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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023822

Thailand’s latest population census announced to make way for May 7 polls

SUNDAY, JANUARY 08, 2023

The Interior Ministry’s Bureau of Registration Administration announced the latest population census of Bangkok and 76 other provinces this week to pave the way for the drawing up of constituencies.

The bureau announced the population tally as of December 31, 2022, on January 5.

According to the census, Thailand has 66,090,475 nationals, with 65,106,481 holding Thai citizenship and the rest unregistered.

Bangkok is the most populated with 5.394 million residents.

The Election Commission (EC) has set May 7 as a tentative election day on condition that the House of Representatives completes its four-year term on March 22.

Earlier, secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said the EC had to wait for the latest population census to be announced before it can draw up constituencies for the election.

The drawing up of constituencies will be based on the number of Thai citizens divided by 400, which works out to about 162,766 people per MP.

Sawaeng said the drawing up of constituencies will be based on the following criteria:

• Provinces with fewer than 162,766 people will have one MP and the entire province will be considered one constituency.

• Provinces with more than 162,766 people will have one MP for every base number of 162,766 residents.

• Once House seats are allocated according to the above two criteria and they do not add up to 400, then provinces with the highest number of people beyond the base number of 162,766 will get one MP for every batch until the 400 number is achieved.

• All constituencies should have an almost equal number of citizens.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023756

Politician seeks budget to repair potholed Bangkok road near Bang Sue Grand Station

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

A concrete road damaged during the construction of a Bangkok expressway has been lying in a state of disrepair for almost 10 years, an MP-aspirant politician said on Thursday.

Sanyakorn Singhaweratham, from the Chart Pattana Kla Party, said that he found the road, which leads to the Chotiwat community in Bangkok’s Bang Sue district, full of potholes for a distance of over a kilometre. Sanyakorn visited the area on Thursday.

The road is located beneath the Prajim Ratthaya Expressway.

The young politician, who has offered himself as the party’s Bangkok MP candidate at the next general election, said that community residents told him the concrete road used to be in good condition before the construction of the expressway passing over the area. During the construction, the road was used by heavy trucks, which caused severe damage to its surface.

He quoted local residents as saying the potholes had caused several road accidents and made it difficult to transport patients to the hospital.

“This road is located just a few kilometres from the Bang Sue Grand Station, but its condition is as bad as ones in rural areas,” Sanyakorn said.

He quipped that if just a third of the 33-million-baht budget set aside to acquire a new name post for the station were allocated for repair work, the community would get a new road.

“I appeal to the authorities involved to spend the budget carefully and take care of the nearby areas,” the politician said.

The State Railway of Thailand has come under fire for its plan to spend 33.1 million baht for replacing the massive letters that form the name of the station, which is now officially called Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023757

Caffeine rush caused minister to change Bang Sue Station’s name, MP alleges

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

A single caffeine rush may have cost taxpayers 33 million baht.

That was the theory Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan gave for the decision to change the name of Bang Sue Station.

He told the House of Representatives on Thursday that Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob was drinking coffee when it suddenly occurred to him to rename the rail station.

Jirat made the comment while demanding that Saksayam explain why the 33 million baht contract for redesigning the station’s logo and installing new signage was awarded to Unique Engineering and Construction Plc without a tender.

Sajsatam said the contract was awarded to the company quickly because it built the station and the period for the company to guarantee the quality of its work has not yet expired.

Saksayam said modifications to Bang Sue Station carried out during the guarantee period in the contract with Unique Engineering and Construction went to the company. As a result, when the signage and logo had to be redesigned, the project was awarded to the contractor, he explained.

Jirat noted that the public was wondering whether it really costs 33 million baht to redesign a logo and change signage from “Bang Sue Grand Station” to “Krung Thep Apiwat Central Terminal”.

The amount is being paid by the State Railway of Thailand to Unique.

Jirat said the public had doubts about the transparency of the procurement process. Unique was awarded the project without having to compete in a bidding process, he noted.

The State Railway of Thailand signed a contract with the construction company that includes the installation of two new SRT logos as well as a three-metre high sign above its entrance with 48 Thai and 62 English letters.

