Download - September
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TPO – September 2011
I. Foreign affairs
Thai-Cambodian relations
Despite unfavorable verdicts against Thai nationals rendered this month, relations between
Cambodia and Thailand continued to improve under the impulse of the Shinawatras.
Thaksin Shinwatra travelled to Cambodia on Sept16, only to be followed one day later by his
younger sister Yingluck. In what appears to be becoming a tradition, Pheua Thai MPs played
a friendly football match against Cambodia on September 24. On that at end, five UDD
leaders, were allowed to travel to Cambodia from Sept 15-19 although their bail conditions
forbid them leaving the country. They are Veerakan Musikhapong, former UDD chairman,
Natthawut Saikua, a Pheu Thai party list MP, and Yossawaris Chuklom, or Jeng Dokchik,
assistant secretary to a deputy interior minister, Pheu Thai party list MP Korkaew Pikulthong
and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship core member Kwanchai Praipana.
While on September 6, a Thai, a Cambodian and a Vietnamese were condemned to two years
imprisonment each on charges of spying on the Thai-Cambodian border, developments in the
higher-profile case of Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon opened
some room for hope. Hun Sen reportedly proposed to the Thai defence minister a prisoner
exchange programme between Thailand and Cambodia as a way to help Veera Somkwamkid
and Ratree Pipattanapaibul, along with the other 37 Thais currently jailed in Cambodia,
mostly on drugs charges.
At the end of the month, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa went to Phnom Penh for an
official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Tia Banh.
where they agreed to comply with the order of the International Court of Justice to withdraw
troops from the disputed border area surrounding the Preah Vihear temple and to allow
Indonesian observers to monitor the ceasefire. Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee
chairman (JBC) teams were changed as a result of the annual reshuffle. JBC chairman Asda
Chaiyanam was replaced by Bandit Sotthiphalarit and JBC adviser Veerachai Plasai by Prasat
Prasatwinitchai. The same day, 100,000 red-shirts reportedly crossed the border to attend the
Pheu Thai – Cambodian football game; the Cambodians won 10-7. At the event , Hun Sen
announced that "the nightmare era" between Thailand and Cambodia was finally over
(Bangkok Post, 25/09/11).
II. Domestic Politics
The political debate in September focused mainly on two issues (1) the annual reshuffle of
high-ranking officials especially in the military and (2) the anniversary of the coup at the
occasion of which a group of scholars calling for a new constitution caused a public
controversy. The end of the month witnessed the beginning of a flooding disaster that
progressively eclipsed all other topics from most media. For its second month in office, the
government still had to deal with the task of appointments to political positions.
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Government’s second month in office
Early in the month, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung appeared to be the leading
face of the government in several matters. He was frequently quoted opining about
constitution change, political amnesties, and Thaksin Shinawatra, at one point declaring he
will rectify the (by implication, wrongful) conviction of Thaksin, though he is not yet certain
how to do so. Chalerm’s prominence may be due in part to the fact that Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra had limited the intereaction between herself and the media, but it cannot
be denied that Chalerm has been assigned several powerful roles as deputy prime minister,
and he is known to be quite outspoken. Pheu Thai Party’s strategy team was reportedly upset
at such media prominence and comments, and the team reportedly asked Prime Minister
Yingluck Shinawatra to reprimand Chalerm; it is not clear whether a reprimand was given,
but Chalerm’s media presence subsequently diminished somewhat.
A Pheu Thai source said that Thaksin Shinwatra spoke to cabinet for several hours via Skype,
claiming that Thaksin wanted to communicate with ministers more directly and effectively
than he had been able to do through Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra; the source said
Thaksin lectured cabinet members about their performance and asked questions and gave
instructions about details of their work. Critics say the event is evidence that Thaksin is
genuinely the one in charge of the government. Further, some argue that a case could be
made to bring charges against cabinet for dealing with a convicted criminal and fugitive. In
the press, Yingluck rejected such assertions, saying that Thaksin called in only to provide
moral support. Some Pheu Thai MPs are reportedly upset that Thaksin’s call in could provide
fuel for distrust among military figures, with possible repercussions (apparently a not-so
veiled suggestion of fear of a coup).
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, speaking to the press, said that the navy’s proposal to
buy second-hand German submarines had been approved by cabinet; in fact, that matter was
not even on the agenda (the deadline for the deal has passed and now it appears dead),
although cabinet did approve the army’s proposal to buy eight French helicopters. Critics
took the opportunity to argue that Yingluck is incompetent.
Security agencies reshuffle
Transfers included (1) National police chief Wichean Potephosree (2) Department of Special
Investigation (DSI) Director-General Tharit Pengdit (3) Secretary of the Centre for the
Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) Thawil Pliensri
(1) National Police Chief
Early in September, National police chief Wichean Potephosree stepped down in favour of
his deputy, Pol Gen Priewpan Damapong. Pol Gen Priewpan is the elder brother of Khunying
Potjaman na Pombejra, the ex-wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Pol Gen
Wichean will now move to the post of National Security Council secretary-general to replace
Thawil Pliensri. He vowed to devote his time and energy to tackle the issue of drugs.
(2) Department of Special Investigation (DSI) Director-General Tharit Pengdit
Even though rumors claimed that when Pracha Promnok was named justice minister, efforts
were made to push Pol Col Suchart to become the DSI chief, replacing Tharit Pengdit, DSI
Director-General Tharit Pengdit, a zealous lese-majeste content fighter, stayed.
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(3) Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) and National Security Council
(NSC)
Mr. Thawil Pliensri was transferred to the position of adviser at the Prime Minister's Office
(to make way for Pol Gen Wichean—see above). This transfer was not considered a
promotion by Mr. Thawil, who was quoted as saying ―I will take the case to the civil service
Merit System Protection Committee to seek justice over his "unfair" transfer to a position as
an adviser in the Prime Minister's Office.‖ Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said
Mr Thawil 's transfer was legitimate due to his past role as secretary of the Centre for the
Resolution of the Emergency Situation. "Mr Thawil Pliensri used to be the CRES secretary.
Will any government let him stay? To be frank, if I was Mr Thawil, I would seek a transfer
myself," said Mr Chalerm. The secreatry-general of the NSC is, according to the law, the
CRES secretary. The CRES cracked down on pro-Thaksin red-shirt protesters last year.
(4) Battle for ISOC
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) has a very broad and diverse mandate: it
is in charge of suppressing the illegal drug trade, suppressing illegal immigration, quelling
violence in the three southernmost provinces, averting terrorism and transnational crimes,
forest protection, and promoting the royal institution. ISOC is directed by its 22-member
board, which consists of permanent secretaries of ministries and armed forces chiefs, free of
politicians' representatives. ISOC has authority over the National Counter Corruption
Committee, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office.
It is directly under the Prime Minister’s Office.
However, when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra tried to assign Gen Panlop Pinmanee,
an adviser to the prime minister who served as a deputy ISOC director for five years during
the Thaksin administration, to supervise the unit, ISOC rejected her instruction. It reasoned
that the PM's order violated the Internal Security Act that requires the ISOC's management to
be directed by its 22-member board. The Council of State confirmed the legality of this
rejection.
By the end of September, the name of the new ISOC board director remained unknown.
Military reshuffle
The military reshuffle and the reshuffle at the Ministry of defense caught a lot of
attention. After long delays and disagreements over the nomination of the permanent
secretary between outgoing permanent secretary and the Defence minister, deputy permanent
secretary Wittawat Ratchatanan finally did not become the new permanent secretary but Gen
Sathian Permthong-in did. The two rival candidates, General Sathien Permthong-in and
General Wittawat Ratchatanan, are reportedly close friends with Thaksin Shinawatra, whom
they both went to pre-cadet school with.
The King endorsed the military reshuffle list on 30 September—the list has emerged
unchanged from the way it was proposed by armed forces commanders. The military
reshuffle was later described by both the government and the armed forces as satisfying.
The red-shirts organized a rally at democracy Monument on October 1st to oppose the annual
reshuffle, especially the army list, which reportedly promoted soldiers involved in last year’s
crackdown.
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Ministry of Interior
Wichian Chawalit, permanent secretary for interior, was moved to temporary duty at the
Prime Minister's Office. Phranai Suwannarat, interior deputy permanent secretary was
appointed to replace him as permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry.
Government lottery office (GLO)
Thaksin's close friends were appointed on the Government Lottery Office Board. They are
Surasit Sangkapong, who was the GLO director under the Thaksin administration, and
Weerapat Srichaiya, a lawyer for Thaksin's ex-wife Potjaman Na Pombejra. Another newly
appointed board member is Lt Gen Rujawin Kijwit.
Other appointments – Judiciary and independent commissions
Pasit Sakdanarong, former secretary to the Constitution Court President, was appointed
adviser to the public health minister. Pasit had been accused of filming conversations
between judges discrediting the institution at a time when the Democrat Party was on trial for
receiving illegal donations.
Justice inspector-general Pol Col Dusadee Arayawut will next month assume the post of
secretary-general of the Office of Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission.
Other appointments - red-shirts
The legitimacy of appointments of red-shirts to many political positions has been widely
discussed in the press. For instance, in this Bangkok Post Article entitled ―Red-shirts
rewarded, but at what cost?‖ on September 3, 2011 ―Among more than 30 key red-shirt
leaders who have been appointed to political positions, Aree Krainara, former chief security
guard of the UDD, has been appointed secretary to the Interior Minister. Yoswaris Chuklom,
also known as red comedian Jeng Dokjik, was made assistant secretary to the Interior
Minister, Chinnawat Haboonpad, a key member of the Taxi Drivers Club, was appointed an
adviser to the transport minister, while Somwang Assarasee, acting deputy chairman of the
UDD, was made an adviser to the commerce minister. Several ministers said they had not
selected those red-shirt leaders to work with them. Executives in the Pheu Thai Party had
made the decisions for them.‖
There is no doubt that UDD leaders have helped the Pheu Thai Party win the July 3 general
election. Many of them, including Jatuporn Promparn, who was jailed, kept repeating that
during the Democrat-led government's tenure, red shirts risked their lives during clashes with
security forces, and some spent time in jail. Jatuporn was also quoted as saying that ―if the
red shirts and the UDD were not strong enough, the Yingluck administration would not be
able to uphold its authority.‖ (Bangkok Post, 3/09/11)
Meanwhile, Udomdet Rattanasathien, a Pheu Thai MP for Nonthaburi, has been appointed
chief of the government coalition whips. The Pheu Thai-led coalition comprises six parties,
commanding altogether 300 seats in the House of Representatives -- Pheu Thai Party (265
seats), Chartthaipattana Party (19), Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party (7), Phalang Chon Party
(7), Mahachon Party (1) and New Democracy Party (1).
Allocation of the chairmanship of 35 House committees also was difficult. According to
customary rule, the number of committee chair posts is proportional to the number of House
seats.
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Opposition
The Democrat Party formed a shadow government to monitor the work of the Pheua Thai-led
coalition government. His leader, Abhisit Vejjajiya, took the responsibility of being the
premier together with handling the defence portfolio. He was formally appointed as the
opposition leader by a royal command issued on the 19th
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Constitutional amendments
Early this month, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont announced that the government was
going to launch a constitution drafting process. First, the article 291 of the constitution
would need to be amended to allow for the formation of a drafting assembly that would be
comprised of 99 people, 77 of them elected in their respective provinces and the rest selected
experts from various relevant fields including law and political sciences. According to media
reports, the formation of the assembly should be completed next April. The assembly would
then work out a whole new constitution and the government and the parliament would not
have a hand in the drafting. Then a referendum on the new charter would be held,
approximately in early 2013.
Anniversary of the coup
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship staged a rally on Sunday, Sept 18, to
mark the fifth anniversary of the Sept 19, 2006 coup. "Anti-coup sentiment has never been as
strong," said Thanet Abhornsuvan, a former Thammasat University history professor.
On Sept 18, a newly-formed group of academics calling itself Nitirat (meaning Rule of Law
and translated as ―enlightened jurists‖) called for changes which it said would end the fallout
from the 2006 coup, including
amending Criminal Code Section 112 on lese majeste;
reviewing legal action taken against suspects in all cases in the coup aftermath;
nullifying the 2007 constitution; and
drafting a new charter.
This announcement, widely echoed in the press, has sparked debate in Thai society.
For instance, the Lawyers Council of Thailand on September 27 issued a statement opposing
Nitirats' call for nullification of all judicial decisions that were a consequence of the Sept 19,
2006 coup, saying that their proposal only caused confusion about the constitutional
monarchy.
Meanwhile, 112 internationally recognized scholars of Thai politics have called on the
government to revise the lèse majesté laws including Article 112 of the Criminal Code and
the 2007 Computer Crimes Act and to give attention to the plight of academics, journalists
and regular citizen currently under trial for lèse majesté offences. They were referring
particularly to the cases of Chiranuch Premchaiyaporn, editor of Prachatai online newspaper,
Somyos Preuksakasemsuk, unionist and editor of Voice of Thaksin magazine and naturalised
American Joe Gordon in their petition to the government.
The Democrat Party accused the Nitirat group of trying to help Thaksin Shinawatra.
Reconciliation
Respected academic and chair of the National Reform Commission Prawase Wasi warned of
the danger of looming civil war in Thailand. He said Thai society must act to offset the threat
of civil war over the mishandling of two key issues, the monarchy and the controversy
surrounding former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He cited deepening inequalities in
Thai society as the root cause of conflict.
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Meanwhile senators decided not to set up a new panel to investigate the deaths on April 10
last year during the red-shirts uprising. Some senators had called for a new panel whose
mandate would have allowed for summoning people for inquiries. It should be able to find
out if the former government followed procedures set out by the law for handling such
situations.
The Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand (TRCT), headed by Dr. Kanit Na
Nakorn, released its second report on September 16 outlining its work progress and making
seven recommendations in connection with the last year's violence.
―TRCT sees the prosecution of criminal cases according to the Royal decree on public
Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005), the offence of unlawful assembly
of ten or more persons under section 215 of the criminal Code, and other relevant cases
relating to incidents of political violence before and after the 19 September 2006 coup
including cases of lèse majesté under Section 112 of the Penal Code and Computer Related
Crime Act B.E.2550 (2007) as all being related to political conflict. The government should
thus proceed with the prosecution of such offences as follows:
1- (…) Consider whether the accusation is unduly harsh or the evidence too weak to
prove guilt.
2- (…) Proceed with the temporary release of detainees as this is a fundamental right of
accused persons and defendants. (…)
3- (…) If accused persons and defendants are not granted temporary release, the
government should arrange for their detention in an appropriate place, not in a
common prison as has been the case in the past.
4- (…) The principle of criminal justice which uses criminal prosecution measures and
punishment is not appropriate for the current situation in our country. It is thus
appropriate to study and apply the theories of transitional justice and restorative
justice. (…) (meanwhile) delaying prosecution of these cases and not taking them to
court until collection of the relevant information is complete
5- The government should promptly and decisively proceed with reparations (…)
Groups to which reparations are made should not be limited to only those affected by
the April-May 2010 incidents but should cover those affected by violent incidents
related to political conflict since the 19 September 2006 coup. This should include
officials, mass media and the members of the private sector as well as their families
and other affected persons. (…) The government must be aware that reparations can
proceed in various ways and does not have to be limited to monetary reparation. S(…)
Some need money due to poverty and economic distress; some need an apology to
restore honor to deceased and injured persons; some need occupation and career
opportunities; some need perpetrators to be brought to justice; some need mental
reparation, etc.
6- The government should establish an ad hoc committee mandated to provide reparation
to all affected parties.
The TRCT expresses its concerns at the administration of justice in times of political
conflict in Thailand and especially the use of the lèse majesté law.
―Besides those affected by violent incidents, reparation of those who have faced unfair
trials, which is a significant target group, is also a condition for bringing about
reconciliation. (…) Another matter of grave concern is the perception that the justice
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system fails to render justice but is used as a mechanism to deliver injustice. (…) The list
of persons detained and defendants should be made complete and current. (…) TRCT
expresses concern regarding the prosecution of individuals for lèse majesté offences
under Section 112 of Criminal Code and Computer related Crime Act B :E 2550 920070 :
The increase in the number of cases could have a political impact : TRCT believes that
although the government has the obligation to vigorously protect the monarchy, regarded
by Thai people with the utmost reverence, from being defamed by inappropriate behavior
and acts, the issue of criminal prosecution without due regard for criminal policy or
control guidelines for proper enforcement during times of political conflict can create
national and international complications, particularly in regard to freedom of expression.
At present, the enforcement of lèse majesté laws in Thailand has become an issue of
interest for the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and several
foreign countries.‖
Finally, the TRCT proposes to go back to the root cause of violence, namely the
Constitutional Court judgment in 2004 about Thaksin’s hidden assets. ―The TRCT
proposes that the government along with relevant agencies examine this case according to
the rule of law‖.
The TRCT report was submitted to the prime minister who vowed to work towards
implementation of the commission’s recommendations ―The government has appointed a
panel to implement the commission's report in a gesture of sincerity to bring about
reconciliation," (The Nation,21/09/12) The panel to follow up on the report will reportedly
be led by Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit.
A group of residents and businesses affected by last year’s political protests are looking for a
way to get compensation. The submitted alter to the prime minister for that matter, and asked
the government to help them either directly or to pressure insurance companies to
compensate the, So far, most insurance companies have qualified the acts as terrorism, which
does not provide for compensation. The government has indicated it intends to revoke the
Insurance Commission Office's decision that last year's clashes in the Ratchaprasong area
were an act of terrorism. It could help the Pheua Thai government to clear red-shirts of
terrorism charges (Thaksin also facing this charge).
Thaksin's pardon
In August 2009, a petition signed by more than 3.5 million people, most of them red-shirts,
asking for a royal pardon for Thaksin, was submitted to the Democrat-led administration for
consideration. The Corrections Department, under the Ministry of Justice, spent about two
years checking the eligibility of each petitioner. This task was completed at the beginning of
the month. The petition was then forwarded to the Minister of Justice, Pol. Gen Pracha
Promnok, and then to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary.
According to the Criminal Procedural Code, to be eligible for a royal pardon, the convict
should have shown remorse for his crime and actually have served time - even for one day -
before initiating the petition. Also, only the convict or his family members can fill a royal
pardon petition on his behalf.
In reaction to the petition, 29 permanent secretaries, including those whose sympathy leans
towards the red-shirts, issued a statement condemning the content of the petition as
politicizing the monarchy. The statement pointed out that the monarchy would be mired by
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politics because of the wording in the petition - pardon or no pardon, the King would be seen
as siding with either the coup or Thaksin.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung reaffirmed his willingness to clear
Thaksin's name, for he considers the former prime minister has been treated unfairly
(convicted to two years in jail by the Supreme Court for the sale of a State land to his wife) .
However, conscious that the issue of Thaksin's pardon could stoke unrest and reactivate the
political conflict, Mr Chalerm said he was still looking for "suitable" methods to clear
Thaksin's name. "It is an important matter that we need to work on."
A first step could be the rehabilitation of Thaksin’s Thai passport, earlier revoked by the
Abhisit-led administration. The current minister of foreign affairs, Surapong
Tovichakchaikul, close to Thaksin, has throughout the month given many hints such a move
could happen.
