The five best entries will be displayed at Bangkok Art & Culture Centre in March. Follow the Embassy’s Facebook page for more information http://www.facebook.com/EmbassyofSwedeninBangkok

1st prize: Bt10,000 gift voucher from IKEA

2nd prize: Bt5,000 gift voucher from IKEA

3rd-5th prize: Special prize from the Embassy

Deadline for submission is 28 February 2017.

The aim of the competition is to show the effect of gender equality in parenting on both individuals and society.

 But in a bid to prevent future allegations against NLA members about the issue, Pornpetch said he would tighten procedures to ensure that members did not leave work without a valid reason.

The issue surfaced following complaints against seven NLA members, including the Prime Minister’s brother – the former Defence permanent secretary general Preecha Chan-o-cha, who were criticised for missing too many NLA meetings, and affecting deliberation on laws. The NLA will look into requests for leave submitted by the seven members, NLA Vice President Peerasak Projit said.

Peerasak said he had been assigned to look into allegations against the seven, so he would wrap the initial probe by Friday. If they have taken more leave than the maximum allowed, their NLA membership would be nullified immediately. The seven members’ work ethic would also be reviewed, Peerasak said.

The guidelines would fix flaws in the procurement process, such as blurred terms of reference (ToR) for employers fix bidding requirements and cut unnecessary costs paid to middlemen, according to Ampon Kittiampon, director of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit.

The guidelines would also include “moral agreements” in ToRs, setting up an ant-graft subcommittee to scrutinise construction prices and improving the online government procurement (e-GP) system, Ampon said.

Previous procurement results recorded in the e-GP would be held by the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD) to update median prices of durable goods. The e-GP, meanwhile, would also publicise the names and details of bid winners and report summaries of procurements by each department.

Other suggestions that may be included in the guidelines are a reconsideration of graft-related laws and the registration and evaluation of bidding constructors. Infrastructure projects worth more than Bt5 billion and any other projects worth more than Bt1 billion should be considered international bids, authorities said.

If the procurement bill’s organic laws cannot be finished by the main law’s enactment, Prayut would exercise his absolute power by the interim charter’s Article 44, he added.

The guidelines and suggestions will be researched before being proposed to the Cabinet by this month.

Meanwhile, CGD director-general Sutthirat Rattnachot said 35 projects had been approved under moral agreements together with measures to increase project transparency, lessen government spending and increase public participation. Since 2015, the measures have helped the authority save about Bt69.67 million, he said.

Meanwhile, media organisations maintained their opposition to the proposed media regulatory bill and demanded self-regulation for the industry.

While insisting that the panel should consist of 13 members, the committee laid out yesterday three initial options in response to media opposition against the previous composition of the council, which calls for four permanent secretaries to sit on it. One option involves cutting the number of permanent secretaries from four to two. The two other vacancies would be reserved instead for a media representative and an expert.

The second option is to reduce the permanent secretary seats to two and increase the number of media representatives from five to seven.

The last option the committee set out yesterday is to maintain all four permanent secretaries but write a provision clause that they would leave once the junta government stepped down. The vacancies would be filled by representatives from other sectors when the elected government takes office.

ACM Kanit Suwannet, head of the media reform committee, said at the press conference yesterday that the committee would discuss the three options today before deciding the final composition of the media professional council.

The controversial council is part of the media regulatory bill that aims to reform the media and boost the industry’s professional ethics. Media organisations nationwide have opposed both the bill and the council, saying they are mechanisms for media control by the state.

Kanit said the three options showed the committee’s sincerity and its desire not to interfere in the media.

He said representatives from the state were needed in the council because the private and public sectors must work together. It would be inappropriate for either if them to go it alone, the media reformer said.

“This is like cooking. Various ingredients are needed in order to cook tasty food,” Kanit said.

His deputy, Pol Maj-General Pisit Pao-in, said the committee would reduce the number of state representatives in the council as suggested by many people so it would be acceptable to all.

Thepchai Yong, president of the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, said media organisations agreed that the law authorising bodies to promote the media would open ways for state interference in the industry – a practice equating to limiting people’s right to information.

The media is insistent on self-regulation, he said.

Self-regulation mechanisms have constantly been improved to ensure efficiency and they also allow the public to scrutinise the media through media organisations, in addition to 30 laws that contain mechanisms to regulate the media, he said.

Media nationwide will soon assemble to oppose the media regulatory bill, which they claim is against the referendum-endorsed constitution, he added.

Prawit said that with a stable democracy, hopefully there would be no severe division between people with conflicting views. “We are trying to reach reconciliation through discussions with all elements including political parties, academics and civil societies,” he said.

“The road map won’t be changed for Thailand to be democratically stable in future. We are also working on reconciliation with all sectors so the country will be fractured no more,” Prawit said.

The road map, announced by the junta shortly after the 2014 coup, has been altered due to various circumstances, from the scrapping of the first charter draft to the coming Royal Funeral of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, expected to be held later this year.

In the latest update, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that the election should not be held soon as political campaigns could disrupt the calm public atmosphere prior to the funeral.

Prawit, who oversees the governmental committee on building reconciliation, said that attempts were being made at “government and military” levels to issue a so-called “agreement of truth”.

“There is no need to sign the agreement, but we will see who will understand the points. For example, a protest after the establishment of the future government could breach our conclusions,” he said.

The conclusions, once heard from all invited sectors, should also be announced on TV for public acknowledgement, he added.

Prawit also warned red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan not to threaten him with demonstrations if the deputy PM’s reconciliation preparation committee failed to deliver a positive result in the next three months.

He was responding to earlier remarks from the chairman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, who told Prawit that the ongoing reconciliation effort should result in progress by April or his red-shirt group would “make some changes”.

Jatuporn made the comment while opening a seminar forum staged parallel to the government’s reconciliation effort despite a junta ban on political gatherings.

“Don’t threaten me with protests. That should be enough,” Prawit said.

“I have opened doors to all levels of discussions. He may hold a seminar if he wants, but he’d better talk to me. If he breaks any law, I may need to prosecute him accordingly.”

The Pheu Thai Party said it would certainly send its representatives to attend a government-hosted discussion on national reconciliation today.

Surapong Tovichakchaikul, a key Pheu Thai figure, said groups involved in the effort had to sacrifice demands as it was impossible for everyone to get everything they wanted.

Ban Muang’s closure changed that perception.

But the shock waves are rippling beyond the media and affecting the whole of Thai society, as news consumption tilts away from print and the mass media towards social media platforms.

Globally, media-consumer behaviour has been changing for some time. Newspapers are increasingly being seen as lumbering beasts given over to heavyweight political, economic and cultural issues. Most consumers now like their news in “lite” form, on Facebook, Twitter and the likes. Here they can also follow their favourite celebrities, only pausing to check mass-media platforms when they want to find out more about a particular subject. Others find television is their most convenient source of news, though once again the detail of newspaper reports is missing.

Leading the trend away from mass media are young consumers – the Internet generation whose source of news is almost exclusively the social media.

According to a Pew Research survey released last May, a majority of US adults – 62 per cent – get their news on social media, compared to 49 pre cent in 2012. Only one third of Facebook users get news from websites and apps.

The situation is Thailand is similar. In a survey by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce last July, 800 respondents in Bangkok placed social media platforms top, with 4.13 points out of five. TV came second with at 3.81 and websites third (3.15). The respondents said they first read news shared by their close friends, ranking this source at 3.53 points. Official news outlets were the second most popular means, scoring 3.33.

A change in news consumption behaviour has led to a change in Thais’ perception of what is happening in society.

Personal observation of my own friends and acquaintances reveals that they tend to consume news shared by like-minded peers. They stick to their beliefs and shut the doors on different opinions, as if those expressing them were from another planet rather than people living in the same society.

Another shocking development concerns their “sharing” behaviour. They share posts they believe will draw others’ attention, regardless of whether they are factual. Often we see photos on social media platforms illustrating news stories, but then discovered to be “fakes” from old reports. The most recent case was a picture of twisted rail track in the South, accompanying a story on the effects of serious flooding. As it turned out the track in question was fine. Now imagine the consequences of sharing something that could actually hurt other people.

Such behaviour is especially damaging at a time when Thai society is so divided. Politico recently revealed that a fake-news website had been designed to seek donations from Donald Trump’s supporters. The latest example of fake news was the story last week that Trump had met Russian President Vladimir Putin before the US election. Inevitably, that “report” was shared by many, most of whom failed to recognise it was part of a promotional campaign for the new movie “A Cure for Wellness”. The phenomenon could be replicated easily in Thailand, especially when army generals leave the stage of power to civilians.

Journalism is the activity of gathering, assessing and presenting news and information. Journalists pride themselves on assessing and verifying the events through facts, ideas and quotes and making them available to society. While it’s true that some journalists commit professional suicide by failing to uphold those principles, the news media – and particularly newspapers – rightly remain the most trusted sources among many.

However, that may not last forever. As the trend towards the social media is compounded by stringent new media laws in Thailand, more newspapers will fall. And the social sphere will shrink accordingly.

LEADERS of Dhammakaya Temple continued to call on supporters to press the junta to revoke its order sealing off the compound in Pathum Thani as a protracted stand-off dragged on after a conflict between monks and police early yesterday.

Nearly 4,000 police were stationed around the temple with a 10-metre buffer zone between them and praying monks and disciples. More negotiations were pending as of press time.

