Barkar Nash (Page 990)

SURAT THANI: About 20,000 tourists attended a Full Moon Party along a nearly one-kilometre-long stretch of beach on Koh Phangan on Thursday night.

To ensure the partygoers’ security, police, immigration officers and local officials were deployed to Rin Beach at around 8pm for the fifth Full Moon Party of 2023.

Surat Thani governor Wichawut Jinto and several senior police officers were also present to ensure the event remained orderly.

Security measures were put in place to boost visitor confidence and prevent illicit drug activities at the venue, said Pol Lt Gen Sukhun Promayon, commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau.

Authorities estimate that the four-day holiday period, which began on Thursday, will generate tens of millions of baht for the popular tourist island.

The province also expects more than 3 million in tourism-related income gained yesterday from the more than 3,000 passengers and crew members of Mein Schiff 5, a luxury cruise ship that made a one-day stop near Koh Samui.

A source said about 930 crew and 2,250 European tourists who arrived from Vietnam disembarked from the liner.

Chayaphon Intharasupha, the district chief, said at least 130 tourists chose to visit Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, an archipelago of 42 islands covering 102 square kilometres. Another 30 tourists hired seven speedboats while the rest spent their time on Koh Samui.

The island’s tourism businesses did well, with shops, restaurants, taxi trucks and rental cars busy dealing with the tourists from the ship, the district chief said.

Ban Hin Lat, a community in Moo 2 of tambon Ang Thong of the island district which offers a cultural-based tourism tour, also received many visitors yesterday, he said.

Many other tourists were spotted at the beaches, waterfalls and other tourist attractions on the island, he said.

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The United Thai Nation Party (UTN) has released a video featuring Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha growing up as a son of a rather strict military official and other untold personal life stories in a bid to show his gentle side.

In the seven-minute clip entitled “Talk to the Uncle”, the UTN prime ministerial candidate answered a series of questions asked by the party’s media team in a relaxed atmosphere.

Gen Prayut wore a white shirt with yellow leaf imprints, a pair of black trousers and black leather loafers.

The video begins with a question about the PM’s first name — Prayut. In response, he said it was a name given by his father, who was a soldier. Gen Prayut said his name was initially “Pralongyuth”, which means fight or compete, before it was later shortened to “Prayut”, which still carries the same meaning.

He said when he was ten years old, he tried to run away from his father’s military camp home in Nakhon Ratchasima after receiving corporal punishment.

However, he returned home shortly after speeding away on a bicycle and ending up not knowing where to go, Gen Prayut said.

The premier said at one point in the video that he likes watching Korean TV series, including favourites Descendants of the Sun and Crash Landing on You, in his free time.

As for sports, Gen Prayut said he is a Premier League enthusiast, and his favourite team is Manchester City.

Lower fuel prices

Capt Thamanat Prompow, head of the Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPRP) election strategy panel for the North, yesterday hit the campaign trail in Mae Hong Son province with promises to solve land problems and lower energy prices.

He said the party’s policy to resolve land disputes between locals and state agencies should help bring relief to many residents who have occupied forest land and are facing legal action.

He said the PPRP aims to also ease people’s financial burden by bringing down fuel and energy prices. The party would seek to lower the price of diesel by 6.30 baht per litre and petrol by 18 baht per litre and cut the price of electricity for household users to 2.70 baht per unit, he said.

Meanwhile, low-income earners would benefit from a welfare card scheme aimed at providing 700 baht per month and life insurance worth 200,000 baht, he said.

Bomb detector scandal

The Prachachart Party has lambasted the purchase of bogus GT200 bomb detectors from 2007–2009 to kick off its election campaign to capture ten seats in the southern region.

On the first day of its ten-day “non-stop” campaign in Pattani, party secretary-general Tawee Sodsong questioned why a certain group of people who were authorised to make the purchase did not face legal action.

He said among those who were prosecuted for malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code for their roles in the purchase of the non-functional detectors was a former provincial governor.

He noted that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, former army chiefs, also approved the procurement but faced no charges.

Pol Col Tawee said the case speaks volumes about the injustice faced by the people in the region. He then urged voters to support Prachachart, saying it is the only political party that speaks for people in the Deep South.

The Prachachart Party, led by veteran Wan Muhamad Nor Matha, hopes to capture at least ten seats in the May 14 poll, up from the current six.

Ending political divisions

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party, yesterday campaigned in the northeastern province of Kalasin and urged voters fed up with political divisions to vote for her party.

Speaking before thousands attending the rally, she said people in the Northeast, including Kalasin, are concerned that political conflicts could open the way for another coup.

Although the TST is new to the political scene, it has several veteran politicians committed to solving problems and delivering party policies to make life better, she said.

Many policies implemented by previous governments were only aimed at solving immediate problems, Khunying Sudarat said.

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Chinese airlines are expected to increase the number of flights to Thailand to 430 per week starting on June 1, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

CAAT director Suthipong Kongpool said his office recently met with Chinese airlines to discuss their request for more flights for the summer schedule and it was initially agreed that the number would rise to 430 a week from the 100 permitted at present.

He said international flights are on the rise again, especially from China, but the office can so far grant only 10%-20% of requests due to the limited capacity of Suvarnabhumi airport.

The CAAT office must take ground service handling capacity into consideration as, according to the director, there have been complaints about delays in passenger servicing time.

This is because the airport’s ground handling operators, THAI Ground (TG) and Bangkok Flight Services (BFS), can accommodate only 40% of the previous capacity due to shortages of staff and equipment, he said.

However, Airports of Thailand (AoT), which oversees Suvarnabhumi airport, has temporarily hired Airports of Thailand Ground Aviation Services (AOTGA) and Pattaya Aviation Co to provide ground services pending the selection of a third operator.

Mr Suthipong said the flight increase from China marks a positive sign for the aviation industry, and the number of Chinese visitors will soon reach pre-Covid levels.

According to the CAAT, a total of 24 Chinese airlines operate flights between the two countries.

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Politicians and academics strongly oppose any attempt to form a minority government after the May 14 election, warning that this could spark street demonstrations culminating in another coup.

The warning came after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Wednesday dismissed the possibility of a political vacuum or deadlock arising after the election.

However, he expressed concern that the formation of a new government may take longer than usual. His remarks come as polls show some of the front-running parties drawing closer in the popularity stakes.

While he believes that any party that wins a majority of House seats could form a new government, he said there are some uncertainties which could result in the victorious party getting fewer seats and having to work instead to form a coalition government.

Deputy Democrat Party leader Ongart Klampaiboon said that Mr Wissanu’s comment was only theory, but in practice, the formation of a minority government was unlikely.

“After the election, parties will try to gather support and secure a majority of House seats or more than 250 to form a coalition government. Parties that fail to do so must assume the role of the opposition because they are in the minority,” Mr Ongart said.

“If parties in the minority try to form a minority government and rely on the support of the 250 senators to vote for a prime ministerial candidate they nominate, such a government is not stable and can lose in a vote of no-confidence or a vote on key financial bills.

“If it is defeated in a no-confidence motion or a vote on budget bills, it is only obliged to resign,” Mr Ongart said.

“Any parties that try to form a minority government should take into account political legitimacy, and actions that go against public sentiment could lead to political problems. The formation of a minority government is very unlikely after the election,” Mr Ongart said.

Chartpattanakla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij also confirmed that the party would not join a minority government which would need the help of the senators to choose a prime minister.

“Our stance is clear. We will not join any minority government,” Mr Korn said.

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a key Progressive Movement figure assisting the Move Forward Party’s election campaign, voiced opposition to any move to form a minority government, saying this will run counter to the voters’ mandate.

“Forming a minority with the support of the senators will go against the popular mandate. No one will let this happen.

“We will not allow the 250 senators to have their own way. We will form a government led by Move Forward, winning an overwhelming majority in the House,” Mr Piyabutr said.

Wanwichit Boonprong, a lecturer in the Faculty of Political Science at Rangsit University, said that it would be difficult for a minority government to take shape as it would face resistance from voters.

“This will likely spark strong reactions from voters. Parties that fail to win a majority of House seats but still proceed to form a minority government — they don’t accept defeat in the election. Protesters will be back on the streets,” Mr Wanwichit said.

Jade Donavanik, dean of the Faculty of Law at Dhurakij Pundit University, said several politicians lack political etiquette and ethics and are ready to jump at the chance of forming a minority government.

He noted that the military still plays a key role in politics, as any government that has the backing of the military is still able to operate as a minority government.

“This would lead to demonstrations led by parties that win a majority. But if demonstrators do not have the military on their side, security measures will be taken to deal with them,” Mr Jade said.

“The situation could escalate and culminate in yet another coup,” he added.

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Two storms will hit Thailand next week, potentially affecting Election Day on May 14, Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Centre said.

The centre’s director, Seri Suparatit, said in a Facebook post yesterday that two storms — one in the Indian Ocean and one in the South China Sea — are moving towards Thailand.

Cyclone Mocha is currently causing heavy rainfall in the Bay of Bengal, while another tropical depression was starting in the South China Sea near the Philippines. Mr Seri wrote in his post that the two storms would start to affect Thailand from May 9. However, the heat and a low-pressure trough will cause thunderstorms starting on May 8 in the central, eastern, northeastern and northern regions.

He also said there was a 30% chance that the general election on May 14 would see thunderstorms, especially in the South. With the election looming, Mr Seri suggested the Election Commission (EC) prepare indoor locations for poll booths before a storm hits.

“We still have a week; I would suggest the EC arrange indoor locations to prevent inconvenience on Election Day,” he wrote.

Mr Seri said heavy rainfall on Election Day could ruin ballot papers and boxes, as well as cause heavy traffic.

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The trial run and commercial launch of the Yellow monorail system are not yet finalised because system testing is not complete, according to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).

In a statement, the MRTA said the trial run of the Yellow monorail line, which is tentatively scheduled for later this month, is not confirmed. Several of the line’s systems are being tested and fine-tuned to meet international safety standards before the trial run can commence, according to the MRTA.

The MRTA was responding to media reports about the trial run and commercial operations of both the Yellow and Pink monorail lines.

According to media reports, the Yellow Line shuttling passengers between Lat Phrao and Samrong in Samut Prakan was to conduct a trial run during May 21-31 and begin commercial operations on June 3, with fares ranging from 15-45 baht.

The reports said the Pink Line linking Khae Rai in Nonthaburi with Min Buri district in East Bangkok via Ram Intra Road would conduct trial runs in August, with commercial operations to begin late this year.

On the Pink Line, the MRTA said in its statement that the system’s trial run is expected to take place in January next year, with the launch of commercial operations earmarked in June of the same year.

A source at the Transport Ministry said yesterday the ministry expects the trial run of the Yellow Line to take place May 21-31 as scheduled, but it could not confirm the dates due to the incomplete testing.

In March, Surapong Laoha-Unya, an executive of the BTSC, which is contracted to build the monorail systems, was quoted in media reports as saying the Yellow Line’s trial run was scheduled for April with the commercial launch set for June.

He was also quoted as saying that the Pink Line’s trial run would be in July, with commercial operation starting in August.

The opening of both lines has been postponed several times, and the projects are delayed in part due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which halted construction work.

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CHON BURI: Police are looking into reports that a “pretty” host hired to entertain three Chinese nationals at a house in Pattaya supplied information to the gang that subsequently robbed them.

Authorities are still looking for three of the five suspects in the robbery that took place early on Wednesday.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Sarawut Suthapot, 31, Nakharin Sae Tieo, 26, and Wanchana Kreedkrai, 27. The three men are still at large.

Two other men — Chachana Phimpa, 28, and Thawatchai “Bank” Siyangnok, 27 — were caught separately in Rayong and Pattaya on Thursday.

Police have charged them with collusion in robbery, coercion with threats to life, illegal possession of weapons in public and related offences.

A pickup truck, jackets and masks used by the gang during the robbery were seized during the arrests.

Police have also confiscated money transferred by the victims to the bank accounts of people linked with the suspects, said Pol Col Thanapong Photi, chief of Pattaya City police. Officers plan to call in the holders of the accounts for questioning.

The gang broke into the house at the Pattaya Muang Mai housing estate in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri and tied up the three Chinese — two men and one woman — and robbed them of nearly 400,000 baht in cash, a car and other valuables in the early hours of Wednesday.

Local media reported the Chinese nationals had hired a young woman to entertain them and serve alcoholic drinks. After noticing many valuable items inside, she reportedly phoned Mr Sarawut, alias “Beer Kophai”, who then ordered his three associates to rob the house.

Mr Sarawut reportedly asked the woman to drug her customers.

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Political activist Srisuwan Janya has been summoned by the Election Commission (EC) to give a statement relating to a petition he submitted against the Pheu Thai Party’s policy of 10,000 baht in digital handouts to everyone aged 16 and over.

Mr Srisuwan, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, received a letter from the EC instructing him to provide more information by May 11.

The activist previously asked the EC to look into whether the digital wallet policy violates Section 73 of the law on the election of MPs, which prohibits poll candidates or other figures from promising to give voters assets, money or benefits, as well as giving misleading information about policies.

He said there the digital wallet scheme could be in violation of the currency law, the state fiscal and financial discipline law, and the emergency decree on digital asset businesses.

Under the 10,000-baht project, every Thai over 16 would get a new savings account and a digital wallet connected to their ID.

The policy is aimed at stimulating spending in communities in the first six months of its launch, with the help of blockchain technology to ensure the money is spent within a 4-kilometre radius in a bid to spur local economic activity.

Mr Srisuwan argued that although Pheu Thai has submitted details of the policy, including where the money will come from, questions remain.

He asked if some state projects, such as a welfare scheme for low-income earners or monthly allowances for the elderly, would be axed to allow for the reallocation of funds.

He also asked if the digital wallet — which would require 500 billion baht — would affect other policies put forward by Pheu Thai.

The party is eyeing 70 policies over four years, with an estimated cost of 3 trillion baht, he noted.

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