 September 2017 : Yingluck Sentenced to Five Years Jail
Yingluck sentenced to 5 years jail On 27th September, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders delivered its verdict sentenced former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to five years in prison, without suspended sentence, on her negligence, as the prime minister, to halt the G to G rice sales regardless to warnings, from many public and private agencies, that the selling were irregularity and caused huge lost to the state. The jury panel voted 8 to 1 she was guilty on her mismanagement that allowed her subordinates to falsify the documents that the buyer was an authorized foreign state agency entitled to buy the state owned rice products at special rates, in line with government-to-government agreement. The Court found evidences that the rice was resold in domestic market at market prices making the buyer a huge profit and the state a huge loss. Due to Yingluck absentia, the Court issued an arrest warrant. Regarding to Section 195, paragraph 4 of the 2017 Constitution, Yingluck has a right to appeal within 30 after the verdict delivered. Half-mast nationwide 13-27 October to honor late King Bhumibol On 26 September, the Cabinet resolved the morning period in honor the late King Bhumibol should be extended from 13 to 27 October when the royal cremation ends. All public building nationwide will lower their national flags half-mast between October 13-17. However, only the cremation day, 26 October, is designated a national holiday. The Cabinet asked cooperation from all mass media to tune down their entertainment programs in October and re-broadcast the national ad hoc live program of the ceremony. A facilitating teams will be temporary established and welcome all volunteers. Supreme Court dismissed 13 airport shut down complainants On 21 September, the Supreme Civil Court upheld the First and Appeal Courts’ decisions to dismissed a complaint from 15 defendants; Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul and 13 associates, asking the Court to extend the petition period on their sentences on shutting down Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Air Ports. The two Courts ruled them guilty and must pay compensation, 522,160,941.31 baht, with 7.5% interest rate starting from 3 December 2008. The offence took place on 24 November to 3 December 2008, when tens of thousands protesters went into the two air ports’ premises demanding former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign. The Courts ruled their actions disrupted the air ports operations and caused losses to the Airport Authority of Thailand. NLA passed HR Organic Bill On 14 September, the National Legislative Assembly unanimously voted 177 to 5 abstentions to pass the Human Rights Organic Bill and forwarded it to the Cabinet and relevant agencies. The Bill had been opposed by the Human Rights Commission reasoning it was unconstitutional on 6 issues. The NLA appointed a joint extraordinary committee to scrutinize the Bill before submitted for voting. NLA approved CC Organic Bill on principles On 28 September, the National Legislative Assembly first read the Constitutional Court Organic Bill and passed its principles with 198 unanimously votes. An extraordinary 22 members committee was appointed to scrutinize the bill within 50 days before resubmit to the NLA. Principles are the Constitution Court judges shall comprise of 9 members. They shall be empowered to impose temporary measures to prevent severe and irreparable damages and any foreseen fast-approaching violence. Violations are subjected to 1. Warning 2. Dismiss from Court’s premise 3. Maximum one month jail or maximum fine 50,000 baht or both. State revenue over target Public revenue in eleven months, from October 2016 to August 2017 has reached 2,088,231 trillion baht which is 1,900 million baht over target. Free bus-rail ride extended 1 month On 26 September, the Cabinet resolved to extend the free bus and rail ride program for another one month or until 31 October 2017. The extension cost 409 million baht. The free ride program is expecting to terminate when the state welfare cards are effective. Recently people registered as low income countrywide had been checked and endorsed. They shall be given state welfare ID cards entitle to buy a few consumer goods and free transport at a certain monthly allowances. 1.3 million People endorsed in 7 provinces; Bangkok Metropolitan, Nonthaburi, Pathumthani, Ayudhaya, Samutprakarn, Nakorn Pathom and Samutsakorn shall be the first group to receive the cards on 17 October 2017. SS health allowance rose to 3,399.69 bt/head/year The National Social Security Board resolved on 6 June 2017 to increase payment to hospitals in the program, to 3,399.69 baht per person per year, to be effective since 1 July 2017, as follow:
Both private and state hospitals in the program will get equal payment. NESDB new board members On 19 September, the Cabinet resolved on the appointment of 10 new National Economic and Social Development Board members. They shall replace those whose terms expired. Health insured gets 15,000 baht tax deduction The Cabinet resolved to approve tax measure to promote health insurance by allowing the policy holders to deduct a maximum of 15,000 baht from their total income before tax. This shall be effective since 1 January 2017. Previously, tax deduction covers only life and casualty/calamity insurances. 8,455 MB to promote energy conservation program On 6 September, the Energy Conservation Fund board members approved 8,445 million baht budget for 2018 fiscal year expenditure, October 2017 to September 2018. The budget will be used to promote energy conservation (EEP2015) and renewable and alternative energy development (AEDP2015). It is expected the promotion will reduce energy consumption around 8,435 million baht per annual. Thailand retained top rice exporter Rice export from Thailand in July 2017 rose to 986,839 tons, increased 121.7 per cent from the same month of last year, making a total of 6.41 million tons in the first seven months. This put Thailand number one among rice exporter countries, following by India and Vietnam. AC dismissed complaint against motorway EIA On 28 September, the Central Administration Court’s Environmental Division dismissed the complaint, filed by Mr. Srisuwan Chanya and 153 associates, over 5 defendants; Highway Department director-general, Transport minister, Environment Resource Plan and Policy Center, National Environmental Board and the Cabinet, asking the Court to purge the National Environmental Board’s resolution on the approving the EIA of the Tollway no. 6, Bang Pa-In – Nakorn Ratchasrima. The Court found the resolution was done rationally and in line with legal framework. From : http://www.fpps.or.th |