October 2010 : Flood across Thailand Biggest Flood in 50 years Six MP memberships terminated AG conflict ended by Court Suthep won Surat Thani bye-election Red Shirts passports cancelled Criminal charge against YouTube video clips Sino-Thai rail investment approved HR development in next NESD Plan Biggest Flood in 50 years The week-long monsoon which started in early October continued until the middle of the month caused flooding in the lower-north, central and northeast regions of the country. Excess water poured into watershed areas and filled dam and reservoirs to the brim until it was necessary to release some urgently into rivers and waterways. As floods came across riverine agricultural land and built-up areas, paddy fields and towns were submerged for over a month. The most populated municipality in the northeastern region, Nakorn Ratchasrima, was badly hit by flooding. In November, when the monsoon went southward, another biggest city in the south, Had Yai Municipality went underwater too. As water level in some rural area was more than three meters, villagers were forced to leave their homes and take refuge on higher grounds, e.g. highways. The situation was widely reported in the media and attracted nationwide concern. Relief operations started by private sectors arouse the government to set up an ad-hoc Center for Operation and Crisis Incident Management. The Prime Minister appointed his advisor, Apirak Kosayodhin, to chair the Center. On 25th October, the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry revealed that 3,468,204 rai of agricultural land was flooded causing severe damage to farm land, fisheries and livestock. On 5th November, an official report disclosed that 9,325 villages, 1,379 sub-districts in 208 districts of 30 provinces were submerged. The flood affected 758,599 people and 223 died from this catastrophe. On 2nd November, the Cabinet approved measures to assist flood victims as follow: A 5,000 Baht basic compensation will be paid to every household affected by the flood. All death will receive financial support of 50,000 Baht each, and payment would be increased to between 75,000 and 100,000 Baht if the death was of the head of a family. A grant of 20,000 to 30,000 Baht will be paid to every flooded house and a compensation of 10,000 Baht will be paid for lost equipment and machinery necessary for the owner’s livelihood. Every basic education area will receive a grant of 200,000 baht and each should submit a budget for repairing schools, replacing books and equipments. The agriculture sector will receive a compensation equivalent to 55 percent of their production cost, such as: A 2,098 Baht per rai to all rice fields, B 2,921 Baht per rai to all dry-crop fields, C 4,908 Baht per rai to all orchards and other crops, D 3,406 Baht per rai to all fishing ponds, not exceeding 5 rai each, E 9,098 Baht per rai to all shrimp, crab and shellfish farms, not exceeding 5 rai each, F 257 baht per square meter for all aquatic-culture farm, not exceeding 80 square meter each. A waiver of income tax for flood victims. They can deduct the actual amount of loss from their income before tax. A 3 year-debt moratorium with no interest payment for all debtors of the Agricultural and Cooperative Bank. Moreover, the Bank will provide new loans at low interest rates to farmers and local authorities affected by flood. As for assistance from the private sector, commercial banks extended the payment period for current loans, reduced interest rates and offered new loans for building renovation and reconstruction. Moreover, other industries such as automobile, air-conditioning, electrical appliance, building material, insurance and telecommunications offered aid and assistance according to their abilities. This was the greatest flood in five decades, said to be the result of unusually heavy and persistent monsoon caused by El Nina and riparian over-construction. Six MP memberships terminated On 3rd November, the Constitutional Court decided by 7 to 1 to terminate the membership of 6 MPs on grounds that they violated Articles 106[6] and 265 of the Constitution. They are: Somkietr Xanthavanij, Bangkok, Democrat. Kuerkuk Danchaivichit, Ayutthaya, Chart Thai Pattana MP and Deputy Minister of Transport Maliwan Tanyasakulkit, Surin, Puea Pan Din. Boonjong Vongtrairat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Bhumjaithai and Deputy Minister of Interior. Lieutenant Preechaphol Pongpanit, Khon Kaen, Puea Thai. Momrajawongs Kitiwattana (Jayan) Pokmontri, Party-list, Puea Pan Din. Article 106[6] states membership of the House of Representatives terminates upon a member acting in contravention of any prohibition under Article 265 or 266. Article 265 states a member of the House of Representatives and a member of the Senate shall not be a shareholder in a company receiving a State concession or which is a party to a contract with the State, either directly or indirectly. Following the ruling, the Election Commission called a bye-election on 12th December and pre-election voting will be held on 4th -5th December. Candidates can submit their applications from 22nd to 26th November. It is estimated that the cost of the election will be approximately 16 million Baht. AG conflict resolved by Court On 19th October, the Administrative Court ordered Pisit Leelavachiropas to resume the position of the Auditor-General (AG) and abrogated Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka’s order cancelling Pisit’s appointment on grounds that Jaruvan had no authority since her job automatically terminated when she reached the retirement age of 65. Pisit was the Deputy AG, who had been appointed and then removed by Jaruvan who was the former AG. This case was the result of months-long conflict between Jaruvan and Pisit resulting in paralysis of the Office of the Auditor-General. Finally, the Chief Ombudsman, Pramote Chotimongkol petitioned the Administrative Court to resolve the impasse by citing Article 34[2] of the State Audit Act B.E 2542 that the removal of Pisit was void. Suthep won Surat Thani bye-election The Provincial Election Commission of Surat Thani officially announced that the Democrat Party candidate, Suthep Theugsuban, won the bye-election in Constituency 1 with 149,458 votes and the runner-up, Worawut Vichaidit from Puea Thai Party received 21,956 votes. 53 percent of eligible voters, or 185,955 people, voted but 2,481 ballots were invalid and 12,060 voters cast NO VOTE. Red Shirt passports cancelled On 27th October, the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, following Ministerial Regulations on the issuance of passport annulled 9 passports of Red Shirt leaders who are under arrest warrants following the protest during April-May 2010. They are: Arisman Pongruengrong Suporn Atthawong Pol.Lt.Col. Waipot Apornrat Payap Pankate Adisorn Piangkate Aree Krainara Shinawat Haboonpad Samrueng Prachamrua Kanyaphak Maneechak Criminal charges against YouTube video-clips The Constitutional Court Assembly authorised the Office of the Constitutional Court to file a criminal suit against persons on grounds of acts scandalous to the Court. Prior to this decision, a person under a pseudonym “OHMYGOD 3009” had posted 5 surreptitiously filmed video clips on YouTube intending to create suspicion and mistrust amongst those involved in the Democrat Party dissolution case. The first clip contained photos and videos of the President of the Privy Council Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda sitting with distinguished guests including Mr. Chut Chonlavorn, President of the Constitutional Court. The second and third were video clips, taken in a restaurant, during a meal attended by Pisit Sakdanarong, Consitution Court President’s secretary-general, and Virach Romyen, a member of the Democrat Party defense team in the dissolution case. The rest, taken during meetings of the Constitutional Court judges, showed their discussions as to whether to summon Apichart Sukhagganond, Chairman of the Election Commission to give evidence to the Court. The video clips were published two days after Mr. Pisit fled the country and stimulated a call for the President of the Court’s resignation. Dr. Chaowana Trimas Secretary-General of the Office of the Constitutional Court appointed an ad-hoc committee to investigate the matter. Following the incident, the Office of the Privy Council announced that photographs of the President of the Privy Council were taken on Sunday 5th April 2009 at the auditorium of Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Klongluang, Patumtani, where Gen. Prem presented the Sanya Dharmasakti Award to Mr. Chut as the most distinguished lawyer of the year. Sino-Thai rail investment approved On 19th October, a parliamentary joint-session approved, by 295 to 10, a framework for a dialogue over a railway co-investment project between the Royal Thai Government and Republic of China. The project, under a G-to-G category, needs parliamentary approval according to Article 190 of the Constitution. HR development in next NESD Plan On 26th October, the Cabinet acknowledged progress of the 11th National Economic and Social Development Draft Plan which in principle complies with His Majesty’s sufficiency economy policy. During the years 2012-2016, Thailand will focus on human resources development in a balanced and integrated manner. Public participation among all societal sectors will be promoted under the slogan “Happy Society: Equality, Justice and Immunity against Changes”.