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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012115

Deputy Minister of Public Health Satit Pitutecha joked on Facebook that seven Bhumjaithai ministers had kept a “social distance” from their Cabinet counterparts by not attending a ministerial meeting on Tuesday.

The post was accompanied by pictures.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul was reported to be working at the ministry even though he claimed he took leave from the Cabinet meeting to “quarantine”.

Anutin refused to answer reporters when they asked him whether the move by the seven to stay away from the Cabinet meeting was related to the Interior Ministry’s proposal to extend the concession of the Skytrain operator.

Reporters speculated that the seven ministers stayed away from the Cabinet meeting as they did not want to be involved with the BTS contract extension, a decision which, according to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, has not yet been concluded.

Related News

‘Madam Dear’ slams 7 Bhumjaithai ministers for no-show protest

In victory for Bhumjaithai, Cabinet defers decision on Skytrain concession

‘Miffed’ Bhumjaithai ministers skip weekly Cabinet meeting

Published : February 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012109

Palang Pracharath party-list MP Watanya “Madam Dear” Wongopasi said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that seven Bhumjaithai Party ministers who did not show up at the Cabinet meeting to consider extending the concession contract for the Green Line Skytrain should “ask themselves whether or not they should stay in the government coalition”.

“It is time for the government to choose whether to extend the concession or find a new operator for the Green Line through bidding,” she wrote.

“A good leader must dare to make a hard decision so the country can move forward, instead of sweeping the problems under the rug,” she added.

The Cabinet on Tuesday asked the Interior Ministry to reconsider its plan to extend the concession with Skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) for 30 more years after seven Bhumjaithai ministers staged the no-show protest.

In victory for Bhumjaithai, the Cabinet deferred its decision on the Skytrain concession.

The seven ministers are Bhumjaithai leader, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan, Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Transport Minister Weerasak Wangsuphakijkosol, Deputy Education Minister Kanokwan Wilawan and Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Mananya Thaiset.

The Interior Ministry had sought Cabinet approval to extend the concession by 30 years from 2029 to 2059 in exchange for the BTSC committing to cap the maximum fare at Bt65.

Bhumjaithai, which is in charge of the Transport Ministry, is opposed to capping the maximum fare at Bt65 and the 30-year concession extension for the BTSC.

The coalition partner had proposed that the maximum fare be sharply reduced so that low-income commuters can use the electric train.

“Should the government decide not to extend the contract, they need a plan to help the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration pay the 69.1 billion baht owed to BTSC for construction of the Green Line,” Watanya wrote.

“On the other hand, if the concession is to be extended, a condition must be set to protect low-income commuters from unfair fare hikes,” she went on to write.

“The government must decide between these options and choose appropriate strategies for the sake of the people. Staging a no-show protest is simply avoiding ones’ responsibilities and is definitely not a characteristic of a good leader,” she added.

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In victory for Bhumjaithai, Cabinet defers decision on Skytrain concession

BTSC may get another 40-year concession to operate BTS Green Line

Prayut expects BTS-BMA Green Line battle to be resolved soon

Published : February 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012084

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Tuesday that his Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is united under his leadership and reports of internal rifts were cooked up by the media.

“All are quiet and peaceful inside the PPRP and I’m having peace of mind like always. No problems in the party like what I’ve always said but you, the media, cook them up,” Prawit said.

The Palang Pracharath leader said his party was still united and it would not fall apart as speculated by political observers and the media.

“How will it break up when I’m still here,” Prawit replied when reporters told him of the perception that the party would not survive for long.

Prawit added that several leading members are still with the party, including Santi Promphat, Somsak Thepsutin and Suriya Juangroongruangkit.

The PPRP is perceived as riven by internal rifts after a faction led by Thamanat Prompow was expelled reportedly for rebelling against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

“All are still here and we still love one another and have unity,” Prawit said.

He added that Prayut did not need to become a party member because the PPRP would continue to nominate him as prime minister candidate in the next general election.

Prawit said he saw no need to hold special talks with Prayut to clear any misunderstandings. Unconfirmed reports suggested recently that the prime minister could form a new party.

“We all know that the prime minister will always stay with me. There is no misunderstanding to be cleared. We have been close together for some 50 years,” Prawit said.

Prawit added that he has not talked to Thamanat after he left the party but he had told Thamanat to continue to support the government in a new party.

Published : February 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012078

The Cabinet on Tuesday asked the Interior Ministry to reconsider its plan to extend the concession for the BTS Skytrain for 30 more years after seven Bhumjaithai ministers staged a no-show protest.

All the seven Bhumjaithai ministers, including party leader Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob stayed away from the weekly meeting.

A source said the Cabinet simply acknowledged the results of the negotiations between the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the operator Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) over the BTS Skytrain electric train.

The Cabinet asked the Interior Ministry, which supervises the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) — the owner of the project — to take back its proposal and review it by taking into account suggestions from the Bhumjaithai, Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai said.

The Interior Ministry had sought the Cabinet’s approval to extend the concession by 30 years from 2029 to 2059 in exchange for the BTSC committing to fix the maximum fare at Bt65.

Bhumjaithai, which is in charge of the Transport Ministry, is opposed to fixing the maximum fare at Bt65 and the 30-year concession extension for the BTSC. The coalition partner had proposed that the maximum fare be sharply reduced so that low-income commuters can use the electric train service.

Sinit said the Cabinet has asked government agencies concerned with the electric train route to provide more details for consideration later.

Before the weekly Cabinet meeting started, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan had told reporters that he did not expect the Cabinet to consider the matter this week.

Published : February 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012073

Ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party stayed away from a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, in what is seen as an expression of their displeasure over the Interior Ministry’s plan to extend the concession of the Bangkok Skytrain operator.

All the Bhumjaithai ministers had informed the Cabinet secretary-general in advance about their absence.

There has been speculation that Bhumjaithai, which controls the Transport Ministry, is opposed to the Interior Ministry’s plan to seek Cabinet approval for extending the green line electric train, or Skytrain, concession of operator Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC).

Sources said that since the extension before the end of the contract was strongly criticised by the public, Bhumjaithai did not want to be seen as a party to the decision.

The current Skytrain concession is due to expire in 2029, but the Interior Ministry wants to extend it to 2059 if BTSC commits to freeze the maximum fare at Bt65. The Skytrain project is owned by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which is supervised by the Interior Ministry.

Bhumjaithai has been coy about making its displeasure public. Sources in the party confirmed that the ministers were absent from the meeting, but because they were busy with other engagements.

Deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul confirmed that Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the party leader, and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob had taken a leave of absence.

She said Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan also was absent, but the reason cited was his need to quarantine after returning from a trip to China.

Published : February 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012033

The opposition Pheu Thai Party’s landslide win in the Bangkok by-election will have an impact on national politics, according to the majority of respondents in a Suan Dusit Poll survey.

Pheu Thai Party candidate Surachart Thienthong won the Bangkok Constituency 9 seat on January 30 with a tally of 29,416 votes, decisively beating the ruling party’s candidate.

Move Forward Party’s Krunphol Tiansuwan came second on 20,361 votes while Kla Party’s Atavit Suwannapakdee was third on 20,047.

The Suan Dusit Poll survey “By-election and Thai politics” was conducted from January 31 to February 3 on 1,067 eligible voters.

The results were as follows.

Will the by-election result affect Thai politics?

– Yes: 60.83 per cent

– No: 39.17 per cent

What did the result signify?

– Ruling party on a downward trajectory: 38.95 per cent

– Voters gave opportunities to new parties: 37.06 per cent

Was result satisfactory?

– Do not care: 48.27 per cent

– Satisfied: 39.64 per cent

– Dissatisfied: 12.09 per cent

Will by-election result affect the upcoming Bangkok governor election?

– Candidates must improve strategy and communication with voters: 67.04 per cent

– Competition will intensify: 53.07 per cent

– More people are paying attention to governor election: 51.56 per cent

– Parties will use by-election result as guide for governor candidates: 39.28 per cent

– Bangkok governor election should be held soon: 38.15 per cent

By-election’s impact on Thai politics?

– People will keep an eye on the work of politicians: 77.13 per cent

– Politics will intensify: 60.44 per cent

– Political parties must improve their strategies: 46.30 per cent

– Cabinet reshuffle and Parliament dissolution: 39.18 per cent

– More vote-buying by politicians: 33.59 per cent

Published : February 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011996

Independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt remains the favourite to become Bangkok’s next governor, according to the Nida (National Institute of Development Administration) poll published on Sunday.

Chadchart, a former transport minister in Yingluck Shinawatra’s government, came top with the support of 37.24 per cent of respondents.

Second was current governor Aswin Kwanmuang with 12.09 per cent.

The ruling Palang Pracharath Party came bottom of the poll, with only 1.28 per cent of respondents saying they would vote for its candidate.

Nida’s 10th monthly poll was conducted on January 31 and February 2, ahead of an election planned tentatively for May.

It asked 1,324 Bangkok voters from different educational and occupational backgrounds “Who should become Bangkok governor?”.

The results were as follows:

– Chadchart Sittipunt: 37.24 per cent

– Aswin Kwanmuang: 12.09 per cent

– Suchatvee Suwansawat (Democrat Party): 11.03 per cent

– Pheu Thai Party candidate: 8.31 per cent

– Wirot Lakkanadisorn (Move Forward): 8.08 per cent

– No candidate: 6.72 per cent

– Undecided: 5.59 per cent

– Rosana Tositrakul: 3.55 per cent

– Will not cast a vote: 1.96 per cent

– Sakoltee Phattiyakul: 1.81 per cent

– Kla Party candidate: 1.51 per cent

– Palang Pracharath Party candidate: 1.28 per cent

Support for Chadchart, Suchatvee, Sakoltee and a Palang Pracharath Party candidate dropped compared to the results of the ninth poll.

