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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004860

House panel to summon PM over police crackdown on Bangkok protests

The House committee on law, justice and human rights said on Wednesday it would summon Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to explain the police crackdown on anti-government protests at Din Daeng intersection in Bangkok.

The move comes after the police failed to send a representative to Wednesday’s meeting of the committee. Prayut also acts as Commander of the Royal Thai Police.

Wednesday’s meeting heard from representatives of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Department of Law Enforcement, and operators of condominiums affected by the crackdown.

Pornchan Ruangpornpinsawai, acting chairman of The Capital Ratchaprarop-Vibhavadi condominium, complained the Din Daeng condo had been caught in the crossfire between protesters and police. CCTV cameras, windows and other condo assets had been damaged and destroyed since August 1, she added.

Its manager Sukhontha Boonman said the condo had been identified as a location used by police to snipe at protesters, which had caused panic among the building’s residents.

She asked why protesters had to use Din Daeng intersection as their battlefield.

“Meanwhile, we would like to ask the prime minister to stop using the area [Din Daeng intersection] to confront protesters,” she added.

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Committee chairman Sira Jenjaka, Palang Pracharath Party MP for Bangkok, complained that three committees were currently investigating the protests and police crackdown, causing overlaps and redundancy.

“Therefore, we will ask House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to decide which committee is responsible for investigating this case,” he said.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004853

‘Ratsamoms’ join other activists in pushing for protesters’ bail release

Pro-democracy activists headed to the district court in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani on Wednesday morning to submit bail requests for Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak and other Ratsadon members who have picked up Covid-19 in jail.

“Ratsamoms” or mothers of the eight jailed Ratsadon members also joined the rally.

The Justice Ministry said on Tuesday that four protesters had picked up the virus in jail but their condition is fine and they are being given Favipiravir pills for treatment.

The four prisoners, who have been isolated in different areas based on their symptoms, are:
• Sirichai Nathuang in green area
• Promsorn “Fah” Veerathamjaree in green area
• Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak in light-yellow area
• Thanapat Kapeng, discharged but kept in waiting area.

Meanwhile, the other four protesters in jail have tested negative though they are being quarantined and being given Fah Talai Jone (Andrographis Paniculata) and paracetamol.

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‘Ratsamoms’ join other activists in pushing for protesters’ bail releaseThe prison has confirmed that the protesters are isolated and nobody can enter their jail cell in line with measures in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004791

Police deny using live bullets on Bangkok protesters

Police have denied firing live ammunition at pro-democracy protesters in Bangkok on Monday evening after a video clip appeared online purporting to show officers opening fire.

Din Daeng police station vowed to press charges of computer crime and defamation against the person who released the clip.

Police insist only rubber bullets were used on protesters, who clashed with officers outside the station.

Some protesters were reportedly treated for bullet injuries, including a man in critical condition at Rajavithi Hospital with a gunshot wound to his head.

Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau said 13 protesters were arrested after participating in Monday’s protest.

Eight of those arrested were adults and five were children aged under 18. All were charged with violating the emergency decree while some were also charged with joining an illegal gathering and carrying a weapon (knife) without reason.

Police said they also seized several items at the protest, including the magazine from a Glock BB gun, four motorcycles, a hammer, a pocketknife, a chemical mask and a gas mask.

Two police were injured but did not need to be admitted to hospital. Four police booths were damaged.

Published : August 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004782

Three detained protesters test positive for Covid-19

The Department of Corrections announced on Monday that pro-democracy activists Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Promsorn “Fah” Veerathamjaree and Sirichai Nathuang have tested positive for Covid-19.

They are among the eight protesters detained in Thanyaburi prison in Pathum Thani early this month and are now under quarantine. All eight protesters underwent a PCR test for Covid-19 on Saturday, while Parit and Promsorn were tested again on Monday for confirmation. Sirichai’s infection was confirmed on Sunday.

All three are being given Favipiravir pills and are perfectly fine with their oxygen levels ranging between 98 and 99 per cent, medical personnel say.
The Department of Corrections is looking into their timelines.

Parit was arrested on August 8 for allegedly violating the Emergency Decree by participating in a rally on August 3. He had previously been arrested on February 9 on lese majeste charges and was released on bail on May 11.

Published : August 17, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004739

Opposition submits no-confidence motion against PM, 5 ministers

Opposition leader Sompong Amornwiwat on Monday submitted a no-confidence motion targeting PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and five other ministers.

Sompong of the Pheu Thai Party explained the focus of motion was the government’s failure to contain Covid-19 infections, the slow vaccine rollout and alleged related corruption, and the epidemic’s economic fallout.

The no-confidence debate is expected to take place at the end of this month or early next month.

The motion targets the PM along with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on, Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, and Digital Economy and Society Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn.

Parliament President Chuan Leekpi said the motion will be checked within seven days to ensure it does not violate regulations, before a date for the censure debate is set.

