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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40021014

Anniversary of October 14 uprising marked with speeches, wreaths in Bangkok

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2022

Relatives of those who took part in the October 14 uprising commemorated the 49th anniversary of the revolt against dictatorship and corruption in Bangkok on Friday.

Members of the foundation named after the event gave speeches and laid wreaths at the October 14 Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road in their annual show of resistance to tyranny.

The monument marks a violent crackdown by troops and police after hundreds of thousands of protesters rose up against the government of Thanom Kittikachorn.

At least 77 people died and 857 people were injured in the violence while others disappeared during the violence on October 14, 1973.

Thailand had been under military dictatorship for almost 15 years when reports of rampant corruption in government culminated in Thanom staging a coup against his own government in 1971.

Growing public discontent finally overflowed after student pro-democracy protesters and MPs were arrested in early October, 1973. On October 9, more than 2,000 protesters gathered at Thammasat University to lead a march down Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

By October 13, the rally had swelled to over 400,000 people, and Thanom’s government acceded to protesters’ demand for a permanent constitution.

On October 14, student protest leaders travelled to the Palace, met with King Rama IX’s representative and agreed to disband the protest. However, protesters were met with tanks and helicopters as the military launched a crackdown. The protest then swelled to around 500,000 people, prompting a retreat by the military regime.

At 7.15pm, HM King Bhumibol announced on television and radio that Thanom’s military government had resigned.

Protesters disbanded after hearing the news that the so-called “three tyrants” – Thanom, his son and defence minister Narong Kittikachorn, and deputy prime minister Praphas Charusathien – had fled the country.

Sanya Dharmasakti was appointed prime minister by the king to usher in a period of democratic reform, but it was snuffed out just three years later by the October 6, 1976 massacre and coup.

The uprising was finally marked officially with the unveiling of the October 14 Memorial in 1998.

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Corrections Department working on plan to deal with possible flooding in prisons

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

The Corrections Department and the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) have joined hands to prepare for floods in prisons.

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Thursday that he has ordered the department to monitor the water situation closely as there are floods in several areas.

Somsak said that no prison is flooded as of now, according to the latest report. However, the meeting was held to prepare a plan for such a situation, especially at prisons in provinces near flash flood areas.

He added that the department had signed a memorandum of understanding with GISTDA to send satellite images for monitoring floods and weather situations in time.

Somsak said the department has set up a Line group as a war room for reporting situations from all over the country.

As for provinces that were affected by floods, some prisoners were sent to help, for making embankments with sandbags, installing water pumps, and helping carry items.

Meanwhile, prisoners in Bangkok and its vicinity helped by making embankments and by cleaning sewers.

Somsak said, “I would like to repeat again that any local organisation facing flood or disaster problems can contact the Corrections Department. We are glad to do social service and help citizens. The Justice Department, the Corrections Department, and all prisoners want to help reduce the burden on society and citizens, and we are glad to serve.”

“Moreover, it will be a chance for prisoners to do good acts and learn how to get back into society.”, Somsak added.

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Thailand abstains in UN vote against Russia, but reiterates ‘opposition to acquisition of territory by force’

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2022

Thailand offered four reasons for abstaining from the UN General Assembly vote condemning Russia’s move to annex four regions in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, the United Nations held its 11th Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine”.

A Reuters report said 143 of 193 countries voted to condemn Russia’s annexation move while 35 countries, including Thailand, chose to abstain.

Only Russia, Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea, and Belarus voted against the resolution.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday explained the vote by Suriya Chindawongse, Thailand’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative at the UN.

The ministry statement said:

“As a small sovereign nation, Thailand holds sacred the UN Charter and international law as they are our first and last line of defence. We are unequivocally committed to the principle of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of States as enshrined in the UN Charter.”

The statement added, “It has long been Thailand’s long-standing and consistent policy to be opposed to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity of any State, and to the unprovoked acquisition of the territory of another State by force.

“However, Thailand chose to abstain from the vote on the resolution because it took place during an extremely volatile and emotionally charged atmosphere and situation, and thus marginalised the chance for crisis diplomacy to bring about a peaceful and practical negotiated resolution to the conflict that may push the world towards the brink of nuclear war and global economic collapse.“

The statement added: “We are genuinely concerned about the increased politicisation of international principles that has become counterproductive as the means and guidance to end the war. Condemnation provokes intransigence and therefore greatly reduces the chance for constructive engagement.”

The statement said that Thailand bemoaned the physical, social and humanitarian destruction of Ukraine and the extreme hardship endured by Ukrainians. “We, therefore, emphasise the need for all stakeholders in this absolute tragedy in Ukraine to de-escalate the conflict and violence, and try to find a peaceful means to settle the differences by addressing the pragmatic reality and concerns of all involved.”

“Human security and right to life is an important pillar in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 3) and to date such right has been deprived from Ukrainians and many millions of people around the world. It is the ultimate duty and responsibility of this esteemed organisation to restore peace and normalcy of life for the Ukrainians, not through violent means, but by diplomatic mechanisms that can only bring practical and lasting peace,” the statement concluded.

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Budget Bureau allocates THB230 billion to tackle flood crisis

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2022

The Budget Bureau has earmarked 230 billion baht from the central budget of fiscal 2023 to tackle the flood situation in the country, bureau director Chalermphol Pensoot said on Tuesday.

Chalermphol said 6 billion baht would be allocated as compensation to people affected by floods, with a maximum 2 million households receiving 3,000 baht each.

This money is not part of the compensation for farmers whose farmlands have been damaged and livestock killed by floods, as it will be provided separately by other agencies, such as the Interior Ministry.

The remaining 1.7 billion baht will be used to stimulate the economy once the flood situation improves.

This money will be used to fund campaigns that have proven to be successful during the Covid-19 crisis, such as the travel subsidy scheme “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) and the co-payment shopping scheme “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves).

Chalermphol said the bureau decided not to allocate a large sum for flood compensation as this portion would focus only on flood affected households and not reparations for flood damages.

During early 2023, agencies can allocate the annual budget they receive for flood damage to repair roads, bridges and other infrastructure in their areas, he said.

Chalermphol added that the reason why economic stimulation campaigns must use money from the central budget of fiscal 2023 is because the bureau could no longer use money that had been borrowed to tackle the Covid-19 crisis, as the emergency loan decrees stipulated that no money from loans could be disbursed after September 30.

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Interior Ministry sets new preventive measures after Nong Bua Lamphu massacre

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022

THE NATION

The Interior Ministry called an emergency meeting on Friday to find ways to tackle the country’s problems with drug abuse and gun ownership. The meeting was in response to the mass killing in a Nong Bua Lamphu nursery.

The meeting was chaired by ministry permanent-secretary Suttipong Juljarern, who led a 38-second silence to mourn the 38 victims of the massacre.

Suttipong said the shooting of 24 young children made the incident even more tragic and that the world has joined Thailand in mourning for their loss.

He said the meeting’s aim was to come up with effective measures to prevent and suppress drug abuse and provide rehabilitation means for addicts.

The attendees also considered the qualifications required for gun licences.

Suttipong said Interior Ministry executives also looked into ways of boosting security for children by conducting regular checks on playground equipment, installing more safety cameras and screening visitors more stringently.

The permanent-secretary also issued a five-point standard for provincial governors and district mayors to follow, namely:

• Intercept and suppress risky behaviour and drug abuse, especially among government officials. Rehabilitate drug users and boost security by setting up community checkpoints.
• Encourage communities to monitor and report risky situations to local authorities.
• Ensure the local administration supports the establishment of community checkpoints by the provincial administration department and local police.
• Link up with local networks to launch anti-drug campaigns.
• Check the qualifications of gun licence holders and applicants.

