12 February 2008
the Korat Post
Translated from PRD NE Regional News Center
Nakhonratchasima

Mr. Samrerng Haekrathoke, new provincial administrator

Unofficial results from provincial administrator election but results summarized on 10 February 2008 indicate that Mr. Samrerng Haekrathoke has won.

Yesterday morning Mr. Thongchai Leuadul, chair of the provincial administration election committee of Nakhonratchasima, announced the vote count for Korat’s provincial administrator post, stating that Mr. Samrerny Haekrathoke, candidate no. 1, had achieved the lead with 607,508 votes, totally devastating candidate no. 2, Mr. Vitoon Chatipatimaphongse, who had only 305,667 votes. A total of 965,532 voters cast their ballots, 52.3% of the electorate. There were 2.1% invalid ballots and 2.4% no vote ballots.
As to the winner, Mr. Samrerng Haekrathoke, he had been a physician with the Nakhonratchasima provincial Ministry of Health for ten continuous years, and another ten years’ experience working in Nakhonratchasima provincial community development. Mr. Samrerng will oversee the Provincial Administration Organization with an annual budget in excess of 1,100 million Baht.  

10 February 2008
the Nation

Dead girl told to repay student loan

A former Army officer yesterday filed a police complaint at Muang Nakhon Ratchasima police station after the Student Loan Fund (SLF [Thai language]) sent an invoice for his daughter to repay a student loan of Bt65,000, when in fact his daughter died 26 years ago when she was 18 months old. Published on February 10, 2008
Lt-Colonel Prajin Chatjoho said he had received a letter from SLF claiming that his daughter Nattayanee Chatjoho owed Bt65,000 in student loans and must start repaying with Bt26,000 by March 31 or the SLF would revoke the contract and collect the whole amount. The letter also said that if she failed to repay the whole amount, Prajin, as her father and guarantor, would face legal action. His daughter died in August 1981 from encephalitis as a result of chicken pox when she was only one-and-a-half years old, he said, presenting Nattayanee's birth certificate, death certificate and the SLF invoice to reporters. He also said he had not been able to reach anyone at the SLF phone number on the letter so had asked for his daughter's "loan application" documents from the Nakhon Ratchasima Educational Area 1 Office but been told that the documents had been sent to the SLF. He therefore decided to file a police complaint so officials could investigate how such a thing could happen, he said. Police Senior Sgt-Major Nikhom Jaemsuwan from the Ratchaburi Internal Security Operations Command filed a compliant with Muang Ratchaburi police on February 5, saying that the SLF had sent a letter demanding that he repay Bt12,056, when in fact he had graduated over 30 years ago and never taken out a student loan. The letter he received identified him as a "Miss Nikhom Jaemsuwan" along with his correct identification-card number and student code, he said, and it stated that the student loan was Bt7,008 plus Bt1,880 interest. Since Nikhom had not contacted the fund to repay the debt, the fund also fined him Bt3,158, thus the total amount to pay before March 31 was Bt12,056, he cited the letter as saying. "I am puzzled, because I graduated over 30 years ago and never borrowed money to study. I'm not sure if it's a mistake or a criminal attempt to get money from me, so I've lodged a compliant with police." he said. A source at SLF said that the case of Nikhom had been reported to SLF Manager Thada Martin, and he had ordered debt-management officials to check what had gone wrong. The result should be ready for Thada on Monday. As for the case of Nattayanee, SLF officials would soon inform Thada about it. The source admitted there had been several cases like these that had not made the news because they were data errors rather than criminal attempts to extort money. The source said the SLF had checked civil registration information with the Interior Ministry and found people with the same names or last names, thus these cases might be data errors.
The Nation Nakhon Ratchasima

10 February 2008
Translated from Manager Online 9 February 2008

Lucky Number Plate Bidding Draws Huge Crowd

At Korat’s Dusit Princess on 9 February 2008, crowds vied with one another in the 4th Lucky Number Plate Bidding Event, opened by Korat’s governor Suthi Maakboon, for Class กพ [kor phor]. It was estimated that the event brought in over sixteen million Baht. The three most popular number combinations were, of course, 8888, 9999, and 5555. In a previous event, Suwat Liptapanlop paid some 2.3 million Baht for a 9999 plate. For Thai language report from Manager Online, see (Manager Online report).

COBRA GOLD '08' PREPARATIONS, CHARITY

9 February 2008
Translated from earlier reports

Korat's Wing 1 commander Lt. Gen. Wiboonsakdi Neephan, recently gave a press conference with local media outlining preparations for this year's Cobra Gold joint exercises. in a brief presentation, the Royal Thai Air Force Lt. General provided an overview of Cobra Gold history, citing close cooperation in the early years with United States forces, later expanding to Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, etc. The press conference was more of an early briefing, and did not provide much detail regarding the upcoming May 2008 exercises, nor which part of the country they would largely be concentrated in. The local Air Force, in an unrelated action, in mid-January 2008 began a program of offering morning meals to government workers for a 10 Baht charge. Offering assistance to the local community is part and parcel of the functions of the Thai military, including the Air Force.

Fourteen men believed to be militants were apprehended in the troubled southern province of Narathiwat on Friday.

