Opposition leader vows to cleanse Thailand of ‘contamination’ as rhetoric turns extreme ahead of next election

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Opposition leader vows to cleanse Thailand of ‘contamination’ as rhetoric turns extreme ahead of next election

Opposition leader vows to cleanse Thailand of ‘contamination’ as rhetoric turns extreme ahead of next election

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Opposition leaders on Wednesday asked for a general debate in Parliament on the government of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, with one saying they plan to “unmask” him ahead of the next election and cleanse the country of the “contamination” he has caused.

They promised the debate would be like a censure showdown, but would not end in a vote as censure debates usually do. Instead, the public can vote for the next government, they said, using phrases to describe the prime minister that were more extreme than usual.

After submitting the motion calling for the debate, Pheu Thai Party and opposition leader Cholnan Srikaew held a press conference to announce that the goal of the debate was to “unmask the good man” and cleanse Thailand of the “contamination” he caused.

He was referring to Prayut who is often described as a “good man” by his supporters.

The debate will inform the public about how the government fell short during the last four years, including its failure to implement 12 urgent policies the prime minister promised Parliament he would implement when he took office, Cholnan said.

Prayut and Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan will be the focus of attacks in the debate.

“Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the prime minister and defence minister, will be the first defendant and main focus of the debate, which will be held to cleanse the parliamentary system and democratic system with the King as the head of the state – as well as people’s opportunities – of contamination,” Cholnan explained.

He said the Constitution does not allow the opposition to have a no-confidence vote after the debate, but the people can decide for themselves what to do about Prayut’s government.

“We’ll focus on the failures in the country’s administration and problems as well as solutions from the opposition and the democratic side so that the people can make a judgment in the next election,” Cholnan said,adding he and other members of his party believe they will win the next election.

The debate will expose how the “good man” has damaged the country during his four years as the prime minister of an elected government and four years before that as the prime minister of a coup-installed government, Cholnan said.

“The people will [be able] to understand the true nature of the ‘good man’ so that they can make their decision for the election,” he said.

Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said, “This will be the last general debate of this [session of the] House of Representatives. MPs cannot vote, but the people can vote for us in the next election.”

The debate “will expose irregularities and failure of the government”, he added.

The opposition invoked Section 152 of the Constitution for its motion to seek a general debate. Cholnan submitted the motion to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai at 1pm.

Section 152 says: “Members of the House of Representatives comprising not less than one-10th of the total number of the existing members of the House of Representatives have the right to submit a motion for a general debate to inquire about facts or recommend issues without a resolution to be passed.”

Chuan said he would have to consult the government to decide the appropriate days for holding the debate.

The debate might be held by the end of next month because the two chambers will have to jointly deliberate on a charter amendment bill proposed by the Pheu Thai, he added.

No parliamentarian qualifies for press corps’ ‘Rising Star’, ‘Best Member of the Year’ epithets

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No parliamentarian qualifies for press corps' 'Rising Star', 'Best Member of the Year' epithets

No parliamentarian qualifies for press corps’ ‘Rising Star’, ‘Best Member of the Year’ epithets

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Thailand’s press corps on Tuesday continued their year-end tradition of giving nicknames to Parliament executives and members.

On Monday, the press already had revealed this year’s nicknames for the government, the prime minister and ministers, that were satirical and poked fun.

Notable nicknames for Parliament officials for 2022 are:

House of Representatives: Sam Wan Nee See Wan Lom (absent every three days, collapse every four days). The lower house got this nickname due to its repeated failure to convene Parliament meetings because of the absence of MPs or the staging of walk-out by the opposition.

House of Senate: Tra Por (voting for either P). The upper house is viewed as being divided into supporting either Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha or Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan. The two are candidates for next PM.

Parliament President and House Speaker Chuan Leekpai: Chuan Suan Se (the doddering Chuan). The veteran politician, who used to inspire awe and be revered by MPs, is seen now as “losing his footing”, as he was unable to maintain order in the house and reconcile disagreements during meetings that resulted in walk-outs by rival groups.

President of the Senate Pornphet Wichitcholchai: Pornphet Phak Kon (Pornphet, you better rest now). Pornphet was often seen looking tired and frustrated during heated arguments at Senate meetings. The press is worried about him and suggests that he needs a short break.

