The prime minister, who is also head of the ruling NCPO, said he had the authority to issue commands by himself regardless of the Cabinet.

Prayut stressed that his government was extraordinary, and unlike civilian ones where ministerial positions matter in a diverse multi-party government. But the coup-installed Cabinet played by rules imposed by the NCPO, he said.

The PM asked the public not to pay too much attention to the matter. The reshuffle would happen sooner or later, but in the meantime the government could still function well, he said.

The reshuffle to fill recent Cabinet vacancies has been highly anticipated amid a pressing need to improve the country’s ailing economy.

CHARTER drafters will revise two controversial points in the organic law on political parties following criticism of the bill by politicians after it was revealed to the public last week, Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) chairman Meechai Ruchupan said yesterday.

Meechai said the two points to be amended include the timeframe in which party members are required to pay a Bt100 annual membership fee – 150 days after the law is promulgated. Politicians have said that period is too short and impractical, especially for parties with more than 10,000 members.

The CDC will also consider a heavier penalty imposed on financiers who provide “seed funding” for new political parties without others helping to fund the party, as intended by writers of the law, he said.

Meechai asked the political parties to clarify their constructive comments on the law so that the CDC can take them into consideration, adding that drafters were willing to revise the law if they received useful proposals.

“I do insist that the draft organic law does not aim to suppress major or small political parties. But, [the CDC] wrote this following what we have heard [from concerned sectors], which is to promote the people as actual owners of parties,” Meechai said.

“And [the CDC] does not want only one or two financiers to dominate the parties. So, [the law] determining that the party members have to pay between Bt2,000 and Bt500,000 for seed funding is to encourage people to be the owners.”

Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon said his party would send representatives to the CDC’s seminar today and give its recommendations to the drafters.

However, Ongart said he was unsure whether the CDC would amend the law, adding that the party was only responsible for voicing its opinions on behalf of politicians.

“Whether the CDC will amend the law depends on the commission’s discretion. However, the law is also required to pass another filter, which is deliberation by the NLA [National Legislative Assembly],” he said.

CDC spokesman Chartchai na Chiangmai said 40 political parties had agreed to attend the seminar and only Pheu Thai had rejected the invitation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in his weekly press briefing yesterday dismissed politicians’ call for a resumption of political activities.

The PM said if politicians did not want to resume political activity by joining the drafters for sessions to get feedback on the party law, then they should continue to be suspended until the election.

With the CDC working on organic laws to prepare for the election, likely to be held late next year or early 2018, politicians want the junta to lift its ban on political parties assembling – imposed after the coup in May 2014 – so parties can resume work and make plans for the vote.

Meechai said he was convinced the junta would consider lifting the ban after the party law is passed by the National Legislative Assembly and comes into effect.

She said tourists were among the biggest shoppers for gifts during the holiday season, so the tax incentive, effective from today through December, should give a powerful boost to both tourism and retail spending in this period.

For those living in Thailand, each person is entitled to get a tax refund on shopping expenses of up to Bt15,000 depending on his or her income-tax rate. But the tax incentive does not apply for alcoholic beverages, cars, motorcycles, boats or fuel.

Earlier, the government also approved tax incentives for domestic tourism, which allow travellers to get a tax refund on travel costs of up to Bt30,000 per person – covering airline and other transport, hotel rooms and other expenses.

These measures are intended to help revitalise the economy as the export sector, which accounts for 70 per cent of Thai gross domestic product, has been hit by global economic uncertainties.

Kobsak Pootrakool, vice minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, said the tax incentive for shopping benefited about a million Thais last year, when the measure generated an additional retail spending of nearly Bt10 billion during a one-week period. However, this year’s tax incentive covers two weeks, so more people were expected to take advantage of the move, which is expected boost retail spending by about Bt20 billion.

According to Kobkarn, about 25-30 per cent of holidaymakers will shop, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when there will be a series of government-sponsored tourism and related events, including those at destinations in the North that have development projects by the late King.

Meanwhile, Sompong Rungnirattisai, commercial director of Tesco Lotus, a major retail chain, said the government’s tax incentive for shopping would lift overall consumer sentiment and have a positive impact on consumer spending.

He said Tesco Lotus was ready to issue the necessary receipts for the tax refund, which will coincide with the chain’s “United Hearts” campaign to help customers cut their living costs.

Taskforce commander Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn led a team intending to seize the elephants from Hua Hin Tique Zoo, which were listed under the licence of other animals.

When the parks officials showed up, however, they discovered that despite an order in June to prohibit the animals being moved from the zoo pending an investigation, the animals had been sent back to the lender, Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, two days ago.

DNA tests

According to Chaiwat, DNA samples taken from Plai Kohphrayaphetch, 8, and Plai TG, 4, which were leased to the zoo by Ayutthaya Elephant Palace did not match database information and their licences contained several corrections.

Plai TG’s DNA did not match its father’s.

Hua Hin Tique Zoo manager Akaradech Suksiriwong claimed the elephants’ caretaker moved them back to Ayutthaya, with permission from a livestock office, because there were not any mahouts to control the pair and there were fears they may endanger tourists.

Chaiwat said the taskforce had asked Ayutthaya Elephant Palace to return the animals.

He said they also filed a police complaint against the zoo on charges of possessing protected animals without permission and document forgery.

He also filed a theft charge against a previous manager who signed an agreement to take care of the elephants pending an investigation.

Chaiwat also instructed Akaradech to file a complaint against the elephant owner for removing the animals without permission from the zoo.

“I am so happy that the government is offering such assistance to poor people. I plan to spend this money on warm clothes. Those I have are worn out and I need to keep myself warm this winter,” Liam Sriyong, a 62-year-old resident of Nakhon Ratchasima province, said as she waited at a branch of the Government Savings Bank (GSB).

Another beneficiary, Chom Chamaroeng, said she planned to invest the money in her small trade business. “I won’t waste it,” Chom, 40, promised.

The government began paying registered low-income earners on Friday via bank accounts.

However, those who do not have a bank account at participating banks will need to open one first. Those who already have a bank account but no ATM card will have to visit the bank to withdraw money.

Under the scheme, the government will pay Bt3,000 to people earning less than Bt30,000 a year who registered before November 25. Those earning more than Bt30,000 annually but less than Bt100,000 will receive Bt1,500.

Huge crowds of people queued from early morning at the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) branch in Soong Men, Phrae, while more than 600 queued to open bank accounts at GSB bank in Phichit.

“I have been waiting for several hours since 8am,” Thom Kam-on, 57, said.

Suchart Petchsud, director of a BAAC branch in Phrae province, said some people were worried after learning that their welfare sum had yet to arrive yesterday.

“We have explained that if they registered after November 25, they will have to wait for the next round of payments on December 30,” he said.

Pinai Poonlek, a BAAC branch manager in Yala province, said people should check whether their registration as low-income earners was successful on the Revenue Department’s website.

“If you don’t find your name there, contact your back again by December 15 otherwise you may lose out on the welfare sum,” he said.

The first order was about suspending the work of the Political Development Council, National Economic and Social Advisory Council and the Law Reform Commission.

The bodies would not be abolished but would need to be suspended as their terms were ending, he said, adding that individual members would be transferred to back to their offices or other relevant agencies in need of personnel.

The NCPO and the Cabinet held a joint meeting at Government House yesterday before the weekly Cabinet meeting. Prayut said that they mulled the use of Article 44 to push three issues including the suspension.

The second order concerned the closure of mining facilities that was carried out later in the evening.

The last order related to recruitment for executive positions in National Education Standards and Quality Assessment.

Janjira Kerdlaew, 50, reportedly left home on Friday morning but did not arrive at the hospital where she works.

“Her husband lodged a complaint with us on Sunday, saying his wife had gone missing,” Pol Lt-Captain Yuenyong Pailom, an investigator at Doi Lor Police Station said yesterday.

He said Thanaporn Pareesen, 43, could not contact his wife and decided to check at the hospital, where he was told she had not reported for work on Friday.

Later, police noticed smoke coming from the longan plantation. They found that a fire had been lit, apparently to burn a body and destroy evidence.

“We gathered some pieces of evidence and submitted them for DNA tests. We should have the results in a day or two. After that, we will try to nail the culprits,” Yuenyong said.

The complaint was filed at the Crime Suppression Division under Section 116 of the Criminal Code, which bans public statements that incite disaffection in a manner likely to cause a disturbance. The offence is punishable by a jail term not exceeding seven years.

DSI deputy spokesman Pol Major Woranan Srilam filed the complaint, citing Ongart’s ninepoint announcement on Sunday that allegedly included accusations against authorities.

The temple’s founder and former abbot, Phra Dhammachayo, faces arrest warrants relating to the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC) embezzlement case and a separate allegation of land encroachment.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chanocha yesterday said he had instructed police to refrain from talking to the media about the Dhammachayo case to let justice run its course. He said officers would proceed “by the book” and the media should not sensationalise the story, which could lead to |conflict.

Also yesterday, Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek Criminal Court dismissed an emergency appeal by Dhammakaya Temple for the cancellation of a search warrant, which had been approved for a joint DSIpolice operation to search the temple compound in Pathum Thani province and arrest the fugitive monk.

Lawyer Thatchanon Pornbaiyoke, who submitted the temple’s motion, declined to comment on the matter, saying the temple’s communications office would provide information later.

Earlier in the day, Thatchanon refused to say whether the fugitive monk had authorised him to submit the appeal. The lawyer also would not comment on whether Dhammachayo was still at the temple, as has been widely speculated.

