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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013595

Most Thais are against the buying of votes and election candidates throwing banquets and parties to woo voters, a poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) revealed on Sunday.

Some 1,329 respondents aged 18 and above were asked whether “selling votes is legal” in the survey conducted between March 15 and 18.

The responses were as follows:

Are votes being sold in national and local elections

Strongly believe: 76.75%

Believe: 16.33%

Strongly do not believe: 3.46%

Do not believe: 3.31%

Do not care: 0.15%

Can the vote-buying issue be solved?

Strongly do not believe: 63.92%

Do not believe: 17.76%

Believe: 11.46%

Strongly believe: 6.62%

Do not care: 0.24%

Should vote-buying be made legal?

Strongly disagree: 71.93%

Strongly agree: 12.27%

Disagree: 8.50%

Agree: 6.77%

Do not care: 0.53%

Can election candidates legally throw banquets to woo voters

Strongly disagree: 59.44%

Strongly agree: 14.52%

Agree: 13.02%

Disagree: 11.89%

Do not care: 1.13%

Can election candidates legally hold entertainment events to woo voters

Strongly disagree: 61.17%

Strongly agree: 13.54%

Agree: 12.27%

Disagree: 12.19%

Do not care: 0.83%

Should opinion polls be hidden seven days before voting begins

Strongly disagree: 42.06%

Strongly agree: 28.97%

Agree: 15.80%

Disagree: 10.99%

Do not care: 2.18%

Published : March 20, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013551

Former Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) secretary-general Thamanat Prompao was on Friday elected secretary-general of the new Thai Economic Party.

The party held its first general assembly at its head office at U Tower building on Friday to elect its first executive board.

The party caucus elected General Wit Thephasadin na Ayutthaya, a close friend of Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader General Prawit Wongsuwan, as Thai Economic leader.

Wit had resigned from the PPRP in early February to become the Thai Economic leader.

Thamanat and 20 other former PPRP MPs were expelled from the PPRP for allegedly conspiring against Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Thamanat’s wife, Thanaporn Sriwirat, has been named the party’s treasurer and Boonyasing Warinrak the party’s registrar.

The party also elected 18 other executives. Most of them are former PPRP MPs, who were expelled together with Thamanat.

After the election, Wit said he would lead Thai Economic in the right direction by adhering to the democratic system with the King as the head of the state.

The party also elected Thamanat as chairman of the committee in charge of selecting the party’s election candidates.

Wit said former national police chief Pol General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, who is a brother of Prawit, did not join the party as an adviser as earlier speculated by the media.

Several politicians also attended the party caucus. They included Prai Pattano, a former Democrat MP. They are expected to be the party’s election candidates.

PPRP party-list MP Pichet Sathirachawal and Tairaktham Party MP Pirawit Luangluadollapak offered flowers to congratulate the party for having elected its first executive board.

Published : March 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013502

Chadchart Sittipunt still leads other Bangkok governor hopefuls as the most favoured candidate, an opinion survey by Thammasat University has found.

The survey was carried out by The Research and Advisory Centre of Thammasat University among 7,062 respondents from 50 Bangkok districts.

The survey, carried out from March 8 to 12, was the second one done by the university.

Chadchart, a former prime minister candidate of the Pheu Thai Party, was favoured by 29.3 per cent of the respondents. But his popularity rating has dropped from the previous survey by 4.51 per cent, the survey found.

Chadchart, who announced he would contest the gubernatorial poll as an independent candidate, was followed by Democrat Party’s Suchatvee Suwansawat.

The survey found that 25.2 per cent of the respondents said they would vote for Suchatvee. The percentage dropped by 3.09, compared to the previous survey.

The ratings of other hopefuls, according to the survey, were:

– Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn of the Move Forward Party, 11.6 per cent (up 3.03 per cent from the previous poll)

– Aswin Kwanmuang, incumbent governor, 5.4 per cent (down 0.31 per cent)

– Rosana Tositrakul, an independent candidate, 2.7 per cent (up 0.22 per cent)

– Sakoltee Phattiyakul, an independent candidate, 3.6 per cent. (His name was not in the first survey.)

The survey found that 21.7 per cent of the respondents were still undecided, an increase by 1.41 per cent, and 0.5 per cent of the respondents said they would not exercise their voting right.

When asked to select their favoured candidate in 10 key areas, Chadchart won in six categories and Suchatvee in four.

Chadchart was mostly picked as the best for economic issues, public health, traffic, BMA services, culture, music and sports, and sexual equality, while Suchatvee was picked for education, public safety, flood drainage, and air pollution management.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013493

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Thursday confirmed speculation that he would resign later this month to contest for the post as an independent candidate.

“It will happen. Give me more time to clear the backlog of my work first,” Aswin said when reporters approached him to comment on mounting speculation that he would resign on March 24 or 25 to prepare for the gubernatorial election as an independent candidate.