Opposition leader Chonlanan Srikaew: Mong Chonlanan (the dull Dr Chonlanan). The doctor, who last year won the nickname of ‘rising star’, was viewed as losing his edge in criticising government policies. Many also viewed him as Pheu Thai leader only in name, but his actions seemed to be controlled by someone behind the scenes.

Comment of the year: “I took no part in the coup, only PM Prayut did it.”

Deputy PM Prawit made this comment in a July no-confidence debate, to which Prayut raised his hand and smiled in acknowledgement, amid applause from MPs. The press viewed the comment and MPs’ response as not appropriate for members of the legislative body, as it undermines the principle of democracy.

The press agreed that this year no one deserves the nicknames “Rising Star” and “Best Member of the Year.”

However, the one deserving the nickname “Dying Star” is Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, leader of the Thai Civilized Party.

During Parliament meetings, Mongkolkit often brought up issues that were under social attention, though they were unrelated to the topics being discussed or even to himself, such as the death of actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong and the swimming charity of actor Phakin “Tono” Khamwilaisak. The press called him out as “trying to be an expert in every topic despite having no clues himself”.

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Health investment is a revenue booster, minister says

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Health investment is a revenue booster, minister says

Health investment is a revenue booster, minister says

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Increasing investment in the public health system will help establish Thailand as a global leader in medical tourism, PM’s Office Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is paying very close attention to his government’s efforts to ensure Thailand becomes a premiere destination for people seeking medical treatment, Thanakorn said.

The premier’s plan calls for promoting Thailand as a hub for medical services and products, wellness, and education. The last comprises two goals: developing the capacity of medical education and hosting international medical conferences.

Thanakorn said that Thailand was the fifth most popular health-tourism destination in the world last year, adding that wellness treatments and products – such as Thai massage, and spa and healthcare products – were abundant.

The Tourism and Sports Ministry expects revenue from medical tourism to rise by an average of 8% annually over the next five years.

Citing Public Health Ministry data, Thanakorn said revenue from medical tourism was 11.90 billion baht last year.

“The value of Thailand’s medical tourism will reach 25 billion baht next year,” Thanakorn said.

Increasing medical tourism will also reduce imports of medicine and medical supplies, he said, adding that public health “is considered national security and an engine to drive the country’s economy”.

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First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

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First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

The Royal Thai Navy has released the first underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai after the warship disappeared beneath 4-metre waves in the Gulf of Thailand 11 days ago.

The corvette capsized and sank some 20 nautical miles off the coast of Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district on December 18 with 105 crew onboard.

Photos and video grabs of the wreck were taken by an undersea drone and a team of divers, who reached the ship for the first time on Wednesday.

First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

Thursday saw the SeaFox drone and dive team back at the wreck site, which lies at a depth of 40 metres, searching for bodies of the five crewmen still missing.

They are also tasked with surveying damage in preparation for the mission to lift the Sukhothai from the seabed.

First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

HTMS Rawee is circling above the sunken warship as an operating base for the divers, who so far have yet to find any bodies trapped in the ill-fated Sukhothai.

The search mission launched for its 11th day on Thursday with five more to go, said the Navy on Thursday morning.

On Wednesday, three more bodies of Sukhothai crewmen were found on and around islands off Chumphon province. As of Thursday morning, the death toll stood at 24 sailors in what the Navy described as a “historic loss”.

Seventy-six crewmen have been rescued and brought safely to shore.

Of the 24 victims, 20 have been identified while DNA test results are pending for the rest.

First underwater images of HTMS Sukhothai surface as divers search wreck

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PM orders probe of Kong Salak Plus lottery after owner boasts THB18bn sales

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PM orders probe of Kong Salak Plus lottery after owner boasts THB18bn sales

PM orders probe of Kong Salak Plus lottery after owner boasts THB18bn sales

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a probe of the Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform after the company announced a whopping 18 billion baht in sales this year.

The 15-day investigation by the Government Lottery Office, Anti-Money Laundering Office and Department of Special Investigation will focus on the business operations and tax filings of the popular lottery ticket seller, which is owned by tycoon Phantawat Nakwisut.

