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February 2004 : Dispute over Privatization Policy
The EGAT Labor Union asked for abolition of the government privatization policy. Death toll from bird flu totaled 8. Ministry of Interior will conduct poll on kamnan- village head appointment. Application of Constitutional Court judge extended and Democrat BMA governor runner-up revealed first campaign policy.
The Senate picked up new 7 NCCC commissioners. Administration Court suspended Human Right Commission’s order to relieve Secretariat Chuchai Supawong.
The EC endorsed by-election of Songkhla MP and Pichit senate and announced dates for Nakorn Pathom MP bye-election and nationwide Provincial Administration Authority election. House of Senate has new speaker and Prai Pattano former Songkhla MP is elected to lord mayor of Had Yai municipal. Korn Tupparangsri former Chart Pattana deputy leader becomes TRT deputy chairman of the advisory committee.
EGAT say “no” to privatization
Several thousands of workers of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand [ EGAT] and their colleagues from other state enterprises are protesting against the government plan to privatization in accords to the State Enterprises Capital Act. Previously, EGAT shares were scheduled to be traded in Stock Exchange of Thailand on March 1st. The protesters reasoned that electricity is a monopoly utility therefore privatization might cause the public trouble if electricity fees can be raised freely.
They also said privatization should be applied to unprofitable state enterprises e.g. Mass Transit Authority or State Railway while EGAT, one of the most profited, privatization would give enormous profit to tycoons and politicians closely connected to the prime minister and cabinet members similar to the case of Petroleum Authority of Thailand [PTT] in which high ratio of stocks were allocated to a few beneficial, consultants and politicians while low ratio were really allocated to the public. The protesters also demanded a national referendum.
The government stated that privatization is a mean to distribute shares in the stock market, not selling a state enterprise. Majority of shares still be held by the government while minority belong to public and foreigners unaccessible to management or control. Being a state corporate means value-added advantage in the Stock Market, transparency, good governance and increase efficiency. Free-rising of electricity fees would definitely unallowable like other free trade country; Argentina, due to administrative structures are different.
The State Enterprises Capital Act is an outcome of IMF requested eleven economic revitalization Act enforced in 1998 in former Chuan Leekpai administration. During election campaign, Thaksin promised to abolish all 11 acts but after taking office, a committee was appointed and recommendation to classify all state enterprises into 3 categories. Category one, state owns or if restructuring, 100 percent shares should be owned by the government due to their importance of being public utility e.g. electricity and waterworks. Category two, state owns 75 percent of shares and category three, state owns less than 75 percent of shares. The recommendation principles were endorsed by the prime minister.
Bird flu outbreak
The cabinet demarcated 30 provinces to be bird flu restricted zone after the virus spread from chicken caused 8 deaths since December 2003. Poultry e.g. chickens, ducks and birds within 5 kilometer radius areas where infected birds have been detected will be killed and chickens within a 50 kilometer radius are banned from being transported. The government set up measures to help the farmers e.g. 6 months suspension of loan interests and principles and subsidiary were given out to those lost their poultry.
The epidemic outbreak caused delayed of Thai chicken meat export to Japan, Singapore and EU while domestic market was stagnant. Consumers are afraid to eat even cooked meat and some restaurants turned to pork or other kind of food. Poultry farmers, labor forces and farms related industries were troubled due to decrease of income, unemployment or even bankruptcy and more than 26 million chickens were slaughtered.
The opposition party and some senators blame the prime minister and his cabinet members on their effort to cover-up the epidemic outbreak in spite of WHO and some academics warning since November 2003 and three cabinet members; Somsak Thepsuthin Agriculture minister, Newin Chidchop Agriculture deputy minister and Sudarat keyurapan Public Health minister are targeted in an upcoming non-censure debate.
Public opinions seek
The cabinet approved the ministry of Interior proposal to conduct a nationwide poll on the draft amendment of the Local Administration Act B.E. 2457 whether to appoint kamnan and village head instead of electing. Poll results will be used as supporting document for redefinition of the act.
The draft bill , being approved by the cabinet, highly criticized by the public including Sanoh Thienthong, chairman of TRT advisors was withdrawn by the Ministry of Interior on reason that more public understanding should be sought particularly on new roles of kamnan and village head.
It is expected that 1.8 million copies will be distributed and the poll results will have significant impact on the amending.
Application of Constitutional Court judge extended
Though Apai Chantanachulaka, secretary-general of the ministry of social development and human security, was chosen by the selection panel to be nominated to the Constitutional Court judge , another one could not be found in regards to the constitution requires two, to be sent to the senatorial finalize. The application dates is therefore extended to until March 4th while the former 3 candidates namely Prasit Dhamrongchai former NCCC member, Kawee Minwong former Roi Et governor and Vimut Buachan former Samut Sakorn governor still have the right to rerun.
The seat was vacant due to former judge Amorn Raksasat retired.
First policy statement from Apirak
Apiral Kesayothin Democrat party runner-up for BMA governor announced his first policy statement during pre-campaign that he will focus on quality of life by extending 431 BMA elementary school to secondary level. Furthermore, he will increase pre-school service and support technology, education and develop teaching method to serve needs of local residents e.g. Chinese ethnic groups or agricultural-oriented groups. Teachers life quality will also be improved as well as traffic problems.
More policy statement will be announced and his website www.ourbangkok.com and telephone line 02-6157555 welcome all public opinions.
New NCCC members
The House of Senate picked up 7 from 14 candidates to be members of the National Counter Corruption Commission. The 7 names are as follow: 1. Pol. Gen. Wutthichai Sriratanawuth former deputy police head 2. Chao Attamana former deputy director-general of Budget Bureau 3. Wisuth Bhothan former National Election Commission 4. Wichien Viriyaprasit former supreme attorney 5. Chidchai Panichpan former deputy secretariat of NCCC 6. Yongyuth Kabilkarn former deputy secreatariat of the office of the prime minister and 7. Pradit Songreuik judge of the supreme court.
9 new AMLO members approved
The House of Representatives appointed 9 honorary members in the Anti Money Laundering Organization [ AMLO] as submitted by the cabinet on February 26 namely; 1. Pol. Maj. Gen. Kampol Arunplod dean of Faculty of Law SEA University 2. Kosit Panpiumrat chairman of the Bangkok Bank [ Plc] Board 3. Narit Chaisut rector of Thamasart University 4. Potchara Uthithamdamrong deputy General Attorney 5. Pol. Lt. Gen. Preawpan Damapong Deputy Police Chief.
6. Montri Sokatiyanurak assoc. Prof. Faculty of Public Administration, NIDA 7. Wattana Rattanavichit president of the State Council 8. Weerapong Boonyopas deputy dean of Faculty of Law Chulalongkorn University and 9. Gen. Somchai Somprasong Acting Managing Director of the Airport Authority of Thailand.
Those nine nominees will be submitted to the House of Senate for final approval.
Chuchai relieve suspended
The Administration Court, on February 20, suspending the Human Rights Commission order to relieve Secretariat Chuchai Supawong until the case is finalized in court.
Previously , the HR commission ordered Dr. Chuchai to be transferred to a consultant but he file suit to the Administration Court on ground that the order is illegal.
Democrat won in Songkhla
Wirat Kalyasiri Democrat candidate won the bye-election in constituency 3 Songkhla province on February 22 with 51,936 votes while the second runner-up Taweesak Taweerat from TRT received only 26,636 votes.
There were 81,121 people or 66.61 percent of 121,784 eleigible voters went to the poll and the seat was vacant due to former Democrat MP Prai Pattano resigned to run in the election of Songkhla municipal.
Nakorn Pathom bye-election
The Election Commission announced March 20 for bye-election in Nakorn Pathon constituency 3 and the application dates are 18-22 February. The seat was vacant due to former TRT MP Pornsak Piumkla resigned to run in provincial administration election.
Bualom won in Pichit
Mrs. Bualom Poonlarp, widow of the late senate Wichit Poonlarp, won the election in Pichit beat her second runner-up Thuenchai Burarat with 104,713 to 67,495 votes. There were 231,370 people or 54.81 percent of the 422,131 eligible voters came to cast their ballots.
New senate speaker
First deputy speaker Suchon Chaleekrau senator from Chaiyapoom province was elected with 99 votes to become the new Senate Speaker.
He beat the other three candidates namely Panas Tasneeyanond from Tak, Gen. Wicha Sirithum from Chantaburi and also the resigned Maj. Gen. Manoonkrit whe was also re-nominated.
Bangkok senator Kaewson Athibho and Montri Sinthavichai from Samut Songkram submitted a letter to the new speaker to investigate into rumor of buying vote, lobbying and threatening.
End of Suwanawong legend in Had Yai
The unofficial result of Had Yai municipal election was announced on February 29 that former Democrat MP Prai Pattano won with 35,759 votes. He beat Prasong Suwanawong former lord mayor who receiced only 20,625 votes.
This result is a significant change in the municipal since Suwanawong family ruled Had Yai for three decades since Prasong Father, Kreng, first won on January 5, 1974. Kreng passed his authority to his son on February 21, 2002 but Prasong was unable to protect his seat from the competitor.
D-day for nationwide PAO election
The EC announced March 14 to be the election date of 74 Provincial Administration Authorities and this is the first time that the voters will exercise direct voting on the chief administrators. The application dates are 9-13 February.
The public are enthusiasm on this election since there are speculations that many former ministers, MPs, senators and chief administrators will run in the poll.
New TRT administration members
The Thai Rak Thai general assembly on February 29 appointed five new administration members namely 1. Sukawit Rangsitpol. 2. Pichet Satirachawal 3. Kwang Ropkop 4. Wichit Plungsrisakul and 5. Korn Tapparangsri who is also appointed to deputy chairman of the advisory committee. Furthermore, Gen. Thamarak Isarangkul na Ayudhya and Somchai Sunthornwat are appointed to deputy leaders.
From : http://www.fpps.or.th
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