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Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat revealed that Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow was removed from the censure list after opposition parties agreed to focus on just six individuals. This will be the third censure debate targeting the Prayut government since it came to power in 2019. Thamanat was a target in the previous two debates.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004702

Pro-democracy group plans march to PM house today

The “Thalu Fah” pro-democracy group on Sunday posted a Facebook message, calling supporters to participate in an anti-government rally at Victory Monument on Monday from 3pm.

The group said they would go to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s house from Phahonyothin Road, turn right at Soi Phahonyothin 2 and turn left at Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

They added that police would allow them to go to the prime minister’s house if they used this route as they had negotiated with a senior police officer.

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Pro-democracy group plans march to PM house today

Earlier, Thalu Fah Facebook page accepted donations, saying they lacked protective equipment.

“Therefore, we are now accepting donations for purchasing protective equipment and supporting the demonstration,” the page said.

Pro-democracy group plans march to PM house today

Thai police clashed with protesters on Sunday, using water cannon and teargas against demonstrators who reportedly hurled projectiles towards them.

Police launched a crackdown at Sam Liam Din Daeng junction on Sunday evening, the press reported.

At 7.15pm, protesters burned a police fort in the area, the same one that was burned during the rally on August 10.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004579

Opposition prepares to target Prayut, Anutin in upcoming censure debate

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will be among at least five ministers to be targeted in a censure debate.

The opposition will submit a motion of no-confidence against the government to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai next Monday (August 16). The decision on the censure debate was made after the opposition held a Zoom meeting led by Pheu Thai leader Sompong Amornvivat.

Prasert Chantaruangthong, the party’s secretary, said opposition parties wanted to pull up at least five ministers for questioning, particularly the premier and public health minister.

“The key points the government will be censured on are its failure to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused suffering among people, as well as corruption and similar issues,” he said.

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Opposition prepares to target Prayut, Anutin in upcoming censure debate

He added that the opposition will meet on Saturday to discuss exactly who other than Prayut and Anutin will be targeted.

“Any minister who caused suffering among people must face action as well,” he said.

Published : August 12, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004526

Media demand less police violence at protests after reporters hit by rubber bullets

Six media associations have demanded that police limit the level of violence used against pro-democracy protests after reporters again complained of suffering rubber-bullet injuries.

The joint statement was issued on Wednesday by the National Press Council, News Broadcasting Council, Thai Journalists Association, Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, Society for Online News Provider Association and National Union of Journalists Thailand.

The statement said members of the media had been injured by rubber bullets shot by officers during political demonstrations on July 18 and last Saturday (August 7). The associations said a complaint was lodged with the Civil Court, which on Tuesday ordered police to be more careful during crowd-control operations.

The statement added that representatives of the media associations had visited protest sites on August 7 and found several people unrelated to the protest were injured by the police.

The associations demanded that police strictly follow the Civil Court’s order, be patient, and limit violent measures as much as possible to ensure the safety of press members and protesters.

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They added that before launching crowd control measures, police should give warnings to demonstrators, in line with international principles.

The six associations also suggested there should be a forum for communication between police and demonstrators to avoid violence.

Published : August 11, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004512

Immigration Bureau says staffer not involved with govt watchlist

The Immigration Bureau on Tuesday denied that one of its staff, whose name appeared at the bottom of a so-called government watchlist leaked online this week, was involved with the document.

On Monday, Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome posted on his Facebook page about an alleged secret watchlist issued by the government, which included his name and three other members of the same party, along with 179 others as well as 19 Facebook users.

In addition to the names, the documents show each person’s date of birth and status if they are still in Thailand, live overseas or are not allowed to leave the country due to bail conditions.

Rangsiman questioned whether the government views Move Forward members or people who show resistance as its foes.

The watchlist did not specify from which organisation it was issued, but at the bottom right was the name “Sophida”, without a surname, but thought to be a police officer from the Immigration Bureau who was reported to have updated the list on June 1.

Now in response, the bureau insisted that “Sophida” was not a person in charge of the watchlist, and the bureau was even not related to the papers.

The bureau also added that people related to political movements in Thailand can legally leave the country if they have no arrest warrant against them.

Published : August 11, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004477

Parliament budget meeting to go ahead amid rumours of snap election

Parliament president Chuan Leekpai ruled on Tuesday that Parliament will debate the 2022 Budget Act as scheduled this month despite emergency law and travel restrictions.

Arequest has been made to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to waive travel restrictions for MPs so they can attend the budget session. However, the question of whether Parliament, after passing the budget, will be dissolved in preparation for an early election is still unresolved.

Speculation is rising that the Prayut government will call a snap election in a bid to ease rising public pressure over its handling of the pandemic.
Chuan said the House would deliberate the budget bill on August 18-20.

“I confirm that there will not be an adjournment of the meeting as it is a primary duty of the House of Representatives to deliberate upon the Budget Committee’s pre-definitions,” Chuan said.
A request to waive travel restrictions for MPs was sent to the Public Health Ministry and the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, he added.

Chuan dismissed the question of dissolving Parliament after the budget meeting, stating that the only relevant duty of the House of Representatives is to complete deliberations on budget expenditure within 105 days, according to the Constitution law.

Published : August 10, 2021

By : The Nation