THE DEFENCE Ministry has no plan to buy “spy satellites” but only aims to co-invest in the reported military satellite project, a senior Defence official has clarified.

In an exclusive interview with Fact Hunters of Nation TV, General Porpol Maneerin, chairman of the Defence Technology Institute (DTI), a public organisation under the Defence Ministry, said it did not intend to buy the satellites. He was responding to criticism of the reported Bt91-billion deal with the US-based Theia Group Inc. “The company has just invited us to be master programme partners, or to put it simply, co-investment partners,” Porpol said.

The DTI had signed a letter of acknowledgement (LOA) with the company, he said. That meant it acknowledged the existing satellite project, was aware of the state-of-the-art technology and would study the benefits of the satellite network for Thailand. That is how foreign companies conducted their business: they invited prospective partners, briefed them about the project and drafted the minutes of the meeting, he said, adding that under the LOA, the DTI would jointly study the project, not buy the satellites.

The company does not manufacture satellites but is a group of experts who specialise in mineral and natural resource exploration by using aircraft and also specialise in underground water by using aeroplanes. They own many patents, so they are thinking about building a satellite for natural resource exploration.

Asked whether this was a military satellite – the report suggested it was a small, low-orbit satellite – Porpol explained that there were two types of satellites: one was for communication for which Thailand has the Thai Khom communication satellite. The second type is for Earth observation. This kind of satellite takes pictures and analyses them for exploration purposes. In Thailand, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), the space agency and space research organisation, have operated it, Porpol explained.

A military satellite has to incorporate both communication and exploration technology in order to get information for analysis, said Porpol.

Currently, Thailand uses satellites for national development as part of the 4.0 policy. The satellite is also used for developing the farm sector.

So the military satellite will not replace Thaicom satellite as some critics said because the new satellite will also take pictures in day and night times and then send those pictures for analysis, Porpol pointed out.

For military uses, the country needs to look along the border with neighbouring countries in the same way that authorities deploy CCTV cameras in cities or use drones equipped with cameras. The Theia satellite network has 112 satellites, which can take and send pictures from any part of the Earth in real time.

“The group of experts plan to create this satellite network for commercial and security purposes and they invited us to join. We have not yet talked about the investment and potential returns. We are studying how it will serve other ministries or organisations in Thailand,” said Porpol.

Porpol dismissed reports that Thailand would need to spend Bt91 billion on the project.

For the Theia satellite network project, many private companies are interested in investment opportunities and they could expect investment returns over 30 years. “Thailand was invited but the group must provide us a guarantee that the project will not lose money,” said Porpol.

“Thai people should not worry, as we will not use the very limited government budget for this investment. In fact total investment each year will not reach Bt90 billion and I think it is worth the investment as we could |harvest information and make use of it,” he added.

Peerasak, who is in charge of NLA’s professional ethics, said their behaviour was not a serious enough breach of professional ethics to warrant their removal.

The two NLA members – Air Chief Marshal Charlie Chanruang and Thamrong Thatsananchalee – had been captured dozing off by media cameras when the NLA was debating the national budget on Thursday. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha took part in the discussions and spent some 90 minutes defending the plan.

The leaked photos raised questions among the public whether the coup-installed legislature was working hard enough and in the public interest while members were drawing a monthly salary of at least Bt113,560 over the past four years.

Peerasak apologised for the incident. “I understand the public sentiment and opinion that it was an important legislation and the NLA should have been more hardworking. So, I have to apologise,” he said.

He insisted the two had been working hard, going out in the field to meet people, but right now they were suffering from some poor health conditions. Charlie recently had a heart surgery while Thamrong had also been ill, he explained.

Also, they were not asleep while the PM was presenting the budget plan, the NLA vice president said. They fell asleep only when other legislators were debating the issue, he added.

NLA heads had discussed the matter and concluded that they would seek cooperation from members but were unlikely to issue regulations or measures to specifically direct how they work, he said.

In a separate interview yesterday, Prayut said he had kept a record of everything. Those found sleeping during the meeting would not get any positions in the future, he said.

“I have already sent the photos to the NLA president [Pornpetch Vichitcholchai]. He has already seen them and probably will find out what happened,” Prayut said.

Clearly upset about the incident, the PM said he would rather see the media pay attention to how he had presented the case for the Bt3-trillion budget than on NLA members taking a nap during the assembly.