The meeting also came up with guidelines on compensating victims’ families and those affected by the Thursday incident.

Suttipong also lauded the Uthai Sawan Tambon Administrative Organisation for investing in life insurance policies for the children and teachers at the nursery, which was in the organisation’s compound.

THE NATION

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Thai civil servants now allowed to work from home or co-working spaces

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2022

THE NATION

The Royal Gazette on Thursday published a Prime Minister’s Office regulation permitting government officials to work from outside their agencies’ premises.

The move aims to maximise work efficiency using modern technology while ensuring public services operate during emergency situations.

The regulation defines “areas outside agencies’ premises” as either officials’ residences, co-working spaces, or other locations specified by the agencies.

However, attending meetings, training, field trips, or temporary transfer to other locations in Thailand or overseas is not considered as working outside the agencies’ premises.

Under the regulation, government agencies must provide suitable support for their officials to work outside their office while ensuring that work efficiency is maintained.

THE NATION

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PM calls for all-out efforts by state agencies to deal with floods, mitigate their impact on the people

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

THE NATION

Flood prevention and mitigation agencies have been urged to work together in dealing with the ongoing flood crisis in the country.

During the meeting on Monday at the Interior Ministry in Bangkok, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha urged government agencies nationwide to prepare plans to deal with floods in advance and create awareness among residents.

He said officials and machines must be arranged to assist people, and obstacles on waterways, such as weeds and garbage, must be cleared.

He added that it would be necessary to dredge canals and build additional floodgates to mitigate the impact of the floods on the people.

“Agencies responsible for overseeing construction sites must ensure that the projects will not affect water drainage,” he said.

“Meanwhile, traffic lights and signposts in flood-prone areas must be set up clearly to prevent accidents.”

He said local agencies must survey for damage once the situation improves so the government and related agencies can provide assistance to flood victims effectively.

He added that the government is ready to support related agencies on mitigating flood impact on people.

Prayut also urged related agencies to work together on assisting flood victims, adding that evacuation centres, food, drinks and clothes must be sufficient to gain the confidence of the people.

“Provincial governors, district chiefs and village headmen are essential to enable residents to gain access to government agencies’ assistance,” he added.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said 81,660 households in 71 provinces, including Bangkok, have been affected by flooding caused by tropical storm Noru.

Citing the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department’s report, he said the flood had injured seven people and killed 19 people.

“About 1.2 million rai [192,000 hectares] of plantations were damaged due to floods,” he said.

Citing the weather forecast from October to December this year by Thailand Meteorological Department, he added that the country still had to monitor for possible tropical storms as it would affect the upper and central parts of the South.

“Related agencies must work closely to deal with any situation that may occur and mitigate the impact on people as much as possible,” he said.

THE NATION

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Chadchart urges government, private sectors to jointly tackle housing problem

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

THE NATION

The government and private sectors must work together to ensure all people have a roof over their heads, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Monday.

He made the remark during a meeting with Four Regions Slum Network during a campaign for World Habitat Day.

He said government agencies are responsible for enabling people to have houses as it is one of the four important necessities, along with food, medicine and clothes.

He added that even though the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is responsible for taking care of public areas, it has to cooperate with related agencies on this issue as well.

He asked people to be patient in saving money, starting from changing their behaviour, to create stability in life.

“When people gain access to housing, their occupation and quality of life will improve, while their child also will have better education,” he said.

He also stressed that both the government and private sectors must tackle this issue together, arguing that all people have the right to housing.

THE NATION

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China-Thailand railway has Thais dreaming of Asian connectivity

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

The China-Thailand railway aims to energise economic development in Thailand as a crucial link in pan-Asian railway connectivity. Serving as a bridge for closer people-to-people exchanges between Thailand and China, the railway will help boost tourism and regional connectivity, says China’s state news agency.

Twenty-four-year-old Nantapong Nuchanet is looking forward to driving a high-speed train in his home country of Thailand. As construction of the China-Thailand railway continues apace, he is getting closer to his dream job.

Nantapong currently works as a translator on the first-phase of the China-Thailand railway that will link Bangkok with Nakhon Ratchasima in northeastern Thailand. “I’ve achieved a small goal of mine by doing a job related to the high-speed railway,” he said.

Nantapong considers himself a lucky man – he learned Chinese after becoming interested in the culture and technology, which won him a chance to study in China.

In 2016, Nantapong took an exam at the Maritime Silk Road Confucius Institute and won a three-year scholarship at Tianjin Railway Technical and Vocational College in Tianjin, where he chose to learn high-speed train operation and maintenance. After graduating in 2019, he got a job at the China-Thailand railway project.

“When I studied in China, I used to take the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed train. It ran really fast and steady. I hope … I can drive such a train after the China-Thailand railway starts operating,” he said.

Nantapong wants to take the train from Thailand to Tianjin and to the tourist city of Guilin in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

The China-Thailand railway, an important part of the trans-Asian railway network, will be Thailand’s first standard-gauge high-speed railway.

It will carry trains from Bangkok to the border town of Nong Khai, where a bridge will connect it with the China-Laos railway, making it possible to travel by train from Bangkok, through Laos, to Kunming in southwest China’s Yunnan province.

Analysts say the railway will not only spur economic development of regions along the line in Thailand but also help link the pan-Asia railway network and promote regional connectivity.

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi told media on July 14 that China, Laos and Thailand see the opening of the China-Laos Railway as an opportunity to smooth the flow of goods with convenient channels, promote economy and trade with better logistics, and boost the development of industries with robust economy and trade.

Efforts will be made to advance the vision of interconnected development of China, Laos and Thailand, Wang said.

For Viroj Lubkritcom, a 59-year-old Thai engineer, the China-Thailand railway is more than just physical infrastructure; it will also boost people-to-people bonds.

Viroj has worked in project supervision for 35 years and is now employed by the China Railway Design Corporation (Thailand Branch), which is supervising the first-phase China-Thailand railway.

“We’ve been working closely with our Chinese colleagues. By cooperating and communicating with them, we have gained a lot of experiences, both in terms of railway construction and project management,” he said.

Viroj expects the project to serve as a bridge for closer personnel exchanges between Thailand and China, and a boon for tourism development.

“We’ve seen that the China-Laos railway has boosted local tourism and logistics since it started operation. My friends and I hope the construction of the China-Thailand railway will finish as soon as possible and better connect us with our neighbouring countries,” he said.

Xinhua

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Prayut praises CCSA for leading one of world’s most successful battles against Covid

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

THE NATION

Newly reinstated Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday thanked the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) for leading Thailand’s virus battle over the past 900 days.

The CCSA was dissolved on Saturday as responsibility for controlling Covid was handed to the Public Health Ministry.

Prayut said the CCSA’s role overseeing Covid-19 management ended on Friday (September 30), two and half years after the centre was opened in March 2020.

The PM thanked CCSA officials for “their effort and sacrifice” in protecting people from Covid-19.

Prayut said both he and CCSA staff regretted that so many lives had been lost to the new and severe disease.

He added that apart from protecting people against the virus, the CCSA had also relieved the hardship of people coping with the pandemic and the resulting global economic crises

He said Thailand’s Covid crisis management was recognised as being among the best in the world thanks to the CCSA, which had integrated all levels of officialdom and ensured public unity to fight the epidemic.

“I want to thank all government officials, police, soldiers and volunteers for their efforts and sacrifice in working for the public and leaving no one behind,” he said, adding that this proved that solidarity and sacrifice can overcome any crisis.

The PM also cited words from the CCSA’s first-ever announcement. “We will fight together” and “We will win together” had proved true thanks to the cooperation of Thais, he said.

THE NATION