DOCSLIB.ORG

August 5, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • Prime

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
August 5, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News • Prime August 5, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to have given in to the fact that he would have to listen to the demand for changes to the constitution although he came out to warn the student protesters “not to create chaos” after many advocated for reform of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. Gen Prayut has pledged his support for amendments to the current constitution, the move in which his critics say is just an attempt to placate anti-government protesters. He told all sides to wait for the House committee studying charter amendments to pass resolutions on the matter. He even said the government will prepare its own draft charter as he plans to ask the coalition parties to brainstorm with the core coalition party, according to Thai language Daily News newspaper. “I support changes that are needed and I am not in conflict.” He has not stated, though, what possible changes the parliament would discuss. There are also reports that Gen Prayut held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the key coalition parties, namely his Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, as the Democrat Party leader, and Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul, as the Bhumjai Thai Party leader, to discuss the charter amendment proposals pushed by the opposition. Gen Prayut told the coalition parties that the government is ready to support the opposition’s call seeking amendments to the charter but he wants to weigh in on their proposals. Juti Krairerk, the Social Development and Human Security Minister and a Democrat Party member, urged the government to hasten the opposition’s call for charter amendments and said the government can claim the credit for initiating the amendments to the charter. The call for possible amendment of the charter did not go well with the appointed senators who have a 5-year term and are all selected by the military regime. Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai openly opposed growing calls from the government coalition parties and the opposition for the setting up of a new constitution drafting assembly (CDA). Pornpetch said he was not against the proposal to seek an amendment to Section 256 but he disagreed with the formation of a new CDA but said there could be many other ways, rather than amending Section 256 to pave the way for the new CDC. Pornpetch also insisted that senators do not attempt to block the charter amendment bid but said there are other issues that should be amended such as a provision in the constitution that deals with single ballots for elections. When asked about whether the provision that allowed the Senate to join the Lower House in voting for a prime minister should be amended, Pornpetch said he would have to reconsider this provision carefully. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he planned to organise a forum within this month to allow the “young generation” to express their opinions. He said the forum could be in the form of discussions organised by state agencies to address issues or demands of the young generation. The non-political CARE group [standing for Creative Action for Revival & People Empowerment] led by Phumtham Wechayachai is also pushing for a constitutional amendment. The group plans to hold a seminar group entitled, “CARE inviting to think and drive forward the rewriting of dream charter of the people” on August 8 at LIDO Connect, Siam Square to push for constitutional amendments and the drafting of a true democratic constitution. The group expressed a clear stance for its demand for constitutional amendments to be conducted in 3 phases: Holding forums to the compiling opinions of academics, tertiary, university students and the general public, starting from August 8; Publishing educational tools to educate the public about the history of previous constitutions for a comparative study. Laying out the details of the draft charter for the new charter for the public. This draft charter will be called the CARE’s version of the people’s dream charter”. Reports of government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat resigning from her post yesterday (August 4) have fuelled rampant speculation of who will be picked as new government spokesperson. Some reports have come out that chances for Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana will be picked as new government spokesman is also highly likely. However, when asked about the matter, Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told reporters that he had yet to decide on the appointment but said he already had someone in mind and told reporters to wait and see if the person will be an insider or outsider, a man or a woman. He said the Cabinet has not put up an agenda to pick a new government spokesperson. Any party can make a nomination but the final decision rests with him. The cabinet meeting on Tuesday (August 4) did not talk about the issue, according to deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul. However, there are reports that Gen Prayut is taking Thanakorn into consideration due to his former experience as former secretary to the finance minister who could immediately provide information and responses to political issues raised by government critics and the opposition. The House of Representatives has been asked to pay for 3.5 million baht’s worth of reserved airline tickets by Nok Air after many MPs and former MPs booked flights but failed to take them, Somboon Uthaiweignkul, the secretary to the House Speaker revealed. The move was revealed after executives of the airline sought a meeting with House Speaker Chuan Leekpai on the occasion that they offered well wishes to Chuan on his birthday anniversary at Parliament yesterday (August 4). Somboon said the Secretariat of the House of Representatives received a letter on June 17 informing it about 3,522,419 baht in bills for collection from Nok Air. The expenses came from reserved tickets booked by 113 MPs and former MPs during 2012-2013. Some of them have reserved tickets worth 200,000- 300,000 baht. Initially, Chuan told the airline to send letter to inform MPs and former MPs in question to pay for their unpaid tickets because they are personal matter. The House is not liable to act on behalf of the company to ask for MPs and former MPs to pay for their unpaid bills. Political activist Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Constitution, said he will today (August 5) petition the Prime Minister to delay the appointment of new national police chief set for August 7 due to suspicion surrounding deputy national police chief Pol Gen Wirachai Songmetta’s transfer. Srisuwan said he would ask the Prime Minister to delay the appointment of new national police chief because there is sufficient ground that the transfer order signed by the national police chief for Pol Gen Wirachai is suspicious. He demanded Gen Prayut to halt the appointment of new national police chief until allegations against Pol Gen Wirachai who was accused of breaching serious disciplinary criminal action are resolved to ensure fairness and transparency. Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday (August 4) issued a stern warning over the shooting incident at an illegal gambling den on Rama III Road in Bangkok’s Yannawa District that he would “spare no one”. Four people including a police major were killed in a shooting incident according to Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Lt. Gen. Pakapong Pongpetra. Police reported that gunshots were fired at the venue in the small casino in Bangkok, the bodies of 2 women and 2 men were located including police Maj. Wathaseth Sumniangprasert, Pol Lt Gen Pakapong said in a news conference yesterday. Wathaseth was not on duty Monday night and was taking part in the gambling. An initial investigation found that the other dead man had shot the police officer and then turned and fired wildly at the crowd, killing the 2 women. An unknown person then shot and killed the first gunman and fled before police could arrive from a nearby precinct, Pol Lt Gen Pakapong said, adding that it seemed the gunman bore some grudge against the policeman. The issue of further investigation into the shooting seems to be taking similar path to the case of Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya as police is saying that they did not find any close circuit tv cameras when they entered the area. Although pictures from yesterday showed CCTV cameras all over the place. Take a look for yourself. The police reached the venue of the shoot out nearly 2 hours after the incident thus giving enough time for the illegal gambling den to clear up the casino and the CCTV cameras. The Casino before all this with a picture taken some time ago On the latest development on the Red Bull heir Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya’s hit-and- run case that killed of a policeman, the Office of Attorney General (OAG) has ordered a new investigation into the case yesterday (August 4). Prosecutors said new evidence showed that Vorayuth was driving much faster than first believed and might have had cocaine in his system, allowing them to reopen the case. The OAG’s decision comes after previous charges were dropped last month, sparking outrage. In a press conference, the OAG said new evidence meant that the case could be reopened. It said the speed of the Ferrari at the time of the accident had previously been put at 80km/h (50 mph), but an expert opinion not included in the police report had determined that the speed was closer to 170km/h.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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]
  • 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]
  • 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]
  • His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej 1927-2016 KINGDOM GRIEVES
    His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej 1927-2016 KINGDOM GRIEVES INSIGHTFUL, IN TREND, INDEPENDENT nationmultimedia.com I facebook.com/nationnews I twitter: @nationNews I FRIDAY, October 14, 2016 12 PAGES, VOLUME 41, NO 54920 / Bt30 THE NATION I Friday, October 14, 2016 I 2 END OF A GREAT REIGN The King waves to a crowd of hundreds of thousands gathered at the Royal Plaza on June 9, 2006 to celebrate his 60th anniversary on the throne. Truly the King of hearts THE LONGEST-REIGNING MONARCH WON THE DEVOTION OF HIS SUBJECTS WITH HIS COMMITMENT TO THEIR WELFARE URISARA KOWITDAMRONG THE NATION HIS MAJESTY King Bhumibol Statement Adulyadej rose to the greatest heights in modern Thai history and was, in his lifetime, the pillar by Royal and soul of his nation. Like his grandfather King Household Rama V, His Majesty made enor- mous contributions to his country, commanding deep love and loyal- Bureau ty from his people. He was the guiding light, helping his THE ROYAL Household Bureau Kingdom in times of crisis time announced the passing of His and again. Majesty the King in a statement During his seven-decade-long released yesterday. reign, His Majesty peacefully It said that King Bhumibol defused several political situa- Adulyadej passed away at 3.52pm tions, such as the tumult in at Siriraj Hospital, where he had October 1973 and Black May in been treated since October 3, 1992 – something no Thai politi- 2014. cian was able to accomplish then “The team of physicians or later. offered treatment to the best of His reign spanned the terms of their ability.
