September 2014 : Policy Statement: 11 Actions Promised Policy Statement addressed to the NLA “Somsak-Nikhom” impeachment to be decided by NLA Baht 2.575 trillion 2015 Fiscal Budget approved More 28 members appointed to NLA Deputy PM guaranteed UN Thai democracy not derail Homeless Bill passed first approval Community leaders’ confidence on NCPO rises Rubber planters pleased with alleviation measures Ad hoc committee appointed to select NRC members Southern Emergency decree re-extended Revocation of non-function committees 7,370 nominated to NRC Student Tablet PCs project annulled 2010 “Men-in-Black” delinquents arrested BMA governor election fraud case revoked LPG-NGV prices raise effective 1 Oct. State income missed target Income tax reduction re-extended for 1 year Economic development fund swop from Thai Khem Khang project 1 Thai commit suicide every 2 hours Policy Statement addressed to the NLA On 12 September, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha addressed a policy statement to the National Legislative Assemble that the government should work within a timeframe given by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). As a result of the current administration did not come from an election nor supported by a political party, there is no campaign policy to be fulfilled but the cabinet commits to these follow policies: To uphold the monarchy. To secure domestic functions and strengthen foreign relationships particularly in regards to these area: a. ASEAN community. b. The southernmost provinces. c. International community. To lessen social disparity and promote accessibility to public services. To provide education and learning opportunity, religious practice, art and culture. To increase public health quality. To reinforce economic potentiality. To promote national roles and opportunity in the ASEAN community. To develop and promote the use of scientific technology, research and development, and innovation. To maintain resources security and balance between conservation and sustainable use. To promote good governance and suppress corruption and malfeasance in public agencies. To amend the laws and justice as necessary. And last but not least, the Prime Minister said the government is obliged to support the National Reform Council to work quickly, efficiently and independently. “Somsak-Nikhom” impeachment forwarded to NLA On 30 September, the National Anti-Corruption Council (NACC) majority voted to forward the impeachment of former senate speaker Nikhom Wairatchpanich and former House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). The NACC, on 20 March 2014, indicted the two former speakers had misused their authority and in regards to Section 64 of the 1999 Anti-Corruption organic law the Senate is authorize to decide whether to impeach or not. The NACC cited Section 6 paragraph 2 of the 2014 Interim Constitution that the NLA shall serve as the House of Reps, the Senate and the National Assembly, therefore, they are authorize to make this final decision. The two former speakers had abruptly terminated the debates on constitutional amendment regarding the composition of the Senate while several deliberations were still pending. As the Constitution Court ruled the changing of Senate composition is a breach to Section 3 paragraph 2 and Section 291 of the then 2007 Constitution, the NACC therefore exercised its function according to Article 270 and 274 of the NACC law. 2015 Fiscal Budget approved The 2015 Fiscal Budget Act, total of Baht 2.575trillion expenditure, became effective on 1 October 2014. The Act of 36 Sections has a total of 86 pages is currently accessible through the Royal Gazette link, http://ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2557/A/069/1.PDF . More 28 members appointed to NLA On 27 September, another 28 members were appointed to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) making its membership fully 220 as stated in the Interim Constitution. Thailand democracy not derailing On 27 September, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Gen. Tanasak Patimaprakorn made an address to the 69th UN assembly that Thailand is currently in the transitional period and though the government did not come from election, the administrative function is exercising in line with the basic rule-of-law, good governance, transparency, accountability, and equal justice. He reiterated Thailand is well aware that it cannot go against democratic and democracy and human rights are still functioning. He pledged all parties not to be skepticism that Thai democracy is derailing or diminishing. What needs is a time and space for reconciliation, reform and strengthening of democratic institutions. Homeless Bill