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February 23, 2021 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • The

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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. Who didn’t they bring up these issues at the party’s meeting on February 19” Executive committee members are said to try to calm Gen Prawit down and said the Constitution guarantees free votes by MPs without party influence. Moreover, deputy party leader Paiboon Nititawan proposed a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter and submit its findings within 15 days. The 6 MPs are Watanya, Koranit Ngarmsukhonrattana, Thitipat Chotedechachainan, Thanikarn Pornpongsarote, Pada Worakanon, and Siripong Rassamee. It is said that Watanya has been trying to contact Gen Prawit to explain the reason behind the 6 MPs’ action but Gen Prawit did not take her phone calls. Watanya, acting on behalf of the 6 MPs, reportedly took to her Facebook page to seek an apology from Gen Prawit and fellow MPs for their action . Kao Klai (Move Forward) Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat said he is looking for measures to punish 4 rebel MPs who voted against the party’s line. However, they will not be kicked out of the party as he believes that their departure would benefit the coalition government. Pita said he was disappointed in the action of the 4 rebel MPs. He is now preparing to visit the electoral constituencies Chiang Rai and Chonburi provinces where the 4 rebel MPs were voted in to say sorry to local people and listen to their problems. Upon the issue of rebel MPs pending the party’s punishment, rumour has it that a financier with the initial “W” was embroil in a “cobra farming” and exerted influence over Move Forward. In response, Pita said the party committee on ethics and discipline is looking into the report, adding that he is ready to take action if the issue affected the party’s unity. Rebel MPs from Chiang Rai already face resistance in the province. A student activist New-Gen Group of Chiang Rai Rajabhat University (CRRU) and the Free Youth Group (CEI) in Chiang Rai held a symbolic activity to show resistance against 2 rebel MPs in Move Forward who gave their votes to support Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in the censure debate. The Chiang Rai Ratsadon Group said it plans a gathering at Suan Tung Square in Muang Chiang Rai District to protest against 2 rebel Move Forward MPs today from 17.00 hrs. In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as the Bhumjai Thai Party leader, came out to express his sympathy for Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, as PPRP leader, for having to deal with the party’s internal revolt in the wake of 6 rebel MPs. He said Bhumjai Thai is awaiting to see what action will be taken against those who failed to conform to the party’s regulations. When asked if the case of the 4 rebel MPs in the Kao Klai (Move Forward) Party who cast a vote of confidence for him is about the “poaching” of MPs, Anutin denied the allegation and said he could hardly breathe at the moment, leaving alone the ability to poach anyone. The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, an ally of the antigovernment Ratsadorn movement, will stage a protest at Ratchaprasong intersection at 5pm today. Expected to dominate the protest agenda is the "police tickets" allegation raised in last week's censure debate, zeroing in on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwon, who are both accused of turning a blind eye to the unusually swift promotions of unqualified police officers. Gen Prawit oversaw the Police Commission which finalises senior police reshuffle lists while the coup-engineering National Council for Peace and Order was in power. He was later succeeded in the role by Gen Prayut. The protest group urged police officers who want to make a stand against malpractice to join in the rally and make their voices heard. Yesterday, RTP spokesman Yingyos Thepjamnong said officers know better than to participate in a protest and render themselves lawbreakers in the process. The only officers present will be those on duty to observe the situation. The Criminal Court has again denied a bail request for 4 key Ratsadon members held on charges of lese majeste for the 3rd time even if a former university rector and an ex-dean offered to be their guarantors. The court denied the request, citing the same reasons for the dismissals of the previous 2 requests — the offence carried a high penalty and there were reasons to believe the suspects would repeat the offence if they were released on bail. Their lawyers also increased the sureties for them to 400,000 from 300,000 baht each. The number of voluntary enlistments for military conscription has fallen well below the hoped-for target. A total of 3,524 people applied for special voluntary enlistment on an online platform which opened on Feb 1 and ends next Sunday, far fewer than the anticipated 10,000, according to a military source familiar with military recruitment. The military launched voluntary online enlistment for the first time this year, in a bid to boost the image of careers in the army and reduce the need for conscription. Those who volunteer will receive several new benefits, including being fast- tracked to becoming a commissioned officer, as well as much-needed income for those badly affected by Covid-19. However, only 2,047 people applied to become reserve soldiers, who will be stationed at 119 locations countrywide. With the number of applicants so far below the target, the military will need to rely on soldiers from military conscription this April. A large banner bearing a picture of former police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda with a slogan “Together in hard time, good time to create safe and clean place, quick problem- solving” was put up in front of the Pansri Building, known as the former Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP)’s headquarters. The banner is believed to be part of a campaign for Bangkok gubernatorial election following rumours that the PPRP gives full backing for the former police chief to contest the city top job although PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwan consistently told reporters that the party would not field any candidate to contest local elections. Economic News The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has warned of 2 major factors that will influence Thailand’s export growth this year---a global shortage of shipping containers and the strength of the baht. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, vice chairman of the FTI, said whether Thailand’s exports this year will see growth of 3-4 per cent depending on how the 2 factors pan out. He said if the shortage of shipping containers could drag on until the end of the year and higher freight rates of 3-5 times from last year will likely cause Thai exports to decline at least US$5.159 billion (approximately 150 billion baht), equivalent to a contraction of 2-2.2 per cent. Meanwhile, the baht’s appreciation is poised to continue, with the exchange rate of 29.98-30 baht per dollar, is not a good look on Thai exports. The private sector wants to see the baht move in a range of 30-32 to the dollar. Deputy Agriculture Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow yesterday came out to say that he will instruct the controversial Chana Industrial Estate in Songkhla to be put on hold following reports from 2 fact-finding panels which showed that the controversial project had not been analysed by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) will be asked to suspend the Chana Industrial Estate after it was found to be in breach of regulations. Thamanat said the SBPAC acted alone in analysing the controversial project, causing the government to face major problems today, citing the reports. Although the cabinet had approved the project, it still required collaboration from the SBPAC and the NESDC. However, inquiries by the 2 committees had found that it proceeded without getting the NESDC’s input, Thamanat said.
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