November 11, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News In what could be considered to be some good news for embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the National Security Council (NSC) has come out to say that it has seen a decline in numbers of protesters at each demonstration after October 24. NSC secretary-general Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit reported to the Cabinet’s meeting yesterday that the NSC recorded continuous declines in numbers of protesters after October 24. Protester numbers fell short of 10,000-15,000 or an average of 12,000 in each rally and up to 50,000 in nationwide rallies. The numbers of protesters joining pro-democracy rallies in Bangkok have shown a continuous decline to 17,000 each time. It is said that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha had a big smile on his face the whole time he was listening to the NSC’s report and told the cabinet to help promote good information among the public. HM the King Maha Vajiralongkorn and HM the Queen yesterday wrote messages of love and national unity to locals in Udon Thani during their visit to the province to preside over the inauguration of a building at Udon Thani Juvenile and Family Court. On a picture of himself and the queen that was brought by one of the well- wishers, the king wrote: “Love the nation, love the people, and cherish Thai-ness, real happiness.” Among the well-wisher was Anon Saennan, core leader of the Red Village movement in Udon Thani. HM the King had a personal conversation with Anon urging him to do the right thing for the benefit of the people and the country. The King reportedly told to do good deeds, and stay away from wrongdoings. Aziz Pitakkhumpol, the Chularatchamontri or Muslim spiritual leader of Thailand, came out to call for Muslims in Thailand to show their loyalty to the royal institution. During an event which saw thousands of Muslims from various provinces who wore yellow clothes at the Central Islamic Council of Thailand in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district yesterday, the Muslim spiritual leader said the royal institution had played important roles in maintaining the peaceful Thai society that comprised Thai people of all religions and origins. He told Muslims to stand up to protect the monarchy as the royal institution had contributed greatly to Muslims and provided them with justice. Following Aziz’s statement, pro-democracy activist leader Panupong ‘Mike Rayong’ Jadnok posted a message on Twitter criticising the Muslim Spiritual leader of failing to maintain political neutrality, especially such comments from someone who holds key role as a religion leader. Meanwhile, 20 pro-democracy allied networks led by the Bad Students activist group, the Free Arts for a Free Youth group at Chulalongkorn University and the Free Women group announced a major rally on November 14 to reiterate their call for charter amendments. On the Facebook page “Mob Fest”, the networks called on supporters to join another demonstration from 14.00 hrs on November 14 to keep a close watch together on Parliament’s deliberation on charter amendment motions in an upcoming special session. Suwit Thongprasert, formerly the monk Phra Buddha Isara and key leader of royalists, came out to say that he believed that Anon Nampa, a pro-democracy protest co-leader, is changing his stance against the monarchy because of 2 key reasons: one is that the US which donated funding to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is about to enter new leadership and embrace new policy from a new US leader and the other is that Anon is trying to make his way out of trouble. Suwit said he didn’t see other path awaiting Anon but a prison sentence. The Opposition camp came out to announce its resolution to push for 7 charter amendment motions amid ongoing attempt by 72 senators and MPs to seek court interpretation on the legality of 3 charter amendment bills. Somkid Chuakhong, Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani and the opposition’s Deputy Chief Whip, said opposition parties will vote in support of all the 7 draft constitutional amendments proposed by the government, opposition and the iLaw NGO. He said the opposition has full backing for the iLaw whose draft has been endorsed by more than 100,000 signatures. He also called on embattled Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to show sincerity towards charter amendments following the 72 lawmakers’ attempt to block charter amendments through a court interpretation. Somkid believes that Gen Prayut can influence these lawmakers to support charter amendment bids although he may not force them to vote for 7 amendment motions. Meanwhile, the core coalition Phalang Pracharat Party (PPRP) announced that it will not accept iLaw’s draft amendment because it seeks to amend the entire Constitution, including Chapters 1 and 2, which concern the monarchy and Thai sovereignty, PPRP spokeswoman and Bangkok MP Patcharin Sumsiripong announced after yesterday’s meeting of MPs. The meeting also discussed preparations for a parliamentary session scheduled for November 17-18 to deliberate six charter amendments bills, Patcharin said. Government chief whip and PPRP MP Wirat Ratana•sate said coalition parties have agreed that they will vote to accept 1 of the 6 bills in the first reading, and then will set up a committee to vet the bill. Kao Klai (Move Forward) list MP Rangsiman Rome said he was really fed up with senators’ delaying tactic toward charter amendment bids, especially this time senators are seeking constitutional court’s mechanisms to favour their cause. He likened the move to borrowing the hand of the Constitutional Court to undermine the power of Parliament to amend the constitution. Meanwhile, the Democrat Party’s meeting yesterday announced stance against 72 lawmakers’ move to seek the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of 3 charter amendment bills. The party’s meeting voted unanimously against 72 parliamentarians’ move to seek a Constitutional Court review of 3 charter amendment proposals. The cabinet came under fire from social media users following its appointment of Miss Thailand 2016 Thanaporn Sriviraj as a political official at the Secretariat of the Prime Minister with immediate effect. Thanaporn, or Jub Jib, is the wife of Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow, who is a Phalang Pracharath party-list MP. Thanaporn reported 63.7 million baht in assets after marrying Thamanat. Her assets include luxury brand name goods like 12 HERMES handbags valued at more than 7 million baht, 6 luxury watches worth more than 4 million baht; PORSCHE PANAMERA 4E HYBRID car worth 8.9 million baht and Mercedes S350d car worth 5.8 million baht. Economic News Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow has hinted at the possibility of extending the 50/50 co-payment shopping scheme. The decision is pending the Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA)’s approval at a next week meeting. Total spending via the government’s co-payment scheme had reached 11.021 billion baht as of November 10. The government will open the 2nd round of registration for the Let’s Go Halves scheme today as some registrants are not expected to use up their subsidy allowance within the stipulated period. The 2nd round of registration set to allow 2.4 million more people to apply for the subsidy. A maximum of 10 million people registered for the co-payment scheme on October 29, but as of November 10, only 7.38 million had begun using the subsidy within 14 days of registration. Supattanapong declined to say whether the subsidy would be increased from 150 baht per day. The government is also evaluating whether additional measures are needed to encourage consumers’ spending, he added. He estimated the economy next year would grow at between 4 and 5 per cent, adding that the government will accelerate state spending to boost recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Thai airlines launched campaigns to stimulate spending and boost cash flow, especially through expansion of their non-aeronautical businesses. Bangkok Airways has launched the “Bangkok Airways Elite Card,” offering amazing privileges to its members. Bangkok Airways Elite Card priced at 100,000 baht will allow its members unlimited domestic air tickets (economy class) for travel on all Bangkok Airways domestic flights throughout 2021. Application period for enrolment is available from 1-30 November 2020, said Chulin Korcharoen, Vice President – Sales and Acting Vice President – Marketing of Bangkok Airways. It is reported that as many as 50 people have enrolled in the program. Bangkok Airways also has plans to boost revenue through ticket sales for its boutique business-class lounges and renowned menus and the sale of signature dishes like Khao-tom-mud (a sticky rice dessert, stuffed with banana and wrapped in banana leaf) and Bangkok Airways teddy bear. Thai Lion Air is prepared to launch a campaign to celebrate its 7th anniversary by offering flight fare discounts of 20-70 per cent to passengers as well as travel voucher sales, said Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, head of commercial operations. Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) on its path of making more money from the infrastructure it has. The airline has come out to say that it was willing to rent out its office building for those looking to rent out the office space at all its key office buildings across the country. This is after the airline announced that it was decommissioning as many as 34 aircrafts and has started its restaurant experience and also selling street food in-front of its office buildings and across the country. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha came out to support the idea of using golf courses as alternative state quarantine sites for foreigners amid widespread criticism of a conflict of interest as some courses are owned by ministers.