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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023561

Sang Anakot Thai and Thai Sang Thai announce electoral alliance

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

Two new parties led by veteran politicians on Thursday announced their alliance in a bid to return to the political arena in the next general election.

The Sang Anakot Thai Party and Thai Sang Thai Party held a joint press conference at 10am on Thursday to announce the alliance.

On Wednesday, the two parties had told reporters that they would hold discussions on Thursday, leading to speculation that the two parties would announce a merger.

The Thai Sang Thai was formed Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a former core member of the Pheu Thai Party, while the Sang Anakot Thai was set up by Uttama Saowanayon and Sontirat Sontijirawong, two founders of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).

Uttama, now the leader of Sang Anakot Thai, and Sontirat, party secretary-general, had left the PPRP after they were sidelined by the faction that is loyal to PPRP leader General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Speaking at the press conference on Thursday, Sudarat said she used to work in politics with Somkid Jatusripitak, chief strategist of Sang Anakot Thai, for several years in the former Thai Rak Thai governments.

Sudarat said both she and Somkid had long political experience and both agreed that if Thailand was left with the current problems, it would be hard for the new generations.

She said her party had decided to become an ally of the Sang Anakot Thai to find solutions for the country.

She said the two allies will exchange ideas to find solutions so that the country would be able to move forward.

Speaking at the same press conference, Somkid said he has been working in politics for almost 20 years and he has never seen “the worst situation” like what was happening now.

“Political parties are fighting for candidates openly at a magnitude that has never happened. MPs resigned and switched parties every day. The government, meanwhile, cannot tackle the people’s economic hardship,” Somkid said.

“In my eyes, Khunying Sudarat is a democratic fighter. I regard her as my younger sister, who is very strong. She works hard and is a good mum and wife who devotes herself for the country,” Somkid said.

Somkid declined to talk about the possibility of him being nominated as a prime minister candidate but said he would regard it as god’s gift if he does become the prime minister one day.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023540

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Opposition leaders on Wednesday asked for a general debate in Parliament on the government of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, with one saying they plan to “unmask” him ahead of the next election and cleanse the country of the “contamination” he has caused.

They promised the debate would be like a censure showdown, but would not end in a vote as censure debates usually do. Instead, the public can vote for the next government, they said, using phrases to describe the prime minister that were more extreme than usual.

After submitting the motion calling for the debate, Pheu Thai Party and opposition leader Cholnan Srikaew held a press conference to announce that the goal of the debate was to “unmask the good man” and cleanse Thailand of the “contamination” he caused.

He was referring to Prayut who is often described as a “good man” by his supporters.

The debate will inform the public about how the government fell short during the last four years, including its failure to implement 12 urgent policies the prime minister promised Parliament he would implement when he took office, Cholnan said.

Prayut and Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan will be the focus of attacks in the debate.

“Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the prime minister and defence minister, will be the first defendant and main focus of the debate, which will be held to cleanse the parliamentary system and democratic system with the King as the head of the state – as well as people’s opportunities – of contamination,” Cholnan explained.

He said the Constitution does not allow the opposition to have a no-confidence vote after the debate, but the people can decide for themselves what to do about Prayut’s government.

“We’ll focus on the failures in the country’s administration and problems as well as solutions from the opposition and the democratic side so that the people can make a judgment in the next election,” Cholnan said,adding he and other members of his party believe they will win the next election.

The debate will expose how the “good man” has damaged the country during his four years as the prime minister of an elected government and four years before that as the prime minister of a coup-installed government, Cholnan said.

“The people will [be able] to understand the true nature of the ‘good man’ so that they can make their decision for the election,” he said.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said, “This will be the last general debate of this [session of the] House of Representatives. MPs cannot vote, but the people can vote for us in the next election.”

The debate “will expose irregularities and failure of the government”, he added.

The opposition invoked Section 152 of the Constitution for its motion to seek a general debate. Cholnan submitted the motion to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai at 1pm.

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 he would have to consult the government to decide the appropriate days for holding the debate.

The debate might be held by the end of next month because the two chambers will have to jointly deliberate on a charter amendment bill proposed by the Pheu Thai, he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023534

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Thailand’s press corps on Tuesday continued their year-end tradition of giving nicknames to Parliament executives and members.

On Monday, the press already had revealed this year’s nicknames for the government, the prime minister and ministers, that were satirical and poked fun.

Notable nicknames for Parliament officials for 2022 are:

House of Representatives: Sam Wan Nee See Wan Lom (absent every three days, collapse every four days). The lower house got this nickname due to its repeated failure to convene Parliament meetings because of the absence of MPs or the staging of walk-out by the opposition.

House of Senate: Tra Por (voting for either P). The upper house is viewed as being divided into supporting either Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha or Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan. The two are candidates for next PM.

Parliament President and House Speaker Chuan Leekpai: Chuan Suan Se (the doddering Chuan). The veteran politician, who used to inspire awe and be revered by MPs, is seen now as “losing his footing”, as he was unable to maintain order in the house and reconcile disagreements during meetings that resulted in walk-outs by rival groups.

President of the Senate Pornphet Wichitcholchai: Pornphet Phak Kon (Pornphet, you better rest now). Pornphet was often seen looking tired and frustrated during heated arguments at Senate meetings. The press is worried about him and suggests that he needs a short break.

Opposition leader Chonlanan Srikaew: Mong Chonlanan (the dull Dr Chonlanan). The doctor, who last year won the nickname of ‘rising star’, was viewed as losing his edge in criticising government policies. Many also viewed him as Pheu Thai leader only in name, but his actions seemed to be controlled by someone behind the scenes.

Comment of the year: “I took no part in the coup, only PM Prayut did it.”

Deputy PM Prawit made this comment in a July no-confidence debate, to which Prayut raised his hand and smiled in acknowledgement, amid applause from MPs. The press viewed the comment and MPs’ response as not appropriate for members of the legislative body, as it undermines the principle of democracy.

The press agreed that this year no one deserves the nicknames “Rising Star” and “Best Member of the Year.”

However, the one deserving the nickname “Dying Star” is Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, leader of the Thai Civilized Party.

During Parliament meetings, Mongkolkit often brought up issues that were under social attention, though they were unrelated to the topics being discussed or even to himself, such as the death of actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong and the swimming charity of actor Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak. The press called him out as “trying to be an expert in every topic despite having no clues himself”.

Related Stories

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Parliament will continue meeting despite MP resignations: Chuan

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023471

Analysis: Newin hints at coalition with Pheu Thai in next election

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2022

“There are no permanent friends or foes in Thai politics. Believe me.”

This classic quote was recently made by Newin Chidchob, the shadow leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, in a strong hint that the Bhumjaithai could form a coalition government with the Pheu Thai Party, whose shadow leader Thaksin Shinawatra was once betrayed by him.

Newin made the statement in his interview with ThaiPBS on Christmas Eve when he presided over the opening ceremony of “New Year 2023 Countdown” in his province of Buri Ram. The event was held at the Chang Arena in Muang district of the province, and it will continue until January 1.

In the interview, Newin talked about his perception of the outcome and the situation after the next general election, which has been tentatively scheduled on May 7 provided the House of Representatives stays until it completes its four-year term on March 22.

“In Thailand and Thai politics, there are no permanent friends or foes. Believe me,” Newin said. “What matters the most is how the people will vote on election day. The election results will become the most crucial mechanism that will force political parties and politicians to realise what the people want.”

He added that the polarisation of Thai politics must be a thing of the past.

“Stop thinking about continuing to divide politics along the polarised lines. If our politics will remain polarised, our country will go nowhere,” Newin said.

He said he would not return to lead the Bhumjaithai but he would continue to play his role as an adviser like how former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is “not related to” Pheu Thai.

Political observers consider Newin as much a shadow leader of Bhumajaithai as Thaksin is of Pheu Thai.

Since he will not be returning to lead the Bhumjaithai, Newin said there was no reason to prevent Bhumjaithai from working with Pheu Thai in the same coalition government.

Newin indicated that the coldness in his relationship with Thaksin should not be a reason to prevent cooperation between the two parties.

“Who runs Pheu Thai? Who sets the policies of the party? Who manages the party? If the current party leader, the executive board and core members run the Pheu Thai, why should they have any conflict with Anutin [Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai leader]? Even Thaksin and Anutin have no conflict towards each other,” Newin said.

He said the conflicts of the past should be left behind and the only thing that must be considered is whether the current executives of the Pheu Thai have any conflicts with Anutin.

“Don’t count me in. I’m not related to Bhumjaithai. I’m just their headmaster. I’m just Uncle Newin,” he said.

Thaksin has also repeatedly made similar statements during his live Club House talks that he is just an adviser and supporter of Pheu Thai.

Newin came out to give a strong hint of cooperation between the two parties following unconfirmed reports that he had recently met Thaksin in London to mend their sour ties.

Political gurus believe Newin, who has a strong political hunch, realises which party would win the next general election.

Most opinion surveys have found Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to be the most popular choice for prime minister while the Pheu Thai has the strongest political support. The surveys also found that the popularity of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the ruling Palang Pracharath Party was on the decline.

There have been strong reasons for Newin to publicly distance himself from Bhumjaithai and secretly mend his ties with Thaksin.

In 2001, Newin became a political lieutenant of Thaksin after Newin’s father, Chai Chidchob, personally asked Thaksin for a chance for his son to grow in his political career.

But in late 2008, Newin backstabbed Thaksin by leading a group of 23 MPs under his control to support then Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to form a coalition government. On that day, Newin made a classic political phrase that said “It’s over, master”.

But his betrayal led to Bhumjaithai’s election defeat in 2011. Newin then distanced himself from politics to become the manager of the Buri Ram United and led the team to fame.

In 2017, Newin changed the image of Bhumjaithai into a neutral party that does not join any side of the polarised politics and he entrusted the leadership of Bhumjaithai to Anutin, to reduce the atmosphere of confrontation with the big boss of Pheu Thai, Thaksin. Anutin is known as a person who could talk to Thaksin and he used to visit Thaksin in Dubai following the coup in 2014.

This strategy seemed to be fruitful as Bhumjaitha captured 12 party-list House seats and 39 constituency House seats in the 2019 election, compared to 5 party-list seats and 34 constituency seats in the 2011 election.

It is yet to be seen whether Newin’s gesture of holding out the olive branch to Thaksin would be fruitful next year.

By The Political Desk

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023435

Paetongtarn, Pheu Thai still most popular in Thailand

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2022

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is still the most popular choice for premier among Thai voters, a new opinion poll shows.

The survey was carried out by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from December 17 to 22 among 2,000 respondents around the country. The respondents, who were 18 and above, hailed from different levels of income and educational backgrounds.

The survey results announced by Nida Poll on Sunday found that 34% of the respondents preferred Paetongtarn as prime minister, followed by 14.05% preferring incumbent Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

This is the fourth popularity rating poll conducted by Nida this year. Earlier polls also found Paetongtarn as the most popular choice for prime minister.

However, when results were split among different parts of the country, Nida found that Paetongtarn was not so popular in Bangkok and the South.

When asked who they would choose as PM if the elections were held now, the responses were:

• 34%: Paetongtarn under the Pheu Thai Party banner because they liked the party’s platforms and wanted the country to be run by a new-generation politician
• 14.05%: Prayut as a candidate for Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party because they like his integrity, straightforwardness and ability to maintain peace and order
• 13.25%: Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Move Forward Party
• 8.25%: No choice
• 6.45%: Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, leader of Thai Sang Thai Party
• 6%: Pol General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of Seri Ruam Thai Party
• 5%: Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai Party
• 2.65%: Korn Chatikavanij, leader of Chart Pattanakla Party
• 2.60%: Cholnan Srikaew, leader of Pheu Thai Party
• 2.30%: Jurin Laksanawisit, leader of Democrat Party
• 1.10%: Somkid Jatusripitak of the Sang Anakot Thai Party
• 4.35%: Others including Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Palang Pracharath Party leader General Prawit Wongsuwan, and Prachachart Party leader Wan Muhammad Noor Matha.

As to which party they would choose if an election were to be held now, the respondents replied:

• 42.9%: Pheu Thai
• 6.60%: Move Forward
• 8.30%: Undecided
• 6.95%: Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party
• 5.35%: Democrat Party
• 4.00%: Palang Pracharath
• 3.40%: Seri Ruam Thai
• 3.25%: Thai Sang Thai
• 19.25%: Other parties.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023419

Govt to launch 14 development projects in southern border provinces

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2022

The government has 14 projects in the pipeline that will be “New Year presents” for residents of the deep South, deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Saturday.

She said the “big projects” can be implemented immediately to help form a sustainable foundation for the region’s economy.

The projects are aimed at improving the quality of life of the region’s residents, Rachada said, adding that they will be implemented by relevant state agencies in collaboration with the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre.

Rachada said that four of the projects are part of an effort to turn the southern border provinces into a “metropolis of halal food and services for the world market”. They include increasing the number of dairy cows by at least 50,000 and the number of goats by at least 20,000 to ensure there is a sufficient supply of ingredients to make halal food products.

Other projects include increased farming of crabs and expanding plantations for fruit and biofuel by at least 50,000 rai (8,000 hectares).

Rachada was speaking in her capacity as a special government representative tasked with tackling the problems faced by residents of the southern border provinces.

Four other projects directly address the urgent needs of local residents, she said. These include improving maternal and child nutrition, providing free lunches to about 170,000 students at 1,875 religious schools, teaching foreign languages, and lifting at least 1,200 households out of poverty.

Other projects will encourage greater participation of local residents in government and strengthen pluralism, Rachada said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023377

Prayut to run as PM candidate for a new party in the next election

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Friday that he will run as the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party’s candidate for prime minister in the next election.

He made the announcement at Government House.

Prayut also said he has a close bond with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party’s candidate for prime minister, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, explaining that the relationship among soldiers is “unbreakable”.

“Prawit was my first commander, and he took good care of me,” Prayut said.

He said he will register as a member of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party once its registration date is scheduled. He also confirmed that he made the decision to join the party, which was formed in March, previously.

Voters will decide whether or not he continues to serve as prime minister, he said.

“I have worked hard for people throughout Thailand even [in areas] where there are no MPs from the Palang Pracharath Party or other parties in the governing coalition,” Prayut said.

When asked if he would work with Prawit again, Prayut said the general election would determine which parties become coalition or opposition members.

“The important thing is to continue the government’s work in a sustainable way,” he said.

Related stories:

• Chuan blames House meeting collapse on absent MPs travelling to Japan
• Second reading of marijuana bill delayed for ‘more urgent matters’
• Pheu Thai will increase the digital workforce by 500% in 4 years, its leader tells forum

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023355

Chuan blames House meeting collapse on absent MPs travelling to Japan

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022

House Speaker Chuan Leekpai on Thursday blamed the collapse of Wednesday’s parliamentary meeting due to a lack of quorum to the absence of many MPs away on trips to Japan.

He said that several lawmakers were on a leave of absence for an overseas trip organised by their respective House committees.

“A large part of the House members is now flocking to Japan. They are on a trip with their committees. This is a period when House committees have to spend their [remaining] budget,” the speaker said.

According to him, most of the absent MPs had their departure flights on Thursday and they were scheduled to fly back to Thailand next Tuesday (December 27).

He said the House meeting on Wednesday collapsed due to a lack of quorum. It was four participants short of the quorum when the chair, Second Deputy House Speaker Supachai Phosu, adjourned the meeting.

Chuan said on Thursday he agreed with Supachai’s observation that confusion sometimes occurred during House meetings following frequent resignations of MPs in recent weeks, affecting the number of minimum lawmakers required to form the quorum.

The House speaker also said that during the remaining time of its term, the Lower House was likely to focus on deliberating draft bills that require only slight changes after being considered by the Senate following the House’s initial endorsement. He said this change was proposed by the opposition, to which he agreed.

When asked if the proposed change of focus would affect the bill on cannabis, Chuan said the matter would be discussed by the parties involved.

He said additional meeting time might be required for the bill as its deliberation was proceeding slowly. At the latest meeting on the legislation on Wednesday, the deliberation was on Articles 4 to 9 out of the 95 articles of the bill. “Everyone knows that it will take a considerable amount of time for the law to pass,” Chuan said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40023354

Second reading of marijuana bill delayed for ‘more urgent matters’

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022

House Speaker and Parliament President Chuan Leekpai on Thursday informed coalition and opposition whips that the second reading of the cannabis-hemp regulation bill will be suspended next week for the House to consider more urgent matters.

The second reading of the bill was initially scheduled for next Wednesday when the House would continue deliberating Section 4.

But during the meeting of the whips, Chuan said the House needed to use next week’s meeting to consider whether to reaffirm five bills that have been passed in three readings by the Senate but were changed significantly.

Chuan said the five bills are the architect regulation bill, the labour protection bill, the marine navigation bill, the pension fund bill, and the student loan bill.

The House speaker told the whips that the House would resume the second reading of the cannabis/hemp bill on January 4.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted to remove Section 3 from the cannabis-hemp bill and started deliberations on Section 4. Section 3 specified that cannabis and hemp are not considered narcotics under the Narcotic Drugs Act.

The House committee that vetted the bill proposed the deletion on grounds that it was not necessary as hemp and cannabis have already been removed from the Narcotics Category 5 list by a Public Health Ministry directive.

Chuan said he realised that some MPs would like to skip next week’s meeting for holiday travels but it is still an official working day so he instructed the coalition and opposition whips to tell MPs in both camps to attend the meeting in full force.

Chuan said the House and Senate will also have joint sittings on January 10 and 11 to deliberate a bill on media ethics, the national education bill and a bill on charter amendments proposed by the Pheu Thai Party.

Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, Democrat MP who is deputy coalition chief whip, said he believed MPs would attend the meeting in full force because the drafts that are scheduled to be considered are crucial for the country.

Chinnaworn added that the opposition whips also said their MPs would not skip the meeting next week.

Related story:

Parliament deletes Section 3 of cannabis bill, leaving herb in legal limbo

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Pheu Thai will increase the digital workforce by 500% in 4 years, its leader tells forum

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022

Jarupong Krisanaraj

The opposition Pheu Thai Party will increase the number of people working in the digital economy fivefold in four years as part of its effort to transform Thailand’s economy, its leader, Chonlanan Srikaew, told a forum in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Thailand will not be able to keep pace with the emerging digital economy if the country lacks skilled workers, Chonlanan explained. As a result, Pheu Thai “aims to increase digital economy personnel from 400,000 people to 2 million people in the next four years”, he said.

Chonlanan was one of several party leaders speaking at “Next Step Thailand 2023”, which was organised by Nation Group news outlets Spring News, Nation TV and Post Today.

The Pheu Thai leader said his party would also increase digital literacy, encourage the usage of digital wallets, open a digital data centre, and draw more digital nomads to Thailand.

Chart Pattana Kla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij told the forum that people are already part of the next step world.

He pointed to the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT and noted that it had attracted 1 million users within five days of its launch on November 30.

“The AI chatbot took a shorter period to attract people than Facebook and Instagram,” he said, adding that Facebook and Instagram attracted 1 million users within 10 and five months, respectively.

He said ChatGPT can answer questions on the level of a university thesis and users do not have to input data into it.

“It makes me worry about the future of education [and] test cheating,” he said.

Korn said there was also a downside to the digital transformation. He noted that people have suffered from social conflict and fake news since the emergence of social media.

To develop Thailand’s digital economy, Korn said the government must change its mindset to make its operations more transparent. This will also enable the government to reduce its operational costs, he added.

“Thailand’s level of innovation is not inferior to other countries,” Korn said, noting that the Paotang application has attracted 34 million users.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat put the value of Thailand’s digital economy at 1.2 trillion baht, with annual growth of 15%. However, despite its size and rapid growth, Thailand’s digital economy is still falling short, he said.

“Thailand’s digital economy was ranked 6th among Asean countries,” Pita said, blaming low investment from the government for its poor standing in the region. 

Pita said three major initiatives were required to promote Thailand as a digital market in Asean. First, a digital strategy must be launched. Second, laws and regulations need to be amended. Third, infrastructure needs to be upgraded.

Thai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan said determined leaders were necessary to promote Thailand’s digital economy.

She also outlined her vision to develop Thailand’s digital economy by 2027 as follows:

Creating awareness of digital literacy among workers and students.

Boosting people’s authority and Thailand’s competitiveness, such as amending Food and Drug Administration’s regulations, setting up a digital government and creating digital token.

Digitising Thailand to cope with various crises, such as adopting the Bio-Circular-Green economy model, using solar cells, promoting the use of electric vehicles and developing a carbon credit mechanism.

Democrat Party leader Jurin Laksanawisit said the digital economy is crucial for increasing competitiveness and gross domestic product.

He said Thailand was 40th of 63 countries on a world digital competitiveness ranking this year, citing International Institute for Management Development data.

“Thailand’s technology was ranked 20th among 63 countries,” he said, “However, Thailand’s knowledge and readiness were ranked 45th and 49th, respectively.”

He said Thailand should develop personnel, laws, and technologies to promote the digital economy.

“Most importantly, Thailand should be ready for global rules related to the digital economy,” he said, adding that these rules would be issued soon.

Related stories:

• Innovation is the key to unlocking Thailand’s digital potential, PTT CEO says
• Spend more on cybersecurity, panel advises at HackaThailand 2023
• Thailand’s improved business registration law to go into effect from Feb 7

Jarupong Krisanaraj