Barkar Nash (Page 920)

The Move Forward Party, after six hours of a tense meeting, on Wednesday night decided that two of its MPs had committed sexual harassment as alleged. As a result, one has been expelled from the party and the other put on probation.

The meeting of the opposition party’s executive committee and MPs to consider sexual abuse allegations against Wuttiphong Thonglour, a Prachin Buri MP, and Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, a Bangkok MP, was held at parliament, starting from 5pm.

News reporters were barred from getting close to the meeting rooms while all meeting attendants were told to leave their mobile phones outside.

Chaithawat Tulathon, the party leader, emerged from the meeting at about 11.10pm for a press conference.

Mr Chaithawat said the meeting, which was attended by 128 executive committee members and MPs, found the two MPs had committed sexual harassment as alleged and agreed to expel both of them.

According to the constitution, a vote of at least three-fourths of the existing executive committee members and MPs, or 116, is required to expel an MP from membership of a party.

In Mr Wuttiphong’s case, 120, voted against him, higher than the required 116. He was effectively expelled.

Prachin Buri MP Wuttiphong Thonglour, centre. (Photo: Wuttiphong Thonglour’s Facebook)

In Mr Chaiyamparwaan’s case, 106 voted against him, fewer than the required 116. Although he was not expelled, the meeting agreed to deprive him of his rights in the party and put him on probation throughout the next parliamentary session. If he again committed misconduct which could be construed as sexual harassment, he would be expelled.

Moreover, the meeting agreed that Mr Chaiyamparwaan must come out to admit guilty and offer an apology to the public. Moreover, he must apologise and pay compensation to the damaged party as requested.

If Mr Chaiyamparwaan insisted he had not been in the wrong  and refused to offer an apology and compensation to the damaged party, the party’s executive committee and MPs would call a meeting again to reconsider his case.

Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit. (Photo: Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit’s Facebook)

Mr Chaithawat said the party’s disciplinary committee would inform the two MPs of the punitive actions against them. However, the party would not ask the two MPs to resign as members of the House of Representatives to show responsibility, but would leave it to them to decide with their own discretion, he added.

He said the party will set up a special committee, chaired by deputy party leader Bencha Saengchantra, to improve the party’s regulations to prevent a recurrence of the sexual harassment cases.

Five senior police from Chang Phueak police station in Chiang Mai have been transferred to inactive posts again pending an inquiry following a raid on an unlicensed nightspot under their jurisdiction.

An order has been signed by Pol Maj Gen Krittapon Yeesakhon, acting commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, to transfer Chang Phueak police chief Pol Col Kittipong Phetmunee and his four subordinates to inactive posts at Chiang Mai Provincial Police’s operation centre.

The probe is set to be wrapped up in 15 days.

The five senior officers were previously transferred to the centre for investigation after allowing a gambling den to operate under their watch in the Santitham area of tambon Chang Phueak on Aug 10.

The crackdown was conducted by the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA)’s special unit. During the raid, authorities arrested 104 people, 19 of whom were card dealers and croupiers. They also seized 31 cars, 10 motorbikes, cash and gambling paraphernalia.

The five recently returned to their post at the Chang Phueak station, before the recent crackdown led by the DPA.

The crackdown took place at Le Neuf café bar restaurant on Sirindhorn Road in Muang district’s tambon Chang Phueak yesterday in response to complaints filed by locals about the outlet operating beyond legal hours and serving alcohol to customers under 20 years old.

The crackdown was jointly conducted by the DPA special unit and its inspector, district officials, Chiang Mai Provincial Police, Chang Phueak police and more than 30 officials from Volunteer Defence Corps Headquarters.

During the raid, authorities found almost 300 patrons on the premises, 242 of whom were young people under 20 years old, dancing and mingling.

The raid caused panic among many young revellers. Many rushed to the exit doors, but they were blocked by authorities.

DPA inspector Ronnarong Thipsiri said the bar was operating without a licence.

The bar, which occupies a two-storey wooden house with a low ceiling with no fire exits, posed a danger in the case of a fire.

About 90% of revellers were students aged 17-19. Those too young to enter used fake ID cards to secure access. They were placed in the custody of Chiang Mai Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office.

Police have pressed charges against the bar owner, Kiatisak Promnimit, 25, for running the bar without a licence, selling alcohol beyond the legal time limit at midnight, selling alcohol to customers under 20 years old and modifying the building without permission.

The use of the building will be suspended, according to the authorities.

Party pushing bill to amend 2008 act

The Move Forward Party (MFP) on Wednesday demanded that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin change his mind and second its bill seeking to dissolve the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc).

It wants the bill sent to the House of Representatives for deliberation. The MFP’s demand followed Mr Srettha’s confirmation that he has no intention to push to close Isoc.

Submitted by MFP list-MP Romadon Panjor in July and now published on parliament’s website for an online public hearing, the bill proposing to amend the 2008 Internal Security Act is categorised as a finance-related bill.

Since the House speaker decided the bill was financial legislation, the premier is authorised under Section 133 of the constitution to approve it and forward it to the House for debate, Mr Romadon said on Facebook on Wednesday.

“I think the PM should not be worried about any powers or [external] influence because the number of votes [on the bill] in the House will decide [whether it should be passed into law or not],” he wrote.

However, if Mr Srettha rejects the bill and cuts short its chance of being deliberated in the House, his reputation of being a civilian prime minister accused of being wrapped around the military’s little finger will be self-evident, according to Mr Romadon.

He also challenged all other coalition parties, especially the Prachachat Party, whose political stronghold is in the violence-plagued southern border provinces, to take a clear stance on the proposed dissolution of Isoc.

At least, the chief government whip has made it clear that he supports the proposed dissolution of the command, said Mr Romadon.

He was referring to Adisorn Piengkes, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP who serves as chief government whip.

He pointed in a recent post on X to the need to get rid of Isoc, which, in his opinion, allows the military to interfere in other state organisations’ work and the country’s democracy.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, list-MP and deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party, said he was opposed to dissolving Isoc.

He said he believes it helps protect internal security and the country from various threats, including transnational crimes and natural disasters.

“If Isoc shuts down, all the other agencies connected to it will become disjointed and work separately, likely leading to the loss of workflow and coordination,” he said.

Since the fate of the Isoc-dissolving bill lies with the government and the House, they are encouraged to carefully weigh up the bill’s pros and cons before making a final decision on it.

Established in 1965, Isoc initially served as a command fighting against communism. In 1969, it was converted into a command overseeing the country’s international security operations.

Tells Srettha workers will be well cared for

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his condolences to Thailand for the deaths of Thai nationals during the conflict in Gaza and promised his full support in rescuing any Thais held hostage by Hamas, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Speaking after a phone call with the Israeli leader, Mr Srettha said he asked the prime minister to help arrange the repatriation of more Thai workers should the need arise.

He said Israel cannot confirm when the hostages will be released but negotiations are ongoing.

Mr Srettha said he asked Mr Netanyahu to take care of Thai workers in Israel because they are not involved in the conflict and have contributed to the country’s development.

Mr Netanyahu promised to help any Thai workers who wish to return home after the situation returns to normal.

“He told me he would inform us if there is any progress in the hostage situation. I told him we welcome any help and conditions in exchange for their safe and quick release,” Mr Srettha said.

Asked if the issue of delayed wages was raised, Mr Srettha said that had already been discussed with the Israeli ambassador, who had promised to look into the matter.

“If there is any progress, he’ll phone me. And if there are any demands involved, he will also inform us,” Mr Srettha said.

Early in the day, Mr Srettha insisted the evacuations of Thai nationals from Israel would continue even though the government has no plan to arrange a chartered flight due to the low numbers.

He made the remarks after the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv advised all Thais who wish to be evacuated to show up at the Intercontinental Tel Aviv by 5pm yesterday to board a flight home.

Mr Srettha said those who made their own arrangements to fly back to Thailand could apply to have the cost of their air ticket reimbursed by the government. He urged Thai citizens to return while the situation remains relatively manageable.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is in the Middle East to seek assistance for the release of Thai hostages, he said.

Mr Srettha said the negotiations were showing positive signs but the minister had urged patience. The prime minister said he hoped the negotiation team sent by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha would see fruitful results.

Mr Parnpree on Tuesday met his Iranian counterpart, Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Qatar. Both expressed concern over the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip, as well as the impact on civilians.

Thailand asked Qatar and Iran to help negotiate the release of the Thai hostages and both countries expressed their full support.

