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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011433

The Royal Thai Navy is working round the clock to ensure the slick caused by the sinking of an oil tanker does not reach the shores of Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan, navy spokesman Vice Admiral Pokkhrong Monthatphalin said on Sunday.

“Preliminary investigation found an oil slick about 10 kilometres long and up to 200 metres wide from the sunken ship. The slick is slowly moving northwards. The Navy has put the severity of the situation at Level 1,” Pokkhrong said. However, he voiced concern about the sunken ship discharging more oil.

P Andaman 2, which was carrying 500,000 litres of diesel, reportedly sank 24 nautical miles off the coast of Chumphon at 7.15pm on Saturday.

“The Region 1 Navy Command dispatched a patrol boat and helicopter to investigate the areas upon being alerted of the incident,” he said.

Pokkhrong added that the spilled oil appears to have only created a thin film on the water and should eventually decompose. The Navy has deployed oil booms to contain the slick and will let nature do the rest.

“However, we will continue monitoring the situation closely, especially concerning the marine ecological system and nearby communities,” he said.

The P Andaman 2 was captained by Wayu Moryadee and had five crew members. They were rescued by Venus 21, which had earlier loaded oil onto P Andaman 2 before it sank.

Authorities have contacted Thai Laemthong Fishery Oil Trade, the owner of P Andaman 2, to provide oil-absorbing chemicals and other equipment to salvage the ship.

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Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

The opposition Move Forward Party has received more than Bt30 million from the Election Commission’s Fund for Development of Political Parties — the highest among the 67 eligible parties this year, it was revealed on Friday.

Move Forward was allocated Bt30,145,874.86 from the fund, which comes from taxpayers.

The party’s secretary-general, Chaithawat Tulathon, on Friday thanked taxpayers who donated to Move Forward and promised the party would spend the subsidy efficiently for its development as a political institution.

When filling in their annual income tax forms, taxpayers have an option to donate a portion of their tax money (up to Bt500) to a political party of their choice.

The coalition Democrat Party received the second-largest tax donation from the development fund, at just over Bt13 million (Bt13,133,331.30), followed by the coalition Bhumjaithai Party (Bt9,475,722.29), new party Kla (Bt6,559,587.89), the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (Bt5,706,040.41), and opposition Pheu Thai Party (Bt4,231,814), the Election Commission revealed on Friday.

Other new parties benefiting from the fund included Thai Sang Thai (Bt740,000) and Thai Pakdee (Bt81,000).

The fund allocated a total of Bt101.95 million to parties this year.

In addition to income tax donations, the fund draws from other sources including state budget, election candidates’ application fees, and other donations.

Published : January 21, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011362

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has stepped up security to deal with four groups of protesters who plan to rally at four spots in Bangkok on Friday evening.

Deputy Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol Maj-General Jirasant Kaewsaeng and deputy police spokesman Pol Colonel Krissana Patanacharoen held a press conference to announce that security would be tightened in the four rally areas.

The spokesman said the rallies would start at 4pm and could affect traffic flows at certain spots.

The four protest groups and their rally sites are:

– P-Move and the Four Regions Slum Network will rally in front of the Government House.

– Musicians for the People will demonstrate in front of Bangkok Remand Prison.

– Resistant Citizen will rally in front of the Supreme Court.

– Thalugaz group will protest under the Din Daeng Expressway.

The police spokesman said the rally in front of Bangkok Remand Prison is expected to cause traffic congestion on Ngam Wong Wan Road hence motorists are advised to avoid the area.

The protest under the Din Daeng expressway is also expected to affect traffic flows on Asoke-Din Daeng Road and Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road.

Krissana said the Metropolitan Police Bureau is pursuing legal action against protesters in 814 cases, of which 409 have been sent to public prosecutors for arraignment.

The spokesman said although the people have the constitutional right to demonstrate, they are prohibited by law from affecting other people’s rights, especially disrupting traffic.

Published : January 21, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011357

Opposition parties led by Pheu Thai on Friday submitted a motion to grill the government over the rising cost of living, pandemic and other issues.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew requested the debate be scheduled for February 16-17, with 36 hours allotted so opposition MPs have enough time to speak.

He said MPs would demand answers from the government on four issues.

It will question why the cost of living keeps rising but workers’ pay remains low.

It will target the government over the Covid-19 pandemic and outbreaks of animal disease in the country.

The opposition will also grill the government on the political crisis, particularly the failure to reform politics and the use of money to solve political issues, the Pheu Thai leader said.

Lastly, the opposition will highlight failures in administration of the country, including failed efforts to suppress drug trafficking, corruption and air pollution, Chonlan said. It will also attack the government over alleged missed opportunities for international trade.

The debate would help the public understand national issues and increase pressure on the government to tackle the problems, Cholnan said.

“The debate is unlikely to bring changes via Parliament, but we will use it to present facts to the people,” he added.

Parliament president Chuan Leekpai said he expected the debate to be held in the middle of next month, adding that government coalition and opposition whips will have to discuss its length.

