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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019441

Most people in Thailand are not worried that the battle over the PM’s tenure will bring protesters to the streets and spark widespread political unrest, a recent survey showed.

Amajority of Constitutional Court judges on Wednesday voted to accept the opposition’s petition seeking a verdict on General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure as prime minister. Upon accepting the case, the court suspended Prayut from duty until a verdict is issued.

Taking advantage of this, pro-democracy protesters are getting ready to launch rallies to demand Prayut’s resignation.

Among them is the “People’s Union Party”, led by political activists Jatuporn Prompan and Nitithorn Lamlua, which will gather in Bangkok’s Lan Khon Mueang Town Square on Sunday from 4pm.

Meanwhile, a nationwide survey was conducted on August 24-26 by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida). The survey was on 1,312 respondents aged 18 and above from different backgrounds. Here are some questions and responses:

Are you concerned about anti-Prayut rallies sparking political unrest?

47.48%: No

21.19%: Probably yes

19.13%: Probably no

10.90%: Yes

1.30%: Don’t care

Will rallies force Prayut to resign or dissolve Parliament?

52.06%: Prayut will be unaffected

19.89%: Prayut will resign

15.25%: Prayut will dissolve Parliament

12.80%: Don’t care

Will one of the five eligible persons proposed by political parties become the next PM?

35.90%: None of them

22.79%: Thai Sarng Thai leader Sudarat Keyuraphan

17.84%: Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt

12.19%: Former Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva

5.87%: Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

1.68%: Pheu Thai’s political strategist Chaikasem Nitisiri

3.73%: Don’t care

Published : August 28, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019397

Deputy Education Minister Kanokwan Wilawan was on Friday suspended from duty after the Supreme Court agreed to try her over accusations of encroachment on national forest.

Kanokwan was accused of encroachment by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which has passed the case to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

The NACC accuses Kanokwan of breaking the law by grabbing land in Khao Yai National Park in Prachinburi province since 1990.

Kanokwan has denied the accusation and said she bought the land from its previous owner, Thiew Malison. The anti-graft agency said it had found no records to support that claim.

As plaintiff, the NACC has asked for a court order to remove Kanokwan from office and suspend her electoral rights for 10 years.

The Supreme Court on Friday accepted the NACC’s petition for judicial review. A copy of the complaint will be sent to the defendant, who must submit her defence against the accusation within 14 days.

The court ordered Kanokwan to be suspended from her ministerial duties until the verdict is issued.

The first hearing was scheduled for October 5.

Published : August 26, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019355

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha opted to take part in a Defence Council meeting via video teleconference instead of physically attending the meeting at the Defence Ministry in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district on Thursday.

The conference came a day after the majority of Constitutional Court judges voted to accept an opposition petition for deliberation on Prayut’s tenure and suspended him from duty until a ruling is made.

Prayut reportedly attended the meeting from his residence at the 1st Infantry Regiment base in Phya Thai though he can freely carry out his defence minister tasks.

Deputy Defence Minister Chaichan Changmongkol, Defence Ministry permanent secretary Worakiat Rattananon, Chief of the Defence Forces Chalermphon Srisawat, Army Chief Narongphan Jitkaewtae and Air Force Commander-in-Chief Napadej Dhupatemiya were physically present at the meeting.

Opposition MPs invoked Section 82 to sign their names sponsoring the petition, asking the court whether Prayut’s tenure should be deemed expired in accordance with provisions of the Constitution that limited the tenure of a prime minister to eight years. They insist his tenure ended on August 23, 2022.

The petition also asked the court to suspend Prayut from duty until a ruling is made.

Published : August 25, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019351

Caretaker Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan cannot dissolve Parliament or appoint any new minister, as both those decisions need royal approval, a law professor said on Thursday.

Jade Donavanik, president of the Law Faculty of the College of Asian Scholars, was speaking about the role and powers of a caretaker prime minister.

Prawit, however, can propose a budget and transfer government officials as it was within the prime minister’s general powers.

If Prawit wants to dissolve Parliament, he should ponder whether to let the actual PM do it instead, Jade said.

He said Prawit needed to remember that the members of Parliament are chosen by citizens, and since the citizens’ representatives chose the prime minister, he should let the actual PM take actions like appointing a new minister or dissolving the house.

He said the act of dissolving Parliament by a caretaker PM would be a significant step because it would be tantamount to showing a disregard for the votes of citizens who chose the actual PM, not the caretaker.

Jade’s comments contradicted the opinion of Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who said a caretaker PM has full powers, including dissolving Parliament and appointing a minister.

“His comments are not relevant to me,” Jade said, in response to Wissanu’s comments.

Published : August 25, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019337

A host of tasks are awaiting Caretaker Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Thursday and Friday, according to the Royal Thai Government website.

Prawit automatically took over as caretaker prime minister after a majority of Constitutional Court judges voted on Wednesday to accept an opposition petition for deliberation on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure and suspended him from duty until a ruling is made.

At 10am, Prawit was scheduled to preside over the national disaster warning system executive committee via video conference at the Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district.

Prawit was later scheduled to meet Organisation of Islamic Cooperation secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha, who is visiting Thailand as a guest of the Foreign Ministry, at Government House in Bangkok’s Dusit district.

Prawit is expected to preside over a Defence Council meeting, even though Prayut is allowed to handle the task as defence minister.

According to the Prime Minister’s Order No 237/2563, any of the other five deputy prime ministers can be appointed as caretaker prime minister apart from Prawit:

• Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam

• Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

• Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit

• Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai

• Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow.

Wissanu earlier said that Prawit now has authority to give any order related to personnel administration and budget approval due to the Constitutional Court’s suspension of Prayut.

He added that Prawit could also dissolve Parliament, but this would be hard to do so.

Published : August 25, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019318

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Wednesday the perception of Thailand in the eyes of the international community would not be affected by General Prawit Wongsuwan becoming the caretaker prime minister.

Speaking to reporters after learning of the Constitutional Court’s decision to suspend Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from duty, Don said Prawit had become caretaker prime minister because he was the No. 1 deputy prime minister.

Asked whether Prawit would win acceptance and enjoy the confidence of the international community, Don said there should be no problem because Prawit used to make foreign trips on behalf of the prime minister and he had been received with due respect while serving as defence minister.

The court decided on Wednesday to accept a petition by the opposition seeking a ruling on whether Prayut’s tenure should be regarded as ending on August 24, as he had completed eight years in the post of prime minister since taking the reins on August 24, 2014 after the May 2014 coup. The court suspended Prayut from duty pending its ruling.

Asked whether the incident would affect foreign confidence in the Kingdom, Don said such an incident could happen in any country because it was a domestic affair so the country’s image and reputation would not be affected.

Don said Cabinet members were not shocked by the court’s decision because during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, possible scenarios were discussed and the meeting was informed that Prawit, as the deputy PM, would be named caretaker PM.

When asked whether the on-going protests against Prayut would affect the country’s hosting of the Apec Summit later this year, Don said since the summit would be held only in November, there was enough time for the political situation to calm down.

“There are four more months to go. So there is nothing to worry,” Don said.

He said if the court makes a final ruling before November, the situation would be clear but it would not affect the hosting of the Apec Summit, irrespective of whether Prayut is reinstated as prime minster.

Don was speaking to reporters after he represented Prayut at an event at Government House to hand out the Prime Minister Award: National Startup 2022, and Prime Minister Award: Innovation for Crisis.

Published : August 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019313

The Constitutional Court’s decision to accept the petition on the tenure of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha would help ease political tensions in the country, a law professor said on Wednesday.

Jade Donavanik, president of the Law Faculty of the College of Asian Scholars, was reacting to the Constitutional Court judges voting 5:4 to accept an opposition petition seeking a ruling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure in office, and suspending him from duty until a ruling is made.

He believed that the decision would ease the political conflict brewing through rallies and public assembly of Prayut’s critics.

Jade, however, pointed to a lack of clarity in the ruling on whether Prayut also stands suspended as defence minister.

He said that some people might interpret that Prayut could keep working as defence minister, and that may not be acceptable to sections of society. They might continue their protests until he steps down.

Jade suggested that Prayut go on a vacation because the Constitutional Court would take around a month to consider the petition and issue a verdict. Such a move by him could also help lower political tensions.

Published : August 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019308

The Constitutional Court cancelled a press conference on its suspension of General Prayut Chan-o-cha as the prime minister after the news spread across the country like wildfire.

News media were quick to report that the Constitutional Court judges voted 5:4 on Wednesday to accept an opposition petition for deliberation on Prayut’s PM tenure and suspend him from duty until a ruling is made.

The nine current Constitutional Court judges are court president Worawit Kangsasitiam, Dr Jiraniti Hawanon, Udom Sitthiwirattham, Wiroon Saengthian, Banjongsak Wongprat, Thaweekiart Minakasit, Nakarin Mektrairat, Panya Udchachon, and Noppadon Theppithak.

Earlier, the Constitutional Court announced it would reveal the results of a meeting on the issue, with a lot of police and security officers guarding the area in preparation for the announcement.

However, court staff said the judges opted to announce the results of their official meeting via a document instead of an official press conference after news of Prayut’s suspension spread.

Published : August 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019309

Prayut Chan-o-cha, Thailand’s long-serving PM, is known for his song “Returning Happiness to the People”, written in the days after the coup, with the hope of mending relations between the military and the people, asking “for a little more time” and “promising to return the country to the people”

… But that was 8 long years ago.

The biggest question in Thai politics has been how long would Prayut be able to stay in power as prime minister. The 23rd of August 2022 marked the completion of his eight years in office. The current Constitution stipulates that an individual shall not hold the office of prime minister for more than eight years.

Opposition MPs had submitted a petition to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to forward to the Constitutional Court for a ruling on whether Prayut’s eight-year term as PM will end on Wednesday in keeping with the current Constitution.

As of today, the Constitutional Court has accepted the petition and ruled to suspend Prayut from his duties as prime minister immediately, with the judges voting 5:4 to take up the opposition’s petition.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan will step up and take over as prime minister until the Constitutional Court judges can decide on the length of Prayut’s tenure as PM, which could take up to one month.

The opposition has insisted that Prayut’s time as PM should be counted from August 24, 2014, when he became premier after leading a military coup in May that year.

People have been holding their breath, waiting for the Constitutional Court to deliver its decision. Will Prayut be able to extend his reign by four more years? Or will they decide that his time is up?

Whatever the court’s decision, it is sure to displease many people.

Many were hoping that Prayut would opt to resign, thereby saving the country from the political heat generated by anti-government protests, and paving the way for democratic elections to appoint a new Prime Minister to tackle the big challenges that lie ahead for Thailand.

Picture Credit: A person holds up a picture of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during a protest by Thai political groups opposed to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, near Government House, ahead of a Constitutional Court decision on when his eight-year PM terms ends, in Bangkok, Thailand August 23, 2022.REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

Published : August 24, 2022

By : Stephanie Adair

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/politics/40019303

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan became the caretaker prime minister after General Prayut Chan-o-cha was suspended from duty by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.

Being the first deputy premier, Prawit automatically became caretaker prime minister following Prayut’s suspension.

The second prime minister is Wissanu Krea-ngam.

Earlier, the court voted 5:4 to accept for deliberation an opposition petition on whether Prayut’s tenure should expire on Wednesday. The court also accepted a request in the petition to suspend Prayut from duty pending a ruling.

On Tuesday, Wissanu said Prawit would be the caretaker prime minister and Prayut would continue to work as the defence minister if the court suspended him from his PM duty.

Prawit is considered the eldest brother of the so-called three General Ps – Prawit, Prayut and Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda, whose nickname is Gen Pok.

The three General Ps have always been part of Prayut’s Cabinet since the coup on May 22, 2014.

Prawit was born on August 11, 1945.

He is considered a “soldier politician”, being defence minister twice – from 2008 to 2011 and 2014 to 2019.

Prawit held the powerful post of Army commander-in-chief in 2004 and 2005.

He became deputy chief of the National Council for Peace and Order that seized power on May 22, 2014, later going on to lead the Palang Pracharath Party.

Prawit finished secondary school at St Gabriel’s School in 1992. He completed Class 6 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School in 1965 and then graduated from Class 17 at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in 1969.

He later attended the Royal Thai Army’s Command and General Staff College in 1997 and completed a Class 40 defence course at the National Defence College in 2013.

Prawit advanced in his career in the First Army Area, especially in the 21st Infantry Regiment (Queen’s Guards).

Needless to say, he is very close to Anupong and Prayut.

Published : August 24, 2022

By : THE NATION