Former protest leaders plan new rallies against govt

Sondhi team stands strong against 2001 Thaksin MoU with Cambodia

Sondhi Limthongkul speaks to supporters at the Government House complaints centre in Bangkok on Tuesday. (Screenshot from Sondhi Facebook page)
On Tuesday, Sondhi Limthongkul addresses supporters at Bangkok’s Government House concerns center. ( Screenshot taken from the Facebook page of Sondhi )

The government has threatened new demonstrations against it because it has not responded to their request to rescind a 2001 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia regarding overlapping regional states in the Gulf of Thailand.

They assert that the MoU risks compromising Thai territorial integrity and protecting its marine tools. &nbsp,

When the government had a 15-day window to confiscation the memorandum of understanding with Cambodia and the then-Chambodhi counterpart’s joint statement from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his then-Cambodge equivalent Hun Sen, Mr. Sondhi and a group of followers showed up at the Government House problems center on Tuesday.

The MoU relates to the posting of asset growth.

The MoU and the statement, according to the Sondhi group, could be read as Thailand acknowledges Cambodia’s regional state, which overlaps with Thai territorial statements and privileges to marine sources in the Gulf of Thailand.

Mr. Sondhi claimed that the government had not longer taken any action in response to the date.

His team had previously requested that the government request that the Constitutional Court rule on whether the MoU was democratic and to set up public forums on the MoU so that the public may have their say.

The government’s trying silence may damage the national attention and his team did take action to protect Thai independence, Mr Sondhi said.

Parnthep Pourpongpan, who accompanied Mr Sondhi, said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra had promised to discuss the matter with Mr Sondhi, but failed to do so. She had even rejected the&nbsp, proposed people conference, saying that critics already had the grievances centre at Government House, according to Mr Parnthep.

The president’s even reply had been to recognize their criticism, Mr Parnthep said.

” Does the lack of answer mean that there is interest in our city rallies”? he said.

In order to pressure the state into a good answer, Mr. Parnthep said his party intended to stage a protest outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the legislature, and early in the year, the Royal Thai Navy’s office.

” The problem is already on people’s heads”, he said.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn stated on Tuesday that the government was soliciting input from as many events as possible regarding the issue.

When asked about the requited people forum, she responded that it was delicate and needed to be handled properly.

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New speed limits for Bangkok drivers

Motorists cross Ratchathewi intersection on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok on Nov 9, 2024. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
On November 9, 2024, vehicles cross the Ratchathewi crossing on Phaya Thai Road in Bangkok. ( Photo: Apichart Jinakul )

The Metropolitan Police Bureau ( MPB) has set a fresh maximum speed limit of 60 miles per hour for most roads in the city, exempting main thoroughfares, and 50kph near the Grand Palace, successful soon. &nbsp,

The new rules, which was released on Monday in the Royal Gazette, would improve traffic control and lessen private road accidents. It took impact on Tuesday.

All but 13 major roads are subject to the new 60 kph speed control. The free routes are:

  • Vibhavadi Rangsit Road
  • Bang Na-Trat Road
  • Srinakarin Road
  • Phahon Yothin Roa
  • Ram Intra Road
  • Ratchaphruek Road
  • Baromratchonnanee Road
  • Kanlapaphruek Road
  • Rom Klao Road&nbsp,
  • Suwinthawong Road
  • Chaengwattana Road
  • Rama III Road
  • Srinakarin-Rom Klao Road ( new )

On the following 10 routes close to the Palace the speed limit is then 50kph, with an more” no honking of horns” requirement:

  • Ratchadamnoen Nai Road
  • Na Phra That Road
  • Prachan Road
  • Na Phra Lan Road
  • Sanam Chai Road
  • Kalayana Maitri Road
  • Mai Wang Road
  • Maha Rat Road
  • Rachini Road
  • Setthakan Road

This speed limit also applies on roads where the posted posted speed limit is presently 45 kph. &nbsp, &nbsp,

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Drink-driver kills policeman, injures students, parents outside school

The Honda CR-V, centre left, rests on its side against the fence in front of Ban Don Kwang School in Nakhon Ratchasima after ploughing through the crowd late Monday afternoon. (Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)
After enduring a late-Monday evening through the throng, the Honda CR-V, center left, leans against the fence in front of the Ban Don Kwang School in Nakhon Ratchasima. ( Photo: Prasit Tangprasert )

NAKHON RATCHASIMA- An intoxicated 75-year-old drove his vehicle into a group in front of a college, killing a police and injuring nine different people, later Monday evening.

Four individuals, four kids, four vendors, and four vendors were among the injured. Three of the students ‘ wounds were thought to be serious. &nbsp,

Somsak Asaichao had been arrested at the scene, according to Pol Maj Gen Narongrit Dansuwan, the municipal police captain, on Tuesday. He was being held in custody despite being denied loan by the police.

The elderly and drunk man fled from a group on Monday and drove his car into the group in front of Ban Don Kwang School on Phetmatula Road in tambon Hua Talay of Muang region at around 4.15pm, according to him.

Mr Somsak’s Honda CR-V car crashed into other cars and even killed Pol Lt Wimut Tansupho, a 57-year-old assistant traffic chief inspector of Muang Nakhon Ratchasima police station. Nine additional people were injured, four kids, four kids and a flesh game supplier, he said. Three of the individuals suffered serious injuries.

His car came to a stop on its part, head into the school gate, beside a company’s stall. &nbsp,

According to Pol Maj Gen Narongrit, Mr. Somsak was facing charges including drunken driving that could result in death and injury and carries a maximum fine of 200, 000 ringgit.

The suspect was being detained at the police station in Muang Nakhon Ratchasima. He reportedly told the police that he had no idea what the injury he had caused.

Ban Don Kwang School was closed on Tuesday. The deceased police officer’s funeral services were being attended by death directors.

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Hong Kong tourist in fight with taxi drivers

Taxi drivers hold down Keith Poon, from Hong Kong, outside Phuket airport on Monday. (Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran)
Car owners hold down Keith Poon, from Hong Kong, outside Phuket airport on Monday. ( Photo: Achadthaya Chuenniran )

Beach- A Hong Kong man was taken to hospital to” quiet down” &nbsp, after brawling with car individuals outside the Phuket airport terminal, authorities said.

Keith Poon, 35, had emotional problems and took regular treatment, according to Sakhu authorities in Thalang district on Monday.

Mr. Poon arrived in Phuket on December 17 and reported to the Sakhu Police that his card had vanished. &nbsp,

He had traveled to the airport to get his return journey on Monday and had been given a temporary vacation record.

Police arrived on the scene outside the terminal where a very agitated Mr. Poon was reportedly feudging with car drivers and other passengers. He was restrained, and he was taken to Thalang Hospital to” quiet over.” &nbsp,

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CDA ‘cannot be set up any time soon’

‘ Cooling off-period ‘ may go second

A replica of the charter in the form of an accordionstyle parchment, symbolizing constitutional monarchy, sits on a golden tray under a spotlight at Democracy Monument. (File photo)
At Democracy Monument, under the spotlight, is a copy of the contract in the form of an accordion-style paper, which represents constitutional king. ( File photo )

According to chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, the creation of a charter drafting assembly ( CDA ) cannot be completed until the 180-day suspension period for the public referendum bill has passed.

Following Parit Wacharasindhu’s claim on Monday that a policy act bill laying the groundwork for the formation of a CDA may soon be scrutinized by parliament, Mr. Wisut, a list-MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, clarified the explanation.

On his Twitter, Mr Parit wrote that the legislature government’s commission, asked to provide opinions about a contract update, decided that a policy article costs related to the setting up of a CDA may be put on the parliament agenda.

Mr. Parit argued that the committee’s decision was critical because it would save time and money by allowing the proposed amendment to have two polls instead of three. The cost of organizing a election is about three billion ringgit.

Additionally, Mr. Parit expressed hope that this would reduce the time it would take to modify the charter, and that a new one might be created before the upcoming general election. The second reading of the policy act bill is scheduled for January 14 and 15.

While acknowledging the possibility of two separate charter referendums, Mr. Wisut said a force for a charter modify would have to wait after the 180-day disqualification period. The House and Senate failed to reach a consensus on the guidelines for holding a contract amendment referendum, according to the general government whip, who stated that the law amendment bill could not be debated by parliament during the cooling-off period.

He claimed to have spoken with legislature’s legal team and Thin Muhamad Noor Matha, who both claimed that the 180-day suspension must have expired before any further action can be taken. He added that it’s unlikely to be finished before the 2027 election’s upcoming contract update.

The main opposition party claims that two polls are enough to amend the proposed contract rewrite and would not violate a new Constitutional Court decision. This may make it possible for the nation to adopt a new law before the following elections. However, experts believe often, especially after the debate between the House and Senate over the election laws.

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

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Charter drafting process stalled

180-day ‘ cooling off-period’ must go second before MPs may take up debate once

A replica of the charter in the form of an accordionstyle parchment, symbolizing constitutional monarchy, sits on a golden tray under a spotlight at Democracy Monument. (File photo)
At Democracy Monument, a duplicate of the charter, which is presented in the form of an accordion-style parchment, stands under a spotlight next to a gold tray. ( File photo )

According to chief government whip Wisut Chainarun, the creation of a charter drafting assembly ( CDA ) cannot be completed until the 180-day suspension period for the public referendum bill has passed.

Following Parit Wacharasindhu’s claim on Monday that a policy act bill laying the groundwork for the formation of a CDA may soon be scrutinized by parliament, Mr. Wisut, a list-MP for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, clarified the explanation.

On his Twitter, Mr Parit wrote that the legislature government’s commission, asked to provide opinions about a contract update, decided that a policy article costs related to the setting up of a CDA may be put on the parliament agenda.

According to Mr. Parit, the agency’s decision was important because it would save time and money by allowing for two referendums rather than three. A referendum’s planning expenses about three billion ringgit.

Mr. Parit hoped that this would reduce the process of writing a new charter before the upcoming general election. The second reading of the law article bill is scheduled for January 14 and 15.

While acknowledging the possibility of two separate charter referendums, Mr. Wisut said a force for a contract modify would have to wait after the 180-day disqualification period. The general government whip claimed that the law amendment bill could not be debated by congress during the cooling-off interval, which must be followed after the House and Senate failed to reach an agreement on the guidelines for holding a charter amendment referendum.

He claimed to have spoken with parliament’s legal team and Thin Muhamad Noor Matha, who both claimed that the 180-day suspension must have expired before any further action can be taken. He added that it’s unlikely that the contract update process will be finished before the 2027 election.

The main opposition party claims that two polls are enough to amend the proposed contract rewrite and would not violate a new Constitutional Court decision. Before the following elections, the nation do have a new law in place. However, experts believe often, especially after the debate between the House and Senate over the election laws.

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

Wisut: Must waited 180 times

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Military downsizing gets nod

plans to reduce some top positions by 50 %

A white report that describes a plan to relocate the armed forces and cut spending on weapons was approved by the Defense Council on Monday.

The government, which is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, reviewed the military’s strategic program for 2026-2037 at its final meeting of the year.

According to Mr. Phumtham, each organization under the control of the Defense Ministry has its own corporate ideas that do not conflict with one another.

But, to achieve the goal of military shrinking, they all may operate under a unified manner and in line with a nationwide plan, he said.

The committee acknowledged a costs to update the Defence Act that was created by former defense secretary Sutin Klungsang, he said.

The costs, which has received some opinions, may be improved before being resubmitted to the Defence Council for revision, he said.

It would then be forwarded to the government for assent as part of the process and finally made a proposal to the House.

According to Mr. Phumtham, the lieutenant defense secretary and the permanent secretary of defense were given the task of managing the situation.

He claimed that the government also discussed the global situation and that it endorsed the country’s commitment to maintain its neutrality and act in the interests of the land.

He continued, mentioning that crisis rescue operations and deliberate enlistment were other topics that were brought up during the conference.

Maj Gen Thanathip Sawangsaeng, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, stated on Monday that the white paper may provide a platform for developing martial cohesion and readiness.

According to him, the model may help each unit come up with plans and projects and get a better knowledge of the military’s role.

According to Maj. Gen. Thanathip, the military has begun to reduce personnel and will have a 5 % reduction by 2027.

