 December 2013 : Citizen Uprising against Thaksin Regime
HM advise Thais to uphold the nation On 5th December, on the occasion His Majesty 86th birthday anniversary, King Bhumipol addressed his subjects through televise that Thailand has long been peaceful and prosperous because we have united and uphold our nation. It is our duty to perform our function in regards to individual status for the sake of public goods and national security. Citizen uprising against Thaksin regime corruption In December, the anti-government protesters, renamed “The People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)”, gathered en masse and continued to occupy Ratchdamnern Avenue for a second month. Every evening speakers from all walks of life particularly societal leaders, academics and politicians went on stage and gave lectures on democracy and current political situation and thus making Ratchdamnern the biggest civic education open-air classroom in the world. Corruption of the cronies of Thaksin regime was one among topics most spoken. The PDRC goal is to reform the country, eradicate corruption, instil fair and just laws, uproot electoral fraud and vote buying that lead to endless vicious cycles of graft. During day time PDRC’s activities were street rallies to call for support from Bangkok residents but their significant supporters were people from the south who came to permanently camp in Ratchdamnern. They marched to occupy several public offices such as ministries of Interior, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Commerce, Education and Chang Wattana Civic Center but all were abandoned after a few hours or days. PDRC secretariat Suthep Thuagsuban called 9th December a grand event hoping the mass could unseat the government. Academic, business, state enterprise unions, medical professional groups and the general public responded his calling and they gathered in 9 several meeting venues before marching to the government house. National flag and whistles were used as symbol of protest. Each rally route was a few kilometers long and only the heads could packed in the destiny. The rest of the crowd could not move forward so they stopped and sat on the streets until evening came. Most disseminated except those who permanently stayed in Ratchdamnern went back to their camp. information spread out rapidly than conventional media such as newspaper or television broadcasting. Numerous impressions on 9th December event were posted on Facebook about the unity of Thai people as the protesters wholehearted welcome from people along the streets. Food, beverages, medicine and even the use of toilets were offered along all routes. Buddhist temples in Ratchdamnern also became sleeping venue to every protesters including Muslims from the south. Everyday people brought cash, drinking water, cooked food and cooking material, medicine sleeping materials and warm jackets to PDRC in Ratchdamnern and some were re-donated to Kor Por Tor and PATR. While it was roughly calculated that there were almost 2 million people marching on the streets on 9th December, the Centre for Resolution of Emergency Situation ( CRES) officially announced there were a few ten thousands of people. December 22nd was scheduled for the next big event and Suthep led two long marches to many places downtown every day before the date. Each day he received warm supporting and vast donations. Within 2 days PDRC received more than 7 million baht cash. Protesters from the provinces started to pour into Bangkok a few days before December 22 and they dispersed into several venues; Asoke, Patumwan, Ratchprasong, Silom-Lumpini Park, Victory Monument and Ratchdamnern. Stage activities between 12.00 to 18.00 hrs. were held at every venue and on 22, it was roughly estimated that more than 6 million people attended. After 18.00 hrs. most of the attendants dispersed as usual but some went back to Victory Monument. Though there was neither violence nor casualty at Ratchdamnern, the Kor Por Tor was attacked on 28th December. At 3 am armed men in a car broke into the security area and open fire at guards. One was dead and 3 injuries. The Kor Por Tor was attacked again at night of 30th December. Though all guards were safe, a taxi driver standing in the area was shot dead. Police fired tear gas to disband Kor Por Tor On 1st December, the anti-government protesters split into 8 groups and each went to different state agency offices; Interior Ministry, Government House etc. The Kor Por Tor mission was to surround the government house. As they tried to dismantle the blockage of concrete barriers and barbed wire fence police officers inside disbanded them with fire tear gas and rubber bullets. The protesters fought back by picking tear gas and threw back until the area was completely covered with thick smoke and gas. The tear gas battle went on until almost dusk and the protesters withdrew back to their base. The day after, on 2nd, the protesters went to the Metropolitan Police Headquater and the government house again. They were resisted by police tear gas and sling shot. The two days encounter ended with a total of 119 injured. On 3rd December, the protesters went to the government house and Metro Police HQ again but this time the treatment was completely different. All street barriers were removed the night before and the entry gates were widely opened. The protesters received warm welcome of refreshment. After spending a short while inside, they all went back and learned that 4 of their leaders and Suthep Thuagsuban have been issued with court warrants. 