The sales figure of 18 billion baht was announced by Phantawat on his Facebook page earlier this month.

The tycoon made headlines recently by declaring he would spend 67 million baht to purchase broadcasting rights for the ongoing Asea Football Federation (AFF) Championship so that Thais can watch it for free.

This led many people to question where he had got the money from, since Kong Salak Plus reported only 9.3 million baht in profit from sales worth 1 billion baht last year.

“By law, sellers of government lottery tickets are subject to 7% VAT, as well as corporate income tax of 20% on profit if they are a juristic person,” said a source familiar with the investigation.

“The investigation will uncover if the company has paid the required tax on the 18 billion baht in sales that it claimed.”

In April, Kong Salak Plus offices in Bangkok were raided in a police crackdown on overpriced lottery tickets. In June, the committee tasked with tackling overpriced lottery tickets found that many small-time vendors were selling their ticket quotas to Kong Salak Plus and other online lottery platforms.

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At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

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At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

Firefighters are struggling to control a huge blaze that broke out at the Grand Diamond City Hotel and Casino in Poipet on the Thai-Cambodian border at 11pm on Wednesday.

Unconfirmed reports say 10 people have died at the scene so far after victims were seen jumping from the fifth floor of the blazing building.

The Thai-owned casino is located about 200 metres over the border from the Ban Klong Luk checkpoint in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet District. Thai employees and gamblers were inside the premises when the fire started.

At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

Cambodian authorities asked Thai firefighting units to send firetrucks with booms and hoses to quell the flames so that dozens of people trapped in the building could be evacuated.

By 5am on Thursday, the casino blaze had expanded to engulf the bridge connecting the hotel to the main road. Officials evacuated people from the nearby area and declared a no-entry zone.

At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

There were no official reports of deaths or injuries as of 9am on Thursday, but hospitals in nearby Aranyaprathet and Kasem Rat have reported an influx of casualties from the blaze.

At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor
At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor
At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor
At least 10 feared dead in Poipet casino inferno as people jump from 5th floor

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Senior Transport Ministry official nominated as new EEC secretary-general

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Senior Transport Ministry official nominated as new EEC secretary-general

Senior Transport Ministry official nominated as new EEC secretary-general

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Jula Sukmanop, an inspector-general, has been nominated as the next secretary-general of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, a Government House source said.

The source said a selection committee for the new EEC Office secretary-general has picked Jula to replace Kanit Saengsuphan, whose tenure expired in August.

The EEC Policy Committee, which is headed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, will convene a meeting soon to consider Jula’s nomination.

If the committee agrees with the nomination, the panel will define his role and salary before formally appointing him to the post, crucial for Thailand’s economic development, the source added.

Jula graduated with a bachelor’s degree in law from Chulalongkorn University and a Masters (Maritime Law) from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. He got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Southampton as well.

He has been working with the Transport Ministry throughout his tenure in government service. He started his career as the director of traffic and transport development division of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning in November 2002.

He used to be director-general of the Marine Department and the Airports Department. He was appointed director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand after the May 2014 coup and became the inspector-general of the Transport Ministry on December 1, 2020.

Elite law enforcement unit investigating its own officers over alleged bribe

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Elite law enforcement unit investigating its own officers over alleged bribe

Elite law enforcement unit investigating its own officers over alleged bribe

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) said on Wednesday that it is investigating DSI officers who allegedly accepted a bribe for allowing suspected criminals to walk free after a raid on a residence belonging to the Consulate General of the Republic of Nauru on December 22.

DSI officers have been accused of accepting a bribe for allowing the 11 Chinese nationals found at the residence in Bangkok’s Sathorn district to walk free despite a complaint from Nauru’s Consulate General that they had been illegally occupying the residence.

The DSI announced the investigation after lawyer Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, chairman of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, said on Tuesday that DSI officers and other police accepted a payment of 20 million baht for the release of the 11 Chinese nationals found at the residence.

At least one of the 11 illegal occupants of the residence is wanted by Interpol, Atchariya said.

