DOCSLIB.ORG

October 19, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • The

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
October 19, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • The October 19, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News The protest against the government of embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has intensified to a degree that it is likely to be impossible for him to dig himself out of this hole. The watershed moment was on Friday evening when high powered watercannons were used to disperse the protestors around Siam Paragon area. The move by the government to use excessive force to control the situation is likely to have an impact on the capital markets which are set to open today To read more details see the ‘Economic News’ section of our News Summary. The crackdown on the protestors on Friday evening prompted more than just a resentment against the current regime but it also triggered the coalition partners to come out with statements yesterday (Sunday) Parliament Speaker (President) Chuan Leekpai has come out to say that Today at 09:00 hrs he would call for a meeting with all parties to find a way out for the country He said that all sides should be ready for a possible ‘emergency’ convening of the parliament. The parliament is formally set to convene on November 1 Democrat party’s incumbent leader - Jurin Laksanawisit, came out to say that the government should take the lead to find a way out of this situation Chuan will call an internal meeting with leaders of all political parties today (October 19) to discuss on whether an extraordinary House session is needed. Initially, Chuan said he had ordered authorities to prepare for an extraordinary House session. However, Chuan said he had yet to receive any requests from any parliamentarians. He said he had no authority to call an extraordinary House session himself unless the government or lawmakers submit a petition calling for an extraordinary session Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin, speaking as the Democrat Party leader, supported the idea of resolving the current political crisis through parliament. The party wants the government to take the initiative in requesting a joint House-Senate sitting for a general debate without a vote under Section 165. Jurin said the parliament can speed up the charter amendment process in the 1st reading without setting any conditions that made society believe that the government is trying to buy time. Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul is adamant that his party supports an amendment to Section 256 of the constitution as the first step to pave the way for the formation of a new charter drafting assembly (CDA) to allow the people to take part in the rewriting of the whole charter and leave the first 2 chapters of the constitution untouched. Meanwhile, the opposition Pheu Thai Party supports a call for an extraordinary parliamentary session to discuss the political conflict, says Pheu Thai’s secretary- general Prasert Chanruagnthong but noted that some coalition parties showed resistance against the idea. Prasert said Chuan had contacted his party for its core leaders to convene an internal meeting with leaders of the coalition parties and parliamentarians at Parliament to discuss the political conflict today (October 19). Prasert insisted that Pheu Thai remains firm with its calls for 1) embattled Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to scrap the state of emergency to deal with protesters in Bangkok and 2) the government to release protest leaders who had been detained. Pheu Thai plans to send Prasert and Somkid Chueakhong, a deputy opposition whip and Pheu Thai MP, to attend the planned talk at Parliament today. Lt Gen Paradon Pattanathaboot, secretary of Pheu Thai’s committee on special affairs, called on the coalition parties to withdraw from the government as soon as possible if they wished to be forgiven by the younger generation. The former deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council (NSC) warned that the coalition parties will have to be held accountable for the government’s decision to impose the emergency law. While all this haggling among politicians continues, students have continued to go out in droves all across the country not just in Bangkok. The weekend saw protest continue with State official numbers for the protest on Saturday being around 15,000 Sunday being around 25,000 One should remember that the official numbers are usually half or 1/3 of the actual numbers Protest were held all across the country not just in Bangkok 1. Chiang Mai 2. Nakorn Pathom 3. Nothaburi 4. Khon Kaen 5. Samut Prakarn 6. Pathum Thani 7. Kamphaengphet 8. Rayong 9. Saraburi 10. Singburi 11. Suphanburi 12. Prachinburi 13. Yasothorn 14. Phuket 15. Udon Thani 16. Nakhon Ratchasima 17. Sisaket 18. Chonburi 19. Songkla 20. Kalasin 21. Samut Sakhon 22. Chachoengsao 23. Chanthaburi The Free Youth group and the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) said they believed that the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry would soon close their websites in an attempt to block their communication channels. The 2 groups told protesters to use encrypted messaging service Telegram instead. Following the announcement, the UFTD and Free Youth reported that 50,000 people had signed up to use Telegram within 1 hour. Telegram allows users to exchange encrypted text messages, photos and videos, and also create “channels”. For as many as 200,000 people. Reports are already emerging that ‘Declaration of a Serious Emergency Situation in Bangkok’ has given the authorities the right to close many media outlet’s online platform such as Facebook and/or Twitter. The authenticity of the document is still being questioned. Among the media named in a letter that is circulating this morning on Social Media are The Standard (vernacular Thai language online platform) The Reporter (another vernacular Thai language online platform) Prachathai (a mostly Thai language but also some English content portal) Voice TV (another Thai language online platform backed by the Shinawatra family) FreeYouth movement’s online platform o Free Youth is the loose alliance of the student leaders that are reportedly the leaders of the current ongoing protest movement. Pheu Thai’s call for Gen Prayut to scrap the emergency law is in line with legal experts. The Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw) announced a petition by 452 legal experts who signed their names to oppose the imposition of the serious state of emergency. The group of legal experts also opposed the use of the emergency law to disperse the protest and called for authorities to unconditionally release pro-democracy activists and drop charges of causing harm to Her Majesty the Queen which they perceived to be too severe. Meanwhile Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, as leader of the Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP), came out to announce the party’s stand to protect a democratic system under the Monarchy. He stressed that the PPRP is adamant with its role to protect the nation, religions and the Monarchy. The party is committed to the push for constitutional amendments through parliamentary mechanisms without touching the constitution’s chapters 1 and 2 which contain general principles and sections associated with the Monarchy. Dr Thossaporn Sereerak, a former MP candidate of the Pheu Thai Party and a close aide of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, reportedly travelled to the Pathumwan Police Station at 16.00 hrs yesterday (October 18) to answer the police’s charge for defying the severe state of emergency law. The charge was brought against Thossaporn by Pathumwan Police after he attended the pro-democracy rally in Ratchaprasong Intersection on October 15. Pathumwan Police brought the charge against Thossaporn along with Chinawat Chankrachang, key leader of a Youth group in Nonthaburi, Atthaphol Buapat, leader of the Free People group in the northeast, and Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jadnok with the same charge for defying the state of emergency. Economic News The crackdown on Friday is likely to have an impact on the investor’s sentiments and expectations are that the current standoff in Thailand is likely to continue for a few months ahead. This is likely to keep investors at bay and may even scare some investors who are already invested in the market as fears of possible bloodshed in this protest starts to rise. The good news though is that the bond markets opened flat this morning with yields remaining stable The Thai baht opened slightly weaker It yet to be seen what the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is going to react Industry bodies have come out to say that they want the government to look at ways of resolving the current problems in the country before looking at any more stimulus or other measures. The various industry bodies have come out to warn the government not to impose ‘curfew’ in order to control the crowd because that could kill the already ailing economy which is already suffering from mismanagement and the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) impact. Business leaders came out to echo their views on the government’s decision to disperse the anti-government rallies during the weekend in which they said caused jitters among local and foreign investors. Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, sees foreign investment fleeing to Vietnam in the wake of current political crisis. He warned that rallies that spread across various business locations would have a severe impact on the Thai economy. He says what worries him most is the possibility of “third hands”, warning that Thailand could lose business opportunities in many aspects as Thailand’s political instability dampen confidence among foreign investors. Sanan Angubolkul, also a vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the chaotic scene of protesters clashing with authorities, dimmed hopes that the Thai economy will be on course to a recovery from October after the government eased lockdown restrictions to allow economic activities to resume.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Pluralistic Poverty of Phalang Pracharat
