EXPERTS see a grim future if the latest charter draft is accepted as they say it will entirely block legal options for people to protect the country’s natural resources and communal rights.

The Thai Society of Environmental Journalists held a discussion on the issue, entitled “Who is the Person People can Count Upon, when Communal Rights in the Constitution are Gone?” One of the panellists said the people had to help each other because the charter draft does not have any legal instruments to help them.

Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, a lawyer who has been fighting many communal rights cases such as the ones concerning the Loei gold mine and Xayaburi Dam, pointed out that there were three key points in the draft charter that will leave citizens with no defence. “The first worrisome point in the draft is in Article 25, which states that people have rights and liberty under the constitution, provided these rights do not affect the stability of the state. So, what does national stability mean?” the lawyer asked.

“The government, nowadays, says everything such as building more coal-fired power plants is related to stability. So, if people use their legal rights to fight such projects, would they be violating the new charter because it affects the so-called state stability?”

She also cited Article 270, which allows all orders from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to be in effect and have an equal status as the Act. Hence, she said, controversial orders 3/2559 and 4/2559, which bypass the city planning law to allow the building of waste-management facilities and power plants, will end up being in effect even after this government steps down.

She added that the draft charter does not require the state to adhere to international laws that Thailand participates in, as stated in Article 82 of the 2007 Constitution, but instead it says that international organisations cannot interfere with the country’s internal administration.

“This means we will not be able to seek help from international agencies such as the UN to protect people’s rights,” she said. EnLaw Foundation manager Supaporn Malailoi pointed out that the state has already taken most legal instruments that protect natural resources and livelihood away from the hands of the people.

“The NCPO’s orders 3/2559 and 4/2559 have eliminated the city planning law, which was the first mechanism to ensure development that is fair. Then there was the exemption of environmental impact assessment for some industries such as waste-to-energy plants. So, the polluting waste-to-energy plants can literally be built anywhere with no legal restrictions,” Supaporn said.

Sor Rattanamanee said she wants the new charter draft to assure people’s rights at least at the same level as the 1997 and 2007 constitutions.

“I ask the people to object to this charter draft, because if it goes through, it will be very difficult to amend the law to secure people’s rights and it will also cause greater conflicts between the people and the state.”

Tension was high yesterday morning as more than 400 police officers, soldiers and Volunteer Defence Corps troops guarded the meeting at the Tambon Khao Luang Administrative Organisation and declared the area a restricted zone.

The Rak Ban Kerd activists group had gathered at the venue demanding to participate in the meeting.

However, Samai Pakme, chief of the administrative organisation, announced at 12pm that the meeting had been cancelled due to the absence of key members – and that the next meeting of the body would be held in May.

Ranong Gongsan, a member of the Rak Ban Kerd group, said that protesters were still worried that the licence extension would be discussed and approved at the next meeting.

“We are trying to protest gold-mine operations in the area, and object to the proposal to extend the forestland used for gold mining, which causes severe environmental and health impacts on the local people, but we have been told that we have no right to participate in making a decision on this issue,” Ranong said.

“We fear that the issue will be raised again, as they [the authorities] are clearly on the gold-mine’s side and they really want the mine to operate,” she added.

The issue of extending the permission for Thung Kham Co to use land in Khok Phulek National Forest had originally been postponed from a meeting last Thursday, which was also called off because of the protest.

Atmosphere at protest very tense

Ranong said the atmosphere at yesterday’s demonstration was very tense, because more than 400 police officers and soldiers had been deployed to guard the meeting venue and declared the area a restricted zone.

“I and around 100 of the locals had entered the Tambon Khao Luang Administrative Organisation office yesterday [Monday] to wait for the meeting, as we knew they would not allow us to come in today,” she explained.

“The officers also threatened that unless we left the meeting area, they would arrest us for violating the Public Gathering Act,” she said.

Lawyer Sor Rattanamanee Polkla from The Community Resource Centre commented that restricting the public from the meeting venue was unjust, as it was a public place that people were free to enter.