NARATHIWAT, February 8, 2008(TNA)
A combined unit of police and army personnel were searching homes in a Sungai Padi district village shortly before dawn, when a group of young men ran from the village into the nearby jungle, attracting attention and raising suspicion on the part of the government. They ran after the men and caught 13 of them, suspected to be members of the Runda Kumpalan Kecil (RKK), a splinter group of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Melayu Pattani which has been successfully  recruiting anti-government fighters by reaching through school networks, religious teachers and student organisations in the restive South. Of the 13 persons who were nabbed, officials said two men are key leaders of the RKK movement. Several items including cell phone circuits, electrical wires and medicines were seized from a house where those men lived, officials said. In another development, army personnel on Friday afternoon arrested a 32-year-old man at a house in Narathiwat municipality who was wanted on criminal charges. His arrest came after another man, suspected as an insurgent and apprehended earlier, reportedly told police he was involved in setting bombs and attacking government officials in the province. Some 2,800 people have been killed since renewed violence broke out in the three violence-plagued southernmost provinces – Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat – in early January 2004. (TNA)

Sakon Soccer Competition

5 February 2008
Translated from NE Thailand News Dated 4February 2008

Mr. Somchai Somrak, director of Sakon Nakhorn’s Sakolratchawittayanukul School, and president of the province’s soccer association, disclosed that the association and school has arranged the 22nd annual soccer competition for the hot season year 2008. The event will be held in April 2008 at the Mingmeung Soccer Field in the central district of Sakol Nakhon city, using the slogan, “Join forces for soccer to join forces for the nation to enable the monarch to fight drug addiction.” There will be five classes of competition, for age groups 13 years, 15 years, 17 years, 20 years and general for ages 35 and above to compete for a General Prem Tinsulalonda prize cup and cash prizes. Those interested in participating may do so from 1-15 March 2008, and contact the school at 042 – 711586.

Thai Ministry of Public Health Warning

"Keep toads off food menu"

4 February 2008
Translated from 2 February 2008 MinyHealth Warning Published in Khon Kaen

The Royal Thai Ministry of Public Health has warned consumers not to use toads in cooking because the poisons present in toads are not removed by high heat in cooking. As well, the Ministry has reiterated to the public that there is no scientific evidence present to support the widely-held belief that use of toads in food can cure diseases. Dr. Yach Boonyuangwirote, Thailand's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, stated that use of toads as a sidedish when drinking alcohol or beer is an extremely dangerous matter and that each year there are several deaths reported because of this practice. He said that toads are poisonous and that in their poison is a white mucus-like substance called "toad resin," and in addition, the parts of a toad - skin, blood, organs and eggs - all carry poisons. The doctor indicated that these were all dangerous, especially as when made into food the poisons impact the working of the heart, including heart pressure and heartbeat. As well, the poisons in toads are resistant to heat, so the public is warned. Those who hold the belief that toads can increease scrength or cure diseases are wrong and taking extremely dangerous chances in consuming the poisonous toad.

3 February 2008
Translated from Isan News, Thai language

NKP Hosts Ag Festival

Nakhon Phanom University has arranged to hold the 11th Mekhong Group Agricultural Festival for 2008 from 8-11 February 2008 at the Agricultural College of the University of Nakhon Phanom , Kham Tao Market, Meung district of NKP. The opening event will take place on 8 February at 10:00 hrs. This year’s festival will include exhibitions from the University’s departments, both state and private exhibits. There will be various districts exhibiting sustainable economy models, shows and competitions in agriculture and animal husbandry, fisheries, agricultural career competitions, delicious papaya salad, etc. There will also be a Cowboy Night. For the music portion of the competition, this year there will be three cash awards, as well as cups, for the top places; 10,000 Baht, 7,000 Baht and 5,000 Baht and 2,000 Baht. More details are available from organizers at Tel. 081-6708931 or Ajarn Lapa 085-7563569.

Ministry of Industry Joins Hands With Institute of EnergyConservation

28 January 2008
From Thailand Environment News website www.onep.go.th
Translated by the Korat Post Online

Mr. Piyabutr Chonwicharn, deputy Minister of Industry presided over a project commencement ceremony for the building of a wastewater-fed biogas plant using wastewater from tapioca mills to produce heat in place of gas. The facility will also produce electricity for local plant use for Bang Na Flour Co., Ltd. Yangtalat District, Kalasin province, which is a pilot project for tapioca flour mills and receives government funding in support to promote awareness and energy conservation, totaling 33,237,480 Baht, in the form of a grant.

There are a total of three tapioca flour mills participating in the project, namely; Roiet Flour Factory Co., Ltd., P Starts 2000 Co., Ltd., and Bang Na Flour co., Ltd. This project, besides generating replacement energy and solving problems of waste water treatment, also reduce the problem of alternative gas supplies which are a cause of the hothouse gas effect.

Mr. Adisorn Noppawaranon, deputy director of the Department of Industrial Plants stated in addition that the producing of biogas in the three locations would replace 100% of the regular cylinder gas needs. He indicated that estimates over the last year it was possible to save energy costs for each plant up to 30 million Baht. This, as well as creating benefits for energy alternatives, solving wastewater treatment problems and the problem of odors, also solves the replacement-for-gas problem. Greenhouse gases originate from decomposition of mill watewater effluent up to 50,000 tons per year. In our program here we will proceed with implementing it at another seven mills this year, which if each of the tapioca flour mills – of which there are eighty - also go along with the program, then it will allow the country to conserve energy each year to the amount of no less than 4,000 million Baht. As well, the Department of Industrial Plants can use the methodology in other plant types as well.

