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 September 2020 : 2021 Fiscal Budget Bill Baht 3.28 trillion passed the Parliament
Parliament passed the 2021 Fiscal Budget Bill of baht 3.28 trillion On 21 September, the Senate voted, with 218 against 0 and 5 abstentions and 1 no vote, to pass the Fiscal Budget draft bill B.E. 2564 (A.D. 2021) of total expenditure baht 3.28 trillion. Previously on 31 August, the bill was scrutinized by the fiscal bill sub-committee, chaired by Finance minister Santi Prompak, and voted with 63 to 3 abstained, to delete the baht 225 billion for the Navy’s procurement of submarines, according to the prime minister command to prolong the procurement for another year. The submarines procurement budget was divided into two payment, the first one in 2021 was baht 3,925 million. State of Emergency extension On 29 September, the cabinet resolved to extend the State of Emergency for another month, until 31 October. Finance minister Predee Daochai resigned On 2 October, the resignation of former Finance minister Predee Daochai, submitted on 1 September, was effective. He was shortly appointed to Prayut’s administration after the cabinet members reshuffle on 8 August. Social Security payment reduced for both employees and employers On 1 September, the cabinet resolved to lessen 2% on employees and employers payment into the Social Security fund, for three months, from September to November 2020, making the payment only baht 96, against previously baht 432. This is to ease economic impact from COVID-19. There are 12.79 million insured employees and 487 billion employers nationwide. Their total payment are baht 13 billion and baht 11 billion respectively. It is anticipated the reduction would generate baht 24 billion into the economy. Cabinet approved two economic revitalization schemes On 29 September, the cabinet resolved on 2 economic revitalization programs. They are: 1. A project to boost consumers’ demand for state social welfare card holders. 2. A project on state-individuals equal payment. The project to boost consumers’ demand for state social welfare card holders is to add baht 500 per card per month, for 3 months, starting from October to December 2020. Total increase is baht 21 billion. The project on state-individual equal payment targeting the street vendors by giving e-money, baht 150 daily, maximum baht 3,000, to buyers. This expected to reduce expenditure burden of total baht 30 billion on the buyers’ side and injecting baht 60 billion to small traders. Applicants must be Thai nationality over 18 years, using ID cards number registering on website www. ¤¹ÅФÃÖè§.com, starting 16 October, between 06:00-23:00. After being verified, and download an e-wallet application they can make payment to sellers also registered on the same web. Each payment will be reduced to half amount due to the state will reimburse to the sellers account with similar amount. However, this e-money must be used within 14 days and sellers must be small scale traders or street venders. Maximum 10 million privileges will be allowed and spending period is from 23 October to 31 December 2020. Expenses must be made within 14 days after endorsement via SMS or the date of effective scheme otherwise the rights shall be canceled and given to other applicants. Traders can register via website since 1 October 2020 on 06:00-23:00, or at Krung Thai Bank. The bank will assist on installing the application and providing transaction into the traders’ e-Wallet. It is anticipated this scheme will boost demands for the marginal income state welfare card holders and injecting total baht 81 billion cash, covering 24 million people, from 2020 ends to 2021. Baht 68 billion to boost street venders economy On 2 September, the COVID-19 Center committee, chaired by PM Prayut Chan-ocha, resolved on two economic revitalization schemes. They are: 1. The consumer demand stimulating scheme, baht 45 billion, aiming to reduce expenditure and promote demand on consumer goods by state subsidy 50% of spending of not exceeding than baht per person. Expenditure must be made via e-Wallets of both buyers and sellers, similar to the Chim-Shop-Chai scheme. 2. An equal payment on new graduates’ salary. The government will subsidy half of monthly salaries, baht 15,000 for bachelor degree, baht 11,500 for higher vocational certificate, and baht 9,400 for vocational certificate, at a maximum of baht 7,500 per month, for twelve months from October 2020 to October 2021. Employers must be companies in the social security scheme and endorsed by the Labor Ministry. Conditions are maximum lay-off of former employees in the previous year must not exceed than 15%, in case of voluntary resign employers must fill up the vacancies, and new employees must be Thai nationality not over 25 year old, and if not, must be graduated in the 2010 or 2020 academic years. New graduates can register to the Krung Thai Bank for opening their accounts and receive salaries through the Bank. Both employers and state contributions will be paid into the accounts. There will be agreement contracts between the employers and employees and between the employers and the Labor Ministry to secure breaching of conditions. It is expecting the registration of new graduates will meet its target. The COVID-19 center also consents on a Job-expo event, in September or later. It is expecting the activity will promote employment of more than 1 million positions. Bt. 883 million budget to military state quarantine On 1 September, the cabinet allocated baht 883 million from the central 2020 fiscal budget to the Office of the Defense Ministry Secretariat to cover the cost of providing state quarantine in compliance with government measures to prevent pandemic COVID-19. Everyone coming from abroad must be isolated in state or private quarantine for 14 days. From 7 March to 30 June 2020, two state and 31 private quarantines are provided and accommodated 27,977 inbound travellers. The army had received two allocations, baht 95 million and baht 97 million to cover quarantines cost for 8,400, and the rest, 19,577 would be reimbursed by this allocation. Public health volunteers allowance extended 3 months On 22 September, the cabinet approved an extension of allowance to public health volunteers for another three months, until December. These 1.5 million volunteers are actively personals fighting COVID-19 in villages countrywide. Total budget allocation is baht 1,500 million. SUPER POLL: People say NO to a national government On 6 September, SUPER Poll revealed its field study towards an establishment of a National Government to solve current political conflict. The study used the Quantitative and Qualitative Research methods, conducted from 1 to 5 September 2020, from every professional sector countrywide. Questionnaires carried via the Social Media Voice by the Net Super Poll system on 1,712 samplings, and 1,187 Traditional Voice. The majority, 72.2% agreed a national government is very stable administration, 67.6% very sable to the most stable and 66.0% stable to very stable. However, when asking whether they think a national government suits Thailand, 64.7% say NO, 31.9% YES and the rest 3.4% different opinions. SUPER Poll director Dr. Noppadol Kannikar noted on this paradox. While the Thais know national government is the most stable and sustainable, they did not think it suits Thailand. They were well aware that the super power nations have national governments but decided not suitable for Thailand. NIDA Poll: 51.58% indifferent political views is democracy On 6 September, NIDA Poll disclosed its study on “Liberty to Attack the Different Viewers”, done on 1-3 September 2020, on 1,326 countrywide samplings. They comprised of every education level and professional, and are over 15 years old, conducted via telephone call randomly selected from NIDA Poll Master Sample with 97.0% confidentiality. Questionnaires are on online media campaigns for attacking those who have different political views. Opinions towards online media campaign to resist/attack people having different political views, the majority 51.58% accepted it could be done in the democratic system. 13.20% thought it was non-democratic and offensive. 12.14% thought it was only a temporary deed, 8.90% thought those who were abused have a right to react, 8.37% thought it was only a political activity and harmless, 4.37% thought there were supported by political sects/ parties, 4.15% thought it was non-democratic, 2.87% thought it was a political whim forcing people to choose sides, 0.83% thought the movement have foreign support, and 10.71% did not care/ no answer/ not interest. On opinions towards online campaign to resist/attack people of different political views, 17.9% agreed it could be conducted due to it is a right and liberty to do so through different many channels, 17.65% rather agreed, 20.36% disagreed due to it is everybody right to express political views, 37.18% totally disagreed due to every opinion is respectful, and 7.62% did not care/ no answer/ not interest. Regarding to online media expression of different political views to resist/attack, 10.48% were very alert due to online media is easily and rapidly accessible, 20.67% rather fearful due to it might cause impact on their profession, personal and family. 17.35% rather not afraid due to everyone has right and liberty according to the law, 46.30% not afraid due to it’s a right to do so without abusing other’s, and 5.20% did not care/ no answer/ not interest. Lastly on question on influence on consumption decisions from online media banning some few products/ services of the supporters or expressing different political views, 11.16% thought it had big impact on perception, 15.31% thought rather impact, 12.90% rather no impact due to their choice was based on quality, 57.46% no impact, and 3.17% did not care/ no answer/ not interest. Elderly Implementation Plan revises On 6 September, the National Elderly Committee revised the implementation plan for B.E 2563-2565, to be effective from 2020 to 2022 as follow: 1. A campaign to promote societal awareness on the necessity of preparing to become an elderly so the working force will understand and be prepared on matters such as income, health, habitations. 2. To stimulate societal perspective, particularly for people in the 18-59 years of age, totaling 40 million, to positive thinking towards the elderly, not to see them as societal burden. 3. To promote hiring the elderly so they will recognize their values, dignity, earnings and be able to contribute benefits to the society. Target elderly employment in 2021 is 195 billion jobs. 4. Focusing on the elderly of marginal income in the provincial. There should be incentives, or budget, to create jobs in the locality so their children will return home to care and become motivators in the economy. 5. Some small schools in the rural area should be transformed into development center for the elderly due to the current birth rate is relative much lower than the increase of elderly rate. 6. To promote saving among the formal and non-formal employment so they will have saving after retirement. 7. To promote and support professional training for the elderly. CC accepted to rule on the demonstrations’ speeches On 16 September, the Constitutional Court (CC) accepted a complaint, launched by Mr. Nataporn Toaprayoon, to consider the speeches, delivered during the six Free People demonstrations, held on 3,9,10, 20, 21 and 30 August, were the violation of Section 49 of the constitution or not. Section 49. No person shall exercise the rights or liberties to overthrow the democratic regime of government with the King as head of State. Any person who has knowledge of an act on paragraph one shall have the right to petition to the Attorney-General to request the Constitution Court for ordering the cessation of such act. In the case where the Attorney-General orders a refusal to proceed as petitioned or fails to proceed within fifteen days as from the date of receiving the petition, the person making the petition may submit the petition directly to the Constitutional Court. The action under this section shall not prejudice the criminal prosecution against the person committing an act under paragraph one. Shortly after the police request to revoke the detention of Mr. Anond Nampa and Mr. Panupong Jadnok, reasoning the investigation was completed, on 7 September, the Criminal Court withdrew its detain orders. The two men are among those accused of stating speeches that might violated Section 49 of the constitution. Cabinet approved Referendum draft bill On 8 September, the cabinet resolved on the Referendum draft bill, proposed by the Election Commission, with a budget baht 4,000 million. The referendum bill must be enacted according to Section 256(8) Constitution B.E. 2560, stipulates a constitution amendment must be made after a referendum. A referendum should be held in two cases; the first is according to Section 166 of the constitution and the second in according with Section 256 : Section166. In the case where there are reasonable grounds, the Council of Ministers may call for a referendum on any matter which is not an issue contrary to or inconsistent with the Constitution or an issue relating to any individual or group of persons as provided by law. Section 256 (8). Subject to section 255, amendment of the Constitution may be made under the rules and procedures as follows: (8) in the case where the draft Constitution Amendment is an amendment to Chapter I General Provisions, Chapter II The King or Chapter XV Amendment to the Constitution, or a matter relating to qualifications and prohibitions of persons holding the positions under the Constitution, or a matter relating to duties or powers of the Court or an Independent Organ, or a matter which renders the Court or an Independent Organ unable to act in accordance with its duties or powers, before proceeding in accordance with (7), a referendum shall be held in accordance with the law on referendum, and if the referendum result is to approve the draft Constitution Amendment, further proceeding shall then be taken in accordance with (&). The Election Commission agency must prepare a voters list and sufficiently publish/ deliver to the eligible voters’ households. Voters must have qualifications as prescribed by the law; Thai nationality, over 18 years of age, not being disqualified by imprisonment term 1-10 years, fined or perching from election right not exceeding than 5 years etc. US Embassy announcement of Thai political involvement On 10 September, the US Embassy issued an announcement as follow: “ In response to the recent dissemination, by a blogsite dedicated to purveying disinformation, of photos taken years ago during the tenure of the prior U.S. Ambassador to Thailand, the U.S. Embassy would like to issue the following statement: Ambassadors and Embassy personnel regularly meet with a broad cross section of Thai nationals, not just with students and youth, but also with government, military, business and other leaders. Such meetings do not imply endorsement of any views. The United States government is not funding or otherwise providing support to any of the protests in Thailand. The United States does not support any individual or political party; we support the democratic process and the rule of law. As friends of Thailand, we encourage all sides to continue to act with respect and restraint and engage in constructive dialogue on how to move the country forward.” Following the announcement, on 14 September H.E. Michael; George De Sombre made a call to the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Anucha Nakasai. Mr. Anucha, after the Ambassador left, remarked the dialogue was on trading between the two countries which His Excellency advised on the revision/ improvement on matters and functions that will facilitate technological experts and promote investment. His Excellency concerned on the current demonstrations and reiterated the embassy announcement of no involvement or supporting to any political faction. Free People demonstration in Thammasart University On 19 September, some groups of people including the Free People and networks gathered in front of Thammasart University and broke into the compound notwithstanding the university notification, on 17 September, of closing on 19-20 September, ordering every personals to evacuate, not allowing anyone into the buildings and locked all entrance gates. Later the demonstrators moved to Sanam Luang and on 17.30 and set up a big platform. Many core leaders, including Mr. Anond Nampa, Ms. Panasya Sitthijirawattanakul ( Rung) and Mr. Prit Chivarak (Penguin) took turn to make speeches. The mass increased as some Red Shirts, students and general public joined. The speeches were on state welfare, social inequality, abandon military conscription, violence in the south etc. Most of the content strongly criticized dictatorship, military- forced legalization, and suggested to reinstall Section 1 of the Preliminary Constitution B.E. 2475, supreme sovereignty belongs to the people, labor law amendment to increase daily minimum wages to baht 800-1,000, increase elderly allowance to tens of thousands baht per month, land reform by seizing land from the rich to give to the poor, imposing higher tax rates on the rich for state welfare etc. At 19:15, former Future Forward party leader now Progressive group leader Mr. Thanatorn Jungreunreaugkit arrived. He accompanied secretariat Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and core leader Ms. Pannikar Wanich and chatted with the demonstrators. The activity went on all night until daybreak. At 08:30 the demonstrators rallied from Sanam Luang heading for the Office of the Privy Council. They were blocked by police and barricades in front of the Supreme Court building. Upon negotiation, Ms. Rung and another person were allowed to go further on foot and read a message, before submitted to the Metropolitan police chief. The message stated the demonstration’s demand on 8 issues which a few touches the monarchy and banishing Prayut administration. On 09:30 Mr. Prit proclaimed the demonstration terminated and schedule the next one will be held at the parliament on 24 September when the parliament convenes, and the bigger event will be held on 14 October. Police seized document-equipment for the Free People demonstration On 19 September at 11:00 hr. police offers seized 45,000 books and some tools, in front of Nuan Tong Village in front of a main entrance of Thammasart Rangsit University campus. The publications, aka Red Book, have content related to the monarchy. Some students were taken for investigation. At 12:00 hr. BMA constituency Palangpracharat MP. Mr. Sira Janejaka, chairing the House law, justice and human rights committee and its speaker, Move Forward party list MP. Mr. Rangsiman Rome went to the police station. Mr. Rangsiman later gave an interview that the publications were to be delivered on 19 September demonstration and now is kept as evidence for trials. The students viewed it is against the law due to there was no search warrant. However, the committee has no authority to interfere with police operation but could call the police to explain the situation in the future. SUPER Poll: Government supporters-silent groups increases On 20 September, the SUPER Poll revealed its field study, The Silent, carried out countrywide, on 1,651 samplings, between 10-19 September 2020, in Quantitative and Qualitative Researches. The results are: 33.9% supports the government 29.6% not supporting 36.5% are neutral and silent. It was noted that from March to 19 September 2020, the support group rose from 21.8% to 33.9% while the non-support decreased from 57.3% to 29.7%. The silence also rose from 20.9% in July to 36.5% after the demonstration took place on 19 September. Interestingly, when being asked which political party they will elect if the election took place today. The majority 82.5% will elect a new party that do not cause a rift in the society, no corruption scandals, and successfully eliminate problems. 