Paiboon said the DSI was still probing the case but clarity would come this month as officials only had the task of deciding on the charges and lawsuit procedure left to finish.

Previously, DSI had said it would proceed with an investigation of money laundering against Supachai along with the recipients of 878 cashier’s cheques without any apparent debts with the co-operative. Among them were Wat Phra Dhammakaya, which had received some Bt2 billion in donations and the money was transferred to bank accounts of the abbot and other monks at the temple.

 

They also pointed out the motive was to rob and kill her because the victim’s valuables including a gold ornament weighing around 450 grams and three diamond rings went missing from the house.

As police brought suspect Pipat Kanthima, 41, who had confessed to killing Suree Onsanit allegedly out of jealousy, to re-enact the crime yesterday, Suree’s mother Lomhuan and younger sister Supat Thanaboonpaisal were presented. They dismissed the alleged killer’s claim that Suree took his money as untrue and insisted that Suree was still on good terms with her ex-husband in another country hence he |continued to send money to support her and even bought her a house. The family also dismissed Pipat’s claim of having an intimate relationship with Suree and maintained that Pipat was only a suitor whose jealousy turned violent after she tried to distance herself from him, after he allegedly tried to rip her off.

During the 2nd Interpol Global Conference on Vehicle Crime, held from yesterday until tomorrow at Bangkok’s Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, 150 law enforcement representatives and those from related private and international organisations from 60 countries would exchange ideas and forge co-operation for future tasks.

RTP chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda presided over the opening along with Interpol Secretary-General’s Office deputy director Jose de Garcia. The first such meeting was held in France’s Lyon in November of 2014.

 

Adisak Limprungpatanakij, chief executive of Nation Broadcasting Corp, which operates Nation TV channel 22, said its collaboration with allies – from provincial and local administrative bodies, to bicycle clubs and the public – were key factors in the campaign’s success over the past two years.

“We aim to raise Thai citizens’ awareness of road safety and sharing among car drivers, bicycle riders, and pedestrians. It will help reduce road accidents, promote a healthy lifestyle among people, as well as reducing pollution and encouraging people |to visit places around Thailand,” he said.

This year’s campaign will again organise cycling activities in 22 provinces across Thailand. Among the organisations confirmed this year were Yala City Municipality, Phuket City Municipality, Surat Thani Provincial Administrative Organisation, Khon Kaen City Municipality, Chon Buri’s Pattaya City Municipality, and Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation.

At the campaign’s press conference on Monday at Bangkok’s Benchasiri Park, Morikazu Chokki, president and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors (Thailand) said: “Celebrating 55 years of business operation in Thailand, Mitsubishi Motors is happy to return happiness to Thai society. As the world’s leader in energy-saving engine technology, we’re glad to be the main sponsor for Nation Bike Thailand.”

Mitsubishi’s clients can easily join the Nation Bike Thailand 2016 in any province by registering via the “Fast Track” line. They would then get a car parking slot reserved for Mitsubishi’s clients at such an event, Morikazu said.

Aiming for a wide choice for consumers, Mitsubishi has new vehicle models that meet cycling clients’ many needs, such as the All New Mitsubishi Triton and the All New Mitsubishi Pajero Sport premium SUV, which come with a larger space for loading bicycles and accessories, he said.

Over the past two years, Nation Bike Thailand has boosted awareness in cycling and been attended by 40,000 participants nationwide.

Those wishing to join the activity can register via www. nationtv.tv/nationbike and get details at 02 338 3600 or click ‘like’ on http://www.facebook/nationbike for updates.

 

TWO UIGHUR bomb suspects in the deadly Erawan Shrine attack denied all charges against them at the Bangkok Military Court yesterday.

One of them, Bilal Mohammed, previously identified as Adem Karadag, also claimed that he had been subjected to torture and intimidation while being detained inside a military camp.

Bilal and the other suspect, Mieraili Yusufu, now insist that they are innocent.

They spoke to the court for the first time yesterday.

It has been reported that both men had confessed to their role in staging the bomb attack at the Erawan Shrine on August 17 last year. The explosion shocked the entire nation, killing 20 people and injuring more than 120 others.

