February 10, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • Yet
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February 10, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News Yet another perfect storm seems to be building in Thailand right when the overall student lead movement was reportedly losing steam. To fuel fire to the gradually slowing student movement, the judiciary has denied bail to 4 of the protest leaders who were sent to Bangkok Remand Prison yesterday evening. This prompted a flash mob in-front of MBK shopping complex where yet another protest with pots and pans are planned today. The other fuel to fire is yet another delay tactic used by Phalang Pracharat Party’s Paiboon Nititawan who proposed that the ‘Constitutional Court’ decide if the amendment of the constitution is ‘constitutional or not. Read the details of these 2 issues below. The 1st move is to imprison the anti-government protests led by the Ratsadon (People’s Movement) Group is expected to escalate from today. The escalation came after public prosecutors announced decision to indict 4 of its key leaders on 11 charges including lèse majesté under Section 112 and colluding in sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code for their roles in the rallies on September 19 and 20 at Thammasat University and Sanam Luang. The 4 key leaders – Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak Anont Nampa Patiwat Saraiyam aka “Mor Bank” Somyos Prueksakasemsook The detention of the 4 activists will likely cause the political temperature in Thailand to rise again, as Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, core protest leader of the Ratsadon Group, vowed to mobilised supporters to the street. As part of the planned protest, a small protest was held on skywalk in front of MBK Center. Another rally has been called for at 17:00 hrs to 21:05 hrs to pressure the court to release the 4 Ratsadon activists who are believed to be detained at the Bangkok Remand Prison. Panusaya said the government underestimated the Ratsadon mob. She said by putting the 4 core activists in prison would not stop the group from mobilising its supporters. She called on all supporters to come out to show their force today. The 2nd issue was in the parliament where the House of Representatives and the Senate voted 366-316, with 15 abstentions, to seek a Constitutional Court ruling on the legality of the ongoing charter amendment process at the joint sitting. A similar delay tactic initiated by the same party and person - Phalang Pracharat Party’s Paiboon Nititawan, in late November 2020 had seen clashes between the student movement and the authorities. The 366 yes-votes were from 230 senators and 113 MPs from Phalang Pracharat; 1 from Democrat; 5 from Palang Thongtin Thai, 5 from Ruam Phalang Prachachart Thai; 2 from Rak Puen Pa, 1 from New Economics and 9 from other small coalition parties. The 316 no-votes were 124 Pheu Thai MPs; 51 Move Forward MPs; 9 Seri Ruam Thai MPs; 5 Prachachart MPs; 5 Puea Chart MPs; 1 New Economics MPs; 1 Palang Puangchon Thai MPs and other coalition parties, namely 60 from Bhumjai Thai; 47 from Democrat; 12 from ChartThai Pattana and 1 Thai Civilized. During the joint sitting Democrat veteran and list-MP Banyat Bantadtan is one of Democrat MPs who opposed Paiboon Nititawan’s push to seek a Constitutional Court interpretation as he pointed out that the move will be just a “waste”. The charter amendment process has already been set in motion once the House accepted charter amendment bills which will soon be tabled the House for the 2nd and 3rd readings, Banyat said as he put it: . “People have hopes for the charter rewriting process. It is a pity for people in the entire country who may have felt that a new constitution can take shape only when the country has a coup and ordinary people have no part in it,” Banyat said, describing the move as “inauspicious” for Thailand. Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party leader, accused the government of dragging its feet on the charter amendment process from time to time. He doesn’t think that the amendment process will happen in a near future, saying that it is a shame that the amendment process is hindered by uncertainty brought upon by the parliament itself. House Speaker Chuan Leekpai downplayed concerns that the House of Representatives’ move to petition the Constitutional Court would affect the schedule for the censure debate, which is expected to take place from February 16-19. Chief opposition whip and Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang denounced the PPRP’s move, seeing the motion as an attempt to stall the anticipated censure debate. Meanwhile, Warong Dechgitvigrom, leader of the royalist “Thai Pakdee” (Loyal Thai) Group, will travel to meet the parliament speaker and the Senate speaker today at 10:30 hrs at parliament to submit 101,568 signatures of people who oppose a bill to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code on lese majeste. There was a hoo-hah among reporters yesterday when Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan- o-cha mentioned of a rich man in the telecommunications business in 1987. His mention sent the media to link his reference to self-exile former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. During his visit to the “bio-circular green (BCG) economy” Fair yesterday, Gen Prayut praised many good things that happened in Thailand. He pointed that Thailand had changed from an agricultural society to an export-and technology- oriented society. If this is not the case, the country would not see many rich people including one in 1987 from telecom projects. Interestingly, reporters noticed Gen Prayut changed his hairstyle by parting his hair on the left side, instead of the right side. His new hairstyle sent reporters to ask if he wants to look young like Thaksin who appeared to be physically fit after his youngest daughter Paethongtan Shinawatra posted on her Instagram a photo of Thaksin doing Thai kick-boxing training at his residence in Dubai, the UAE. Gen Prayut then told reporters not to mention “this particular name” because he is not in the country. Gen Prayut plans to communicate with the people via video-sharing app TikTok starting from February 12 which falls on the Chinese New Year. The Prime Minister also plans to boost his communications with the public on his podcast, according to Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)’s meeting unanimously voted to accuse Pareena Kraikupt, a Phalang Pracharat MP for Ratchaburi province, of having committed a serious violation of a political post holder’s code of ethics in response to forest encroachment charges against the PPRP MP filed by the National Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. The NACC will today hold a press conference today at 14.00 hrs at Sanam Bin Nam head office to explain its decision. Economic News Dr Boon Vanasin, Chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group Plc (THG), came out to slam the government’s attempt to bar the private sector and other organisations to purchase Covid-19 vaccines directly from vaccine producers. Dr Boon’s comment came after Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul came out to say local administration organisations (LAOs) or the private sector cannot buy vaccines themselves after the government sent a letter to the Department of Provincial Administration on February 8 to confirm that the government will be the only party to procure and administer the country’s vaccination program for target groups. The THG chairman criticised the government’s vaccine program which has yet to start until April and the deal to provide 26 million doses of the vaccine to the country is insufficient. Dr Boon said the government’s action is unjustified as its vaccine program is unlikely to cover the entire population. He said it will take the government around 2 years to inoculate 60 per cent of the population. The efficiency of the government’s vaccine program to control the outbreak is only at 60-70 per cent of the population, accounting for around 45 million people. The THG chairman said it is not the private sector’s business to criticise the government for banning LAOs from buy Covid-19 vaccines. However, the government’s move to ban private hospitals from acquiring vaccines is not right. He will discuss with the Private Hospital Association to find a solution on the issue. Bangkok Insurance Plc (BKI) launched new insurance plan for people who have allergic reactions to the Covid-19 vaccines ahead of the government’s vaccine distribution plan expected in February 2021. BKI has extended its health insurance coverage to medical expenses arising from side effects such as allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine, with premiums starting from 99 baht per year. Individuals who are already insured by BKI’s health insurance plans will automatically be covered for side effects arising from the COVID-19 vaccination at an initial cost of 79 baht per year. Thailand Privilege Card (TPC), the operator of Thailand Elite Card, is upbeat about new membership prospect after many Chinese businessmen in Myanmar are keen to apply for TPC membership amid ongoing political turmoil in the country following a military coup. TPC President Somchai Soongswang said Chinese business investors in Myanmar had contacted the company to get the Thailand residence visa in the light of ongoing political turmoil in Myanmar. TPC is still waiting official information before it can confirm the figures as currently, Myanmar has imposed a travel ban. TPC is upbeat about its membership sales in 2021. According to latest data, 2,066 applied for the Elite Card, close to its target set at 2,600 in 2021, accounting for an average of 500 membership applications per month.