Airstrikes drive 3,000 Karennis to Mae Hong Son
As clashes intensify, Thai army and local authorities map out ways to help refugees
More than 3,000 Karennis have reportedly fled across the border to Mae Hong Son province following clashes between Myanmar and the Karenni Army (KA) on Wednesday.
A border source said the clashes between Myanmar troops and ethnic rebel groups were continuing on Thursday.
The Myanmar army reportedly launched air strikes along the border, opposite tambon Pang Mu and Mok Cham Pae in Muang district of Mae Hong Son at around 7pm on Wednesday.
After at least six strikes found their targets including the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) centre in Loikaw in Kayah state, a total of 3,331 Karenni people were forced to cross the border to seek refuge in Mae Hong Son, according to the source.
Army chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewtae on Thursday visited a military unit, Bang Sao Hin village in Mae Sariang district and the Na Pa Paek operation base in Muang district of Mae Hong Son to follow up on the security situation.
Muang district chief Sangkhom Kadchiangsaen met with related agencies to draw up guidelines on how to assist the fleeing Karennis.
Attending the meeting were representatives of the 713th infantry company, Muang district public health office, the provincial anti-malaria centre, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the chiefs of the Ban Nai Soi evacuation centre.
The shelter habouring the Karennis will be supervised by a volunteer unit and soldiers. After the situation improves, all the Karennis will be sent back.
A source in the Karenni National Progressive Party, a political organisation in Kayah State, estimated that more than 5,000 Karennis were trying to flee to Thailand after the air strikes. One was reportedly killed in the attack and 10 others injured.
As of Thursday, Thai border authorities had not received any update on the air strikes or the situation on the ground due to a jammed telecommunication signal.
The source also said Myanmar troops were preparing to launch a fresh air strike on the KA’s Yamu stronghold located near the military base on Thai territory. Soldiers at the base have been put on high alert.
The border tension flared up after more than 5,000 Myanmar refugees were driven to take shelter at Mae Sariang refugee camps, also in Mae Hong Son, to escape the fighting between the KA and the Myanmar junta forces on July 6.
The KA was also reportedly hit by junta airstrikes in a border town opposite Mae Hong Son.
Some casualties and deaths were reported. Many Myanmar locals had to carry injured people to receive medical treatment in Thailand while others had to flee the town for border forests.
A source from the KA said the Myanmar junta carried out 19 airstrikes, seriously injuring KA soldiers. At least 7 Karenni troops were reportedly sent to Mae Hong Son Hospital.
Iswaran to remain in Singapore during CPIB investigation: Prime Minister’s Office
SINGAPORE: Transport Minister S Iswaran will remain in Singapore during his leave of absence amid an ongoing Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) probe, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said on Thursday (Jul 13). In a statement issued in response to CNA’s queries, the PMO said Mr Iswaran will also have “no access to anyContinue Reading
Why China will draw investors despite economic warning signs
China’s exports have suffered their sharpest year-on-year decline since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, fueling concerns over the growth trajectory of the world’s second-largest economy.
The weaker international demand, which has triggered the drop in exports, comes at a time when the economy is under pressure from a weak property sector and a disappointingly slow Covid rebound after controls were dropped at the start of the year. In addition, youth unemployment is at its highest level on record.
But despite these challenges, China remains an appealing destination for investors.
One of the most compelling reasons investors are attracted to China is its massive market potential.
With a population of more than 1.4 billion and a growing middle class, China offers a vast consumer base for businesses to tap into. Rising incomes and increasing urbanization have fueled demand for various products and services, providing ample opportunities for investors across sectors such as technology, health care, and consumer goods.
The People’s Republic also has a proven ability to navigate and adapt to economic challenges. Despite recent headwinds, including trade tensions and the pandemic, China has shown remarkable resilience.
The government’s proactive policies, such as stimulus measures and targeted reforms, have effectively supported economic growth and stabilized market conditions. This track record of adaptability instills confidence in investors, as they believe that China can effectively address and overcome future obstacles.
Tech advances
The country’s emphasis on research and development, coupled with significant investments in such emerging technologies as artificial intelligence, fifth-generation (5G) telecom, and biotechnology, has propelled China to the forefront of technological advancements.
Investors recognize the immense potential in these sectors and are eager to capitalize on the nation’s technological prowess, which offers unique opportunities for high returns.
Another major plus for investors is China’s commitment to infrastructure development, which is unparalleled. For example, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) demonstrates its ambition to connect economies and boost global trade.
This initiative has the potential to open up new markets, enhance logistics networks, and facilitate economic integration, making it an attractive prospect for investors.
Investors are also fully aware of China’s economic model, which is gradually shifting from export-driven growth to one fueled by domestic consumption. This transition presents investors with a new set of opportunities as the Chinese population becomes increasingly affluent and consumption-oriented.
Companies that cater to the evolving tastes and preferences of Chinese consumers stand to benefit immensely from this paradigm shift, prompting investors to focus on sectors such as e-commerce, entertainment, and luxury goods.
While Chinese policymakers have so far stopped short of large-scale stimulus, instead easing key interest rates last month to support growth, the government has previously shown a strong commitment to economic reforms aimed at improving the business environment and attracting foreign investment.
I’m confident that should the situation not show signs of steady improvement, officials will announce a stimulus package.
The media in recent weeks have been full of stories about China’s economic challenges. However, investors are likely to see beyond the short term and look for the long-term potential.
Nigel Green is the founder and CEO of deVere. Follow him on Twitter @nigeljgreen.
Thailand’s Pita fails in PM bid after losing parliament vote
BANGKOK: Thailand’s Pita Limjaroenrat failed on Thursday (Jul 13) in his initial bid to become Thailand’s next prime minister, after he was unable to secure the required endorsement of more than half of the bicameral parliament. Pita, leader of election winners Move Forward, was unopposed in the contest but couldContinue Reading
Thailand’s Pita defeated in bid to become PM but ‘won’t give up’
Voting started at about 4pm local time and lasted more than two hours. It took place after several hours of debate, which mainly centred on Move Forward’s policy to amend the royal defamation law.
Mr Pita explained that the amendment was to prevent the law from being used as a political tool.
Section 112 of the Thai Criminal Code, also known as the lese-majeste law, stipulates that whoever defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to fifteen years – the same penalty as for involuntary manslaughter.
Hundreds of political activists including children have been prosecuted with the law since 2020.
According to Mr Pita, his party does not plan to change its policy on the law.
“It remains the same, like what we’ve promised to the people,” he said after the parliamentary vote.
Since the selection of the prime minister was unsuccessful, the House of Representatives and the Senate will need to reconvene to vote again. The date is yet to be determined.
In an event where no prime ministerial candidate can be appointed for any reason, at least half of all parliament members – 375 – can request the National Assembly to start a process that could allow an “outsider prime minister’”.
4 Thais âduped into prostitutionâ in Myanmar
Women were promised jobs in Tachileik but then taken to town near Chinese border
Four Thai women in Myanmar have asked to be repatriated after saying they had been duped by an illegal job broker on TikTok to work as PR staff but were forced to work as prostitutes.
The story surfaced after a video posted on the NinJa Today Facebook fan page on Wednesday showed two Thai women asking for help to bring them back home.
“Help us, please. We want to come back home. We were dupped to work in Myanmar,” one of the women dsaid tearfully. “We have contacted every Thai government agency that we know of, but nobody helped us. They only told us to wait. Please help us.”
The video description stated that the woman was from Ubon Ratchathani and that she and three of her friends were promised work in Tachileik, a border town across from Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai, but instead they were sent to Mong Pauk to work as prostitutes in June.
Mong Pauk is a city in the independent Wa State, only 10 kilometres from the border with China. It is known for entertainment venues that target mainly Chinese visitors.
One of the women, a 35-year-old from Ubon Ratchathani who went by the name of Kay, said the recruiter promised good pay, free accommodation and food plus covering transport costs from Thailand to Tachileik.
The women applied for the job, received 10,000 baht to cover travel costs, and travelled to Mae Sai. Kay said one man brought them to Tachileik via a natural border crossing. They were transported for another six hours to another town, where they realised they had been duped.
After arriving at Mong Pauk, Kay and her friend had to work as prostitutes, or they would be beaten and starved, she said.
Fortunately, they could still use their mobile phones and call for help, she said.
They sent photos and videos to the Facebook page of CSI LA, which later contacted Baan Hia Charn, the Ubon Ratchathani-based shelter for vulnerable people, for help contacting the victims’ families.
Representatives of Baan Hia Charn also contacted the police chief of Ubon Ratchathani, Pol Col Khanongrit Dara, local politicians and the owner of the Ninja Today Facebook page for help.
