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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020562

Constitutional Court locked down ahead of today’s 3pm verdict on Prayut’s tenure

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2022

THE NATION

A controlled zone has been declared around the Constitutional Court at Chaeng Watthana Government Complex ahead of Friday’s ruling on General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure.

The controlled area is off-limits to all members of the public until 6am on Monday, unless they are seeking government services. All visitors must undergo security screening.

The announcement of the controlled area, signed by court president Worawit Kangsasithiam, said the measures are to ensure safety and prevent any unrest that could occur during the verdict’s reading.

Police from Thung Song Hong station established a command centre on the ground floor of the building on Thursday evening, while mobile steel barriers have been erected around the premises.

Constitutional Court judges are meeting from 9am on Friday to discuss the case and vote on the ruling, which is due to be issued at 3pm. The ruling will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Constitution Court Office at https://www.youtube.com/c/สํานักงานศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ.

The court on August 24 suspended Prayut after accepting an opposition petition seeking its ruling on whether he had reached the constitutional eight-year limit set for a prime minister on August 24.

Prayut assumed office on August 24, 2014 following the military coup he led in May that year. However, he argues that his eight-year term should be counted from April 6, 2017, when the current Constitution was promulgated.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020548

Days after joining party, ‘Madame Dear’ takes on important role of training Democrats in effective use of social media

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

THE NATION

New Democrat member Watanya Bunnag is playing an important role in tutoring other members to use social media effectively, party leader Jurin Laksanawisit said on Thursday.

Jurin, who serves as deputy prime minister and commerce minister, said the party’s seminar “Social Media in Advance” from Thursday to Friday aims to enhance party members’ ability to communicate with the people.

He added that Watanya, also known as “Madame Dear”, is among the tutors who will enable the party to achieve success in communication.

Meanwhile, Democrat deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon said the seminar would help create awareness of new techniques and make communication via various channels more effective.

“We believe that this tutoring will benefit people in receiving clear and interesting information,” he said.

Watanya participated in the seminar on the topic “Social media and new generation politicians”, and urged Democrat members to realise the importance of social media while advising them on ways to access various groups of people.

“Social media is a double-edged sword, which helps facilitate communication but causes fake news at the same time,” she said.

The 37-year-old politician said that after leaving Palang Pracharath in August, she had met with the executives of many political parties before deciding to join the Democrats on September 22.

Watanya, the wife of Nation Group CEO Shine Bunnag, had worked as a government whip while in the ruling party. She was a leader of the Dao Roek (Fixed Stars) group of mostly young female MPs actively working in Bangkok.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020541

No threat to national security ahead of court ruling on Prayut’s tenure, Isoc assures

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

THE NATION

No unusual movement has been spotted in the country as the Constitutional Court is set to deliver its verdict on General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure as prime minister tomorrow, the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) said Thursday.

Isoc spokesman Colonel Winthai Suwaree said that the agency has not found anything that could be construed as a threat to national security.

“Isoc is monitoring the security situation closely as usual. There are no special missions being given to security units other than carrying out their responsibilities,” he said.

Several pro-democracy groups announced on Thursday that they would gather in Bangkok on Friday afternoon ahead of the much-anticipated court ruling. Kana Lomruam Prachachon (Melting Pot Group) said that it would gather at the Ratchaprasong intersection at 5pm. The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, Rassadon Group, and Thai Mai Thon (Impatient Thais) said they would gather on the Skywalk above the Pathum Wan intersection at 2pm.

The court had on August 24 suspended Prayut from his duties as PM after it accepted a petition seeking its ruling on whether he had reached the eight-year limit set for prime minister by the Constitution on August 24, as claimed by the opposition.

Section 158 of the 2017 Constitution bars any individual from serving as PM for longer than eight years in total.

Prayut assumed office on August 24, 2014 – following the military coup he led in May that year. However, he has argued that his eight-year term as premier should be counted from April 6, 2017, when the current Constitution was promulgated.

When asked how Isoc would react if the court rules that Prayut must give up his premiership, Winthai said that Isoc has been tasked with maintaining internal security as per the laws and will continue to do so based on the command’s guidelines.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020467

Politicians, Cabinet members barred from offering cash assistance before poll

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

THE NATION

The Election Commission on Tuesday clarified that MPs, politicians and Cabinet members intending to contest the next general election, scheduled for May next year, can participate in social functions but must not hand out monetary gifts 180 days before the election.

The EC issued the clarification after politicians and political parties complained that they were in the dark on what they could or could not do. The EC has announced May 7 as the date for the next election date on the assumption that the current House of Representatives will complete its four-year term in March.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee held a video conference on Tuesday with provincial election committees to clarify what can be done and what is prohibited during 180-day period ahead of the next election.

Sawaeng clarified the rules that would be binding on three groups of people – election candidates and political parties, political office holders, and permanent officials.

The rules binding on election candidates and political parties are:

● Candidates and leaders of political parties can participate in social functions, such as wedding receptions, Buddhist monk ordainments or funerals. They can place wreaths or offer flower bouquets, but they cannot hand out cash gifts. They can chair ceremonies, but they must use money from the hosts of the functions, not their own money for paying monks attending the ceremonies. Also, the names of candidates and parties cannot be announced at the functions.

● Election candidates can hold funerals, ordainment and wedding ceremonies if needed, but they must make the ceremonies small and avoid holding any performance or concert.

● Leaders of political parties or their boards can help in election campaigns but cannot hire people to hear their campaign.

● Election candidates and political parties cannot hand out assistance or necessities to people suffering from natural disasters or pandemic or similar events.

Rules for political office holders, including Cabinet members:

● Political office holders can perform their duties as usual. For example, they can participate in TV or radio programmes or chair ceremonies or make inspection trips and hand out help to people affected by disasters. But they must be careful not to abuse their authority and must avoid campaigning for their parties.

● Political office holders can participate in social functions but they must not hand out cash gifts. They can chair ceremonies as long as they do not pay from their pockets but use the money from the hosts of the functions.

● Political office holders can participate in election campaigns after their office hours.

Rules for officials of government agencies:

● Government agencies can hold activities as usual, such as seminars, competitions or annual fairs.

● Government officials and employees of state agencies must be neutral in politics.

● Government agencies must support the election by providing venues for holding votes or for erecting election signs.

The EC secretary-general also clarified that campaign posters must not be larger than A3 size and campaign roadside signs must not be larger than 130×245 centimetres.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020454

Korn brimming with confidence as brand new Chart Pattana Kla Party inaugurated

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

THE NATION

Thailand’s Chart Pattana Party was officially renamed “Chart Pattana Kla Party” after an extraordinary general meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday.

The new name reflects the alliance of Chart Pattana with the Kla Party, led by former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij.

“We are confident that we are strong enough to achieve our goal as planned,” Korn said, adding that both parties shared a similar working style and their main objective is to solve the economic and political problems in the country.

Joining Korn at the extraordinary meeting were some 40 members of the Kla Party, including Atavit Suwannapakdee and Korbsak Sabhavasu.

Korn said he had been discussing the alliance with Chart Pattana’s chairman Suwat Liptapanlop for a while and has worked with members of the party without conflict while serving as finance minister in Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government.

He added that the new allied party was ready to work to its fullest extent in the upcoming general elections.

Chart Pattana, a long-established party with a stronghold in Nakhon Ratchasima, only holds four seats in Parliament. Korn founded Kla Party in June 2020 after losing the battle for Democrat Party’s leadership to Jurin Laksanawisit.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020429

Pheu Thai says Roi Et win foretells ‘landslide victory’ in general election

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

THE NATION

The main opposition Pheu Thai Party hailed its Roi Et election victory on Sunday as clear evidence it will win the upcoming general election by a landslide.

Pheu Thai candidate Seksit Wainiyompong was elected Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chief for the Northeast province after receiving more than 80 per cent of votes. Trailing far behind in second was independent candidate Juriporn Sinthuprai, who contested for Palang Pracharath in the previous Roi Et PAO election.

On Monday, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew thanked Roi Et voters for giving electing his party’s candidate with an overwhelming majority.

“Our candidate won by a landslide because the people want Pheu Thai to tackle their hardship and take care of them by solving problems at the local level,” Cholnan said.

He added that problems at the local level reflected crises at the national level, as people were suffering economic hardship around the country.

“So, a landslide victory for Pheu Thai in the next general election is required if people want the country to escape the current economic crisis.”

Failure to win a big mandate at the next national election would mean Pheu Thai could not implement its policies to help the people, he said.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Prasert Chanruangthong noted the party had enjoyed victories in a series of local elections, including the 20 seats it secured in the Bangkok Council on May 22. Pheu Thai also won the Kalasin PAO election by a landslide on August 16, with candidate Chalermkwan Lortrakul receiving 249,093 votes.

The win in Roi Et also showed that voters no longer supported coup leaders, he said.

“These signs point to a Pheu Thai victory in the next election,” said Prasert, adding that people wanted to see political changes and a new leader for the country.

Pheu Thai spokeswoman Teerarat Samretwanich said the Roi Et win showed that voters supported Pheu Thai’s push for political change and would hand the party a huge victory at the next general election, whatever rules it was held under.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020426

Coalition’s Chart Thai Pattana to elect new leader, executive board next week

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

THE NATION

The coalition’s Chart Thai Pattana Party has announced its leader, Kanchana Silapa-archa, will step down to pave the way for party restructuring ahead of the upcoming general election.

A party general assembly has been scheduled next Monday (October 3) to elect a new leader and executive board, party director Nikorn Chamnong said on Monday.

Nikorn said the assembly will also elect a new committee to select election candidates. He added that the restructuring would prepare the party for the upcoming general election.

The Election Commission has set a tentative date of May 7 for the general election, as the current House is due to complete its four-year term in March. However, the government is at liberty to call an early election.

Nikorn said the October 3 general assembly would also see changes to party regulations.

“This will overhaul the party’s structure. The number of executive members will also be changed. All in all, this will reflect the Chart Thai Pattana’s readiness to contest the next election,” he said.

The party has set a target of winning at least 25 seats in the next general election. It currently has 12 MPs.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020424

Prayut and govt acquitted of unlawfully declaring emergency decree in 2020

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

THE NATION

The Civil Court on Monday acquitted suspended PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and five other defendants of unlawfully issuing the Covid-related emergency decree in 2020.

The lawsuit was filed by seven political activists who demanded compensation after being arrested and detained under the decree two years ago.

The five other defendants were acting PM Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk, the PM’s Office, the Royal Thai Police and the Finance Ministry.

The court ruled that the government and Prayut, as prime minister, had the legal authority to declare an emergency to control the spread of Covid-19.

Sukreeya Wannayuwat, plaintiff No 1, who is now a fourth-year student in Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Education, came to the court to hear the verdict. She and six students from Chulalongkorn and Thammasat University filed the lawsuit on October 21, 2020.

The lawsuit had sought an injunction to cancel the state of emergency immediately, but this was rejected by the court. The government instead extended the emergency decree for the next two years before announcing last week that it would be lifted on October 1.

Speaking to reporters before entering the courtroom, Sukreeya said the judicial process had dragged on for two years while people were being sent to jail under the emergency decree.

“Immediately after the emergency decree is lifted, those arrested under the decree must be released and compensated,” she said.

“We all know that the emergency decree was issued for political purposes, not to control the disease outbreak.”

She added that she expected little from the court’s verdict.

Speaking after the verdict, Sukreeya said the court had refused to order the government to pay compensation for the crackdown on protesters on October 14 and 16, 2020, ruling instead that it had not used extrajudicial means and its acts were justified.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020392

Thaksin’s daughter most popular choice for next PM: survey

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

THE NATION

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is the most popular choice for Thailand’s next prime minister, according to the latest National Institute of Development Administration (Nida Poll).

Her Pheu Thai Party also came top among voting options for the upcoming election.

Conducted from September 15 to 21, the poll surveyed 2,500 people aged 18 and above from various walks of life, education backgrounds and incomes throughout the country.

Asked to name their favourite candidate for prime minister:

– 24.16% said there was no suitable candidate yet

– 21.60% said Paetongtarn Shinawatra, head of the Pheu Thai Family

– 10.56% said Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat

– 10.12% said Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, suspended prime minister

– 9.12% said Thai Sang Thai Party leader Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan

– 6.28% said Thai Liberal Party leader Seripisut Temiyavet

– 2.56% were not interested

– 2.40% said Deputy PM and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai Party

– 2.20% said Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew

– 2.16% said Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt

– 2.12% said Chart Pattana Party’s Korn Chatikavanij

– 1.92% said Somkid Jatusripitak of Sang Anakot Thai Party

– 1.68% said Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit

– 3.12% named other choices

Asked which party they would vote for:

– 34.44% said Pheu Thai

– 24% said no party

– 13.56% said Move Forward Party

– 7.56% said Democrat Party

– 5.56% said Palang Pracharath

– 3.04% said Thai Sang Thai

– 2.56% said Thai Liberal Party

– 2.44% were not interested

– 2.32% said Bhumjaithai

– 1% said Chart Pattana

– 3.52% named other parties

Paetongtarn’s popularity rating dropped 3.68 percentage points from the same poll taken in the second quarter, while Prayut’s popularity fell 1.56 points. Sudarat’s rating rose 2.32 points.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai fell 1.92 points and Move Forward dropped 4.32 points while the Democrats rose 1.24 percentage points.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40020367

House ex-speaker and veteran Democrat Marut Bunnag dies at 98

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2022

Former House speaker and veteran politician Marut Bunnag died on Friday, the Democrat Party announced on its Facebook account. He was 98.

“The Democrat Party regrets the passing of Professor Marut Bunnag, former secretary-general and deputy leader of the party,” its post read.

Marut, a legal expert, continued to serve as an adviser to the country’s oldest political party after he left politics for good in 2006, at the age of 82.

His Democrat colleagues, including deputy leaders Ongart Klampaiboon and Nipon Boonyamanee, wrote condolence messages in their Facebook posts on Friday.

According to a source, Marut was rushed to hospital on Friday morning after he fell seriously ill.

During his long years in politics, Marut had served as justice minister between 1981 and 1983, public health minister from 1983 to 1986 and again from 1989 and 1990, and also education minister between 1986 and 1988.

He served as the speaker of the House of Representatives from 1992 to 1995.

Marut Bunnag International Law Office that he founded in 1950 is now run by his son Rujira.