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December 2004 : Tsunami Hit the South
8.9 magnitude earthquake shook Indonesian province of Acheh on northern Sumatra caused massive tidal waves, Tsunami, slammed into coastlines in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India, Thailand and Malaysia. Almost 5000 lives and massive casualties were recorded in Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Ranong and Satun. Tak Bai inquiry panel, chaired by Pichet Sunthornpipit submitted the investigation results to the cabinet.
The government drafted a ministerial regulation on community leaders’ council and the Election Commission designated February 6, 2005 for the general election day. Democrat Party announced second set of public policy of “6 do- 6 don’t” while the selection panel of national broadcasting committee chose 14 candidates to submit to the senate.
Killer waves Tsunami
Three tidal waves at least five metres high struck the Andaman coastal provinces of Thailand, Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Trang, Satun and Ranong on Sunday December 26 and took 4,560 lives, 10,509 injuries and 6,541 missing [ recorded on December 31, 2004] of both local people and tourists while death toll in all Asian countries could be as high as 200,000 people.
The Tsunami swept away thousands of houses, hotels, ships and vehicles and also damaged coral reefs and natural environment. The government set up emergency rescue centers and called for nationwide aids and donations and the response was overwhelming. Volunteers started to pour into those hard hit areas, taking care of injured victims, preparing food, building shelters, collecting dead bodies and helping in forensic examination. The unities put Thailand top records among regional rescuing and the government allocated 28,000 million baht for primary relief.
Former meteorological Department chief Smith Thamsaroj had warned in 1998 that Tsunami could possibly hit the southern coastline of Thailand particularly after massive earthquake in the mainland along the coastline. He advised the people living on seashore should immediately escape and asked the government to set up a tidal waves warning system and also informed the governors of Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi to take cautions but nobody took his advise seriously.
After the Tsunami Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appointed Smith an assistant to the Office of the Prime Minister in charge of establishing an advanced seismic and tidal wave warning system for the whole nation.
Among all lives taken was Khun Poom Jensen, His Majesty grandson, the only son of Princess Ubolratana who went missing when the gigantic wave hit his resort hotel at Khao Lak in Phangnga’s Takua Pa district.
Tak Bai inquiry concluded
The Office of the Prime Minister Speaker, Chakrapob Penkae, announced the report of the investigation on Tak Bai tragedy that 3 senior security officials have been found responsible. The government-appointed investigation panel chaired by Pichet Sunthornpipit pointed out 11 remarks as follow; 1] It was found out that the protesters were partly led by some master minders, 2] Some of the protesters were equipped with weapons, 3] The officials appropriately undertake the incidence by negotiations and interception, 4] The dispersal of protesters by using arm forces, though appropriate in regards to the incidence, is not suitable and non-conform to strategy and religious etiquettes.
5] The mishandling happened when the officials were unable to identify the leaders to the protesters, 6] the decision to transport all detainees to military camp in Pattani is right, 7] the transportation failure was due to inadequate trucks and chaotic upon time constrain, death were caused by suffocating and kidney failure, the senior officials should responsible on neglecting and allow junior officials to conduct transportation, 8] 5-hours transportation period of 150 km is proper to the incidence, 9] the tending of injured detainees at the military camp is efficient, 10] there were 7 missing people and 11] senior officials responsible in Tak Bai incidence are 1. Lt-Gen Pisarn Wattanawongkeeree, then chief of the southern Fourth Army, responsible as chief official. 2. Maj-Gen Sinchai Nutsathit, then assistant to the chief, responsible in providing food and detaining area and 3. Maj-gen Chalernchai Virunpetch who was ordered to supervise the dispersal but failed to accomplish without reason. However, it was found out that the officials did not intend to mishandling and lives and casualties were unintentionally.
The cabinet approved the conclusion and ordered 1] Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare an announcement to be released to foreign embassies and correspondents 2] the Prime Minister’s Office Speaker to disclose the report’s conclusion to the public, 3] the Ministry of Defense to further investigate into 3 senior officials misconduct, and 4] the police to further investigate and press criminal and martial law charge on all responsible persons.
5] To appoint a panel to aid, alleviate and reimburse the injured as well as families of the deceased and missing persons, 6] the army, police, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice to cooperate study the report on Kreu Sae and Tak Bai incidents and propose recommendations on managing such an incident in the future.
Community leaders’ council
Adviser to the Prime Minister, Prapat Panyachartrak, chairman of the regulation drafting panel, disclosed on December 19 that the drafting of the community leaders’ council is completed and ready to submit for cabinet approval.
Thaksin cabinet initiated an establishment of community leaders’ council to provide information, advice and recommendation on local matter to the cabinet and civil servants. It is expected that local advice would improve efficiency and participation in public administration and encourage life-long learning among people in regards to the government’s public policy on poverty eradication within the vicinity. Moreover, it is stated in section 76 of the constitution that public participation should be encouraged by all means.
The community leaders’ council shall comprise of two kinds of members; provincial representatives and intellectual/academic representatives. While provincial representatives are selected by the people on basis of one to one million population intellectual representatives are multidisciplinary selected from community development, agriculture, community enterprises, management etc. and shall not exceed than 10. All members are to be officially appointed by the prime minister and their terms is 3 years. Reappointment is limited to 2 succeeding terms and 50 members are to be appointed to opening run until the community leaders’ council is fully function in the next 2 years.
Feb 6 as election date
The Election Commission has set February 6 for the next general election while advance polling is scheduled between January 29-30. Application period for party list candidates is between January 7-9 and constituency candidates is between January 10-14 while oversea polling shal be conducted between January 18-30.
The EC has to officially announce poll results within 30 days due to the constitution stated the general assembly shall be held not later than 30 days after election date and the first assembly shall vote for the new prime minister.
Democrat’s latest campaign
Democrat party leader, Bunyat Buntathan, revealed second set of public policy to do 6 and don’t 6 things if his party run administration after the next general election. Those 6 don’t are 1] not to become dictatorship, 2] not to have overlapping benefit and policy corruption, 3] not to sell public enterprise, 4] not to tempt public with immoral things, 5] not to encourage household debt and 6] not to seal people’s perception.
Democrat party shall 1] pursue sufficiency economy, 2] discontinue CEO, 3] impede overlapping benefit and monopoly, 4] give equal opportunity, 5] reform free media and 6] ban on-ground mini lottery.
Previously on April 25 this year Democrat announced public policy of “2 steps towards better life” and “ 4 emergency missions” on education policy; free schooling on all levels and old age pension for all.
NBC candidates finalize
The selection panel of the National Broadcasting Committee [ NBC] chaired be Somporn Thepsitha, on December 27, selected 14 candidates from 21 namely: 1] Ronarong Noppakun 2] Vinit Surapongchai 3] Sombat Pukarn 4] Boonlert Supadilok 5] Surin Plangprasopchok 6] Voradej Amornvorapipat 7] Pana Thongmeeakom 8] Supatra Suparb 9] Porama Satavethin 10] Supong Limthanakun 11] Sopa [ Chupikunchai] Spilmann 12] Chan Poonsombat 13] Gen. Thongchai Kausakun and 14] Pichein Amnadvoraprasert.
The senate shall vote for 7 NBC members.
From : http://www.fpps.or.th
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