A Royal Thai Police source said deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahamakul had asked the DSI to apply for a new courtordered search warrant that would allow officers to conduct a search day and night for four days.

As a result, the DSI had halted operations that were scheduled to take place yesterday, which were authorised by an existing search warrant that is valid until Friday, the source said. A revised operations plan was expected to be completed this week, which would be the basis for a new search warrant.

The DSI has been ordered to apprehend Dhammachayo, who now holds the title of “honorary abbot” bestowed by the temple, to face charges of money laundering and receiving stolen assets linked to the KCUC case. The other existing arrest warrant relates to an allegation about land encroachment in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Both Srivara and acting Special Branch Bureau 4 chief Pol MajGeneral Chayapol Chatchaidech yesterday declined to answer most questions posed by the media about the case, citing an order by national police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda. Chayapol confirmed, however, that police would still support DSI operations as previously planned.

Meanwhile, Prayong Preeyajit, secretary of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), urged Pathum Thani provincial officials to launch an investigation into allegations that the temple constructed six bridges in public areas without receiving the proper permission, and then reserved the bridges for exclusive use.

He urged officials to check whether the temple used state funds in the bridge construction, while warning that the PACC would proceed with legal action against officials if they neglect their duty.

Another source reported a police car patrolling the area around the temple ran over road spikes near the compound’s sixth gate. Authorities suspected an unknown third party had spread a large amount of spikes in the vicinity to “create chaos”, prompting officers to file a complaint with the Klong Luang precinct alleging property damage.

It’s a rare glimpse of marine life in its natural habitat, in a kingdom overrun with mass tourist attractions such as aquariums and dolphin shows.

Once a dream for scuba divers, many of Thailand’s coral reefs have been dulled by pollution, over-fishing and increased boat traffic, as well as over-enthusiastic swimmers.

But going out to spot Bryde’s whales is a relatively new concept.

The 15-metre (50-foot) long mammals flock to the northern Gulf waters to feed on an abundance of anchovies during the September to December rainy season.

Many tourists come out to catch a glimpse of their unique feeding habits — observing the way they keep their mouths agape for seconds at a time.

“The way they eat is the greatest biomechanical event” in the world, said Jirayu Ekkul, who takes groups out on his converted fishing boat to spot the whales just a few hours from the bustling capital Bangkok.

The devoted diver and wildlife photographer’s company Wild Encounter Thailand is among only a handful offering whale watching excursions in the Gulf of Thailand.

No regulations

Heading out on the waters in search of Bryde’s whales is a ritual he relishes, and one he hopes won’t be lost if whale-watching goes the way of so many other mass tourism attractions in Thailand.

“Commercial whale-watching is new in Thailand, there are no regulations yet,” he tells AFP on his boat, which can carry about 40 people.

Ekkul insists he is careful: Last year he took out fewer than 1,000 tourists, he says, and his operation adheres to strict international guidelines for this kind of venture.

Boats are expected to slow down near the whales, keep a good distance, and to make sure they do not block their paths.

“This boat has the right way to approach them, by slowing down the engine, slowing down the boat speed,” said Surasak Thongsukdee, a whale specialist at the Marine and Coastal Research Center (MCRC).

Surasak and other researchers often join the tourist expeditions, a key opportunity to observe the 50 or so Bryde’s whales in the Gulf — all of which he knows by name.

Whale-watching has become a significant global industry. The number of people taking such trips grew from 4 million in the 1990s to 13 million by 2008, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

But there are concerns about the impact it has. In 2014 conservationists at the International Marine Conservation Congress warned tourist boats may be causing stress and driving whales from their natural feeding grounds. There is also the risk of death from collision with the vessels.

In the Gulf of Thailand, six whales were found dead this year, which is a sharp spike from the average one death per annum. Surasak blames this increase on the toxic waters, though local media also reported illegal fishing trawlers in the area.

“These whales might be affected by pollution flowing into the water” he said, adding that many different rivers flow into the Gulf of Thailand. In October, dozens of sting ray and razor clam beds died off due to pollution from one tributary.

Need for green

The junta-ruled kingdom, whose sputtering economy remains hugely reliant on tourists to keep afloat, has come under fire for letting visitors spoil its natural attractions.

Precious coral are routinely damaged by throngs of scuba-diving tourists, who scrape reefs with their fins or hands in their hunt to spot tropical fish. Some even pose on the coral to take underwater selfies.

“The government is struggling to enforce best practice in terms of tourism,” said British marine biologist James Harvey.

He would like to see Thailand embrace green tourism, an increasingly attractive industry among eco-minded travellers.

In collaboration with the UN, he founded Green Fins, a programme that promotes sustainable diving and snorkelling in Asia to protect coral reefs, and would like to see a more eco-friendly ethos applied in Thailand.

“It makes economic sense to be green now,” he said.