#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Refusing to bow to pressure, Anon continues questioning role of monarchy

PoliticsAug 10. 2020Anon Nampa, civil rights lawyer and political activist

By The Nation

Prominent lawyer Anon Nampa continues speaking out about the role of the monarchy despite facing the risk of being thrown behind bars again and getting his bail cancelled.

Anon, 34, a civil rights lawyer and political activist, delivered a provocative speech at a pro-democracy gathering in Chiang Mai on Sunday evening (August 9), insisting that he was exercising his basic constitutional right to join a peaceful demonstration and make comments about the monarchy. 

The activist was arrested last Friday (August 7) and released on bailthe following day after being slapped with sedition and other charges for questioning the role of the monarchy at a protest on August 3. Criticising the Thai monarchy was previously a taboo subject in the country. 

In his latest speech in Chiang Mai, Anon reiterated that the junta-sponsored charter gave excessive power to the King, which is not in line with the principles of a democratic and constitutional monarchy as it allows the King to directly supervise some military units and control the Crown Property Bureau. 

Anon also pointed out that His Majesty spends most of his time in Germany at the expense of Thai taxpayers, and urged MPs to raise the issue in Parliament as part of moves to amend the charter. He also called on the Chiang Mai demonstrators to join a rally in Bangkok on August 16. 

“In the run up to the planned demonstration, I and other protest leaders may be put behind bars, so everybody should go on the frontline to fight for democracy,” Anon said.  

Historian Nidhi Aeusriwong expressed support for Anon, saying the public has every right to debate the monarchy’s role, as the institution belongs to the country and its people under a democracy. In an interview with Prachatai news website, Nidhi said military dictatorships, both in the past and present, have tried to separate the monarchy from democracy and use the institution for their own benefit, which actually puts the monarchy in danger. He also said that military dictators also often use the institution as a tool to destroy other political groups. 

As soon as Covid-19 restrictions were eased on July 18, student activists took to the streets demanding that the government dissolve Parliament, rewrite the Constitution and stop intimidating people who dare to speak up. 

Apart from slapping Anon with charges, police also filed a sedition charge against key Free Youth leader Phanuphong Chatnok, who has since been released on bail. Activists have reported that police are targeting some 30 protest leaders, while authorities in Phitsanulok province also briefly detained some student activists on Sunday evening. 

Meanwhile, a crowd of demonstrators organised a rally outside Parliament building on Monday (August 10).

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Heeding demands of pro-democracy protesters ‘only way out of current political impasse’

PoliticsAug 10. 2020Pro-democracy protests hold a flash mob in shopping areas of Bangkok downtown on Saturday (August 8). Stepping up their campaign for dissolving Parliament, rewriting the Constitution and demanding that the government stop intimidating people, they plan to hold a big rally on August 16 at Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

Academics and opposition politicians have warned the Thai political establishments to embrace pro-democracy protesters’ demands and reform themselves to prevent aggravation of the current conflict.

The arrest and release of key protest leaders is a tactic of intimidation adopted by the military-sponsored government, aimed at slowing down the momentum of the pro-democracy protests, Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the faculty of political science at Ubon Rathchathani University, told the Nation on Sunday (August 9).

He made a comment in response to the release on bail of Anon Nampha, a prominent activist and lawyer, and Phanuphong Chatnok, a key leader of the Free Youth movement, on Saturday. 

Anon himself on Saturday had thanked the Criminal Court,  saying that he had confidence in the court, which did not toe the line of excessive measures imposed by police against protesters.

Titipol said that there may not be any significant political change immediately. Political establishments had not seen  any reform since the military coup in 2014, they just run the country for their own vested interest, he argued.

He warned that the current on-going protests gives food for thought for reforms.

“Political establishments could no longer use political propaganda as an effective tool to silence dissident voices, as people could access more information,“ he pointed out.

To avoid confrontation, they have to embrace the protesters’ demands and to reform themselves,” he warned the military and its allies.

Youth-led protesters are demanding that the government dissolve Parliament, stop intimidating people and rewrite the Constitution. Following a flash mob in downtown Bangkok on Saturday evening and political gatherings in other provinces, protesters plan to hold a big rally on August 16 at Democracy Monument in Bangkok.

Some outspoken pro-democracy academics,  including Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thai associate professor at Kyoto University in exile in Japan, and Somsak Jeamteerasakul, a prominent historian in exile in France, via Facebook posts have blamed politicians and other institutions for not making enough efforts in response to the protesters’ demands and their proposal of reforming the monarchy.

In response to criticism by these academics, Teerajchai Phunthumas, the MP of Move Forward Party, told the Nation that his party often highlights the many flaws in the Constitution during Parliament debates, pointing to the lack of citizens’ participation in the drafting process in the first place.

“Regarding the current protest, we want to let the student protests unravel themselves naturally,” he said.

The current protest bears similarity with the first student uprising in 1973 than the protest in May uprising in 1992 or the later protests led by the red and yellow-shirt movements which had a high degree of well-planned involvement by political groups, not by students themselves, he explained.

Politicians on the government side, such as Suporn Atthawong, vice minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, have expressed their opposition to the planned big rally on August 16. He argued that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha had already promised to amend the Constitution. But Teerajchai countered Suporn’s claim, saying that the government’s promise was just a time-buying manoeuvre.

“The government can rewrite the Constitution right away, as there is a consensus that the current Constitution has many flaws; for example the system of 250 military-appointed senators is undemocratic and a tool for the military to continue their authoritarian power,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, Chaturon Chaisang, a prominent opposition politician, posted on his Facebook page on Sunday that to get out of the current political crisis, there must be first a partial rewriting of the Constitution, abolishing of the senators, followed by the dissolution of the lower house of Parliament and the holding of general elections. Chaturon, a former member of Pheu Thai Party and the disbanded Thai Raksa Chart Party, said on the next election day people should be invited to vote on a referendum for fully rewriting the Constitution, then proceed to draft the full Constitution. When the draft is finished, the referendum on the new constitution should be held again, he suggested. This will ensure the people’s full participation in the rewriting, owning the highest law, and making the new Constitution lasting, he added.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Democracy activists reiterate demands at rally in Bangkok

PoliticsAug 08. 2020

By The Nation

Pro-democracy people hold a demonstration on a skywalk in front of MBK Centre on Saturday (August 8) to demand that the government amend the Constitution, dissolve Parliament and stop intimidating people who differ with them.

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#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Nationwide petition for charter change kicks off in Bangkok

PoliticsAug 07. 2020

By The Nation

A campaign seeking signatures from 50,000 voters to sponsor a motion for a Constitution rewrite kicked off today (August 7) at Thammasat University’s Tha Phra Chan Campus.

The campaign is being run by the Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw), a human rights NGO, and was launched by iLaw director and former senator Jon Ungphakorn.

The current Constitution had been written by the post-coup regime and used to cement the military’s grip on power, he told a forum at the campus.That power still continued throughout the current government and was being wielded to intimidate anti-government protesters, he said.

Thais needed a new Constitution which truly belonged to the people, he added, explaining that iLaw was cooperating with several organisations to push for charter amendments.

However, iLaw would not decide what the Constitution should look like as this was the duty of the people, said Jon.The campaign will seek signatures from Bangkok residents before expanding to other provinces.

iLaw manager Yingcheep Atchanont asked all forum attendees to spread the message and invite others to join the campaign in a bid to get the 50,000 signatures needed to get the charter change motion into Parliament.He added that the Constitution had been drafted by 21 appointees of the post-coup regime and designed to prolong the power of the military junta.

It was then put to a referendum in which the regime heavily promoted the charter while suppressing all critical voices and even arresting those who spoke out against it.The forum also saw other political activists voice their opinions on why the current Constitution needed to be amended.

An online petition is not currently available but those interested in supporting the campaign can download the document at http://ilaw.or.th/50000con.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Lawyer-cum-activist arrested for violating ban on gatherings

PoliticsAug 07. 2020Arnon Nampa, middle

By The Nation

Lawyer and political activist Arnon Nampa, 34, was arrested at 2pm on Friday (August 7) for allegedly instigating political disturbance.

Arnon announced his incarceration by posting “I have been arrested” on social media. 

He is one of the five anti-government protesters slapped with charges of violating the emergency decree by holding an assembly of more than five persons in a protest outside the Army headquarters on July 20. 

On August 3, Anon also delivered a public speech on the role of the monarchy, saying it should be debated openly in order to avoid the risk of future violence between opposing political camps. 

Thai netizens have been tweeting and retweeting announcement of Arnon’s arrest under the #FreeArnon hashtag in a move to pressure the authorities into releasing the activists. 

The arrest warrants for protest leaders were issued after Vice Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister Apiwat Kantong complained that speeches delivered at the Harry Potter-themed protest on August 3 undermined the monarchy.

The five were also being summoned for gathering outside the Army headquarters. 

Other activists facing arrest are Panupong Jadnok and Parit Chiwarak, though the latter is contacting a lawyer to ask if he should give himself up to police.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

New ministers revealed in reshuffled Cabinet

PoliticsAug 06. 2020

By The NationThe new and royally endorsed Cabinet line-up was revealed by the Royal Gazette today.

Incumbent Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister.

Supattanapong Punmeechaow has been handed the posts of deputy PM and Energy Minister. Supattanapong is former director of PTT Global Chemical.

Former Kasikornbank president Predee Daochaihas been appointed as Finance Minister.

Anek Laothamatas has been appointed as Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. He is an executive member of the Action Coalition for Thailand Party.

Palang Pracharath Party secretary-general Anucha Nakasai has been appointed as PM’s Office Minister.

Chonburi MP Suchart Chomklin has been appointed as Labour Minister.

Former government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat takes the post of deputy Labour Minister.

Almost 80 per cent of chief executive officers of large organisations in Thailand hope the new Cabinet will be able to start working immediately and with a deep understanding of local and foreign economies, according to a Krungthep Turakit newspaper survey of 100 CEOs in various sectors.

Related stories: 

Somkid and four key members quit Cabinet

Labour minister confirms resignation

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Pheu Thai to propose rewriting of Constitution next week

PoliticsAug 02. 2020

By The Nation

The opposition is planning to present a proposal in the lower house to rewrite the Constitution following protests by pro-democratic groups seeking amendments to Thai democracy.

Pheu Thai’s member of Parliament from Ubon Ratchatani province and deputy chief opposition whip, Somkid Chuakong, said that a House committee studying constitutional amendments will move a motion to amend Section 256 of the Constitution so that it could be easier to amend.

Somkid said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should not neglect the fact that senators had too much power and could choose a premier twice — a period of eight years.

The so-called National Strategy would freeze the country and it was dangerous since the budget plan also did not respond to the country’s challenges, he said.

The opposition, therefore, has decided to propose next week a rewrite of the Constitution and expected MPs to quickly give their assent.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

More students speak up against govt

PoliticsJul 31. 2020Photo Credit: Nation Photo by Korbphuk Phromrekha

By The Nation

Students from all three campuses of King Mongkut’s University of Technology gathered at the campus in north Bangkok on Thursday (July 30) to protest against the government depriving people of their rights and freedom.

They also demanded that the powers-that-be dissolve Parliament, rewrite the Constitution and stop threatening critics.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Airing of a TV drama stopped until August 9 by-election in Samut Prakarn

PoliticsJul 31. 2020

By THE NATION

The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday (July 30) ordered suspension of the airing of TV drama “Phleng Rak Pha Peun Taek” from July 30 until August 9, as the drama features Krung Srivilai, whose real name is Krungsrivilai Suthinpheuk, a Palang Pracharat Party candidate standing for election.

Krungsrivilai is contesting the by-election for Samut Prakarn Constituency 5 member of Parliament.

The election for the vacant MP position will be held on August 9.

In its order to Bangkok Broadcasting Television, the operator of Channel 7 HD digital television network and Bugaboo.tv online television website, the EC said that the airing of the drama, which is scheduled from Monday until Friday at 9.30am to 11.20am, must be suspended to prevent influencing people’s decision in the upcoming election, according to Section 135 of the Member of Parliament Election Organic Law BE 2561.

The 74-year-old Krungsrivilai joined Palang Pracharat in 2018. He has starred in more than 100 films and TV series and won the 1974 Golden Doll Award for best supporting actor in the film “Choo”.

#ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

Govt spokesperson resigns ‘in preparation for elevation to the Cabinet’

PoliticsJul 31. 2020Narumon Pinyosinwat

By THE NATION

Government Spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat has submitted her resignation on Wednesday (July 29), a source at Government House revealed on Thursday (July 30).

The source speculated that Narumon had quit as spokeswoman to prepare for a ministerial position in the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle.

The source also said that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has tasked the Secretariat of the Cabinet with submitting the list of new Cabinet members for the King’s approval.

The 46-year-old Narumon “Ma’am” Pinyosinwat is an executive member and treasurer of the Palang Pracharat Party. She was elected a party-list MP in the March 2019 election but quit the MP position to become Government Spokeswoman. Narumon holds a Bachelor of Statistics (Applied Mathematics) from Chulalongkorn University, a Master of Science (Applied Mathematics) from Georgia State University, a Master of Business Administration (Applied Economics) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Finance) from University of Pennsylvania. She was also a professor of finance at National Institute of Development Administration.