 April 2014 : New Election Planned 20th July
General Election planned on 20th July On 30th April, the Election Commission (EC) and Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra agreed that an election should be held on 20th July and it is the Prime Minister authority to submit an election decree for His Majesty endorsement. The Prime Minister dissolved the House on 9th December 2013 and the EC held a general election on 2nd February 2014. Regarding to PDRC campaign to reform before election, the Constitution Court unanimously ruled, on 24th January 2014, that the election could be postponed and also suggested the EC and the Prime Minister to co-find a solution. The general election was held on 2nd February 2014 but not successfully in every constituency; therefore, the results, of both constituency winners and party list MPs could not be announced. The Constitution Court ruled it invalid on 21st March 2014. PDRC roadmap to victory On 30th April, PDRC secretariat Suthep Thuagsuban disclosed a roadmap to victory as follow:
Buddha Issara proposed a solution citing Section 3 of the Constitution that the sovereign power, which belongs to the Thai people, should be returned to the King who is the Head of the State. He planned lead a 3-days rally to Klai Kangwon Palace between 16-18 May. UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan rescheduled the Red Shirt assembly on Aksa Road from 6th to 5th May and later revised to 10th May from criticisms on its in appropriate date. The UDD planned to hold several assemblies in the provinces before 10 May. Being asked about the unsuccessful assembling on 5-6 April, Jatuporn explained it was only the rehearsal. Since 8th April, all public offices, except the government house and Interior Ministry was re-open to normal functions on conditions that state officials would not be directed by the cabinet’s order. Constitution Court to rule on Tawil’s case On 2nd April, Chaowana Trimas secretariat to the Office of the Constitutional Court disclosed that the Court has decided by 9 to 0 votes to accept Senator Paiboon Nithitawan and 28 affiliates’ petition on the transfer of Tawil Pleansri from position of the secretary general of the National Security Council (NSC). The petitioners cited Section 182(7) and 268 of the Constitution and the Administration Court ruling, on 7th March 2014, that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has violated the laws when transferred Tawil. The Court requested the caretaker PM to testify within 15 days. Section 182 (7) provide the membership of a premier and an individual Minister terminates upon having done an act prohibited by section 268. Section 268 provide the Prime Minister and a Minister shall not perform any act unless it is the performance within the powers and duties in the course of the administration of the State affairs in accordance with the policies declared to the National Assembly or as provided by law. Kittirat testified on Rice Pledge Scheme On 18th April, following Yingluck Shinawatra’s request, caretaker deputy Prime minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong testified to the National Anti-Corruption Commission as an additional witness in the Rice Pledge case. Kittirat’s testify went on almost 5 hours and he delivered both verbal and a 90 pages written document. Kittirat said afterwards to the press that the allocated budget to Rice Pledge Scheme was reasonably and though there were inevitably malfeasances of its management, the scheme benefits more than 3.7 million agriculture households which equivalent to 12 million people or 20% of Thai population. The Scheme also has mechanisms for monitoring and in compliance to financial disciplinary and procedural guidance. Yingluck Shinawatra was accused of dereliction of duty over her role, as chairperson of the National Rice Policy Committee, and allowing malfeasance in the Rice Pledge Scheme. If she was found guilty, she might be removed from the premiership. 36 senators suspended after NACC indictment On 29 April, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved to indict 36 senators of wrongdoing and abuse of power upon their co-submittal and voted, on the 1, 2 and 3 round, to amend the Constitution on the composition of the Senate. Consequently, they would be temporary suspend from duties. However, the other 14 senators were acquitted on ground that there were not enough evidences that they were intended to breach the Constitution. Pracha-Samak’s heirs to compensate BMA fire vehicles purchase On 30th April, the Central Administration Court ordered former deputy Interior Minister Pracha Maleenont and heirs of Samak Sundaravej to pay a Baht 587,580,000 and 7.5% annual interest compensation to Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) This is a result from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) indictment that the Baht 1,958 million purchase for BMA fire vehicles, in 2004, was 30% overpriced. Samak was then BMA governor and the contract was approved and endorsed by Pracha who fled the country before the Criminal Section of Political Holders of the Supreme Court sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment from this accusation. Senate extraordinary session to convene on 2-10 May On 28th April, the cabinet approved a decree on the opening of an extraordinary session of the Senate between 2-10 May. Its agenda was on the consideration on appointment to replace two vacant positions; an administrative Court judge and a commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Court dismissed Jatuporn-Nattawut bails revoke On 18th April, the Criminal Court dismissed a petition, submitted by 3 former Democrat MPs, on the revocation of bails granted to the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) president Jatuporn Prompan and secretariat Nattawut Saikua. The Court found their speech, delivered on the UDD’s assembling on 25th February 2014 in Nakorn Ratchsima Province, did not disrupt the bailing conditions. However, the Court advised them to be cautious when holding and remarking in any public assembling. Jatuporn and Nattawut are second and third defendants among 24 UDD leaders charging of terrorism. They are on bails during the prosecution process. 58 senators endorsed without Jaruwan On 8th April, the Election Commission endorsed 58 senator candidates in the election. They are those who won in the provinces without any complaint. The rest, 19 provinces, including Bangkok Metropolitan where Kunying Jaruwan Metaka was elected with the most votes countrywide were still pending due to complaints. However, the EC investigations must be finished within 30 days after the election ended. If not, the results would be temporary announced and the EC should gather evidences within 1 year in order to forward to the Criminal Section of Political Holders of the Supreme Court for final decision. Supa Piyachit selected to new NACC On 9th April, the selection committee voted to nominate deputy permanent secretary Ms. Supa Piyachit to become a new member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC). The seat was vacant due to former commissioner Mr. Jadet Pornchaiya’s term terminated at the age of 70 as stipulates by the law. The selection committee normally has 5 members; president of the Supreme Court, president of the Supreme Administrative Court, president of the Constitution Court, the House Speaker and the opposition party leader. Regarding to the House dissolution on 9th December 2013, the selection panel currently has only 3 members and Supa, in the second round, received 2 out of 3 votes as required by law. She was selected from a total of 14 nominations in the first round. The selection panel would submit the result to the Senate’s final decision and to be effective upon royal endorsement. 4 vehicle-bombs blasted in Yala On 6th April at 16:00 hrs. in Yala Province, 4 vehicle bombs consecutively exploded in its urban area resulted to 1 death and many injuries. This was the most severe casualty after the explosion on 31st March 2012 that killed 12 people and dozens of injuries. Economy decline continues into Q1 The Bank of Thailand (BOT) reported that economy in the first quarter of 2014 continues to decline from many causes; political unrest, consumer and investment cautiousness, restriction of public spending resulted from the House dissolution, less tourists etc. Though export sector is recovering but the revitalization could not cope with the overall shrinkage resulting a decrease in industrial sector. BOT anticipated overall economy might recover in Q2 and 3 due to unemployment rate was still low, inflation rates are under target and current account is still overbalance. However, these factors could be affected from political situation. Cash deficit rose to Baht 520 billion Somchai Sajapong director of the Finance Ministry’s Fiscal Policy Office disclosed that tax revenue in the first half of 2014 was Baht 923 billion which was Baht 55.1 billion or 5.6% less than the same period last year. This was a result from a decline in excise tax due to 3 causes; a termination of the first car policy, lower demand in domestic car market and the completion of the 3G frequency bidding that already added Baht 20,800 million to 2013 state revenue. Regarding to public expenditures, a total of Baht 1.38 trillion was withdrew from fiscal budget and it was Baht 12,500 million or 0.9% higher than the same period last year. A budget deficit was Baht 460 billion and extra-budget deficit was Baht 60 billion, making a total of Baht 520 billion deficit. The government has borrowed loans of totaled Baht 130 billion, therefore, a final cash deficit was Baht 390 billion. Treasury reserve at the end of March 2014 was Baht 213 billion. Baht 9 billion for first car reimbursement On 28th April, the cabinet resoled to allocate another Baht 8,830 million to the Excise Department to repay to first car buyers. The first car policy was scheduled to end shortly and on 29th the Department will discuss with car manufacturers on tax reimbursement method which would be calculated from production cost. 7% VAT to continue another year The Revenue Department was proposing the Finance Ministry to extend the 7% VAT for another year. Normally, the 7% rate will end on 30th September 2014 and it would be increased to 10% since 1st October 2014. The Department also proposed an extension of 20% juristic or corporate tax for another year, from 31st December 2014 to 31st December 2015. As the current government is caretaking, upon the cabinet’s resolution, the Finance Ministry will consult with the Election Commission on its authority in regards to Section 181 of the Constitution. World Bank reduced Thai GDP The World Bank lowered the 2014 annual economic growth rate of South East Asia developing countries from 7.2% to 7.1%. The reduction was particularly reduced for Thailand, from 4.5% to 3.0 and this is the lowest rate in 2014 among SEA countries. The Bank anticipated Thai economic growth will drop further to 2.5% in 2015 and warned that Thai internal demand is fragile from prevailing political unrest. Tourism, public sector investment and investors confidentiality are all affected from the situation. Thai households debt increased at a reduced rate The Bank of Thailand disclosed at 2013 ended, Thai household debt was Baht 9.8 trillion which was Baht 1 trillion higher than in 2012. However, there was a good sign that household debt has increased at a reduced rates; from 18% in 2013, to 11.4% in 2014 while household debt per GDP increased from 77.3% in 2012 to 82.3% in 2013. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |