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April 2004 : Violence in the South
Gun battle between soldiers and terrorists at the mosque ended with 107 dead. Deputy Minister Chaturon Chaisang revealed national policy on museum complex. Democrat party announced administration statement policy.
The House of Reps rejected Land Readjustment Bill. PM Thaksin visited northeastern provinces and the EC designated August 29 for BMA governor election.
Gun battle at the mosque
At the outbreak of April 28, terrorists attacked twelve military and police bases in three provinces, Yala, Pattani and Songkla and exchange gun fire with soldiers. One group withdrawn to Krue Se mosque in Pattani and after a day-long gun battle, 5 soldiers were shot dead, 15 injured and 107 militants dead, 6 injured and 17 captured alive. Blood and urine test of the captured, mostly youth, founded that they have been using drugs.
Violence in the south since January 4, 2004 took 119 lives and 125 injuries mostly policemen, civilians, volunteers, local politicians and leaders and even monks. Numerous schools, police stations and public places were burnt down.
There were criticisms from some human rights activists, opposition party politicians and senators that the government is overreact to the incidents but the government defended that responsible authorities have to protect civilian lives and national sovereignty.
Museum complex
Deputy Minister Chaturon Chaisang, chairman of the board of National Museum Discovery Institute, announced the progress of national museum complex under the general theme to establish 4 museums on 1] South East Asia natural history 2] South East Asia history 3] Thai history and 4] Science and technology. The museum complex will be located in Rattanakosin island, takes 5 years and 3700 million baht to complete in 2010.
The museum complex policy under Thaksin administration aims to promote a culture of lifelong education to the general public. Regarding to new concept, museums will become places where people can enjoy and learn about themselves, their neighbors and the world.
Democrat urgent policies
Mr. Banyat Buntadthan, Democrat party leader, in the general assembly on April 24-25, announced administration policies for the upcoming general election. The policies are as follow:
- Education: free school from kindergarten to secondary grades including school fee, books, uniforms and other miscellaneous expenses. University credit fee will be reduced 50 percent and 20 percent increase in university admission. Educational loan shall be maintained and expanded for more educational opportunity.
- Income: increase of personal income through agricultural projects. Minimum guarantee of agricultural household income, 5,000 baht per month.
- Vocational education and training: promoting study in computer and foreign language by government subsidy. One year training in public and private sectors for university graduates.
- Pensions: establish pension fund for people without any social security to provide 1,000 baht monthly pension and free health and medical cares services.
Land development bill rejected
The House of Representatives rejected the draft bill on Land development due to the senate amendment to include “monastery land” and set up a 24 members joint House-Senate committee to amend the bill.
The draft was submitted by the cabinet on principle that vacant land should be developed for residential, agriculture and industrial use. The original draft was amended to include “monastery land” by the senate but received strong protest from the Buddhists and monks on ground that it would allow some people to gain benefit from religious land.
PM northeastern tour
PM Thaksin Shinawatra visited 19 northeastern provinces between April 18-24. Since the prime minister has no specific schedule he spent each night at the temples or places of last stop-of-the-day. However the objective of the trip are 1] to observe economic development projects and way-of-life 2] to find impacts on public policies 3] to listen to problems in order to find solutions. The trip was successfully in term of obtaining primary source of information.
BMA governor election
The Election Commission dated August 29 for BMA governor election due to Samak Sundaravej term terminates on July 22. The application date is July 26-30.
Until now there are two candidates running in the poll, Apirak Kesayothin from Democrat and Paweena Hongsakul, non-party.
From : http://www.fpps.or.th
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