself second.

A 72-member House committee will be formed to review the costs after the conversation, which ended yesterday, is put to a vote today.

As of media time, no cabinet members or government MPs had responded to the opponent’s criticism of the military downsizing.

Urgent inspections sought of monorail lines

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

Published on January 5, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.

The Yellow and Pink Lines, the nation’s first two monorail systems, were subjected to a thorough inspection by the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC ) on Thursday.

Following two current mistakes, it was questioned whether errors were made during the program setup on the two lines.

The TCC was reacting to the incidents on the Golden Series this week and the Pink Line last month.

A part of the Pink Line’s wire bridge broke free from its frame on December 24 and fell onto a city, causing damage to some parked cars along Tiwanon Road in Nonthaburi. Services on the line were halted as a result of the affair.

However, on Tuesday night, a Golden Series train’s link vehicle fell out and landed on Thepharak Road below before bouncing and colliding with another vehicle.

According to a statement released on the TCC’s site on Thursday, both situations have raised safety concerns.

The situations appear to have been the first of their kind on a rail system anywhere in the world, according to Assoc Prof. Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut of the TCC sub-committee on travel and cars.

He cited results from his own studies into different monorail systems to support his observation, which showed that there were no other identical incidents taking place in different nations.

The two businesses hired to install the Yellow and Pink rail systems must now conduct a thorough assessment of both systems in order to demonstrate their safety, he said.

Given that both of these lines were recently installed and started operating, he said,” I do n’t believe the issue is with maintenance on these two lines.”

In order to stop a train from falling to the ground in the event that one is inadvertently dislodged from the individual concrete beam along which it runs, he even advised both companies to think about installing metallic netting in specific locations.

He added that based on his own knowledge, rail trains in other nations do certainly rock and rattle as much as they do in Thailand and that this type of protection system is already in place in those nations that started using them before Thailand.

Both the Yellow Line project’s concessionaire, Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co., and the Pink Line Project, a concessionary, said they were also looking into their particular situations.

Srettha responds to ‘lame duck’ budget bill jibe

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 04 :51 on January 5, 2024.

The 3.48 trillion bass budget bill for the 2024 fiscal year was defended by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Thursday, who claimed that every aspect of the president’s spending plan was justified.

He was responding to an antagonism representative who called the act a “lame duck” on Wednesday’s first day of the House discussion.

When he was the minister of commerce, I’m confident that was referring to the Ministry of Commerce. And given what he accomplished during his four years in office, Phumtham Wechayachai, the current business secretary, has performed much better than his father, in my opinion, added Mr. Srettha.

Jurin Laksanawisit, a former business minister who is now an antagonism MP and criticized the government’s act on Wednesday, seemed to be the MP on the Democratic Party list.

The 3.48 trillion ringgit would need to be spent within the next five months, according to Mr. Jurin’s response to the jibe from Mr Srettha, who said he described the expenses in this way because it is improbable to become an efficient or effective system for stimulating the economy.

” The ministry successfully inked numerous free trade agreements, perhaps the highest number always,” he said while serving as commerce minister.

Regarding a claim made by Move Forward Party ( MFP ) MPs that the government inherited not only state governing authority from the previous Prayut Chan-o-cha regime but also its rather conservative approach to managing the state budget, Mr. Srettha asserted the current government prioritizes the interests of the public over other considerations.

Regardless of whether a plan was started by previous governments, the government is doing what is best for the people, he said.

Mr. Srettha said it has long been obvious the government may use in response to a comment that he had broken his promise never to use money to fund the 10, 000-baht digital wallet handout.

Some small opposition parties targeted the 5.11 billion baht set aside for the Internal Security Operations Command ( Isoc ) on the second day of the three-day debate on Thursday.

Isoc only performs menial duties, according to Surathin Phichan, a New Democracy Party record MP, who suggested cutting this portion of the funds.

PM’s ‘salesman diplomacy’ in view

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

After only four months in office, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled his” seller diplomacy” strategy in November of last year at a meeting with Thai ambassadors and ministers basic at Thailand’s Foreign Ministry.

Following the speech, a number of foreign relations experts suggested that the PM should concentrate on rebalancing the country’s relationship with superpower nations rather than just increasing its revenue.

They continued by saying that Mr. Srettha needs to take into account the state of the world and have a firm stance on global problems. Experts also looked at some of Mr. Srettha’s earlier behavior, such as his presence at the September 78th treatment of the UN General Assembly.

In his potential as” the number 1 seller of Thailand,” as he refers to himself, it was his first journey as prime minister.

Mr. Srettha met with members of more than ten top US companies while he was in New York and extended an invitation to them to continue investing in Thailand. The following month, Mr. Srettha and Russian President Vladimir Putin both attended a Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI ) forum in Beijing that was hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Mr. Srettha suggested a area bridge job to connect with China’s BRI at the event. During Apec 2023, he likewise extended an invitation to the US to make a land bridge investment.

” Team Thailand.”

Despite the fact that both leaders see themselves as the best salesman in their respective nations, Anekchai Rueangrattanakorn, an complement lecturer in social sciences at Silpakorn University, claimed that Mr. Srettha’s trade-centric diplomacy differs from South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol.

According to Mr. Anekchai, the Thai PM is attempting to sell both goods and honesty in order to draw in more foreign funding while the South Korean president may concentrate on commercializing nuclear power and weapons.

To make the plan more appealing, Mr. Srettha also emphasizes the significance of “team Thailand,” which consists of all Thai officials and specialized organizations like the Board of Investment, on both the domestic and international levels.

In order to open up more business windows, the PM even emphasizes global cooperation and connection between the Foreign Ministry, Commerce Ministry and the government, he said.

According to him,” Salesman politics will help draw in foreign investment and give Thailand a free, fair, open, and predictable trade environment because trade regulations will need to be modified in accordance with international standards.” The places of democracy, fundamental human rights, the rule of law, and a willingness to contribute to solutions to ongoing global problems like climate change, bio-circular- green economy and the switch to clear energy may even be included in this.

Mr. Anekchai stated that some legal restrictions and rules that promote trade and investment have already been taken into consideration and amended in support of the PM’s plan. He did, however, add that it was still very early to assess their efficacy.

Although the amount of foreign direct investment this year increased by 43 % over the previous month, Mr. Anekchai pointed out that it was not just under his supervision.

He predicted that the PM’s seller politics would encounter a number of obstacles, such as superpower geopolitics, trade wars, the Hamas-Israeli conflict, disputes in the South China Sea, new diseases, and international investors ‘ worries about Thailand’political unrest.

Mr. Anekchai advised the new government to properly plan its foreign policy while keeping in mind the shifts in the global order and to adjust its ties with superpowers, especially China and the US, in order to address these issues. Due to its lack of freedom, the new state will also need to abandon the outdated Thai foreign policy that has been in place since the 2014 revolt.

Anekchai: The PM’s trade-focused politics is different from that of South Korea.

strategic approach

The new foreign policy, according to Sorasich Swangsilp, chairman of the social policy and development program at Thammasat University, will help Thailand place itself more favorably on the international stage.

It reflects the nation’s strategic approach, which incorporates from a business standpoint, he claimed.

But, Mr. Sorasich asserted that the government must be more proactive and clear. It must comprehend Thai trademarks, including names, beliefs, and concepts, in both tangible and intangible property.

According to Mr. Sorasich,” Salesman diplomacy may put Thailand up on the radar in global affairs.”

Thailand’s global part had previously faced many challenges as a result of the coup and the new administration, particularly with institutions and nations that uphold democratic values and principles. The nation was forced to abandon its effective role as a result.

The effectiveness of Thailand’s ability to address and add to important world issues will determine whether or not the new position is a success, he said.

Thailand needs a clear perspective and manner, he said, and policymakers need to keep an eye on the condition.

Although independence is a clear component of this international scheme, he asserted that Thailand should never treat all nations equally.

International standards and principles, as well as relationships between key powers and their allies, should be taken into account. According to Mr. Sorasich, a ambiguous stance may convey the wrong message to the international community and may impede efforts to regain attention.

Sorasich: The nation’s strategic technique is reflected in its fresh foreign policy.

the outskirts of the city

Social sciences lecturer Oratai Soparat from Naraesuan University thinks the new foreign scheme primarily targets deep-pocket investors and high-end business owners.

She suggested that Mr. Srettha use this foreign legislation to significantly enhance monetary assistance, particularly between Asean nations like Malaysia, Laos, and Cambodia.

According to her,” the policy should shift its emphasis from monetary assistance to one that rewards people from various courses.”

Only a select few big manufacturers would gain from marketer politics, according to Ms. Oratai. She added that she believed Mr. Srettha did not take clear action to alleviate the problems in Myanmar through the five-point discussion, despite the fact that he had emphasized his support for democracy.

She claimed that while Indonesia and Singapore had more assertive positions, Thailand, as Asean’s primary mediator and mediator, had not put distinct pressure on Myanmar. That makes Thailand’s position on politics still in doubt, she claimed.

Even though Mr. Srettha emphasized bolstering democracy and improving living conditions in Thailand during his visit to the 78th treatment of the UN General Assembly, Ms. Oratai said that such a position might not be able to represent the “beautiful transfer of Thai politics.” ” His behavior are still a mystery.”

She added that Thailand’s fresh foreign policy must maintain a firm adherence to the rule of law and human rights principles in order to balance its relationship with major international forces. The stance should also be applied when addressing another world issues, such as the wars between Israel and Ukraine and Russia and Hamas and Israel.

It is essential that this new international policy be more honest in upholding political ideals.

Oratai: The international policy plan focuses more on wealthy individuals.

Young cinereous vulture found in weak condition

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 4:05 on January 5, 2024.

In the Lan Krabue neighborhood of Kamphaeng Phet, a young cinereous hawk was discovered next Sunday. Before being released, it is already being cared for by a group of professionals in nearby Nakhon Sawan.

The team has examined the health of the migratory bird and found no signs of injury, according to Pimchanok Songmongkol, a veterinarian with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation’s ( DNP ) Protected Area Regional Office 12th in Nakhon Sawan.

She claimed that the eagle was weak as a result of the lengthy journey for its winter migration.

The cinereous eagle, also referred to as Aegypius monachus, is thought to be the family’s largest representative. A sophisticated one can measure up to 12.5 pounds, have a maximum wingspan of three meters, and measure 120 centimeters in length. The child was 7.1 kg when it was discovered.

Because the bird is still a young birds, professionals have been unable to identify its intercourse.

To help strengthen its muscles, the freed bird is fed two foods of meat per day, totaling about 1.5 pounds.

” People do not frighten the eagle.” It consumes a lot of food and spends up to two hours in the sun each time. She claimed that although it tries to travel, it can only reach a height of one meter above the surface.

Next week, the DNP may take the hawk to the Raptor Rehabilitation Unit at Kasetsart University in the Kamphaeng Saen neighborhood of Nakhon Pathom.

The hawk may be microchip-tagged before being released once it has regained its strength.

The cinereous vulture, which has a population of between 16, 800 and 22, 800, is listed on the Red List of Near-Passured species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN).

The nomadic vulture is a unique look in Thailand, according to Dr. Pimchanok.

Only one to two cinereous birds are observed annually, according to DNP data, primarily in Chiang Mai, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Rayong, and Chantaburi.

A group of veterinarians are currently caring for a cinereous eagle that was discovered in Kamphaeng Phet unharmed. Department of Wildlife, Plant Conservation, and National Parks

Dept seeks conflict compensation fund

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

5 January 2024 at 06: 32 Discussed

To compensate those whose lives have been harmed by conflicts with wild elephants, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Plant Conservation ( DNP ) has requested a budget of 50 million baht.

The goal is to lessen conflicts between people and exotic animals, according to Phadet Laithong, chairman of the DNP’s Wildlife Conservation Office.

According to the DNP, there are now 4, 013- 4, 422 more exotic animals in the country than there were 3, 500 to 4, 000 in 2018. According to the DNP, 180 people were hurt and 202 died as a result of wild elephant episodes between 2015 and the start of 2024.

In Chachoengsao’s Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, about 150 wild animals lately wandered into farmland and communities from the jungle in search of food. Harvests were hurt as a result, and women’s existence were impacted.

According to Mr. Phadet, the wildlife sanctuary is home to 592 exotic animals, according to the DNP. According to him, the amount was higher than the 492 elephants that were officially counted in 2018.

About 100 soldiers from the DNP’s Protected Area Region Offices in Prachin Buri and Si Racha in Chon BurI started patrolling the forest borders after the crazy animals were driven again into the forests, according to him. This was done to stop the animals from returning until the end of April.

Robust measures must be taken to stop exotic animals from leaving protected areas, he said. Having a center to control wild elephant activity is one of these.

Captain Rachata Phisitbanakorn, his vice-minister, was invited to visit the temple with DNP producer common Athapol Charoenshunsa on Thursday by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan.

To address the elephant problem, Capt. Rachata met with the Protected Area Regional Office’s executives in the eastern regions.

According to Mr. Phadet, the first step is to create an emergency team to travel wild animals back into the forest and stop them from leaving designated areas.

AoT preps for traveller influx

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 5 January 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

As the Thai-Chinese visa-free program is scheduled to go into effect on March 1, Airports of Thailand ( AoT ) anticipates seeing at least eight million tourists from China pass through its airports this year.

Before the program begins, AoT producer Kirati Kijmanawat stated that Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the chancellor of transportation, has asked airports under his control to get ready for a spike in Chinese visitors arriving in Thailand and Thai travelers departing for China.

The organization is in charge of six terminals in the nation, including the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi in Greater Bangkok and Phuket as well as the Chiang Mai, Chang Rai-Mae Fah Luang, and Hat Yai Airports.

The bilateral agreement is anticipated to strengthen ties between the two nations and make traveling easier for people with Thai passports.

Holders of regular visas issued by France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia may travel to China for company, hospitality, visiting family and friends, as well as for travel, for a maximum of 15 days after the date of appearance. According to him, the legislation is in effect from Dec. 1, 2023, until Nov 30.

According to Mr. Kirati, the state anticipates having about eight million Taiwanese tourists visit the nation once the visa-free program is implemented. About 11 million Foreign visitors traveled to Thailand in 2019.

Since November 1 of last year, AoT has been providing support charge discounts to airlines looking to perform regular and seasonal charter flights to Thailand, he said, adding that they will remain so until March 31.

All Yellow Line wheel bearings to be replaced

By: Barkar Nash

On: January 4, 2024

In: South-East Asia

Operator reacts to security concerns after a monorail train roller fell.

4 January 2024 at 20:27PUBLISHED

To ensure public safety, the president of the rail operator announced on Thursday that the ball joints on the tires of all Golden Series trains may be replaced.

According to Keeree Kanjanapas, chairman of Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co Ltd., Alstom Thailand, the maker of the tires used on the Yellow Line trains, will remove all the ball bearings with items from fresh loads.

While inspecting coach repair at the state’s station, Mr. Keeree stated that Alstom workers had so far examined 600 of the 1, 080 wheels on the 30 Golden Series trains.

To ensure security, he added that preservation would also be scheduled more frequently.

The commitment came after a Golden Series train’s manual wheel fell from its elevated trail on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakan on Tuesday night. A car was struck by the bouncing vehicle. No single suffered any harm.

The rail operator attributed the incident to a broken wheel ball bearing. Mr. Keeree apologized for the event on Thursday.

The Yellow and Pink Lines, the nation’s first two monorail systems that serve the outer areas of Bangkok and nearby provincial areas, have been subjected to a thorough inspection by the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC ) in the meantime.

Questions have been raised about whether problems occurred during systems assembly on the two ranges in light of two new errors, it said.

A part of the Pink Line’s wire bridge broke free from its frame on December 24 and fell onto a city, causing damage to some parked cars along Tiwanon Road in Nonthaburi. The event led to the line’s solutions being suspended.

According to the TCC in a statement posted on its website, both occurrences have raised safety issues.

The situations appear to have been the first of their kind on a rail system anywhere in the world, according to Assoc Prof. Chalie Charoenlarpnopparut, an architect and part of the TCC sub-committee on travel and cars.

North Bangkok Monorail Co. is the controller of the Pink Line. The business and Eastern Bangkok Monorail are affiliates of BSR JV Consortium, a partnership between the three major energy producers Ratch Group, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, and BTS Group Holdings, which owns 75 % of the business.

Mr. Keeree also serves as the chairman of BTS Group Holdings and a producer of the Pink Line controller, which runs the city’s first and busiest mass-transit rail line, known as MTS Skytrain.

Barkar Nash (Page 227)