Police have also linked the two suspects to another explosion, which took place near the Sathorn Pier the following day but caused no casualties.

Bilal was arrested soon after the fatal explosion took place. However, it was not until several weeks later that police identified Bilal as the man wearing a yellow shirt whom security-camera recordings showed placing a suspicious bag at the Erawan Shrine and leaving the site just minutes before the blast erupted.

Mieraili was nabbed near the Thai-Cambodian borders last September. He reportedly confessed to the crimes from the very beginning.

However, when he appeared at the courtroom yesterday, Mieraili said via an interpreter, “I am an innocent Muslim”.

The defendant also said he would like to find his own lawyer and asked the court to urgently proceed with the hearing so that he could prove his innocence.

Bilal’s lawyer, Choochat Kanphai, meanwhile insisted that his client had never made any confession.

“He entered Thailand on August 21 last year, several days after the blast took place,” Choochart said.

He added that Bilal had been tortured and threatened with deportation to China during the period from September 20 to 26.

Both Mieraili and Bilal said they were Uighur-ethnic Chinese nationals.

National Police Commissioner General Chakthip Chaijinda said he was not worried about Bilal’s decision to retract his alleged confession.

“We have confidence in the evidence we have gathered,” he said.

He also denied claims that Bilal was tortured during the interrogation process.

Plaintiffs presented 50 files of evidence and sought to prosecute the suspects on 10 charges related to the Bangkok bombings.

The court yesterday gave Mieraili 30 days to find a new lawyer. It will examine evidence related to the case on April 20-22.

Thai authorities have also issued arrest warrants for several other suspects in connection with the deadly blast. A foreign news agency has said two of these suspects have been arrested abroad and Thailand is in the process of requesting their extradition.

“For as long as conflict continues, it’s likely that no one will dare to submit his nomination as the Supreme Patriarch for Royal endorsement,” Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday.

“If you keep quarrelling, nothing can proceed in line with the prescribed process.”

On Monday, thousands of monks gathered at the grand Buddhist Park to express their support for Somdej Chuang, who is also referred to as Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangalacharn. Ahead of the rally, monks even clashed with soldiers, who Prawit said were simply assigned to ensure that monks entered the park through just one gate for security checks.

Pushing and shoving during the tussle underlined that the conflict is boiling over in the process of selecting the new Supreme Patriarch.

Somdej Chuang has served as acting Supreme Patriarch and the chair of the Sangha Supreme Council (SSC). Although the SSC has already nominated him as the country’s new top monk, he has faced serious challenges from several prominent Buddhist organisations and individuals.

Due to the strong opposition against Somdej Chuang, his nomination is still pending in the hands of the government.

The Buddhist Protection Centre of Thailand’s secretary general, Phra Medhi Dhammajahn, who led Monday’s rally, claims someone is trying to overthrow Thailand’s Sangha body and has submitted five demands to the government.

Prawit said he had already talked to the monk and told him the government would carefully study four of the demands, which include the appointment of Somdej Chuang as the new Supreme Patriarch.

By law, even though the SSC has the nominating right, it is the prime minister who decides whether to submit the nomination for Royal endorsement.

“The prime minister will have to look extensively into the issue and all its aspects,” Prawit said.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is now on an overseas trip to attend the US-Asean summit in the United States.

Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya yesterday said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) had found that a Mercedes Benz in the possession of Somdej Chuang was an illegal vehicle.

“The DSI will officially explain how the vehicle was illegal on February 18,” he said.

Asked whether Somdej Chuang would be held responsible for the allegedly illegal vehicle, Paiboon said authorities would need more time to investigate before coming to a conclusion.

Paiboon said the monk rally would not put pressure on the Justice Ministry.

“Monks and laymen are under the same laws,” he said.

The DSI is now looking into several cases related to Somdej Chuang. In addition to the luxury-car case, there are allegations that he abused his authority in favour of Phra Dhammachayo in a case involving defrocking. Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, has been caught in a storm of scandals, including allegations involving embezzlement.