3 people died at Ramkamhaeng gunfire On 30th November, 3 people were assassinated and 10 injured resulted from a clash between the government support United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship ( UDD) and Ramkamhaeng students. One student and one UDD were shot dead and another body was found in a torched bus. The UDD held a meeting to support the government in Ratchamangala Sport Stadium adjacent to the campus where thousands of students staged a protest against the molesting of the university statue. The clash started in the afternoon and tension escalated as night fall. Gunfire and bombs constantly broke out and no one dare left the venues. In the morning the UDD send all participants home but the students still refuge in the campus for safety. As no policeman came to their request, Ramkamhaeng University rector contacted military officers and a troop was sent to take the student from the campus safely. Ramkamhaeng clash on 1st November was the first report of violence since the non-violence unarmed anti-government protest took place. 153 Democrat MPs resigned On 8th December, the majority of Democrat party members, after a 7-hour meeting, resolved its members of parliament, should resign, therefore, all 153 submitted resignation. Their resignations were immediately effective after the letters submitted. House dissolution- election on 2/2/14 On 9th December at 08.40 hrs. , Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, televised dissolved the House and later the Election Commission announced the general election to be held on 2nd February 2014. The EC estimated the general election would cost 3.8 billion baht. As a result, the bye-election in 8 constituencies where Democrat MPs had resigned was automatically cancelled. Regarding to the protest in Bangkok and many provinces, the candidacy registration was completed in 347 constituencies out of a total of 375. 28 constituencies, in 8 southern provinces, have no candidate and moreover, 22 constituencies have lone candidates. Section 93 of the Constitution indicated in any general election, the House of Representatives could convene with its members not less than ninety five percent of the total number of members, or four hundred and eighty MPs. This general election would be the first task of the new 5 EC members. They had held a first meeting and divided their responsibilities as follow:
Section 181 of the Constitution provided the caretaker government can perform duties only to the extent of necessity and subject to the conditions provided, therefore, it was unclear whether the government has obtained loans for these following schemes:
If the borrowing postpone until the new government takes office, those projects would be temporary terminated. Director-general of the Department of Internal Trade guaranteed the rice pledge scheme, commencing between 1st October 2013 to 28 February 2014, could continue since the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives has already paid 50,000 million baht to some pledged farmers and the Bank should pay the remaining but any future settlement has to wait for the new administration. K Water contract pending The House dissolution on 9th December could affect K Water (Thailand) according to its director-general Monthon Panupokin remark on 10th the company was considering of sending Korean staffs back until the new government formed. The company has waited to sign contract and already spent more than 1,000 million baht in advance. K Water is one of the four bidders, approved by the cabinet on 18th June 2013, to design and build at guaranteed prices, a few modules of the total 9 Water Management Project, cost 350,000 million baht. Before signing, all contracts were pending on June 27th due to the Administration Court has ordered the government to organize public hearing in areas to be affected by the project. On 11th, the Strategic Committee for Water Resources Management commissioner , Chukiat Subpaisan said he was confident the Water Management project is voided after the House dissolved. The loan decree provided the borrow to be completed within 30th June 2013. Normally practice, after the house dissolution, un-implement projects initiated by the caretaker government would be abolished unless they return to office. Secretariat to the Office of the National Water and Flood Management Policy Supote Tovichakchaikul reaffirmed the Water management project would continue without any effect. The current political unrest was the cause of a postponement of the last public hearing, scheduled on 6th December. The contract signing is wait until the new government formed. National Reform Council proposed by PM On 25th December, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, on a TV pool televised, proposed an idea to set up a national reform council to work while the general election is ongoing. The council should comprises of 499 members, voted from 2,000 candidates nominated from all professional sectors. Their duty is to reform the country in 5 dimensions:
However, being a caretaker government, it is uncertain is has authority to appoint a reform committee. Democrat party boycott general election On 21st December, Democrat party resolved to boycott the general election. They cited Thai people are unconfident in current election and failing and distorted politics. Democrat advocates a reform since without change and reform, corruption would continue and there would be violence and loss to the country. Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he has proposed many issues on reformation; no time limitation on corruption cases, tax reform particularly on land tax etc. Though the Democrat will not run in the election, it will neither oppose nor backing any other governing system except constitution monarchy. Democrat will provide the public with facts and information necessary for policy-making and national reform. A clash at BMA election registration venue The Election Commission announced 23-27 December 2013 for the election registration of party list candidates at Thai-Japan Sport Stadium in Din Daeng. On 22nd night many anti-government protesters went to block the stadium to prevent the registration. Only 9 parties were able to slip through and registered with EC officials at 3 o’clock. The EC resolved by letting the other 25 parties registered in nearby Din Daeng police station on 26th . Registration of Bangkok constituency candidates, on 27th, was relocated to the civic center in Chang Wattana road. Though the election registration and drawing of party’s running number was accomplished, on 26th December violence broke out when to protesters tried to break into the stadium compound. They were resisted by tear gas and rubber bullet from the police and some live ammunition were also used resulted in 2 death and 158 injured. One was a police officer and one protester. 14 people were taken custody and detained at the police headquarter in Pathumthani. All were bailed out that night. After news on policeman’s death spread out, tens of men dressed like police officers came out to raid about 50 cars and motorcycles in the area. Video clips of this incidents and a few more taken from the ransacked pick-up were instantly posted on YouTube. Policemen spokeperson Pol. Col. Piya Uthayo announced they were dressed like officers but not officers. Another video clip taken from the Labor Ministry revealed that a police van parked there was broken and some few men took the anti-riot uniforms out. The incident was un-notice by everyone in that area including the two men, in white dress, who were saluting each other in the background. The most interested video could be the one taken by a drone flew over the Labor Ministry roof top. The video revealed many armed men wearing black jacket labelled POLICE were aiming towards the protesters. The candidate registration was successful. In Bangkok, 168 candidates from 23 parties had registered to run in 28 constituencies. Since BMA has 33 constituencies, therefore, 5 registration was not accomplished. The EC suggested the general election to be postponed but the government commented it was impossible. Yingluck runs 1st Phue Thai party list candidates On 23rd December, Phue Thai party submitted its party list candidates to the Election Commission and the first six nominated are:
Phue Thai drew number 15 for ite running number, therefore, both party list and constituency candidates are running in number 15. House and Senate speakers indicted on senate composition amendment On 25 December, the National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to indict former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, and Senate speaker Nikhom Wiratpanich, of malfeasance in office and abuse of power in connection with the charter amendment regarding the composition of the Senate. Commissioner Vicha Mahakhun said the NACC found sufficient evidence to file charge. Previously, the Constitutional Court ruled the charter amendment was unconstitutional. GDP growth below target : FPO-BOT The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) and the Bank of Thailand ( BOT) reduced economic growth rate in 2013 from 3% to 2.8% of GDP. The growth rate was expected on January to reach 5.2% and was reduced to under 4%, 3% and 2.8%. The growth rate for 2014 was estimated at less than 3%. The Commerce Ministry Department of International Trade Promotion anticipated total export value in 2013 should reach USD 230,000 million and though growth is 1.3% , it was much lower than the anticipation of 7-7.5%. In October, export value dropped to USD 19,393.5 million and a 10 months total value was only USD 191,533 million which is 0.02% deficit. Personal income tax reduced for 2 years On 23rd December the Royal decree on the amendment of personal income tax was enforced and would be effective for 2 years. The income brackets would be re-divided into 7, instead of 5, resulting some people will pay less tax. It was anticipated the revenue Department would lose 27,000 million baht from this income tax amendment. 132,000 first cars purchase orders cancelled Spokeperson of the Vehicle Industry Sector of the Federation of Thailand Surapong Paisitpattapong reaffirmed as of 18th November 132,000 first car buyers had cancelled their orders. Natural catastrophe worldwide 2013 was the year of natural catastrophe worldwide and the Philippines was the most destructive from 20 storms particularly from the super typhoon Hai Yian. Almost one month after, 8-10 bodies were discovered daily and death toll has reached over 6,000 with 1,779 missing. In Asia, typhoons swept into Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Japan and Thailand had caused flood. Snow storms struck USA and Canada resulted in 17 death and more than 500,000 blackout with no electricity. In the Carribean and Brazil, heavy rain has caused flood and landslides in December. 8 people were dead in the Caribbean and 32 in Brazil. More than 50,000 people in Brazil were also evacuated due to this flood. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |