 February 2015 : AG Indicted Yingluck over Rice Pledge Program
AG indicted Yingluck of dereliction of duty On 19th February, the Attorney-General has proceeded with the case against Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions with dereliction of duty regarding the rice pledging scheme. The decision came after the discussion between the agency and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had agreed that collection of evidences pertaining to the case were sufficient to indict Ms. Yingluck in accordance with Article 157 of the Criminal Code and the NACC Act B.E. 2542. It is the Court’s decision to accept the case or not but a civil case is separated one and the NACC will decide on the proceeding with the damage suit and case of compensation. Previously, on 23rd January 2015 the National Legislative Assembly had voted to impeach Ms. Yingluck and barred her from political running for 5 years. Compensation for the loss in the rice pledge scheme On 17th February, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resolved to ask the Finance Ministry to file damage suit to demand compensation for the damages from enormous loss in the rice-pledging scheme from Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra. The decision was made after it was officially disclosed that third loss could be as much as Baht 320 billion, making a total loss approximately Baht 700 billion. However, Ms. Yingluck was only mentioned due to her responsible as the prime minister and chairperson of the National Rice Policy Committee and it would be the Finance Ministry consideration on whom and how much it will seek compensation from. The investigation also revealed former Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom involved in the fraud G-to-G rice deal with China. Total rice pledge scheme lost Baht 700 billion The auditing sub-committee on rice pledge scheme concluded a total loss of Baht 700 billion on 30th September 2014 and it was Baht 18 billion higher than its previous audit cycle. The loss was broke down into a Baht 163 billion from 11 projects implemented by other former administrations and a Baht 536 billion occurred during Yingluck’s administration in which the latest loss, Baht 18 billion, also occurred. Moreover, a total of 130 billion tons rice has disappeared from stock and there are inconsistencies in inventories among the responsible agencies; the Foreign Trade Department, the Marketing Organization for Farmers and the Public Warehouse Organization, therefore, the sub-committee asked them to settle these differences before the commencement of the next audit period, 30th September 2015. No study-tour for state officers On 27th February, Prime Minister Prayuth in his weekly program televised asked state agencies to refrain from holding oversea study tours for their officers. This does not include officially visits and meetings. In deemed necessary, he said, the seminars and trainings should be held in the country and the speakers inviting. Public Assembly Bill passed 1st reading On 26th February, the National Legislative Assembly voted to pass its first reading of the Public Assembly draft bill with 182 to 4 abstentions. A 22-members panel was later appointed to scrutinize within 30 days. The Bill has 35 articles on 4 principles. First is allowing demonstrators to notify authorities in advance, at least 24 hours. They should give details of their gathering, the venue and duration. Second is encouraging local authorities to provide a space specifically designated for demonstrators that would require protestors to inform the authorities ahead of time. Protests will be prohibited within 150 meters of any palace, royal residence of guests of the royal family. Protestors will also be barred from gathering anywhere closer than 50 meter of Government House, Parliament House and other important government buildings, including courthouses. Third is guaranteeing the right to freedom of assembly in accordance with the international norms. Security officers cannot disperse a demonstration even if it is deemed illegal unless they get the court approval. While waiting for the court ruling, officers in charge can end the protest and declare the area a restricted zone Fourth is making demonstrations more orderly. Authorities will learn about rallies in advance and can find ways to deal with the situation. Police will be trained to be patient in handling the crowd and plans will have to be submitted by the National Police for cabinet approval on how to handle the crowds. However, offenders could face a maximum sentence to a 10 year in prison. 2008 suppression case proceeds to court On 9th February, the Supreme Court’s Division of Holders of Political Positions accepted the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s complaint against former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and other four people including his former deputy Gen. Chawalit Yongchaiyudh for a crackdown of anti-government protest in 2008. They were accused of power abused for ordering the police to crack down on the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protestors blocking the Parliament entrance on Uthong Nai road on 7th October 2008. The crackdown led to 2 deaths and 471 injuries. NACC voted to impeach Abhisit, Suthep On 24th February, the NACC unanimously resolved to pursue impeachment charges against former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and then-deputy Suthep Thaugsuban for ordering the 2010 crackdown. The event took place between April 1 to May 19, 2010 and caused more than 90 deaths and hundreds injuries of both the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship ( UDD) or Red Shirts and militants. Surrogacy Bill enacted On 19th February, the NLA passed the Surrogacy draft bill with 160 to 2 and 4 abstentions making it effective after publish in the royal gazette. The Bill aims to protect children born via assisted reproduction technology as well as control scientific research on embryo. It also ban commercial surrogacy and protect the rights of the birth mother and her husband to raise the child. The Law provides that the Juvenile and Family Court will be given authority for judging paternity and a committee will be established with the authority to protect the child born as a result of surrogacy. The Law states the surrogate mother must be married and that her husband must also give consent to the surrogacy process, especially the use of sperm from other man. Baht 7 billion budget allocated for water management On 18th February, the Cabinet allocated a Baht 7 billion budget to pursue 1700 pending projects in the water management program. Their implementations would alleviate agriculturers affected from draught including improving irrigation from canals and deep wells. Supreme Administration Court upheld Mae Moh ruling On 10th February, Chaingmai Supreme Administration court upheld the Central Court ruling on Mae Moh case and ordered the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand ( EGAT) to pay compensation, with 7.5% interest per annual, to the complainants. An 800-metre-long water curtain must be set up between Huay Ing village and the mine to lessen dust. A joint local-experts committee would be established to consider a relocation of Huay King Villagers out of the area at least 5 kilometers from the mine at EGAT cost. Last but not least, EGAT must fill up the mine site and return it to as close to natural condition as possible. The complaint was lodged to the Central Administration Court in 2003 by 477 local residents in the area over their health problems affected by the power plant’s emission of Sulphur dioxide. The Court ruled in 2009 in favor of the complainants but only 131 were eligible to the compensations on ground of their solid evidence to prove that their health problems were related to the plant. EGAT appealed and the battle prolonged until 15 out of 131 did not live to receive their compensations of between Baht 240,000 to 20,000 each. However, their relatives will be compensated on their behalf. Mae Moh power plant, the largest lignite-fired power plant, locates in Lumpang province, began operating in a small scale in the 1960s and was significantly expanded in the 1980s. The Court found EGAT violated the concession contract’s conditions by using land meant for reforestation to build a golf course; therefore, the land should be rehabilitated. 21st round petroleum concession bid canceled On 26th February, Energy Minister Narongchai Akaraseranee canceled the 21st round bid on petroleum exploration and production, announced on 21st October 2014. Meanwhile, the Petroleum Act would be amended within 3 months to ensure fairness and better benefits for Thailand regarding to the exploitation of oil and gas of both offshore and onshore. This does not affect the offshore G3/57, G5/57 and G6/57 already agreed in a new Production Sharing Contract. On 27st October 2014, an NGO filed a complaint to the Administration Court to suspend the 21st bid round. The court accepted the case. Department of Energy Fuel Director-General Mrs. Puangthip Silasart said unless conclusion reaches, the suspending of petroleum exploration would long term affects national security on energy due to the current proved reserved is approximately at 8.42 million cubic feet. Without new investment and exploration, the current oil and gas production capacity, 1.31 million cubic feet, would guarantee national supply within the next 7 years. After that Thailand will face energy crisis and gas shortage due to we mostly depends on natural gas. Provident Fund Act amends in favor of employees On 24th February, the Cabinet approved the proposed amendment of the Provident Fund Act B.E. 2530 with principles to permit employees who are members of a provident fund to make a higher monthly contributions than their employers, allow members of all ages whose fund membership has ended ( due to termination of employment or provident fund itself) to be able to transfer their savings to a retirement mutual fund (RMF) and let members aged 55 and above whose membership has ended to remain in the fund and withdraw saving on a monthly basis. Other amendments include allowing both employers and employees to delay paying contribution in case of an economic crisis or a natural disaster without penalty fees. The draft bill would be sent to the NLA for consideration. A National Saving Fund approved The Cabinet approved an establishment of National Saving Fund to provide financial security to non-formal labors and freelancers upon retirement. Social security members in regards to Article 40(3) will be transferred to this Fund. High labors demand in top 5 industries The Office of Industrial Economics disclosed that demand on labors in the next 3 years, from 2015 to 2017, will reach 3.268 million particularly in the top five industrial sectors; vehicles and spare parts 4.3 billion, electricity and electronics 4.7 billion, food and beverages 1.31 billion, machinery and equipment 1.73 billion and textile and garments 8.85 billion. H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri advice on forest preservation On 16th February, in an opening address “The Management of Preservation Forest” at the “Rak Pa Nan” seminar in Nan province, H.R.H Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn quoted His Majesty King Bhumipol advise that reforestation starts in minds. At the end of her speech the Princess concluded that preservation of natural forest must be conducted along with other activities:
Composting-animal feed can solve northern smog Every year in the dry season, between February and April, farmers in northern Thailand; Chiangmai, Chiangrai. Lampang, Lamphun, Payao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Mae Hong Son and Tak burn huge amounts of agricultural waste, particularly dried corn stalk, to clear fields for next crop growing. These cause heat, smoke and dust blanketed vast area in the north. According to local statistics, the burning in the last two years rose up to 50-60 million tons and this led to an emission of more than 27 million ton kilograms of carbon dioxide which is the major cause of Green House Gas effect. The burning not only make temperature rises but also deplete significant mineral resources; nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, from the soil and led to more using of chemical fertilizers but having same amount of yields. Therefore, the smog problems not only impact on environment and health but also economy as well. The Land Development Department has launched a campaign to plough-back organic waste or turning waste-into-fertilizer. These methods would enrich microorganisms and increase moist to the soil. Phayao University has jointly conduct a research with the Department of Livestock Development and the National Science and Technology Development Agency on the use of fermented organic products, including dried corn stalk, as substitute of compressed hay for livestock feed in dry season when demand and supply are imbalance. . A progress on solid waste road map The Pollution Control Department reported a progress to the solid waste road map national agenda that every province has submitted solid their waste management plans subsequently to the designated 3 measures;
53 provinces are confident on their potential to explore the waste-to-energy power plants. Ayudhya, Nakorn Pathom, Saraburi, Lopburi, Pathumtani and Samutprakarn are the 6 most critical provinces of totaled 11,074,000 tons accumulated garbage, currently a 8,279,085 tons were already solved by land filled and in the other 71 provinces are either temporarily landfilling within their premises, rehabilitate land to accommodate more waste, or transferring to suitable new sanitary sites. BMA, Nontburi, Samut Songkram, Phrae and Phuket do not have any leftover waste while provinces with an accumulation of over 1 million tons left are Chonburi, Samutprakarn, Surat Thani, Songkla and Nakorn Sri Thamarat. Hottest province in Thailand According to the Meteorology Department, summer has started since 28th February and Tak province was anticipated to be the hottest spot in Thailand with a temperature rising over 40 degree Celsius. Normally 27th April is the hottest day in Thailand due to the country is perpendicular to the sun but as cloud and rain do have effect on the temperature, it is unpredictable and we sometimes have some rainy days after Songkran festival, in April 13-15. In February, average highest temperature in northern and northeastern regions could be between 36-38 and 35-37 degree Celsius. In April, it can increases to 37-39 and 36-38 respectively. The agency anticipated the highest temperature in 2015 will be 1-2 degree higher than 2014. Off-season farming causes water shortage The Irrigation Department requested farmers in the Mae Klong basin; Mae Klong and Ta Chine rivers, not to farm off-season rice until the rainy season starts in May. In January, the two dams, Sri Nakarin and Vajjiralongkorn, which supply water in the basin, have a total capacity of 4,900 million cubic meters and was much lower than the 9,000 million record of last year. The use of water for off-season farming could lead to a shortage of water for consumption and salt water flowing up to damage fruit orchards in Ampawa and Bang Konthi districts, Samut Songkram province. Approximately 100,000 rai paddy field adjacent to the rivers or within the irrigation network is cultivating the second crop but they are only 10 percent of the total normal off-season farm land. Officials were sent to explain the necessity of preserving fresh water for ecological purpose and asking for cooperation, not to pump water from irrigation canals. Though off-season farming was officially baned, more than 4.4 million rais of farmland in the Chao Phraya basin is cultivating. Fortunately, the brine levels in both Chao Phraya and Ta Chine rivers are still normal. BMA aims to be low-carbon city Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) to promote the low carbon city project targeting to reduce carbon dioxide by:
BMA annually emits the most carbon dioxide in in the country of more than 42 million tons and more than 50 percent comes from transport sector. To lessen the use of private vehicles, public transport must be widely provided. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |