Category Archives: politics

NRSA cans seminar in Phetchaburi

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The Nation April 27, 2016 1:00 am

THE National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) said yesterday a seminar to be held in Phetchaburi province has been cancelled due to the “changing” situation and social context.

The seminar entitled “New Step Next Step”, which was to be held on Friday and Saturday, aimed to discuss the national reform plan, NRSA spokesperson Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said.

The objective was in line with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s goals including the Pracha Rat, or “people’s state”, policies. While the seminar had been cancelled, Kamnoon said other seminars related to national reforms would be organised in Bangkok and at Parliament. He said the NRSA Whip would further discuss those events.

A budget to sponsor the seminar was reportedly diverted from other NRSA projects, but the spokesperson and his team declined to comment on the matter, saying they were involved only in arranging the seminar’s content and had no idea about the budget planning.

Revenue Dept should check offshore investments: Vicha

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PANAMA PAPERS

The Nation April 27, 2016 1:00 am
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VICHA Mahakun, former chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, has proposed that the Revenue Department be tasked with screening the tax records of Thai individuals and companies investing overseas after the “Panama Papers” recently exposed widespread use of offshore shell companies to hide assets.

In his capacity as chairman of an anti-graft foundation, Vicha said a seminar on the issue would be held on May 4 featuring a lecture by Thirachai Phuvanartnarabhiban, a former finance minister, who will discuss implications of the Panama Papers leak.

According to Vicha, some offshore companies are legitimate, but others are believed to be illegal because they are used for money laundering and tax evasion. So the government should enact a law to require proper reporting on the establishment of offshore companies by Thai investors.

Prayut puts priority on enforcing new referendum law

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POLITICS

WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION April 27, 2016 1:00 am
Prayut

Prayut

PRIORITY IS BEING given to the enforce?ment of the recently implemented Referendum Act, not the junta’s orders to control incidents related to the upcoming plebiscite, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

“The Act has to be respected,” the premier announced at his weekly press briefing. “The National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO]’s orders are to only maintain peace. They function separately.

“Or do you not want them both? What do you want then?” the premier asked.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn will today file a charge against people who allegedly violated the law.

This will be the first case filed under the law, although it came into effect last week, and clear guidelines from the Election Commission (EC) on what can or cannot be done have yet to be issued.

Among the issues in question is the holding of public seminars, which security officials and the EC interpret differently. Security authorities say that Article 61 of the Act prohibits all acts deemed provocative or violent, while the EC says the Act does not ban public opinions or academic discussions about the draft charter.

Somchai said on Monday that any honest action that does not violate the law could definitely be carried out, provided it does not involve vulgar, violent, aggressive, distorted or seditious comments.

Prayut backed Somchai, saying “a |further discussion” could be held to help define what exactly could be considered a violation of the law.

“It depends on whether the EC will take the matter to the government,” he said.

Prayut also said that the Act, in practice, does not strictly ban the public from expressing opinions on the draft charter.

“Though the Act is in effect now, is it really stopping them from speaking out?” he said in reference to the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and Great Mass of People’s Foundation for Thailand’s Reform. The two groups staked out opposing positions on the draft charter two days after the Act was enforced.

“If the act did not exist, wouldn’t there even be more [political] conflicts?” he said.

When asked if his remarks could mean that people had more freedom of expression in relation to the draft, he said: “I don’t know, I don’t allow anything for now.”

The PM said he would not invite or welcome any observers from foreign countries or NGOs to monitor the referendum process. “It will not be suitable for them to come now. Is our [political] situation normal yet?” He also said it “depends on laws” whether the NCPO would be authorised to listen in on conversations conducted via mobile apps such as LINE during the period leading up to the referendum.

Meanwhile, NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said it was legal for sol?diers to distribute leaflets calling on people to vote on the referendum.

When fear rules, vigilance falls by the wayside

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BURNING ISSUE

Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
chanwanpen@nationgroup.com April 26, 2016 1:00 am

The prevailing discourse of public disorder and political violence has left us at the mercy of threat and fear. But the thing about fear is that it should be overcome, not avoided. Otherwise, the country cannot move forward.

Ever since the coup of 2014, those who query the actions of the regime have met with the same response: “Do you want everything to go back to where it was before May 2014.”

The challenge from critics has taken various forms:

“The international community is calling for restoration of democracy.”

“Is the single-ballot system really the best answer for voters?”

“A fair referendum should be conducted in an open atmosphere where freedom of expression is not limited.”

Each time it is met with the same rhetorical question:

“Do you want everything to go back as before May 2014?”

And poof! End of story. It works like magic. The questioners are silenced.

It is understandable that we remain daunted by the nightmare we suffered prior to the coup. However, the two years that has elapsed is time enough for us to have woken up, looked around and begun to figure out where we are right now.

Our location “right now” is detailed in the junta’s so-called road map to democracy. More precisely we are at a crucial point, with the junta-sponsored constitution draft set to go to a public vote along with an additional question on whether the appointed Senate should be empowered to select a prime minister. If the draft charter passes the referendum, the military will very likely extend its control over politics for at least another five years after the next election.

What’s more, right now the powers-that-be are pushing hard to promote the draft, highlighting its reform plans and mechanisms to curb corruption that were demanded by those who demonstrated against the government in 2013 and 2014. And right now, civil groups who oppose the draft have found their own activism severely restricted by the recent referendum bill. Voters are thus being deprived of the chance to hear both sides of the argument and make their choice accordingly.

Under the threat of a return of political violence, it appears we have sacrificed a fair referendum in which all sides are free to speak their minds. The result is that we do not get to hear clearly from each side about the pros and cons of the charter before making a decision that will impact our lives for at least the next five years, and for 20 years if the national strategy is implemented.

Should our silence be read as consent?

Is it true that the path we are on won’t lead back to the political turmoil prior to May 2014? Right now we need to cast off the blinkers of fear and take a good look at where we are actually going.

We are being warned to fear history and learn from it. But what’s equally important is to distinguish fear from vigilance.

The vigilant examine their surroundings carefully. In contrast, the fearful bury their heads in the sand so they don’t have to face what’s out there.

Banharn’s heir promises his legacy lives on

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AFTERMATH

THE NATION April 26, 2016 1:00 am

Chart Thai Pattana struggles to find footing after death.

THE DAUGHTER and political heir of the late former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa yesterday said the Chat Thai Pattana Party her father led will be maintained and she will continue his mission.

In her first interview since her father’s death last week following an asthma attack, Kanchana Silpa-archa said she and her younger brother Warawut Silpa-archa would look after Banharn’s colleagues and the public on behalf of their father.

A Chat Thai Pattana source said the party would nominate Warawut and Nikorn Chamnong, director of the party’s executive board, to pick a new leader to replace Theera Wongsamut.

The source said Chat Thai Pattana adviser Somsak Prissanananthakul, a significant player in the party, would not be nominated because of his lack of qualifications.

//

He is also on trial for alleged assets concealment at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

The meeting to replace Theera will be held once the National Council for Peace and Order revokes its ban on political parties, the source said.

A former Chat Thai MP for Suphan Buri, Kanchana was deputy education minister in 1999 in the Chuan Leekpai government.

Warawut, who has also served |as a Chat Thai MP several times, |was deputy transport minister during the Somchai Wongsawat government.

Kanchana said the party would not “abandon anyone”.

She said that given the sud-|denness of her father’s death, he did not leave orders for the future. “We were not prepared but there were many things he wanted to do,” she said.

She said it was not the right time to speak about continuing the work of Chat Thai Pattana because of the ban on political activities.

“My decision on the party’s future will reflect my status as a child who will work for my father and the country and continue my father’s intention to contribute to the country.

The Chat Thai Pattana Party will be maintained but we cannot carry out any activity,” she said.

She added that she would follow her father’s decision to accept the charter draft as he had wished to see a speedy election.

She also downplayed reports that her father’s trip to the hospital following his asthma attack had been delayed, saying she did not believe that was the case.

Somsak has said Chat Thai Pattana leaders would meet to discuss the future of the party and he believed they would continue to maintain it.

“Banharn loved the party and he devoted his life to the party,” he said. “We all know his intentions. I personally believe party leaders will keep the party. It now depends if all party leaders see it the same way.”

Somsak said the party had suffered a great loss with the passing of Banharn. “He stood out as party leader. His experience and decisiveness is incomparable,” he said.

The party source said Warawut also had announced he would continue his father’s mission.

The party is expected to pick him to replace Theera, the source said.

The party will probably appoint a Suphan Buri MP such as Prapat Pothasuthon or Jongchai Thiengtham as its chief adviser in an attempt to restore its popularity in Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Sing Buri, Lop Buri and Sara Buri, the source said.

In recent elections, Pheu Thai Party won seats in these provinces that had earlier been held by Chat Thai Pattana.

 

Advocacy group forms to push for transparency in referendum

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JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
THE NATION April 26, 2016 1:00 am
Research Centre for Peace Building director Gothom Arya presents key points in a talk on the additional question that will be listed on the charter draft referendum. The talk was organised by academics at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Sc

Research Centre for Peace Building director Gothom Arya presents key points in a talk on the additional question that will be listed on the charter draft referendum. The talk was organised by academics at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Sc

A NEWLY FORMED GROUP of civil rights and peace-building advocates has called on the public to push for an accountable and transparent referendum process.

Platform of Concerned Citizens, whose 100 members include academics, politicians and human rights campaigners, yesterday held its first press conference and a seminar on the potential implications of having an additional question in the upcoming referendum on the draft charter.

The event was held at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science.

The group said opponents and supporters of the draft should be able to voice their opinions in line with the law and discuss the draft content without information being distorted, according to the group’s statement, which was signed by 104 members.

The group, led by Human Rights Lawyers Association president Pirote Polpetch, also voiced concern over the “attitude adjustment” sessions aimed at activists opposed to military rule.

He said trying to silence people reduced the legitimacy of the referendum.

Pirote said solutions for the future of the country in case the draft failed to pass the referendum should be clarified and open to public participation so people would have choices prior to the vote.

Doing so would mean the future drafting process and the draft could win the people’s support and be acceptable to all parties, he added.

The group wants the referendum to be in line with international standards, given that it could be a key factor influencing the future of the country.

The group also said having an additional question on the referendum could affect how people |vote.

Asst Prof Attasit Pankaew of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Science said the question could result in voters being distracted and their decision might not be free from influence, which could affect the result of the referendum.

The biggest concern centres on whether people really understand the question and its implication, the professor said.

The Constitution Drafting Commission has finished crafting the new charter draft, which stipulates a five-year transitional period when 200 of 250 senators could be directly selected by the National Council for Peace and Order.

The additional question on the referendum – proposed by the National Legislative Assembly – relates to whether senators would have the authority to select a prime minister in cooperation with members of the House of Represen-tatives.

Not enough information

Trakoon Meechai, a political scientist from Chulalongkorn University’s Political Science Faculty, said there had not yet been sufficient information available |for people to make a decision on |why they should endorse the question.

Trakoon said there had been insufficient logical reasons offered to justify the question, so people had been left in the dark regarding the issue.

Watana denies posting false FB statement

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THE NATION April 26, 2016 1:00 am

KEY Pheu Thai Party politician Watana Muangsook yesterday denied charges in court connected with his Facebook criticism of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan.

The Southern Bangkok Criminal Court yesterday heard the case filed by prosecutors against Watana, 58, for allegedly posting false information online that caused damage to others in violation of Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act.

The suit stated that on March 1, Watana accused Prayut and Prawit of not returning power to the people on his Facebook page.

The suit said the statement was false because the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had announced the country’s roadmap to democracy and a public referendum for the charter draft. The suit also alleged the statement had caused damage to Prayut and Prawit.

The court yesterday granted Watana a temporary release but banned him from leaving the country without court permission.

The court is scheduled to examine evidence in the case on June 13.

Watana denied former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had influenced his Facebook post.

Meanwhile, the committee charged with determining the authority of different courts ruled that a case against key Pheu Thai Party leader Chaturon Chaisang for allegedly violating NCPO orders would be tried in civilian court.

But the committee said the case against him for allegedly violating Article 116 of the Criminal Code and another case for allegedly violating the Computer Crimes Act would be tried by a military court.

Chaturon appeared at Bangkok Military Court to hear the decision on his petition to have his cases heard by a civilian court and not military authorities because his actions took place before the NCPO issued the orders.

He said NCPO orders No 37 and 38 might be violations of Article 4 of the interim charter 2014.

Prosecutors have also accused Chaturon of failing to report to the NCPO.

The Military court asked Chaturon if he was ready to testify in the two cases but he postponed his testimony until June 1.

Referendum law warning

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DRAFT CHARTER

KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
SURIYA PATATHAYO
THE NATION April 26, 2016 1:00 am

Police say new law will be strictly enforced, but eletion commission says individuals can comment on charter draft.

POLICE yesterday warned that the new Referendum Act on the Draft Constitution would be strictly enforced, with actions deemed provocative punishable by up to 10 years in jail.

However, the Election Commission (EC) meanwhile said yesterday that public comments on the constitution draft, including academic discussions, were not banned under the referendum law, although provocative or seditious actions were prohibited, according to EC commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn.

Deputy police spokesman Pol Colonel Krissana Patanacharoen said authorities would focus on Article 61 of the new law, which prohibits acts of unrest and campaigning with a provocative, aggressive or violent manner to influence voters.

People convicted of breaking the law risk up to 10 years in jail, he said.

The spokesman also warned voters against acts that may violate the law, including tearing up ballot papers, photographing a ballot paper or gambling on the referendum results.

“Police will enforce the law strictly and fairly for all groups of people and politics,” he said.

Meanwhile, political scientist Benjarat Sae Chua had a document confiscated by police while attending an academic discussion on the draft charter at Chulalongkorn University yesterday.

Benjarat, from Mahidol University’s Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies and one of the speakers at the discussion, said the document explained why people should vote against the draft.

However, police did not formally press charges against her.

The EC’s Somchai said yesterday that the agency would adhere to the principles of rights and freedom.

“Any honest actions that do not violate the law can definitely be carried out. Strongly forbidden are comments that are vulgar, violent, aggressive, distorted or seditious,” he said.

Expressing a stance individually, not collectively, towards the constitution using articles such as banners, stickers or T-shirts was also permissible, the election commissioner said.

Academic discussions were welcome, he added, but talks had to be hosted by academic institutions, government agencies or media organisations. He added that if the content of the discussion violated relevant laws, the host would be held responsible.

EC guidelines out on Friday

Somchai said the EC would write guidelines based on the referendum law, not on personal remarks made by authorities from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) including the prime minister.

The EC passed three regulations yesterday concerning the rules of the referendum, spending policies and the publication of charter drafts.

Clear guidelines – do’s and don’ts – would be issued on Friday when the EC president Supachai Somcharoen returns from travelling abroad, Somchai added.

Representatives from media organisations met with the EC yesterday to express concern that the referendum bill could limit press freedom, as it contains a stipulation that disseminating some content could be deemed illegal and punishable by a stiff jail sentence.

The EC acknowledged the concern and promised, if possible, to try to not cause trouble for media outlets.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that authorities would not allow public campaigning by supporters and detractors of the draft charter, which would violate the referendum law.

Prawit, who is also the defence minister, suggested that people on both sides talk to people who are like-minded about their standpoint. “We do not gag anyone. But we do not allow advertising. No campaigning through media,” he said.

In regard to separate press briefings by two rival political groups on Sunday supporting and opposing the draft, Prawit said relevant authorities were looking into the cases to determine if the referendum law had been violated.

He said the law had already taken effect and people should comply with the rules. He also urged the media not to ask rival groups for comments, saying they would receive the same answer every time.

“People who like the draft will continue to do so, and people who don’t like it will still not like it,” he said.

On Sunday, leaders of the “red-shirt” United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the pro-junta Foundation of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) separately talked to the media about their opposing standpoints on the charter draft. The UDD rejects the draft, while the PDRC voices support for it.

In response to a call for the United Nations and the European Union to observe the referendum, Prawit said he did not think any country would request foreign monitors for a referendum.

“There is no need to invite them. They should wait until the general election. Foreign monitors should be invited to see if anyone buys votes,” Prawit said.

Colonel Piyapong Klinpan, a spokesman for the NCPO, said yesterday that legal specialists were determining if leaders of the UDD and PDRC had violated the referendum law.

He said the authorities would fairly enforce the law regarding all groups of people to maintain order. “There will be no double standard,” Piyapong added.

Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC), said yesterday that since the referendum law had taken effect, anyone attempting to disrupt CDC events that are explaining the content of the new charter would face legal action.

Chart Thai Pattana ‘a rudderless ship after Banharn’s death

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AFTERMATH

JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
THE NATION April 25, 2016 1:00 am

THE Chart Thai Pattana party faces an uncertain future following the passing of former premier Banharn Silpa-archa, according to a party insider and academic.

Somsak Prisanananthakul, a key party adviser, said it would be a challenging task to keep existing party members after Banharn, the country’s 21st premier, died on Saturday.

For years, party members have been held together by Banharn, said Somsak, a former minister and confidant of the late premier.

“Without him, Chart Thai Pattana is like a rudderless ship,” he said.

Some of Chart Thai Pattana’s members are expected to move to other parties, but Somsak said he would try to convince members to stay.

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“We’ll try to chart a new path for this party with an ideology so that members will stay together because of that reason, not because of a charismatic person,” said Somsak, adding that he expected the party to continue its mission as initiated by Banharn.

However, academic Sukhum Nuansakul said the party would find it difficult to keep members based on ideology. Sukhum, a former rector at Ramkhamhaeng University, said the party’s ideology was weak and it would be difficult for anyone to fill the vacuum left by the party leader’s death.

Memorial events in Suphan Buri

He believed it would also be a challenge for the party to cope with the current political upheaval.

People in Suphan Buri – Banharn’s home province and political strong-hold – expressed their condolences and mourned the revered politician’s death.

Suphan Buri residents organised events at four locations to mark his passing and to write memorial messages, including Suphan Buri’s City Pillar Shrine, Bung Chawak Aquarium, Chaloem Phatthara Rachini Park and the Banharn Hall of Fame.

For decades, Banharn contributed massively to the central province, including during the heyday of his career that led to the premiership in 1995. Banharn, who started his career in politics in the 1970s, was also credited for helping to usher in Thailand’s 1997 Constitution, dubbed the “people’s charter” and the country’s most democratic, which led to a wide range of national reforms.

 

Scandals may hurt referendum

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
Piyaporn Wongruang April 25, 2016 1:00 am
Chartchai

Chartchai

The Constitution Drafting Commission is still negotiating a rough road, after writing the charter draft from scratch. Up until August 7, it has to travel up and down the country promoting the constitution and the referendum, as opponents of the charter draft call for it to be rejected.

The Constitution Drafting Commission is still negotiating a rough road, after writing the charter draft from scratch. Up until August 7, it has to travel up and down the country promoting the constitution and the referendum, as opponents of the charter draft call for it to be rejected.

The Nation’s Kasamakorn Chanwanpen and Piyaporn Wongruang talked to CDC spokesman Chartchai Na Chiangmai about the charter dissemination plan as well as the challenges ahead.

How does the CDC get millions of eligible voters to understand the 279-article constitution and take part in the referendum?

Basically, we will train 350,000 volunteers from 84,000 villages across the country to be mouthpieces for the charter draft, or around four of them per village. These volunteers will knock on the doors and explain the crucial points – not all 279 articles – to voters. This way, the charter is more easily digested.

We will also produce folk songs representing each region of the country and play them on TV and radio to explain the charter. Infographics will also be made available online.

Who will be these 350,000 volunteers?

They will be what we call ‘teacher C’ and will be mainly selected from the communities. They will be people well known in the villages and generally welcomed by villagers. They have to also be trustworthy and have good communication skills, so they can pass on the words about the constitution correctly.

But most importantly, they have to be very responsible in doing this crucial job. The CDC will rely mostly on them to make the charter draft known and to encourage people to exercise their right.

How will you train such a huge group of people to talk about the constitution, which is clearly not an easy assignment?

It will go down the ladder from the drafters to representatives at provincial, district, and community levels. The CDC will give them a brief containing the exact things that they have to say to voters. Also, we have listed some possible questions [that people may ask] and provided the answers for them.

What are the most essential points in the charter draft that the CDC really wants voters to know?

There are five points that we want to get across. Firstly, their rights are protected under this charter: They can have access to education, public health services, and to other resources. The state also has a duty to fulfil these [requirements] to ensure people’s access to these resources.

Secondly, we want them to acknowledge that people have duties as well. The country will not move forward unless we are disciplined, and we all have to give a hand.

Thirdly, the charter draft stipulates that reforms must be carried out. These cover educational, justice, and political matters. The plan to curb corruption is also a reform, though it is not in the chapter directly.

Fourthly, the electoral systems, both for MPs and the Senate, should be acknowledged. Voters should know how they can help tackle the persisting problems facing the country.

Lastly, we want everyone to understand that the constitution can be amended, unlike what the opponents are saying. It is just that every party must give its consent.

What about the transitional period that contains exceptional rules – how are you going to explain this?

I don’t want to touch upon that if I really have a choice. Frankly speaking, we did not give the military everything they asked for. It was only on the Senate matter [that the Senate be selected by the junta] that we complied with their recommendation.

But now everything is harder with the additional question posed by the National Legislative Assembly [to allow the junta-appointed Senate to have a part in selecting the prime minister]. So, we will let them [legislators] explain this because we don’t know in the first place. We weren’t a part of their discussions and debates when such a question was proposed.

What are the most worrisome aspects of the plan to promote the charter draft?

We hope that the … friendly door-to-door mission will be very effective in raising awareness about the draft and the referendum.

However, in villages there are people with different colour-coded favourites. We don’t want our volunteers to fight with those strongly against the draft. It would worsen things. Funny questions might also be posed to stir things up and ridicule the volunteers.

Worse, different volunteers could answer the same question differently. It would further confuse voters and at the end they may not go to the polling stations.

But the decision made in the referendum could also be impacted by some “external factors”.

Do you have any plan to tackle that?

The CDC is very well aware of that issue. We could just pray that they will wait until we pass this decisive time before doing anything because it could really affect the referendum.

Some people who are not big fans of the National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] often use the constitution to indirectly target the NCPO. They express dissatisfaction towards the charter to express their dissatisfaction with the NCPO. We really hope that the powers-that-be can remain calm.

The issues about [former Pheu Thai minister] Watana Muangsook and the scandal about pulling strings to reserve a military position for someone’s son can potentially shake the referendum on the ground if it spreads.

The CDC is putting in a lot of effort into writing and promoting the draft. What is your ultimate expectation?

We expect that voters will understand the draft. We expect that when we talk about the single-ballot system, you know what it is and what the benefits are. As a drafter, of course I want it to pass the referendum because I know that we have done the very best. However, I will respect the result no matter how it turns out.

If you really read it and you don’t like it and you vote ‘no’, I’m fine with that. I just want you to really understand the charter. But it’s really up to you and how you vote.

Do you think voters will accept the charter?

As a drafter, I think we have done our best and people should like it, hopefully. But I want to add that our context now forces us to design the political system to be a rather restorative one, not a retributive one.

Politicians have not worked on policies. We have patronism and cronyism and the politicians only seek to win with whatever means. We cannot go on like this. It would only lead to more street protests and then coups.

The Westminster system just does not work here now like the book says. We have to look at the reality that we need good people and politics restored first.

Starting from scratch again?

Well, we need an atmosphere for co-existing and sharing first before being able to move ahead together, I think.