24 January 2008, the Nation
Si Sa Ket

A pilot instructor and a pilot trainee were injured when an army training helicopter crashed in this northeastern province Wednesday, police said. The helicopter was flying from Surin to Ubon Ratchathani and developed an engine malfunction and crashed on a field in Si Sa Ket's Muang district at 10:45 am. The two pilots were pulled out of the helicopter by workers of a near-by furniture shop in time before it exploded, police said. They were identified as Captain Dej Prakorbpol, 45, the instructor, and Corporal Kawi Songwiang, 30. The Nation

23 January 2008
Ubonratchathani Department of Public Relations
Translated by the Korat Post Online

Approval For Foreign Labor to Flee Into Thailand Year 2008

The Thai Council of Ministers passed a resolution on 18 December 2007 approving foreign laborers from three countries – Burma, Laos and Kampuchea – who have previously registered with the Department of Local Administration to wait within the Kingdom of Thailand for an additional two years, for repatriation purposes.

Mr. Suphote Booncharoen, Yasothon provincial director of the Department of Employment disclosed that the Council of Ministers had passed a resolution approving Burmese, Laotian and Kampuchean laborers who had earlier registered with the Department to remain in the kingdom for another two year period to await repatriation. The referred laborers are to appear for registration between 21 January-19 February 2008. Where foreign laborers cited have been placed in one of thirteen categories to reside in Thailand] but are not able to locate evidence, they are to appear with references to their category to submit as part of an appeal for person history check to the Office of Registration at the district or local level, together with two each one inch photographs. Foreign laborer certificates expiring 28 February 2008 may be submitted for renewal from 1-28 February 2008. Groups whose certificates expire on 14 March 2008 should appear for renewal from 13 February – 14 March 2008, groups whose certificates expire on 30 March 2008 should appear for renewal from 1-30 March 2008. Employers who have increased needs for foreign laborers or whose quota has not been filled are able to apply form 16 January 2008 onwards.

Thai Human Rights Record Unblemished - Still Remains Shameful ... and a Sham

21 January 2008
Agency Reports

Nakhon Ratchasima - The inquiry into some 2,500 extra-judicial killings during the war on drugs by the Thaksin Shinawatra government has found no evidence which would enable the punishment of those involved, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Sunday. Gen Surayud said he had just received a final report from panel chairman Khanit na Nakhon stating that no one could be held to blame for the killings. "Due to lack of evidence, as many witnesses have refused to come forward to provide vital information to the investigators, this panel couldn't hold anyone responsible," he said when leading reporters on a tour of his resort home in Khao Yai Thieng in Sikhiu district. The committee, formally known as the Independent Commission for Study and Analysis of the Formation and Implementation of Drug Suppression Policy (ICID), was appointed by the Surayud government in August last year. It has 12 members, including senior criminal justice officials, law enforcement officers, and human rights defenders. It had been given 10 months to investigate the deaths of about 2,500 people killed during the three-month anti-drugs drive from Feb 1 to April 30, 2003.

The ICID was not the only agency which was unsuccessful in solving cases involving human rights abuses committed during the Thaksin regime. The Department of Special Investigation also failed to name those behind the disappearance of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. "Even though the investigators have the names of people they believe were involved in the disappearance of Mr Somchai, they still can't find substantial evidence to press charges against them," Gen Surayud said. Mr Somchai, who is now presumed dead, went missing four years ago. After his disappearance, police arrested five suspects, all of them police officers. His family, colleagues and human rights activists believe his disappearance was related to his work as a defence lawyer for Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist suspects from the South. [Agencies]

19 January 2008
the Korat Post Online
Translated by the Korat Post

WHAT'S KORN'S GAME - TODAY?

Korn Dhabbaransri, former leader of the Chatpattana Party, co founded by former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman's father General Chatchai Choonhavan, appeared in Korat recently ostensibly to pay respects to ailing Luan gopho Khun, abbot of Wat Baan Rai in Korat's Dan Khun Thod district. While being interviewed by the press in Korat during his visit, Korn revealed that the Chat Thai party, headed by Banharn Silpaacha - who had earlier sworn never to again join hands with Thaksin Shinawatra, had unanimously resolved to join the People Power Party, and would have a press announcement on 21 January to this effect, probably chaired by the Chat Thai party leader. Politicla pundits are wondering just what it is that Korn has to offer Thaksin/Samak other than influence with the Ruam Jai Thai Chartpattana Party, a reincarnation of the Chatpattana Party. Korn and Suwat Liptapanlop, for example, have been less than loving cousins in the past, and observers are having a difficult time forecasting where Kkorn will come out when the dust has settled. As to Banharn, his earlier oath to avoid Thaksin at all costs now seems like a belch against a hurricane. A Thai television commentator, alluding to Banharn's seeming wishy washy ways, said that Banharn was being 'milked' to produce semen for an unbeatable new strain of slippery eels.

