South-East Asia – Page 2074

Pita mulls stepping aside for PT

On: July 15, 2023

Bid to curb Senate power faces uphill battle

Pita: Two battles ahead

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat says he will step aside and allow Pheu Thai to take the lead in forming a government if he fails to secure enough support in parliament to become prime minister in the second round of voting and curb Senate power in co-electing a PM.

He made the comment via a video clip on his official Twitter page yesterday as the eight prospective coalition parties prepared for a meeting on Tuesday to decide their next steps.

The main topic of discussion will be whether to renominate Mr Pita for the prime minister post in parliament this Wednesday after he fell short of securing a majority during his first try last Thursday.

“We have a few chances left to fight together in two battles for the establishment of a government in accordance with the people’s mandate,” Mr Pita wrote.

“The first battle […] is the vote for the prime minister [position] on July 19, and the second is the proposed amendment to Section 272 of the constitution to remove senate power in choosing a prime minister forever.

“Both battles will never be won if we cannot change the minds of senators to be on the side of the people.

“If we do our best in these two battles, and it is clear that the Move Forward Party does not have a chance to lead the forming of a government, I am ready to open the way for the Pheu Thai Party to become the leader in establishing a government of the eight coalition parties under the MoU we made together.

“All the MPs from the Move Forward Party are ready to support Pheu Thai’s prime minister candidate.

“But until that day we won’t give up,” Mr Pita said.

On Friday, the MFP submitted a proposal to parliament, seeking to scrap Section 272 of the charter, which allows the 250-member Senate to join MPs in selecting a prime minister.

The move came a day after Mr Pita failed to muster enough support to back his bid to land the job. It is the seventh attempt to strip the Senate of the power to co-elect a PM to date.

However, observers doubted the MFP’s efforts would bear fruit as the proposal faces a major hurdle — a requirement for the approval of both senators and MPs.

At least one-third of senators, or about 84, must give it the nod.

Key Pheu Thai and MFP figures held talks on Friday night to discuss the second round of the voting and evaluate the situation, said a source at the eight-party coalition.

During the talks, MFP and Pheu Thai strategists discussed an issue raised by some parliamentarians, as to whether the same motion regarding Mr Pita’s nomination could be resubmitted to parliament on Wednesday.

They evaluated what the senators might do at the next meeting, and also whether the parties from the outgoing government might nominate a PM candidate.

The meeting did not decide whether the coalition would renominate Mr Pita, said the source, pending talks with other coalition partners.

Pheu Thai also reportedly disagreed with MFP’s move to amend Section 272 and strip the senators of their power to co-select the prime minister. Doing so would be an uphill task because a motion on this issue requires at least 84 votes from the Senate.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong said the conclusion reached at the meeting of the coalition parties on Tuesday will be relayed to a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs later that same day.

He also said that House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha met with legal experts for talks on whether the motion regarding Mr Pita’s nomination can be resubmitted to parliament.

Asked if Pheu Thai will nominate Mr Pita for the vote, Mr Prasert said the party must comply with the decision reached by the eight parties and must also wait for the outcome of the meeting chaired by Mr Wan.

A source at Pheu Thai said the party would nominate Srettha Thavisin, one of the party’s three prime ministerial candidates, for the PM vote on Thursday if Mr Pita failed on his second try.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a potential Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister, is not ready to be nominated, the source said.

Mr Srettha refused to comment on the matter yesterday.

Security tightened as Yala blast kills one ranger and wounds two more

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 15, 2023

In: South-East Asia

A member of a ranger patrol was killed and two others wounded in a bomb attack in Bannang Sata district of Yala yesterday morning.

The attack occurred at about 7am. Rangers and volunteers were patrolling on foot at Ubae Moo 1 village in tambon Bacho when a bomb hidden in the area suddenly exploded, according to the Bannang Sata police station radio centre.

The force of the blast injured three members of the team, one of whom died later.

Volunteer ranger Wanchai Muthasukphaisarn, 28, sustained serious injuries and was later pronounced dead. Sgt Wichian Panyo and volunteer Wimol Chanthakhun suffered from chest pains and ringing ears. They were being treated at Bannang Sata Hospital.

Police blamed the attack on the unrest in the southernmost border provinces, where more than 7,000 people have been killed since sectarian conflict resurfaced in 2004.

Ek Yangaphai Na Songkhla, the Betong District Office chief in Yala, has ordered tighter security for the safety of locals and tourists in Betong, one of the popular tourist destinations in the South. Checkpoints have been set up while more patrol officers will be deployed to ensure public safety.

Bus driver runs over, kills two uni students who fell off bike

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 15, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Police are yet to press charges against a bus driver who ran over and killed two students of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) yesterday, as they are still establishing the facts around the accident.

Jorakeh Noi police station was alerted to the incident which took place along the Chalong Krung Road in Lat Krabang district around 6.45am yesterday.

Police investigators found the bodies Chattiyakorn Suriwat, 20, and Areeya Suthatchote, 21, both students at KMITL’s School of Science, under bus No 1013.

According to witnesses, the students riding a motorcycle had crossed a railway junction and made a right turn to enter the university when their motorcycle fell to the ground. The students had landed on the road as the bus, which was also heading to the university, came from behind and ran over them.

The girls were wedged under one of the wheels of the bus and died at the scene, according to Manit Karaket, a rescue volunteer from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation.

The rescuers struggled to remove the bodies.

The police said Somyot Iamsa-ard, the 44-year-old driver of the bus, waited at the scene for police. However, he was not charged immediately.

Police said they would not press charges against him until they finish running a test on the victims’ bodies and on Mr Somyot’s blood sample to establish if he was under the influence of alcohol.

Also, the officers were reviewing footage from the surveillance cameras in the area.

The bodies of the two students were undergoing forensic examination at the Police General Hospital.

Pita: Ready to give way to Pheu Thai if necessary

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 15, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Eight coalition parties will meet Tuesday to decide whether to renominate Move Forward leader for second PM vote

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat arrives for the first prime ministerial vote in parliament last Thursday. (Photo: Pornprom Sarttarpai)

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat admits the country can’t wait much longer for a new government, saying that if he cannot overcome Senate opposition to his bid to be prime minister, partner Pheu Thai should be given a chance.

Mr Pita made the comment in a video posted on his official Twitter account on Saturday, as the eight coalition parties prepare for a meeting on Tuesday to decide on their next steps.

The main topic of discussion will be whether to renominate Mr Pita for prime minister in parliament on Wednesday, after he fell well short of a majority on his first try on Thursday.

“We have a few chances left to fight together in two battles to lead to the successful establishment of a government according to public opinion,” Mr Pita said.

“The first battle … is the vote for prime minister on July 19, and the second is a proposed amendment to Section 272 of the constitution to cut the power of senators to choose the prime minister forever.

“Both battles will never be victorious if we cannot change the mind of the senators to be on the side of the people.

“If we do our best in these two battles, and it is clear that the progressive party does not really have a chance to become a leader in forming a government, I am ready to open … the way for the Pheu Thai Party as a leader in establishing a coalition government of 8 parties under the MoU we made together.

“All the representatives of the Move Forward Party are ready to support candidates for prime minister from the Pheu Thai Party.

“But until that day we definitely won’t give up.”

Key Pheu Thai and Move Forward figures held talks on Friday night to discuss the second round of the voting and evaluate the situation, said a source at the eight-party coalition.

Representing the MFP were secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon and deputy leaders Picharn Chaowapatanawon and Sirikanya Tansakul. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai and secretary-general Prasert Chantarauangthong joined them. The discussions took about 1.45 hours.

Mr Pita, 42, the sole prime ministerial candidate, won 324 votes in favour, against 182 against and 199 abstentions, from the 705 members participating in Thursday’s parliamentary vote. He needed 375 votes — a simple majority of the 749 combined House and Senate seats – to win the office.

He received 311 votes in favour from MPs and and 148 against, with 39 abstentions. He received just 13 votes in favour from senators, 34 against and 159 abstentions. Forty-three senators were absent.

During the talks on Friday, the MFP and Pheu Thai strategists discussed an issue raised by some parliamentarians, as to whether the same motion could be repeated on Wednesday.

