April 2011 : Parliamentary passed 66 bills in 3 years Three new election laws Parliament declined to consider JBC memo Parliament approved four treaties Senate voted in its new President. Minimum wage increase for skilled workers Improved and extended social security program cover all workers. Greater benefits for kidney diseases Supreme Court accepted 8.7 million case against Somsak Supreme Court accepted case against Chinnicha Incentive for greater energy efficiency Nuclear power plants delay Three new election laws On 25th April, the Senate passed 3 election bills: The Election of MPs and Senators Bill: 115 to 3 with 5 abstentions. The Election Commission Bill: 114 to 4, and The Political Party Bill: 114 to 5. The Bills were amended to comply with constitutional amendments regarding the number of constituency (375) and party list (125) MPs and the forthcoming election. The bills require the acknowledgement of the House before enactment. Parliament declined to consider JBC memo On 19th April, the Joint-Parliamentary Assembly resolved to withdraw the 3 memoranda of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission from consideration because the Constitutional Court had ruled that the boundary negotiation had not yet been finalized. The Assembly also approved the Charoen Kantawong Commission’s Report, which recommended that the Thai Government should: Press ahead with negotiation for Cambodia to withdrawal its troops from the disputed area. Complete boundary demarcation as soon as possible. Compensate people who lost land in the disputed area. The Assembly also noted that the Cambodian representatives made incorrect statements, therefore, the Thai representatives should correct these at the next JBC meeting. The first memorandum was made in Siem Reap and second and third in Bangkok. Parliament approved four treaties On 26th April, the Joint-Parliamentary Assembly approved 4 international treaties under Section 190 of the Constitution. They were: Guidelines on the settlement between Thailand and Myanmar on the survey and demarcation of the boundary. Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and Republic of China on maritime cooperation. Memorandum of Understanding between Thailand and South Africa on agricultural cooperation. Thailand to become a member of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (“LOS Convention”) Senate voted in its new President On 22nd April, the Senate voted to elect General Teeradej Meepien to become the new President of the Senate. He received 91 votes while the second and third runner-ups, Nikom Wairatpanij and Rosana Tositrakul received 52 and 3 respectively. Minimum wage increase for skilled workers On 28th April, the Central Wage Committee increased minimum wages for 11 types of skilled workers: Computer draftsmen. Mechanic welders Aluminum workers. Tailors and Seamstresses Jewelers Furniture carpenters Hardware padding TIG welders Construction carpenters Bricklayers Plasterers The new minimum wages will be 300-690 Baht per day depending on the level of skills, the highest, 690 Baht, will be for TIG, a type of aluminum welders. It is expected that the new wages will be submitted for Cabinet approval on 3rd May and effective before House dissolution. Improved and extended social security to cover all workers On 27th April, the House of Representatives voted unanimously to approve the Social Security Amendment Bill to extend social security programs to all workers. In addition, injuries, disability and death compensation will become unconditional where previously it did not cover those who intentionally caused themselves to become injured, disabled or killed. Greater social security benefits for kidney diseases On 26th April, the Social Security Board allowed increased benefit without limit to the number of treatments for those who suffer from chronic renal failure. Their medication allowances are also increased. Moreover, this benefit will cover those who became sick before as well as after joining the program. Supreme Court accepted 8.7 million-case against Somsak On 27th April, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions accepted for consideration the 8.7 million Baht case brought by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against the former Minister Somsak Prisnanantakul. The NACC found that Somsak, during his terms in the House of Representatives and Cabinet Minister from 1996, did not report an 8.7 million Baht bank account as required by law. The first hearing is scheduled to take place on 9th June 2011 and the defendant must submit his defense within 30 days. Somsak was an executive member of the Chart Thai Party and is currently barred from politics because of the dissolution of his party in 2009. Supreme Court accepted case against Chinnicha On 26th April, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions accepted another case brought by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, this time it is against Ms. Chinnicha Wongsawat, Chiangmai Puea Thai MP. The NACC is alleging that Chinnicha submitted her statutory list of assets fraudulently. The first hearing is scheduled for 14th June 2011. Chinnicha is the daughter of the former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and niece of Thaksin Shinawatra. If the Court finds her guilty, she will be stripped off her membership of Parliament and barred from political office for 5 years. Incentive for greater energy efficiency On 20th April, the Cabinet extended an incentive to promote greater energy efficiency for another two years, until 31st December 2013. An individual, limited company, public company or partnership can deduct from their taxes 25% of the cost of material, equipment, or machinery that reduce the consumption of energy. Vehicles or material, equipment or machinery used with vehicles are excluded. Nuclear power plants delay On 27th April, the Energy Policy and Planning Board decided to delay the construction of two nuclear power plants for another three years. Two nuclear plants of 1,000 megawatt each were scheduled to start operating in 2020 and 2021. In the meantime, three 800-megawatt co-generation natural gas powered plants will replace the nuclear power plants. Following problems with the Japanese nuclear plants, the Board felt that there must be better understanding with stakeholders. In addition, the International Atomic Energy Agency considers that laws in Thailand are insufficiently ready to deal with nuclear plants.