Jirat said that after the alleged caffeine rush inspired the minister to change the station’s name, he ordered the State Railway of Thailand to rush the project through.

The Cabinet Secretariat was then asked to seek a new name from His Majesty the King and the project was awarded to Unique Engineering and Construction two weeks later.

Saksayam said he had set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the project and would have more details within 15 days.

Saksayam said he would have to wait for the committee’s report before determining whether the price was too high.

Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission announced it had started an inquiry into the Unique contract.

Commission secretary-general Niwat Kasemmongkok said the anti-graft body was gathering information.

It wants to find out whether the procurement process violated the law and what criteria were used for hiring the contractor, Niwat said.

State Railway of Thailand’s labour union earlier said the cost was too high and called on the Transport Ministry to investigate.

On Wednesday, the State Railway of Thailand defended the contract, saying the price was based on the median set by a committee.

It said the contract was awarded by what it referred to as the “specific” method of bidding because it had to be implemented urgently. Still, the process adhered strictly to the Comptroller General’s Department’s procurement regulations, the agency said.

The cost also included the removal of the old signage, the agency explained.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023737

Prayut to be unveiled as Ruam Thai Sang Chart PM candidate on Monday

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha PM will be unveiled as PM candidate for the Ruam Thai Sang Chart (RTSC) Party on Monday, the party said on Wednesday.

Current MPs from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, which nominated Prayut as PM in the 2019 election, will also resign to join the RTSC, it added.

Prayut will debut as an RTSC member at an event held at 5pm in the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where his government successfully organised the Apec Summit in November, the party said.

Several MPs who plan to join RTSC will attend the event to congratulate and support Prayut, it added.

The prime minister will lead RTSC’s election campaign during his free time and at weekends.

The party said it will gradually unveil MP candidates during the campaign. It said MPs from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, especially those in the South, will resign from their positions and join RTSC on February 7.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023726

Pheu Thai to ‘unmask’ PM, cleanse ‘contamination’ late this month

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

Ruling coalition and opposition whips agreed in principle on Wednesday to hold a general debate late this month during which the opposition plans to attack the administration Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai said.

The House’s legal officials affirmed that the opposition motion calling for the debate is legal, so he will put the debate on the House’s agenda soon, Chuan said.

On December 28, the opposition submitted a motion seeking to hold a general debate in Parliament on Prayut’s government, with Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew saying the opposition plans to “unmask” him ahead of the next election and cleanse the country of the “contamination” he has caused.

The opposition cited Section 152 of the Constitution as the basis for its motion, which was submitted to Chuan by Cholnan.

Section 152 says: “Members of the House of Representatives comprising not less than one-10th of the total number of the existing members of the House of Representatives have the right to submit a motion for a general debate to inquire about facts or recommend issues without a resolution to be passed.”

Chuan said on Wednesday that Deputy House Speaker Suchart Tancharoen would hold another meeting with whips from both sides to find out how many days each wanted for the debate in order to agree upon its date.

Normally, such a debate would last two or three days, Chuan said.

Chuan also asked coalition and opposition whips whether another bill, the life partnership bill, should be moved up for deliberation in parallel with the cannabis and hemp bill.

The whips replied that the cannabis and hemp bill would not take many more days, as deliberations are now on its later sections so his proposal was dropped.

Chuan said he would not call special House meetings on Fridays for fear that not enough MPs would show up to reach quorum.

Chuan added that the House and Senate would hold joint meetings on January 10 and 11 to deliberate two education bills and a charter amendment bill sponsored by the Pheu Thai Party.

Related story:

Opposition leader vows to cleanse Thailand of ‘contamination’ as rhetoric turns extreme ahead of next election

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023725

House lives up to its nickname, marijuana bill delayed further

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

The House of Representatives started the year by doing what it acquired a reputation for doing last year – failing to summons enough MPs to reach quorum.

As a result, the second reading of the marijuana and hemp bill was delayed again on Wednesday.

The chairman of the meeting, Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu, on Wednesday repeatedly rang the bell for MPs to return to the meeting room to no avail.

Supachai waited for about 40 minutes for the House to achieve quorum, but the number of MPs failed to reach the required 212. As a result, he adjourned the meeting to deliberate Section 11 of the bill.

At the end of last year, Parliament-beat reporters gave the House the nickname “Sam Wan Nee See Wan Lom” – “Absent Every Three Days, Collapse Every Four” – due to its repeated failure to convene meetings. Either there were too few MPs to reach quorum or opposition MPs walked out in protest.

Earlier on Wednesday, the House almost failed to meet a quorum for deliberations on a separate section of the marijuana and hemp bill. Supachai waited for about 15 minutes before 218 MPs were present for the vote on Section 7 of the bill.

The meeting was scheduled to continue for a vote on Section 11 of the bill but too few MPs remained at the meeting.

Related story:

No parliamentarian qualifies for press corps’ ‘Rising Star’, ‘Best Member of the Year’ epithets

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023659

Thailand needs credit-score system as millions blacklisted for loans: Korn

MONDAY, JANUARY 02, 2023

Chart Pattankla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij on Monday urged banks to stop using the National Credit Bureau blacklist when considering loan approvals.

Korn instead proposed a “credit score” system that takes into account loan applicants’ incomes and daily spending.

The former finance minister said new loan criteria are needed because millions of Thais had been blacklisted by the bureau for being unable to make debt repayments amid the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

Although financial institutions claimed the blacklist was not a major factor in their loan decisions, in reality almost all blacklisted debtors were unable to borrow from legal lenders, he added.

Korn said the credit bureau has begun collecting credit-score data but financial institutions still prefer the blacklist when considering loan requests.

Korn explained that the credit score measures repayment ability and is partly derived from debt-payment records. It also includes data on paying other bills, such as mobile phone, Internet, water and power bills.

The credit score system should also include data on debtors’ incomes and expenses, Korn added. For example, a Grab Food rider who works 10 hours per day every day should receive a higher credit score to reflect his/her diligence in seeking income.

He said the major obstacle to creating a comprehensive credit score system is that most relevant data are in the hands of state enterprises and private companies.

As such, the next government should grant access to these data sets to allow the credit bureau to create a more effective credit score system.

Korn said his credit score idea has captured the attention of financial companies as a fairer system for customers to access loans.

He said his Chart Pattanakla Party would propose the credit score system as a core policy in its election campaign.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023646

Prayut loses his cool minutes after Supreme Patriarch urges him to calm down

SUNDAY, JANUARY 01, 2023

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, who frequently loses his cool in public, received a blessing from the Supreme Patriarch on New Year’s Day along with some advice.

“Take it easy,” Thailand’s top monk told the PM.

The advice was given when Prayut visited the Supreme Patriarch at Wat Ratchabophit Sathitmahasimaram Ratchaworawihan to present a New Year’s offering.

After leaving the temple, Prayut told reporters that the Supreme Patriarch discussed Buddhism with him and gave him a few tips.

Prayut said he was advised to keep calm and pull himself together.

The advice did not have an immediate effect.

Prayut became visibly irritated when reporters persistently asked him to explain what the Supreme Patriarch meant when he advised the premier to remain calm.

“The Supreme Patriarch didn’t say I’m hot-headed,” Prayut said. “That’s not what he meant.”

He then explained: “I have to deal with a lot of issues, so the Supreme Patriarch told me to pull myself together and avoid becoming irritated. I replied to the Supreme Patriarch that I’ve been trying.”

Prayut continued: “I’m not a person who gets angry out of the blue.”

He frequently loses his cool in public, especially when reporters ask him to comment on controversial issues.

His opponents and critics often ridicule his irate responses, saying they are merely a smoke screen for his inability to answer questions from reporters or MPs in Parliament.

Prayut scowled when a reporter asked him whether he had set a high goal for the New Year. Instead of answering the question, Prayut turned to wave to people inside the temple’s compound.

When pressed about whether he had any special concerns for this year, Prayut sounded irritated and then quizzed the reporter.

“And you? Do you have any concerns? Are you concerned when you ask me this kind of question? If you have concerns, please help me solve the issues. If not, don’t help me,” he said.

When asked what kind of New Year present he wanted, the prime minister replied that he wanted to see the country remain peaceful and to continue its progress towards sustainable prosperity.

Prayut also posted a New Year wish on Facebook.

He wrote that 2022 was a year of victory for Thailand because Thais united to overcome two crises: Covid-19 and geopolitical conflict.

He said that due to the unity of Thai people and their ability to cooperate, Thailand took leading roles internationally on four issues:

– Thailand opened the headquarters for the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases

– Thailand became a role model for implementing the Bio-Circular-Green economic model

– Thailand became a destination for tourists from around the world as well as leading MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) destination

– Thailand became a destination for investment in future industries, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

Prayut said in the post that he hoped to see Thais remain united to continue to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Thais should also continue to be good hosts to tourists and investors from around the world, he said.

The prime minister said his government would continue to develop the country by further developing basic infrastructure, transport and telecom infrastructure, and 5G. The government will also continue to promote Thailand as an international hub for the manufacturing of electric vehicles and their parts, Prayut said.

He concluded by wishing that all those who travelled to their hometowns for the New Year break return to Bangkok safe and sound.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023635

Chuan worries about ‘political businesses’ buying their way into Parliament

SUNDAY, JANUARY 01, 2023

Parliament President Chuan Leekpai said on Sunday that he was concerned about politicians buying votes during the upcoming general elections.

In a special interview with Parliament-beat reporters, Chuan stopped short of using the term “vote-buying” but said he expected election candidates to employ practices that he labelled “political business” or investments that can be recouped later.

Citing a recent opinion survey, Chuan, who also doubles as House speaker, said people want the next government to tackle corruption. However, he said, if the next government “bought” its way into power, then people’s wish would not be fulfilled.

“If politicians come into power through political businesses, it will lead to moves to reap unlawful gains either directly or indirectly,” he said.

“If election candidates spend money, where will they get the money from? When someone spends money, there must be someone who pays. Who is rich enough to spend such large amounts? So, we must join hands to get a good government by electing good candidates.”

The former PM said if voters want a government that has integrity, then they must elect honest candidates.

“Since the government is formed with a majority of House seats, people who realise the problem [of vote buying] should not have a hand in it,” he said.

“The upcoming election will use two ballots for constituency-based MPs and party-list MPs. So, if you don’t vote for cheating parties and cheating candidates, we will get qualified people in the government,” he added.

Chuan, who was also former Democrat Party leader, admitted that it will be difficult for election officials to prevent cheating, adding that though the Election Commission has claimed that the upcoming poll will be clean and fair, the reality is very different.

He added that it is very possible that election officials will fail to track down masterminds behind the vote-buying, adding that some officials were dishonest themselves.

“It’s usually difficult to prevent [vote-buying] because wrongdoers have ways of avoiding detection,” he said.

Chuan went on to say that Thailand’s parliamentary system and democracy have been growing for the past 90 years and getting stronger as people are gaining more confidence in the system.

“Yet political businessmen have sneaked in, so no matter how good the laws are if the enforcers are corrupt, the enforcement of law will be flawed,” Chuan said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023618

Election Commission seeking 5 billion baht to hold the next general election

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2022

Thailand’s Election Commission is seeking about 5 billion baht to hold the upcoming general election in 2023, its chairman Ittiporn Boonprakong said on Saturday.

He said the agency has made its request to the Budget Bureau.

It cost 4.2 billion baht to hold the last general election in March 2019.

Next year’s election will cost more because the number of constituencies has risen from 350 to 400, and voters will receive two ballots instead of one, Ittiporn explained.

Moreover, the number of election officials required for each voting station will rise from five to nine, he added.

The commission has tentatively scheduled the next general election for May 7. The date may change if the House of Representatives is dissolved before its four-year term ends on March 23.

Ittiporn said preparations for the election were already underway.

Provincial election directors from all over the country had attended meetings to discuss their implementation plans, he said.

“There were two such [nationwide] meetings, one from August 17-19 and the other from November 30 to December 2. We are also in the process of preparing equipment and personnel,” Ittiporn said.

The EC is currently focused on issuing regulations to comply with the newly amended electoral and political party laws, including the establishment of political party branches and the selection of provincial party representatives.