By 2028, the government hopes to reduce the number of commanders holding professional jobs and officials by 50 % through an early retirement program.

The program also includes replacing military personnel in support and combat units with volunteer recruits, limiting the number of personnel from the agency’s education institutes, and changing the number of conscripts to meet mission demands and threats.

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Response to graft cases criticised

Government treats crises as minor, Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand says

The Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) has released a statement on well-known graft cases that it claims have had an unfavorable impact on the general public and have also exacerbated hunger.

ACT chair, Mana Nimitmongkol, said on Monday the statement lists bribery scandals that have grabbed common interest in the past year.

Some cases involve flagrant fraud, while others negatively impact Thai citizens ‘ quality of life, he said, adding that the cases have been the result of officials ‘ failure to impose the law or perform poor law enforcement.

Officials are accused of inflating the second case, which would have allowed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to spend time at a doctor rather than a prison. Although some people were unsure whether Thaksin was seriously ill, he was permitted to remain at the Police General Hospital ( PGH) for 180 days.

12 employees from the Department of Corrections and the PGH are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC).

Another situation involves the first discharge of Apichart Jansakulporn, much known as Sia Piang, a business sentenced to 48 years in prison for his role in the rice-pledging incident. After serving seven centuries, Pichart was released on October 9.

Apichart received a special transfer as a result of serious illness, according to Department of Corrections director-general Sahakarn Phetnarin. He is now receiving care at Ramathibodi Hospital and is not required to wear an EM bracelet.

Apichart, convicted in 2015 for problem related to government-to-government wheat sales offers, was immediately sentenced to 48 years in prison.

However, many royal clemency reduced his word to 12 decades, 8 months, and 12 days. His word is currently scheduled to come to an end on July 27, 2034.

Even though these incidents do not relate to the unlawful acquisition of funds, Mr. Mana said, referring to Thaksin, that the reported granting of special privileges to a prisoner convicted of abuse of power is unacceptable.

Some officials and leaders continue to work together to cover up the lies and accept attention, and they don’t care what the public thinks, according to Mr. Mana.

Another incident occurred on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani, close to the Zeer Rangsit shopping center. On October 1, 20 students and three teachers were killed in a dreadful bus fire that occurred on the same street.

A fuel leak was the cause of the drama, according to the examination of the ill-fated bus by investigative police. The bus had 11 tanks containing compressed natural gas ( CNG ), and a fuel line, which carries gas from a tank to the engine, had come loose, causing the leak. Six of the 11 CNG tank installed on the vehicle were registered, while the remaining vehicles were not, according to authorities.

Mr. Mana claimed that two months have passed since the affair occurred, but that no Department of Land Transport official has been held accountable and that the government hasn’t found a long-term solution to the issue of money among officers. ” There are many illegally-modified cars running about, which may cause several more fatalities”, he said.

The Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region 2’s decision on May 13 to acquit Itthipol Khunpluem of granting an illegitimate building permit for a high-rise condominium project in Pattaya of Chon Buri state raises yet another question about the NACC’s functionality, Mr. Mana said.

The former chancellor of society and former mayor of Pattaya was found not guilty of violating the 15-year statute of limitations for his command, but because he had already cleared his brand in court. The NACC just requested the state attorney to take the case before the court last year, despite the allegations that it was committed 15 years ago.

Another well-known incidents include the blackchin fish war issue, the common fraud case linked to The image Group, the handling of cadmium waste, and the Khao Kradong land dispute between the State Railway of Thailand and the Department of Lands in Buri Ram.

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ACT pans graft cases response

State snacks scandals as trifling, it says

A review on well-known bone cases, according to the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT), have had a negative impact on the country’s economy and have also contributed to poverty.

ACT president, Mana Nimitmongkol, said on Monday the statement lists bribery scandals that have grabbed public interest in the past year.

He said some cases involve flagrant fraud, while others negatively impact Thai citizens ‘ quality of life. He said the cases have been the result of officials ‘ poor law enforcement or poor law enforcement.

Leaders are accused of inflating the second case, which would have allowed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to spend time at a doctor rather than a prison. Although some people were unsure whether Thaksin was really ill, he was permitted to remain there for 180 days.

12 employees from the PGH and the Department of Corrections are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC).

Another situation involves the first discharge of Apichart Jansakulporn, much known as Sia Piang, a business sentenced to 48 years in prison for his role in the rice-pledging incident. After serving seven decades, Pichart was released on October 9.

Apichart was given a particular release, according to Department of Corrections director-general Sahakarn Phetnarin, who was ill for a while. He is presently receiving care at Ramathibodi Hospital, and his EM ring is not required.

Apichart, convicted in 2015 for problem related to government-to-government wheat sales offers, was immediately sentenced to 48 years in prison.

However, many royal clemency reduced his word to 12 decades, 8 months, and 12 days. His word is currently scheduled to come to an end on July 27, 2034.

Even though these incidents do not relate to the unlawful acquisition of funds, Mr. Mana said, referring to Thaksin, that the alleged granting of specific permissions to a prisoner convicted of abuse of power is unacceptable.

According to Mr. Mana,” some politicians and authorities are also working together to conceal the truth and reject attention,” and they don’t give a damn what the public thinks.

Another incident occurred on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Pathum Thani, close to the Zeer Rangsit shopping center. On October 1, 20 students and three teachers were killed in a horrible bus fire that occurred on the same street.

A fuel leak was identified as the cause of the tragedy when investigative officers examined the tragic bus. The bus had 11 tanks containing compressed natural gas ( CNG ), and a fuel line, which carries gas from a tank to the engine, had come loose, causing the leak. Six of the 11 CNG tank installed on the vehicle were registered, while the remaining vehicles were not, according to authorities.

Mr. Mana claimed that two months have passed since the affair occurred, but that no Department of Land Transport official has been held accountable and that the government hasn’t found a long-term solution to the issue of money among officers. ” There are many illegally-modified cars running about, which may cause many more fatalities”, he said.

Itthipol Khunpluem’s conviction on May 13 of getting an illegitimate building permit for a high-rise condominium project in Pattaya, Chon Buri state, raises new inquiries about the NACC’s performance, according to Mr. Mana.

The former chancellor of society and former mayor of Pattaya was found not guilty of violating the 15-year statute of limitations for his command, but because he had already cleared his brand in court. The NACC just requested the state attorney to take the case before the court next year, despite the allegations that it was committed 15 years ago.

Another well-known incidents include the blackchin fish war issue, the common fraud case linked to The image Group, the handling of cadmium waste, and the Khao Kradong land dispute between the State Railway of Thailand and the Department of Lands in Buri Ram.

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MP’s expenses ‘incomplete’

Chawal: Unaware of finer details
Chawal: Unaware of thinner information

Chawal Pholmuangdee, the Women’s Party’s MP for Chon Buri, has been charged by the Election Commission with breaking the MP Election Act by providing an imperfect list of his plan bills for the election next year.

Candidates who participated in the May 14 vote were required to tell the EC how many fighting they had done between March 20 and May 15 of last year. According to the poll agency, Mr. Chawal claimed to have spent 6, 000 baht to run campaign advertisements on various social media platforms in a statement released to the EC. He became a People’s Party member after the Move Forward Party ( MFP ) was disbanded.

But, the EC added, an investigation found that running an advert on Twitter alone would have costed him 9, 347.51 baht. The MP’s Instagram page was run by two individuals who told EC researchers that they had forgotten to review some costs to the MP before he made his statement. But, the MP should’ve double-checked the record himself when filing them with officials, the EC said.

Mr Chawal, however, said he wasn’t conscious of some of the finer details of the deal, which unfortunately drove up the cost of running the ads.

The EC claimed to have sufficient evidence to refute the claims against Mr. Chawal, who represents Constituency 3 in Chon Buri, in a blog on its web on Monday. In order to start proceedings against Mr. Chawal, the EC did protest the Appeals Court, which hears cases involving the operational aspects of the general election.

Mr. Chawal could receive up to two years in jail and/or a fine of up to 40, 000 ringgit if found guilty of intentionally deceiving authorities by providing an incomplete list of campaign costs. He may even forfeit his five-year voter registration privileges.

Separately, PP head Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut described the crime as “minor”. He claimed that the gap was only a few thousand bass in size. ” People are watching to see if the claim is an act of political intimidation”, he added.

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