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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017297

Thailand’s new 12.2-billion-baht Parliament complex has sprung another big leak after a heavy downpour, former Democrat Party MP Watchara Petthong said on Saturday.

That was the third such incident reported by the politician this year.

He said rainwater had flooded the ground floor of the complex on Friday evening where an exhibition for the 90th anniversary of Thai parliaments was being held.

The politician said he had received a video clip of the flooded wooden floor.

He said there often were leaks — big and small — in “dozens of spots” throughout the Parliament complex after heavy rain, sometimes causing flooding. He claimed Parliament cleaning staff were instructed by their supervisors not to tell outsiders what happened.

Watchara blamed the leaks on construction defects caused by insufficient quality control by the subcontractors, substandard materials and poor specifications.

In March, Watchara reported that the Parliament complex was partly flooded after tap water gushed out of a large leaking pipe, causing “what looked like a big waterfall”.

He said this was not the first time such an embarrassing incident had occurred inside the huge complex, which cost over 12 billion baht in taxpayers’ money to build.

A month later, the politician reported that the building’s parking complex was partly flooded after pipes leaked. He said the complex could be flooded even without rain.

Between September and October last year, rainwater leaked into several areas of the building, including the Suriyan Hall where MPs gather for meetings.

The new Parliament complex officially opened in May last year.

Published : July 02, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017189

A group of 16 MPs from small political parties may vote against Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn during the censure debate between July 19 and 22 if he does not tackle call centre scams immediately.

Tairaktham Party MP Peerawit Luengluedolphak, who is also the group’s coordinator, said on Wednesday that his group has faced call centre scams, with the scammers aiming to deceive victims into transferring money to the gang.

He believed citizens nationwide also come under daily attack.

“Call centre gangs use various tricks to deceive victims, such as claiming they are officials at Thailand Post, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, the Department of Land Transport or the Royal Thai Police,” he noted.

Peerawit questioned the DES Ministry about how call centre gangs could access citizens’ personal data even though the Personal Data Protection Act came into effect on June 1.

“We would like to know if there are guidelines to protect personal data,” he said.

Peerawit urged Chaiwut to tackle the issue immediately in a bid to gain the confidence of the public.

He said no government agencies had requested money to combat call centre scams, especially agencies named by the scammers who have used their data as a tool.

“The group may have to vote against the ministers responsible for tackling call centre scams in the upcoming no confidence debate,” Peerawit warned.

Published : June 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017176

Parliament President Chuan Leekpai has tested negative for Covid-19, his adviser Sukit Attopakorn said on Wednesday.

He made the remark after Chuan was admitted to Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district on Tuesday after developing fever and body ache following a meeting with government officials.

Sukit said Chuan tested negative for Covid-19, adding that the Parliament president’s blood pressure and blood oxygen level are normal.

“A physician is diagnosing whether Chuan’s symptoms involves a bloodstream infection, which he had suffered from earlier,” Sukit said.

He added that Chuan had appointed two deputy Parliament presidents, namely Suchart Tancharoen and Supachai Phosu, to work on House sessions as his physician hadn’t allowed him to leave hospital yet.

“Chuan thanks the public and all parties for their concern and encouragement,” Sukit said.

Two deputy prime ministers – Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit – had reportedly tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from abroad.

Anutin attended the 170th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions in the French capital from June 19 to 21. He then travelled to Geneva, Switzerland, to attend the 50th United Nations conference on HIV/Aids at the World Health Organisation’s headquarters from June 21 to 24.

Meanwhile, Jurin visited Iceland and the United Kingdom between June 18 and 22. In Iceland, he held discussions with the European Free Trade Association on free trade pacts, before participating in the Joint Economic and Trade Committee ministerial meeting at Central Hall Westminster, London.

Published : June 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017110

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha cast doubt on the accuracy of opinion polls on Monday, a day after a survey indicated most Thais would prefer Paetongtarn Shinawatra as their next prime minister.

The poll apparently confirmed the rising popularity of Paetongtarn, leader of the so-called “Pheu Thai Family” and daughter of former PM Thaksin.

Conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), the June 23-25 poll surveyed 2,500 people from different educational and occupational backgrounds nationwide.

The results released on Sunday show Paetongtarn leading the list with 25.28 per cent of respondents naming her as their preferred next prime minister. In comparison, incumbent PM Prayut came a lowly fourth with 11.68 per cent.

Speaking on Monday, Prayut claimed that many polls deliver inaccurate results.

He added it was up to citizens to decide whether they were satisfied with him as PM, as he was working for everyone without discrimination.

“The difficulties of each task are different,” he said. “We need to ensure that all 70 million people are taken care of. That’s our intention.”

He also stressed that the government must gauge citizens’ opinions before making decisions on how to tackle issues.

Published : June 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017107

A former aide to Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan defended new Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt on Monday, following a spate of serious fires in the month since he was elected.

Paisal Puechmongkol lashed back at social media users who attacked the new city chief for failing to prevent three large blazes.

The fires broke out at the historic Chai Chana Songkhram temple in Samphanthawong district (June 5), Bon Kai community in Pathumwan (June 21) and Sampheng market in Samphanthawong on Sunday (June 26).

Paisal pointed out there had been many serious fire incidents in Bangkok before Chadchart became city chief.

“No one was blamed for more than 150 fire accidents that happened in Bangkok [before Chadchart was elected],” he said. “Most importantly, no one came up with ideas to prevent fires,” he added.

Meanwhile, the popular “Drama-addict” Facebook page said most fire accidents in Bangkok were due to burning of grass or garbage, as well as short circuits. It branded people who are quick to blame others when fire erupts as “insane”.

A short circuit is believed to have caused Sunday’s deadly blaze, which killed two people in a Sampheng shophouse.

The Drama Addict page also listed the number and causes of fires over the past five years, citing data from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation:

• 2017: 2,170 fire accidents due to burning of grass or garbage and 785 due to short circuits.
• 2018: 1,413 due to burning of grass/garbage, 654 due to short circuits.
• 2019: 3,085 due to burning of grass/garbage, 638 due to short circuits.
• 2020: 2,554 due to burning of grass/garbage, 629 due to short circuits.
• 2021: 712 due to burning of grass/garbage, 104 due to short circuits.

Published : June 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017102

The date for a no-confidence showdown with the opposition will be chosen when Cabinet holds its weekly meeting on Tuesday, Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Monday.

He added that House Speaker Chuan Leekpai has formally asked the Cabinet to select dates for the censure debate and will submit the motion on Tuesday.

The opposition filed its application for a censure debate with Chuan on June 15. The targets of this debate are Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and 10 other Cabinet members including Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan and Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda.

Wissanu reckons the Cabinet will choose July 18 for the start of the showdown because there are some public holidays in the first half of the month. He added that the length of the debate will be decided upon by the coalition and opposition whips.

The aim of the no-confidence debate is to show how the government failed in its job and how the targets had intentionally violated the charter and political ethics, as well as committed graft and cronyism. The opposition is also planning to target the government for not keeping the promises it made to Parliament or to the opposition during earlier censure debates.

Published : June 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017065

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt arrived at Nong Khaem district on Sunday to hold his second mobile meeting. This is in line with his campaign promise to gather first-hand information from locals in different parts of the capital.

Before holding a meeting with the district chief and other officials, Chadchart visited the Phuttharak Park in Soi Phetkasem 77, where he and the district chief planted five white champaka or magnolia trees.

As part of his 214 campaign promises, Chadchart has pledged to have a million trees planted in Bangkok during his four-year tenure. He said he chose white champaka because it is native to Nong Khaem and also because it has economic value. Champaka flowers are not just used in traditional garlands, but also have many medicinal properties.

The governor said he is devoting Sundays to planting trees, adding that this policy has been warmly welcomed by people and businesses in the capital.

He also said that several private companies have offered to help him with his one-million-trees target and plant at least 600,000 saplings. Chadchart also called on media outlets to form a group and plant at least 1,000 trees around Bangkok.

The governor added that he plans to launch to applications related to tree planting. One app will locate the trees planted by the app user, while the other will allow users to book a slot to plant trees in public parks.

Chadchart added that he believes his tree planting will go beyond the 1-million mark, but said he wants to wait until the target is achieved first.

He was also pleased that so many people showed up at the park to witness the tree planting, saying “this will make Bangkok a better place to live in”.

He also lauded the Nong Khaem district office for quickly responding to complaints filed via the Traffy Fondue app. Chadchart said the biggest problem in Nong Khaem is traffic congestion, especially since bottlenecks are formed by cars flowing in from Bang Bon and Bang Khae districts. Traffic in Nong Khaem also comes to a standstill due to floods.

The governor visited communities and the Nong Khaem garbage disposal factory before meeting district officials.

He said his first mobile meeting in Klong Toei district last weekend has put all districts on alert.

“But I’m not looking for any faults with the district administration. All my subordinates are part of a team and I come here to support them,” he said.

Chadchart also said he does not want district officials to stop working to welcome him every time he goes on an inspection trip. He was in Bang Kapi district on Saturday.

“Only those who are required should turn up, while the rest can continue working,” he said.

