January 2020 : 2020 Economic Revitalization Plan to address each group Economic revitalization Plan to address each group Government accomplishment in first 5 months A decree on land and building tax E-document in state office The National Cyber Security Committee appointed Risk group under strict immigration monitoring Legitimacy of the Fiscal Bill to be ruled by CC MPs Korn-Waipoj membership ended Korn resigned from Democrat Party Party loan can cause dissolution: EC CC acquitted petition to disband FFP Jana Special Economic Zone to get baht 18 billion budget Bethong airport will be open in late 2020 Cabinet endorsed measures to fight MP 2.5 dust Disable allowance increases from 800 to 1000 monthly East-West Electric Rail plan approved Economic revitalization Plan to address each group       On 31 December 2019, the Government Spokeswoman Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat said the government has a plan to boost economic development in particular sectors in 2020. They are: Agricultural sector: promoting holistic agriculture and BCG agriculture. Low income households: adjusting and designate standards for households registration and raising living quality. Elderly people: providing welfare and employment. Employees: Raising quality of life. SMEs and startups: promoting innovation, knowledge, capital investment and deregulation. Government accomplishment in first 5 months       On 30 December, the Government Spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said in the first 5 months in office, the government has significant accomplishment in 3 major fields: communication, agricultural income and the low income group. Extension of communication infrastructure in Bangkok Metropolitan Area. Income insurance on main economic crops, agricultural loans, stabilization of palm oil price. Measures to help the low income group trough the state welfare card. A decree on land and building tax              On 20 January, the Royal Gazette published a decree on the reduction of some specific land and building tax. For more information please see www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th. E-document in state office       On 2 January, the Government deputy Spokeswoman said the cabinet acknowledged the public office new regulation on electronic copy which allowing only ID card to be presenting to state agent when applying for service at state office. However, this is not apply to application for permits on alcohol, cigarettes and betting. The National Cyber Security Committee appointed       On 11 December 2019, the cabinet approved an appointment of 7 members of the National Cyber Security Committee. They are experts from different fields: Mr. Prinya Hoanek; cyber security. Gen. Mano Nutkasem; IT and communications. Pol. Col. Yanapol Yangyuen; engineering. Mr. Paibun Amornpintokiat; legal. Mr. Wiset Tantivanich; financing. Mr. Badin Supsomboon; public health. Assoc. Prof. Panitan Wattanayakorn; international relations. Risk group under strict immigration monitoring       On 6 January, Defense Ministry Spokesperson Lieutenant Gen. Kongsheep Tantravanich said PM Prayut Chan-ocha ordered the Defense Ministry to closely monitoring and evaluating the US –Iran conflict and particularly on the immigration of people who are ‘risk group’ and cyber movement. Legitimacy of the Fiscal Bill to be ruled by CC       On 11 January, the House of Reps voted to pass the 2020 Budget Bill of Baht 3.2 trillion on the third round with 252 to 0, 196 abstentions, and 1 no vote.       Following the meeting, there is a revelation of a Bhumjaithai Party MP casted votes for the legislation without being present in the chamber.       The House secretary-general Sorasak Pienvej said a committee of legal experts investigated the alleged irregularity, and found the allegation was justified.       The probe found Chamlong Therdwirapong, a Bhumjaithai MP fpr Pattalung, had voted in favour of Sections 31 to 55 of the budget bill.       Parliament officials tasked with keeping the electronic voting cards told the panel that Mr. Chamlong had taken his card for the budget debate from Jan 8-11, and did not returnit.       The investigation found that the electronic card remained inserted in the government MP’s voting machine by his seat on Jan 11.       However, parliament technicians could not confirm which slot the card was inserted in, whether for or against. Camera in the chamber did not record individuals casting their votes.       As the panel found the allegations were true, the MP’s votes of support for Section 31 to 55 were not legal.       Section 139 og the constitution requires at least one-tenth of House MPs, or 75 MPs, must support a request for a Constitutional Court ruling on the legitimacy of the fiscal legislation.       The House of Reps informed House Speaker Chuan Leekpai of the inquiry’s finding.       On 24 Jan, Mr. Chuan Leekpai, as the President of the National Assembly resolved to submit a petition on this matter to the Constitutional Court ruling and the Court accepted the petition. MPs Korn-Waipoj membership ended       On 16 January, the deputy House Speaker Supachai Posu informed the assembling that MP’s status of two members, Democrat party list MP Korn Chatikavanij and Palang Pracharat constituency MP Waipoj Apornrat were ended and there will be a replacement and by-election to fill the vacancies.       On 15 Jan Mr. Korn Chatikavanij submitted his resignation to the party, making his MP membership ended.       Mr. Waipoj Apornrat was convicted in absentia by the Supreme Court on 15 Jan of guilty of crashing an international summit, back in 2009, and was issued a warrant for his arrest. He was sentenced to four years in jail for his role in disrupting the ASEAN summit in Pattaya in 2009. He was then a co-leader of the anti-military Redshirt movement at the time, before he switched his allegiance to the government party in 2018 and won the election in 2019. Party loan can cause dissolution: EC       On 15 January, the Election Commission (EC) delivered a document referring to the Future Forward Party loans that if the court found guilty, a penalty can be a party dissolution in regards to Section 92 paragraph one (3) of the Political Party Act B.E. 2560. Korn resigned from Democrat Party       On 15 January former finance minister Korn Chatikavanij has resigned from the Democrat Party, making his MP membership ended.       In his Facebok message, he thanked Democrat for giving him good opportunities particularly when serving as the finance minister during one of the country’s worst financial crisis.       His last mission accomplished after jointly approved the budget bill ( for the 2020 fiscal year).       However, he still has a dream of building politics of change, therefore, there will be a new chapter for him in politics. CC acquitted petition to disband FFP       On 21 January, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled with 9 to 0 to acquit the petition, submitted by Mr. Nataporn Toprayoon, asking the court to rule whether the Future Forward Party (FFP) of seeking to overthrow the country’s constitutional monarchy.       The court found regulations, press interviews and speeches made by senior figures were not deemed to undermine the monarchy as claimed. It ruled to reject the petition. Jana Special Economic Zone to get baht 18 billion budget       On 21 January, the cabinet resolved on 3 southern provinces economic plans as follow: Jana Special Economic Zone in Songkla province, with a total budget of 18,680 million baht. Three decrees to designate land reform area in Narathiwat province. Development plan to strengthen sub-districts sustainability. Bethong airport will be open in late 2020       On 21 January, the cabinet acknowledged that Bethong airport in Yala province will be opened in late 2020. The airport capacity is 1.5 million passengers per year. Cabinet endorsed measures to fight PM 2.5 dust       On 21 January, the cabinet resolved to endorsed 12 measures to fight PM 2.5 dust nationwide. Details will be announced later. Disable allowance increases from 800 to 1000 monthly       On 28 January, the cabinet approved an increase of disable allowance from baht 800 to 1,000 per month. East-West Electric Rail plan approved       On 28 January, the cabinet approved the East-West electric rail plan of total 13.4 km. between Bang khun non and Thailand cultural center.       State investment will be on land appropriation and construction cost shall be borne by private investor. It is anticipated the service can start in 2526.