The motion was signed by 173 MPs from seven opposition parties. Under Article 152 of the Constitution, the support of at least 100 MPs is required to submit a motion for a debate to inquire about facts or recommend issues without a resolution.

Published : January 21, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011349

In a short clip posted on Facebook, Phayao MP and former secretary-general of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, Captain Thamanat Prompow, promised he has a surprise in store for people.

“My new party is already established and I have been getting ready to transfer for quite a while. We will also have a surprise that will be revealed soon,” he said.

Thamanat and 20 other MPs linked to him were ousted from the ruling party on Wednesday for allegedly rifts in the party, especially after Thamanat threatened to pull his faction out unless the Cabinet is reshuffled.

“I did not resign as MP but was ousted by votes from more than three-fourths of the party’s executives. My MP position, however, is still intact,” Thamanat said in the 3.27-minute clip.

“But I’m worried about my brothers and sisters in the party who share my ideology. Who will take care of them after I’m gone?”

Thamanat also pointed out that he has supported many PPRP MPs in their campaigns upcountry during the Covid-19 crisis.

“More than 80 per cent of the funding for these campaigns came from me and the party leader. Who will carry out these campaigns now?” he bemoaned.

“I’m a straight talker, and this may have upset certain politicians. However, after I’m out, all issues between me and anyone else can be considered closed permanently,” he added.

“When I was with PPRP, I was restricted by many conditions, which I won’t discuss here. I hope that my new home [party] will give me more freedom to initiate projects that I have been planning for the benefit of Thai people.”

It is widely speculated that Thamanat will join the New Economics Party (NEP), which was established in March 2018 and will now be led by General Wich Thephasadin na Ayutthaya.

Under the law, Thamanat and the other former PPRP members must seek a new “home” in no more than 30 days to maintain their MP status.

Related News

Thamanat likely to join NEP with 20 ousted MPs: source

Thamanat and 21 MPs ousted from the ruling party amid political chaos | Voice of The Nation

Politics after the by-election in the south | Voice of The Nation

Published : January 21, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011321

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday vowed to neither reshuffle his Cabinet nor dissolve the House of Representatives following the ouster of 21 MPs from the ruling Palang Pracharath Party.

“Iam not thinking about Cabinet reshuffle or House dissolution because enactments of key legislations have not been done yet,” Prayut said when asked to comment on the ouster of the group of MPs.

The Palang Pracharath-led coalition government has only a slim majority in the House and losing the support of the expelled MPs could cripple the administration in its efforts to pass any bill or motion.

But a source from the Palang Pracharath said the ouster of the group led by former Palang Pracharath secretary-general Thamanat Prompow was just a legal tactic for the 21 MPs to join a new party without losing their MP status.

The source said as Prayut was not comfortable with Thamanat’s presence in the ruling party, the ousted lawmaker would join the Thai Economy Party along with 20 MPs loyal to him. Thamanat and 20 other MPs, however, would remain loyal to Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan so the coalition would not lose support in the House, the source added.

If MPs resign from a party on their own, they would lose their parliamentary status. The political party law allows MPs expelled by parties to join a new party within 30 days.

Prayut said he had nothing to do with the ouster of the group because it was a decision of the party’s executive board.

Prayut said he respected the democracy and he had taken up the post of prime minister in a democratic way to administer the country.

The PM said his critics were painting a distorted picture that he was being propped up by senators as the coup leader. “But as a matter of fact, I was nominated by political parties and the senators deliberated on my nomination,” Prayut said. “Parties would not nominate me if they could not gather enough support from MPs.”

When asked at the press conferee as to whether he had talked to Prawit recently and whether the deputy prime minister had sent any signal to him, Prayut replied: “We have love and good wishes for each other and we have mutual respect,” and walked away.

Published : January 20, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011318

The Facebook page “Nai Nam Khong Kwam Sa-ngob Reab-roi” (In the name of peace and order) posted on Wednesday that they were trying to find a lawyer to secure release on bail for Thalugaz anti-government protesters.

The page said they could not yet find a lawyer to defend them.

The post said they could access the “Da Torpedo” fund, named after former activist Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, which offers money for protests or to fight political lawsuits.

Thalugaz, which in Thai means “breaking through (tear) gas”, brings together working-class youth in their teens and early 20s, who have formed a loose group with no clear structure.

The group operating the FB page said that they had not found any lawyer ready to help them. They only knew that a lawyer’s fee was normally around 40,000 to 50,000 baht and there was no guarantee that they could win the case.

The page admitted that it was a tough challenge and they were trying to find a solution. They joked that they might send some people from the group to study at the Faculty of Law and pass the bar exam.

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The Facebook page of Thalugaz also shared the post with a caption: “Is there any kind lawyer who could help Thalugaz?”.

Published : January 20, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011311

A Palang Pracharath Party source said former party secretary-general Captain Thamanat Prompow is likely to join the New Economics Party (NEP) with 20 other MPs who were ousted.

According to the source, General Wich Thephasadin na Ayutthaya will be the new NEP leader while Thamanat will become deputy leader. Apichai Taechaubol will be appointed party secretary after he leaves the Democrat Party in a few days.

