Chartthaipattana plans major rally
Chartthaipattana Party will hold a major election rally at Samyan Mitrtown on Saturday, saying the party is well-positioned to accommodate young people who want to see radical changes and older voters who wish to maintain the status quo.
The party’s stance is somewhere between the left’s aim to revamp the country’s system of government and the conservatives’ desire to cling to established practices, said Santi Kiranand, a deputy party leader.
“We can embrace changes while still preserving the older things that are good. We actually can change for the better without eliminating things,” he said.
He said Chartthaipattana believes the views of young and old alike could be blended to carve a new direction for development, enabling the country to meet the needs of more citizens.
At the rally, the party will introduce its team of candidates from a variety of ages who will work side-by-side to lead the country into a new brighter era, said Mr Santi.
Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa helps clear up in Suphan Buri’s Muang district after an election debate on Tuesday. (Photo: Chartthaipattana Party)
Health-focused
Meanwhile, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has pledged to promote telemedicine to better serve patients in remote areas and enhance senior care.
Narumon Pinyosinwat, who is directing the party’s election campaign in Bangkok, said PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon is keen on improving access to medical care, especially for the elderly.
She said the party will widen coverage of the telemedicine programme, which was introduced in 2019, now that the technology has advanced.
According to the PPRP’s policy, the programme will address concerns about long wait times, high travel costs and insufficient access to healthcare in rural communities.
Ms Narumon, who yesterday helped PPRP candidate Bonnada Supiyapan campaign in Bangkok’s Constituency 32, also said the party would support community-based tourism in the constituency.
PM on parade
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha joined the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party’s campaign parade at Surat Thani’s Phunphin district on Wednesday.
Gen Prayut, as the UTN’s chief strategist and No 1 prime ministerial candidate, hopped on the parade to help the party’s local members campaign.
Expressing his gratitude to the locals who visited the parade, Gen Prayut promised to unite the country and make everything better if the party wins the election.
He said the party will bring peace to the country, adding that he does not have any conflict with anyone. “As the party’s name suggests, we are contesting the election with the hope of prioritising peace in the most selfless way possible.
“We will fight together for the sake of our country,” said Gen Prayut.
He also urged the locals to vote on May 14, saying that every vote for the party would help with the country’s progress.
EC petitioned over WhatsApp chat
Pheu Thai: We’re not behind screenshots
Political activist Srisuwan Janya lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday after Senator Somchai Swangkarn posted screenshots of a WhatsApp chat believed to involve fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Screenshots posted on Mr Somchai’s Facebook page on Tuesday showed an alleged conversation in which someone seeks advice from the former PM about a plan for the Pheu Thai Party to win the May 14 election. Even though the user’s name appeared to be Thaksin Shinawatra, many people believe the chat is made up.
However, Mr Srisuwan said the chat was evidence of a violation of the amended Election Act for constituency and party-list MPs. He said only the EC can investigate and prove the chat illegal.
“This is my eighth time reporting suspicious acts from this person, but my requests were dismissed by the EC,” Mr Srisuwan said. “I have emphasised that it was all connected. There is a mastermind behind the party.”
Phumtham Wechayachai, deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, said on Wednesday he had seen screenshots of the WhatsApp chat, and it had nothing to do with his party. “Whoever is involved, let justice be done,” he said.
Meanwhile, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, one of Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidates, on Wednesday insisted a recent tweet by her father, Thaksin, will not affect the party’s campaign or its popularity.
Thaksin on Monday wrote on social media that with his seventh and youngest grandchild being born, he would be back soon because, at the age of 73, he wants to be able to care for his grandchildren.
Ms Paetongtarn made her remarks after giving a statement about her newborn son, Prutthasin “Thasin” Sooksawas, at Praram 9 Hospital.
“I admit it’s difficult to distinguish these things as Thaksin founded the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party. Thaksin’s only wish is to return home to raise his grandson, and he never said he wanted to become the prime minister again,” said Ms Paetongtarn on Wednesday.
She urged people to understand how it would feel to be someone who has lived abroad in self-exile for 17 years.
“I’m happy that my father [Thaksin] said something like that — to have hope of returning home, and staying healthy so he can see his grandson,” said Ms Paetongtarn.
“Although every speech has an effect on politics, our family doesn’t look at it that way. I have not talked to my father about when he will return, as he has his own plans. We’ve only talked about his grandson.”
Asked when she would continue canvassing, Ms Paetongtarn said she plans to be on Pheu Thai’s campaign stage at Muang Thong Thani’s Impact Arena on May 12.
Teera gets 8 years over GT200 fiasco
Former Yala governor Teera Mintrasak has been sentenced to eight years in prison for malfeasance in the purchase of bogus GT200 bomb detectors in 2007-2009.
He was found guilty and sentenced on Tuesday by the Region 9 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Teera was one of 12 defendants in the case. The 11 others, all former provincial officials, were given prison terms ranging from nine months to four years and nine months.
The cases were all filed with the court in 2021. Prosecutors charged the 12 defendants with malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code for their roles in the purchases of the non-functional detectors under two contracts.
The court found them guilty as charged and sentenced Teera, the 1st defendant, to eight years, the 2nd-4th defendants to four years, the 5th defendant to nine months, the 6th-7th defendants to four years and nine months and the 8th-12th defendants to four years in jail without suspension.
The court also ordered them to pay compensation for the damages incurred. The matter is not yet final. The defendants can each appeal the ruling, said Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, deputy spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney-General.
The case against the Yala officials was one of many involving state agencies’ procurements of GT200 bomb detectors during 2007-2009.
In September 2018, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) wrapped up its investigations into the 16 cases and forwarded reports and recommendations to prosecutors.
According to the DSI, the distributors of the bomb detectors persuaded several government agencies to buy them. The department found evidence of fraud and deception in these cases.
The damaged parties included the Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), Royal Thai Army Ordnance Department, Customs Department, Provincial Administration Department, Royal Thai Aide-De-Camp Department, Provincial Police of Sing Buri and Chai Nat, Songkhla Provincial Administration, Royal Thai Navy Security Centre and five provincial administrations — Phitsanulok, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Yala and Sukhothai.
Court rulings have already been made in some of these cases.
On March 10 this year, the National Anti-Corruption Commission passed a resolution to file a lawsuit against forensic expert and CIFS director at the time Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan and other CFIS officials in connection with the case.
Suspicions about the devices arose when tests by the National Science and Technology Development Agency found they did not contain any electronic components.
24-hour booze ban for advance vote
Alcohol sales will be banned nationwide from 6pm on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday for advance voting for the general election.
People who registered for early voting for the May 14 polls can cast their ballots this Sunday, May 7.
The 24-hour ban, provided for in the election law, was announced yesterday by national police chief Pol Lt Gen Nitithorn Jintakanon.
He said the Election Commission (EC) had prohibited the sale and distribution of alcohol, including alcohol at parties, from 6pm on Saturday until 6pm on Sunday. Violators face a maximum penalty of six months in prison and/or a fine of 10,000 baht.
Pol Lt Gen Nitithorn said the public could report people breaking the law via police hotlines 191 and 1599 or at police stations. Districts were installing security cameras and motion sensors to guard ballot boxes in all of the capital’s 33 constituencies.
Their Majesties in UK for Charles’ coronation
Their Majesties the King and Queen will pay a royal visit to the United Kingdom from today until Sunday, at the invitation of His Majesty King Charles III.
They will attend the coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, in London’s Westminster Abbey, the Bureau of the Royal Household announced.
During the visit, Their Majesties will attend a reception hosted by King Charles for invited heads of state and overseas representatives at Buckingham Palace tomorrow, and attend the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Saturday.
The visit by Their Majesties takes place at the same time as the annual Coronation Day observance in Thailand. The Cabinet Secretariat announced earlier that the Samosorn Sannibat Ceremony, or grand state reception, would go ahead today to celebrate Coronation Day.
Navy backs B50m drones
The navy on Wednesday defended a training drone procurement worth almost 50 million baht after critics raised questions about the project’s transparency.
Navy spokesman Adm Pokkhrong Monthatpalin said the project was above board as he explained the reasoning behind the Naval Ordnance Department’s 49.8-million-baht procurement of Phoenix Jet Unmanned Aerial Targets from Air Affairs Australia.
Critics questioned why the 2020 deal had not gone ahead already and suggested the purchase had been pushed back to keep the price below the 50-million-baht threshold for higher-level authorisation.
Adm Pokkhrong said the navy had a limited budget, so the department opted to modify the existing units under the terms of the contract for replacements to be provided later.
He said the drone procurement was carried out in line with Defence Ministry regulations, so its authorisation was made by the navy chief, not the department chief.
Adm Pokkhrong insisted the department’s committee had vetted the firm that won the contract and found it was an appropriate choice.
The contract, which was signed on March 10, 2020, was revised twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first revision was made on Nov 26, 2020, to enable online training and the second on Dec 30, 2020, to reschedule delivery.
According to Adm Pokkhrong, another change was done to allow the final payment of 2.485 million baht to be made without a “setting to work” phase.
He said the department had asked the naval attaché in Canberra to proceed with a factory acceptance test due to the virus pandemic, and online training was carried out during April 19-30 this year.
He also said Air Affairs Australia was acquired by Qinetic of the United Kingdom late last year, so the “setting to work” phase, which was previously inked in as the final step in the project, is no longer possible.
Drones over the Kremlin: Maybe yes, maybe no
According to the Russian media, namely Tass, RT and Sputnik News, two drones attacked President Vladimir Putin’s living quarters in the Kremlin. He wasn’t home the evening of May 3rd, so the attack, if one was actually launched, could not achieve its aim, namely killing Putin.
As things now stand, the Kremlin has produced a couple of videos —one of them showing what looks like a drone that explodes perhaps 50 feet above the ground. That video also, oddly, shows two individuals – some have said they are soldiers – ascending one of the buildings, which has a dome-like structure which is identified as the Senate Palace Dome. They are climbing up as the drone comes down.
If the video is authentic, we don’t know what they were doing there in the middle of the night.
Were they carrying a MANPADS, a shoulder-fired anti-aircraft rocket, to the top to intercept incoming drones? There is no video evidence that they are carrying anything.
Could they have been spotters, told to get a clear view of the sky around the Kremlin? That is possible, if there was early warning of the attack. In any case, they were late to the party. And, since the video ends after the explosion, we don’t know what happened to these guys.
Moscow, by now, has one of the most elaborate aircraft and missile defense systems in the world, perhaps rivaling Israel’s layered air defenses. It would not be surprising if the Russians have copied what the Israelis are doing but with significantly different equipment. An integrated air defense network should have been able to intercept any drone attack well before it closed in on the Kremlin enclave.
There is a story, floating around the blogosphere, that the attack on the Kremlin was some kind of inside job, in which a team of Ukrainian mercenaries launched the drones very close to the Kremlin walls. In this case, the elaborate air defenses around the city of Moscow would have been effectively circumvented, and early detection of a drone attack would not have been possible.
The Russians say that the drones were (finally) stopped by electronic means. This suggests that not only were the drones’ electronics jammed but that, at least in the case of the one that exploded, the Russians were able to cause the drone’s payload to explode. Is it possible? The answer is affirmative since the Russians not only have jammers, but they have very powerful jammers, perhaps strong enough to trigger a drone’s explosive package.
Reports from Russia also say that the drones that were destroyed fell to the ground in thousands of pieces. In other words, conveniently perhaps, there is no hard evidence proving the attack took place.
The Ukrainian government has denied any involvement in a drone attack on the Kremlin aimed at Putin. Conveniently, Zelensky is in Finland on a state visit. Wisely, or maybe prudently, he has postponed his return to Ukraine. One presumes he doesn’t want to be around when the bombs fall on his underground bunker.
But another way of looking at Zelensky’s decision to extend his visit to Finland is he wanted to allow time for a special operation against Putin to play out. If it was successful, he could return home a hero. If it failed, he could find other things to do.
US officials, similarly, said that if there was a drone attack Washington did not receive advance warning from Ukraine. This is a convenient way of avoiding responsibility, at least until there is contrary evidence. But Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Russian claim that there was an attack should be taken with “a very large shaker of salt.”
The Russians say they will respond to the Kremlin attack at a time and place of their own choosing. That announcement actually adds a scintilla of credibility to Russia’s claims the attack happened. If the Russians could track down the team that launched the drones, that would really be something – but don’t hold your breath.
Stephen Bryen is a senior fellow at the Center for Security Policy and at the Yorktown Institute. This article was originally published on the author’s Weapons and Strategy Substack. It is republished here with permission. Follow Stephen Bryen on Twitter at @stevebryen
Huawei AI targets industry upgrades, not chatbots
The founder and CEO of Huawei Technologies has been putting out the word that the company will focus on the industrial use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in coming years, instead of following in the footsteps of Baidu and Alibaba and investing heavily in chatbots.
A detailed sample of his thinking came February 24 when Ren Zhengfei addressed students in a forum at the Shanghai Jiaotong University’s Advanced Industrial Technology Research Institute.
In the future, he said, 98% of AI applications from the giant Shenzhen-based telecommunication equipment maker will serve industrial and agricultural needs while only 2% will serve consumers directly. Because of this, Huawei will not put a great deal of effort into the development of ChapGPT-like applications, he said.
On the same occasion, Ren said the company will set up a cloud-based system-simulation laboratory in Russia’s Saint Petersburg and connect it with its cloud hub in Guizhou. He said Chinese academics will be provided free computing resources to do their experiments.
In an opening speech, Ren commented on the US sanctions. Asia Times provides the following partial translation:
When I was young, I admired the West very much because Western science and technology were so advanced. After founding Huawei, I remained pro-Western. At that time, we put forward a slogan: “Use the best parts and tools in the world to build the best products in the world.” And we achieved it.
But, then, we were sanctioned. People could not sell us parts and tools. We were stuck, as the best components in the world mostly come from the US.
In fact, I still don’t oppose the US. If we want to become the most advanced, we must learn from the advanced.
The soft power of the US in science and education will remain beyond our reach for decades. Over the past centuries, the innovative soil of the US has not degraded.
Fortunately, we’ve spent nearly 20 years to make preparations in basic theory and invested hundreds of billions of renminbi to train a group of scientists and technical experts.
In the past three years, we have replaced more than 13,000 foreign parts with Chinese ones and redeveloped more than 4,000 integrated circuit boards. Now the manufacturing of our integrated circuit boards has been stabilized.
In April, we will launch MetaERP [an enterprise resource planning software product], which is built with our own operating system, database, compiler and language. [The system was launched on April 20.]
We have been gradually overcoming the embarrassing supply interruption.
In the past, we used to partner with Western universities for our research projects. We have started partnering with more Chinese universities.
Ren also answered some questions from the floor.
Q (Student): What’s your view about the development of AI chatbots?
A (Ren Zhengfei): In the future, the direct contribution of AI platforms to human society may be less than 2% while 98% will serve the industrial and agricultural society. And AI services also rely on 5G technology.
The reason why Germany is so supportive of Huawei’s 5G is because it wants to upgrade its industry with AI.
In China, a plant of Xiangtan Iron and Steel Group has unmanned processes from steelmaking to rolling. Tianjin Port has also achieved unmanned loading and unloading of goods. With 5G+ AI technology, a coal mine in Shanxi province reduced the number of its underground workers by 60-70%. Most staff are now wearing suits in the control room.
We will pay attention to the AI applications that serve the industrial and agricultural society. But we will only develop the underlying computing platform, not the applications.
Q: The use of commercial databases in experiments may have privacy issues. What’s your view?
A: We have a project that targets management of tens of millions of servers with a single operating system. I’ve allowed the project’s team members, mostly young people, to brainstorm and explore. They have now made a system that can manage hundreds of thousands of servers.
Our algorithms aim at reducing the frictions of high data traffic. We only provide a “black soil” underlying platform and do not develop apps for customers, who owe the data and have the ability to understand it.
In the future, we will start some projects unrelated to Huawei’s businesses, just like what Google is doing. But right now, we do not have the money. When we have more profit, we will contribute more to scientific research.
Q: A lot of mathematicians have recently joined Huawei. What’s the company’s plan?
A: In the future, mathematics will become increasingly important. AI is all about algorithms, which are mathematics.
We will set up a [high data traffic] system simulation laboratory in Saint Petersburg, which has a lot of excellent mathematicians and physicists.
The lab will be like a “digital wind tunnel” where we can have systems modeling, analysis, simulation, testing and optimization to accelerate our research and development.
We will also set up a mirror laboratory in our cloud data center in Gui’an.
You (Chinese academics) can do experiments here across different topics, such as wireless, network, computing, digital energy, supply, manufacturing and materials.
When doing large-scale model experiments, you can simulate the scene, instead of using an actual scene of a customer (a commercial company). You can come and do your experiments, take away your achievements and publish them in your papers and books.
You don’t need to acknowledge our staff as they have already been paid. We will read and digest your papers and try to commercialize your scientific achievements.
Read: Huawei seeks ‘China solution’ for global green ports
Follow Jeff Pao on Twitter at @jeffpao3
Canada’s spy agency withheld information about China’s threats to lawmaker: PM Trudeau
OTTAWA: Canada’s spy agency withheld information about Chinese threats against a Canadian lawmaker and his family in 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Wednesday (May 3), adding that he had told the agency that in the future such threats must be revealed immediately. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) hadContinue Reading
US Senate to launch renewed effort to counter China
WASHINGTON: US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday (May 3) he would launch a new effort to address competition with China, planning a new package of legislation to boost the United States’ ability to compete with the Asian powerhouse. After passing a Bill last year to boost competitionContinue Reading