Rocky start for TITV

All staff laid off; ad ban enforced as new board due

Published on January 15, 2008
The Nation

TITV's transformation into Thailand's first public television station began last night with advertising being dropped and the appointment expected today of a five-member board to take care of its operations. PM's Office minister Khun-ying Thipawadee Meksawan said the five names would be submitted to the Cabinet for acknowledgement. The board would take charge of the company's operations in line with the Public TV Act, which came into force yesterday. The board, which will be in office for six months before the establishment of a permanent nine-member board through the selection of various groups, will then announce its policies. Public Relations Department director-general Pramote Ratthawinit said as from midnight, the 800 TITV staff were no longer considered employees and that all existing programmes, news or non-news, would be pulled off the air. For two full days, programmes would be government documentaries, mostly on royal activities, and particularly those of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana, to be supplied from the PRD's broadcasting network. "The new board will then appoint the station director, who will make decisions on employment and programming. Staff who do not get new job contracts will not be entitled to any compensation," he said. Within six months, the board should complete all pending issues. TITV staff at midnight gathered to bid goodbye to the station. The disgruntled workers clustered in a gloomy atmosphere. Some said they did not want to be the dead bodies littering the path to public TV. At a press conference yesterday afternoon, they said they had done their jobs with honesty and had never taken money from politicians or interest groups. "We are confident that the board members will do their job fairly and honestly with no agenda to seek personal benefit or to benefit their peers," said senior editor Alongkorn Muandao. Sathaporn Charupa, chief of the Labour Protection and Welfare Department, said up to half of the station's staff could be laid off and they were not protected under the labour law as they had fallen under the control of the Public Relations Department - a state agency. He said the department was ready to help staff who were laid off. Advertising agencies and TV producers have cried foul over the lack of official notification of the ad ban. A source from a media planning agency said its clients had no contingency plan on what to do, as everything would depend on the station's new board. Y&R advertising agency's chief executive Sorn Chongsricharn said the ad ban would have no negative affect on the company's customers, given that big advertisers had shifted their ads to other channels since iTV was changed to TITV. He said the loss of ad time on TITV would not mean a significant boost in revenue for other channels that allow advertising. "Advertising fees on TITV are not expensive at only one third the cost of other channels. I think Channel 7 will be the biggest beneficiary and the rest will go to Channels 3, 5 and 9. Without TITV, it's good for advertisers - they have fewer options to choose from," Sorn said. Traiphop Limpraphat, a television host and head of producer Born and Associates, criticised the government for the sudden change. He called it a big hoax. "If the new programmes are those announced earlier, the government is deceiving the public," he said. "It announced that a public TV station must be independent from government intervention or business-sector control. But the announced programmes contain some government programmes. Indeed, the board must not be appointed by the government. If we don't call this intervention, what else can we call it?" He urged the board to conduct hearings so the public can say what it wants of the public TV channel. "This needs massive public scrutiny given the involvement of taxpayers' money. This is a big hoax and I will not let anyone fool the public," he said. Phusit Laithong, deputy managing director of producer TV Thunder, also questioned the government's move following the announcement of the new programmes. He urged the public to question if any particular party would benefit from the transformation. "From our discussions, no producers have been notified of the unplugging. We're still producing programmes and our most recent tapes could last until late February. This will cause damage," he said. Under the Public TV Act, TITV, which earns about Bt2 billion in annual ad revenue, would be financed by "six taxes" of about Bt2 billion annually. Its original operator, iTV Plc, posted net profits of Bt205 million in 2004 and Bt678 million in 2005. With provisions for additional concession fees, it made a net loss of Bt1.78 billion. The concession was revoked in March 2006 following iTV's failure to pay fines of over Bt100 billion. The PM's Office was recently ordered to settle the fines through arbitration. There are questions over what the government will do if the fines are settled at a level acceptable to and payable by iTV. The Nation

Protest Gatherings

4 January 2007
Nakhonratchasima News Center, Manager Online
Translated by the Korat Post

Protest Gatherings Against Buriram Election Commission begin to escalate when a moved in against and surrounded the Buriram Election Commission offices to press for removal from duty of the Election Commission chair person and EC investigation member as well as to have suitable replacements appointed in order to investigate the case of giving three winning MP candidates red cards, and that the group would not break up until it has discussions over four demands it presented. The mob also threatened that it would regroup after three days if its demands were not discussed by that time.

The media reported on the latest in protest meetings in Buriram on 4 January that at 16:00 hrs. protest gatherings had begun to escalate when local residents gathered in protest and demands for justice for three winning MP  candidates of the People Power Party in district 1 of Buriram who were given red cards. The protestors moved in and surrounded Buriram’s Election Commission entrance and exit to pressure the EC to come out and explain its rationale for red carding the three. The protestors found themselves amidst police, military and another 100 volunteers who had banded together to strictly safeguard security and order, and to prohibit those protesting from creating unrest or to forcibly enter the EC offices to damage government property.

In the protest, the leadership, consisting of Mr. Suchart Thomkratoke, Mr. Sakol Khongset, Mr. Kowit Wisamphan, Mr. Pirawat Phansamreut, and Mr. Wisit Charoeninthiikul entered into discussions with police second lieutenant Kawee Chunkoh, acting in place of the Buriram Election Commission director, where Mr. Prawat Ratthirom, deputy governor of Buriram province, chaired the discussions and in which the protesting group submitted the following demands:

1.         It is suggested that Mr. Kasem Wattanatham, deputy governor of Buriram province, in the position of chairperson for the Buriram Election Commission, and police Col. Sangworn Phuphaijitrkul, deputy commissioner Buriram provincial police, in the position of board member for investigation [EC] temporarily cease their roles in the positions to allow justice in the investigations of red carding the three MP candidate winners in district 1.
2.         The Election Commission shall appoint an individual from the Central EC office to come and temporarily serve in place of those cited in item 1 to proceed with new investigations into the case of red carding the three winners.
3.         Prawat Ratthirom, deputy governor of Buriram province, who had been authorized by the provincial governor, agreed to submit demand no. 1 to the Ministry of Interior and to notify the provincial police commissioner to proceed as needed.
4.         As to the case of issuing red cards to the three winning PPP candidates, acting police commissioner indicated during the meeting that it was not a decision of the provincial Election Commission but was the opinion of the investigation board of the EC appointed to express its opinion directly to the central Election Commission [in Bangkok].
The latest, at 18:30 hrs., after the discussions between the group and representatives had ended and after officials had forwarded the demands of the group to the central EC, regardless if by three days there was not any progress in meeting the demands, then the protestors would regroup and come back later.

