Election Commission downplays fears of poll interference

Ittiporn Boonpracong
Ittiporn Boonpracong

The Election Commission (EC ) has downplayed concerns about political interference by powerful political families in the upcoming Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ) chairman and council elections.

EC chairmanIttiporn Boonpracongsought to allay fears as candidacy registration begins on Thursday and runs nationwide until next Monday.

Four to five days before PAO votes, the commission normally sends investigators to regions. In order to keep things calm and buy during the elections, authorities will also build rapid-response units. The size of these models will depend on the provincial safety assessment. If needed, officers from local police stations will meet the patrols.

Prior to and during an earlier by-election in Chumphon state, police were given surveillance duties and were dispatched with reinforcements from neighboring provinces.

The status of purchase is determined by the circumstances in each county. The EC and local police work closely together to make sure a soft electoral process, according to Mr. Ittiporn.

He emphasised that preventing and addressing election scam is generally the EC’s duty, carried out through its established methods. When asked about further measures in regions where powerful people are involved in social issues, Mr. Ittiporn assured the people that the EC is prepared to deal with these issues. He continued,” Local election authorities work effectively with relevant companies to run good and trouble-free votes.”

” This is always a concern for the EC”, he said.

The EC chair praised the commission’s effective collaboration with local authorities and provincial governors in preserving order.

New crime involving prominent families occurred in Prachin Buri, where Chaimet Sitsanitpong, a provincial government representative, was shot dead following an explanation with Soonthorn Vilawan, his adoptive parents and PAO president, who had earlier announced his retirement.

In connection with the firing, Mr. Soonthorn, a part of the Bhumjaithai Party and the son of former deputy minister of education, was taken into custody for questioning. He is among six defendants.

Studies suggest the crime may have stemmed from a political issue, as Chaimet supported his family, Napaphat Anchasanichamon, to work for Prachin Buri PAO key under the Pheu Thai Party symbol.

Following her father’s passing, Ms. Napaphat immediately withdrew from the race, but she afterwards made the decision to run for president under the Pheu Thai Party.

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Talks continue over withdrawal of Red Wa

Lt Gen Kittipong Jamsuwan
Lt Gen Kittipong Jamsuwan

According to the 3rd Army Region commander, negotiations regarding the troop withdrawal from Thai territory are ongoing with Myanmar’s United Wa State Army ( UWSA ), also known as the Red Wa Army.

CommanderLt Gen Kittipong Jamsuwanissued a statement on the Red Wa Army issue in Phitsanulok during an event focused on improving the skills and operational capabilities of authorities responsible for border security development projects.

The National Security Council ( NSC ) outlined security development strategies for 2023-2020 in its recommendations for the event.

The potential improvement program aims to give employees and organizations the understanding needed to properly plan for security and incorporate it into statewide development plans to achieve tangible results. Lt. Gen. Kittipong reiterated during the celebration that military action is only a last resort in the 3rd Army Region.

” Problems exist worldwide. There’s no need to intensify them unnecessarily”, he said.

Negotiations are continuing at various levels, leaving space for calm resolutions, the commander added. He was presumably speaking of the Red Wa Army conflict.

Lt. Gen. Kittipong clarified that the Red Wa Army had a set day before responding to the army removal request on Wednesday. Thailand’s forces are constantly on top alert and are now preparing for regular annual training exercises, including moving troops and gear to training locations.

On December 16, a Facebook page called Wa News Land denied reports that the Southern Wa Army, the United Wa State Army, or the United Wa Army, had agreed to withdraw forces from seven disputed places along the Thai-Myanmar frontier in the next three to four months.

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United Thai Nation denies defection rumours

Akanat claims that Twitter discuss from Exodus is “baseless.”

Akanat Promphan
Akanat Promphan

The United Thain Party ( UTN) Party ) has denied that 25 of its 36 MPs are switching parties.

UTN secretary-generalAkanat Promphandismissed the rumoured exodus on Wednesday as baseless, saying all party MPs were elected together under the UTN banner and will keep sticking together.

He disputed rumors that up to 25 Members in the third-largest partnership group, with 36 MPs, planned to resign and are attempting to join the New Opportunity Party, which was largely led by officials.