National police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda said he was confident that the situation at the temple would be resolved by this weekend.

But Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam dismissed a rumour that the junta would revoke its order sealing off the temple compound.

The Supreme Sangha Council also became involved in the matter with senior monks discussing solutions for the conflict at an undisclosed location.

Representatives of the Sangha Council and Justice Ministry were also onsite to observe events after instructions from Phra Phrommunee, the Supreme Patriarch’s secretary.

Chakthip said temple supporters were allegedly using social media to get people to come to the compound, which made them fear that a third party would take the opportunity to cause chaos at the site. So, police had boosted forces in the area to 3,900 officers.

He said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) would take legal action for any online incitement.

Chakthip said officers had been told not to use weapons or violence or they would face a disciplinary probe. He said they were there to perform their duty in line with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s order under Article 44 of the Interim Constitution.

Chakthip said police would attempt negotiations first. But he also warned people against gathering with more than four people, saying the police would take action against anyone violating the ban.

When asked about a monk’s claim that Phra Dhammachayo had left the temple on Thursday, Chakthip said police had intelligence that the former abbot, who is wanted on charges of money laundering and land encroachment, was still in Thailand.

The commotion at the temple occurred at 8.20am yesterday when 500 monks, reportedly wanting officers to leave so more laymen followers could join those inside the compound, were seen advancing aggressively towards lines of police and DSI officials. The latter were blocking a small road that leads to gates 5 and 6.

A 58-year-old woman caught in the middle of the throng was rushed to hospital after she fell and was stepped on. Three officers were also slightly wounded.

Both sides then agreed to the 10-metre buffer zone and to stop using megaphones, DSI deputy chief Pol Lt-Colonel Suriya Singhakamon said.

DSI chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang also dismissed a rumour that officers would raid the temple to seize assets or disrobe monks.

He said authorities wanted the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) and Pathum Thani monastic officials to check “Bai Sutthi” monastic identity cards of monks at the temple, so only those registered as living at the temple could remain.

He said 564 monks would be allowed to attend Pali exams at Wat Khien Khet from today until Thursday, contrary to online rumours.

The temple’s top 14 monks, including Phra Dhammachayo, acting abbot Phra Dattajivo and temple spokesman Phra Sanitwong Wutthiwangso, failed to report to the DSI by 6pm on Sunday in line with a junta order, Paisit said.

Phra Sanitwong claimed the monks had not received the order, while Paisit said officers had presented it to them but they refused to accept it so it was left at the temple entrance.

Paisit said officers would not cut power or water supplies to the temple yet, although they would consider doing so if supporters used violence against officers. He said that police had also filed charges of blocking traffic against disciples who parked cars in the middle of roads to the temple early yesterday.

NOB director Phanom Sornsilp said his agency had asked monastic provincial chiefs to warn monks not to come to the temple, which currently hosts 1,200 monks, because such action could violate the junta’s orders.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said Prayut was closely following the handling of the “sensitive case”, adding that the law must be enforced seriously to resolve the problems to prevent an “example of a group untouchable by law”, which would be unacceptable.

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan denied any intention to bully anyone, saying officers could be punished under Article 157 of the Criminal Code, regarding negligence of duty, if they failed to search the temple.

He also instructed Justice Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvadhana to talk with temple supporters about the operation, which would involve unarmed officers searching the compound.

Despite the commotion yesterday, Suwaphan said authorities had done a good job keeping control of the situation. He admitted that officials could not inspect the entire temple thoroughly because the compound was so huge.

“We have done our best and tried to avoid violence, otherwise the situation could get beyond our control,” he said.

Suwaphan said the DSI would report the outcome to the government.

Although Dhammachayo remained elusive, he said, the government would seek cooperation from the Sangha Council, senior monks and Dhammakaya supporters to solve the problem in the interests of peace and order.

See more photos: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/photo/view/114

Chiang Rai resident Chatree Sae-hur, 24, was arrested in possession of 5.88 million “yaba” pills and 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine known as “ice” on Highway No 1048 in Lampang’s Thoen district last Friday, but his accomplices escaped, said Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB)’s drugs interception centre commander |Pol Maj-General Tanai Apichatsanee.

The arrest stemmed from a tip-off that a group of Thai Hmong men would transport drugs from Chiang Rai into Central Thailand in a caravan of three pick-up trucks.

After the suspects refused to pull over, police chased the trucks, which separated. Eventually police seized the yaba pills being carried in a Ford pick-up and the ice in an Isuzu truck, but both drivers escaped into woods on foot.

Chatree, the driver of a Chevrolet truck that led the caravan, was arrested.