However, there was the question whether General Prawit Wongsuwan had something to with this decision because Thamanat and the 20 other MPs are expected to join the NEP, which it is claimed is Prawit’s “reserve party”, the source said.

Reportedly, there had been discussions on Thamanat and the 20 others joining the government. Thamanat was said to demand the position of Labour minister and Digital Economy and Society minister for his group.

The 20 MPs who are likely to join the NEP are:

1. Watthana Changlao, Khon Kaen MP;
2. Thanat Thawikuekulkit, Tak MP;
3. Pakpoom Boonpramuk, Tak MP;
4. Pai Leeke , Kamphaeng Phet MP;
5. Wattana Sittiwang, Lampang MP;
6. Kasem Supparanon, Nakhon Ratchasima MP;
7. Somsak Phankasem, Nakhon Ratchasima MP;
8. Natthaphon Charadrapheephong, Surin MP;
9. Somsak Kunngern, Khon Kaen MP;
10. Jeeradech Srivirach, Phayao MP;
11. Bunsing Warinrak, party list MP;
12. Pornchai Insuk, Phichit MP;
13. Ekkarat Changlao, party list MP;
14. Panya Jeenakum, Mae Hong Son MP;
15. Jomkwan Klabbankoh, Samut Sakhon MP;
16. Sathira Phuakpraphun, Chonburi MP;
17. Yuthana Pothasuthon, party list MP;
18. Pol General Yongyuth Thepjumnong, party list MP;
19. Thatsanaporn Ketmetheekarun, Nakhon Ratchasima MP;
20. Thanasit Khowsurat, Ubon Ratchathani MP.

Thamanat and the 20 will reportedly join the government if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha reshuffles the cabinet to give the group the two ministerial positions, the source said.
It would help the government pass important laws while House sessions could proceed as the quorum count of MPs would then be enough, the source added.

Related News

Palang Pracharath ousts Thamanat, 21 other MPs

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Politics after the by-election in the south | Voice of The Nation

Published : January 20, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011293

The meeting of Palang Pracharath Party’s executive members on Wednesday agreed to oust Captain Thamanat Prompow, who is the party’s secretary-general, and 20 other members of the Parliament under his group from the ruling party.

According to a source, the meeting which lasted over three hours came to the final decision due to Thamanat’s intention to bring the 20 MPs to a new party, unless the government reshuffles the cabinet immediately.

The meeting called Thamanat’s action as causing conflicts within the party, after which 78 party executives and MPs voted that he must leave the party. 

Thamanat and his faction will have to find a new party within 30 days to keep their MP status. It is widely speculated that he will join the newly established Thai Economics Party, which will be led by Gen Wit Thephasadin Na Ayudhya, chairman of Palang Pracharath’s strategic committee.

Palang Pracharath Party will hold a press conference on Thursday at the Parliament to explain the decision.
 

On Wednesday night Thamanat said on his facebook that he thanked all the support and concerns from people all over the country as well as from members of Palang Pracharath Party. “As a member of the Parliament, I’m still committed to serving the people, improving our country and fulfilling the promises that I have given to everyone,” he added.

Published : January 20, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011292

Thailand’s newest political party, “Srang Anakot Thai”, was unveiled at an opening ceremony on Wednesday at Centara Grand, CentralWorld, in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district.

The party has drawn lot of attention from politicians and citizens as two former key men of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party – former finance Minister Uttama Savanayana and former energy minister Sontirat Sontijirawong – are the brains behind this new entity.

Uttama and Sontirat also introduced the first batch of party members, which includes experts in various sectors, such as former Democrat Party MP Nipit Intrasombat, former World Bank environmental specialist Viraj Vithoontien and music expert Moncheep Siwasinangkool.

Uttama said the party aims to resolve pending issues to pave the future for the country, especially citizens’ quality of life, tackle inequality and an unsustainable society, and other pressing issues.

“The current situation is worrisome as citizens’ income is declining compared to the rising cost of living amid the Covid-19 crisis,” he said. “It is unfortunate that many important projects have been postponed or suspended and this has affected the country’s opportunities.”

He said that more and more politicians and experts would soon participate in the party’s activities.

“The party will not be only a political entity, but it will be an open area that gathers people from many sectors to brainstorm and works together for the country’s sustainability,” he said.

He said Srang Anakot Thai will be an independent party, adding that it would not corrupt the nation in order to encourage people to create a future together.

Meanwhile, Sontirat said each member of the party has the intention, potential and experience to help the country overcome economic and social crises.

He added that the party would listen to both experts and citizens to ensure that the party’s policies can improve people’s quality of life.

“We would like to thank politicians and citizens who are willing to participate in the party’s activities to solve pending issues and improve the country’s politics,” he said.

Uttama said the party has already set up guidelines, such as on leadership, conflicts and economic issues, in picking candidates to contest the general election.

He also confirmed that Prayut was not involved with the party.

Published : January 19, 2022

By : THE NATION