Aswin, who heads the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said he has assigned his adviser, Jindarat Chayothin, to make preparations for a press conference when he would answer all questions regarding his political future.

He did not elaborate on when the press conference would be held.

The Election Commission announced on Monday that the elections for Bangkok governor, Pattaya mayor, Bangkok Council and Pattaya Council would be held on May 22.

The EC said it would issue a formal announcement on March 25 on holding of the Bangkok and Pattaya elections on Sunday, May 22. Registration of candidates would be held between March 31 and April 4.

Several senior figures have announced their intention to contest for the post of Bangkok governor. They include Democrat Party’s Prof Dr Suchatvee Suwansawat, Move Forward Party’s Wiroj Lakkhanadisorn and Chatchart Sitthiphan, who announced he would run as an independent.

Published : March 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013424

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday refused to confirm if he plans to dissolve the House of Representatives after the Apec Summit later this year.

As the premier was heading to the weekly Cabinet meeting, reporters asked if he would confirm or deny an earlier statement from Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan about a possible House dissolution.

Prawit reportedly told small coalition partners during a dinner meeting at his Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation on Monday evening that a House dissolution was imminent after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit in November.

He reportedly said a snap election may be held early next year before the current house completes its four-year term in March 2024.

When asked to comment on Prawit’s statement, Prayut said: “That’s Prawit’s outlook … he said what he believes, but the matter [of House dissolution] is in the prime minister’s hands.”

He also declined to say if his government will complete its tenure.

“Whenever. It’s in the prime minister’s power to make decisions like this. I will withhold it for now. It’s an issue the prime minister handles, so why should I tell you now?” Prayut said when asked if he would complete his four-year tenure.

When reporters pushed for a response, Prayut only said the situation will tell whether or not he should dissolve the House. However, he added, the country and its people are still in trouble and he must lead Thais to solve these problems.

Prayut also said it was too early to tell whether there would be any changes after the Apec Summit in November.

When asked if there would be any key political developments when he meets coalition leaders for dinner on Thursday, Prayut said it was an informal meeting and there should be no special incidents.

“We will just meet and talk to show each other respect,” he said, adding that he normally meets coalition leaders several times a week and during House meetings.

The premier added that there was no need for him to reshuffle his Cabinet now because he has been in control and closely coordinating with his Cabinet members. He said he often speaks to ministers via a Line group and gives them directions on solving problems.

Published : March 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013397

Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has hinted the government will dissolve Parliament at year-end and call a snap election in early 2023, according to a source with knowledge of the matter.

“Gen Prawit held a dinner meeting with MPs from smaller parties in the government coalition on Monday evening,” said the source.

At the meeting, smaller parties complained they were not getting enough attention from Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the source added.

The meeting was attended by leaders and MPs of the New Democracy Party, Tairaktham Party, Pheu Chart Thai Party, Thai Forest Conservation Party, New Economics Party and Polamuang Thai Party.

It was held at the Five Provinces Bordering Forests Preservation Foundation.

Gen Prawit chairs the foundation and is also leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party.

“During the meeting, Prawit asked attending MPs to maintain the government coalition’s unity and take extra caution when giving interviews that could affect the government’s work,” said the source.

“When asked about the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, Prawit said there will be no reshuffle but said Parliament could be dissolved at year-end, ideally after the Apec Summit hosted by Thailand in November, which will warrant a national election around New Year or slightly later.”

Gen Prawit then told MPs of smaller parties to stick with the coalition until the end of the Apec Summit.

He also invited them to a dinner meeting with Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha at Bangkok’s Rajpruek Club on Thursday (March 17) from 6pm.

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Prawit, govt cronies top ACT corruption watch list

Prawit probe must show integrity, says Abhisit

Published : March 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013384

The first Bangkok governor and council elections in 12 years will be held on May 22, the eighth anniversary of the coup that toppled the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

Elections for Pattaya mayor and the city’s council also will be held on the same day.

The EC said on Monday that it would issue a formal announcement on March 25 on the holding of the Bangkok and Pattaya elections on Sunday, May 22.

Once the EC issues the announcement, the election director of local administrations in Bangkok and Pattaya will make arrangements for the elections in line with legal requirements.

The EC said candidates for the Bangkok and Pattaya elections should register between March 31 and April 4.

The May 22 coup against the Yingluck government eight years ago happened just as the Bangkok Council was about to complete its four-year tenure and a new election was due to be held. The ruling junta, the National Council for Peace and Order, suspended the city elections along with elections of other local administrations around the country.

Several senior figures have announced their intention to contest for the post of Bangkok governor. They include Democrat Party’s Prof Dr Suchatvee Suwansawat, Move Forward Party’s Wiroj Lakkhanadisorn and Chatchart Sitthiphan, who announced he would run as an independent.

Published : March 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013324

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to have dinner with key figures from small coalition parties next Thursday amid reports that they are displeased with his government.

Some of these parties feel they have been ignored because they are small, while others are becoming increasingly critical of the premier and his style of dealing with the country’s problems.

Prayut issued an invitation to leaders of small coalition parties to join him for dinner on March 17 at 6pm at Rajpruek Club in Bangkok, the same site where he dined with key figures from major coalition parties on March 8.

The smaller parties include New Economics Party, Action Coalition for Thailand, Thai Local Power Party, Chart Pattana Party and Thai Forest Conservation Party, sources said on Saturday.

Some party leaders also confirmed receiving the invitation on Saturday.

New Palang Dharma Party leader Ravee Machamadol said he too had been invited and believes other senior Cabinet members will also be present at the event. He added that small parties will use this dinner as an opportunity to inform the premier about their policy ideas and their worries.

Pirawit Luangludolapak, from Thai Rak Tham Party, said he personally will frankly tell Prayut that if he wants to complete his term, “he should care more about us [small coalition parties]”.

As of Saturday, it was still unclear if the small party leaders who had met former deputy agriculture minister Thammanat Prompow for dinner last Friday were also invited to the March 17 event.

Thammanat, former secretary-general of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, and 21 members of his faction were booted out of the party for allegedly plotting to oust the premier. He and his cohorts are now in the Thai Economic Party and continue being a thorn in Prayut’s side.

Suratin Pojan, leader of the New Democracy Party, who dined with Thammanat last week said on Saturday that he has yet to get an invitation for the March 17 dinner.

“Even if I get invited, I will consider whether to join. People have been complaining about problems posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, but the government is busy holding dinners,” he said.

Opposition chief whip Sutin Klungsang, who is a key figure at Pheu Thai Party, said the fact that small party leaders had met Thammanat for dinner signalled that they did not back the government, which could eventually destabilise the coalition.

However, chief coalition whip Nirote Sunthornlekha, who hails from the Palang Pracharath Party, on Saturday downplayed the dinner with Thammanat, saying “it’s nothing much because they have been close for some time”.

Published : March 12, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013279

Opposition Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said on Friday that he contracted Covid-19 from his young daughter, who is isolating at home.

He posted an image of two ATK cassettes showing positive results on his Instagram page @tim_pita. The cassettes were marked with his name and his daughter’s nickname.

“It’s over. Dad’s also got it. I was infected while taking care of my child. I didn’t step out and was at home all the time,” the photo’s caption read.

Pita had earlier announced that his daughter had contracted the virus at school and that he entered her in the home-isolation programme. He said his child had a high fever and diarrhoea but he had developed no symptoms.

Published : March 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013176

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is hosting a special dinner get-together for leaders of coalition parties at the five-star Rajpruek Club in the centre of Bangkok on Tuesday evening.

Ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan confirmed he was attending, but declined to say whether Thai Economic Party MP Thamanat Prompao will be present.

Thamanat and 19 other PPRP MPs were expelled from the party in January for allegedly conspiring to oust Prayut.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai Party, said he too would be attending but said he had no idea why Prayut was hosting this informal get-together.

He said he had been informed of the dinner by one of Prayut’s close aides on Monday evening.

“I was told that the premier had invited leaders and secretaries-general of coalition partners to this informal meeting,” Anutin said. “I think this get-together is good because coalition leaders have not met in an unofficial setting for a long time.”

When asked if he thought Prayut wanted coalition leaders to strengthen ties, Anutin said the coalition leaders were already getting along well, so there was no reason to hold a special gathering for that purpose.

“I think the meeting is for us to update one another to see who has done what and what we plan to do next,” Anutin said.

When asked if the coalition leaders were to discuss a plan for coping with future censure debates, Anutin said coalition partners were always supposed to vote for Cabinet members “unless the censure targets cannot answer questions or have hurt the country through actions like corruption”.

As for whether Thamanat would join, Anutin said he does not know if the Thai Economic Party has been invited and that reporters should ask the host himself.

“Today we are guests. It’s good to have such casual meetings often. I may propose that we take turns in hosting get-togethers so we can meet one another outside the work setting more often,” he said.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said Chart Thai Pattana Party leader, Kanchana Silpa-archa, had asked him to attend on her behalf with party secretary-general Deputy Agriculture Minister Praphat Pothasuthon. Kanchana is Varawut’s sister.

“We’ll represent the party at the dinner. This is good for cooperation and does not matter what the get-together is being held for,” Varawut said. “The coalition leaders have not dined together for a while now.”

He said this unofficial meeting was a good chance for coalition leaders to talk to each other and iron out differences or plan how problems can be solved in the future.

Varawut said he personally had no issues to raise with Prayut because Chart Thai Pattana was doing its best in running the ministries it had been assigned.

However, he said he believes the get-together is being held to send out a signal that all coalition partners are on the same boat and will help one another to steer the boat through this government’s four-year term.

Published : March 08, 2022

By : THE NATION