The two legislators involved declined to discuss the issue.

Charlie said he would rather not clarify anything. He did say, however, that he wasn’t bothered his inappropriate photo was in the news and he was firm about continuing as an NLA member. Thamrong refused to talk to the press, saying he was in a meeting.

Prayut said that unlike its predecessors, his government does not implement any rice-buying programmes, because such projects caused budgetary burdens to the state.

The government would not pay above the world market prices, the general said.

“Farmers may be happy with such a project. But we must avoid causing budgetary burdens to the country,” he said.

“There is a new law on state financial and monetary affairs. We can’t spend more than the legal limits, or the government will be unable to survive.”

The prime minister said that rice farmers have to avoid causing oversupply so that they could prevent falling prices of the crop. He said the production should be in line with demand in the market.

“But this does not mean I prohibit farmers from growing rice,” he said, adding that there were attempts to create such a perception.

“The focus should be on maintaining quality in order to keep prices” at profitable levels, Prayut said.

He also encouraged rice farmers to form groups in order to boost their bargaining power, which could help maintain prices.

The premier was speaking to some 300 farming representatives from all over the country at Government House. Among them were winners of this year’s outstanding farmer and farming institution awards. The farmers were accompanied by Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach.

June 8 is National Rice and Farmer Day.

After giving his speech, Prayut greeted the farmers and some shouted, “Fight on, fight on”. Prayut laughed and said that he was not fighting anyone but the country’s problems.

He also paid attention to T-shirts worn by some farmers carrying the message “Uncle Too’s reinforcement”. He asked jokingly who was behind the idea.

“Too” is Prayut’s nickname and he is often referred to as “Uncle Too” by his supporters.

“[They] distorted the work of our five rivers of power,” said the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) member Somchai Sawangkarn, referring to the junta and four of its branches of government.

“They showed photos of NLA members sleeping via social media. Throughout four years, I think the media is the area which never reforms itself. Over 90 per cent are good but the rest create distortion and conflict,” he said.

The Bt3-trillion budget was passed smoothly by the NLA, which approved its “suitability” to the government’s mission and national strategy.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha led some cabinet members to the session for his 90-minute explanation of the pricey budget.

“With this high budget, many wondered if there could be corruption. But with that mindset, we would be unable to do anything at all,” Prayut said. “Corruption is not about the system. It all depends on people.”

EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen said that relevant units in the agency had been assigned to prepare for the designation of constituencies. However, it has not been finalised, as the EC will gain full authority only when the electoral law comes into effect, he explained.

The new law requires that in designating election constituencies, the EC needs to take inputs from politicians and constituents.

“That will be possible only after the new law takes effect. The EC cannot issue any regulations about elections at the moment, although we already have a plan for implementation,” Supachai said.

He expected the constituency designation to be completed within 60 days of the new law taking effect, after the EC gathers inputs from politicians and voters. The least time the EC would spend on the matter was 14 days, according to Supachai.

The EC chief said the election commissioners have yet to make a decision regarding a suggestion to seek a ruling from the junta under Article 44 of the post-coup charter, empowering the agency to designate constituencies before the law on MP election takes effect.

The suggestion was made by EC general-secretary Jarungvith Phumma, who said an early start would allow political parties sufficient time to prepare for the next election, including holding primary voting among party members to elect their election candidates.

Supachai said yesterday that he was seeking to discuss with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who is in charge of the government’s legal affairs, about the EC’s role in organising the next election. He would raise the possibility of the EC issuing some regulations before the election law takes effect.

The law on MP elections is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement within this month. Once endorsed, the legislation would be published in the Royal Gazette. However, unlike most other laws that take effect the day after promulgation, the new law has a clause that states it will become effective 90 days later.

Meanwhile, senior politicians expressed their concern yesterday that it would be difficult for the EC to ensure a free and fair election as the junta still held the reins of power.

Democrat Party deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisit said the National Council for Peace and Order and its head, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, retained the power to issue orders under Article 44 of the post-coup charter before, during and after the next election, until the junta was replaced by an elected government.

“That raises questions about the possible impact on the fairness of the coming election. I don’t think the election can be free and fair, as long as there are still questions regarding the use of state powers by the current rulers,” the politician said.

Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, a key figure from the Pheu Thai Party, said she believed the EC would “face a big battle” to ensure free and fair elections. Sudarat said there could be interventions that could affect the EC’s work, through the government and bureaucratic mechanisms.

Also, she said the people in power could exercise their special powers through Article 44 in interfering with the EC, such as dismissing some election commissioners or influencing the selection of new EC members to replace ones whose terms expired.

All of these could affect the EC’s neutrality and spirit in carrying out its duties, she said.

Jurin and Sudarat were speaking at a panel discussion organised by the EC at Government Complex yesterday. The event was part of activities to mark the election agency’s 20th anniversary.

The family reportedly disowned Chitpas when she was among leaders of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rallies against the Yingluck Shinawatra government in 2013. Chitpas submitted a request for bail assistance to the Justice Fund on May 28, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Thawatchai Thaikhiew, said yesterday. Pointing out that the fund was established primarily to reduce social inequality by ensuring equal access to justice for |poor and low-income people facing prosecution, Thawatchai said Chitpas had until June 11 to prove she qualifies for aid.

Chitpas and other core PDRC members were indicted earlier this year on eight criminal charges, including treason and terrorism, for their role in the so-called “Bangkok shutdown” protest of 2013.

The letters were publicised on a day when 45 pro-election Thai protesters were spared from detention after facing several charges stemming from their involvement in a demonstration on May 22 demanding elections this year. The three letters, sent between December last year and February, dwelt on concerns about harassment of peaceful demonstrators, arbitrary arrests, the detention of a refugee and criminalising freedom of expression.

The latest letter, sent on February 20, expressed concern about persecution of those taking part in peaceful assemblies against the government – from the “We Walk for Friendship” march to the pro-election assembly in January – the first in a series trying to remind the junta of its earlier promise to hold elections this year.

“We remain seriously concerned at the use of the [National Council for Peace and Order] orders to crack down on protests and criminalise the expression of dissenting opinions in Thailand on matters of high public and political interest, where opinions should be freely expressed and debated,” reads the letter.

In another letter issued in December 2017, the UNHRC expressed “grave concern at the continued use of Article 112 of the Criminal Code and of the Computer Crime Act against the legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression in Thailand”.

“We reiterate that all public figures, including those exercising the highest political authority … are legitimately subject to criticism and political opposition,” the letter went on, as it cited details of over 20 cases of concerns, including that against Jatupat Boonpattaraksa, who was convicted for sharing a controversial BBC report on his social media in December 2016.

Another letter issued in January raised concerns about Thai authorities’ detention of Vietnamese Pastor A Ga despite his recognition as a refugee by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Thai government has so far responded to two of the three letters, but kept mum on the one about peaceful protesters.

Meanwhile, 45 protesters yesterday were spared charges brought against them by the NCPO. They were accused of disturbing public peace, disobeying law officers, and violating the political assembly ban. Leaders of the demonstration were additionally accused of sedition, among other allegations. The police decided not to detain the protesters, reasoning the indictment files had not yet been completed. They scheduled to send the alleged offenders to the prosecutor on June 29.

Sixty-two people in total have been charged following the protest. Fifteen were leaders of the movement, who had already been arrested on the spot and released later. The 47 others were summoned to the Nang Leong Police Station yesterday to acknowledge the charges. Two of them did not show up yesterday.

Pro-election protesters on May 22 attempted to march from Thammasat University’s Tha Prachan Campus to Government House to call for the junta to step down and hold an election this year. The date also marked the fourth anniversary of the coup.

Scores of protesters yesterday assembled again in front of the United Nations office and marched from there to Nang Loeng Police Station to show solidarity with those facing criminal charges and resisting the coup-backed regime.

A number of representatives from embassies such as the European Union Delegation, United States, United Kingdom, Finland, Germany, and France also observed yesterday’s event, aside from rights agencies such as Human Rights Watch and the National Human Rights Commission.

The family reportedly disowned Chitpas when she was among leaders of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) rallies against the Yingluck Shinawatra government in 2013.

Chitpas submitted a request for bail assistance to the Justice Fund on May 28, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Thawatchai Thaikhiew, said on Thursday.

Pointing out that the fund was established primarily to reduce social inequality by ensuring equal access to justice for poor and low-income people facing prosecution, Thawatchai said Chitpas had until June 11 to prove she qualifies for aid.

Chitpas and other core PDRC members were indicted earlier this year on eight criminal charges, including treason and terrorism, for their role in the so-called “Bangkok shutdown” protest of 2013.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will spend about two hours clarifying the new budget proposal that projects a deficit of Bt450 billion.

The 2019 budget is about Bt100 billion more than the previous year, bringing total state spending under the National Council for Peace and Order-backed government to Bt13.8 trillion.

In the 2019 budget, the Education Ministry gets the biggest allocation of Bt489 billion, followed by a central budget of Bt468 billion, the Interior Ministry gets Bt373 billion, the Finance Ministry Bt242 billion, and the Defence Ministry Bt227 billion.

The 2019 allocation for the Defence Ministry is Bt5.2 billion more than in the previous year, bringing total spending by the Armed Forces to Bt949 billion since the coup.

The Defence Ministry’s budget includes spending on military equipment and payment of instalments for Chinese-made submarines.

In addition, the Defence Ministry has signed a letter of confirmation to buy a number of satellites from the US, worth more than Bt90 billion.

Surachai Liangboonlertchai, first vice president of the NLA, said about 20 NLA members have signed up for time slots to debate the proposed budget while Cabinet members are required to respond to questions from the floor.

The debate, which is expected to finish in one day, will likely cover the national reform agenda as well as the government’s much-heralded Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) investment programme.

The EEC project, which covers parts of Rayong, Chon Buri, and Chachoengsao provinces, is expected to attract massive public-private investment of up to Bt1.7 trillion over the next several years.

The EEC’s transport and other infrastructure projects include those for high-speed rail links to Suvarnabhumi, Don Muang, and U-tapao airports, as well as expansion of the Laem Chabang and Mab Ta Put seaports, while the private sector is expected to invest in a new generation of industries and businesses, including e-commerce and logistics, aviation and other sectors.

However, the government does not have the financial resources for investment, as seen in the proposed budget. Fixed expenditure for the next fiscal year amounts to Bt2.26 trillion, up 3.4 per cent from the previous year, and accounts for 75.4 per cent of the total budget, while investment spending totals Bt660 billion, accounting for 22 per cent of the total budget.

The 2019 budget includes Bt78 billion for debt repayment and new borrowings to finance the budget deficit of Bt450 billion.

Of the total budget, Bt838 billion is earmarked for the rebalancing and public sector reform agenda; Bt328 billion for national security, Bt406 billion for international competitiveness, Bt560 billion for human resource development, Bt397 billion for poverty reduction, and Bt117 billion for water resources management and sustainability.

Decorated story boards and simple infographics display the national strategies, at an exhibition held on ground floor of CentralWorld.

Despite being located in a widely visited area, PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool played down expectations, saying he would not expect the event to develop solid public awareness.

“We just wish to make the public aware of the national strategy and reforms,” said Kobsak, who presided over the opening of the exhibition yesterday.

“This is only a part of a series of projects we are planning about the strategy,” he said.

The event, mostly attended by officers, intern students and press members, also attracted the attention of a 95-year-old woman, who asked to hold Kobsak’s hands.

“We don’t have King Naresuan in this era but we have Khun Kobsak and this government to help rescue the country,” she said in a trembling voice.

The government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has hyped its pursuit of national reform and strategy, citing the country’s past “failures”, of different governments manipulating development plans to pursue their own agendas for political purposes.

Numerous people have worked on setting the agenda since the junta seized power in 2014. From the parliament’s National Reform Council and National Reform Steering Assembly to many Prayut-headed committees, they have proposed and drafted a number of related papers on the agenda.

The 35-member committee that drafted the national strategy mostly comprised generals, military personnel, chairmen of major Thai companies and people with a record of working for the junta.

The junta government has been slammed for making few distinctive changes in the so-called reforms and strategy, despite all their claims over the past four years.

Many observers have been critical of the long-term strategy, which obligates future governments to follow the plan or risk being punished or sacked.

Kobsak brushed aside criticism, saying the strategy will only lay the necessary framework and, while it has to be adhered to, it could be adaptable depending on future factors.

“[The country] has been sick of changing governments so often. Many good projects are either suspended or cancelled,” the minister said.

“That’s why we need this type of framework for our country to develop.”

The ultimate goal is for Thailand, which has been stuck in the rut as a developing country for over a decade, to achieve developed status in line with the sufficiency economy philosophy of the late King Rama IX.

The national strategy covers politics, national administration, laws, justice, economy, national resources and environment, public health, media and information technology, social, energy, anti-corruption, education and police.