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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016066

Bangkok governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt faces obstacles to his ratification as new city chief, with two complaints filed against him so far.

The complaints cover his recyclable campaign banners and remarks he made about the government system.

The Election Commission is set to consider the results of the Bangkok governor and councillor elections at 1pm on Monday.

Chadchart won last Sunday’s governor election by a landslide, receiving over 1.38 million votes – more than all other candidates combined. The Democrats’ Suchatvee Suwansawat (254,723 votes) and Move Forward’s Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn (253,938) were a distant second and third.

The council election saw opposition parties claim the majority of Bangkok’s 50 districts, with Pheu Thai winning 20 and Move Forward 14.

For the ruling coalition, the Democrats won only won nine seats in what was once their stronghold, while Palang Pracharath and Thai Sang Thai won just two seats each. The Raks Krungthep group won in three Bangkok districts.

So far, 24 complaints have been filed against Bangkok governor and councillor candidates, mostly over campaign banners and candidates’ remarks.

The first complaint against Chadchart came from political activist Srisuwan Janya, who alleged that his campaign banners amounted to vote-buying as voters could recycle them into bags and aprons.

The EC must now investigate whether Chadchart’s banners were offered as assets or benefits to attract people to vote for him, or were aimed at conserving the environment.

A separate complaint alleges that Chadchart insulted the government system by saying its complicated steps would affect his operations as Bangkok governor.

However, this issue does not concern election laws and falls into a legal grey area.

An EC source said the commission would postpone ratification of any vote results affected by legitimate complaints or evidence that the election was not transparent.

For instance, the EC will approve 45 of 50 council-seat elections, while a committee will be set up to investigate the complaints against the remaining five councillors-elect, the source said.

According to the law, the EC must announce the results within 30 days of election day if there is no evidence of irregularities. In cases where there is evidence of irregularity, the commission must announce the results or organise another election within 60 days.

Published : May 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016039

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha must either resign or dissolve Parliament if the Budget Bill fails to pass in Parliament, according to Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam.

Wissanu, the government’s legal expert, was speaking to press at Government House on Friday after the opposition threatened to reject the bill.

He said that if the budget is voted down, tradition demands that the PM must either step down or dissolve Parliament and call an election. He added that he was only answering questions and did not intend to send any signals.

Wissanu cited Plaek Phibunsongkhram’s resignation as prime minister after his capital relocation bill failed and also Prem Tinsulanonda’s dissolution of Parliament after it rejected a tax bill.

If the current budget bill fails to pass, the government will have to use the 2022 budget until October 1, but no new spending on projects will be permitted.

Wissanu said that if the prime minister resigned, the entire Cabinet would have to be changed.

He added that if nothing changed in the House of Representatives, then repeated attempts to pass the bill would fail, so it might be better to dissolve Parliament.

Wissanu explained that if the bill does not pass, it would mean the government was not trusted to manage the country and so must resign. However, he noted that the Budget Bill had not been rejected before.

He said the PM’s resignation or Parliament’s dissolution would also affect two pending election laws due to be discussed in Parliament. The next election general is expected no later than early next year, but failure to pass the two laws could trigger a constitutional crisis.

However, Wisannu said the government still believed the Budget Bill would pass.

He declined to say whether he himself was confident the bill would pass, saying he did not have the right to vote.

Published : May 28, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016004

Bangkok governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt plans to move all BMA organisations to City Hall 2 in Din Daeng district.

Chadchart said on Thursday that he has a plan to turn the first city hall and the town square area into a Bangkok museum and creative area. He wants Bangkokians to know more about the city while using the area as a model to build a ‘third place’ area in the city.

He mentioned that BMA City Hall 2 was finished in 2017 but some organisations still used the first city hall in the Phra Nakhon district.

BMA City Hall 2 has 37 floors and is separated into three zones:

• Floor B1 to 6 as normal office
• Floor 7 to 19 for Bangkok council members and other organisations
• Floor 20 to 37 for political executives and other organisations

It took 25 years for it to finish. The project started in 1992 when Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya was the governor.

The plan to build a 37-storey tower was expected to finish in a year with a budget of THB140 million. However, the project was postponed for almost 10 years due to budget negotiations.

Between 2001 to 2002, the construction department planned to erect the first nine floors while waiting for an additional budget. However, former governor Samak Sundaravej refused as he wanted to finish the entire building.

Between 2004 to 2011, THB1.438 billion budget was approved for the tower and the six-storey council hall.

When Apirak Kosayodhin was the governor, he ordered redecoration of the entire building into an energy conservation building but the plan was stopped as there was no budget.

The decoration project restarted in December 2015 and finished in 2017 with a budget of THB897 million.

Former governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra also had a plan to turn the first city hall into a museum in 2012 after moving to the second city hall. However, construction was delayed so the plan was cancelled.

The first city hall has been used for 66 years after the stone-laying ceremony on June 24 1956.

Published : May 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016002

A Bangkok resident sued for posting a message on Twitter threatening the prime minister’s twin daughters was sentenced to five years in jail without parole on Thursday.

The court had initially sentenced him to seven and a half years but took two and a half years off his term because the suspect had no criminal record and offered useful testimony.

Suspect Wuttichai Saritloetworasin had posted a message on March 21, 2021, encouraging people to rape Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s twin daughters Thanya and Nittha.

A case was filed on March 23 and the Nang Lerng Police Station issued a summons for him to report himself on March 29. However, the suspect showed up on March 24 and claimed his Twitter account had been hacked.

However, police searched his apartment and checked all his electronic devices but found no evidence of hacking.

Wuttichai eventually confessed to the crime.

Published : May 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015979

Bangkok Governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt said on Thursday that he would reveal his line-up of deputy governors and advisers after the Election Commission certifies the election result.

Chadchart said he was confident in his team and that his deputy governors “will not be celebrities”.

They must be honest, transparent and compliant, he added.

The to-be governor said he has already checked their backgrounds and was confident there would be no problem.

Chadchart explained that his management team would be divided into three categories – strategy advisers, political advisers, and deputy governors.

According to him:

• Strategy advisers will be responsible to push forward his 214 policies by setting direction and goals as well as allocating money to support the policies.
• Political advisers are volunteers who will help in issues to do with politics.
• Deputy governors will be responsible for various operations.

Chadchart said there was no pressure from either Move Forward or the Pheu Thai Party in choosing his deputy governors. There is no quota so he can choose his staff independently without politics being involved, he added.

Meanwhile, council members will be responsible for presenting problems in each district and helping to tackle them.

Kessara Thanyalakpark (left) and Chadchart Sittipunt (right)

Talking about Sena Development managing director Kessara Thanyalakpark, who is part of his team, refusing the deputy governor’s post, Chadchart said that not everyone who will work with him wants that position. He said Kessara might be more suitable as a chief strategist in pushing his policies.

Chadchart also mentioned former deputy governor Chakkaphan Phewngam, who worked with ex-governor Aswin Kwanmuang.

He said Chakkaphan is a “good person” and he talks to him every morning. The ex-deputy governor is also “transparent and honest”. Chadchart confirmed that he has considered Chakkaphan for the post as he understands the job and there would be “no honeymoon phase”.

However, Chadchart did not reveal if Chakkaphan would join his team. He asked reporters to wait for an official announcement.

Chakkaphan Phewngam

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015960

Bangkok Governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt visited Bangkok Yai park on Thursday morning to mingle with Bangkokians and survey green areas.

His visit came after a council member told him the park was small.

After running two laps, Chadchart promised he would coordinate with council members and the district director to find and rent wastelands or private areas – which were used for banana and sugarcane farming to reduce property tax – and turn them into public green zones.

Meanwhile, developing parks in each district would be a long-term goal, he said.

One of his important goals is the so-called “Bangkok 15 minutes”, in which Bangkokians will have parks that are no more than 15 minutes’ walk away, or a mere 800 metres from their homes.

Chadchart admitted that he may not be able to accomplish the goal completely within a four-year term but he will see that as many parks as possible are developed during the term.

He added that nearby communities must participate in taking care of existing parks so they become more beautiful.

Regarding the garbage problem, he explained that Bangkok had expanded greatly but the number of staff and garbage-handling equipment were the same.

Chadchart said inner Bangkok might not be affected but the population in outer city limits is increasing. Therefore, garbage collection should be adapted to tackle the increasing amount of garbage.

Chadchart said he would coordinate with Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin to employ prisoners to dredge pipes so they can receive income after their sentences are completed, while it is more acceptable for them to work for the public sector rather than the private sector.

He warned that stores releasing waste will have to be responsible. They must filter the waste before releasing dirty water into sewage pipes.

Chadchart also mentioned that he would himself select deputy governors, secretaries, political advisers and volunteer advisers without anyone to pressure him so he can “complete his policies”.

The to-be governor will visit a park in Don Mueang district in the afternoon to inspect the flood problem. He will also head to Sai Mai district to visit a temple and pay respect to the abbot there.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015957

Buying votes in the next election will be “useless” as people are not going to listen to or do what vote buyers want, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday.

He said the Bangkok governor and council election results on Sunday were incredible as voters used their rights for maximum benefit.

Thaksin claimed that “more than one political party bought votes” during the election, but these were not in high numbers because most residents did not cast ballots in their favour.

This proved that Thais are paying attention to democracy after suffering for a long time, the ex-premier said.

He explained that many more voters chose Chadchart Sittipunt for Bangkok governor over Move Forward candidate Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn because they believed Chadchart would lose the election if they voted for Wiroj or other candidates.

Thaksin also believed that the Bangkok governor and council election results would have an impact on the general election, adding that Sunday’s election was just a “trial” for the general election.

People can now access information, especially the new generation, who are able to clarify the information for their parents, he said. Those who deny the correct information are those who escape the truth, he added.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015929

Bangkok Governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt visited Vachirabenjatas Park in Chatuchak district on Wednesday morning to draw up guidelines to improve the area in line with his policies to make “Bangkok a liveable city for everyone”.

Many residents, including joggers in the area, came over to encourage Chadchart and take photos with him.

The to-be governor promised he would solve problems at the park, such as setting up bathrooms, installing emergency rescue equipment and improving its flood protection system and parking areas.

He pointed out that investment to tackle these issues is not that high but provides a lot of benefits.

“A joggers club at the park has already come up with bathroom designs, so we have to check what can we do for them,” Chadchart said.

He said Vachirabenjatas Park would be opened at 4am to reduce congestion, adding that areas where children can hold activities will be opened every weekend.

“If the government and private sector cooperates, Bangkok will move forward,” he pointed out.

Chadchart said 50 kilometres of jogging trails would be set up in 50 districts across Bangkok, adding that runners will be allowed to determine where the trails, toilets and drinking water dispensers will be set up.

After the survey, Chadchart headed to Bang Kapi’s Lam Sali Intersection in the afternoon to check out the problems there relating to traffic and pavements, so he could turn his campaign policies into reality.

Published : May 25, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015894

The Election Commission (EC) announced on Tuesday that the Bangkok and Pattaya local administration and council election results will be certified within 30 days from the polling date.

The EC said that if there is no evidence of fraud, and if it believes both elections were clean and fair, the results will be announced within 30 days from May 22.

However, if the EC has any misgivings, it will conduct an investigation and announce final results within 60 days or call new elections if there is evidence of fraud.

The commission added that even after endorsing the election results, it can conduct further investigation and even seek a court order to nullify the result if a candidate is found to have won through fraudulent means.

According to EC’s data, 60.73 per cent or 2.673 million of the 4.402 million eligible Bangkok voters cast their ballot on Sunday.

Chadchart Sittipunt, an independent candidate, won the Bangkok governor’s post by a landslide with 1.386 million votes.

Meanwhile, 60.48 per cent or 2.635 million of the 4.357 million eligible voters cast their ballot for the Bangkok Council. Eligibility in this case depends on where the voter is residing.

The tally shows that Pheu Thai Party won 20 seats, Move Forward 14 seats, Democrat Party nine seats, Rak Bangkok Group three seats, Thai Sang Thai two seats and Palang Pracharath two seats.

In Pattaya, 49.96 per cent or 38,320 of 78,018 eligible voters came out to vote.

Poramate Ngamwichet, of the Rao Rak Pattaya Group, won the Pattaya mayor election, while his group took all 24 council seats.

Published : May 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015885

Dozens of protesters from different groups gathered outside Government House on Tuesday morning to demand that moves to regulate NGOs and laws preventing people assemblies be dropped.

The protesters started their march at 8.30am from outside the UN building on Ratchadamnoen Nok Road before walking towards the Nang Loeng intersection and heading to Government House.

The rally was led by Lertsak Khamkongsak, leader of the Commoner Party, and Somboon Khamhaeng, an activist from the South. Representatives from many groups joined the protest, including members of the Constitution Advocacy Alliance, the EnLaw Thai Foundation, and the Four Regions Slum Dwellers Network.

The protest was labelled “eight years of the National Council for Peace and Order, we must stop it from expanding power”, and the demand was that the government drop plans to enact a law that regulates non-governmental organisations.

The draft law is in the process of entering the public-hearing stage.

The protesters also expressed opposition to existing laws that restrict people’s right to gather in public places and restrict their freedom of expression.

Police put up barriers to block the group from getting close to Government House, but the protesters successfully removed the barriers and gathered at the Chamai Maruchet Bridge, opposite the Government House complex.

When the protesters demanded that a government representative come out to receive their points of demand, PM’s Office Minister Anucha Nakasai stepped out to take their letter.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Bureau deployed two companies of police officers and two companies of commandos, as well as two trucks armed with water cannons on standby near the rally site.

Published : May 24, 2022

By : THE NATION