Asia (Page 2,397)

Most people disagree with the Pheu Thai Party’s forming a government that includes its former political foes in the coalition regardless of political polarisation, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted on Aug 15-17 by telephone interviews with 1,310 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education, occupations and incomes throughout the country to compile their opinions on the Pheu Thai Party’s forming of a “special government” which includes Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties regardless of political polarisation.

Of the respondents, 39.62% said they had never voted for the Pheu Thai Party (or the former Thai Rak Thai and Palang Prachachon parties); 33.13% said had previously voted for Pheu Thai, including in the May 14, 2023 election; 26.72% said they had previously voted for Pheu Thai, excluding the May 14, 2023 election; and 0.53% had never exercised their voting right.

Asked to comment on Pheu Thai’s formation of a “special government” regardless of political polarisation, 47.71% totally disagreed with it; 19.47% were in total agreement with it; 16.79% were in moderate disagreement with it; 15.11% in moderate agreement; and 0.92% had no answers or were not interested.

Asked who from the Pheu Thai Party they thought was suitable to be prime minister, 38.63% favoured Paetongtarn “Ung-ing” Shinawatra; 36.56% Srettha Thavisin; 8.47% Chaikasem Nitisiri; and 16.34% had no answer or were not interested.

Asked to comment about the present relations between Pheu Thai and Move Forward parties now that they have parted ways, 49.85% said they are now political rivals; 27.33% said they are just acquaintances; 20.99% said they are still allies; and 1.83% had no answers or were not interested.

Pheu Thai ‘spiritual leader’ leaves Dubai for Singapore ahead of PM vote

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s latest announcement on his return to Thailand is seen as a reflection of his confidence in Pheu Thai’s formation of a new government, but some political observers remain sceptical about his trip.

Thaksin’s return from self-imposed exile is scheduled for Tuesday, the same day parliament will meet to select the country’s 30th prime minister.

Pheu Thai, which is expected to nominate Srettha Thavisin for the post, has brought the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party into its coalition, with the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) pledging to support its candidate despite not formally joining the alliance.

According to Paetongtarn Shina-­ watra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter, her father will turn up at Don Mueang airport at 9am on his private jet.

Thaksin and his sister, Yingluck, reportedly left Dubai for Singapore yesterday, and he would depart for Don Mueang airport on Tuesday.

Journalists have been told to register and wait at the airport’s Building 4.

Panthongtae, his son, and Banpot Damapong, brother of his ex-wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, are scheduled to meet him in Singapore and travel with him to Thailand.

Thaksin previously announced that he would return to Thailand on Aug 10, but later postponed the trip due to a medical check-up appointment, prompting some political analysts to take Thaksin’s latest return announcement with a grain of salt.

Yutthaporn Issarachai, a political science lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said whether Thaksin returns or not, his announcement works as a strategy to boost confidence among Pheu Thai members and supporters.

Describing Thaksin as Pheu Thai’s spiritual leader, Mr Yutthaporn said while his return may influence the outcome of the vote, it is unlikely to change it because the vote will be finished by then.

“But I’m not sure if Thaksin’s magic still works now that the political situation has changed,” he said. “Pheu Thai couldn’t dominate the elections, so his return may not make much difference.”

Jatuporn Prompan, former chairman of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said Thaksin has lost credibility, adding Thaksin’s words are not to be believed until the ex-prime minister steps foot on Thai soil.

Mr Jatuporn said Thaksin can return any day he wants, but the fact that he picked Aug 22, which coincides with the prime minister vote, suggests the two developments are related.

“There could be a change of tactic,” he said. “[Thaksin] has refused to enter the justice system for 15 years and now has a change of heart.

“Wait until you see him,” he added. “He has lied about it [return plans], and there’s nothing for him to lose any more.”

He said he believes that Mr Srettha would not become the next prime minister.

Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Institute of Politics and Policy Analysis, said Thaksin will return on Tuesday because he feels confident about Pheu Thai’s chances of forming the next government.

“Thaksin’s return is rather good than bad [for Pheu Thai’s coalition] because partners want to directly talk to the showrunner,” he said. “They can still talk to him although he is overseas. But it is more convenient if he’s here.”

Mr Thanaporn is sceptical that Mr Srettha will be endorsed for the prime minister post. He said that in his view, Thaksin should feel most confident about returning if his daughter is elected as prime minister.

He added that if Pheu Thai proceeds to nominate Mr Srettha and fails to get him elected on Tuesday, the caretaker government will have the right to proceed with the appointments of high-ranking officials.

Also, Thaksin confirmed his Tuesday return in an interview with BBC Thai. According to the news outlet, Thaksin said there would be no more postponement and that he would leave Dubai for Singapore before entering Thailand. In the interview, he also expressed confidence that Mr Srettha would be endorsed as PM, but his journey home would have nothing to do with the vote.

Acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the ministry has yet to be officially informed of Thaksin’s return plan, but preparations have been made. Mr Wissanu said Thaksin will be taken to court before being sent to a designated prison.

Proposes 3,000-baht monthly handouts for elderly

The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is insisting the new government revise a new regulation that limits some elderly people from receiving monthly allowances and restores the universal pension scheme with an upgrade of 3,000 baht per month.

Nimit Tienudom, TCC vice chair and representative of the People’s Network for Welfare State, told an online forum on Friday that monthly allowances for the elderly were first introduced in 2009.

The scheme must be improved, not downgraded, he said.

“Every senior citizen should have the right to a monthly allowance from the state,” he said. “The basic pension should allow the elderly to have enough to spend on their daily life.”

“A 3,000-baht monthly allowance is suitable as the rate will help the elderly earn a little above the poverty line, defined by the National Economic and Social Development Council as 2,800 baht per month per person,” he said.

The new regulation, published in the Royal Gazette and which took effect on Aug 12, says that only elderly people with little-to-no income to cover the cost of living will be entitled to monthly allowances from the state.

The new rule will not affect those already receiving allowances (worth between 600 baht and 1,000 baht depending on age), only those who will become 60 years old after the rule took effect.

“We want the government to keep its universal pension [scheme] and try to improve the quality of life of the elderly, rather than thinking that universal welfare payments will be a burden on state coffers,” Mr Nimit said.

Asst Prof Weerasak Putthasri, deputy secretary-general of the National Health Commission, said the health assembly has promoted guaranteed basic income for the elderly as a national agenda item.

“Monthly allowances for the elderly are a basic right that every old-aged citizen should receive without needing to prove they are poor,” he said.

“The issue is a challenge for the new government to elevate the living condition of all senior citizens.”

Katikar Tipayalai, a lecturer from the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, said a recent study showed that more than 90% of elderly people in the country do not have savings.

Among those who do, only 9% have the money to cover spending for the next five years, she said, noting that state welfare is a necessity.

Currently, about 11 million people aged over 60 receive monthly allowances, which requires about 88 billion baht a year, she said, adding if the payment is adjusted to 3,000 baht a month, a budget of 400 billion baht will be required.

“The 400 billion baht is not high because the money will be spent on purchasing goods, and that will help stimulate the economy,” she said.

It is estimated that the “investment” could stimulate up to 600 billion baht in spending, and the government could collect the taxes, she said.

She also said the new government should reform its yearly budget as well as increase the value-added tax (VAT) rate for luxury goods and services to cover the pension fund.

She estimated that every 1% increase in the VAT would help add 70-100 billion baht to the pension scheme.

Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Foundation for Consumers, said the foundation wants the new government to revise the regulation so the elderly can have universal welfare payments.

“Many political parties promised to improve the pension scheme to win votes,” she said.

“When the new government is formed, we will push this issue forward as pensions should benefit every old-age citizen.”