5.3% will elect Phue Thai party, 4.0% Move Forward party, 0.8% Palangpracharat party and 7.4% other parties. MPs submitted 6 constitutional amendment drafts On 1 September, the coalition parties; Palangpracharat, Democrat, Pumchaithai and Chat Thai Pattana submitted a constitution amendment draft, endorsed by 206 members, to the Parliament President Chuan Leekpai. On 8 September, Move Forward party leader Picha Limchareon and Democrat Satit Wongnongtoei, co-submitted a motion, endorsed by 99 members, to amend Section 272 on the co-convention of MPs and Senators to vote on the prime minister. Latest on 10 September, Opposition parties leaders Sompong Amornwiwat and Move Forward MP. Picha Limchareon co-submitted 4 constitution amendment drafts to President Chuan. The House convened on 10 September to consider the extraordinary committee on criteria and procedures to amend the constitution’s report on constitution amendment. After all 33 members deliberated, chairperson Chuan Leekpai stated though different views were made, a consensus is to accept the study and forward, with the committee’s opinions and recommendations, to the government. Exercising the meeting regulation 88, no voting is required, without any disagreement, therefore, the study and attachment would be forwarded to the government. iLaw submitted a populace constitution amendment draft On 22 September, an NGO internet for law or iLaw, submitted a constitution amendment draft, endorsed by 100,732 people, to the parliament. They also spoke on their intention on the amendment as follow. 1. The prime minister must come from elected members of the parliament. 2. The Senate must be elected. 3. To restart the selection of independent organs members. 4. To revise the constitution amendment process to allow more than half of the House-Senate members to resolve on the constitution amendment. 5. Regarding to the drafting of new constitution, the drafting committee should comprise of 200 members from proportional election from one national constituency. Candidates can apply as an individual or group and voting is a one-man-one-vote. Calculation of members should be similar to party list MPs. By these means, the constitution will be a common people constitution. The iLaw was accompanied by a group of approximately 500 supporters and an amplifier truck. SUPER Poll: Thais believe a conspiracy movement to destroy the nation On 13 September, the SUPER Poll revealed its field study on “Stop the Mob Leaders”, done from 1,575 samplings from all professions, on 9-12 September 2020, by Quantitative Research and Qualitative Research. The results are: 85.1% believed the demonstrations were supported by politicians and foreign funding, 14.9 % disbelieved. Regarding to the photo of Mr. Penguin having cheesecake with the US ambassador and some foreign officials, 85.2% think it is a disgraceful performance, while 14.8% not think so. The majority 63.1% think mob leaders Penguin and Mike Rayong actions were for their personal benefits or some people or foreign supporter’s benefits, 36.9% think they acted for the nation as a whole. Interestingly, the majority 75.1% believed there is a conspiracy from foreign country to discredit the national pillars, troubling Thailand, creating disorder and un-resting so some people would come in to set a new order and gain their benefit, 24.9% do not think so. The majority 92.2% said they have trauma and think the demonstration will worsen the economy, 7.8% have no stress. The SUPER Poll reflected opinions that if the demonstration core leaders became puppet of foreign nations, Thailand will be in endangerment. NIDA Poll: 61.27% disagree with Senate vote for PM On 13 September, the NIDA Poll disclosed its study on the Senate’s function, done from 8 to 10 September 2020, on 1,317 samplings, over 18 years old countrywide in every profession. The questionnaires are conducted by telephony by Simple Random Sampling from NIDA’s Poll Master Sample, on the constitution amendment Section 272 on the Senate. On the Senate’s function on the voting of prime minister, 61.2% agree this function should be revoked, while 16.48% rather agree, 8.96% rather disagreed, 13.21 % totally disagreed and 0.08% no comment/not interest. 69.27% were very consent on the amendment of Section 272 only, to revoke the Senate’s function on voting for the prime minister, to dissolve the parliament and re-election. 15.90 rather agreed, 6.24% rather disagreed, 7.22% totally disagreed and 1.37% no comment/not interested. On what the Senate should do in regards to the Constitution B.E. 2560, the majority 54.75% think they should support the amendment of each section, 30.37% think they should support the whole amendment and appointing a drafting panel, 10% think the Senate should not support all means and forms of constitution amendment, and 4.18% no comment/ not interested. When asking the necessity of having the Senate in the Thai democratic constitution, the majority 38.27% think necessary due to the Senate can check and balance the MPs’ functions, scrutinize legislation but they should come from election, not selection-appointment, While 31.66% think no necessity due to they have no outstanding performance, waste of national expenditure and MPs number is sufficient. 30.07% think to have or not have is fine due to no clear Senate’s performance is seen. Dusit Poll: National government not the solution On 13 September, the Dusit Poll revealed its study “The Current Political Movement”, done online on 1,517 samplings countrywide between 9 to 11 September 2020 to reflect opinions towards the setting up of national government to resolve the situations. The results are: 1. Do you believe there will be another coup shortly? 58.08% disbelieved due to it was only rumors, not necessary to do so due to currently the state is influencing by the military. 41.92% believed, due to the military motion, too many problems accumulated, needs political reform, a solution should not overlook. 2. Do you think it is possible to stage a coup? 46.67% Possible. 40.61% Impossible. 12.72% Uncertain. 3. Do you think a national government is a solution? 41.79% Impossible. 33.29% Possible. 24.92% Uncertain. 4. What are the advantages of a national government? 1. 73.96% Reduce conflict. 2. 40.35% Being Neutral. 3. 37.85% Stability. Disadvantages 1. 66.55% Not from election. 2. 57.56% No confidentiality/ unacceptably. 3. 57.28% Non-democratic. * Noted: One person can choose more than one answer ( percentiles were calculated for each answer) A constitution amendment study committee appointed On 23 September, the House-Senate joint convention chaired by the Parliament president Chuan Leekpai appointed a committee to study the six constitution amendment drafts submitted by: 1. The Opposition parties’ leader Sompong Amornwiwat and associates, to amend Section 256. 2. Palangpracharat Party list MP Wirat Rattanaseth and associations, to amend Section 256. 3. A draft on the amendment of Section 270 and Section 271 concerning the national reform. 4. A draft to amend Section 159 and cancel Section 272 on the Senate’s function to vote for prime minister. 5. A draft to cancel Section 279 to cancel the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) orders and commands. 6. A draft to amend and cancel Section 93 and Section 101(4) and to return to casting two ballots in the general election voting, submitted by opposition parties leader Sompong Amornwiwat and associates. Free People demonstration blocked parliament main gate On 24 September, the Free People group held a demonstration, as scheduled, on the road in front of the parliament, to press its members, in regard to the constitution amendment issue. An audio equipped truck was set up as a stage at the main entrance to bar all traffic. After the meeting closed on 19:15 hr. the mass enlarged and closed all traffic from the Kiak Kai junction. They set up barriers at the front gate searching vehicles and shouted to express disapproval. Though a group of police were deployed to line up to safeguard the exit of some MPs and senators vehicles, some senators preferred to leave on boats via Chao Phraya River. The human rights lawyer Anon Nampa spoke to the mass that unless the current appointed Senate abolished and the process of new constitution drafting starts in October, a mass of provincial people will join the demonstrations in Bangkok. When core leaders are arrest and detain, the mass will break into the detentions. Thai Pakdee submitted an oppose of constitution amendment On 23 September, a group called Thai Pakdee, led by Dr. Warong Dejvikrom, and approximately 100 supporters, went to submit a letter to the Parliament president on opposing the amendment of the Constitution B.E. 2560 on ground it is the constitution to fight corruption and endorsed by more than 16 million voters in the referendum. They stated the amendment must be conducted by the drafting committee and passed a referendum. The amendment will not benefit the people-at-large but some few the politicians due to the current one makes prosecution of corruption cases of politicians unlimited time, barring votes buying in all forms from the single ballot casting. The voting of Senate for election of prime minister is only providing in the transitional period which will terminate in the next three years. Following the termination, Senate would be elected by the people and hard to intervene by politicians. NIDA Poll: Choices on the next prime minister revealed On 27 September, NIDA Poll revealed it study on the third quarter conducted from 18 to 23 September 2020, on 2,527 samplings over 18 years countrywide, in all professions, from its Master Sample by using Simple Random Sampling, via telephone calls, confidentiality 97.0%. When asking who is the most suitable person to become the next prime minister? 54.13% No one. 18.64% Gen. Prayut Chan-ocha due to his determination, honesty, able to help people and some wanted him to continue for second term. 10.57% Khunying Sudarat keyurapan ( Phue Thai party) due to her experiences, administration ability in the past, can act as talked and some have personal appreciation. 5.70% Move Forward party leader Pitha Limchareonrat, due to want new generation of visionary and like the party’s policy. 3.92% Pol. Gen. Seripisut Temeeves due to his outspoken and criticism, honesty and personal appreciation. 1.54% Kla party leader Korn Jathikavanija, due to his vision, leadership, economic ability, political perceptions. 1.07% Opposition parties leader Sompong Amornwiwat ( Pheu Thai party) due to like the party’s economic policy and easy personality. 4.0% Others, such as Mr. Mingkwan Saengsuwan ( New Economic party), Jurin Laksanawisit (Democrat), Anutin Charnweerakul ( Pumchaithai), Wan Nor Muhamad matha (Prachachart), Tewan Liptapanlop ( Chart Pattana), Chuan leekpai, Anan Panyarachun, Aisit Vejjajiva, and Ms. Kanjana Silapa-acha (Chart Thai Pattana). 0.43% No answer, not interested. When comparing with previous outcomes done in the second quarter, June 2020, percentiles on Prayut, Seripisut, Korn and no answer declined while Sudarat, Pita, Sompong and no suitable one increased. The last question on which political party they will support now: 41.59% None. 19.39% Pheu Thai. 12.70% Move Forward. 12.39% Palangpracharat. 7.44% Democrat. 1.70% Seree Ruamthai. 1.58% Puchaithai. 0.79% Kla. 0.59% Pheu Chart. 0.55% No answer/ not interested. 0.36% Chart Thai Pattana. 0.28% Chart Pattana and Prachachart, equally. 0.24% Ruam Palang Prachachartthai. 0.12% Sethakijmai. Court’s ruling on the national housing project corruption case On 25 September, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Section for people holding Political Positions ruled former minister, in Thaksin administration, Wattana Muangsook guilty in the National Housing project Baan Aue Artorn and sentenced him to a total 99 years jail term, from 9 complaints, and baht 1,323 million fine, within 30 days. The jail term was reduced to a maximum 50 years according to the law. The other two accused, Mr. Apichart Chansakulporn, aka Sia Piang, the rice exporter tycoon, age 66, was sentenced to 66 years jail, and Mr. Arisman Pongreaungrong, age 56, former Thai Rak Thai party list MP was sentenced to jail term, too. The petition was submitted to the court in 2019 and the court verdicts were made on 26 August 2020. There were 14 offenders but number 6-7 and 10-12 fled the country. However, regardless to the court ruling is final, the offenders can appeal to the Supreme Court meeting within 30 days after the verdict delivered. Mr. Wattana was bailed by using baht 5 million bank account and baht 5 million cash on condition he should not leave the country. Special Tourists VISAs welcome On 15 September, the cabinet resolved on principles to allow foreigners with Special Tourist VISA (STV) to enter Thailand. The Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV) is a special visa introduced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for long-stay tourists who would like to travel to Thailand. It is one of the economic measures by the Thai government to restore the local tourism industry that has been affected heavily by COVID-19. Foreigners applying for a Special Tourist Visa must be qualified:
Foreigners applying for the STV meet requirements as following: 1. Proof of accommodation after the 14-day quarantine, which could be any of the following:
2. Proof of medical and travel insurance policy: Medical and Travel Insurance with a minimum 100,000 USD coverage for COVID-19 medical treatment and a minimum coverage of 400,000 THB for other medical and accident expenses. The insurance must cover for at least 90 days which is the initial validity of the visa. The new Land Traffic Bill On 15 September, the cabinet resolved on the Land Traffic draft bill with principles: 1. Allowing trucks, passengers’ vehicles and motor bikes to use right lanes as necessary and increases maximum weight of private passenger vehicles using far left lanes, from 1,600 kg. to 2,200 kg. 2. Authorizing investigation officials to request medical personals to verify drivers or persons likely to be drivers when they are unconscious and unable to give consent on drugs usage and/or alcohol level in blood, as necessary if the process harmless to the persons. 3. Revising criteria on safety belts; all passengers and driver must using safety belts when travelling in vehicles, prohibit children under 6 years old to sit in the front roll unless sitting in child seats, limiting maximum passengers in front seats to two persons. 4. Improves racing standards to prevent street-racing; redefine racers to groups of people with more than 5 vehicles as the racers or potentially racers unless they could prove otherwise, any person equipped vehicles with racing elements shall be regards as racing supporters. 5. Revise penalty to suspending of driving licenses, guilty recording, jail term of maximum 3 months or baht 10,000 fine or both. The draft bill was approved by the Council of State and will be forwarded to the House liaison committee and the House of Reps. |
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