They evaluated what the senators might do at the next meeting, and also whether the parties from the outgoing government might nominate a PM candidate. The meeting did not decide whether the coalition would renominate Mr Pita, said the source, pending talks with other coalition partners.

Pheu Thai also reportedly disagreed with Move Forward’s move to amend Section 272 of the constitution to strip the military-appointed senators of their power to co-select the prime minister.

Doing so would be an uphill task because a motion on this issue requires at least 84 votes from the Senate. (Story continues below)

Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, attends a meeting at the Move Forward Party headquarters on July 2. (Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard)

‘Anyone could be nominated’

Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, one of the eight coalition allies, said trying to change Section 272 was futile and could be viewed as a selfish move by the MFP.

As for Wednesday’s vote, anyone could be nominated because there are no specific regulations governing the process, he said.

Parliamentarians could nominate Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, the prime ministerial candidate of the Palang Pracharath Party, or even Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. The latter has said he’s retiring from politics but he is still on record as the prime ministerial candidate of the United Nation Party.

In any case, he thinks Mr Pita’s chances of victory are slim.

He dismissed the possibility that the coalition might change strategy by picking Pheu Thai candidates Srettha Thavisin or Paetongtarn Shinawatra, saying Pheu Thai would continue to give its full support to the MFP.

But if the vote on July 19 fails to produce a prime minister, “the two parties have to hold talks about whether MFP will move back so Pheu Thai can nominate its candidate”, he said.

“Though there is a change in the nomination, Pheu Thai would still stay with the MFP. They have kept saying that they will stay together. If they fail to honour their promise, they cannot be in a relationship. The two parties must constantly hold talks,” said Pol Gen Sereepisuth.

Some political analysts have said that even Pheu Thai might find senators hostile to its candidate if the party remains in an alliance with Move Forward. Much of the opposition to Mr Pita has been linked to his party’s desire to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese-majeste law.

In the end, Pol Gen Sereepisuth conceded, Pheu Thai might have to form a government with Bhumjaithai, the Democrats or other parties to secure the 376 votes for its candidate.

But even if Move Forward ended up in the opposition, he said, it should still support the formation of a Pheu Thai Party government to facilitate future collaboration.

Regional maritime law enforcement gets a boost

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 15, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Thailand and US co-host conference for Southeast Asian commanders

Thai navy commander-in-chief Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet (third from left) and Rear Adm Brendan McPherson (third from right), deputy commander of the US Coast Guard Pacific Area, join maritime law enforcement commanders from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam during a meeting in Bangkok this week. (Photo: Wassana Nanuam)

The United States says it is looking forward to closer cooperation on maritime law enforcement in Southeast Asia, following a regional conference co-hosted with Thailand this week.

The ninth Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI) Commanders’ Forum was held at the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort hotel from Tuesday to Friday.

Participants included maritime commanders from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, the US and Vietnam as well as representatives from other Southeast Asian nations.

The forum focused on maritime law enforcement and had nothing to do with ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, stressed Thai navy commander-in-chief Adm Choengchai Chomchoengpaet and Rear Adm Brendan McPherson, deputy commander of the US Coast Guard Pacific Area.

They said the forum was aimed at promoting cooperation on maritime security and safety and discussing challenges facing coast guards and maritime law enforcement authorities.

Robert Godec, the US ambassador to Thailand, said those challenges included transnational crimes, trafficking and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The US is a major import and export market for the region and the forum provided opportunities to address the challenges, he said.

The forum helped the participating countries to strengthen relationships and foster the trust that is essential to solving problems and advancing common goals, the ambassador said.

Volunteer ranger killed in Yala bomb blast

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 15, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Two injured in incident blamed on continuing sectarian conflict

Soldiers inspect the scene of a bomb blast in Bannang Sata district of Yala on Saturday morning. (Photo: Santisuktai Facebook page)

A member of a ranger patrol was killed and two others wounded in a bomb attack in Bannang Sata district of Yala on Saturday morning.

The force of the blast injured three members of the team, one of whom died later.