    [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]
  • CPG-Online-Magazine-02-2015.Pdf
    CPG Online Magazine Issue 2, January/February 2015 Dear Readers, Colleagues and Friends, welcome to the second issue of CPG’s online magazine in 2015 for January and February. In this issue we want to draw your attention on some recent and prospect activities and events of CPG and our partners. Additionally we provide some news and statements on issues which are related to our work and which we found interesting to read about. If you are interested to use this platform for announcements on your organization you are cordially invited to contact us. Yours, Henning Glaser Director German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG), Faculty of Law, Thammasat University 0 Table of Contents Events Jan.-Feb. 2015 CPG Experts Talk Series on Politics and Law I 1 CPG Experts Talk Series on Politics and Law II 2 Selection of CPG Spring School 2015 participants 2 Up-Coming CPG Events 6 Articles and Interviews Roles, Duties and Functions of the Indonesian National Police 8 Attaché or Liaison Officer National Legal Aid Foundation (NLAF)/ Yayasan Bantuan 11 Guaman Kebangsaan (YBGK) Designing Thailand’s Parliamentary Election System, 1997 to 14 2015 NEOS in Austria – A new Type of Political Party in Europe? 26 800 years Magna Carta 33 Interview with Cardina Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij 35 Interview with Suwana Suwanjuta, Director General of the 41 Department of Special Investigation, Ministry of Justice of Thailand Interview with Dr. Munin Pongsapan, Director of the International 46 LL.B. Program, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University Miscellaneous Portrait: Institute for Law and Finance (IFL), Goethe University 50 Frankfurt am Main Report: Law Studies at WWU Münster 54 Farewell Marc Saxer 56 Australian Day 57 Nick Nostitz’ Farewell Exhibition 60 Change in Personnel at CPG 62 Announcements CPG LL.M.
    [Show full text]
  • Southeast Asia Research Centre (SEARC) Working Paper Series No
    Southeast Asia Research Centre (SEARC) Working Paper Series No. 188 Authoritarian Constitution-Making in Thailand, 2015-16: Elite (aphichon) Capture Turns a “Dual Polity” into a “System of Elite Rule with Elections,” or a “Thai-style Authoritarianism” Michael H. Nelson German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG) Faculty of Law Thammasat University Authoritarian Constitution-Making in Thailand, 2015-16: Elite (aphichon) Capture Turns a “Dual Polity” into a “System of Elite Rule with Elections,” or a “Thai-style Authoritarianism” Michael H. Nelson German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPG) Faculty of Law, Thammasat University Preliminary remarks on the referendum result1 This working paper was finished shortly before the second referendum on a draft constitution in Thai history took place on 7 August 2016. The general assumption that scholars of politics “analyze the referendum as an institution within the framework of representative democracy” (Gallagher 2014:173) did not apply to Thailand since both referendums were held when mili- tary dictators ruled the country. The “National Council for Peace and Order” (NCPO), as the coup plotters called themselves, had come up, through their Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), with a “‘constitution of the victor’ [called aphichon in this text, M.N.] rather than ‘the constitution of the people’” (The Nation, 26 April 2016). Nevertheless, these people ap- proved the draft constitution imposed upon them by a vote of 61.4 percent to 38.7 percent (2007: 57.8 percent to 42.2 percent). They also approved the “additional question” enabling the future military-appointed Senate to participate in the vote for prime minister (more on this below) by 58.1 to 41.9 percent.2 1 The opinions expressed in this paper are my own and do not necessarily reflect the policy of the CPG, the Fac- ulty of Law, or Thammasat University.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Thailand's Amazing 24 March 2019 Elections'