Meanwhile, backing for Aswin, Rosana and candidates from Pheu Thai and Kla rose.

The poll also asked which team should work on the Bangkok Metropolitan Council.

Chadchart’s team topped the list with 26.96 per cent, while 10.65 per cent said they had not decided.

Third was a Pheu Thai candidate’s team (10.05 per cent), followed by Suchatvee’s team (9.97 per cent), Aswin’s team (9.67 per cent), Wirot’s team (8.46 per cent), and independent candidates (7.33 per cent).

A no-vote was the choice of 6.27 per cent of respondents, followed by Rosana’s team (2.79 per cent), a Palang Pracharath candidate’s team (1.74 per cent), not voting (also 1.74 per cent), Sakoltee’s team (1.43 per cent) and a Kla candidate’s team (also 1.43 per cent).

Support for the teams of Chadchart, Suchatvee, an independent, Rosana, Sakoltee and Palang Pracharath fell compared to the results of the ninth survey.

Support rose for the teams of Aswin, Pheu Thai and Kla.

Published : February 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011977

Critics are questioning the coalition government’s legitimacy after another session of Parliament had to be abandoned due to lack of a quorum on Friday.

The second abandonment this week came after opposition MPs refused to join the House of Representatives meeting.

Only 195 MPs registered for Friday’s meeting – 42 short of the minimum 237 MPs required. Boycotting the session were 129 Pheu Thai MPs and eight from Move Forward Party. Most were at the House but refused to register for the meeting.

Pheu Thai adviser Phumtham Wechayachai said on Saturday that the government did not have the stability, efficiency or capability to achieve a quorum.

Meanwhile Pheu Thai MP Chonlanan Srikaew questioned the legitimacy of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s position as the country’s leader.

Move Forward MP Rangsiman Rome said on Facebook that opposition parties had agreed not to attend the meeting but Pheu Thai had opposed the boycott. Therefore, Move Forward MPs had decided to lead the way in the public interest.

Related News

Find ways to alleviate people’s suffering, PM tells advisory board

Bangkok governor election to be held in May, says Prayut

Democrat candidate for Bangkok governor in hot water

The coalition government is reeling from three by-election losses last month and the ouster of former deputy agriculture minister Thamanat Prompow and 20 other MPs from the ruling Palang Pracharat party. Only one of the ousted MPs was present at Friday’s meeting, which was also boycotted by 15 Democrat MPs.

Rangsiman said he had expected PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s coalition to dissolve, but instead it was playing political games that are damaging the credibility of Parliament and the hopes of citizens.

The House failed to achieve a quorum three times in 2019, once in 2020, eight times in 2021, and three times already in 2022.

Published : February 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011947

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday called on the advisory board to discuss measures that could relieve the people’s suffering amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

He asked people to save energy due to the global energy crisis caused by rising oil prices, which had increased production and transportation costs.

“I cannot ask anyone to stop hiking prices. As long as the price continues to rise, the government has to seek more cash because demand is endless,” he said. The government has launched several measures to tackle the Covid-19 crisis and is receiving compliments from many countries, he said.

Prayut added, however, that he could not be happy until the situation is resolved. He also thanked citizens and officials for resolving various issues.

He said the country should be free from conflicts so that he and the government could concentrate on unfinished work.

“Many people may ask what the government has done for so many years. They forget about the structural reforms, setting up of new working methods and applying guidelines from abroad,” he said.

He urged people in every sector to work for the national interest, so that they could get maximum benefits.

Prayut said he has urged related agencies to inspect warehouses and tackle the issue of rising pork prices, and expected the situation to improve soon.

“We are monitoring in every aspect. If we had not prepared the national strategy five years ago, the country would have faced more trouble,” he said.

He said he had to oversee the implementation of the annual budget for fiscal year 2023 as it would affect the people and the nation, adding that he would continue to do his best as the prime minister.

Related stories:

• Bangkok governor election to be held in May, says Prayut
• PM lauds NSTDA, related agencies for inventing NanoCovid-19 ATK
• ‘Test and Go’ draws over 23,600 tourist applications

Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011912

The Bangkok gubernatorial election will take place in May this year, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed on Thursday, adding that the Election Commission and Interior Ministry will oversee the poll.

“We hope there are no obstructions,” the PM added.

Ignoring reporters’ queries about whether a House dissolution is imminent, Prayut only said that there is a possibility that the two-ballot electoral system will cause organic laws to be rejected.

“I don’t have any secret tricks but am confident and will continue working for citizens and the country,” he said, adding that the current political situation is not worrisome.

He added that his government has solved many problems and the next government will solve the remainder.

“Thailand is changing every day,” he added.

Published : February 04, 2022

By : THE NATION