In another case, Natthapong Thongsuk, 21, Thiwakorn Panchandee, 23, and an unidentified 17-year-old male accomplice were arrested in possession of 279,760 yaba pills, 16.55kg of ice and 3.2kg of ketamine last Thursday in Bangkok. Police also seized three motorcycles.

Natthapong and the underage suspect were arrested in Chom Thong while Thiwakorn was apprehended in Rat Burana district.

The three allegedly worked for a drug-trafficking network led by a woman identified only as “Jeh Muey” that distributed drugs in Bangkok’s Thon Buri district and nearby provinces, according to NSB commander Pol Maj-General Wutthipong Phetchkamnerd.

In a third case, Metropolitan Police Area 8 commander Pol Maj-General Samrit Tongtao said police arrested Pramote Maibuakhieo, 25, Somchai Thongpradit, 52, and Saranya Moungchan, 23, in possession of 80kg of ice and 7.2kg of heroin at a house in Bangkok’s Klong Sam Wa district last Saturday.

The bust followed a previous arrest that uncovered the drug dealers’ modus operandi of receiving drugs from a bus driver from the North, storing the drugs at the house pending orders, and forwarding the contraband via similar delivery channels to distributors in the South.

ACADEMICS HAVE said the decision to revisit and improve the environmental study on the Krabi coal-fired power plant is only a short-term solution and urged the government to pursue long-term options to satisfy the demand for power in the South.

Meanwhile, the government has emphasised that the country needs a new coal-fired power plant, while the decision to revisit the Environment and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) study does not mean the cancellation of the project.

The government on Sunday reached an agreement with power-plant protesters and pledged to revisit the public-participation process in the EHIA study, ending demonstrations in Bangkok and prolonged protests over the past two years.

A former lecturer at Faculty of Science Silpakorn University and member of a tripartite committee on the issue, Renu Vejaratpimol, said that the promise amounted to progress, but in the long term authorities should consider other possibilities for power generation or the problem would not really be solved.

“I think that as the EHIA of the Krabi coal-fired power plant will be reset and restarted from the beginning, with the close inspection from a neutral joint committee, this coal-fired power plant project will not pass consideration. The location of the plant is wrong and … there will be too much of an impact on people and the environment,” Renu said.

“So, the government should consider other options for power development, because coal is not a good answer. Moreover, the tripartite panel has agreed that Krabi has potential to produce power from renewable |energy of up to 1,700 megawatts.”

She added that the government should give renewable energies a chance to provide power stability in the South.

Nevertheless, Renu said the government order to revisit the EHIA study was a good decision, as the previous EHIA report and public hearings on the project were incomplete and did not allow affected people to raise their concerns.

“The new EHIA study and public hearing should be closely monitored and regulated by a neutral joint committee, including all stakeholders, to make sure that all points of concern will be properly explored and everyone will have a chance to express themselves,” she said.

“It is very important to study the EHIA and conduct the public hearing properly according to the law, as the intention of the law is to protect and mitigate the impacts to people and the environment.”

Prasitchai Nu-nuan, leader of the Save Andaman from Coal Network, wrote on his Facebook page that the group had made an agreement with the government that the existing EHIA report would be revoked and a new report conducted under the surveillance of the neutral joint committee.

Prasitchai also said the new EHIA report would take about three to five years to complete and it was very likely that specialists would not approve the final report because the technology does not exist to entirely eliminate pollution from a coal-fired power plant.

Government Spokesperson Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the order to revisit and improve the EHIA study would give a fresh start to the opposition.

“We have reached the conclusion that the southern region needs more power and there is a need to build a new power plant in the South. So we will start the public participation process for the project again,” Sansern said.

He also asked that the people should not confuse the words “set zero”, used by the opposition group, and “improve”, used by the authorities, as the implementation would remain the same.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said the initial plan for project would still go ahead. The government delayed the project to ensure that public participation in the project was transparent, he added.

“Right now we have a problem that many people do not understand the energy issue and the environmental impact assessment of the previous EHIA report of the Krabi coal-fired power plant,” Prawit said.

“The prime minister renewed the EHIA process of the project to let people understand, but we do not abandon this project, because if we do not build this coal-fired power plant, we will face power shortages in the future.”

The batch is worth Bt23 billion and due to open in 2020.

Firstly, the route will be extended to the North from Mo Chit to Kukot via Saphan Mai and then will be extended South from Bearing to Samut Prakan.

Total budget is Bt84.52 billion.

The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, instructed The Krungthep Thanakom Co Ltd, a state enterprise under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, to conduct the process of finding an operator for the two extended routes, said BMA Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang.

The operator will not bear the cost until the BMA is able to pay back the company, starting from 2029, he said.

Previously, the Bangkok Metropolitan Council decided to not approve BMA’s proposal asking for a budget for asset transfer of the Green Line’s extensions from Mass Rapid Transit Authority.