 September 2012 : King to Donate ß90 Million to Promote Civic Education
King to donate ß90 million to promote civic education On 25th September 2012, the Permanent Secretary to the Office of Basic Education Commission, Shinapat Pumirat, announced that His Majesty is donating ß90 million to set up a foundation to promote civic education in schools. Privy Council President,PremTinsulanonda, will be the Directive Chair and Surayut Chulanont, Administrative Chair. His Majesty wants the foundation to help schools achieve 3 objectives:
Truth Committee final report On 17th September 2012, the Kanit Na Nakorn's Truth and Reconciliation Committee unveiled its final report of almost 300 pages with detailed evidence of the April-May 2010 violence. A committee's member, SomchaiHomlaor, stated that the violence caused 26 deaths, comprising of 21 civilians (including 1 foreign correspondent) and 5 soldiers. There were also 864 injured, including more than 300 soldiers. The committee found evidence that several armed men dressed in black supported by Red Guards used military weapons to attack the soldiers. These men were connected to Seh Daeng or Maj. Gen. Kattiya Sawasdiphol. Firearms used to attack soldiers had been stolen from military trucks. Regarding the incidence at Wat Prathum Wanaram, there was gunfire between men in black and soldiers after which six people were found dead. A witness testified that the men in black were running along the temple wall and exchanging gunfire with the soldiers. His statement coincided with the fact that there were several violent attacks in the city at the time, for which no one was caught, except one who fired a M79 grenade at the Defense Ministry office. While there was evidence that the men in black were connected to Seh Daeng and supported by Red Guards, there was no evidence of a connection to Red Shirt leaders other than the fact that the latter made no attempts to prevent the violence. The committee felt that military deployment was inappropriate for handling civilian unrest. The military in charge of putting down the violence, CRES (Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation) lacked monitoring and evaluating measures over their operations. Even high-ranking officers thought that the soldiers were only using practice ammunitions. Ratchaprasong claim dismissed On 28th September 2012, the Civil Court dismissed aclaim filed by a group of Ratchaprasong traders against the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, the Defense Ministry, the Finance Ministry, and three Red Shirt leaders: NattawutSaikaue, Jatuporn Prompan and Arisman Pongruengrong. The Court found that there was no evidence to suggest that the defendants were agents of or related to persons who caused the fire that damaged their properties on 19th May 2010. The Ratchaprasong traders claimed damages of ß300 million, but the court suggested that the traders seek compensation from the government. Jeng free on stricter bail On 28th September 2012, the Criminal Court allowed bail for Red Shirt leader Yoswarit Chooklom, a.k.a. Jeng Dokjik with additional conditions that he must not leave the country, incite unrest or violate other’s rights. The Court also reminded Jeng on his previous bail conditions, not to make speeches and not to get involved in politics. Yoswarit was one of a number of Red Shirt leaders who were charged with terrorist offences and granted conditional bails. Following the Constitutional Court decision's to consider whether to rule on the constitutional amendment, they made speeches threatening judges and their families. So the Secretary-General of the Constitutional Court asked the Criminal Court to revoke their bail. Suthep not impeached The Senate voted 95 to 40 not to impeach Suthep Thuagsuban who was accused of violating the Constitution. While he was the Deputy Prime Minister he requested jobs for one Democrat MP and 19 others in the Cultural Ministry. Suthep will now retain his membership in the House. Economy slows as export shrinks The Director- General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Somchai Sujjapong, said that the government had readjusted economic growth for 2012 from 5.7 to 5.5 percent due to shrinking export from estimated 12.8 to 4.5 percent. For 2013, economic growth is estimated at 5.2 percent, which is lower than 2012, but higher than actual annual capacity of 5 percent. Net public income in August 2012 was ß300 billion which is lower than anticipated ß323 billion due to corporate income tax, in the first 11 months, was ß 19.8 billion lower than expected. Local authority pay rise On 4th September 2012, the Cabinet resolved to increase monthly salaries for local authority officials to ß15,000 for Bachelor degree graduates, and a daily minimum wage of ß300 for non- graduates, effective immediately. Local authorities without sufficient funds to cover these increases will get subsidies from the central government. ß300 minimum wage starts January The National Wage Committee resolved to increase daily minimum wage in 70 provinces to ß300 starting on 1st January 2013. This rate will be applicable for 3 years until end of 2015. New Land Bank Institute On 4th September 2012, the Cabinet approved the framework for the Land Bank Administration Institute (Public Organization). The organization is to consolidate all publically held land in the country under its authority and to set up provincial centers to solve land problems. A budget of ß2.5 billion will be allocated for this purpose. Refunds for first car buyers starts The Director-General of the Comptroller General's Department, Rangsan Sriworasat, revealed that as of 18th September 2012, there were 217,000 first car buyers entitled to receive refunds of ß15.6 billion. As this sum exceeds the allocated budget of ß7.5 billion, the Department will seek extra funding from the ß550 billion treasury reserves. Refunds will be payable starting from 5th October 2012. BMTA ß14.7 billion refinance On 11th September, the Cabinet resolved to allow the Bangkok Metropolitan Transport Authority to seek refinancing loans for its debts of ß14.664 billion due in fiscal 2013. These are made up of ß11.686 billion principal and ß2.978 billion interests. The Finance Ministry will be the loan guarantor as well as supervise conditions and details. Southern emergency order re- extended On 11th September 2012, the Cabinet resolved to extend emergency laws in the three southernmost provinces for another 3 months or from 20th September to 19th December 2012. Global warmingwill kill 100 million by 2030 A new report by a humanitarian organization, DARA, published on 26th September 2012, disclosed that if climate change is ignored, by the year 2030, 100 million people would be killed by climate change-related problems such as, drought, famine, extreme weather and pollution. According to the report's calculation, at least five million deaths each year are the result of air pollution, disease and hunger fueled by climate change. The number might increase to six million by 2030 and the loss of thesewould cost the world more than $1.2 trillion, reducing global GDP by 3.2 percent, 90 percent of which would be in developing countries. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |