FOUR LOWER northeastern provinces are planning to push the Cabinet to approve Bt10 billion for development projects – part of a plan to turn the area into a trade hub for Indochina – when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha visits the area today.

Officials and business executives from Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Si Sa Ket and Yasothon province intend to raise the issue at a mobile Cabinet meeting in Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani. The meeting began yesterday amid tight security to prevent local protests as the province is a major stronghold of dissent.

A local academic yesterday questioned the lack of public participation in the latest mobile Cabinet meeting.

Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the faculty of political science at Ubon Ratchathani University, said that in principle the mobile Cabinet meeting was a good idea but in reality the government did not really allow public participation.

The academic and his colleagues had recently been contacted by the military and asked not to organise any dissenting activity.

Titipol said the mobile Cabinet meeting did not create any political change but showed that the junta had a military mentality that was the opposite of democratic values.

Local officials argued that any movement against the junta could be at the expense of limited budget allocations to the provinces. But Titipol said the Cabinet would not be very professional if it took protests personally.

Prayut denied his latest trip to the Northeast was aimed at “giving away money or wooing votes”.

The Cabinet was scheduled to convene its mobile meeting at Ubon Ratchathani University this morning.

The proposed development projects can be divided into five groups – logistics such as road, rail and air transport; agriculture including reservoir and dyke construction; industrial manufacturing; tourist destinations; and quality of life, according to Wittaya Wirarat, who heads the chamber of commerce of the four provinces.

The plan includes turning the Yasothon airfield into a commercial airport, expanding the crowded Ubon Ratchathani airport, constructing four-lane roads, building reservoirs and dykes, and expanding Sunpasittiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani to cope with patients from the four provinces.

Wittaya said local businesses were pushing for the four provinces to become the trade hub of an “Emerald Triangle” that also covers Laos and Cambodia.

“The economy of our provincial group is going strong, thanks to the border trade with Laos and Cambodia. We expect growth of 4 per cent this year,” he said.

Prayut visited a local organic farm in Amnat Charoen’s Muang district yesterday.

He was accompanied by many Cabinet members including deputy premiers Chatchai Sarikulya and Somkid Jatusripitak, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Grisada Boonrach and Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong.

The PM told local residents that many of the country’s problems stemmed from “electing the wrong leaders” and called on people to carefully consider their vote.

He said he planned more provincial visits as the next election was drawing near. “I need to explain to people for their understanding,” he added.

Prayut and his entourage also visited a traditional medical centre in the Phana district of Amnat Charoen province, where they were greeted by more than 1,000 local residents. They joined a traditional northeastern dance with a group of locals.

The PM told local residents not to fear that his government would stay on in power.

“Power is in your hands. You all make decisions in the election. Voters will dictate the fate of the prime minister,” he said.

“Still, we have to look case-by-case whether their movements could be deemed illegal because if that is the case, it will ruin the province’s image of being a good host,” said 2nd Army Area Commander Lt-General Tharakorn Thammawin.

“Some of our officers talked to people, but we did not put any pressure on anyone. We merely prepared security measures around the campus area prior to the PM’s visit,” Tharakorn added.

He was referring to military officers visiting Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of the university’s political science faculty, who was told that there must be no protest or demonstration on the campus when Prayut would be there.

“We were told to be patient because the PM had already made a social contract that the general election would be held in 2019 despite multiple delays for various excuses,” Titipol wrote on his Facebook status detailing military attempts to “meet”, “inform” and “seek collaboration” with those who were deemed to need close monitoring.

He also told the visiting officers that having military trucks driving on the university campus every day is “very intimidating”, although the military claimed to mean no harm and was merely providing extra safety and security for university students and staff.

From today to Tuesday, Prayut is scheduled to be in the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen for the latest in a series of “field visits”, as well as heading a mobile Cabinet meeting.

Around 500 people would be arranged by local authorities to “welcome” the junta premier at each of his destinations in Amnat Charoen.

Some ministers such as Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat, Digital Economy Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj and Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith formed an advance party to observe projects of interest before others arrived.

Apart from discussion local economy and development projects, speculation is rife that Prayut will meet with local politicians to build political support ahead of next year’s election, a ritual he developed in his prior provincial visits.

Tharakorn, however, brushed aside such speculation. “The premier will visit here only because of a change of plan,” he said. “The meeting was originally planned to be held in the northern provinces but due to the Tham Luang cave incident, the plan was replaced.”

The initial plan for Prayut to meet local leaders this afternoon was cancelled following public criticism of the electoral-politics nature of doing so.

Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay broke formal protocol as he ushered the Prime Minister and his wife up the stairway to the door of the airplane.

The Thai Prime Minister responded in equal measure – hugging Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay twice before boarding the aircraft. Bhutanese officials including cabinet ministers, and members from the foreign embassies in the country waved and waited until the plane took off.

Soon after the foreign ministry issued a joint press release wherein the Thai Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for ‘the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to him and the members of his delegation during the visit.’

He also thanked for the successful visit of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Bhutan in 2016 for the agriculture for school lunch project.

Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay thanked the Thai government for the courtesies extended to His Majesty The King, Her Majesty The Queen, and His Royal Highness the Gyalsey during their Majesties’ visit to attend the Royal Cremation of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand in October 2017.

Lyonchhen said that Bhutanese were deeply saddened by the passing of His Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and that Their Majesties’ visit to pay respects and attend the Royal Cremation Ceremony reflects the mutual respect and close relations between the two Royal Families.

Their Majesties also granted an audience to the Prime Minister and his wife, Associate Professor Naraporn Chan-o-cha and hosted a banquet lunch for the visiting delegation.

An ENT centre by next year

Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay welcomed Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s proposal to support the implementation of the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat (EENT) care service project. The project, which also marks the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, includes establishing an EENT centre in Bhutan to treat patients and train Bhutanese health professionals.

Other milestones

The two leaders emphasised the importance of working together in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals through sharing of best practices and experiences based on their respective and complementary development philosophies of Gross National Happiness (GNH) and Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) of His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that both sides could discuss a community development model based on the application of the GNH and SEP towards the realisation of the SDGs.

Thai Prime Minister also agreed that Thailand would provide more opportunities for human resources development for Bhutanese, including Friends from Thailand Programme. Thailand has been providing support and assistance in priority areas of socio-economic development such as engineering, economics, public health, education, management, and agriculture.

The two prime ministers held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations as well as cooperation in the regional and international fora such as United Nations, BIMSTEC, and Asian Cooperation Dialogue. The two leaders also recognised the need to strengthen cooperation in science, technology, and combating transnational crimes.

The two leaders agreed to work together through the annual bilateral consultations, the joint trade committee, and the joint agriculture-working group to promote trade and economic cooperation.

The prime ministers also recognised Bhutan’s construction and hospitality sectors as potential areas for Thai investment. Investors from Thailand are already investing in the hotel industry.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2017 to promote tourism. The leaders encouraged the authorities concerned to work together on tourism promotion under the theme “two kingdoms, one destination” through joint marketing, package tours, and promotion of Buddhist tourism.

The two sides also agreed to finalise pending MoUs to enhance connectivity between the two countries to promote trade, tourism, trade, and people-to-people contact on a mutually agreed time.

The Prime Minister also visited One Gewog One Product outlet in Thimphu. The development project, between Queen’s Project office of Bhutan and Thailand International Cooperation Agency, is a replica of One Tambon One Product of Thailand, has benefitted 400 families in 80 gewogs.

The delegation also offered prayers and butter lamp at the National Memorial choeten.

The visit took place in the tradition of regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.

“The visit has greatly contributed to further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two Kingdoms bound by deep reverence to the institution of monarchy as well as shared common cultural and spiritual heritage,” the joint press release stated.

Chuwit was released at 7.30am from Bangkok Remand Prison where his family and an army of reporters were waiting for him.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office had found him guilty of concealing his assets in his assets statement to the National Anti-Corruption Commission when he left office as an MP on December 9, 2013.

The court sent him straight to jail without suspending the prison term and also banned him from politics for five years.

Chuwit waved to reporters and cameramen as he walked through the prison gate.

He spoke tongue-in-cheek that he had finished his month-long inspection of the prison.

He said he would like to thank all sides for giving him the chance to get inside and he now wanted to have sea food and fresh air because it was unpleasant in the prison.

Chuwit said it was the third time he had been imprisoned and he found the prison to be much cleaner this time.

He thanked prison officials for taking good care of him and said he would hold a press conference on Monday to talk about his imprisonment.

He said he had not yet made up his mind whether to resume his job as a TV host because he would like to rest first.

He said his health had improved in the prison because he could eat and sleep at proper timings and nobody smoke and drank inside so most prisoners were in good health.

Chuwit said he had met several well-known persons in the prison and all were equal as inmates.

“I humbly accepted the ruling of the court. The good point of the Thai justice system is mercy. I love this country. All know deep down in their heart whether they are innocent or guilty. If they make it easier by admitting the crime, the court will show mercy and the trial will not be lengthy,” Chuwit said.

“I didn’t use any lawyer in my case. I have money but I have a principle that I’d rather serve a short term in prison rather than a longer term by losing the case after a long legal battle.”

His son Tontrakul Kamolvisit said he was happy that his father had walked free and he planned to take him out to eat sea food and he may even take him out of the country to a place with cold weather.

“Dad misses the cold weather,” Tontrakul said.

Prayut and his ministers are scheduled to visit Ubon Ratchathani province on Monday and Tuesday for a mobile Cabinet meeting.

Chuwit Pithakpornpallop, a former Pheu Thai MP from the province, said he was happy that the Cabinet would be visiting the province but said he would not be present to welcome the prime minister.

Chuwit said if any former MP were present to welcome Prayut and the Cabinet, it would be clear that the politician would be supporting the junta chief as the next prime minister.

Chuwit said he would like to ask the prime minister how the people of Ubon Ratchathani had benefited after the Cabinet meeting held there in 2015.

Chuwit said he would like to call on the government to give priority to developing the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Sirindhorn district as a special economic zone and also build a bridge across the Mekong River in Na Tai district. He said these were projects the government had promised during the last mobile Cabinet meeting in the province.

“Don’t come to seek popularity or try to woo former MPs to join the Palang Pracharat Party,” Chuwit said. The party is seen as pro-military and supports the re-election of Prayut as prime minister.

“My fellow-Ubon Ratchathani people should monitor this to see who would stay with Pheu Thai and who would defect to Palang Pracharat.”

On previous tours, the Cabinet has always been seen meeting with local community leaders and politicians, leading to criticism that it was exploiting the trips to make political deals ahead of the election. This time such meetings have been removed from the agenda.

Junta number two General Prawit Wongsuwan, however, has rejected any suggestion that the change is a move to avoid criticism. “We’re not avoiding it. If they want or do not want to meet, so be it,” he said. “It’s not about the agenda. Every time we met them because they had asked for it. But this time, I don’t know. But not that I know of.”

Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam, in a separate interview, said that no meetings with local leaders were listed in the agendas but declined any knowledge of the reason behind the change.

Wissanu, however, said that the government would again be targeted by media criticism if there were meetings.

He went on to say that politics has two parts – public administration and power politics.

He said the government went on the excursion for the sake of public administration. Some government members might make a deal during the trip but it was a private matter, he added.

“So, we cannot say it’s the government [playing power politics]. The issue is just that we have overlapping personnel here. So, it is a common issue that they meet with criticism, like [claims] that they are campaigning for the election, or are questioned whether they [should] do that when working.”

Wissanu said it was true that the government had spoken to local leaders and politicians. But this time such talks were not included in the agenda.

That could be because the talks had not been fruitful in terms of finding solutions to issues facing the local people, he said.

Apirach is a graduate from Class 20 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

The Defence Council is scheduled to convene a meeting on July 25 to discuss the lists of senior military personnel transfers submitted by the chiefs of the Armed Forces. The meeting is to be presided over by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. The appointment of commanders are to be announced before fiscal year 2018 ends on September 30.

The Army commander-in-chief is considered the most powerful position in the Thai Armed Forces. Thailand’s coups were often led by an Army chief, including the latest one in May 2014.

The position is one of the top “Five Tigers” commanders in the Army. The four other top Army commanders are the deputy Army chief, two assistant chiefs, and the chief of staff. With Apirach’s promotion, there will be changes among the holders of the remaining positions.

According to a well-informed source, the four other top Army commanders in this year’s transfers are expected to be: Army chief-of-staff General Nattapol Nakpanit to take over as deputy Army chief; First Army Area commander Lt-General Kukiat Srinaka and Third Army Area commander Lt-General Vichak Siribansop are to become assistant chief; and deputy Army chief of staff Lt-General Thirawat Boonyawat is to become the new chief of staff.

In addition to General Chalermchai, the commanders-in-chief of the Navy and the Air Force – Admiral Naris Pratoomsuwan and Air Chief Marshal Johm Rungswang respectively – will also retire this year.

Royal Thai Navy deputy commander-in-chief Admiral Luechai Ruddit is expected to become the new Navy chief. Royal Thai Air Force assistant commander-in-chief ACM Chaiyapruk Didyasarin is tipped to become the new Air Force chief.

Other high-ranking military officers to retire this September are Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Theppong Thippayachan and Royal Thai Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Tarnchaiyan Srisuwan.

Defence Ministry deputy permanent secretary General Nat Intorncharoen is expected to replace Theppong. Armed Forces Command chief of staff General Pornpipat Benyasri is tipped to become the new supreme commander, a job that involves ceremonial matters rather than command of combat personnel.

The committee discussed a broad range of human-rights issues on a three-day visit to Thailand that ended on Wednesday, including labour rights, the fisheries sector, migrant workers’ rights, issues related to human trafficking and the upcoming election.

Coup-related human-rights failures since 2014 and several rights issues related to the fisheries sectors had led to a suspension of diplomatic relations that lasted until last December, when the junta promised to hold an election.

UK PM Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron also agreed to meet with junta leader Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on recent visits to London and Paris. The contact was hailed by junta supporters as evidence that Prayut, having promised an election for early 2019, had garnered acceptance by the free world.

But the human rights subcommittee chairman Pier Antonio Panzeri repeatedly stressed in press conference before leaving Thailand that full restoration of ties depends on further progress.

Thailand must first meet prerequisites, including organising a free and fair election based on recognised international standards, he said.

At repeated meetings with Thai authorities, the delegation had repeatedly stressed the importance of the election as a fundamental pre-requisite for the resumption of bilateral relations, including any development of a free trade agreement, said Panzeri

The diplomatic ties related to Prayut’s recent visit to Europe, are completely different from the full resumption of the economic, social and political cooperation with Europe, said Panzeri. That step would require the country aligned with the core principles of democracy and organising free and fair elections, he told the media.

During the visit, the delegation met with the two main political parties – Pheu Thai and Democrat. Panzeri said he noticed that both parties were aware of the need for democratic reforms and changes in order to get over past problems and allow the election to be properly organised.

The subcommittee’s chair also expressed concern over the ban on political assembly. He urged the junta to lift it ahead of the national vote and reconsider its disproportionate use of criminal and sedition laws against human-rights defenders.

The delegation also visited Samut Sakhon province to discuss rights issues in the fisheries sector. Panzeri said he had noticed a slight difference from the first visit around two years ago.

A new inspection system to trace fishing products had been put in place, he said. Due to the time limit, it was impossible for the delegation to see if it was properly implemented, he added. But the fact that the new system was there was already significant to the subcommittee.

The EU issued the yellow-card warning against the Thai fisheries three years ago. Thailand had since struggled to resolve the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing issues. The EU has said that the country needed a better system to trace products as a solution to the IUU problems.

Anek should be officially announced as the party’s leader on August 5, when the ACT will convene a meeting to elect its interim board executive to be in charge until the junta’s political ban is lifted.

The party has so far collected 500 founding members, each donating Bt50,000 for a seeding fund, making a total of Bt25 million.

The 64-year-old has been academically active as rector of Rangsit University’s College of Government after his Mahachon party failed to win sufficient seats in the 2005 general election.

Anek has served in the junta-appointed reform committee before joining hands with whistleblower Suthep Thaugsuban to found the ACT.

Much like the Suthep-led, now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee, the ACT advocates reform and nationalism, holding the monarchy in utmost respect.

Wissanu, who is in charge of the government’s legal affairs, said that the new Election Commission (EC) members should help decide on the matter, along with the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

He noted that political parties, in their recent meeting with the government, suggested that the legal requirement for primary voting for election candidates should be waived in the next general election. Political parties argued that the restrictions prevented them from preparing for primary voting.

Wissanu said on Wednesday that he has assigned the Council of State, which is the government’s legal advisory agency, to find a solution in case primary voting is waived for the next election. “They have to find out what should be done to allow participation by political party members in selecting election candidates, in accordance with the Constitution,” he said.

Last week, five out of seven nominated members of the EC were endorsed by the National Legislative Assembly. The selection committee needs to find two new nominations to fill all the seven EC seats, as required by law.

Wissanu said he was pleased to meet the new EC members after they assume office, in order to brief them about what the government had agreed with the outgoing commissioners. “I may call on them at their office, if that’s more convenient for them,” he added.