October 2004 : NCCC panel suspends duties The Supreme Court’s political crime section has accepted a petition to hear on the National Counter Corruption Commission [NCCC] abusing of authority on self-approved pay rise effected a suspends on their duties. Violence in the south continues. The Senate approved to amend Election Law and voted Nopadol hengchareon to new Constitution Court judge. Thaksin administration reshuffle received royal endorsement and the government opened house for grieving people. The House approved draft bill on highway assembly prohibition and police arrested former public health minister. Anti-graft panel suspends duties The Supreme Court’s political crime section has accepted a petition submitted by 212 members of the Senate charging the National Counter Corruption Commission [NCCC] abused of authority on self-approved pay rise. The decision suspends NCCC’s panel from duties until the Court’s ruling therefore more than 5000-6000 cases on trial are also suspending and more than 100 cases are expiring soon. Those cases are an impeachment of Mr. Wan Muhamad Nor Matha during his interior ministerial, Klong Dan waste water treatment corruption, BMA purchasing of no-entry land for garbage trucks depot and 6.2 billion baht expressway compensation etc. A seven-member inquiry panel comprises of judges Somsak Netmai, Charas Puangmanee, Thanit Kesawapitak, public prosecutor Prapan Watanavanich and legal specialist Chariya Jiamvijit was appointed to decide whether or not there are grounds to prosecute the NCCC’s case. If the panel decides so, the decision shall be submit to the chief public prosecutor to file lawsuit within 30 days and upon the Court’s decision to rule all NCCC’s panel shall be instantly accused in a criminal case. The NCCC’s panel meanwhile submitted their petition to the Constitution Court asking them to rule whether they are authorized, in regards to section 266 of the Constitution, to self-approved pay rise but the court voted 8 to 7 not to accept the petition. Riot at Tak bai A riot at Tak Bai police station in Narathwat province ended with 85 deaths and 1300 detained. Most of the death were caused by suffocating during military transportation to camp in Pattani. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra disclosed details and expressed his condolence on the event and appointed an independent panel, chaired by ombudsman Pichet Sunthornpipit, to investigate into the situation within 30 days. A strong crowd of 2000 young men gathered in front of Tak Bai police station demanding a release of 6 defense volunteers detained on charged of giving their guns to the terrorists. The officials, after unsuccessfully tried to convince the mob to disperse, fired tear gas and after the clash ended 3 protestors were dead and 12 officers injured. More than 1300 people were taken into custody and transported to Ingkayuthaboriharn army camp in Pattani province and 82 died of suffocation during transport. Human Rights Commissioners of United Nations, international and domestic watchdogs, world Muslims associations, NGOs, members of the House and Senate urged the government to find facts, responsible persons and peacefully resolve the situations while former Malaysia prime minister Mahathir Mohamad suggested Thailand should consider giving autonomy to her largely Muslim southern provinces. Southern violence started in early 2004 when guns were robbed from army camp in Narathiwat. The incidents continued until April 28 when a gun fired took place at Kru Sae mosque in Pattani. Casualty on lives of officials, innocent people and public and private property occurred almost every day and up until now the government could not arrest the mastermind but only a few minor offenders. The government tried to solve southern problems by injected more expenditure, revised religious schools curriculum and regularly changed ministers of defense and high ranking officials. Lastly a special administration authority was established to promote peace in the provinces. Election law amendment The Senate approved a draft bill on amendment of the Election Act and appointed a special panel to read within 25 days. Amendment principles are on article 44, to specify the period of 60 days as “campaign-free” polling period and article 94, to specify minimum of 10 persons for polling complaints and their names listing for public disclosure. A parliamentary political development committee has made agreement with both whips of the ruling and opposition parties to amend the Election Act and 4 drafts were finally submitted for further scrutiny. Thaksin 10th administration HM the King endorsed a reshuffled of Thaksin administration in which 3 ministers; deputy PM Gen. Thammarak Isarangkura, deputy PM Suchart Jaovisidha and defense minister Gen. Chettha Thanajaro were out and 9 were reappointed as follow: Wan Muhamad Nor Matha from Deputy PM to Agriculture Minister. Somsak Thepsuthin from Agriculture Minister to DPM. Pongsak Raktapongpaisan from Deputy Commerce Minister to Industry Minister. Sutham Saengprathum from Deputy Education Minister to Deputy Interior Minister. Anuthin Charnveerakul from Deputy Public Health Minister to Deputy Commerce Minister. Pini Jarusombat from Industry Minister to DPM. Gen. Samphan Boonyanant to Defense Minister. Aree Wong-araya to Deputy Education Minister. Suchai Charoenrattanachai to Deputy Pubic Health Minister. This 10th reshuffled was effective since October 6 and the 9th took place on June 30. Grief Relief fair Thousands of nationwide people flocked to the Government House on October 10 to complain their grief on 7 major categories: Unfair loan Un-justice treatment from state officers Pressed charge from private and financial institutions Un-justification regards to bureaucratic system Jobs, land and land deed Threat from influential people Joblessness, educational loan, impact from public projects and no security in lives etc. Those people had submitted their complaints to “PM Mailbox” posted in every province and in front of Baan Phitsanulok in Bangkok. Some complaints had been resolved but some are on proceeding therefore the people keep sending their letter and call up until the government decided to organize a “Grief Relief Fair” or “Mahakum Klai Thuk” allowing those who failed to submit their complaints or following their complaints to inquire directly with the officials. Enforcement of Highway Protesting Ban Act The House of Reps voted 251 to 6 to approve a draft bill on Highway Act with principle to prohibit assembly on highways which causes traffic disruption and damage to vehicles and passer-by unless permission are grant from authorized agency. Violation is due to 3 months imprisonment or maximum of 5000 baht fine or both. The bill, initiated by Thaksin government due to many protests took place on highways, shall be legalized after publish in the Royal Gazatte. Former minister arrested Rakkiat Sukthana former public health minister was arrested on October 30 while exercising in a Nonthaburi public park. He will serve his 15-year jail term for bribe-taking during his ministerial service. Rakkiat was convicted by the Supreme Court of Justice criminal section in October last year, of taking a five-million-baht bribe from TNP Healthcare Co. Ltd, a drug firm, and was sentenced to 15 years in jail in his absence. After the arrest warrant were issued he disappeared and his bail guarantor was fined 2.5 million baht, and his assets worth 233.88 million baht ordered seized. His former aide, Jirayu Charasathein, is also serving a six-year jail term for corruption in connection with the scam. The Constitution Court also ruled Rakkiat unusually wealthy while serving as public health minister between 1997 and 1998. Noppadol voted for CC judge Noppadol hengchareon secretariat to the Office of the Constitution Court was voted to be a new CC judge, replace Sujit Boonbongkarn, whose term terminated. The Senate voted in favor of him against Sujit who re-applied for the position.