DSI officers said the residence was raided on December 22. John Yu, acting consul at Naru’s Consulate General, sent his first complaint to DSI about illegal occupants at the residence on December 9.

Yu asked the DSI to investigate the Chinese nationals living in the residence without permission, the department said.

The case could affect the relationship between Thailand and Nauru, DSI said.

Yu submitted a second letter on December 21, along with evidence, including photos of a car with a license plate for Consulate General staff.

“DSI would like to confirm that the operation was in line with the Consulate General’s request,” it said.

It added that the department would investigate its officers and clarify what happened as soon as it can.

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Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

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Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2022

Heavy traffic congestion signalled the start of migrant workers’ New Year exodus back to their hometowns in northern and northeastern provinces on Tuesday.

Highway No 304 (Suwinthawong Road) running from Prachin Buri’s Si Mahosot district to Nakhon Ratchasima was hit by congestion on Tuesday evening.

Traffic had slowed to a crawl from Khao Hin Son Intersection in Si Maha Phot district through Kabin Buri and Na Di districts.

Congestion was also seen at the Sam Thahan intersection in Kabin Buri district where vehicles were almost at a standstill in front of Kabin Buri Hospital. Traffic was slowed by vehicles leaving a petrol station about 200 metres ahead of the intersection as motorists took rest stops.Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

Congestion also built up about 10 kilometres down the road at Ban Khok Intersection.

Traffic police in Si Maha Phot and Kabin Buri said they expected the jams to get worse on Wednesday evening.

Elsewhere, police reported congestion in the northbound lanes of the Asia highway in Ayutthaya province on Wednesday. Traffic flow had slowed considerably in Bang Pa-in district on Wednesday morning.Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

Police said the vehicles crowding the road were moving at a slow but constant speed. However, congestion was building up at U-turn bridges and link roads to Highway No 356 at kilometre marker No 14 in Bang Pa-in. Highway 356 serves as a detour to avoid congestion in Suphanburi.

Traffic police expect the traffic situation to worsen on the evening of Thursday, the year’s last working day for many businesses.

Police have announced they will step up monitoring of roads from December 29 to January 4 to boost safety on the so-called “seven-dangerous days”.Traffic congestion alerts flash up as New Year exodus begins early

Business associations succeed in lowering rise in power price

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Business associations succeed in lowering rise in power price

Business associations succeed in lowering rise in power price

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2022

The cost of electricity for businesses will not rise as much in January as proposed earlier this month, following an intensive and coordinated effort by Thailand’s largest business associations to prevent what they described as a crippling rise in the fuel tariff (Ft) rate.

The Energy Regulatory Commission has approved a decision by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to reduce a rise in the Ft rate during the first quarter of next year, commission secretary-general Komkrit Tantravanich said on Thursday.

Komkrit said the commission made the decision at a meeting on Wednesday.

The Ft rate is determined by the cost of fuel used for generating electricity and the cost of buying power from private generating plants.

Komkrit said Egat asked his commission to review the new Ft rates in light of fluctuations in the prices of natural gas and diesel, as well as exchange rates. The accumulated debt of Egat was also a factor considered.

Komkrit said the commission on Wednesday approved an Ft rate for non-household electricity of 154.82 satang per unit (100 satang is one baht). This was a 35.52 satang reduction from the Ft rate of 190.44 satang per unit approved on December 14.

The reduction from the December 14 proposed rate for non-household electricity lowers the per unit rate to 5.33 baht from the proposed 5.69 baht per unit, from January to April, Komkrit said.

The commission also approved Egat’s proposal to maintain the Ft rate for household electricity use at 93.43 satang per unit, keeping the power rate for households at 4.72 baht per unit during the same period.

On December 14, the ERC decided to raise the Ft rate for non-household use by 97.01 satang to 190.44 satang per unit, which would result in a power rate for non-household use of 5.69 baht per unit – an increase of 21%.

The ERC’s decision sparked a backlash from businesses, which argued that a rise in the cost of electricity would undermine their profitability and competitiveness when they had yet to fully recover from the pandemic.

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking held a press conference earlier this month at which leaders of the country’s largest business associations appealed to the government, as well as Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to delay the proposed rate hike, saying it could damage members of their associations as well as the country’s economy.