Barkar Nash – Page 959

Senators still unsure about backing Pita

On: May 23, 2023

A joint meeting of MPs and senators. (File photo)

The majority of senators have not yet decided if they will back Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister, according to outspoken senator Wanchai Sornsiri.

He said senators exchanged views about the issue on Friday, but their opinions do not represent their final stance or indicate how they will vote.

Senators have three options — vote for Mr Pita, not vote for him or abstain from voting — but it is hard to say what the majority will decide, and several are not expected to make a decision until voting day, he said.

Mr Wanchai also said he stands by his words that he will vote for the prime ministerial candidate nominated by a coalition that manages to secure more than 250 House seats.

The MFP-led bloc, with eight political parties and 313 House seats, needs at least 376 votes in the 750-seat parliament, which comprises 500 MPs and 250 senators, to secure Mr Pita’s bid for prime minister.

According to Mr Wanchai, the Senate is unlikely to factor in the allegations made against Mr Pita over his ownership of shares in iTV when they vote, as the issue should be left in the hands of the relevant authorities.

A candidate is constitutionally barred from contesting in an election if they own shares in a media company.

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has asked the Election Commission to investigate Mr Pita, claiming the MFP leader owns 42,000 shares in iTV.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha confirmed on Tuesday he would not vote for Mr Pita because he disagrees with the MFP’s highly controversial policy to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Tuesday the five-year term of the current Senate expires on May 11 next year, and it can no longer join the prime ministerial vote. However, it will continue in its caretaker capacity.

Prawit determined to stay on as PPRP leader

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Denies rumour of Pheu Thai merger

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), arrives for the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Gen Prawit has rejected speculation that he will step down following the party’s underwhelming election result. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has rejected speculation that he will step down following the party’s underwhelming election result.

The deputy prime minister told the media he had not even considered the possibility of giving up the PPRP leadership or quitting politics.

“Oh. I haven’t thought about it. You must ask those who made such analyses. Ask them. Where can I go if I quit?” he said at Government House on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting.

When asked if he would turn his back on politics, he said “no”.

“I have been the PPRP leader and will remain in the position,” he said.

He also denied speculation that the PPRP would merge with the Pheu Thai Party.

“You ask me even though I have neither thought nor spoken about it. I haven’t made any move,” Gen Prawit said.

He declined to comment when reporters asked if such rumours were aimed at preventing his PPRP from forming a coalition government.

PPRP secretary-general Santi Prompat, the deputy finance minister, also rejected the rumour of a merger with Pheu Thai.

Mr Santi said it was “fake news” promoted by people with ill intentions. PPRP did not have any such idea to merge with Pheu Thai and give the support it would need to form and lead a new coalition government.

“It is not possible,” he said.

Pheu Thai unofficially won 141 House seats, coming second after the Move Forward Party (MFP), which has the most MPs-elect, 152, in the May 14 general election. Bumjaithai came third with 70 seats, and the PPRP was fourth with 40 seats.

Mr Santi said that the party has never planned to let its MPs elect to join the Pheu Thai Party.

“Gen Prawit remains the PPRP leader, and party members’ faith in him is unchanged,” Mr Santi said.

However, when reporters asked whether the PPRP could join hands with Pheu Thai if the MFP could not form a government, he said that could be a matter for the future, but no one could require the exclusion of Gen Prawit in exchange for a partnership.

Mr Santi spoke to reporters amid reports that the PPRP had cancelled a planned press conference on Tuesday.

He said there was a misunderstanding, and the PPRP did not need to call a press conference.

On Monday evening, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew also rejected the possibility his party could form the next government with the PPRP.

Prayut allays fears over transfer of power

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Curtain call: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha leaves a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, where he promised a smooth transition to a new government. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday assured the nation of a smooth transition from the caretaker government to the new government, adding that sufficient measures are being maintained to shore up the economy during the process.

“As the country will have to move forward, we have to continue working to take care of people while still waiting for the new government to come,” Gen Prayut said.

The PM also urged all sides to refrain from scaremongering by creating frightening scenarios about the political situation that could upset the public.

“Please don’t create more problems. I myself normally have no problem with any sides, and I do respect the [ongoing] democratic process,” he said.

As for concerns over the need to keep driving the country’s economy during the transition from the caretaker government to the new one, Gen Prayut said sufficient measures are in place to support and drive economic growth.

Asked about the recent massive sell-off of Thailand’s bonds by global funds over concerns about the country’s political uncertainties, he said it was impossible to stop those funds from selling Thailand’s bonds.

However, Gen Prayut said that Thailand still has a good financial status despite some political uncertainties, and all sides should join hands in preventing them from developing into more serious problems.

Gen Prayut also said the only thing he expects to see happening is peace in the country, and as he is the caretaker prime minister, he will try his best to perform his duty until the new government takes over.

Asked if he had ever recently discussed with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon their political future, Gen Prayut said he had not talked to Gen Prawit about anything other than their remaining responsibilities as the caretaker cabinet.

As for an online movement where supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP) are being encouraged to join a rally to pressure the Senate to support the MFP-led bid to form a new government, Gen Prayut said the security authorities would ensure any rally stays within the boundaries of the law.

Coalition MoU could land MFP in hot water: activists

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Part of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and seven prospective coalition partners on Monday could end up backfiring on the MFP if it decides to pursue amending the ultra-sensitive lese majeste law, which is not stated in the pact, according to political activists.

The part in question is believed to be a last-minute revision made before the MoU was signed by the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties.

It reads: “The missions of the MFP-led government must not act to change the democratic system with the King as the Head of State.”

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, secretary-general of the Progressive Movement and the MFP’s election campaign assistant, wrote in a Facebook post yesterday that he could not agree with this part. He said it is already stipulated in the current constitution.

“Repeating the very same text in the MoU won’t lead to any legally binding or political effect since an elected government could never change the form of the state or the system of government anyway. Only the coup makers can,” he said.

The part sounds more like a disclaimer furnished by parties consumed by self-consciousness about what they might do wrong in the future, he added.

Also appended to the part, which could set a trap for the MFP-led government, was a clause that states “…with the King as head of state holding a revered status and who cannot be violated”.

The clause could run the MFP into legal hurdles if and when it proposes to alter Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, according to Mr Piyabutr.

Mr Piyabutr said he has been spreading his academic opinions through various public forums over the past decade as to why he strongly believes Section 6 of the constitution — which mirrors the appended part — should be changed in line with the King’s actual political power.

He insisted, however, that this is purely his personal opinion and has nothing to do with the MFP.

Even if the MFP later amends the lese majeste law, other coalition parties and senators are likely to cite the signed MoU and Section 6 of the constitution to justify not supporting such a move, he said.

Mr Piyabutr also disagreed with the MFP omitting from the MoU its push for an amnesty for political convicts and suspects. Instead, the MoU states the matter will be left to parliament.

“The MFP has an obligation to fulfil the wishes of many people and youths to end political conflicts resulting from the past coups,” he said.

Beer-loving MFP lawmaker takes aim at booze duopoly

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Progressive liquor bill part of Move Forward agenda to give small business a fairer chance

“I’m not an extremist. I want to drink good beer,” says Taopiphop Limjitrikorn, a Move Forward MP-elect who is one of the main driving forces behind the party’s “progressive alcohol bill”. (Photo: Reuters)

A beer-loving MP-elect once arrested for illegal brewing is hoping the Move Forward Party’s election victory can give him a long-awaited shot at breaking up a 470-billion-baht alcohol duopoly of two of the country’s wealthiest families.

Brewer-turned-politician Taopiphop Limjittrakorn has been fighting to overhaul strict regulations for years, taking on Boon Rawd Brewery and ThaiBev, which have long had a stranglehold on the production of alcohol.

After winning the most seats in the May 14 electon, Move Forward this week reached an agreement with prospective coalition partners that include measures to “abolish monopolies and promote fair competition in all industries, such as alcoholic beverages”.

“The progressive alcohol bill is not only a bill, it is a political project,” said Mr Taopiphop, 34, who was re-elected in Bangkok Constituency 22, in an interview at his Taopiphop Bar Project on Charoen Rat Road.

“Now, I’m gathering all the stakeholders in this policy to make it happen as smoothly as I can because I realise that we are not the opposition any more. We are government.”

Boon Rawd, which makes Singha and Leo beers, and ThaiBev, the brewer of Chang, did not immediately respond to questions from Reuters.

Boon Rawd, the country’s first brewery founded in 1933, is owned and controlled by the Bhirombhakdi family, the country’s 15th richest, according to Forbes magazine. ThaiBev was founded by Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, ranked by Forbes as the country’s third-richest person with a net worth of $14 billion.

If Move Forward is able to lead the government and open up the alcohol sector, the two companies may see short-term effects on their performance because of new competitors, said Damien Yeo, consumer and retail analyst at the research firm BMI.

“Over the long run, both ThaiBev and Boon Rawd have plenty going for them that will help them maintain a healthy lead over any potential new competitors,” Mr Yeo said, pointing to both firms’ better understanding of the market and regulatory issues.

‘Not an extremist’

More than half of the country’s alcoholic drinks market, valued at about 470 billion baht in 2020, consists of beer.

Boon Rawd controls a 57.9% share of the beer market followed by Singapore-listed ThaiBev at 34.3% and Thai Asia Pacific Brewery at 4.7%, according to a February 2022 report by Krungsri Research.

ThaiBev is also the runaway leader in the spirits market with a 59.5% share, with the second-place player holding only 8% of the segment, according to Krungsri Research.

Through an amendment to the excise laws, which failed to make it through parliament previously, Mr Taopiphop said he was aiming to remove high-entry barriers for the alcohol industry that largely favour big firms like Boon Rawd and ThaiBev.

The aim would be help small domestic brewers gain at least 10% of the beer market within a decade, he said.

In a social media post on May 19 after Move Forward’s election win, Piti Bhirombhakdi, who is on the board of Boon Rawd, said he backed the liberalisation of the industry.

“There will be some impact but in free trade we have competition. We will have to adjust our plan,” he said in reply to a comment on Facebook.

On a May 12 earnings call, ahead of the polls, a ThaiBev executive said the company was alert for new regulations. The company’s stock is trading at its lowest level since early November.

“We’ve been watching this closely for each party, and what is their policy,” said senior executive vice-president Ueychai Tantha-Obhas. “We just prepare for any outcome.”

A lawyer who became a tour guide before turning to brewing, Mr Taopiphop said he planned to follow up on regulatory easing with further legislation on rationalising restrictive alcohol advertising and allowing 24-hour alcohol sales.

“I’m not an extremist,” he said. “I want to drink good beer.”

Activists seek to bring senators onside

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Peaceful rally staged to ask senators to respect electoral mandate and choose Pita as PM

Demonstrators gather in front of the Parliament buildings in Bangkok’s Kiak Kai area on Tuesday evening to send a message to senators not to vote against the people’s wishes. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)

Pro-democracy activists gathered in front of the Parliament building on Tuesday evening to send a strong message to 250 appointed senators not to vote against the massive electoral mandate delivered by the people.

People began converging on the Kiak Kai area at 5pm to join the activity, organised by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, which proclaimed “Senators must not act against the people’s resolution”.

Organisers had stressed in a statement issued on Monday that they did not want to see any confrontations: “[The event] will focus primarily on dialogue, not intended to pressure, violate the conduct of senators or push for a tense situation in any way.”

The Senate was holding a special session at the Parliament complex on Tuesday, ostensibly to discuss some appointments to state agencies. But sources said earlier that some wanted to discuss how the appointed body should proceed in light of the May 14 election results.

Activists stressed that senators must respect the people’s choice for the Move Forward Party (MFP) to form a government with its leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister. They praised senators who announced that they would vote for Mr Pita. However, some senators who see Move Forward as too radical have openly said they would vote against him.

Move Forward leads an eight-party coalition with 313 members, but it will need 376 votes when the House and Senate jointly convene to vote for the prime minister, expected to take place in early August.

In other words, they will need the support of at least 63 senators. Informal surveys so far suggest that about 20 senators are planning to back Mr Pita.

The demonstrators also said that senators who wanted to abstain were not being politically neutral, but seeking to block Mr Pita’s path to the prime ministership.

The group said they wanted to send a message to senators who had not yet decided how to vote to respect the people’s massive poll mandate. But they insisted they had no intention to put pressure on senators.

Organisers had obtained permission for the use of the venue for their activity, and police made sure to keep them well away from the Parliament building itself. The few dozen participants who showed up around 5pm seemed to be outnumbered by reporters and photographers, but the crowd gradually grew to about 300.

“We just want them to respect the people’s will,” said one of the speakers at the rally, activist Patsaravalee “Mind” Tanakitvibulpon.

“This is their chance to show that they respect democratic principles,” she added.

The event went ahead peacefully and most people dispersed at 8.25pm.

Pro-democracy activists gather in front of Parliament in the Kiak Kai area on Tuesday evening. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)

Giant panda âdied of old ageâ

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Chinese experts confirm Lin Hui was well cared for, says Chiang Mai Zoo director

Lin Hui celebrated her 21st birthday on Sept 28 last year at the Chiang Mai Zoo, where she had lived since October 2003. (Photo: Panumet Tanraksa)

Thai and Chinese experts have concluded that the giant panda Lin Hui died of old age last month at the Chiang Mai Zoo, where she had been well cared for over the past 20 years, according to the zoo director.

Wuthichai Muangman said the experts reached their conclusion after an autopsy in which about 50 tissue samples collected from the body of the giant panda were examined.

They concluded that because Lin Hui was old her blood vessels had deteriorated and created clots in her blood vessels in several organs, Mr Wuthichai said on Tuesday.

On April 18, the day before the animal died, the zoo’s panda research team reported that she had developed a nosebleed, which the autopsy found was from a nasal tumour.

Veterinarians at the zoo said that while Lin Hui had entered old age she was in good health and was eating normally. Other than the nosebleed, she showed no other signs of illness before she died.

Giant pandas generally live for 15-20 years in the wild but can survive for up to 30 years in a zoo. The death at age 21 of the Chiang Mai Zoo’s star attraction led to some questions about her care.

However, Mr Wuthichai said experts from the China Wildlife Conservation Association found that Lin Hui had been cared for properly at the zoo over the past 20 years. During that time, Thai and Chinese experts conducted joint research relating to giant pandas.

Lin Hui was born at a conservation centre in China on Sept 28, 2001. She was sent to the Chiang Mai Zoo in October 2003, as a goodwill ambassador. She became the zoo’s star attraction, along with the male giant panda Xuang Xuang, who died in 2019.

Following artificial insemination, Lin Hui gave birth to Lin Ping in 2009, sparking panda mania in Thailand.

Animal lovers in the country were glued to a live 24-hour Panda Channel broadcast of Lin Ping between 2009 and 2012.

Aem Cyanide’s lawyer faces police charges

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 23, 2023

In: Uncategorized

Suspected of helping alleged serial killer destroy evidence

Lawyer Thannicha Aeksuwannawat, representing alleged serial killer Sararat “Aem” Rangsiwuthaporn, speaks to reporters on May 5. (Capture from Police TV)

Police will summons a lawyer representing alleged serial killer Sararat “Aem” Rangsiwuthaporn to hear a charge of helping her client destroy or conceal evidence of her crimes.

Pol Col Anek Taosuparp, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), said on Tuesday that investigators had tried several times to contact Ms Sararat’s lawyer, Thannicha Aeksuwannawat, but to no avail.

So, they would obtain a first summons warrant for her. She would be asked to meet investigators on May 29 or May 30, the CSD deputy commander said.

If she failed to show up, a second summons would be issued, Pol Col Anek said. If she did not respond, police could seek a warrant for her arrest.

Last week, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachae Hakparn said police would apply for court arrest warrants for Ms Sararat’s associates.

Police visited the accused poisoner at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok on May 15 and questioned her further about possible accomplices.

Ms Sararat, 36, dubbed “Aem Cyanide” by social media, was arrested on April 25 at the government complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok. She was four months pregnant. Her arrest followed a complaint filed by the mother and elder sister of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, 32, of Kanchanaburi.

Siriporn collapsed and died beside the Mae Klong River in Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi, where she had gone with Ms Sararat to release fish for merit-making on April 14. Cyanide was found in her body. The list of her alleged victims has continued to grow.

Pol Gen Surachate believed a serious gambling addiction could have been a factor that pushed Ms Sararat to murder 14 people, using cyanide.

An analysis of the 78 million baht which had passed through bank accounts owned by the accused suggested she had a bad gambling habit, Pol Gen Surachate said on May 19.

An investigation into her financial activities revealed that on one particular day, Ms Sararat lost almost one million baht gambling, which could explain why relatives and friends said she often appeared to be in dire need of money, according to Pol Gen Surachate.

Interviewed on TV Channel 3 on Tuesday, Pol Gen Surachate confirmed he had wanted an arrest warrant for the lawyer, but the court suggested a summons be issued instead.

Families of four alleged victims of “Aem Cyanide” attend the cremation of Siriporn “Koy” Khanwong, another victim, at a temple in Kanchanaburi on May 10. (Photo: Piyarat Chongcharoen)

Calls grow to ban weed shops near schools

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 22, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Dispensaries soar amid lack of clear regulation

Thongchai: Shops not breaking any law

Operating cannabis shops near schools is permitted as a specific law has yet to be issued to control the locations of such establishments, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM).

DTAM director-general Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong, however, said the Public Health Ministry had issued a ministerial announcement prohibiting the distribution of the plant to anyone under 20.

Failure to comply could see cannabis vendors face up to one year in jail and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht, and their licence may also be revoked for two years.

His remarks were made in response to reports on Friday that a weed cafe had been open for six months near the well-known all-girls St Joseph Convent School.

Subsequently, former politician and staunch critic of cannabis legalisation Chuvit Kamolvisit urged the new government to relist cannabis as a narcotic amid online criticism of the shop’s location.

The draft Cannabis-Hemp Act is still pending in parliament. However, there is still no regulation on the proximity of cannabis dispensaries to educational institutes, according to Dr Thongchai.

Up until now, more than 12,000 businesses have submitted applications to distribute, process, export or research cannabis in 76 provinces.

Of the figure, 2,000 applications were made in Bangkok alone, yet only 100 of the operators have been regularly submitting reports of their cannabis sources, storage facilities and distribution networks.

The department, therefore, is urging authorities to tighten law enforcement and intensify checks on the use of cannabis flower for commercial purposes, he said.

The department will work with police and administrative officials to enforce laws strictly against violators, and their licence may be suspended or revoked, followed by legal action for repeated offences.

Coalition hopefuls unveil pact

By: Barkar Nash

On: May 22, 2023

In: South-East Asia

MFP must tackle lese majeste law alone

Common cause: Leaders of eight parties led by the Move Forward Party have signed a memorandum of understanding which will serve as a guideline for collaboration between the coalition partners as they stepped closer to forming a new government on Monday. (Photo: Varuth Hiruayatheb)

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has given assurances that its government’s policies will not harm this country’s constitutional monarchy.

However, party leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, said on Monday that moves to amend the lese majeste law will continue, but the party will be alone in the task.

An eight-party alliance led by the MFP has signed a pact outlining the working agenda of their proposed coalition government. The 23-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the MFP, Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Palang Sangkhom Mai and Pheu Thai Ruam Phalang parties omitted amending Section 112, known as the lese majeste law.

Among the key items, however, is a charter rewrite, reinstatement of cannabis as a narcotic drug, replacing military conscription with voluntary recruitment, and pushing for a same-sex marriage law without forcing compliance by people who consider it against their religion.

As he announced the completion of their agreement, Mr Pita said it was a historic day because it marked a peaceful transition in Thai politics. The signing was arranged to coincide with the ninth anniversary of the May 22, 2014 coup.

“The purpose of the MoU is to gather common agendas that we agree to push through government and parliament. It’s our collective responsibility,” he said at the press conference.

Mr Pita said every party agreed that the core policies the coalition members all agreed to back must not affect the democratic system with the king as head of state, and the revered status of the king cannot be violated.

The eight parties, with 313 House seats, on Monday met for two hours at the Conrad Bangkok, the venue of the MoU signing, before the ceremony, which was scheduled at 4.30pm.

A source close to the talks said that the MoU was revised at the request of coalition partners, including Pheu Thai, before the signing to include the phrase “the missions of the MFP-led government must not affect the democratic system with the king as head of state and the revered status of the king who cannot be violated”.

According to the source, the signed MoU slightly differed from the version seen by the media. The item on “administration of justice for cases involving expressions of political views” was dropped.

The source said Pheu Thai reportedly disagreed with an amnesty plan since the coalition talks began due to concerns about conflict of interest and the MFP eventually agreed to exclude it from the MoU.

Asked about the lese majeste law, Mr Pita said the draft law, which was submitted to the House in February 2021, would be pushed by the party, and he expected its passage.

He said that under the MoU, coalition partners could push their own agendas as long as they did not contradict the MoU, and the MFP would continue to push for all policies it had campaigned on.

The MFP leader played down speculation he would not receive support from senators, saying the working teams would hold talks with the Senate to allay any concerns senators might have over the MFP’s plans.

Mr Pita brushed off a rumour that Pheu Thai was in talks with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) to form a rival coalition, saying the eight parties were solid.

He said it was premature to discuss the allocation of cabinet portfolios and the House speaker post following reports that he would oversee the Defence Ministry.

Meanwhile, Wanwichit Boonprong, a political science lecturer at Rangsit University, said the MoU would be unnecessary if the MFP-led coalition does not require votes from the Senate or Mr Pita does not face a probe into his qualifications.

“The MoU is something new. It is a written agreement to prevent betrayal. It’s a political tactic. As for policies, they can say what they want. But the signing of the MoU is to give the MFP confidence,” he said.

Barkar Nash (Page 959)