July 2016 : Government Welcomed Opinions on the Draft Constitution Public forums opened countrywide for the draft constitution Abhisit no to the draft constitution UN called for free debate on the draft constitution NCPO suspended the selection of independent agencies members NRSA submitted 83 reform issues to the cabinet 300 MB for agricultural water management 35 BB to alleviate orchards affected from drought 614 MB to aid officers in the southernmost provinces Court ruled former officials misconduct on Thaksin’s children tax evasion Stateless students first priority to get nationality Deposits into welfare live saving to get personal income tax relief PM reaffirmed on Special Economic Zones Program Q 3-4 economic grows more than 3% Public forums opened countrywide for the draft constitution Before to the 7th referendum take place, the government asked the Provincial Election Commissioners to co-organized public forums with the provincial authority across the country between 29 July to 4 August for discussions on the draft constitution. Noted speakers were invited to present their academic opinions on condition it would not incite any conflicts. Everyone was encouraged to participate and share their opinions but not allow to distort the facts, using foul language nor defaming any particular party. Abhisit no to the draft constitution On 27th July, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva announced he would not accept the draft constitution. He reasoned the draft constitution not correspond to the national direction nor provides economic opportunity to all and solve corruption problem. However, he reaffirmed this opinion was neither his personal nor the party’s resolution. Shortly before this announcement, Abhisit had stated firmly he would not accept the additional question on the selection process of the prime minister by the parliament. UN called for free debate on the draft constitution On 26th July, the UNHRC website published the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye comment on the arrest of people protested and rejected to the draft constitution and urged the Thai government to give freedom of speech and open to rigorous debate. The report cited at least 86 people, staged their campaign in public venues or via social media, has been arrested, investigated and detained. A journalist covering the campaign was also arrested and charged with violating the Act. NCPO suspended independent agencies selection On 13th July, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha revoked Section 44 of the National Council for Peace and Order to suspend the selection process for independent agencies; the Constitutional Court judges, the Election Commission members, the Ombudsmen, the National Anti-Corruption Commission members and the Human Rights Commission members, until the Constitution promulgated. By this order, the current members shall be in offices after their terms end until the replace of new members. For those whose terms terminated due to other reason except terms end, the duties shall be carried out by the remaining members. NRSA submitted 83 reform issues to the cabinet On 28th July, the extraordinary committee on National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) accomplished their mission and submitted 79 out of 83 issues to the Cabinet. The other 4 were under revision and will be shortly forwarded, too. 300 MB for agricultural water management On 26th July, the Cabinet resolved the Department of Agricultural Promotion to borrow 300 million baht from the Farmers Welfare Fund. The loan shall be used to install water management system in the members’ fields. Payback period is 5 years and no interest. 35 BB to alleviate orchards affected from drought On 5th July, the cabinet resolved to allocate a 35 billion baht budget to alleviate orchards in more than 300,000 rai affected by drought. The budget will be used for: 1.) To provide for a 200,000 baht loan per one borrower, of 3% interest rate and 2 years payment period. 2.) A total of 12,590 million baht will be used for water resources development. 3.) A total of 3,480 million baht will be loaned for the re-grow of crops damaged by drought. The Cabinet also extended payment period of the water resources development loans for the sugar cane agriculturers in regards to the cabinet resolution in 2015. 614 MB to aid ex-officers in the southernmost provinces On 12th July, the Cabinet resolved to approve a 614 million baht budget for 1,228 officers who died or retired due to disable from services conducted between 1 January 2004 to 30 September 2009 in the southernmost provinces. Each will receive 500,000 baht. Court ruled former official misconduct on Thaksin’s children tax evasion On 28th July, the Criminal Court sentenced four former revenue department officials to three years in prison, without probation, for helping the children of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra evade 15.88 billion baht in taxes. The petition was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission on December 3, 2015 on reason the children had earned income from gap of 7.94 billion baht each, from selling of 164,600,000 Shin Corp stock shares. The four defendants were granted bails without conditions and appealing to the Appeal Court. Stateless students are first priority to get nationality On 11th July, the Interior Ministry permanent secretary disclosed the co-project with the Education Ministry towards giving Thai nationality to stateless and non-registration students. Among a total of 78,175 school students across the country, 20,337 is likely to be the first to get Thai nationality. They will be eligible to education and employment rights. Deposits into welfare live saving to get personal income tax relief On 26th July, the Cabinet resolved to grant personal income tax relief on deposits into welfare live saving on conditions the saving is more than 10 years and a maximum deposit is 100,000 per annual. This shall be effective from 2016. PM reaffirmed on Special Economic Zone Program On 27th July, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-0cha reaffirmed the implementation on the Special Economic Zone Program started two years ago. However, priority shall be given to area of potentiality and activity projects will base on suitability and less negative impact to the locals. Investment shall firstly be allocated to infrastructure and connection with neighboring countries, therefore, the local will benefit before the project actually starts. Q 3-4 economic grows more than 3% The Finance Minister disclosed after the National Reform Steering Assembly meeting that economy in the third and fourth quarter shall grow more than 3% due to mega investment in both public and private sectors. He anticipated economic growth could reach 4% in the next year. Investment capital from 18-19 projects, out of total 20, accounted for 1.4 trillion baht, could start in the fourth quarter and create capital inflow and consequent investment in the next 2-3 year.