    Contemporary Southeast Asia 41, No. 2 (2019), pp. 153–222 DOI: 10.1355/cs41-2a © 2019 ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute ISSN 0129-797X print / ISSN 1793-284X electronic Anatomy: Future Backward DUNCAN McCARGO The most popular man in Thailand appears out of the bushes on Thammasat University campus, dripping with sweat and with no staff in sight: Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit is promptly mobbed by fans clamouring for selfies and autographs. Voters on Bangkok’s Charoenkrung Road look delighted to see a former prime minister out on the campaign trail: eager to show off his fitness, Abhisit Vejjajiva practically runs up some footbridge steps, leaving the local candidate panting behind. A Pheu Thai candidate asks a village crowd in Ubon Ratchathani to raise their hands if they are better off now than they were five years ago: everyone roars with laughter at a woman who puts her hand up by mistake, since nobody could possibly be better off. In Pattani, thousands of people stay until midnight at a football ground to hear prominent speakers from the Prachachart Party. No big outdoor rallies like this have been held after dark in the three insurgency-affected southern border provinces since 2004. The weeks leading up to the 24 March 2019 elections were a time of excitement; after almost five years of military rule following the 22 May 2014 coup d’état, Thais were finally free to express themselves politically. Around 51 million people were eligible to vote, while a record total of 80 political parties and 13,310 candidates from across the ideological spectrum were listed on their ballot papers.
    [Show full text]
  • The Roles of Governments in the Education Reform Policy in Thailand from 1999 - 2009
    The roles of governments in the education reform policy in Thailand from 1999 - 2009 Thipsarin Phaktanakul Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Professional Doctorate in Public Administration University of Canberra 2015 Abstract The most recent education reform policy in Thailand officially began in 1999, when the National Education Act came into force. It was considered the most comprehensive reform in Thailand’s history. From 1999 to 2009, many governments and ministers of education assumed power. Their roles in implementing the education reform policy as stipulated in the National Education Act were significant. This research examines the roles of each government and each Minister of Education in implementing the education reform policy after the National Education Act came into force in 1999 to the end of the first decade of this policy. This research is qualitative and is undertaken by two main methods: document analysis and semi-structured interviewing. This research analyses the factors which influenced the implementation of the education reform policy based on the top-down approach to policy implementation analysis. The governments of Thailand within the timeframe of this research can be divided into three groups: (1) the Democrat Party from 1999 to the beginning of 2001 and from the end of 2008 to 2009; (2) the Thai Rak Thai Party and other political parties associated with Thaksin Shinawatra from 2001 to 2006 and in 2008; and (3) the government appointed by the military junta after the coup d’état
    [Show full text]
  • Thailand's 20 December 2020 Provincial Elections: a Contest
    ISSUE: 2020 No. 145 ISSN 2335-6677 RESEARCHERS AT ISEAS – YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE ANALYSE CURRENT EVENTS Singapore | 18 December 2020 Thailand’s 20 December 2020 Provincial Elections: A Contest among National Political Parties and a Quasi-Party? Evidence from the Andaman Coast Michael J. Montesano* EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Voters across Thailand will go to the polls on 20 December 2020, to elect chairmen of provincial administrative organisations and members of the councils of those organisations. • At a time of deep-seated political crisis in the country, observers have assumed the “nationalisation” of Thai provincial politics, and the central relevance of political parties to that process. • Consideration of political parties’ decisions on whether formally to contest the 2020 provincial elections and close scrutiny of races for the post of provincial administrative organisation chairman in four provinces on the Andaman Coast of South Thailand suggest that this relevance, along with the role of parties, remains minimal. • In 2020, provincial-national dynamics in Thai politics, as mediated by political parties, thus demonstrate little change from patterns of the recent past. • Even the much-noted effort of the Progressive Movement led by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit to nationalise provincial polls does not seem to defy this pattern. • Thai political parties may rely on local structures of power, respect and influence in fighting national elections. But to see candidates in provincial elections simply as torch-bearers for national parties is to adopt a flawed understanding. * Michael J. Montesano is Coordinator, Thailand and Myanmar Studies Programmes, ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, and a co-editor of the forthcoming book Praetorians, Profiteers or Professionals? Studies on the Militaries of Myanmar and Thailand (ISEAS Publishing).
    [Show full text]