    ISSUE: 2021 No. 29 ISSN 2335-6677 RESEARCHERS AT ISEAS – YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE ANALYSE CURRENT EVENTS Singapore | 12 March 2021 Thailand’s Elected Junta: The Pluralistic Poverty of Phalang Pracharat Paul Chambers* Left: Deputy Prime Minister and Phalang Pracharat Party Leader General Prawit Wongsuwan Source:https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Prawit_Wongsuwan_Thailand%27s_Minister_of_D efense.jpg. Right: Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha Source:https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%A5%E0%B9%8C:Prayu th_2018_cropped.jpg. * Paul Chambers is Lecturer and Special Advisor for International Affairs, Center of ASEAN Community Studies, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand, and, in March-May 2021, Visiting Fellow with the Thailand Studies Programme at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 1 ISSUE: 2021 No. 29 ISSN 2335-6677 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Thailand’s Phalang Pracharat Party is a “junta party” established as a proxy for the 2014-2019 junta and the military, and specifically designed to sustain the power of the generals Prawit Wongsuwan, Prayut Chan-ocha and Anupong Paochinda. • Phalang Pracharat was created by the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), and although it is extremely factionalized, having 20 cliques, it is nevertheless dominated by an Army faction headed by General Prawit Wongsuwan. • The party is financed by powerful corporations and by its intra-party faction leaders. • In 2021, Phalang Pracharat has become a model for other militaries in Southeast Asia intent on institutionalising their power. In Thailand itself, the party has become so well- entrenched that it will be a difficult task removing it from office. 2 ISSUE: 2021 No.
    [Show full text]
  • June 9, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • Today Sees Several
    June 9, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News Today sees several hot issues that drive the already hot political temperature a few degrees higher. The biggest issue today is the fact that most major mainstream media houses are all now predicting a house dissolution by the end of the year and an election as early as 2022. To add fuel to the ongoing fire of possible house dissolution, the press conference by the 2014 coup leader and incumbent Prime Minister – Prayut Chan-o-cha, who during the press conference said “This government has a life of about a year and I have instructed all Cabinet ministers to be clear of any corruption issues.” This is the clearest indication that the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha is looking to dissolve the parliament. It was reported by Manager Daily that during yesterday’s Cabinet meeting the 2014 coup leader reportedly told the Cabinet ministers there that ‘this cabinet has 1 more year to go and after that we all will go our separate ways.’ Below are the front pages of some of the main media houses Daily News – Prayut sends signal of possible house dissolution Krungthep Thurakij - Says that accelerate the work as Prayut wants to show his work before house dissolution Thai Post - Govt. side’s 4 MPs to be prosecuted by NACC including Preecha. Matichon - 4 MPs to be prosecuted while Democrat and BJT in shock Public Health Minister Anutin Charvirakul who is the leader of Bhumjai Thai party came out to say that the party is ready for an election anytime there is a need.
    [Show full text]
  • Thai Freedom and Internet Culture 2011
    Thai Netizen Network Annual Report: Thai Freedom and Internet Culture 2011 An annual report of Thai Netizen Network includes information, analysis, and statement of Thai Netizen Network on rights, freedom, participation in policy, and Thai internet culture in 2011. Researcher : Thaweeporn Kummetha Assistant researcher : Tewarit Maneechai and Nopphawhan Techasanee Consultant : Arthit Suriyawongkul Proofreader : Jiranan Hanthamrongwit Accounting : Pichate Yingkiattikun, Suppanat Toongkaburana Original Thai book : February 2012 first published English translation : August 2013 first published Publisher : Thai Netizen Network 672/50-52 Charoen Krung 28, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand Thainetizen.org Sponsor : Heinrich Böll Foundation 75 Soi Sukhumvit 53 (Paidee-Madee) North Klongton, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand The editor would like to thank you the following individuals for information, advice, and help throughout the process: Wason Liwlompaisan, Arthit Suriyawongkul, Jiranan Hanthamrongwit, Yingcheep Atchanont, Pichate Yingkiattikun, Mutita Chuachang, Pravit Rojanaphruk, Isriya Paireepairit, and Jon Russell Comments and analysis in this report are those of the authors and may not reflect opinion of the Thai Netizen Network which will be stated clearly Table of Contents Glossary and Abbreviations 4 1. Freedom of Expression on the Internet 7 1.1 Cases involving the Computer Crime Act 7 1.2 Internet Censorship in Thailand 46 2. Internet Culture 59 2.1 People’s Use of Social Networks 59 in Political Movements 2.2 Politicians’ Use of Social
    [Show full text]
  • February 23, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • The
    February 23, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News The aftermath of the censure debate against Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha lingers after the debate ended. Both coalition and opposition parties are seeking measures to punish rebel MPs who violate the parties’ regulations. Gen Prayut himself came out to say he doesn’t really care about the vote results on the no-confidence debate against himself and other 9 ministers. The Prime Minister seems to care more about the arrival of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow. Gen Prayut said he is ready to be the 1st to be vaccinated with Sinovac- biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine to help boost public confidence over its safety and effectiveness. In the aftermath of the no-confidence motion, the Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP)’s meeting yesterday resolved to set up a panel to investigate the conduct of 6 of its MPs from the Dao Ruek Faction led by Watanya Wongopasi for abstaining from voting in support of Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob in the censure debate against the government. Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, as the PPRP leader, is said to be irate with the 6 Dao Ruek MPs for acting in defiance of the party’s resolution. At the party’s meeting, Gen Prawit is quoted as saying, “the way they voted is unacceptable. The only way to deal with this is to kick them out. We said we would keep our words to them but we have internal problems. Such action caused damage to the party. There will be some punishment.
    [Show full text]
  • 28Th Meeting of Ministers of Health, Bangkok, Thailand, 7 September
    Report of the Twenty-eighth Meeting f Ministers of Health of Countries f the South-East Asia Region Thailand, 7 September 201 0 4 SEA-HM Meet-28 Distribution: General Report of the Twenty-eighth Meeting of Ministers of Health of Countries of the South-East Asia Region Bangkok, Thailand, 7 September 2010 © World Health Organization 2010 All rights reserved. Requests for publications, or for permission to repro- duce or translate WHO publications, whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution, can be obtained from Publishing and Sales, World Health Or- ganization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, Indraprastha Estate, Ma- hatma Gandhi Marg, New Delhi-110 002, India (fax: +91-11-23370197; e-mail: publications@ searo.who.int). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this pub- lication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not men- tioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organiza- tion to verify the information contained in this publication.
    [Show full text]
  • A Coup Ordained? Thailand's Prospects for Stability
    A Coup Ordained? Thailand’s Prospects for Stability Asia Report N°263 | 3 December 2014 International Crisis Group Headquarters Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 [email protected] Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Thailand in Turmoil ......................................................................................................... 2 A. Power and Legitimacy ................................................................................................ 2 B. Contours of Conflict ................................................................................................... 4 C. Troubled State ............................................................................................................ 6 III. Path to the Coup ............................................................................................................... 9 A. Revival of Anti-Thaksin Coalition ............................................................................. 9 B. Engineering a Political Vacuum ................................................................................ 12 IV. Military in Control ............................................................................................................ 16 A. Seizing Power
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights One Year After the 2014 Coup: a Judicial Process in Camouflage Under the National Council for Peace and Order
    June 4th, 2015 Human Rights One Year After the 2014 Coup: A Judicial Process in Camouflage Under the National Council for Peace and Order THAI LAWYERS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS [COMPANY NAME] Thai Lawyers for Human Rights 109 Soi Sitthichon, Suthisarnwinichai Rd., Samsennok, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Thailand Tel: 096-7893172 or 096-7893173 E-mail: [email protected] Website: https://tlhr2014.wordpress.com/ 4 June 2015 Human Rights One Year After the 2014 Coup: A Judicial Process in Camouflage Under the National Council for Peace and Order The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) fomented a coup and seized the administrative power of the country on 22 May 2014. Martial Law was in force from 22 May 20141 until 1 April 2015, when it was revoked and Head of the NCPO Order No. 3/2015 regarding the maintenance of order and national security provide military officials with authority in the place of Martial Law.2 The exercise of illegitate authority, an absence of checks and balances, a lack of respect for the principles of the rule of law and international human rights law, and the violation of the basic rights and liberties of the people were manifest during the first year of rule by the NCPO. With respect to legislation, the NCPO has promulgated the 2014 Interim Constitution, 184 NCPO Orders, 122 NCPO Announcements, and 17 Head of the NCPO Orders. The NCPO established the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) to examine legislation. A total of 112 laws have entered the examination process to date. This can be divided into 77 laws which have already been promulgated, 17 laws in which the NLA has approved the draft and they are in the process of being promulgated, and 18 laws which remain under examination.
    [Show full text]
  • Global Allies: Comparing US Alliances in the 21St Century
    GLOBAL ALLIES COMPARING US ALLIANCES IN THE 21ST CENTURY GLOBAL ALLIES COMPARING US ALLIANCES IN THE 21ST CENTURY EDITED BY MICHAEL WESLEY Published by ANU Press The Australian National University Acton ACT 2601, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at press.anu.edu.au National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Title: Global allies : comparing US alliances in the 21st century / Michael Wesley (editor). ISBN: 9781760461171 (paperback) 9781760461188 (ebook) Subjects: Balance of power. Alliances. United States--Foreign relations--Asia. United States--Foreign relations--Europe. United States--Politics and government--21st century. Other Creators/Contributors: Wesley, Michael, 1968- editor. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design and layout by ANU Press This edition © 2017 ANU Press Contents List of Acronyms . vii 1 . Global Allies in a Changing World . 1 Michael Wesley 2 . Japan: From Passive Partner to Active Ally . 15 HDP Envall 3 . Germany: A Lynchpin Ally? . 31 Markus Kaim 4 . Continuity Amidst Change: The Korea – United States Alliance . 45 Youngshik Bong 5 . Denmark’s Fight Against Irrelevance, or the Alliance Politics of ‘Punching Above Your Weight’ . 59 Kristian Søby Kristensen & Kristian Knus Larsen 6 . Crusaders and Pragmatists: Australia Debates the American Alliance . 77 Brendan Taylor & William T Tow 7 . The Challenges and Dynamics of Alliance Policies: Norway, NATO and the High North . 91 Wrenn Yennie Lindgren & Nina Græger 8 . An Ally at the Crossroads: Thailand in the US Alliance System .
    [Show full text]
  • May 10, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Covid-19 News • the Situation In
    May 10, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Covid-19 News The situation in Bangkok still remains at worrying levels although the total number of cases that were announced this morning saw a slight drop. Total number of new infection - 1,630 Total number of new death - 22 Total number of infections in the country - 56,142 Total number of people recovered - 27,782 Total number of people recovered today - 1,603 Sunday saw 2,021 new cases and 17 deaths Saturday saw 2,419 new cases and 19 deaths To make matters worse, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has come out to admit at the meeting that the number of people being infected is ‘way beyond their ability to manage’. The meeting held yesterday saw that BMA coming out to accept that the situation was out of control. This prompted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to set up a new Covid-19 management committee only for Bangkok. If you thought that things were bad, a member of parliament of Phalang Pracharat party that is the party in power, came out to announce on her social media page that despite all the outbreak there were still some illegal gambling dens operating in Bangkok. She pointed out to a illegal gambling den in Phayathai area where the owner reportedly has been diagnosed with Covid-19 virus. She said that as many as 50 per cent of the more than 20+ people who have been identified as being people who had visited the illegal gambling den have been identified to be infected with the virus.
    [Show full text]
  • June 29, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • After the Weekend Changes at the Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) That
    June 29, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News After the weekend changes at the Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) that saw the expected appointment of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan as the party’s new leader and the old guard being literally kicked out of the party’s executive committee, the latest report coming out is that one of the key members to kick out the old guard - Naruemon Pinyosinwat, the incumbent spokesperson for the government of Prayut Chan-o-cha, is set to be the leader of the economic team. The decision to possibly have Naruemon as the new head of the economic team has prompted a backlash among the public as the need of the moment is for an expert who can rescue the country’s fragile economy rather than try new hand such as Naruemon. Thanit Sorat, a shipping magnate and also the vice chairman of the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, came out to say The problem is that we have time to try someone from scratch and what is needed is that the person should be a person with the experience and image. We do have time because we are in the operating room and operation needs to be undertaken by someone who is an expert, businessmen say. Former Supreme Court judge Chuchart Srisaeng took to his Facebook page to question the ability of the PPRP’s new economic team rumoured to be led by Naruemon, with a number of prominent figures and business leaders as new members whom have yet to be revealed.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Publication
    No. 52 Working Papers Working Thailand’s Security Sector “Deform” and “Reform” Paul Chambers and Napisa Waitoolkiat February 2021 1 Thailand’s Security Sector “Deform” and “Reform” Paul Chambers and Napisa Waitoolkiat ABSTRACT Despite a 2019 election, Thailand remains dominated by the military and monarchy. The state implemented security sector reforms at the national level and the Deep South regional level, before and after a 2014 military coup, which overthrew the country’s frail democracy. Thailand offers an impressive example of pitfalls and contradictory practices in security sector reform (SSR) because the country’s military junta supported globally transferred notions of SSR but applied them distinctively at different regional levels. Nationally, the military utilized universalist SSR notions to rationalize its prolongation and even expansion of autocracy. But regarding the Deep South insurgency, the junta applied a more progressive version of SSR, continuing negotiations with insurgents while reducing military abuses in the Deep South region. This study analyzes Thailand’s simultaneous “deform and reform” dynamics in the field of security sector governance. The authors examine why national SSR has been such a deform of more sincere SSR efforts in Thailand’s South. INTRODUCTION 2021 finds Thailand in a crisis of intensifying political pandemonium. But in a country which has experienced different levels of political turmoil over the last decade, it has not been uncommon. What is new this year is the almost daily demonstrations by large numbers of youth-led protestors who are boldly calling for military and monarchical reform, as well as their demand that the current Prime Minister resigns.
    [Show full text]
  • SCAN0602.Pdf
    62SL037_cover_Eng.pdf 1 7/31/2562 BE 11:01 AM Policy Statement of the Council of Ministers Delivered by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, to the National Assembly Thursday, 25 July B.E. 2562 (2019) TABLE OF CONTENTS Announcement on the Appointment of the Prime Minister I Announcement on the Appointment of Ministers II Policy Statement of the Council of Ministers 1 Delivered by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister, to the National Assembly, Thursday, 25 July B.E. 2562 (2019) 12 Core Policies 3 1. Protecting and Upholding the Monarchy 3 2. Ensuring Stability, Safety and Peace in the Country 3 3. Fostering Religion, the Arts and Culture 4 4. Promoting Thailand’s Role on the Global Stage 5 5. Enhancing Economic Development and National Competitiveness 7 6. Developing Economic Areas of Potential and Delivering Prosperity 16 to All Regions 7. Enhancing the Country’s Strength through a Bottom-up Approach 17 8. Reforming Education and Learning and Enhancing the Potential of 20 Thai People of All Ages 9. Improving the Public Health System and Social Security 24 10. Restoring Natural Resources and Protecting the Environment to 25 Create Sustainable Growth 11. Reforming Public Sector Management 27 12. Preventing and Suppressing Corruption and Malfeasance, 29 and Improving the Judicial Process 12 Urgent Policies 30 1. Solving Bread-and-Butter Concerns 30 2. Improving the Welfare System and Enhancing the People’s 31 Quality of Life 3. Implementing Economic Measures to Cope with Volatilities in the 31 Global Economy 4. Providing Assistance to Farmers and Promoting Innovation 31 5.
    [Show full text]