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October 9, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • Months

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October 9, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • Months October 9, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News Months after the opposition accused the government of embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the military of undertaking ‘Information Operations’ (IO), social media giant – Twitter, late last night came out to announce that it has unearthed 926 accounts which could be “reliably linked to the Royal Thai Army and was actively engaged in information warfare against the government’s political opposition. Twitter uncovered a network of accounts “partaking in information operations” against prominent anti-government figures and opposition politicians. Twitter said it had new data adding to its archive of information operations, with networks affiliating with Iran, Thailand, Cuba, Saudi Arabia & a previously disclosed network from Russia. A total of 1,594 accounts were found globally and nearly 59 per cent of these belonged to the Royal Thai Army who were targeting the opposition. 2nd to Thailand was Cuba with 526 accounts 3rd was Iran with 104 accounts 4th was Saudi Arabia with 33 accounts 5th was Russia with 5 accounts To take a look at the statement by Twitter please click https://blog.twitter.com/en_us/topics/company/2020/disclosing- removed-networks-to-our-archive-of-state-linked-information.html Political analysts are likely to say that this is going to be another issue that could trigger a higher number of people coming out to protest on October 14th when the students plan to undertake their protest that they hope would see as many as last major protest which had about 70,000 to 100,000 people attending at Sanam Luang (the students renamed the area into Sanam Rasadorn). Yesterday the student leaders gathered to announce their plans for the rally In the lead-up to a major anti-government rally scheduled for October 14, human rights lawyer Anon Nampa, one of protest leaders, announced to lead protesters to extend the mass rally for as long as it takes if the government refuses to give in to its demands. Anon and student activists including Jutatip Sirikhan, president of the Student Union of Thailand (SUT), Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, leader of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jaadnok and Jatuphat “Pai” Boonpattaraksa read out a statement announcing the reincarnation of the “Khana Rasadon” (the People’s Party) operated by the Free People and Free Youth Movements. They also promised “a surprise” during the protest and that they will not to block the road when a motorcade carrying His Majesty the King is to pass through the area, on its way to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, to preside over a ceremony to make presentations to monks who have completed high levels of Buddhist studies. The group continued pressing for 3 demands including the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, reform of the Monarchy and the opening of a special parliamentary session to rewrite the Constitution. Following the group’s press conference yesterday (October 8), Anon took to his Facebook page saying that he had received a death threat from a man who threatened him if the group continued to offend the Monarchy. Former Red Shirt leader who changed sides to join the government of Gen. Prayut, Suporn Atthawong, vice minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, claimed that ex- politicians, former MPs of a now-defunct party and current MPs who are government opponents were masterminds behind student-led rallies. He also accused a former MP of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party of giving speeches in several provinces to stir up anti-government sentiment and being behind the mobilisation of crowds to join student rallies in Bangkok. Suporn said he received information that that opponent MPs have paid for travel expenses for protesters from the provinces to join the planned major rally. Suporn said however these MPs failed to enlist supporters because many locals decided not to join the planned rally because they realised that the rally is not about calling for democracy but targeting the Monarchy. He is currently compiling evidence to support his claim for ex-politicians and opposition MPs who are behind the anti-monarchy movement for authorities to take legal action against them. Meanwhile, the 1992 May Heroes Relatives Committee ramped up pressure on the Democrat Party to withdraw from the coalition. At the Democrat Party, committee chairman Adul Khieuboribun and around 20 committee members submitted a letter to Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit, as the Democrat Party leader, to take the Democrat Party out of the coalition to pave the way for a selection process for a new prime minister as a way to resolve the current political impasse. Adul said he was deeply concerned by the student-led rally scheduled for October 14 in which protest leaders are calling for monarchy’s reform. Adul said his groups supports student leaders’ demands for the resignation of embattled Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha but without touching on the Monarchy. Adul said it is now time for the Democrat and Bhumjai Thai parties to remove themselves from the coalition to pave the way for a new government to be installed. On the charter amendment issue, senators still refused to back calls for an amendment of Section 256 to allow a new constitutional drafting panel to be formed. This could derail the entire process seeking to amend the constitution, Natchanon Srikorkua, a Bhumjaithai MP from Songkhla as secretary of the House committee assigned to study charter amendments, revealed. Natchanon said the Senate viewed that amendment of Section 256 is to allow the country to enact an entirely new constitution, not just section-by-section changes. The committee is set to hold a 3-day meeting from October 14 to 16 to discuss progress on charter amendment motions. On local elections, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has hinted at the possibility that provincial administrative organisation (PAO) elections and a national referendum on charter changes could be held at the same time to save money. Wissanu’s comment came following concerns that local polls could be delayed again if they clash with a referendum on charter amendments. Concerns were raised as the EC had noted that polling would be around 60 days away from another vote so that the EC is able to organise elections properly. Ex-army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong is reported to enter a monastery for 1 month at the Wat Hong Rattanaram Temple in Bangkok. He was ordained a monk in the presence of relatives and friends, as well as military officers and police officials. The spectrum of conflict between Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) MP Sira Jenjaka and Bangkok governor Pol Gen Aswin Khwanmuang appears to keep deepening as the House committee on laws, justice and human rights chaired by Sira announced plans to summon the Bangkok Governor, Bang Khen Police superintendent Pol Col Atthaphol Meeseung and Bang Khen District chief Sombut Worasinwattana to explain a violent brawl recently broken out at Por Kung Pow Restaurant near Laksi-Saphan Mai on Theparak Road. The Sira-headed committee resolved to invite the 3 figures to give their statements in relation to the incident. Sira related the incident to the fact that illegal pubs, bars and night entertainment venues have been allowed to open without licenses. He wants to hear details of the incident and an explanation from Pol Gen Aswin. Interestingly, the move came after Sira came out to call for Assawin to step down as Bangkok governor. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) revealed the assets and liabilities of 3 cabinet ministers after being dropped from the cabinet in July 2020 including former inance minister Uttama Savanayana, former energy minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and former labour minister Chatumongol Sonakul. According to a report released by the NACC yesterday (October 8), Uttama had 230,823,088 baht; most of his assets are bank deposits. Uttama reported total assets of 223,866,935 baht prior to taking office at the Finance Ministry portfolio on July 16, 2019. He sees an increase of assets since taking office by more than 7 million baht. Sontirat had 158,183,198 baht worth in assets including 93 million baht worth of investments and 68 lists of assets worth 60.6 million baht. Sontirat saw about 9 million baht more than 149,131,970 baht he declared on assuming the cabinet post. Chatumongol Sonakul had 462,446,853 baht in assets in July 2019, about 41 million baht more than the 421,391,723 baht declared earlier. Economic News Dhanin Chearavanont, senior chairman of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP), urged the government to issue a 30-year bond to provide liquidity to Thai business as he pointed that the Thai economy cannot survive a prolonged virus crisis by relying on government economic stimulus measures and tax rebate schemes to stimulate domestic spending alone. Dhanin suggests issuance of a 30-year bond to provide 10 trillion baht to revive the economy. The opening up of the country to international tourists amid restrictions on travel and limitations on government stimulus measures are not enough to resuscitate the economy, pointed CP senior chairman as he pleaded the government to help SMEs. Thai Airways International Plc (THAI)’s union urged THAI employees to wear black during 9.00-12.00 hrs today (October 9) at THAI head office in protest against the appointment of Ponguma Didyasarin, the wife of ACM Chaiyapruk Didyasarin, chairman of the board, as acting corporate social responsibility (CSR) director. THAI’s union decried Ponguma’s appointment, perceived it as the lack of transparency amid the airline’s rehabilitation at the Central Bankruptcy Court.
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