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Disability rights activists join protests against govt (nationthailand.com)

Disability rights activists join protests against govt

PoliticsDec 11. 2020Photos by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit 

By The Nation

Pro-democracy disability rights activists gathered outside the Social Development and Human Security Ministry in Bangkok on Thursday to protest the government’s welfare measures for the disabled.

Democracy activist Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpatararaksa joined the demonstration, which started at 6pm.

On stage, protesters took turns to discuss rights and liberty, state welfare, and public facilities that fail to meet the needs of disabled people.

The demonstration was called off at 8.30pm.

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People delighted by extension of ‘Let’s Go Halves’ scheme, insists minister (nationthailand.com)

People delighted by extension of ‘Let’s Go Halves’ scheme, insists minister

PoliticsDec 11. 2020Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana 

By The Nation

People are very grateful to the government for approving a second phase of the “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) subsidised-shopping scheme on Tuesday, PM’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Friday.

He added that many people had benefited from this scheme, which was introduced to boost spending.

The scheme will be expanded to cover 15 million Thais from the original 10 million.

Until March 31, the government will pay 50 per cent of a participant’s bill for food, drink and general goods up to Bt150 per day. The cap on the total subsidy per person over the whole period has been raised from Bt,3000 to Bt3,500.

The total budget for both phases of the scheme is Bt22.5 billion, aiming to generate spending of Bt45 billion.

Each phase is designed to boost GDP by 0.32 per cent by injecting up to Bt105 billion into the economy.

In response to Pheu Thai MP Karoon Hosakul’s criticism that the scheme is allowing vendors to take advantage of consumers, Thanakorn said the Finance Ministry is keeping a close eye on retailers and will take legal action against those caught taking advantage.

“PM’s Office Minister Anucha Nakasai has instructed the Consumer Protection Board to act on people’s complaints as soon as possible,” he said.

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Royalist actress comes under fire over remarks about US senator (nationthailand.com)

Royalist actress comes under fire over remarks about US senator

PoliticsDec 11. 2020

By THE NATION

Pro-democracy activist Sombat Boonngamanong has vowed to troll actress Janjira Joojang over her remarks — widely slammed as mean — against Thai-American senator Tammy Duckworth, until she apologises.

Sombat said on Friday that he would talk about the actress every day, as she has not apologised for her inconsiderate remarks.

The United States Senate, on December 3, had passed a resolution in support of Thailand’s pro-democracy movement. The resolution “underscore[s] the United States’ commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Thailand”, the resolution said, according to the Senate press release.

“The senators’ resolution follows recent demonstrations by Thailand’s pro-democracy movement, which have been met with violence and repression by the country’s monarchy and government,” it continues.

Among the nine members of Congress who introduced the resolution was Duckworth.

On Saturday, the  resolution was mentioned in a royalist group on Facebook. Under the post, Janjira reportedly commented  “redundant disability”, in what was considered a veiled reference to senator Duckworth who lost her legs during the Iraq war.

The actress’ comment drew scorn from pro-democracy supporters. Sombat said via his Twitter account: “I will talk about Janjira every day, since she has not said sorry to senator Tammy Duckworth. By the way, I am curious about the present work of Janjira. I have not seen her performance for a long time.”

Politician Chuwit Kamolvisit also praised the Thai-American senator on his Facebook, with a photo of him with her. Chuwit attacked those who discredited the senator as well as those who criticised the resolution of the senators.

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Protesters vow to change gear next year, as they ring down the curtain on 2020 (nationthailand.com)

Protesters vow to change gear next year, as they ring down the curtain on 2020

PoliticsDec 11. 2020

By The Nation

Pro-democracy protesters plan to raise the level of demonstrations next year, protest leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul said before ending the “Abolish 112 and We Will Tell You” event at the October 14 Memorial in Bangkok’s Rajdamnoen Road on Thursday.

The event started at 10am and featured academic speeches and exhibitions related to the lese majeste law. The event included musical performances.

In the evening, police officers led by Pol Colonel Attawit Saisueb, deputy chief of Metropolitan Police Division 1, entered the protest site to negotiate with another protest leader, Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, on opening the way and the scheduled closing time, as the protest site extended from Democracy Monument to the Khok Wua intersection. However, the police had to retreat as the supporters starting shouting.

Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak (Centre)

Meanwhile, Panusaya said on the stage that Thursday’s was the last demonstration of this year.

“We will raise the level of demonstration next year,” she vowed before ending the rally at 6.47pm.

At 8pm, police officers reopened the traffic, while Phra Nakhon district officials came to clean up the area and paint over messages which the protesters had sprayed on the road.