However, it took a long pause for the past six years in the absence of an elected government until now.

For the first time in several years, nicknames have again been assigned to the administration and ministers.

Government’s nickname: Sieng Kong government

Sieng Kong is a well-known shopping district in Bangkok that sells second-hand automotive parts at cheap prices, therefore the nickname reflects the current status of the government coalition comprising old-timer politicians and state officials from previous governments who were stitched together to form a new team but unlikely to work well together.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s nickname: The Drunken Boxer

In the eyes of the press, Prayut seems like a confused boxer especially when he condemned certain policies but ended up embracing them, such as the populist policy, attracting MPs from other parties, appointing ministers who were involved in past political rallies, and raising the minimum wages. Prayut also seems confused when facing questions from the opposition and on many occasions simply changed the subjects.

Deputy PM Gen Prawit Wongsuwan: Big Bro The Entertainer

As the oldest member of the 3P gang (Prawit, Prayut and Pok Anupong), Prawit is the big brother who needs to look after his little siblings as well as entertain members of government coalition when they run into problems, from international conflicts to chicken farm scandal.

Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak: Mr. Pracharat

Somkid initiated several state welfare or “Pracharat” projects over the past years but most of them were unsuccessful while new projects have failed to gain support, even among members of the government parties. He is now left holding his pet Pracharat projects.

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam: Sri Thanonchai

The government’s legal guru was compared to Sri Thanonchai, a trickster and antihero in Thai folklore, famous for his skills in finding loopholes in rules and regulations to get himself out of hot water.

Deputy PM and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit: Independent State

Jurin got this nickname from his working style that mainly compliments the policies of his Democrat Party while ignoring the opinions of its coalition partners, as if he is operating independently from the government.

Deputy PM and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul: Rat Poison

Anutin became famous for the ban of toxic agrochemicals which caused widespread criticism from several parties, coupled with the fact that his real nickname is “Noo” or rat in Thai.

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow: Mr Grey Area

Thammanat got his nickname from being involved in many scandals including the shady validity of his academic qualifications, having been convicted and jailed in Australia for drug offense, and making an under the table deal with an opposition party.

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperative Minister Mananya Thaiset: Madame Awkward

Mananya was in the spotlights when she joined Anutin in spearheading the ban of three toxic chemicals, only to face opposition from the public. The proposed ban of two of the chemicals were delayed while the useage of glyphosate, was allowed to continue.

Transport Minister Saksyam Chidchob: The Demolisher

Not only he is the owner of controversial ideas such as forcing all personal cars to install GPS, Saksyam is also famous for his penchant to dismante existing projects including the lowering of skytrain’s fee, driver’s licence tests and construction of train-crossing gates.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Warawut Silpa-archa: The Undertaker

Ever since he took office, all we heard on the natural front were bad news: deaths of rare wild animals such as Mariam the dugong, Chuang Chuang the panda, wild elephants at Khao Yai’s Hell Abyss Waterfall. The press however applauded Warawut’s effort in cleaning up the mess and urging people to take better care of nature.

Quote of the year

“Don’t get sick of me just yet, for I will be here for quite a while”

Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said to the athletes and staff of the national team before thier departure to the 30th SEA Games in the Philippines, at Government House on November 13.

The unofficial vote count showed Somsak with 40,252 votes, while his major opponent, Thanik Maseepitak from Pheu Thai Party had 38,010 votes, 2,242 votes behind the winner.

Other candidates include Suthas Pholboon from Pattana Chart Party who has only 306 votes and Pol. Col. Kittikul Kanjanasakul from Thai Liberal Party, who was announced disqualified before the election.

The by-election saw a turnout of 81,063 out of 132,063 eligible voters, or 61.38 per cent. There were 1,680 voided ballots, or 2.07 per cent.

Somsak has won the MP election in his home town for 6 times in 1988, 1992, 1995, 2001, 2005 and 2019 (this by-election). In the March election, he came in second place behind Nawat Tohcharoensuk of Pheu Thai Party, who was later stripped of his MP status after being sentenced to death by Khon Kaen criminal court in October for masterminding a murder.

General Apirat Kongsompong, commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army, said on Friday (December 20) that the Army supported all kinds of physical activities to strengthen the mind and body, “However there are people who have ulterior motives and are trying to use these activities as a cover for other objectives, which defeat the purpose of physical training.”

The “Run Against Dictatorship” campaign is scheduled for January 12, 2020. Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and his supporters are expected to take part in the event.

When asked about measures to handle a possible political rally and mob during New Year, Apirat said: “There’s no need to worry as Thailand has overcome various kinds of crises in the past. However, there’s a different kind of crisis that we need to prepare for and it’s ‘proxy crisis’.”

Apirat further explained that a proxy crisis was organised or manipulated by someone to fulfill their goals. “The mastermind probably realises it is not possible to fight the authority head-on, so a proxy is appointed to fight for them,” he said. “A proxy crisis is different from a proxy war; look up their definitions to see how they are different,” he said.

“No matter what kind of crisis we are facing, the most important thing is that everyone must obey the law,” he added. “If Thai people disobey the laws and the Constitution by ignoring the resolutions of judicial bodies, it will raise questions among foreign countries regarding the sanctity of our laws.”

When asked who he thought was the mastermind behind these proxies, Apirat said there could be many people who used different proxies for different purposes. “The unrest situation in the South and political demonstrations could be the work of these proxies, too” he added.

Four ministers will be targeted in the no-confidence debate: Prime Minister Prayat Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Visanu Krua-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Don Pramudwinai.

“We have prepared the data, but shame, I can’t participate,” Chalerm said.

He continued that the opposition had allowed the current government carrying on long enough and had seen many mistakes.

Topics slated for the debate include:

1.The current government is deemed as the most corrupt administration, using the Senate and the National Legislative Assembly as tools of dominance, with many National Legislative Assembly members becoming senators.

2. Failing to solve economic problems as seen in rising poverty.

3. Bullying increasing numbers of activists and people against the government.

4. Failing to rein in drug abuses.

5. Condoning wrongdoings by individuals from the government party, such as MP Pareena Kraikupt’s alleged encroachment of 46 rai of land in a protected forest area.

Sonthiya claimed that Thanathorn and his alleged accomplices violated 3 laws: 1) Organising a rally without notifying authorities, blocking public entrance-exit, and in less than 150 metres from royal residence (Sa Pathum Palace); 2) Violation of Criminal Law article 116, causing public disobedience to the law; and 3) Violation of royal institution according to Article 6 of Thai Constitution.

“I am on board with political rally as long it doesn’t cause problems to the public,” said Sonthiya “I want to use this case as a standard for political parties to follow and to remind supporters joining the rally that they still have to follow the law.”

Sonthiya also added that ‘suing the rally organisers’ is what he has done for decades based on personal belief that all political rally must be lawful, and that his filing of the case today was not done on behalf of Palang Pracharath Party.

Related Story: [Gallery] FWP rally is underway at Pathumwan skywalk

Related Story: Thanathorn sets the stage for ‘real rally against dictatorship’

The page explained that the press conference “would not cause any turbulence” as the schedule was previously publicised and the police should not prevent political activity.

US-China deal a relief for global economy but Thailand faces political challenges

Previously, an attempt to hold the press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand on December 11 was halted by Lumpini Police Station.

Despite intervention from the authorities, the campaign’s organisers insisted they would make it happen to express their freedom, and eventually held the press conference at Thammasat University Tha Prachan Campus on Monday morning.

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit stated that he was ready to join the Run Against Dictatorship campaign on January 12, 2019, after about a thousand Bangkok residents joined in his political rally on December 14.

Thanathorn, whose party faces a case for dissolution in the Constitutional Court, has invited his supporters to join him at a rally on Saturday at 5pm at the Pathumwan intersection skywalk on Rama I Road.

Phumtham Wechayachai, adviser to the opposition leader in the House of Representatives and adviser to the Pheu Thai Party leader, said on Friday (December 13) that his sympathies were with Future Forward and the two parties were on the same page: on the side of democracy. “What has happened is proof that we are walking on the right path towards democracy, which is filled with hardship and requires great patience,” he said.

“If any Pheu Thai Party members would like to join Thanathorn’s rally, they can do so as long as they follow the law and follow the principles of democracy,” he added.

Thanathorn’s call for a rally on Friday came after the Election Commission earlier in the week petitioned the Constitutional Court to dissolve Future Forward over Thanathorn’s Bt191-million loan to the party, which it alleged was illegal for a political party.

The Constitutional Court had in November disqualified Thanathorn as a member of Parliament, ruling that he had violated the law by registering to run in the March election while still holding shares in a media company.

In a live video broadcast via his Facebook page, he invited people to a gathering at 5pm at the Pathumwan intersection skywalk on Rama I Road.

“I am fed up with the current state of Thai society and want to start a change,” he said. “Tomorrow we will stand together and shout out our voices to the ones in power that we want fairness, justice and equality in the society.”

Earlier this week, the Election Commission petitioned the Constitutional Court to dissolve Future Forward Party over Thanathorn’s Bt191-million loan, which it alleged was illegal for a political party. On November 20, the Constitutional Court unseated Thanathorn as a member of Parliament. The court ruled that he had registered to run in the March election while still holding shares in a media company, in violation of the law.

On Wednesday (December 11), a source from the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand revealed that the EC has filed a petition with the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving FFP over its leader Thanathorn lending the party Bt191 million, which may be a violation of the election and political party law according to Article 72 of the Political Party Act BE 2560.

Article 72 prohibits political parties from receiving donation of money or assets from any sources which it knows are unlawful or have reasonable doubts of it being unlawful. Article 92(3) of the same act allows the Constitutional Court to consider dissolving any political party that violates Article 72.

Thanathorn had loaned Bt161.2 million to his own party in January at 7.5 per cent interest and another Bt30 million in April at 2 per cent interest. The borrower listed in both contracts is Nitipat Taempairot, acting FFP leader at that time.

Earlier on November 20, the Constitutional Court had ruled that Thanathorn lost his status as a member of Parliament on May 23, having registered to run in the March election while still holding shares in V Luck Media, in violation of the law.

The FCCT yesterday posted a statement complaining the police action as a threat to freedom of expression.

The group, had planned to announce on December 11  the “Run Against Dictatorship” campaign which will be held on January 12 nationwide.

Following is the FCCT statement on cancellation of the press conference:

The professional committee of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand is concerned about pressure from Thai police to cancel a planned press conference. Over the weekend, the FCCT’s management was asked by Lumpini police station to cancel a booking by a group involved in the ‘Run Against Dictatorship’ planned for next month. The group had agreed to pay to use the FCCT for a press conference announcing the event. The police explained that the title of the event was objectionable, and that they considered it likely to create what they called a “mob.” They also stated that there would be serious consequences for the FCCT – suggesting possible closure – if it did not comply with their request. After discussion with the group, the organisers agreed to find an alternative venue.

On several occasions during the preceding five years of military rule, the FCCT was forced to cancel events, both those run by the club and those booked by outside customers. In all those cases the police explained that they were under orders from the military authorities, saying neither they nor the club had any choice in the matter.

Thailand has been under a civilian government since May this year, which should make such orders or even “suggestions” to curb free speech a thing of the past. In demanding the cancellation of this week’s event the police gave no legal justification, although they made it clear they were acting on orders from higher up.

The FCCT continues to host a rich variety of events, including many which focus on free expression and dissenting political views, and believe such events contribute positively to the broader debate on Thailand’s future. We hope we will be allowed to continue this role in the future.

FCCT Professional Committee