January 2010 : Pledge to Amend Constitution Reversed Democrat MPs voted against Constitution amendment Thaksin's verdict is due A proposal for the 2011 budget Ex-officials shall be try Civil rights to amend laws More loan for Public Transport Authority Export is increasing General-Attorney Laws amending Scholarships for southern official’s children Community radio licensing ended Thai rice to ease Haiti earthquake Emergency law in 4 provinces extend Democrat MPs voted against Constitution amending On 26th January, the Democrat MPs voted 82 against 48, decided the party will not support the motion to amend the Constitution. Moreover, free votes are not allowed regardless to the Party previously announced to amend the Constitution. The decision is coincidently similar to the opposition party position. The motion, submitted to the Parliament President by 5 coalition parties, Chart Thai Pattana, Phumjai Thai, Ruamjai Thai Chart Pattana, Kit Sangkom and Puae Pandin, asking for revisions on 2 Sections, 94 and 190. Section 94 [4], stated each constituency shall have a maximum of 3 MPs and the parties wanted it to be returned to the one-man-one-vote system similar to the 1997 Constitution while Section 190 stated every treaty must be approved by the Parliament . Thaksin's verdict is due The Criminal Section for Political Holders of the Supreme Court announced its ruling on Thaksin asset case will be read on the 26th February. As the date is coming, there were many chaotic, in Bangkok and the provinces, caused by his RED SHIRT supporters. They blamed the Government of double standard, citing Privy Council Gen. Surayuth Chulanont and the Bangkok Bank long acquiring two plots of land in two National Forest. While Surayuth built his summer house on his plot at Khao Yai Thieng, Nakorn Ratchasrima, the Bangkok Bank developed a golf course in Khao Soi Dao, Chantaburi.. Rumors of assassination of significant people involved in the ruling were spread out. Lastly, a M79 grenade was shot into Gen. Anupong Paochinda, the army chief commander office. As the incident took place at night, there was no injury except damages. On 26th January, the Cabinet approved the National Security Council’s proposal to assign militants as cooperate with police arm in peace-keeping operation. The order is effective from 25th of January. A proposal for the 2011 budget On 26th January, the Cabinet approved a 2011 Budget Bill of 2.05 trillion baht, proposed by the Finance Ministry. The Bill is 0.35 trillion baht higher than the 2010 one, 1.7 trillion, and it has a deficit of 400 billion. It is anticipating that State revenue in 2010 will reach 1.65 trillion baht, 8 percent higher than the 1.52 trillion baht revenue collected in 2009. However, investment expenditures increases at a 100 billion baht increased and it is equivalent to 16.5- 17.0 percent of total expenditure. Ex-officials shall be trying On 2nd February, the Cabinet approved an Officials Anti-Corruption Bill with principle of authorizing the National Counter Corruption Committee for State Officials to accept and consider petitions on corruption file on former State officials whose terms have been terminated for not more than 5 years. Regarding to sufficient evidence, the acceptance period can be extended under condition that the trial should start within 10 years after the accused official retired from position. Since the Bill has been considered by the State Council, it will be shortly submitted to the Parliament. Civil rights to amend laws On 2nd February, the Cabinet approved a Bill on Civil Rights to Amend Laws with principles that: Eligible voters of more than 10,000 persons are entitled to submit a draft bill to amend any law, and Eligible voters of more than 50,000 persons are entitled to submit a draft bill to amend the Constitution. Since the Bill has been considered by the State Council, it will be shortly submitted to the Parliament. More loan for Public Transport Authority On 2nd February, the Cabinet approved the Public Transport Authority proposal to seek a loan of 2,164 million baht for repayment of interest dues in 2010. Details on loan term and conditions will be supervised by the Finance Ministry, the guarantee agency. Export is increasing The Export Promotion Department is confident that due to economic is improving at the rate of 3.1 per cent, export in 2010 will increase at 14 percent, making a total of 173 billion USD. General-Attorney Lawsto be revised On 26th January, the Cabinet approved 2 Bills on the authority of the General-Attorney, its office and officials, they were: An Office of the General-Attorney Bill. An Administrative Regulations of the Office of the General-Attorney Bill. Another two Bills on national administration were also approved, and they were: A National Administration Bill, and An Administration Amendment Bill. Since the four Bills has been considered by the State Council, they will be shortly submitted to the Parliament. Scholarships for southern officials’ children On 26th January, the Cabinet approved a budget of 10 million baht scholarships for children of deceased of crippled officials who had served in the 4 southern provinces. Provision criterions will be considered later. Community radio licensing ended The National Telecommunication Commission [NTC] announced the licensing of community radio is ended. The registration started last August and those who register are entitled to a 1 year temporary license. Thai rice to ease Haiti earthquake On 12th January, a 7.3 rigor earthquake struck at a distance of 8 kilometer underground causing significant damages to many settlements in its radius including Port-au- Prince, the capital of Haiti, 16 kilometers away. There were at least 52 aftershocks. It was estimated that three million people were affected by the quake and a few hundred thousands were reported killed or buried under the collapsed buildings. Communication systems, air, land, and sea transport facilities, hospitals and electrical networks have been damaged. Many countries responded to appeals for humanitarian aid by sending rescue, medical and engineering teams. Financial aids and food supplies were sent to relief operation. The Thai Government immediately sent a 20,000 USD and later increased the financial aid to 30 million baht and 2 million tons of rice to ease food shortage. Hunger among survivors is the most severe problem and made thousands of them fight for food. State of Emergency extended On 19th January, the Cabinet approved a three month extension of the Stage of Emergency in the 4 southern provinces, from 20th January to 19th April, 2010. The Law facilitated the arrest and investigation of 171 suspects during the previous period.