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The head of Khao Kho National Park has been ordered transferred to an inactive post, and an inquiry launched after several resorts were found encroaching on a forest reserve in Phetchabun province.

On Thursday, a snap inspection was conducted, led by the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) and Khao Kho National Park chief Prasan Iadsang.

It focused on Pha Hua Sing (lion head cliff), which is part of the park.

They found two resorts illegally occupying park territory. The first one was Phu Thap Boek Suansawan, situated about 200 metres from the edge of Pha Hua Sing on a 69-rai (110,400-square-metre) plot of land. The second resort, known as Good View-Hot View Suansawan Phu Thap Boek, was approximately 100 metres from the cliff’s edge and included a 100-metre-long stretch of land being used for camping.

Documentation for both sites was seized, and charges were laid for violating forestry laws, including the unauthorised destruction of natural resources.

Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said yesterday that the issue is not being taken lightly, and the head of the national park was ordered transferred from the area to an inactive post and will be subjected to a thorough investigation by a committee.

Demolition of the illegal resorts has been authorised, Mr Atthaphon added.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of the Progressive Movement and key supporter of the Move Forward Party (MFP), has been questioned if he has made a political deal with Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

Assoc Prof Somchai Preechasinlapakun, who is a Chiang Mai University law scholar, said that Mr Thanathorn owes other MFP supporters a clear answer whether he had recently negotiated a deal with Thaksin in Hong Kong.

“[Mr Thanathorn] remains tight-lipped about this very question, and this will only shatter confidence in the MFP’s political direction,” said Assoc Prof Somchai, who stated he voted for MFP in the May 14 general election.

“As a citizen of Thailand, I expect to see a straightforward political development, not another political game being played through secret negotiations,” he said.

According to a Pheu Thai source, a political deal involving the forming of a new government was reached in Hong Kong between Mr Thanathorn and Thaksin, who has vowed to return to Thailand on Aug 10 after living in self-imposed exile for almost two decades.

Assoc Prof Somchai said if Mr Thanathorn didn’t go to Hong Kong, he needs to dismiss the rumour; but if he did go and was involved in negotiations, he must explain why.

Responding to media reports about the alleged Hong Kong deal, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MFP list-MP, tweeted that he didn’t pay much attention to whether or not it was true.

“Even if I end up feeling like a fool when I realise I have been deceived and lost everything, my honesty and integrity will still be here with me. And I can still walk with my chin up and face anyone as usual,” he said on Twitter.

“And even if this mission is doomed to fail because of betrayal, that will still be better than making it fail now due to distrust within the team.”

Rangsiman Rome, another key list-MP for the MFP, declined to comment on the rumour, saying he wasn’t in a position to comment as Mr Thanathorn doesn’t hold a formal position in the MFP.

Attachak Satayanuruk, a history scholar at Chiang Mai University, said he thinks Thaksin’s announced return to Thailand is part of a deal between him, Pheu Thai and a side that the scholar described as the ruling class.

These sides are in a deal due to their mutual fears that the MFP’s reformist movement could threaten their political security, said Mr Attachak.

As a part of the deal, Thaksin will look for ways to divide the supporters of Pheu Thai and MFP as much as possible so as to stall the MFP’s reformist movement, said Mr Attachak.

Prosperity predicted in birthday speech

His Majesty the King has urged all Thais to use their wisdom and judgement and set their mind on doing what is right not only for their own good but also the benefit of others in a speech marking his 71st birthday.

His Majesty the King grants a grand audience, or ‘Maha Samakhom’, to members of the royal family, senior government officials and dignitaries as they gather to wish him a happy birthday at the Amarindra Vinijaya Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace yesterday. Bureau of the Royal Household

In remarks delivered to his well-wishers at a grand audience, or Maha Samakhom, at the Amarindra Vinijaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, the King said working to bring about national prosperity is the most important task and will require good and smart governance as well as support from the entire nation.

“I wish that those of you who hold key positions in the main institutions and the people, through wisdom and judgement, set their mind on carrying out tasks that are good and right for themselves and the others. The results of these actions will lead to the prosperity of the nation and peace and happiness of the people,” he said.

His Majesty also expressed his appreciation and thanks for the birthday wishes conveyed to him by representatives of the royal family members and senior officials led by the parliament president, prime minister and the Supreme Court president.

In honour of the King’s birthday, the combined armed forces yesterday fired a 21-gun salute each while yellow-clad well-wishers gathered at designated places across the country to pay respect and wish the monarch a happy birthday.

Meanwhile, the grand reception, or Samosorn Sannibat, gala will be held today at Government House in honour of the King’s birthday, said deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek yesterday.

His Majesty has granted the government permission to host the night event, and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana will also attend the event, which starts at 7pm and will be broadcast live on television, she said.

About 1,888 pairs of guests have been invited, and they include political office holders, senior state officials and foreign diplomats, she said.

According to Ms Rachada, the government has put the final touches on the grand reception and appreciates the cooperation it received from both the state and private sectors, including the Fine Arts Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

She added that the reception will also feature a special khon Thai classical masked dance by performers from the Bunditpatanasilp Institute of Fine Arts and live orchestra music by Mahidol University’s College of Music.

The Pheu Thai Party will hold a meeting with its partners next week to discuss the future of the eight-party coalition and notify other parties outside the bloc and opposing senators about the outcome of the discussions.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday said his party will coordinate with its seven allies to set a date and time for the meeting ahead of a vote in parliament scheduled for Friday.

Mr Phumtham said other parties outside the coalition, including Bhumjaithai, Chartthaipattana, the pro-military Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation, and senators Pheu Thai spoke to this week strongly opposed any move to amend Section 112. They would not support Pheu Thai if the Move Forward Party could potentially be in a ruling government coalition, he said.

“We will ask the [coalition] meeting what to do next,” Mr Phumtham said. “How will other coalition parties, particularly the MFP, help find a way [to form a government]? We want the MFP to make a decision on this issue.”

Pheu Thai is likely to nominate its own candidate after MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat lost in his second attempt to become PM on July 19. The second attempt for a vote failed because a majority of MPs and senators said the renomination of Mr Pita was the same motion which failed in the first vote, which was not allowed by Article 41 of the House regulations.

Parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has announced a second vote for the next PM will take place this Friday. However, it may be held back, depending on whether the Constitutional Court accepts a petition challenging the renomination rejection of Mr Pita on Thursday.

If the court does not accept the petition, parliament will hold a vote for the prime minister the following day. If it does accept, a parliamentary vote will not take place until the court issues its ruling, possibly a week later.

Thida Thavornseth, a political activist and former chair of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), whose supporters are known as the “red shirts,” posted on Facebook to warn Pheu Thai against setting up a new government with the PPRP and UTN.

She said the red-shirt group was established after the coup in 2006 to fight against dictatorships. Red shirts stand firmly on the side of democracy, and while Pheu Thai is a democratic party, the activists also support the MFP’s democratic policies, she said.

If Pheu Thai chooses to switch sides and have the PPRP and UTN as coalition partners, the UDD will say goodbye to Pheu Thai and turn its disappointment into action, she warned.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about rallies organised by Move Forward Party (MFP) supporters protesting against the Senate, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says.

Gen Prayut expressed concern about the rallies out of fear they could drag the country back into conflict between different political groups, Mr Thanakorn said yesterday.

Mr Thanakorn, deputy leader of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, said he would like the MFP to remind its supporters to abide by the law.

Supporters of the election-winning MFP are unhappy with most junta-appointed senators who did not vote for the party’s prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat.

Mr Thanakorn reiterated the UTN would not vote for any prime ministerial candidate from any party as long as the MFP is a coalition partner, mainly because of the MFP’s stance on amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.

When asked whether Pheu Thai had approached the UTN to form a government, Mr Thanakorn said he was unaware as the party leader and secretary-general handle such matters.

The UTN deputy leader expressed confidence his party and Pheu Thai could work together because now is the time for all sides to join hands to help the country move forward.

“I don’t see any problem for the two parties to work together as long as we adhere mainly to the country’s interests,” he said.

Mr Thanakorn said a new prime minister would be selected soon after further negotiations.

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd (Aerothai), the provider of air traffic control services, is gearing up for the implementation of a metroplex air traffic control plan to accommodate growing air traffic and improve efficiency and safety.

Aerothai president Nopasit Chakpitak said the plan has been drawn up in line with the Transport Ministry’s policy and forecasts regarding growth in the aviation industry.

The first phase involves restructuring the routes and airspace management of three major airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-tapao, he said.

The metroplex air traffic plan, Mr Nopasit said, will not only improve efficiency and safety in air navigation but it will also reduce fuel consumption.

He said the restructuring of routes and airspace management at the three airports will yield benefits to the country’s aviation industry, which is one of key drivers of the economy.

Mr Nopasit said the agency is also upgrading air navigation services and putting its focus on human resources development to make sure it is ready for the implementation of the air traffic plan.

Aerothai also plans to restructure routes and develop airspace management to enhance air traffic management at three international airports in the southern region, namely, Phuket airport, Krabi airport and a new one to be opened in the lower part of the region.

Chiang Mai airport and Lampang airport in the North are among the areas where Aerothai also plans to implement the metroplex air traffic plan, he said.

The Department of Corrections (DoC) has given its assurance that the safety of the ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is its priority when he is imprisoned after his return to Thailand, as announced, on Aug 10.

Ayuth: Denies ACs for VIP inmates

DoC director-general Ayuth Sintoppant made the remark yesterday in response to a comment by caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and acting Justice Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Thursday that upon Thaksin’s return, he will go to court to receive an imprisonment order for his three cases, resulting in a combined jail term of 10 years.

Mr Ayuth said the department will ensure the safety of Thaksin and will isolate him from other inmates.

Mr Ayuth said there are a huge number of inmates in prison, so the DoC is concerned about Thaksin’s safety if he stays with other inmates.

The DoC is also considering posting officials, especially for him or a private cell, to prevent possible harm, he said.

The DoC has not yet officially announced the name of the prison in which Thaksin will serve his time.

Thaksin, at the age of 74, is considered a member of the “608” vulnerable group. The 60 figure indicates an age of seniors while eight means people with seven underlying conditions such as diabetes, cancers and cardiovascular diseases, plus another group of pregnant women.

Mr Ayuth said before being imprisoned, Thaksin will be quarantined for Covid-19 observation for 10 days, and there are special quarantine rooms for elderly inmates.

In prison, he will be treated as an elderly inmate, he said, adding the DoC has programmes and activities for the elderly such as reading books or teaching.

He said the DoC will also prepare a visiting facility as it expects many visitors, including his family, his supporters and representatives of local and international organisations. The DoC has not yet decided if a visit is possible on his first day in prison, he said.

Mr Ayuth also denied a rumour that there are air-conditioned rooms for VIP inmates. He said cells do not have air-conditioning, only electric fans.