Protesting For Right To Protest in Buriram

Photo - Manager Online

3 January 2008
the Korat Post Online
Translated from 2 January 2008 Manager Online article

Election candidates backing “Maew” [Thaksin] don’t give up, insist that they have the right to give their citizen I.D. cards to others for use in protesting against the Election Commission’s red-carding winning candidates in Buriram.

In the afternoon of 2 January 2008, media reports indicated that twelve residents of Moo 6 & 7 of Tambol Nong Bon, Prakhonchai district of Buriram province, were transported to the local police station in Prakhongchai to explain circumstances of use of their personal citizenship cards that police had seized on 1 January. The cards and copies had been confiscated in response to rules relating to use of the cards being restricted only to the cardholders themselves. Those whose cards had been seized protested that their rights were being violated.

Mr. Krailert Wikprakhun, aged 35, and one of the twelve protesters, insisted that the cardholder had a legitimate right to provide their cards to others who were gathering support for removal of the Buriram provincial Election Commission. He stated that it was his conviction that such I.D. card use was proper, given what he considered overreaction by the provincial election commission in red-carding three winning People Power Party candidates, and thus he wished those responsible to reconsider on the behalf of justice for the people.

For his part, Mr. Ratanachai Ratprakhon, aged 47, former tambol head of Khok Yaang, admitted that it was he who had accumulated the I.D. cards to support calls for removal of the Buriram Election Commission as it was his right, and the right of citizens, to do so. He also insisted that it was the right of citizens to come forward with demands for investigation. Despite his insistence, there are lingering doubts as to whether the group was drafted by local vested interests to protest. This is why the police inquiry was being held. Buriram province is a particularly worrisome province for alleged and actual vote buying and political skullduggery.  

BANGKOK, January 2, 2008(TNA) - Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana [personal bio page] , eldest sister of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, died early Wednesday, her death denoting not only the passing of a royal person who has contributed good to many during a long and fruitful life, but focuses the thoughts of many Thais on Buddhist concepts of impermanence. According to the Royal Household Bureau's 39th statement, even though all possible care had been given by the team of Royal Physicians, Princess Galyani's condition gradually declined and she succumbed at 2:54 am on the morning of Wednesday January 2. As a princess who was born and educated abroad, she was first of all older sister to her two younger brothers, Ananda Mahidol and Bhumiphol Adulyadej, both of whom became kings, and witnessed and reflected upon much of Thailand's history in the 20th century.  
Princess Galyani's passing bears witness to the passing of an era, focusing the thoughts and prayers of the Thai people on His Majesty the King and the future of the kingdom.
 
Her overall condition had worsened Tuesday with increasingly laboured breathing and failing kidney functions, according to the Royal Household Bureau's 38th statement issued late in the day.   In addition to treatment for renal failure, the 84-year-old princess had been receiving treatment for abdominal cancer at Siriraj Hospital since June 15, 2007. 

His Majesty the King, accompanied by his son HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the Royal Consort and their son, visited the princess at hospital about 6pm Monday.  In his New Year address broadcast Monday night, the king thanked well-wishers who showed their heart-felt concern for his elder sister. People of all walks of life turned up at hospital to sign books wishing the princess well.  By Royal Command of His Majesty the King, the Bureau of the Royal Household is responsible for the Royal Rites in accordance with royal tradition and the Lying in State will be at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall of the Grand Palace.

By Royal Command the Court will be in mourning for 100 days. His Majesty the King has given Royal Permission for the general public to participate in bahting rites to be conducted before a portrait of the princess at the Sahathaisamagom Hall of the Grand Palace between 1 pm to 4 pm Wednesday afternoon. HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana was born on May 6, 1923 in London. Graduating in science and chemistry, she was knowledgeable in the arts, languages, and history, and taught French language, literature and history and Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities.  While dedicated to teaching and the arts, Princess Galyani considered it important to continue the work begun by her mother, the Princess Mother, in supporting the activities of the Foundation of Voluntary Doctors under Royal Patronage of HRH the Princess Mother.  Alleviating pain and suffering of ordinary folk who are suffering illness, especially those who could not afford normally available medical services, is a special concern of the voluntary doctors. The doctors particularly try to reach people in Thailand's more remote areas.
 
The princess was heavily involved in projects under her royal patronage, especially traditional Thai arts, education, sports and social welfare. She was president and honorary president of organisations and foundations as diverse as the Cardiac Children's Foundation, the Princess Mother's Charity Fund and the Autistic Foundation of Thailand.   She created her own foundation for funding the studies of gifted young musicians, and she is the Royal Patron of the Bangkok Opera.   Princess Galyani also traveled widely within Thailand and overseas to represent the royal family and her country on missions and was a focus of affection of the Thai people. (TNA)

31 December 2007
Translated from today's Manager Online by the Korat Post Online

Buriram Protestors Camp Out Againt EC

31 December 2007
Translated from today's Manager Online by the Korat Post Online

Buriram province, a deep enclave of Thai Rak Thai/People Power Party, saw a large group of protestors yesterday camping out near the provincial Election Commission offices to protest against the government's decision to hand out three red cards - and thus disqualify from running - the top three (and winners) of provincial MP seats in the 23 December 2007 parliamentary elections. Over 1,000 residents from five districts were reported to have driven or been trucked in to protest. Protestors called the EC action the result of intentional slander by opponents of the PPP who attacked the EC offices with loudspeakers and loud shouts. The Buriram election director appeared and informed those gathered that the decision to issue red cards was a decision of the Bangkok-based central Election Commission and had not yet been passed through the EC rules committee. One blogger on Manager Online website urged of this event, "Let's make sure we investigate who paid to truck these protestors in."

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'Thaksin 'to pull strings of PPP govt' 30 December 2007 The Nation Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is preparing to pull the strings behind the new government and reorganise the military's top brass following the People Power Party's election victory, sources say. Sources close to Thaksin said the ex-leader backed the formation of a coalition government, consisting of the People Power Party (PPP) and five smaller parties headed by PPP leader Samak Sundaravej. Based on this formula, the new administration will have 315 seats in Parliament, leaving the lone opposition Democrat Party with 165. Sources said Thaksin was upset by conditions imposed by Banharn Silapa-archa, leader of the Chart Thai for joining the coalition. Thaksin later agreed to accept the party and its 37 members of Parliament as alliance constituents. PPP members, who met with Thaksin in Hong Kong earlier this week, said the former prime minister had assigned close aides to help Samak form a new cabinet. These include Newin Chidchob [Newin Chidchob (Thai: เนวิน ชิดชอบ, born 4 October 1958) is a Thai politician. Until the 2006 Thai coup d'état , he served as a member of the Parliament for Buriram Province and was a Cabinet minister with the Thai Rak Thai party. From 2002 to 2005, he was Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives.], Yongyuth Tiyapairat, Chalerm Yoobamrung and Somchai Wongsawat. "Chalerm was assigned to negotiate with both Chart Thai and Puea Pandin so they can join the coalition. Thaksin insisted both should be included," said a top Thaksin aide, who asked not to be named. Mingkwan Sangsuwan, a PPP party-list member, will head the Samak government's economic-management team. Thaksin hopes he will boost business and investor confidence, as well as spur economic growth. "If Mingkwan is successful, People Power's popularity in Bangkok will rise, and the party might then field him as a candidate for Bangkok governor." "Once the Samak government takes office, the first priority is to reorganise the top echelon of military officers. Key members of Class 10 of the cadet school will be restored to powerful posts in the military. They still support Thaksin." "General Anupong Pao-chinda, the Army commander-in-chief, will still be in the top post, even though he was appointed by the junta following the coup, but other key army posts will be reshuffled." "The new government will reorganise the top echelon of police and Interior Ministry and judiciary. Antagonists, such as academics, businessmen and the news media, could face some sort of action, too," the source said. He said the Council of National Security, set up following the coup, had been granted an amnesty in the Constitution, so no legal action could be taken against it. However, the new government will scrutinise major arms-purchase contracts to see if there are irregularities, the source said. The Assets Examination Committee, which launched an extensive investigation of Thaksin and his family, will remain intact, because its dissolution would damage the image of the PPP, the source said. "We could be condemned if we disbanded the committee, so we will just ensure it works within the rule of law," added the source. The Nation.

 

28 December 2007
Translated from Manager Online, 27 December 2007

Buriram MP Candidates Grilled On Allegations of Vote Money Disbursement


Some of the over 100 strong villagers who were brought in by truck to give moral support and testimony
on behalf of three PPP candidates accused of vote buying.

Nakhonratchasima New Center

Three Buriram MP People Power Party (PPP) candidates in the 23 December 2007 parliamentary elections have been giving testimony to the provincial election commission in response to allegations of distributing cash to buy votes to people who came to listen to PPP speeches. During the terstimony over 100 local residents gathered nearbyu to give support and claim that the three accused have been framed by competitors.

Today, 27 December 2007, Buriram’s provincial election committee issued a summons for Mr. Pornchai Srisurinyothin, Mr. Rungrote Tongsri, and Mr. Prakit Pholdech, People Power Party candidates for parliament in Buriram’s district 1, after the three, who had the top three highest number of votes in the election were accused of distributing money for buying votes.

The allegations were initiated when Mr. Kongphan Theukthao, formerly a member of the tambol Samdiew administration appeared at Election Commission offices on 16 December 2007 holding twenty each 100 Baht banknotes he claimed were given to him by PPP candidates to distribute to local villagers to come to listen to the party’s candidates speak and 300 Baht to 400 Baht each to local leaders who brought villagers to listen. The three accused gave testimony which was then referred to the central election commission for review.

Mr. Prakit Pholdech, one of the three accused of vote buying, testified that he was prepared and was part of the PPP team, that he in fact did not know Mr. Kongphan who had accused him of being a chief vote canvasser. He did, however, state he believed that the accuser was a close friend of a Pheua Phaendin party MP candidate, and that everyone knew that the three accused were being set up. He further stated that there had been rumors floating around in the Pheua Phaendin party membership that people should not vote for the PPP candidates as they would receive red cards for sure.

Mr. Parkit asked that suspicions be raised regarding the point that there had been advance rumors that red cards would be issued and he appealed for justice from the election commission. He stated that he was confident that he had done nothing wrong, had never distributed money to buy votes, but that if he received a red or yellow card he would be prepared to battle on and would proceed with legal steps to establish wrongdoing by those accusing him.

Media representatives added further that during the time the three accused were giving testimony to the provincial election commission that there was trucking in of over 100 villagers to give support and to act as witnesses, as well as to state that villagers in the tambol had never allowed themselves to be bought off by money to vote one way or another.  

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27 December 2007
The Korat Post Online

"MANIPULATING THE MONARCHY"

The Thai Criminal Court recently gave media magnate Sondhi Limthongkul three years for defamation of former strongman premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The full charges included making baseless allegations against the former prime minister without trying to prove them, not following constitutional rules in bulding sentiment to overthrow Thaksin, seriously affecting social cohesion, trying to present Thaksin and his own supporters as opponents of the monarchy, portraying himself and supporters as close to the monarchy, trying to divide the people into those who are for and those who are against the monarchy, attemmpting to manipulate the monarchy as a tool to overthrow Thaksin. Sondhi's publisher was given two years' sentence but suspended because of never having committed a serious crime before. See editorial.

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21 December 2007
From - The Bangkok Post

PPP potent in Isan

PPP potent in Isan, but not totally dominant Puea Pandin looking to capitalise on weak Democrat campaign Manop Thip-osod The People Power party (PPP) is likely to win the party-list vote in zones 3 and 4, comprising 16 provinces in the Northeast, but will not dominate the region in the way the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party did in the 2005 election. The Puea Pandin party should be the runner-up, while the Democrat party's outlook is dim. The third and fourth clusters have a total of 131 House seats _ 101 from constituencies and 20 from the proportional representation vote. Only three provinces in the Northeast are not in zone 3 or 4. Chaiyaphum and Khon Kaen are in zone 2 and Nakhon Ratchasima in zone 5. The Northeast was a major stronghold of TRT. Therefore the PPP, the reincarnation of TRT, can be viewed as the defending champion. The PPP can be expected to win 57 seats, according to analysts. Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana are also likely to emerge with seats in the two zones as their executives members, including de facto ones, are former TRT executives. Puea Pandin could take 33 seats, followed by Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattani with 11. The rest will likely be divided between the Chart Thai, Matchimathipataya and Democrat parties. Pracharaj could get one seat from Si Sa Ket. Well aware that large numbers of northeasterners are still staunch supporters of Mr Thaksin because of his popular policies, the PPP has raised the issue of his return to Thailand as its major selling point. ''Vote for the PPP to bring Mr Thaksin back'' is the PPP's slogan in the region. This is backed with the ultimatum, ''If voters do not support the PPP, Mr Thaksin cannot return to Thailand''. The official People Power leader, Samak Sundaravej, is not being promoted in the Northeast because he is actually not well liked in the region. In addition to running on Mr Thaksin's continuing popularity the PPP has a well-established network of canvassers in the Northeast. Puea Pandin is promoting its leader Suvit Khunkitti as its selling point. Mr Suvit is being touted as a native son of Isan who handled the village fund initiative, one of the TRT's core populist policies, when he was a member of the Thaksin cabinet. Admitting to the strong popularity of Mr Thaksin, Puea Pandin tells northeasterners to support the PPP in the proportional representation vote, but to back Puea Pandin candidates in constituency-based elections. Consequently, competition between the two parties is fierce in campaigning for constituency seats. The Democrat party, however, is floundering in the area as its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has failed to impress rural northeasterners. Mr Abhisit and his party may be the choice of some middle-class people in downtown areas, but the Democrats are not actively campaigning there. For most Isan people, the PPP's battle cry, ''Vote for the PPP to bring back Mr Thaksin'' is more exciting than Mr Abhisit's ''People come first'' slogan. And its rivals in the Northeast keep hammering home the message that the Democrats are the party of southerners, not northeasterners. ''Mr Thaksin is still very popular as he has laid down concrete policies and the local people place more importance on their immediate interests than on national interests,'' said Somphan Techa-atik, a social development lecturer at Khon Kaen University. The Democrat party could well be the choice of middle-class residents of downtown areas, but the party had failed to campaign seriously in these constituencies. And unless the Democrats get an unexpected second wind, voters in the region's downtown areas may well choose to tick the no-vote box, Mr Somphan said.

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Sanoh Visits Lady Mo, Soliciting Votes

Sanoh Tientong, above, accompanied by assistant Chakkapadi Bhammasoot, interviews with local TV Channel 7 reporter across from Lady MO monument, Korat on 14 December 2007. Chakkapadi was formerly Managing Director of Motor Millionaire MAgazine, for which this paper's founder was its first editor. I resigned because of illegal use of my name. Refer to Chakkapadi link for details on this important ethical issue, as one example of how things may be done in Thailand.

14 December 2007
the Korat Post

Sanoh Tientong, leader of the Pracharat Party, appeared with retinue in Korat on 14 December 2007 to canvass for support. An accompanying staff member indicated that the party hopes for some 20 parliamentary seats. Thailand's national elections are scheduled for 23 December.

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Is Korat Chamber Irked?
Publishes article titled, "Australian Diplomats Attack Korat." But in cited interview with a local business association member, readers are told, "If I were really asked to sell my vote, I probably wouldn't."
For the hard of hearing, wny use the word "probably."?

13 December 2007
The Korat Post

In its 1-15 December 2007 semi-monthly newspaper, Korat's Chamber of Commerce published a front page story against red background that informed theGateway City's residents that Australian embassy intelligence analysts were combing Thailand to get information on Thai economics, politics, education and society. According to the Chamber publication, the Aussies were "fascinated by use of money to buy votes." Chamber publication totally fails to mention one single local personality who had even been banned from politics, including favorite adopted son Suwat Liptapanlop. The following is our translation of the complete article as it was published in the paper.