Court cases: red-shirts
This month, a few red-shirts, jailed in connection to the protest in May last year, have been
released on bail thanks to the help of Pheua Thai MPs. On September 5, bail requests were
approved for three red-shirt supporters - Narumon Warunrungroj, Surachai Nisopha and
Chatree Srijinda – Four Pheu Thai MPs - Jarupan Kuldiloke, Khattiya Sawatdiphol,
Jaroonpong Phansrinakorn and Sampat Hatthawong signed the bail papers for them.
The Criminal Court on September 30 sentenced three supporters of the United Front for
Democracy against Dictatorship to imprisonment for illegally having explosives (ping pong
bombs) in their possession and violating the emergency law while taking part in the UDD
rally in May last year. Two of them were sentenced to 20 months and the third one to six
months.
Court cases : the Shinawatras
There won’t be any appeal against the Appeals Court's acquittal of Khunying Potjaman na
Pombejra, former wife of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in a tax evasion case,
rendered on August 24 this year after the Criminal Court in 2008 gave her a three-year
sentence after finding her guilty of conspiring to evade taxes totaling 546 million baht in her
transfer of Shinawatra Computer and Communications shares worth 738 million baht to her
half brother Bannapot Damapong. The appeals court upheld a guilty verdict against
Bannapot, but reduced the sentence from three years imprisonment to two, and imposed a
fine of 100,000 baht.
Court cases: Chuwit
Chuwit, leader of the newly formed Rak Thailand Party, was convicted for money-laundering
in connection to the massage parlours he owns. The Supreme Court on 30 September 2011
reversed a former Appeal Court's verdict clearing Mr Chuwit of any wrongdoing and ordered
the seizure of 3.5 million baht in assets from Chuwit.
Court cases: Santika pub
On September 20, two people were convicted in relation to the infamous case of the Santika
fire on New Year’s eve in 2008. The owner of the pub, Wisuk Setsawat, and Boonchu
Laorinath, the light and sound company's owner, were convicted to three years for
negligence. Wisuk was found guilty for failing to obey building regulations and provide
emergency exits at the Santika pub while Boonchu was convicted for erecting the stage
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display, including fireworks, that sparked the blaze. The pub caught fire on the morning of
January 1, 2009, killing 67 people and injuring another 103.
Prisons
The Pheu Thai-led government is preparing to seek a large-scale pardon for prisoners on His
Majesty the King's 84th birthday on Dec 5. It is a tradition to have massive rounds of royal
pardons for prisoners on the occasion of royal celebrations.
Justice Minister Pracha Promnok justified this attempt by explaining that the country's
prisons are bursting with inmates. There are more than 230,000 people in jail when the
facilities can hold only 140,000.
The amnesty plan came under critic as part of a vast plan to whitewash convicted red shirt
leaders involved in last year's protests, including leaders in exile, the most prominent of
which is Thaksin.
Southern insurgency
The Southern insurgency does not seem to be fading away.
As reported by Deep South Watch this month, between January 2004 and August 2011
- 4,846 people have been killed (1,857 Buddhists and 2,858 Muslims, 131 other with
unknown religion)
- 11,074 violent incidents
- 7,995 people injured (4,854 Buddhists, 2616 Muslims and 525 people with unknown
religion)
Many violent events occurred this month, including riots at the Pattani Central Prison on 5
September that left two inmates dead. The riot was reportedly fuelled by tensions between
Muslim and Buddhist inmates, following the appointment of a Buddhist inmate as warden
assistant.
Freedom of expression
Prachathai website editor Chiranuch Premchaiyaporn was awarded the prestigious human
rights Hellman/Hammett grants for her commitment to free expression in Thailand. This is
the first time this award, launched in 1989 by Human Rights Watch, was received by a Thai
national.
Chiranuch, on trial under the Computer Crimes Act for not deleting quickly enough
comments deemed offensive to the monarchy posted by the general public on the site weblog,
said "Limited freedom is like not having enough air to breath and hopefully will be a timely
warning for society to learn from and overcome the situation peacefully. The fact that she
was the first Thai recipient of the award was an indicator that freedom of expression in
Thailand has drastically declined since the 2006 coup, and the current administration has not
so far shown any intention to reduce such a problem.‖
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III. Economy and Society
Policy implementation
- Minimum Wage
During his second month in office, the Yingluck administration failed to implement its most
popular policies such as the 300 baht minimum daily wage and 15,000 baht starting salary
for new graduates.
- Tax deduction policy
The tax deduction policy for first-time home buyers was on the other hand fully
implemented. It consists of taxable income bases being lowered by up to 10% of the home
price within a limit of 500,000 baht for homes valued at no more than 5 million baht. The tax
deduction lasts for five years and stands at an equal amount each year. Home buyers willing
to benefit from the tax deduction were asked to register the transfer of house ownership
between September 21, 2011 and December 31, 2012. There was criticism that the mentioned
tax deduction policy was intended to benefit SC Asset, the property arm of the Shinawatra
family.
- Anti-drug campaign
The government announced its anti-drug campaign. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
emphasized a rehabilitation aspect, saying that the government aims to turn 400,000 of the
country’s 1.2 million addicts into decent citizens. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm
Yubamrung emphasized drug suppression and enforcement, saying officials will get tough
with traffickers and dealers, seizing their assets and controlling them strictly while they are in
detention prevent them from continuing with their business; Chalerm added that efforts will
focus on blocking drug shipments across Thailand’s northern border. The suppression
campaign will be managed by a new drugs command centre, headed by Chalerm. Some
observers worry about a repeat of the 2003 war on drugs, in which over 2,000 drug suspects
were killed; the government has given repeated reassurances that there will be no abuses of
authority.
Telecoms
On September 5, the line-up of the long-awaited National Broadcasting and
Telecommunications Commission was unveiled after a vote took place in the Senate. The 11
NBTC members were selected out of 44 shortlisted candidates by a total of 147 senators.
The members, whose mandate is 6 years, are:
(1) Lt Gen Peerapong Manakit (advisor to the office of the permanent secretary of the
defence ministry)
(2) Air chief Marshal Thares Punsri (executive chairman of defence technology institute)
(3) Suthiporn Thaveechaiyagarn (secretary-general to the Election Commission)
(4) Pol Col Thaweesak Ngamsanga (advisor to veteran politician Pijni Jarusombat)
(5) Associate Professor Prasert Silpipat (member of the academic committee of the King
Prajadhipok’s Institute)
(6) Assistant Professor Thawatchai Jitpanan (economic lecturer at Chulalongkorn University)
(7) Col Nathee Sukolrat (member of the National Telecommunication Commission)
(8) Col Setthapong Malisuwan (staff at the directorate of joint intelligence of the armed
forces)
(9) Supinya Klangnarong (media activist at the Campaign for Popular Media reform)
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(10) Prawit Leesathapornwongsa (Director of the Telecommunications Consumer Protection
Institute)
(11) Gen Sukij Kamasunthorn (Special Advisor to the Armed Forces)
The prime minster is supposed to submit the list to the King for royal assent, but as of the
beginning of October had not done so. Yingluck reportedly said that the cabinet secretariat
would study how to proceed, and the government may consult with the Council of State.
Lack of formal endorsement, however, did not prevent the NBTC members from selecting a
chairman and two vice-chairmen (reportedly, by law, this must be done within 15 days of the
members being selected); ACM Thares Punsri was chosen as chairman and Col Nathee
Sukolrat and Col Setthapong Maliswan were chosen as deputy chairmen. The list of
commission members, chosen by the Senate on 5 September, has not yet been submitted for
royal endorsement because the government is consulting the Council of State regarding an
outstanding Department of Special Investigation probe into the selection process.
Floods
Floodwaters released from dams in the central region started to inundate the country in
September. By the last week of September, 112 people had lost their lives due to the floods in
the 26 provinces were affected, including Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan,
Uthai Thani, Chainat, Singburi, Angthong, Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Suphan Buri,
Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ubon Ratchathani, Yasothon, Loei, Khon
Kaewn, Mahasarakham, Si Sa Ket, Chachoengso, Nakhon Nayok, Tak, Sa Kaew, and
Prachinburi.