Qatar said Thais were likely to be among the first foreigners released once the fighting subsides.

Air force chief ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul said the air force has conducted five evacuation flights, bringing home more than 1,000 Thais.

Over 8,000 Thais have now returned home but more than 70% want to return to Israel later, according to the labour minister.

Labour permanent secretary Pairote Chotikasathien said there are about 20,000 Thai workers still in Israel and a chartered flight would be arranged if enough ask to be repatriated.

The bodies of 11 more Thais killed in the conflict were sent back to Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday. Another six will be flown back next week pending identification.

Thirty-two Thai workers have been reported killed, with 22 taken hostage and 19 injured.

Hamas representatives have promised Thai negotiators that Thai hostages captured in Israel will be released when Israel ends its offensive in the Gaza Strip where they are being held, according to a Thai Shia Muslim leader.

Saiyid Sulaiman Husaini, leader of an association of Shia Muslims in Thailand, said on Tuesday the commitment was made at talks between negotiators appointed by Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and Hamas representatives at the office of an adviser to the president of Iran.

The negotiation team comprised Areepen Utarasin, Lerpong Sayed and Sayyid Mumin Sakkitticha.

Two to three rounds of talks were carried out, marking the completion of the negotiations for the release of the Thai hostages, said Mr Saiyid.

Mr Areepen, an adviser to the parliament president, later confirmed the talks, which he said were held in Tehran last Thursday.

According to Mr Saiyid, Hamas agreed to free Thai hostages being held in the Gaza Strip when Israel halts its offensive or agrees to a ceasefire. Until then, it is not safe for them to leave Gaza, he said.

Hamas confirmed that it is holding 19 Thai hostages, he said. All are safe and in good health.

He said Hamas has yet to confirm the names of three other Thais who the Foreign Ministry reported were also taken captive.

According to Mr Saiyid, the only possible evacuation channel was the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the far south of the Gaza Strip. The Thai government might have to seek approval and assistance from Egypt for this, he said.

Mr Areepen, speaking in parliament yesterday, confirmed his group met Hamas representatives last Thursday.

He said the Hamas representatives said the Thai hostages were being well protected so they could later tell the international community about their living conditions and fair treatment with Hamas.

Hamas promised to release the Thais soon, but would not say when, he said.

According to the Hamas representatives, announcing a schedule could trigger an attack, which could cause a misunderstanding that Hamas hurt the hostages, Mr Areepen said.

He said his delegation held negotiations in Tehran because Iran was a supporter of Hamas and had influence over it. He said his delegation was the first to have official talks with the group since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct 7.

The parliament president’s coordination team now remains in Iran waiting to further coordinate the expected release of the Thai hostages, while Mr Wan also intends to travel to Iran to meet the hostages if they are released as promised, said Mr Areepen.

Muk Suleiman, Mr Wan’s secretary, urged Thai people to accept Hamas will honour its promise.

The Public Health Ministry’s plan to re-classify a person possessing less than 10 meth pills as a drug addict instead of a criminal requires a well-rounded discussion before a final decision is made on the issue, said Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Mr Srettha called for a meeting yesterday with senior officials from the Royal Thai Police (RTP) office, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and his advisers, who provided the premier with input on the current laws and the ministry’s plan on a re-classification which is being opposed by various agencies including the RTP.

The prime minister said the issue needs further thrashing out before it is decided whether the ministry’s plan will go ahead and, if so, how it will be managed.

Mr Srettha’s remark came as the RTP voiced concern the re-classification might cause the drug problem to spin out of control, suggesting that five pills might be a more suitable cut-off.

Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, deputy national police chief, agreed the issue remains debatable. The RTP is in the middle of discussing the ministry’s proposed 10-pill ceiling with various agencies.

The police, whose duty is to enforce drug trade suppression laws and curb the spread of drug abuse, have insisted the five-pill limit, which is currently set by the law, should be maintained, he said.

The ONCB has also argued in favour of the current legal limit, saying the 10-pill ceiling would worsen the drug problem.

ONCB acting secretary-general, Pol Lt Gen Phanurat Lakboon said he feared a higher limit would create a loophole that entices more meth trafficking by small-scale peddlers.

“The peddling would flourish when a person can carry up to 10 meth pills,” he said.

Setting the limit at 10 pills would incentivise drug dealers to traffic and trade the illicit drug, he said.