January 2004 : Kamnan-Village Head Election Abolish The cabinet approved the principle to abolish election of kamnans and village heads and also civil servants leave for spiritual practice. Bangkok Governor election dated on August 29. The Constitutional Court will rule on Ratchabhat Bill and dissolved Seritham Party. PM Thaksin discussed with vocational-school students on youth violence. Chart Pattana Party revealed policy of nationwide insurance. Election of senate speaker due on February. NCCC ruled former MP Poolphol Asavahem concealed Bt 435m in shares and the EC dated February 22 for Songkla by-election. Election of kamnans and village heads to be abolished The cabinet approved the principle in a draft amendment bill of Local Administration Act B.E. 2457 [ 10th revision] to abolish election of kamnans and village heads proposed by Ministry of Interior. The draft will be sent back to refine before resubmit to the cabinet next month. If the law came into force, kamnans, village heads, tambon medicine men, tambon inspectors and village head assistants would be directly under changwat governor and the former two positions would be appointed by a governor from candidates nominated by committee comprises of three parties; representatives from public sector, government officers and academicians. Term of service will be 10 years but they would be evaluated by the community every 5 years and must resign if they failed the evaluation. Furthermore, upon termination, there would be no re-appointment of kamnans and village heads in Bangkok Metropolitan and municipal area due to the position is deemed to serve rural area. The opposition party criticized that appointment is against promotion of decentralization and public participation. Bangkok governor election As BMA governor Samak Sundaravej four-years term will end this July 22 it is expected that the election would be held on August due to 45 days required. Two candidates from Democrat Party, Apirak Kosayodhin and Chart Pattana ,Praveena Hongsakul is running in the race while there is no nominated from Thai Rak Thai. Election cost is estimated at Bt150 m and the application date is between July 26-30. Candidacy qualification changes from residing in Bangkok area not less than 180 days to one year and campaign expenditure is also estimated at Bt37 m instead of 21. This election will be mark the first ever the Election Commission will take over the responsibility of organizing the election from BMA permanent secretary under 2002 Local Election Act. The law allows organizing agency to give out red and yellow cards to fraud candidates. Constitutional Court will rule on Rajabhat bill. The Constitutional Court voted 11 to 2 to rule on Rajabhat bill whether the Parliament could side-step the legislative process and correct the errors before sending for His Majesty endorsement. The petition was filed by the Paliamentary President Uthai Pimchaichon after the Office of the Cabinet found several wording errors and notified the Parliament. The Court ruling will become standard for legislative process of the bill. PM discussed on youth violence with students Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on January 22 met 160 student from 16 vocational schools in a brainstorming seminar to curb youth violence. These students comprises of representatives from troublesome and good youth. Information on hostilities were gathered and exchanged in order to find solution and prevention of fatal brawl particularly for innocent students and passer-by. The students proposed strictly enforcement to offenders who were usually senior drop-outs while PM Thaksin suggested declaration of peace and use reconciliation activities as measurement against hostility. Ministry of Education in cooperation with the military on January 23 organized a 14-days youth camp for 354 vocational students from 37 institutions. The program is called “ Vocational School Gentlemen” since its objectives are to promote moral and encourage friendship among youth from different institutions. Participants will be able to do public service activities. Nationwide social security Chart Pattana Party leader Suwat Liptapanlop disclosed a policy on January 18 to allow 23 million non-traditional/ self-employed workers to be included in social security scheme similar to those 7 million employees under social security policy entitled to insurance against 7 incidents; accidents, sickness, lost of lives, old-age, disable, child delivery, child benefit and unemployment. Suwat said there will be more coming policies on farmers, traffic wardens, economic and education issues and his party welcomes public opinions and participation in policy drafting. Moral improvement program The cabinet approved a program, submitted by the Office of the National Buddhism, to allow government officials to a 3-5 days annually leave to attend spiritual camp on condition that a certificate of attendance must be presented. The program aims to improve moral through meditation and community services. After one year trial, the program would be evaluated and submit a result to the cabinet for implementation. Race for Senate speaker The Senate will vote on February 16 to elect a new speaker to fill the vacancy left by Manoonkrit Rupkachorn. The five candidates are; Wicha Siritham from Chantaburi, Niphol Wisithyuthasart from Ang-thong, Sawat Amormwiwat from Chiengmai, Chumpl Silapa-acha from Bangkok and Panas Dhasaniyanond from Tak. Manoonkrit resign on January 4, after taking position for two years, due to some senators movement to force him to do so in regards to his promise during his campaign that he would hold position only two years. NCCC indicts Poolphol concealed shares The National Counter Corruption Commission [NCCC] on January 8 indicted former Samut Prakarn MP Poolphol Asavahem for allegedly failing to report Bt435.4 million in shares according to Article 295 of the Constitution. Poolphol case would be sent to the Constitutional Court and if the Court ruled in favor of NCCC, Poolphol would be barred from political position for five years. Seritham Party dissolved The Constitutional Court ordered to dissolved Seritham Party in accords to Article 62 paragraph 2 of the Political Party Act. The party failed to have 5,000 members within 180 days after registration. Songkhla by-election The Election Commission dated February 22 for by-election in constituency 3 in Songkhla province. The seat was vacant due to Democrat MP Prai Pattano resigned to run in the municipal race. By-election must be held within 45 days after vacancy in accords to Article 119[2] of the Constitution. It is estimated that it will cost Bt5 million