Before his meeting on Sunday, Chadchart joined a group of badminton players at the park, but missed hitting the shuttlecock three times – a loss he blamed on failing eyesight. He was then invited to shoot hoops but only scored twice.

Published : June 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017058

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Sunday his move to provide seven venues for public protest in the city would be trialled for the next month and then evaluated.

The new city chief admitted he was concerned about possible trouble on Friday, the first day protesters were allowed to use the seven areas.

“Personally, I felt worried and kept my fingers crossed that nothing would happen. Anyway, we have security cameras to monitor the situations,” Chadchart said.

He said he had visited the Lan Khon Muang town square in front of the first Bangkok Metropolitan Administration hall on Friday to observe a demonstration there.

“The BMA providing venues for protesters to demonstrate is a historical move. The situation went well and we screened the areas and participants for weapons so we felt safe,” Chadchart said.

The policy to grant areas for protest showed mutual respect between demonstrators and the authorities, he added.

Meanwhile, the size of protests at each venue had so far stayed within the set limits, so had not violated the Covid-19 emergency decree, said the governor.

The seven areas of the city decreed as protest grounds are Lan Khon Muang in Phra Nakhon district, Bangkok Youth Centre in Din Daeng, the area under the Ratchavipha Bridge in Chatuchak, the parking lot at Phra Khanong district office, the 72nd Anniversary Stadium in Min Buri district, the Chalermphrakiat sports centre in Thung Khru, and Monton Pirom Park in Taling Chan district.

Chadchart said he also met with a group of activists at the private Suan Kru Angoon Park in a bid to understand their complaints.

“We must get close to them before we can take care of them,” he explained. “After talking to them, I think everything will be easier. I believe Thais can live together with an accommodating attitude.”

He acknowledged that some people disagreed with his policy but asked for time to see whether it worked.

The policy was included in Chadchart’s election campaign and passed on Thursday after months of violent clashes between the anti-government Thalugaz group and police at Din Daeng intersection.

“Let me try it for a month,’ he said, adding that it was normal for people to have different views as long as they don’t quarrel and fight.

Published : June 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017052

Most Thais want to see Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the so-called “Pheu Thai Family”, take over as the country’s next prime minister, a survey shows.

Results of a new quarterly survey released on Sunday show Paetongtarn, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter, leading the list with 25.28 per cent. In comparison, incumbent PM Prayut Chan-o-cha came in fourth with 11.68 per cent.

The poll was conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from June 20 to 23 and covered 2,500 people from different education and work backgrounds.

When asked who they want as the next PM, the response was:

• Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Pheu Thai): 25.28%

• No one is eligible: 18.68%

• Pita Limjaroenrat (Move Forward): 13.24%

• Prayut Chan-o-cha: 11.68%

• Sudarat Keyuraphan (Thai Sang Thai): 6.80%

• Sereepisuth Temeeyaves (Thai Liberal): 6.60%

• Chadchart Sittipunt (Independent): 4.20%

• Korn Chatikavanij (Kla Party): 3.76%

• Chonlanan Srikaew (Pheu Thai): 2.92%

• Somkid Jatusripitak (Sarng Anacot Thai): 1.68%

• Jurin Laksanawisit (Democrat): 1.56%

• Anutin Charnvirakul (Bhumjaithai): 1.52%

• Others: 2.08%

The others include former Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan and Move Forward MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn.

Paetongtarn’s popularity has risen sharply compared to the 12.53 per cent she earned in the first quarter survey, while Prayut’s has fallen slightly from 12.67 per cent.

As for political parties, the respondents chose:

• Pheu Thai: 36.36%

• None: 18.68%

• Move Forward: 17.88%

• Palang Pracharath: 7%

• Democrat: 6.32%

• Thai Liberal: 3.04%

• Thai Sang Thai: 2.96%

• Kla: 2.68%

• Bhumjaithai: 2.56%

• Others: 2.52%

The others include Sarng Anacot Thai, Thai Pakdee and New Economics.

Compared to the previous survey, the popularity of Pheu Thai, Move Forward, Thai Liberal, Thai Sang Thai, Kla Party and Bhumjaithai has risen while the popularity of the Democrat Party has fallen.

Published : June 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017039

Parliamentary officials with special expertise and skills will be allowed to continue serving for up to 10 years after the official retirement age of 60, according to an announcement in the Royal Gazette on Friday.

Under the new regulation effective from Saturday, the Parliamentary Officials Commission will allow retirement-age officials to remain in their posts if their expertise and skills are in high demand and it is difficult to replace them.

Their time in service can be extended three times — for four years and then twice for three years at a time – if they are still needed in their posts.

Initially, parliamentary officials with legal expertise are eligible for the extension, according to the Royal Gazette announcement.

Published : June 25, 2022