Mr Akanat, who is also the economy minister, said the Members continue to work with the group to understand its objectives. ” No one is going anywhere”, he said, adding everyone is treated like home in the group.

In less than three decades, the UTN did undoubtedly challenge the upcoming election. Although its people come from all walks of life, he continued, the group has developed into a potent melting pot.

All admires the part of group head Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who is also a deputy prime minister and the energy secretary, Mr Akanat said.

Criticism has come from Mr. Pirapan’s accusation that he is aloof to different party members and that he keeps a small profile when performing his ministerial duties.

The UTN broke away from the then-ruling Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) before last year’s general election. It was established with the approval of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former prime minister.

However, the Kla Dharma Party did fully say 20 past PPRP MPs into its fold on Thursday, according to a group cause.

The 20 MPs, led by former PPRP secretary-general Capt Thamanat Prompow, are due to appear up at a press conference on Thursday to reveal their account of Kla Dharma at congress.

After a contentious rift between PPRP executives, the 20 MPs defected to Kla Dharma, allegedly over the section of cabinet positions held by the PPRP, a group that is now a part of the opposition bloc.

Kla Dharma is led by Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, even a past PPRP heavy.

The party does overhaul its board once the MPs are actually admitted as members, according to the source, with some of the newly enrolled MPs being appointed as executives.

Capt Thamanat is expected to get named as the group’s expert chair, while Phai Lik, the MP for Kamphaeng Phet, is tipped to become its secretary-general.

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UTN denies MP defection rumours

Akanat calls the TikTok emigration “baseless”

Akanat Promphan
Akanat Promphan

The United Thain Party ( UTN) Party ) has denied that 25 of its 36 MPs are switching parties.

UTN secretary-generalAkanat Promphandismissed the rumoured exodus on Wednesday as baseless, saying all party MPs were elected together under the UTN banner and will keep sticking together.

He disputed rumors that up to 25 Members in the third-largest partnership group, with 36 MPs, planned to leave and are attempting to join the New Opportunity Party, which was largely founded by officials.

Mr Akanat, who is also the economy minister, said the Members continue to work with the group to understand its objectives. ” No one is going anywhere”, he said, adding everyone is treated like household in the group.

In less than three decades, the UTN did undoubtedly challenge the upcoming election. The group has developed into a powerful melting pot, he continued, despite its people ‘ comings from all walks of life.

All admires the part of group chief Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, who is also a deputy prime minister and the energy secretary, Mr Akanat said.

Criticism has come from Mr. Pirapan’s accusation that he is aloof to different party members and that he keeps a low profile when performing his governmental duties.

The UTN broke away from the then-ruling Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ) before last year’s general election. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former prime minister, gave the foundation’s approval.

However, the Kla Dharma Party did fully say 20 past PPRP MPs into its fold on Thursday, according to a group cause.

The 20 Members, led by former PPRP secretary-general Capt Thamanat Prompow, are due to appear together at a press conference on Thursday to reveal their account of Kla Dharma at congress.

After a contentious rift between PPRP executives, the 20 MPs defected to Kla Dharma, allegedly over the section of cabinet positions held by the PPRP, a group that is now a part of the opposition bloc.

Kla Dharma is led by Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat, even a past PPRP heavy.

The party may overhaul its board once the MPs are actually admitted as members, according to the source, with some of the newly enrolled MPs being appointed as executives.

Capt Thamanat is expected to get named as the group’s expert president, while Phai Lik, the MP for Kamphaeng Phet, is tipped to become its secretary-general.

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Ministry eyes tweaks to 2024 power plan

Reviewers say PDP didn’t meet climate targets

The 2024 power development plan ( PDP ) may need significant adjustments to develop better ways to manage Thailand’s long-term power supply and strengthen the country’s fight against global warming, says Prasert Sinsukprasert, permanent secretary of the Energy Ministry.

The Energy Policy and Planning Office is now reviewing the PDP, which will submit it for authorization to the National Energy Policy Council, which is led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Despite the fact that the program has already received a public reading, there is still a large dispute among energy experts regarding the PDP’s potential change.

Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga even did not give an “active answer” to the schedule, Mr Prasert said on Wednesday.

