Barkar Nash (Page 963)

The Pheu Thai Party on Monday accepted for consideration a petition by the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) group calling for a referendum on rewriting the 2017 constitution.

The petition calls for the new Pheu Thai-led government to organise a referendum to gauge public opinion on iLaw’s proposal to formally elect a new constitution-drafting assembly to rewrite the 2017 constitution.

The group submitted its proposal with the signatures of more than 200,000 people supporting it.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said iLaw’s call aligns with his party’s intentions.

He said Pheu Thai will seek a cabinet resolution during the first meeting of the new government on its proposal to hold a referendum to decide whether or not the majority of the public agrees with the party’s intention to rewrite the charter.

During the petition submission at Pheu Thai’s headquarters on Monday, iLaw stressed it was concerned that public participation wouldn’t be assured in the new government’s bid to rewrite the charter. The petition is an effort to ensure that the public is properly involved in the new constitution, the group said.

Dr Cholnan said if Pheu Thai’s proposal is approved at that first meeting, the new government will seek to amend Section 256 of the constitution to allow the formation of a new charter drafting assembly.

A main opposition party previously sought to amend Section 256, paving the way for the setting up of a charter drafting assembly, but the Senate blocked the attempt.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Chusak Sirinil affirmed that the party has a clear aim to push for the rewriting of the entire constitution, saying he has proposed for the party first to seek to organise a referendum to gauge public opinion on the party’s intention.

Mr Chusak shrugged off concerns raised by some over the financial burden of rewriting the constitution while it could be partially amended.

He said it would be worth it if rewriting the charter best serves the public interest.

He said he agrees that the two key questions that should be asked in such a referendum are whether the charter should be rewritten entirely and should a new charter-drafting assembly be elected to do the job.

The Ministry of Interior has joined hands with anti-corruption agencies in declaring war on graft within state agencies.

Suttipong Juljarern, permanent secretary for the interior, yesterday chaired a seminar to discuss scaling up efforts to combat corruption.

The seminar was held at the Royal City Hotel in Bangkok, with about 230 people attending, including an adviser to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) chairman.

“We are honoured to have experts from anti-graft agencies share experiences of their work in a bid to inspire state officials to beef up efforts to fight against corruption,” Mr Suttipong said.

He said the ministry has stressed the importance of tackling graft head-on as the problem undermines the functions and systems of the state and public confidence in the government.

The Interior Ministry was the target of the most graft allegations and other disciplinary offences, followed by the Royal Thai Police and the Education Ministry, according to a report released by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) in 2014.

The ministry’s senior officials have issued policy guidelines consistent with the governance principle to ensure transparency in the state administration, enabling people to monitor state agencies’ work under the law.

Mr Suttipong said all agencies agreed that graft in state agencies or the private sector could have a direct, adverse impact on the country. Brainstorming ideas to deal with the matter is necessary, he said.

The ministry has worked with various networks, particularly anti-corruption agencies, including the NACC and the PACC, as well as private sector organisations campaigning for graft eradication.

With a strong team behind it, Mr Suttipong said the ministry would be able to declare war on corruption while also raising awareness among state officials to strictly comply with governance principles in a bid to guarantee transparency within the state organisations.

“I must thank all relevant networks, particularly speakers from the NACC [who attended the seminar],” he said. “I hope input from the forum will help us achieve our goals in avoiding all forms of corruption and misconduct and boost public confidence.”

Kunlavut Vitidsarn became the first Thai badminton player to win the men’s singles title at the World Championships after rallying to beat Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 19-21, 21-18, 21-7 in Copenhagen on Sunday.

The 22-year-old, who was runner-up last year, secured the third world crown for his country after Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles in 2013 and Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the mixed doubles in 2021.

World No.3 Kunlavut spilt blood, sweat and finally tears as he defeated fourth-ranked Naraoka, also 22, in the final that lasted 109 minutes — one of the longest men’s singles matches ever.

“I’m very happy, this has been a dream for me since I was a child,” said Kunlavut.

The emergency decree imposed in the three southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat will be extended for another three months, from Sept 20 to Dec 19, 2023.

The decision was made yesterday by the administration of the emergency situation committee during a video conference chaired by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon from the office of the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation.

Lt Gen Pacharasak Patirupanon, an assistant spokesman for Gen Prawit, said the emergency decree is currently in force in the three provinces, except for Si Sakhon, Sungai Kolok, Waeng and Sukhirin districts of Narathiwat; Yaring, Mayom Mai Kaen districts of Pattani; and Betong and Kabang districts of Yala.

The committee resolved to extend the emergency decree for another three months, from Sept 20 to Dec 19. The extension, the 73rd, is for the continuation of government operations to deal with the insurgency and maintain peace and security for local people and for property, he said. The resolution will be forwarded to the National Security Council and the cabinet for approval.

The meeting also approved the Internal Security Command Region 4’s proposal to lift the emergency decree in Pattani’s Kapho district.

Meanwhile, a gunman yesterday opened fire on a house in Tak Bai district of Narathiwat, injuring three people. Police suspect the shooting was a result of a personal conflict.

Tak Bai Police were alerted to the shooting at 4.30am at the house in tambon Ko Sathon. Pol Col Supachad Na Phatthalung, superintendent of the Tak Bai police, attended the scene with other officers and army personnel.

They found Mesong Masa, 51, the house owner, her brother Ayu Masa, 28, and her 16-year-old nephew at the scene. All had been wounded by broken glass from windows shot out with an M16 rifle.

Pol Col Supachad said police found 19 M16 rifle cartridges by a side wall of the house. Police believe Mr Ayu might have had conflicts with other villagers, leading to the shooting, which was meant as a warning.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) needs to make it official that its leader Pita Limjaroenrat intends to waive the party’s right to take the opposition leader post, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

His remark came after Mr Pita made it known verbally that neither he nor the MFP wanted the opposition leader’s position. 

The MFP would rather keep its MP for Phitsanulok Padipat Suntiphada in the role of deputy House speaker.

Mr Wan said the right to assume the opposition leader seat must go to the leader of the biggest part of the opposition. But if they are not able or willing to perform the role, the right is passed on to the next biggest party.

A party cannot have its MP concurrently occupy the positions of deputy House speaker and opposition leader.

The MFP has chosen to retain the deputy House speaker, apparently to push its legislative agenda, and so it must officially notify him of its decision to let go of the opportunity to serve as opposition leader, Mr Wan said.

This is so that the right to take on the opposition leadership may be handed to the second-biggest opposition party, which is the Democrat Party. 

“The charter and the parliamentary rules dictate that an opposition leader must be appointed,” he said, explaining that the leader of the opposition takes part in selecting members of some independent agencies. 

However, the Democrats are struggling to convene a meeting to elect its leader due to deep-seated internal divisions.

If the party fails to produce a full-time leader soon, the right to lead the opposition will be offered to smaller parties, including those with one MP, such as the Fair Party.

But Mr Wan insisted no deadline is imposed on when the opposition leader must take office. 

A political source noted the MFP might eventually end up empty-handed as Mr Padipat may risk being stripped of his deputy House speaker post over his alleged online promotion of craft beer, an offence carrying a severe punishment as a political post holder, in Phitsanulok. Mr Padipat denies the allegation. 

Also on Monday, Mr Wan said he stands ready to set a date for a parliament meeting where the new cabinet will unveil its policies once he receives word about the cabinet seats being finalised and the timing of the meeting discussed among the government, opposition and Senate whips.

The Move Forward Party (MFP) needs to make it official that its leader Pita Limjaroenrat intends to waive the party’s right to take the opposition leader post, according to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha.

His remark came after Mr Pita made it known verbally that neither he nor the MFP wanted the opposition leader’s position. 

The MFP would rather keep its MP for Phitsanulok Padipat Suntiphada in the role of deputy House speaker.

Mr Wan said the right to assume the opposition leader seat must go to the leader of the biggest part of the opposition. But if they are not able or willing to perform the role, the right is passed on to the next biggest party.

A party cannot have its MP concurrently occupy the positions of deputy House speaker and opposition leader.

The MFP has chosen to retain the deputy House speaker, apparently to push its legislative agenda, and so it must officially notify him of its decision to let go of the opportunity to serve as opposition leader, Mr Wan said.

This is so that the right to take on the opposition leadership may be handed to the second-biggest opposition party, which is the Democrat Party. 

“The charter and the parliamentary rules dictate that an opposition leader must be appointed,” he said, explaining that the leader of the opposition takes part in selecting members of some independent agencies. 

However, the Democrats are struggling to convene a meeting to elect its leader due to deep-seated internal divisions.

If the party fails to produce a full-time leader soon, the right to lead the opposition will be offered to smaller parties, including those with one MP, such as the Fair Party.

But Mr Wan insisted no deadline is imposed on when the opposition leader must take office. 

A political source noted the MFP might eventually end up empty-handed as Mr Padipat may risk being stripped of his deputy House speaker post over his alleged online promotion of craft beer, an offence carrying a severe punishment as a political post holder, in Phitsanulok. Mr Padipat denies the allegation. 

Also on Monday, Mr Wan said he stands ready to set a date for a parliament meeting where the new cabinet will unveil its policies once he receives word about the cabinet seats being finalised and the timing of the meeting discussed among the government, opposition and Senate whips.

Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Family, visited her father and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at the Police General Hospital on Monday.

Thaksin, 74, was admitted to Bangkok Remand Prison on Aug 22 after landing at Don Mueang airport on a private jet, ending 15 years in self-exile, and being immediately taken to the Supreme Court, which jailed  him for eight years on charges he was convicted of in absentia and sentenced.

He was transferred from Bangkok Remand Prison to the Police General Hospital at 12.20am on Wednesday, suffering from chest pain, hypertension and low blood oxygen, according to the Department of Corrections (DoC).

The DoC said Thaksin has four critical ailments – heart disease, lung disease, high blood pressure and a herniated disc.

After five days in quarantine, the hospital is allowing him visitors from 9am-3pm. Ten people registered to visit Thaksin on the first day. Ms Paetongtarn was the first to see him.

Ms Paetongtarn was accompanied by lawyer Winyat Chartmontree when she arrived at the hospital about 12.30pm in a Mercedes van. From the basement floor of the car park building she took an elevator to the 14th floor of the Maha Bhumibol Rachanusorn 88th Birthday Anniversary Building, where Thaksin is being cared for.

She began her visit about 1pm and left at 1.45pm without talking to reporters.

When asked about her father’s illness and his mental condition, Ms Paetongtarn did not reply. She said  only that she would answer questions about her visit at Pheu Thai Party head office on Tuesday.

Other people who registered with the hospital to visit Thaksin on Monday included another daughter,  Pintongta, and her husband Nathapong Kunawongkorn, and his eldest son Panthongtae and his wife Natthiya Puangkham. Three lawyers were also on the list of visitors.

Santhana Prayoonrat, a former special branch police officer who was at the hospital to see his father, said the rooms on the 14th floor were reserved for high-level police officers. His father had been admitted for treatment for lung inflammation on July 28 and was on the 10th floor of the same building, he said.

He believed Thaksin was in room 1401. He saw doctors and nurses in front of that room on Aug 23 when he went up the 14th floor to take a look.

Mr Santhana said the room had just been renovated and was fully equipped with such basic amenities as a bed, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. Every room on the 14th floor had a full view of the nearby golf course and horse racecourse, as reported by the media, he confirmed.