CSI LA said 1.2 million baht needed to be raised to pay for the freedom of the four women.
Pol Col Khanongrit said he had filed a report about the four victims to his commander. The police can help them in Ubon Ratchathani after they return to Thailand, he said.
Government loosens income criteria for ComCare financial help
The revised per capita household income benchmark of S$800 and below will also apply to other ComCare schemes from Jul 17, said MSF.
These schemes are ComCare Interim Assistance, for those who require urgent and temporary financial relief, and ComCare Long-Term Assistance, which provides aid over a longer period of time to people who are permanently unable to work due to old age, illness or disability, and have little or no family support.
Elderly people whose children have per capita household income of S$800 and below may be eligible for ComCare Long-Term Assistance, said MSF.
REVISION OF COMCARE INCOME BENCHMARKS
The ComCare income benchmarks were last revised in 2014. The monthly household income benchmark was raised from $1,700 and below to S$1,900 and below, while the monthly per capita household income benchmark was raised from S$550 and below to S$650 and below.
MSF reviews ComCare income benchmarks every two to three years, taking into consideration official data on expenditure for basic living needs, projected inflation and views from social service professionals who work with lower-income households.
According to MSF’s latest ComCare annual report, about S$177 million was disbursed under ComCare programmes in the financial year of 2021. Around 34,000 households received ComCare SMTA, while 4,000 households received ComCare Long-Term Assistance in 2021.
Parliament starts PM vote
A joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate started voting on the prime ministerial candidacy of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat at about 4pm on Thursday.
The voting process followed a debate on the qualifications of Mr Pita, the sole candidate.
Parliamentarians mainly discussed controversies concerning the intention of the MFP to change Section 112, or the lese majeste law, and Mr Pita’s shareholding in iTV plc. The constitution bans any media organisation shareholder from running in a general election.
Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha adjourned the debate at 3.52pm. He praised parliamentarians for their cooperation in the session, which let the debate conclude one hour earlier than planned.
The session saw 676 out of 749 parliamentarians (one senator resigned on Wednesday) confirming their attendance for the vote, and they included 216 senators.
Mr Pita would require a majority vote of 375 out of 749 to secure the prime minister’s position.
Supporters of the Move Forward Party gather near the parliament on Thursday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Pita loses first PM vote
Move Forward leader gets support of only 13 senators, another round expected next Wednesday
Pita Limjaroenrat failed on Thursday in his initial bid to become the country’s next prime minister, after he was unable to secure the required endorsement of more than half of the members of parliament.
The final tally was 324 votes in favour, 182 against and 199 abstentions, among the 705 members participating. The Move Forward Party (MFP) leader needed 375 votes — a simple majority of the 749 combined House and Senate seats — to win the office.
Mr Pita received 311 votes in favour from MPs and 148 against, with 39 abstentions. He received just 13 votes in favour from senators, 34 against and 159 abstentions.
Earlier Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said second and third rounds of voting would take place on July 19 and 20. It is not yet clear whether the name of the Move Forward leader will be put forward again on one or both occasions.
“We accept the result, but we are not retreating,” Mr Pita told reporters shortly after the results were announced. “The result was not what we expected. We will work hard to gather support for the next vote. I will strategise again to make sure next time we get the votes needed.
“We will not change our policies, we must keep our promise to the people,” he added.
The voting at the joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate followed six hours of debate on the qualifications of Mr Pita, the sole candidate.
Parliamentarians mainly discussed controversies concerning the intention of the MFP to change Section 112, or the lese-majeste law, and Mr Pita’s shareholding in iTV Plc. The constitution bans any media organisation shareholder from running in a general election.
Mr Wan adjourned the debate at 3.52pm. He praised parliamentarians for their cooperation in the session, which allowed the debate to conclude one hour earlier than planned.
The session saw 705 out of 749 parliamentarians (one senator resigned on Wednesday) confirming their attendance for the vote. The number included 216 senators.
Supporters of the Move Forward Party gather near parliament in Bangkok’s Dusit district on Thursday. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Malaysia mulls new law to impose civil penalties against those playing up race, religion and royalty rhetorics
In issuing his final warning to all parties ahead of the upcoming state elections to not exploit issues touching on the 3R, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday said that the situation is currently monitored by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM). Meanwhile,Continue Reading