got first approval On 26 September, the NLA voted to pass the Homeless Bill and the Promotion of Labor Development Bill and appointed a 15-member committee to read the Bills before submit for second consideration. The Homeless Bill principle is to set up an administrative center to monitor, follow up and provide temporary shelters, meal and clothes for the homeless. Medical and mentally check-up and job training would also be provided to solve the problems permanently. Community leaders’ confidence on NCPO increases On 21 September, the Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association, (TRICHA) revealed its study “Master Poll” done between 13 to 20 September 2014 in 600 communities countrywide on their opinions in regards to NCPO accomplishment within the five months after the May 2014 coup. The results were 81.0 percent was pleased, 17.2 uncertain and undecided, and the rest 1.8 displeased. TRICHA had conducted 7 studies since May and the last one revealed the highest percentile 81.0. In regards to different tasks, the most satisfaction went to the suppression of narcotics and drugs, 8.79 out of 10. Followed by the arresting illegal loggers and preservation forest encroachment, 8.60 and third was the seizure of arms and ammunitions, 8.50. Rubber planters pleased with alleviation measures On 19 September, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha chairman to the National Rubber Policy disclosed the rubber planters in 16 provinces had cancelled a plan to come and hold a protest in Bangkok on 8 October. The government has proposed short, medium and long terms measures to resolve the decreasing rubber prices. The 2-3 years long-term plan comprises of research and development of planting techniques and value adding to raw material. Moreover, the Agriculture permanent secretary would seek cooperation with the rubber import countries and find means to raise the rubber prices. The NRC selection committee appointed On 18 September, the Royal Gazette website published the NCPO order on the appointment of 14 people to sit in the selection committee of the National Reform Council (NRC). Their duty is to select a total of 250 members from a countrywide nomination list. Among those, 77 members would represent their provinces and the rest would come from nominees in the 11 designated fields. Final decision would be made by NCPO before submit for royal endorsement. Southernmost provinces emergency decree re-extended On 16 September, the Cabinet resolved to re-extend the enforcement of the Emergency Decree in the 4 southernmost provinces for another 3 months until 19 December 2014. This re-extension was the 37th after it was first applied. Revocation of unnecessary ministerial committees On 16 September, the Cabinet resolved that all committees, appointed by former Yingluck administration, shall be effective until 30 September 2014 and their re-appointment, job descriptions, working period and termination dates would be re-considered, in regards to their necessity by the responsible agencies, and propose to the Cabinet before 30 September 2014. 7,370 applied to NRC On 8 September, the Election Commission disclosed there were a total of 7,370 nominees applied to the National Reform Council (NRC). Among those, 4,585 were nominated by non-profit organizations to the 11 designated fields and the rest, 2,785, were nominated by the provincial selection committees. The most applicants,778, were nominated to the education field, follows by others field 683, social 679, local administration 445, public health and environment 379, economic 339, energy 284, legislation and justice 285, politics 262, public administration 257, and mass communications 194. Bangkok Metropolitan Authority nominated the most 113, followed by Kalasin 79, Ubon Ratchthani 71 and the least were Pichit 15, and Tak 17. 6,479 nominees were males and 891 females. 809 were qualified as under bachelor degree, 2,114 bachelor, 3,286 master, 1,151 doctor of philosophy, and 9 non-defined. Student tablet PCs project revoked On 3 September, the Monitoring of Public Expenditures Committee resolved to revoke the Education Ministry student tablet PCs project on reasons it was inefficient and worthless due to the users; teachers and students, were lack of using and maintenance skills and the project’s implementation was inconsistent with the contracts. However, if the Ministry deems it necessity, new project could be resubmitted within 30 September. In 2012 and 2013, the student tablet PCs had been allocated with a total budget of Baht 1,794.83 million and 4,616.25 million respectively. The other 20 projects were resolved and some significant outcomes were: To continue the transformation of analogue-to-digital TV. To revise the TOR of the development of Suvarnabhumi Airport phase 2, budget Baht 60,741.61 million, and to sign contract before 30 September 2014. To apply an electronic bidding tender to the construction of 181 police housing projects, totaled Baht 2,459,793,166, and decentralizing the responsibility to the police regional offices. To revise the regulations on the former parliamentary members’ pension so that it would be in consistent with the payment to state officials. The Committee found the current payment is much higher and became a burden to the state. To reconsider and readjust the parliamentary members meeting stipend to a reasonable rates. The Office of the Auditor General was assigned to recheck the past spending and retrieve the money, if necessary. “Men-in-Black” 2010 delinquents arrested On 11 September, police chief Pol. Gen. Somyos Pumpanmuang revealed 5 men connecting to the Red Shirt protest in 2010 were arrested. There were evidences of their involvement to the violence in Ratchdamnern intersection that many militants and civilians were killed. One person confessed, on the night of 10 April 2010, he and some others met Jakarin Ruengsakvichit, aka Seh Kai, in a house on Ram Intra road and were brought to the venue in a van. After firing arm weapons into the protestors and soldiers, they fled in the same vehicle. The 5 arrested also claimed they received their fees through bank transactions from an account belonged to Ms. Kritsuda Kunasane. There were a few more involved but their names are confidential until the Court’s order. As the case has been assigned to DSI the police must seek its permission to co-investigate. BMA governor election fraud sacked On 5 September, the Appeal Court on Election Cases ruled 3 to 2 to sack the accusation against BMA governor M.R. Sukhumbhan Boropatra on his election fraud. The Court concluded there was no supporting evidence that the speech, made by former Democrat member Suthep Thuagsuban, during the BMA election campaign at Wong Wein Yai circle and Lan Kon Muang in 2013, had defamed the rival candidate Pol. Gen. Pongspat Pongchareon and led to his defeat. The Court found Suthep’s remark was a quote from the court’s verdict and the parliamentary committee’s endorsed report. LPG-NGV prices rose The Energy Policy Committee resolved to increase retail prices of LPG and NGV in transport sector for private vehicles from Baht 21.38 to Baht 22.00 per kg. and from Baht 10.50 to Baht 11.50 per kg. respectively. But NGV retail price for public vehicles; taxis, buses etc. would be retained at Baht 8.50 per kg. The Committee also readjusted surcharge rates collect for the petroleum fund from Baht 1.70 to Baht 2.10 per liter. However, the increase does not make any impact to the current retail diesel price. State income missed target The Office of the Fiscal Economic Policy disclosed revenue collected within 11 months of the 2014 Fiscal Year or between October 2013 to August 2014 from the 3 departments; the Revenue, Customs and Excise, was Baht 223 billion below the targets. While revenue from VAT and import tariffs accumulated at Baht 1.88 trillion and it was Baht 168 billion or 8.2 percent lower than the estimated target, personal income tax and excise tax was also under-target, too. Tax reduction re-extended for another 1 year On 16 September, the Cabinet resolved to extend the reduction on personal and corporate income taxes for another 1 year on condition that the effective rates would not go beyond 31 December 2015. Baht 25 billion swop from Thai Kem Khang Fund On 17 September, the NCPO approved the Finance Ministry proposal to use a Baht 15 billion for economic development including projects to alleviate the under-privileges and low income sectors. The budget would be transferred from the unused Thai Kem Khaeng fund and must be spent before year ends. Thai suicide rate is 1 per 2 hours On 4 September, the Department of Mental Health launched a campaign “Suicide Prevention: One World Connected” and revealed that a total of 3,900 Thais had committed suicide in 2013. As the suicide rate per 100,000 populations is 6.08 or 328 monthly, it could be broken down into daily and hourly rates which were 10-12 and 1 every 2 hours respectively. Among those, male and female ratio was 9.70 and 2.58 per 100,000 populations respectively. The northern region has the highest average suicide rate of 9.99 per 100,000 populations and the top, 14.81 was Lampun province. The lowest was Pattani province, 1.18 per 100,000 populations. The World Health Organization estimated more than 800,000 people worldwide took their own lives annually, making a rate of 1 every 40 seconds which outnumbered the deceased caused from crimes and warfare.