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August 31, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News

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August 31, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News August 31, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News The big news today that is on the front pages of all major media outlets is The government has decided to delay the procurement of the 2 more submarines worth 22.5 billion baht by 1-year The deal is reportedly already struck with the Chinese authorities to delay the procurement All major navicular Thai language media have the delayed procurement story on their front page Such a report is said to prompt government MPs who sit on a House committee scrutinising the budget bill for the fiscal year of 2021 to propose a cut to a budget of more than 3 billion baht earmarked for the first down payment for the 2 subs to be cut. There is a report that the navy has succeeded in negotiating with China to ask it to delay the procurement of the 2 subs for 1 more year. Deputy finance minister Santi Promphat, who is chairman of the main House committee examining next fiscal year’s budget House budget committee, said he will inform the committee’s meeting about the delay of the acquisition plan today (August 31). The government of embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to be twisting the facts again in order to gain acceptance and also try to wade off pressure that has been building over the weekend on how the government has already spent more than 200 million baht to fight a case of mine closure (Akara Resources that is owned by Australian firm Kingsgate Consolidated) Kingsgate has already filed a case that would see the government lost up to US$ 1 billion This amount and the amount used to fight the case of about 300 million baht in total (if 2020/2021 budget was included) has been raised by the Kao Klai party as being something that the country should not take the burden because Gen. Prayut as the leader of the coup had used the absolute power under Section 44 to close the mine. Pheu Thai’s Sudarat Keyuraphan has come out to say that not a single Satant (cent) should be spent for the ‘stupidity’ of the coup and that the Thai people should not waste their tax money on decisions made by the coup makers. Amid all the rising tide against the government it seems that the government of Prayut is backing out on this issue of using Section 44 to close the mine as well as the master of the law in this government – Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea- ngam, came out to say that the mine was not closed using Section 44 but that the then Prime Minister Prayut had only ‘temporarily’ suspended the operations and that Akara Resources should have come back to negotiate the reopening But all data from the past indicates that the Section 44 was used for closing the mine Copy of the new budget to fight the case Meanwhile the weekend saw interesting developments as many hashtags were generated some being #ได้เวลาออกจากบ้าน (time to get out of the house) #ไม่ยอมให้จบในรุ่นเรา (will not let it end in our generation) This new hashtag of not letting it end in our generation is the opposite of what the students have been saying that it should all end in our generation. This hashtag was started by Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong put up on Twitter “#Will not let it end in our generation” after his trip to Prachuap Khiri Khan province to preside over a ceremony to open Seapine Recreation Centre in the province on August 28. The Army’s PR page which highlighted the theme “SMART solider strong Army” posted photos of Gen Apirat talking to soldiers who were based in three southern border provinces. At the end of photos, the page put up the hashtag “Will not end it in our generation”. The message is seen as a response to anti- government protesters who posted the hashtag “#let’s end it in our generation”. The army’s hashtag appeared to taunt anti-government protesters. It drew fierce response in Twitter with the strong message that said “#I want you to die in my generation”. Human rights lawyer Anon Nampa among pro-democracy activists later commented that the army chief announced his stance to stay on the opposite side of the public. His action triggered a reaction that will make things end faster than expected, Anon said. Anti-government protesters led by the Free People Group gathered yesterday (August 30) under the theme “Samut Prakan twiddled fingers against dictatorship” near an observation tower in the province. Pro-democracy activist Parit “Penguine” Chiwarak, Ammy of the Bottom Blues band, Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jadnok of the Free Youth’s Eastern chapter and Juthathip Sirikan, chairwoman of the Student Union of Thailand (SUT), showed up at the rally and addressed to supporters of the pro-democracy movement amid tight security of more than 100 police officers. However, the protest was cut short at 17.00 hrs after the superintendent of the Muang Samut Prakan police station ordered protesters to disperse and the stage to be dismantled, citing that the rally is unlawful under the Public Assembly Act which requires protest organisers to seek permission from authorities concerned of planned gatherings 24 hours in advance. The Student Union of Thailand (SUT) announced special flash mob at Srinakharinwirot University in Nakhon Nayok campus under the theme “Mor Sor Wor against Dictatorship”. The flash-mob rally is to reiterate 3 demands issued by the Free People Group: The dissolution of the House, the writing of a new constitution and an end to harassment of government critics, plus a demand for the proposed dusting off of a project to build a nuclear research reactor in Ongkharak district of Nakhon Nayok. The rally will be held at 16.30 hrs today (August 31) at Srinakharinwirot University in Nakhon Nayok campus. On the other side of the capital, about 1,200 royalists gathered at the Din Daeng Youth Centre on the same day to support the monarchy in parallel with student-led, anti- government protests calling for change and seeking reforms of royal institution. The royalist Thai Pakdee group led by former Democrat Party MP Warong Detgitvigrom announced manifesto including the protection of the monarchy, no constitutional changes and strict enforcement of the law, with action to be taken against those who offend the revered institution. Around 1,200 Thai Pakdee supporters, who are mostly adults, attended its first rally. Warong, also founder of group, said his group has no intention of confronting the anti-establishment groups but will resort to truth in its fight to win over the others. The group spelt out 3 demands that 1) It opposes a dissolution of the House; 2) It opposed amendments to the 2017 constitution; 3) It demands serious legal action against all groups that offend the monarchy. The Thai Pakdee group called on the Education Minister and all university rectors to “close space on campus”, to prevent lecturers, who may harbour anti-Monarchy leanings, from “brainwashing” their students. The group has also set up a fund, with seed money of 100,000 baht, to provide legal support to people who allege that they have been harassed by anti-monarchists. On the navy’s contentious procurement of 2 submarines from China, rumour has it that the government is backing down on the navy’s procurement plan for 2 submarines following objections from the opposition. Rumours have swirled that the government decided to back down on the procurement scheme following reports that the Chinese government agreed to delay an agreement for the 22.5-billion-baht purchase of 2 Chinese-made subs. Such a report is said to prompt government MPs who sit on a House committee scrutinising the budget bill for the fiscal year of 2021 to propose a cut to a budget of more than 3 billion baht earmarked for the first down payment for the 2 subs to be cut. There is a report that the navy has succeeded in negotiating with China to ask it to delay the procurement of the 2 subs for 1 more year. Deputy finance minister Santi Promphat, who is chairman of the main House committee examining next fiscal year’s budget House budget committee, said he will inform the committee’s meeting about the delay of the acquisition plan today (August 31). On charter amendments, parties in the coalition government are ready to table a motion seeking to amend the constitution to parliament. Wirat Ratanasate, chief government whip, said the motion will be submitted to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai tomorrow (September 1). The thrust of the motion from the government coalition parties will be to amend Section 256 of the constitution to pave the way for formation of a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) comprising 200 members to draw up a new charter. Government coalition parties agreed to make no changes to the constitution’s Chapters 1 and 2, which contain general principles and sections associated with the monarchy, Wirat said. The Democrat Party proposed that the composition of the assembly to come from a direct election of 200 members; 150 of whom to be drawn up from all sectors of society including academics, experts from various fields, student representatives and 50 representatives of political parties. The CDA is given 240 days to finalise a draft for presentation to Parliament, said Democrat spokesman, Rames Ratanachaweng. Reports have come out that Pheu Thai Party MPs who sit on the House Budget Scrutiny Committee, are seeking a cut of 389 million baht allocated by the Department of Primary Industries and Mines as legal expenses to defend the suspension of the goldmining operations of Akara Resources Company by the military government in 2016.
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