#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Students to rally on September 19 despite Thammasat ban

PoliticsSep 10. 2020

By The Nation

Student protesters on Thursday vowed to go ahead with their September 19 rally as planned despite Thammasat University banning them from its campus.

Thammasat University said it had refused permission for the anti-government protest at its Tha Phra Chan Campus over safety and other concerns.

Student leaders of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration said the protest would go ahead, as their request to use the venue had obeyed all rules and a university lecturer was advising them on organising the rally.

“The university administrators claimed our request was not in line with regulations, but this claim was not true,” the activist group posted on Facebook.

The administrators’ action damaged students and people’s freedom of expression and destroyed the spirit of the university, they added.

They also called on Tha Prachan Campus rector Gasinee Witoonchart and vice rector Supasawad Chardchawarn to consider whether their decision had served the university well.

Meanwhile, social media lit up with attacks on the university executives, who were accused of serving a dictatorship.

University administrators said the request to hold the rally did not meet guidelines it issued after students breached an agreement by pushing for monarchy reform at their August 10 Thammasat rally. The September 19 rally could only go ahead if organisers could guarantee safety and obey the Constitution and law, said Thammasat.

Student leaders on Wednesday announced plans to camp overnight at the campus on September 19 before marching to Government House the next morning.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Piyabutr to join anti-govt rally in push for charter change

PoliticsSep 10. 2020Piyabutr Saengkanokkul 

By The Nation

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a former Future Forward Party member, has announced he will join a big anti-government protest in Bangkok on September 19.

On Thursday, Piyabutr, who sits on the House committee studying Constitutional amendments, delivered a 25-page report supporting some of the panel’s proposal and rejecting others. Charter change will be debated in the House in the next two weeks after weeks of pressure from student-led protests to amend the Constitution.

Piyabutr said that since he did not know how long he would remain on the committee, he would work on a charter rewrite motion with the Move Forward Party, the reincarnation of Future Forward, from inside and outside the House. He sits on the panel as a law academic and expert on the Constitution.

Piyabutr confirmed he would join the upcoming anti-government rally at Thammasat University, which is expected to be the largest demonstration since the 2014 coup, drawing tens of thousands of protesters.

“The [2014] coup was not the right correction [for the country] but the protest by the youth on September 19 will be the beginning of it,” he said.

He also dismissed accusations that was a “puppet-master” behind the student-led anti-government movement. “I will not be a leader of the protest since this is the mission of the young generation,” he said.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Five Democrat MPs, some others step back from motion to change Charter Section 272

PoliticsSep 10. 2020

By The Nation

Some MPs from the Democrat and other parties have taken a step back on the motion to change Section 272 of the Constitution, leaving less than 98 who are still calling for the change, which was led by the Move Forward Party and some Democrat MPs.

This means the issue might not reach a House debate.

Five Democrat MPs reportedly withdrew from the plan because they wanted to establish a Constitution Drafting Committee instead to deal with the charter amendment.

Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat and deputy government chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said he would not pressure other MPs to withdraw, but they had to take responsibility for their actions.

Opposition chief whip and Phue Thai MP Sutin Klungsang said the situation was disappointing as his party wanted Move Forward to reach their goal and Phue Thai would submit a petition for a change of Section 272 to support Move Forward, but signing was not mentioned in the party’s meeting on September 8, so they would have to discuss it later.

He also said Phue Thai changed its mind and decided to call for a change to Section 272, for it was the right time according to public demand, which could alter some MPs’ decisions.

Varawut Silpa-archa from the Chartthaipattana party said member Julapan Nonsrichai withdrew from the motion saying he was not following an order but wanted to maintain the good image of coalition parties.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Submarine deal came under govt-to-govt purchase, not international treaty needing Parliament approval: Chaichan

PoliticsSep 10. 2020

Deputy Defence Minister General Chaichan Changmongkol

By The Nation

The government did not seek Parliament approval to procure the first submarine from China because at the stage of drafting an agreement, the Foreign Ministry determined the pact came under enforcement of Thai law, not an international legal treaty nor a contract under Section 23 of the Interim Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2014, said Deputy Defence Minister General Chaichan Changmongkol.

His statement came after the Pheu Thai Party’s Maha Sarakham MP, Yutthapong Jaratsathien, brought up the controversial submarine issue during a general parliamentary debate yesterday (September 9).

Chaichan said the Navy signed a commercial contract for the submarine purchase under Section 178 of the current constitution, which has the same content as Article 23 of the interim constitution.

The reason for not requesting a full power of attorney when signing the agreement was due to a Cabinet resolution on July 2, 2013, which designated that the signing of a pact on behalf of a government agency with a foreign government agency without commitment under international law does not require the full power of attorney, and the authorised signatory of that agency can sign the agreement.

Chaichan said the Cabinet had given approval for the Navy commander to be its representative in signing the submarine agreement. On its part, China assigned its State Administration for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence office (SASTIND), a unit directly under the Chinese government, to sign the agreement with the Thai side. SASTIND then authorised China Shipbuilding & Offshore International, which is a state enterprise, to proceed with the agreement.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Thousands expected at Bangkok anti-govt rally on Sept 19-20

PoliticsSep 09. 2020Parit Chiwarak and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, second and third from right respectively, hold a press conference for their planned September 19 rally. (Tanachai Pramarnpanich#NationPhoto) 

By The Nation

Student protesters on Wednesday announced plans to camp overnight at Thammasat University on September 19 before marching to Government House the following morning.

Plans for the latest large anti-government rally were revealed by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group at a press conference. Observers predict the rally could attract up to 100,000 participants, making it the largest protest since the 2014 coup.  

The protest will start at 2pm at Thammasat’s Tha Prachan Campus in Bangkok, according to student leaders Parit Chiwarak and Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul. The rally is expected to spill over to nearby Sanam Luang as Thammasat will not have capacity to hold such large numbers. 

Ratchadamnoen Klang road will be also closed to make way for protest-related activities.

Participants will march to Government House at 8am on September 20.

Pro-democracy protesters are calling for a rewrite of the junta-drafted Constitution, a halt to intimidation of activists, dissolution of Parliament, and reform to curb the monarchy’s power.

Student-led protests have intensified in recent months, despite a government crackdown in which police have issued arrest warrants for activists. MPs have agreed to the proposal to draft a new Constitution, but have not yet reached consensus on whether to first cancel the unelected Senate’s power to vote for a new prime minister.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Court ruling to jail peaceful activists ‘unconstitutional’, academics say

PoliticsSep 07. 2020

By THE NATION

The Thai Academic Network for Civil Rights (TANC) on Monday issued a statement criticising the court’s decision to revoke bail for two prominent pro-democracy activists as unconstitutional.

Arnon Nampa and Phanuphong Chadnok were arrested last month on charges of sedition and breaching the emergency decree and public health rules, among others.

Arnon had been granted bail on August 8 after being arrested for attending an anti-government gathering on July 18. Police arrested him again on August 19 over his speech at an August 3 rally at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, then issued a third arrest warrant after he attended an August 10 protest at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus.

Phanuphong was first arrested on August 7 and again on August 24. The Bangkok Criminal Court last Thursday revoked bail for both activists for allegedly repeating their offences.

“The decision of the court is not in compliance with the Constitution for the following reasons,” said the TANC statement.

“1) The Constitution’s Article 29 stipulates that defendants in criminal cases must be treated as innocent until the court gives a final guilty verdict, and that the detention of defendants is only allowed when there are reasons to believe that the defendant would escape or destroy the evidence. But Arnon and Phanuphong showed no such intention, therefore their arrest and detention are unconstitutional.

“2) The bail condition stating that defendants must not repeat the offence is also unconstitutional, as their actions have not attracted a guilty verdict and therefore cannot be used as example of future offences, especially when their actions are to merely participate in a peaceful, unarmed protest, which is allowed by the Constitution.

“3) Since the 2014 coup d’etat, the judiciary has failed to protect the people from abuse of power by coup leaders and also refused to investigate the use of power by government officials who were following orders of coup leaders in issuing arrest warrants for people who participate in peaceful protests, which is a basic right guaranteed by the Constitution.”

“The TANC therefore would like to demand the following from the judiciary:

1. The courts must use their judicial power to investigate the use of power by government officials, especially in issuing arrest warrants against protesters.

2. The courts must use their power in the name of people and for the people, and be committed to the protection of civil rights according to the rule-of-law principle and democracy.

3. The judiciary should be reformed to make sure that judicial power exists to serve the people and our democracy.”

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Thanathorn wants more transparency in annual budget for monarchy

PoliticsSep 06. 2020Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement 

By The Nation

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement, and adviser to the House committee vetting the annual budget for fiscal year 2021, has demanded more transparency and scrutiny of the budget allocated to support the monarchy institution.

The proposed budget allocation for the highest institution amounts to Bt37.23 billion, up 25 per cent from fiscal year 2020, he said. This includes a direct budget of Bt20.21 billion and indirect budget allocated via other state agencies of Bt16.92 billion.

Thanathorn posted the comments on his Facebook page on Saturday.

The budget allocated to agencies under Palace supervision directly amounts to Bt8.98 billion which is part of the direct planned budget for the monarchy.

The objective of the House committee vetting the annual budget is to ensure efficient and productive use, as much as possible, of resorces given the country has been suffering from a virus-hit economic downturn, he argued.

“We have seen that the budget allocated to support the monarchy was least scrutinised,” he said. He insisted he had good intentions in raising the issue because if this budget was not scrutinised, then people would have more questions about spending and it would have a negative impact on the monarchy’s reputation.

Thanathorn said that he wanted to see the Palace agencies follow budget procedures just like other state agencies. They have to send their representatives to defend their spending plan and disclose more information, he said. So far only the officials at the Budget Bureau represent the Palace and present the Palace spending plan. They made a short presentation that the spending plan was Bt8.98 billion, according to Thanathorn.

He pointed out that the budget plan for maintenance and repair of 38 aircraft and helicopters of the Royal Family in fiscal year 2021 amounted to Bt1.97 billion, compared with Bt1.58 billion, Bt1.46 billion and Bt1.29 billion in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

This budget under the supervision of the Secretariat of the Prime Minister rose 52 per cent in the past four years, or 13 per cent up on average annually.

If there are no checks and balances on the budget allocated to the monarchy, corrupt officials could take advantage of it, he warned.

The Bt 3.3-trillion budget bill for fiscal year 2021 (October 2020 to September 2021) is pending approval by Parliament. The annual spending plan is up 3.1 per cent from the current fiscal year 2020.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Suga secures 70% of Diet members’ votes in LDP leader race

PoliticsSep 06. 2020

By The Japan News

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga has a wide lead before the ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election. According to a Yomiuri Shimbun survey of 394 LDP lawmakers, Suga has secured about 70% of Diet members’ votes, placing him ahead of LDP Policy Research Council Chairman Fumio Kishida and former LDP Secretary General Shigeru Ishiba.

The lawmakers’ anticipated votes for Suga exceed a majority of the total votes to be cast, including those from LDP prefectural chapters, showing a strengthened trend toward Suga being elected as the new party leader.

With the campaign officially starting on Tuesday and the voting and ballot counting on Sept. 14, the election will be contested with a total of 535 votes at stake — those of 394 LDP Diet members plus three representatives from each of the 47 prefectural chapters. The candidate who gets the majority of votes — at least 268 — will be elected as the new party president.

Among 394 LDP lawmakers from both chambers of the Diet, excluding the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the House of Councillors, 378, or 96% of them, replied to the survey through interviews and other means to confirm their intention for the election.

As of Friday night, the number of LDP lawmakers who clearly expressed their intention to support Suga was 271, or 69% of the 394 LDP Diet members, the survey showed.

In the survey, Suga secured votes from Diet members belonging to five factions that have expressed their support for him: the Hosoda faction (the largest, at 98 lawmakers), the Aso faction (54), the Takeshita faction (54), the Nikai faction (47) and the Ishihara faction (11). In addition, 41 out of 64 lawmakers who do not belong to any faction replied that they would support Suga.

As the reasons for supporting Suga, there were many who answered that Suga “has a leadership” or that they “have a high opinion of his policies.”

A middle-ranking LDP lawmaker said, “In order to seamlessly implement measures against the novel coronavirus, it is natural that Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga, the right-hand man for Prime Minister [Shinzo] Abe, will continue them in the post of prime minister.”

Those who supported Kishida numbered 46, while those for Ishiba numbered 23, indicating that neither could get support beyond their own factions, whose respective memberships are 47 and 19.

Thirty-eight lawmakers said that they have yet to decide for whom they will vote, or that they would not answer.

On the other hand, as to local votes that were allocated to the prefectural chapters, 46 chapters are likely to hold a primary vote by rank-and-file LDP party members and others, including a questionnaire survey.

The Akita prefectural chapter had initially planned a primary vote by its party members, but decided at an executive members’ meeting on Friday to cast all three votes for Suga, who is from the prefecture, without holding a primary vote.

According to the survey, as of Friday, 32 prefectural chapters intend to adopt the D’Hondt method, under which ballots are allocated according to the percentage of votes each candidate obtains. Six chapters are considering adopting a winner-takes-all system, under which the candidate who wins the most votes would receive all three ballots.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Pannika joins student rally outside Education Ministry

PoliticsSep 05. 2020Pannika Wanich 

By The Nation

Pannika Wanich, a former member of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party, is attending the rally organised by the “Bad” student group at the Ministry of Education on Saturday (September 5).

She said she wanted to encourage students to express their opinions freely because they have the liberty to do so.

“Although the ministry has stopped enforcing regulations on students’ hairstyle, some schools are still following this practice, which is similar to the situation in domestic politics where the elite are still threatening people,” she said.

“In my view, problems in educational institutions are important as schools must be a safe place for students, while schools must not limit students’ rights and liberties to express their opinions.”

She added that if the education minister could not solve these problems, he should resign.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

‘Bad’ students make a strong case for reforms with huge rally at ministry

PoliticsSep 05. 2020

By The Nation

“Bad student”, a group of high school students and student organisations from 50 educational institutions nationwide, has gathered outside the Ministry of Education on Saturday (September 5) to press its demands for reforms.

At 1.15 pm the students started gathering outside the ministry to prepare for the protest.

At 2pm, the protesters placed a lot of wreaths in front of the ministry’s wall with messages stating that schools do not want dictatorship.

At 3pm, the road in front of the ministry was packed with students who came out in large numbers for the rally.

At 5.20pm, Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan arrived on the stage to participate in the debate between the ministry and students.

During the debate, “Bad” student representatives demanded that the minister send officials to oversee whether schools are threatening students.

Meanwhile, Nataphol confirmed that the ministry would accelerate talks with teachers about alleviating their workload and also provide security for students, adding that there were only a small number of teachers who did not agree with the students’ moves.

“Every sector must help with reforming education together. This is why we opened the website to enable students to submit complaints,” he said.

“Also, the ministry will review regulations and learning courses to ensure that it would be updated, such as reducing school hours and homework.”

He added that he could meet the students’ needs because this problem must be solved peacefully.

After the debate ended, the students’ representative handed over a gift to the education minister.

At 7pm, the students turned on their mobile phone lights to mourn the students who had died because of the education system before dispersing.

The group demanded that the ministry stop threatening students, cancel outdated regulations and reform education with the condition that the education minister must resign if the ministry cannot do as they demanded.

Some 50 police officers from Dusit Metropolitan Police Station and Metropolitan Police Division 1 are providing safety to the protesters, while the protesters have requested permission to hold the rally until 8pm today.

Meanwhile, the hashtag #หนูรู้หนูมันเลว (I know I was bad) was trending on Thai Twitter as school pupils rallied to demand democracy.