September 2008 : Somchai Wongsawat is 26th prime minister Somchai Wongsawat is 26th prime minister Justice in Thailand is 9th out of 12 Senate approved 2009 budget University Rectors call for political reform Appeal Court confirmed jail for Samak Another agreement on Phrae Vihear dispute Livestock development to get 133 million Public debt reduced to 3.3 trillion Call for Youth Ministry Another arrest warrant for Thaksin-Pojaman Don Muang Airport to be temporary government office Somchai Wongsawat is 26th prime minister On 18th September, His Majesty the King gave his royal command to Somchai Wongsawat to become the 26th Prime Minister. Later, the new Prime Minister (also holding Defense portfolio) and his Cabinet were granted an audience. The new Cabinet is: General Chawalit Yongchaiyudh, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sompong Amornvivat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Chavarat Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Olarn Chaipravat, Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. Sanan Kajornprasart, Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Sukhumpong Ngonkam, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Mr. Suphon Fongngam, Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office Mr. Somchai Wongsawat, Minister of Defense Mr. Suchart Tada-thamrongvech, Minister of Finance Mr. Pradit Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Finance Lt. Ranongruk Suwunchwee, Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr. Udomdej Rattanasatien, Minister of Social Development and Human Security Mr. Somsak Prisananuntagul, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mr. Somphat Kawepijit, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mr. Teerachai Saenkaew, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Mr. Santi Promphat, Minister of Transport Mr. Sopon Zarum, Deputy Minister of Transport Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Deputy Minister of Transport Mr. Anongwan Thepsutin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Mr. Mun Patanotai, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Mr. Wannarat Channukul, Minister of Energy Mr. Chaiya Sasomsub, Minister of Commerce Police Lt. Col. Banyin Tungpakorn, Deputy Minister of Commerce mr. Songkram Kitlertphairoj, Deputy Minister of Commerce Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana, Minister of Interior Mr. Preecha rengsomboonsuk, Deputy Minister of Interior Mr. Prasong Kositanondh, Deputy Minister of Interior Mr. Somsak Kiatsuranont, Minister of Justice Mrs. Uraiwan Thienthong, Minister of Labour Mr. Woravat Auapinyakul, Minister of Culture Mr. Wutipong Chaisang, Minister of Science and Technology Mr. Srimuang Charoensiri, Minister of Education Pol. Cap. Chalerm Ubumrung, Minister of Public Health Mr. Vicharn Minchainant, Deputy Minister of Public Health Pol. Gen. Pracha Promnog, Minister of Industry The new Prime Minister was nominated by the ruling Palang Prachachon Party after the resignation of Samak Sundaravej. This followed a decision by the Constitutional Court that Samak, while working as a TV presenter on two cooking programs, was employed by a private company in breach of a Constitutional provision against employment while holding office. On 14th September, Somchai Wongsawat, the new Prime Minister lifted the State of Emergency in Bangkok which had been in force since 2nd September. Justice in Thailand is 9th out of 12 The Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) rated confidence in Asian countries' judicial systems, with Thailand coming in at number nine. The Political and Economic Risk Consultancy surveyed investors on their trust in 12 Asian countries' judicial systems. Business people from more than 1,500 companies were included. Hong Kong came in first with 1.45 points while Indonesia ranked last with 8.26. Thailand was at the ninth spot with seven points. Senate approved 2009 budget On 19th September, the Senate voted 90 to 35 to endorse the 2009 budget of 1.835 trillion baht. Public expenditures for all State offices and enterprises will take up approximately 1.807 trillion, with 27.5 billion used to balance Treasury Reserves. University Rectors call for political reform With the aim to resolve current political problems, twenty-four University Rectors held a meeting at Thammasart University on 26th September and offered their recommendations to the Government. These are: Commence political reform by setting up an independent committee to propose methods to increase empowerment of the public and to decrease centralization of power. Set up a political check-and-balance system. These should be completed within 120 days. The Government should publicize the results, hold a referendum and amend the Constitution accordingly. Appeal Court confirmed jail for Samak The Court of Criminal Appeal, on 25th September, confirmed the Criminal (first instance) Court’s verdict by sentencing the former Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, and former Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office, Dusit Siriwan, each to an immediate two-year jail term. The verdict followed a defamation case brought by former Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) Deputy Governor, Samart Rachapolsit, who had been accused of corruption by the two defendants. In 2006, Samak and Dusit were co-hosts of a daily TV program, during which they said that Samart, having bought a brand new BMW Series 7, had received money from a construction company which had won bids to build BMA bridges and tunnels. The defendants were bailed at 200,000 baht each. Samart also filed a civil suit claiming damages of 100 million baht and insisted that he would not compromise the matter. Another agreement on Phrae Vihear dispute On 30th September, following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Conference, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat, announced that Thailand and Cambodia had reached an agreement to reduce troops stationed around the area of Praeh Vihear Temple to thirty each. They will try to reduce this number further to the smallest number possible. In addition, disputes over Ta Muan Thom and Ta Kway Temples will also be discussed at the next ASEAN Foreign Ministers Conference. In the meantime, the UN Secretary-General stated that he would like to see the two countries resolve their problems bilaterally and not involve the UN Security Council. Livestock development to get 133 million Following a free trade agreement (FTA) signed by Thailand-Australia-New Zealand which will come into force in 12 years time, the Government approved a budget of 133.2 million baht to upgrade the quality of Thai livestock. The funds will be used to improve stock breed, specifically, Kampangsan, to set up a livestock central exchange, and to support breeders. Public debt reduced to 3.33 trillion baht The Office of Public Debt Management disclosed latest figures as of 31st July 2008; total public debt has been reduced by 0.49 percent to 3.33 trillion baht due to decrease in direct government loan. The public debt, equivalent to 35.39 per cent of the Gross Domestic product (GDP), is divided into foreign and domestic debts: 377.72 billion baht or 11.34 percent and 2.952 trillion baht or 88.66 percent respectively. Long term debt is 3.207 trillion baht or 96.31 percent while short term is 122.755 billion or 3.69 percent. Call for Youth Ministry A Youth Council comprising of 400 representatives nationwide, met on 21st September, and submitted the following proposals to the government. They are: An establishment of a Youth Ministry Promote and support young people to participate in public policy formulation and decision, particularly policies concerning young people. Young people’s opinions should be taken into account when deciding school curriculum. Environmental and management topics should be incorporated into school curriculum. Provide more job opportunities for young people. Another arrest warrant for Thaksin-Pojaman On 17th September, the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in the Supreme Court issued a 4th arrest warrant for the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, both of whom failed to appear in Court. The Court also postponed giving judgment from 16th to 21st October. Thaksin’s and his family’s bank accounts, totaled 76.621 billion baht, are now frozen over allegations that he acquired such extraordinary wealth by acting against the interest of the State. Don Muang Airport to be temporary government office On 16th September, the Cabinet agreed to use the old Don Muang Airport as temporary offices and allocated 8 million baht for improvement. Following the People Alliance for Democracy’s occupation of Government House since 26th August, the Cabinet and government officials had no place to work.