May 2019 : HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Coronation HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn Coronation HM the King opens first parliament session Pornpetch selected to the Senate speaker Chuan voted to the House speaker Constitutional Court ruling on list-MP calculation EC endorsed all 500 MPs Stateman Prem died at 98 Jurin voted to Democrat leadership Constitutional Court suspends Thanathorn from MP’s duty Personal Data Protection Act enforced 3 businesses allow for expats Royal Coronation       His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) completed his three day coronation ceremony in the traditional Thai rituals on 4-6 May 2019. Started on 4th, His Majesty had the purification bath showered. The consecrated water was gathered from five provincial rivers around the country and from four ancient ponds in Suphan Buri. The royal anointment was later held in the Bisal Daksin Throne Hall followed by the crowning and investiture ceremonies held at the Bharapitha Throne Hall. After completing the bestowment of kingship, His Majesty addressed his first royal command; “I shall continue, preserve, and build upon the royal legacy and shall reign with righteousness for the benefit of the people forever.”       On the second day, the royal procession was held as His Majesty was carried on a palanquin along a seven-kilometre route from the Grand Palace to Wat Bovornives, Wat Rajabopidh and Wat Phra Chetuphon. At each temple, the King paid respect to the principle Buddha statues and the ashes of previous kings and Queens while at the same time giving the public a chance to greet the new monarch.       On the final day, May 6, the King granted a grand public audience in the Grand Palace.       It was the first time in history the coronation was live broadcasted nationwide.       Previously on May 1th, the King installed Gen. Suthida Vajiralongkorn the Queen after the Royal Gazette announced their marriage on that day and later on May 4th she was anointed the royal title of Her Majesty Queen Suthida.       After the coronation completed, on May 7th His Majesty granted an audience to executive directors of 27 public hospitals all over the country. He donated total money of 2,407,144,487.59 baht to these hospitals for purchases of new medical equipment.       Parts of the money came from the money, given by public members during the funeral of His Majesty late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and from organizing the winter festival at the royal plaza in Bangkok.       The donations are aimed at improving the quality of healthcare services for patients at hospitals, which still face shortages of vital medical equipment. HM the King opens first parliament session       On May 24, HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn, accompanied by Queen Suthida, presided at the opening of the parliament. The attendants were members of the House of representative, the Senate and 134 diplomats. Pornpetch selected to the Senate speaker       On May 24, the first Senate assembling was held at the TOT Plc auditorium and Mr. Pornpetch Wichitcholchai was selected as Senate speaker in an uncontested vote. Gen Singsuek Singphrai and Mr. Supphachai Somcharoen were voted as the first and second deputies respectively. Chuan voted to the House speaker       On May 25, the first House of representatives was convened at TOT Plc auditorium attended by 497 members presented. The acting speaker Chai Chidchob informed the members on the Constitutional Court order to cease the Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit duties until the court ruling in regards to the complaint filed according to Section 82 of the Constitution making Mr. Thanathorn left the auditorium after he was sworn in in the morning.       The members then voted on the House speaker in which Mr. Chuan Leekpai of the Democrat Party and Mr. Sompong Amornvivat of Pheu Thai was nominated. Mr. Chuan beat with 258-235 votes in secret ballots casting and becomes the House speaker who serves as Parliament President.       Mr. Chuan, 80, served twice as prime minister, from 1992-95 and 1997 to 2001. He started his career as a lawyer before joining the Democrat Party as a Trang MP in 1969.       He became the party’s leader in 1991. Throughout his political career, he served in several ministries including justice, commerce, agriculture, education and public health. In recent years he has been an advisor to the party, which is now led by Jurin Laksanavisit. Constitutional Court ruling on list-MP calculation       On May 8, the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously that Section 128 of the MP election law on detailed list-MP calculation is constitutional.       The ruling clears the way for the Election Commission (EC) to announce the names of list MPs allocated to political parties.       The court said that Section 128 of the MP election law was more detailed than Section 91 of the constitution, Section 128 only gave details of the calculation method to ensure the number of list MPs met the requirement of the constitution in the event the initial list MP allocation could not install all 150 list MPs.       Therefore, Section 128 of the MP election law posed no problems about constitutionality. EC certified all 500 MPs       After the general election held on 24 March 2019, the Office of the Election Commission successionly certified the constituency and list party MPs until all 500 are named. The last constituency MP’s seat, held on May 26, went the Future Forward Party candidate.       Thes 350 constituency MPs are from these fowllowing parties:       Pheu Thai 136       Palang Pracharat 97       Bhumjaithai 39       Democrat 33       Future Forward 31       Chatthaipattana 6       Prachachat 6       Chat Pattana 1       Ruam Palang Prachachatthai 1       The 150 list party MPs are from 25 parties as follow:       Future Forward 50       Democrat 20       Palangpracharat 19       Bhumjaithai 12       Seri Ruamthai 10       Sethakitmai 6       Pheu Chat 5       Chatthaipattana 4       Ruam Palang Prachachatthai 4       Chat Pattana 2       Palang Thongtinthai 3       Rak Peunpathai 2       There are 13 parties each having one list MP. They are Prachachat, Palang Puangchonthai, Palangchart Thai, Prachapiwat, Thai sivilai, Palang Thairakthai,Kruethai Pkeu Prachachon, Prachaniyom, Prachathum Thai, Prachacon Pratireub, Polmuangthai, Prachathipathaimai and Palangthuammai.       Making ten parties having the most seats in the House as follow:       Pheu Thai party 136 seats       Palangpracharat 116 seats       Future Forward party 81 seats       Democrat 53 seats       Bhumjaithai 51 seats       Chatthai Pattana party 10 seats       Seri Ruamthai 10 seats       Prachachat party 7 seats       Sethakitmai 6 seats       Pheu Chat party and Ruam Palangprachachat Thai 5 seats, each. Gen Prem Tinsulanonda died       On May 26, Gen Prem Tinsulanonda , the Privy Council President and statesman, died of heart failure at Phramongkutklao Hospital at the age of 98.       The government announced public buildings to fly a flag at half-mast for seven days,from May 27 to June 2. Official mourning was held for 21 days.       His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has named privy councilor Gen Surayud Chulanont as acting president of the Privy Council. Jurin wins Democrat leadership       On May 15, the Democrat party elected Jurin Laksanavisit to be its leader.       He received 160 votes from 291 members selected to vote, followed by Pirapan Salirathvibhaga (102), Korn Chatikavanij (19) and Apirak Kosayodhin (10).       Ongart Klampaiboon was voted to become deputy leader for Bangkok Metropolitan area for another time. Court suspends Thanathorn from MP       On May 23, the Constitutional Court has voted 8-1 to suspend Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruankit from performing his MP duty after it accepted a case against him over possible disqualification involving media shareholding.       The case was sent by the Election Commission (EC) for deliberating whether Mr. Thanathorn’s status as MP ended since he was holding shares in a media company when he applied to become an MP, a prohibition under Section 98(3) of the Constitution.       The EC also asked the court to suspend him from duty until the court has a ruling. Personal Data Protection Act enforced       On May 27, the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) B.E. 2562 was published in the Royal Gazette making the law enforced.       There are several key points under the PDPA that should be aware of, namely data subject notification requirements, consent requirements, consent of minors, restrictions and exemptions for the collection, use, disclosure, and cross-border transfer of personal data, explicit consent requirements for sensitive data and exemptions related thereto, data subject’s rights, security measures, data breach and its notification, record of processing activities, representatives of controllers or processors who are not established in Thailand, data protection officers, prescribed criminal and administrative penalties, and actual and punitive damages for civil liability       There will be a transition period of twelve months for Chapter 2,3,5,6,7, and Section 95 and 96 after its publication, making the whole act will be effective on 28 May 2020. Following the enforcement, 30 organic laws will be enacted for full implementation.       Breaching is liable to 6 months to one year jail and from 500,000 to 5,000,000 baht fine.       On the same day, another cyber related act, the Cyber Security Act (CSA) B.E. 2562 was published.       CSA aims to safeguard, prevent and handle cybercrimes for both public and private sectors. 3 businesses allow for expats       On May 14, the cabinet approved a draft ministerial regulation allowing expatriates to do three businesses in Thailand. They are loaning for companies which are branches of global conglomerations, fully-service office renting and business consultations on administrative, marketing, human resources and information technology.       Reasoning those businesses are restricted to companies of global conglomeration. Services will lessen cost and enhance efficiency, providing conveniences and increase mutual cooperation within conglomerates for the same standard.