Under the PDP, energy demand in Thailand is expected to increase to 112, 391 kwh at the end of the program set for 2037, away from 51, 000MW at present.

Critics worry that the size may put too much of a strain on the government because it is too high, according to Mr. Prasert.

According to the critics, the PDP is designed to encourage greater usage of solar power, but its fraction is insufficient to support the president’s anti-global heat plan.

By 2037, according to the PDP, solar energy will account for 51 % of total energy use, up from 20 % at the end of last year, while coal and oil will account for 48 %, down from nearly 80 % as of early this year.

The remaining 1 % is made up of nuclear power and novel energy options that aim to cut down on energy use and save money.

Previous top Prayut Chan-o-cha announced in 2021 at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference that Thailand would be more intense in addressing climate change, striving to reach carbon independence, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and assimilation, by 2050, along with a net-zero goal, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and assimilation, by 2065.

Mr. Pirapan will officially announce whether the PDP will be changed next year, according to Mr. Prasert.

In another matter, the Energy Ministry intends to pick Thai and international businesses interested in the Andaman Sea’s oil exploration and production by the end of the first quarter of the year.

In Myanmar, according to Mr. Prasert, new oil sources are feasible close to the country’s current offshore oil fields.

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Thaksin case gets dismissed

Charter judge rejects medical allegations

Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition alleging that state officials facilitated former prime ministerThaksin Shinawatraserving his prison sentence in a hospital rather than a prison.

The petition, filed by Kongdecha Chairat, accused Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, the Department of Corrections ( DoC ) director-general, and the Bangkok Remand Prison chief of failing to strictly enforce regulations regarding treatment outside prison. Despite no clear evidence that Thaksin’s health situation was important, it reportedly allowed him to be at the Police General Hospital ( PGH) and get privileges accessible to different individuals.

Thaksin was detained in a hospital on the 14th surface of the hospital for about six weeks after receiving royal mercy, which reduced his sentence to eight years in prison. He was granted a one-year jail sentence on February 18 and was released from the PGH on August 31.

Mr. Kongdecha claimed that the three officers ‘ steps were infringed on the constitutional monarchy and the court.

After reviewing the problem, the court determined that there was insufficient evidence to support claims of malfeasance or negligence. The allegations were deemed insufficient to establish whether the officers had exercised their legal rights in an effort to overthrow the government. As a result, the jury universally dismissed the complaint.

Mr. Kongdecha had first requested a court order to stop Thaksin from influencing the three officials by filing a petition with the attorney general ( AG ) on November 11th. After the AG dismissed the complaint, it was filed immediately with the court.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) made the decision shortly after the court’s announcement on Monday that it would look into the officials who were alleged to have allowed Thaksin to spend time in the hospital rather than incarcerate him. 12 officers from the DoC and PGH will be the subject of the NACC’s investigation.

On Thaksin’s second evening at Bangkok Remand Prison, physicians recommended his move to the PGH due to chest pain, hypertension, and lower blood oxygen levels. The DoC extended Thaksin’s hospital remain beyond December 22 despite the fact that he was legally able to spend 120 days receiving treatment outside of jail.

Democratic activists gathered at the NACC department on Wednesday to support the organization and demand that it finish the Thaksin-extended hospital stay investigation within three weeks. Additionally, they gave the NACC suggestions for attention during the investigation. The activists argued that Thaksin’s pardon research should be separated from his hospital stay, and that they should not have relied on a fair evaluation of his health.

In contrast to earlier claims that Thaksin was in a delicate state, they claimed he appeared healthy and engaged in things like golf and traveling after his release.

Additionally, it was urged to immediately require Thaksin’s medical records. Protesters called for attention of the justice secretary, the justice continuous director, and the police chief regarding their responsibilities in managing Thaksin’s word. However, the activists emphasised the importance of strategic measures in phrase management, especially in corruption cases.

They claimed that while abolishing the statute of limitations helped to combat problem, the absence of accountability and supervision in sentence management may harm the public’s trust in the justice system. Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, lawyer Nititorn Lamlua, and Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand ( NAP ) member Pichit Chaimongkol were just a few people who were present at the NACC office.

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Poll body ‘can’t make Thaksin testify’

The Election Commission has heard evidence from those who accuse the former prime minister of using excessive political power.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets Pheu Thai members while boarding a train to attend a party seminar in Hua Hin this past weekend. (Photo: Pheu Thai Party)
As they board a coach to a group conference in Hua Hin this past weekend, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra greets Pheu Thai people. ( Photo: Pheu Thai Party )

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is accused of exerting undue control over the decision Pheu Thai Party in a situation where an election commission screen has no authority to order him to make a statement, according to EC president Ittiporn Boonpracong on Wednesday.

The panel’s fact-finding board has already heard from those who complained about Thaksin and Pheu Thai. Thaksin has yet to offer remarks, he said.

He acknowledged that the screen has no control over what happens if Thaksin declines to provide details. All it can do is handle the case with the data available, he said.

But, Mr. Ittiporn urged Thaksin to cooperate so that he can come clean and refute the accusations made against him.

Mr Ittiporn said that when the board gathers adequate knowledge, it will provide its findings to the EC secretary-general, who serves as the secretary of political parties, to determine whether to deal with the situation.

The complaints were lodged by Thai Pakdee Party chairman Warong Dechgitvigrom, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a member of the Palang Pracharath Party ( PPRP ), Noppharut Worachitwutthikun, a former leader of the political group Phirap Khao 2006, and an anonymous individual.

People of Pheu Thai and current and former partnership celebrations meeting Thaksin at his apartment in Bangkok on August 14 when Srettha Thavisin was removed as prime minister by the Constitutional Court, is the main accusation of unwarranted social impact.

At that meeting, members of the coalition party and Thaksin discussed potential substitutes for Mr. Srettha. Moreover, a new prime ministerial member apparently got involved in the selection process.

The meeting’s members apparently settled on 75-year-old Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former justice minister, to take Mr. Srettha’s place. The following morning, however, Pheu Thai people voted to introduce Thaksin’s girl, Paetongtarn, as the next PM.

Thaksin’s press interviews about Pheu Thai and partnership policies were among the data that was presented to support the claims.

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Concern mounts over human trafficking via Thailand

According to MPs, 14 nations are requesting assistance for people who have been escorted to Myanmar’s Mae Sot fraud centers.

Police set up a checkpoint on Highway 12 in Mae Sot district of Tak to combat trafficking of people into neighbouring Myanmar on Nov 27. (Police photo)
On November 27, authorities in the Mae Sot region of Tak established a checkpoint along Highway 12 to stop people from entering neighboring Myanmar. ( Police photo )

14 nations have begun to call on Thailand to support their efforts to free their people who have been trafficked into Myanmar by fraud center gangs, according to two House committees.

Numerous foreigners are now stranded by virtual swindling and human trafficking organizations that operate just across the Moei River from Mae Sot in Tak state. They access Thailand through what one lobbying group refers to as “hell on earth.”

After Fair Party record member Kannavee Suebsang raised the issue at the House’s morning meeting, House Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha called a meeting of the House on Wednesday to set up an immediate meeting. Mr. Kannavee claimed that 14 states had contacted him and asked him for assistance.

Mr. Wan claimed that the ministers of Sri Lanka and Kenya to Thailand have spoken with him about the same issue.

The speaker then called off the committees for committee meetings on Wednesday at 5:30 PM, beginning with the committees for committees on national security, border affairs, nationwide plan, and regional transformation.

The outcomes of the sessions were not promptly made public. &nbsp,

Even though Thailand has mechanisms in place to screen and assist victims of human trafficking, this issue needs to be addressed at its core, according to Mr. Kannavee.

More than 100, 000 immigrants enter Mae Sot each time, he said, so we didn’t catch every one work of trafficking.

On Highway 12 in Mae Sot last month, Mae Sot authorities established a station to stop immigrants from being drawn into illegal work across the borders.

Mr. Kannavee stated that his intention with the discussion in the House was to request that the primary secretary and her deputy in charge of security interests come up with a new, more extensive method to deal with this growing problem.

” We once believed that Thailand was the only country affected by this issue.” It now appears that these international legal syndicates are using Thailand to support their unlawful operations, according to Mr. Wan.

More than 300 citizens from more than 10 countries are being detained and forced to work for online scams and other legal cartels in Myanmar, according to data from The Civil Society Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking.

Myawaddy, the area in question, lies just across the Moei River from Mae Sot and Phop Phra regions of Tak. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army ( DKBA ) and the Karen Border Guard Force ( BGF), who make sizable income from the criminal enterprises, are in charge of a large portion of the area.

The lobbying group claimed to have gathered its data from a variety of options, including the Thai offices of those nations whose citizens have been duped into human trafficking traps.

In Myawaddy, illegal activity includes trafficking Rohingya people and drugs, in addition to internet scams, many of which are run by Chinese citizens. The organization called the Mae Sot and Phop Phra districts “gateways to hell” and claims that Thailand has significantly evolved into a corridor to support these improper operations.

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Man killed by train while filming video content

Police and rescuers at Chulalongkorn Bridge train station in Ratchaburi, where a man making a social media video was run over by a train on Wednesday morning. (Photo: Ratchaburi News Facebook page)
A person making a social media picture was run over by a train at Chulalongkorn Bridge train depot in Ratchaburi on Wednesday night, according to police and volunteers. ( Photo: Ratchaburi News Facebook page )

RATCHABURI- A 53-year-old man was killed and run over by a station on Wednesday morning as he was filming a movie for social media content.

Around 8o’clock in the Muang district’s tambon Na Muang, officers from Ratchaburi place were called to Chulalongkorn Bridge train depot. The rest of Wirote Aranyaket’s severed parts were scattered around the neighborhood, with Wirote Aranyaket lying on the trail.

His broken folded bike, livestreaming equipment, and camera were likewise discovered at the scene.

He was thrown by teach No. 252 flying from Prachuap Khiri Khan to Bangkok’s Thon Buri.

The 58-year-old coach vehicle, Noppadon Ruaenpetch, told police he saw a man sitting quite close to the trail, looking at his phone mounted on a camera. Unwilling to stop, he sounded the vehicle’s whistle as a reminder for him to move ahead. The guy didn’t do that in due course. &nbsp,

According to authorities, the train struck the gentleman and dragged his brain 200 to 300 meters down the line over the river.

Wirote’s family, Wanwadee, told investigators that in the day they had both&nbsp, taken their child to school, which is where she works too. Before returning to their apartment, her father informed her that he intended to create a film to be posted on social media.

Wirote’s phone was discovered by authorities as they searched for a picture of him yelling into the camera close to the songs.

Wirote, an English professor, had website condolence comments on Facebook, TikTok, and Facebook pages about cycling and traveling.

Police found a video Wirote recorded at the scene, which showed him talking to the camera near the track. (Photo: screenshot)

A picture Wirote spoke to the lens near the track that police found on the scene and on his phone was found there. ( Photo: screenshot )

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Court rejects complaint against PM’s handout policy

Low-income earners queue at a bank in Buri Ram province to withdraw the 10,000-baht handout in September. (Photo: Surachai Piraksa)
Low-income workers queue at a bank in Buri Ram territory to remove the 10, 000-baht flyer in September. ( Photo: Surachai Piraksa )

A social blogger’s complaint about the handout scheme by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was rejected by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, claiming he was never a group that was directly affected.

Sonthiya Sawasdee, who earlier this month claimed the prime minister had not carried out the 10-millibaht digital wallet handout plan as promised, was turned down by the court after receiving a complaint. The Pheu Thai chief is Ms. Paetongtarn.

If the court accepted the situation for trial, the advocate also requested that the court revoke the prime minister’s suspension.

The judge ruled on Wednesday that the complaint was a counterargument to the Pheu Thai Party’s plan, and that the complainant had not been directly harmed or offended by how it was implemented. So, the judge dismissed the complaint.

Mr. Sonthaya previously claimed that the Pheu Thai Party had launched a campaign for votes by promising to provide Thais aged 16 and older with electronic money on a platform worth 10,000 baht. Around 50 million people were reportedly among the recipients, and they were required to use the electronic currency in their home towns.

Otherwise, the state after began giving out 10, 000 ringgit in cash to particular groups of people. People with disabilities and needs have now gotten it. The government plans to expand the handbook to&nbsp, older people.

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