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Govt’s first priority is economic recovery, not charter change, says energy minister

PoliticsOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

In a discussion on Thursday about the ongoing anti-government protests, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said this was not the right time for rallies, because the Thai economy has only just started pulling out of the downturn brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak.

He said the International Monetary Fund has only just revised its growth forecast for Thailand from a drop of 7.7 per cent to 7.1 per cent this year.

Meanwhile, the central bank’s debt extension starting to move in a favourable direction with some 94 per cent of the debtors restructuring their debts or negotiating new repayment terms.

He said that though the new generation is prioritising charter amendments and democracy, they should understand that the country’s priority now is economic recovery and people’s safety.

“For them, amendments to the Constitution take precedence, but for us, we are looking for an economic recovery plan, preventing a second wave of Covid-19 infections and maintaining political stability. We all have the duty to maintain stability so we can safely pull out of this crisis,” he said.

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Police hunt for yellow shirts who hurt Ramkhamhaeng University protesters

PoliticsOct 22. 2020

By THE NATION

Huamark Police Station has launched a manhunt for the yellow-shirt royalists who injured student protesters at Ramkhamhaeng University’s Huamark campus on Wednesday.

A group of royalists had a skirmish with student protesters rallying at the university, and some students were injured when some members of the yellow-shirt group threw a big speaker at them.

The clash was quickly defused by officers at the scene.

Police have said that so far they have not been able to identify the offenders, and will summon the injured persons to point out the attackers.

Members of the Ramkhamhaeng Network for Democracy group were scheduled to file a complaint with Huamark Police Station on Thursday afternoon.

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Human rights activist says PM’s response to protesters is insincere

PoliticsOct 22. 2020

By THE NATION

In a Facebook post on Thursday, human rights activist Angkhana Neelaphaijit said the solution Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha proposed on Wednesday evening was insincere and two-faced, because the government always says one thing and does another.

In a televised address, Prayut urged protesters to step back from a “path that would lead to the country’s downfall” and promised to lift the “severe” state of emergency in the capital if nothing serious takes place.

“The arrest of protest leader Passarawalee Thanakijwibulpol of the Mahanakorn for Democracy Group on Wednesday night raises questions about the operation of undercover police,” said the former member of the National Human Rights Commission.

“The authorities should have issued a summons instead of arresting a woman in the middle of the night without presenting any official ID. This is in clear violation of International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a signatory.

“The police spokesperson also spread false information when she announced on Wednesday that the suspension of BTS services was a cooperation between BTS and the Royal Thai Police. Later, BTS announced that they were ordered by the National Police chief to suspend train services during the protests,” Angkhana said.

“Police also have yet to explain what chemical was mixed in the water that they sprayed on protesters at Pathumwan intersection on October 16.

“If the government genuinely wants to step back from the brink, they need to revoke the state of emergency immediately and release all protest leaders that have been arrested, while PM must admit that he made a mistake in handling the situation,” said Angkhana.

Angkhana also cited UN Special Rapporteur in Freedom of Association Clement Voule, who has called on the government to refrain from using force against peaceful protesters, because “peaceful protest is not a crime but a democratic means for people to express their grievances and demands”.

Prayut announced that the state of emergency was being lifted as of noon on Thursday.

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Royalist groups to swear loyalty to Monarchy in nationwide gatherings

PoliticsOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

Many royalist groups nationwide said they would hold gatherings to swear loyalty to the Monarchy.

The schedule is as follows:

October 22

Ratchaburi: Sanamya Market in Mueang district at 3.09pm.

Pattani: Culture yard in Mueang district at 3pm.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya: King U-Thong Monument at 4pm.

October 23

Trang: Governor’s House at 5.30pm.

Nakhon Pathom: Chalerm Prakiat Hall in Nakhon Chai Si district at 9.30am.

Saraburi: Old City Hall at 5pm.

Songkhla: Saba Yoi District Office at 1pm, Hat Yai district office at 5pm, and Hat Yai park at 6.09pm.

Chaiyaphum: Chao Pho Phraya Lae Monument at 5pm.

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Sichon District Office at 9.30am.

Chanthaburi: City Hall at 5pm.

Phang Nga: Old City Hall at 5pm.

Phichit: Old City Hall in Mueang District at 5.30pm.

Chiang Mai: Three Kings Monument at 4pm.

Chumphon: Mueang District Office at 5pm.

October 24

Surat Thani: Naris Bridge in Mueang district at 3pm.

October 25

Rayong: Rayong City Hall at 6pm.

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Pavilion in Khu Khwang-Tha Wang Khet 3 Community at 5pm.

Yala: Suan Khwan Mueang in Yala City Municipality at 5pm.

October 27

Bangkok: King Rama VI Monument in Lumpini Park at 5pm.

October 31

Bangkok: King Ramkhamhaeng Square in Ramkhamhaeng University’s Huamark campus at 4pm.

Critics claim many of the royalists have been recruited by state officials, while some pictures and a clip on social media have shown “yellow-shirt” activists making the three-finger salute, demonstrating their support for the youth-led democracy movement.