Volunteer ranger Wanchai Muthasukphaisarn, 28, sustained serious injures and was later pronounced dead. Sgt Wichian Panyo and volunteer Wimol Chanthakhun suffered from chest pains and ringing ears. They were being treated at Bannang Sata Hospital.

Police blamed the attack on the continuing unrest in the southernmost border provinces, where more than 7,000 people have been killed since sectarian conflict resurfaced in 2004.

Pheu Thai looms large as potential coalition leader

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Party is ‘weighing up’ its options

Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew, centre, touches Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat, sole prime ministerial candidate, left, as Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chantararuangthong, right, and other party members greet the MFP leader at the parliament before the House of Representatives and the Senate started their joint sitting for the prime ministerial vote on Thursday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

The Pheu Thai Party has a good chance to become the leader of a new coalition if the Move Forward Party (MFP) and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, can’t win the parliamentary selection of the new prime minister, a political science academic said on Friday.

As the party with the second-highest number of House seats, Pheu Thai will be able to justify a move to take over from the MFP and form a new coalition, possibly together with some other major parties outside the MFP-led alliance, Olarn Thinbangtieo from Burapha University, told the Bangkok Post.

The current alliance comprises eight parties, including Pheu Thai, he pointed out.

“All Pheu Thai has to do is wait and see what its best option is — its own prime ministerial candidate or that of another party [that it will form a new political alliance with],” said Mr Olarn.

If Mr Pita repeatedly fails to win the prime minister vote, Pheu Thai might have to decide if it should stay with the MFP-led alliance or switch sides to form a new alliance with parties such as Bhumjaithai or Palang Pracharath, he said.

If Pheu Thai chooses to remain in the same political alliance but grabs the opportunity to nominate its prime ministerial candidate in a new prime ministerial vote, the party might fail to garner sufficient votes from the Senate as well, Mr Olarn said.

As for the possibility of MFP’s supporters taking to the street after Mr Pita failed Thursday’s vote, Mr Olarn said that appeared remote at this point as Mr Pita has the chance to again contend for the premiership.

Thursday’s debate before MPs and senators voted on Mr Pita — the sole nominee for the parliamentary selection for the role — actually served no use as those who voted had already seemingly made their mind up, he said.

Other political science academics echoed Mr Olarn’s view, including Wanwichit Boonprong of Rangsit University, Stithorn Thananithichot of King Prajadhipok’s Institute and Thanaporn Sriyakul of Kasetsart University.

They shared a similar view that senators who either abstained or voted no in Thursday’s vote claimed MFP’s stance against Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, was the reason why they would not support Mr Pita as the country’s new prime minister.

Additionally, the academics thought Mr Pita and the MFP had no room to back down on their Section 112 stance after making it a key part of their electioneering.

âStories I can tell my grandchildrenâ: Meet the couple driving from London to Singapore in a convoy of 12 cars

By: Marcus Ching

On: July 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

As the season of revenge travel unfolds, Jeremy See and his wife Sharleen Lim are eagerly joining the ranks of those whose pandemic-born holiday dreams are now becoming a reality. Except their upcoming road trip has been in the works for three years.

In August, they will embark on a journey to London, where their Singapore-registered 2019 Toyota Land Cruiser 4.6L V8 was transported a month prior. Over the course of 100 days, they are prepared to cover 25,000km, passing through 23 countries as they make their way back to Singapore.

Their route includes the following countries: UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkiye, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and finally, Singapore. With a budget of S$110,000 for two people, it’s no wonder that none of their five children will be accompanying them.

MFP stands firm on S112 amendment

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Fresh vote for PM to be held Wednesday

People hold up posters outside Bangkok Art & Culture Centre protesting against the outcome of Thursday’s prime ministerial vote. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

The Move Forward Party (MFP) has insisted that it will not back down from its plan to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, saying the party does not want to fall into a trap laid by the senators.

MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon said on Friday that he had met key Pheu Thai figures for talks on how to push for MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat to become the new prime minister.

They agreed that they would still nominate Mr Pita in a second round of voting in parliament scheduled for Wednesday, he said, adding that efforts will be made to gather more support for Mr Pita from senators.

Mr Pita failed to gather enough support for his nomination for prime minister in parliament on Thursday.

Section 112 was cited as the main reason why several senators refused to back his nomination.

However, Mr Pita insisted that the party would press ahead with its plan to amend the law, and said that he would try to gather the required support before the next round of voting.

Mr Chaithawat on Friday also reiterated the party’s stance on an amended bid, saying it was one of the pledges it made before the May 14 election.

“Moreover, I don’t think the senators will vote for Mr Pita even if we announce that we will back down.

“The senators have fixed opinions about us. Even if they do not criticise us over the issue [Section 112], they will still find other excuses to attack us.

“There are reports that old power groups are trying to pressure and control the senators in the hope of forming an alternative coalition government.

“Old power groups and major business establishments do not want Move Forward to become the new government,” Mr Chaithawat said.

Senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha said on Friday that if Mr Pita is nominated for a second round of voting next Wednesday, the outcome will be no different from Thursday’s vote.

Moreover, last Wednesday the Election Commission asked the Constitutional Court to rule on Mr Pita’s eligibility in light of the iTV shareholding scandal.

The constitution prohibits a stakeholder in a media organisation from running in a general election.

The same court also accepted for deliberation a petition filed by lawyer Theerayut Suwankesorn who claimed the MFP’s policy to amend Section 112 breaches Section 49 of the constitution, which prohibits people from using their rights and freedoms to overthrow the constitutional monarchy.

“If Mr Pita is nominated again on July 19, he will not receive the votes of senators, maybe not even from the 13 who voted for him on Thursday, either,” Mr Kittisak said.

”The runner-up party should be given a chance to nominate its prime ministerial candidate for the vote instead,” Mr Kittisak said, referring to the Pheu Thai Party.

He went on to say that even if the MFP promised to back down from its bid to amend Section 112, he would still not trust it considering that the party has been adamant about amendment over the past few years.

Prapan Koonme, another senator, said he believed that Mr Pita could not be nominated for a PM vote on Wednesday after he failed to gather enough support in Thursday’s vote.

Mr Prapan cited the parliamentary regulation No.41, which stipulates that “any motion that is dropped cannot be resubmitted to parliament during the same parliamentary session, except for a motion that parliament has yet to vote on or a motion which is allowed by the parliament president who decides that the circumstances have changed.”

In light of this, the regulation also applies to the motion regarding Mr Pita’s nomination for a vote on Thursday, Mr Prapan said.

Dig uncovers four stone lintels at Hindu temple

By: Barkar Nash

On: July 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

An 11th or 12th century lintel found in Prasat Ban Bu Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Four stone lintels carved in the Old Khmer style dating back to the 11th or 12th century have been found at an archaeological site in Prasat Ban Bu Yai in this northeastern province.

The 10th Regional Office of Fine Arts in Nakhon Ratchasima found the stone lintels featuring delicately carved scenes from Hindu mythology at an archaeological dig at Prasat Ban Bu Yai, which is undergoing restoration in tambon Sung Noen of Sung Noen district, said Rakchart Kiriwattanasak, president of Nakhon Ratchasima’s Provincial Administrative Organisation Council.

Mr Rakchart said on Friday that the stone pieces were found scattered around the site.

The 10th Regional Office of Fine Arts will turn the stone temple into a tourist attraction, he said.

Prasat Ban Bu Yai was originally a Hindu temple in ancient Khmer culture. Built with sandstone, some of the architectural features such as lintels, door frames and tympanums (a triangular decorative wall surface) were carved in decorative patterns.

Judging by the artistic style of the sandstone carvings, the Hindu temple was built in the 11th or 12th century in the Baphuon and Angkor Wat style.

Mr Rakchart said archaeologists found all four stone lintels which had been installed above the gates, however only one is still intact. The intact lintel depicts a mythical lion holding a long garland.

Before the archaeological excavation, it was found that looters had dug up precious items including various metal artefacts and small bronze Buddha images.

“This was the theft of our national treasures. I would ask the looters to return everything they took rather than sell the artefacts in foreign markets,” Mr Rakchart said.

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