Translation
By the Korat Post

Australian diplomats attack Korat, fascinated by use of money to gain parliamentary seats

On 30 November 2007, this past, staff from the Australian Embassy’s intelligence assessment office, together with the Australian Embassy’s Third Secretary and staff traveled to and visited the Nakhonratchasima Chamber of Commerce president to request information relating to politics, society, economics and education in Nakhonratchasima province.
This last month many provinces in Thailand received the opportunity to welcome intelligence analysts from the Australian Embassy and staff.
At 16:30 hours on 30 November 2007, Australian Embassy staff traveled to Korat to request information on the political situation in Thailand, wanting to know how the elections in Thailand will go after the coup that took place on 19 September 2006.

As to the election situation in Nakhonratchasima at this time, many parties are extremely worried that the new government will result from buying and selling of votes by the Thai people in Nakhonratchasima province, as of this time there is an important individual in Nakhonratchasima showing attitude related to this [issue].

Mr. Phajorn Lisamphan, president of the Nakhonratchasima Provincial Public Land Transportation Association stated that, “As far as I go, I have never sold my vote to anyone – because I never had anyone approach me to buy it. But if someone actually came to me to buy my vote, I probably wouldn’t sell it because such a small amount of money, 500 or 1,000 Baht, it’s of no use. I think that at the moment no one is buying votes, no one is brave enough to sell votes because of the serious penalties involved. If there are actual approaches to buy votes no one will sell because voters like someone or not and will vote accordingly. Because they figure that one party is not much different than the other.”

As to wanting to see the new government actually perform, Mr. Phajorn disclosed, “As to our marketing business, after the coup the economy was in very bad shape. Oil prices were increasing. I’d like [the new government] to help improve the economy because if it improves then there will be more money available, more spending, more people traveling. I’d also like the new government to assist in exports which before exports provided a great deal of revenue. But at the moment the value of the Baht is strong resulting in less income. You can say it’s a huge loss. Transport operators are now discussing this issue, asking how we can find a way out. But the matter of high oil prices we can’t solve it no matter how.

Dr. Samphan Silapanad, president of the Nakhonratchasima Provincial Federation of Thai Industries observed, “Attributes of Thai politicians today have changed a lot, and as a result are not able to lead Thailand, because there are a lot of challenges in Thai society now. Buying of votes is thus a harmful matter”

In addition he spoke of the attributes of Thai politicians that, “Steering the nation must involve several things, that is, politics and the economy. Solving national problems involves planning, having a vision in response to the needs of the people. But it has to be done together, not by one side or another. And the benefit must be founded as a lasting benefit. Which there are many things I’d like to see the new government solve. I don’t want them to just solve one single thing. And they have to steer along several things all at once, no matter whether society, the economy, education – because this is a very urgent and vital matter.”

Mr. Kamron Kroboparat, [Boonthai Machinery Managing Director] president of the Nakhonratchasima Chamber of Commerce, he saw, “At the moment there is a lot of competition in the political field, with many parties sending candidates to compete. As to the Nakhonratchasima area, I am of the opinion that I would like to have [elected officials] who have ideals and ideology, with far flung vision that would make it possible to solve economic problems like spurring the economy in the future and solve problems on the macro and micro levels, up to and including solving social problems, education. Whereas this current government came in new. They have to have clear policies. No matter how they solve economic problems, problems in education, no matter how they support people’s being able to live well…these are the attributes that I’d like to see politicians and parties that are solid in making firm decisions have.
“As to the matter of buying votes, I think it’s a natural thing for politicians. Well, I’d like to see politics in our land provide development following a good direction. We should try to support blocking off of people selling their rights, close off avenues for politicians from using this opportunity to buy rights. The Chamber of Commerce supports politicians with virtues, who don’t buy rights in stimulation of the rural economy in the agricultural sector. Because it’s the taproot of the economy. If there’s economic development to where it’s sustainable and strong, the economy and production in the country will improve.”

“Supporting this export is at the heart of the important steering and spurring of the Thai economy to proceed ahead. That first stage in the development of the national economy, which I already spoke of, that is, spurring of the economy, solving social problems and those in education, are held to be at the hart of the matter, and provide justice to society, providing ethics and virtue. The government should not have conflicts of interests just like the last. What I wish for in the future if for the nation to have a government with clean hands, virtues and capabilities,” Mr. Kamron ended.

 

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Victims Blamed For Being Victims!

Author: Nimah Nawwab, Arab News
Released 10 December 2007

Shame, violence, abuse, shame - the circle is complete for women of the East as they face a recurring nightmare of the denial of rights and justice. In most cases of violence against women, the role of society and how it perceives these unfortunate women is a crucial factor in the kind of justice they ultimately receive.
As the media highlights the trials and tribulations of women of abuse, and their stories, names and in rare cases faces intertwine with our everyday lives and discussions, they sadly still remain on the fringes of daily life. The world goes on and the horrors abate. Stories come and go with the flow of life. We stop to ponder their fate once a year as a day is dedicated to the cause of Violence Against Women; then we go on as women who are still keeping silent years after abuses continue their muffled, mute calls. Yet the price of broken silence is steep in most countries of the East. The tribulations of abused women in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, honor killings, rape, abuse emotional, mental and physical become fodder for books and films, documenting in some cases a loss or a triumph over adversity.

One of the continuous trends found in the Middle East and Asia revolves around the way the female victim turns in the end to be the one who deserves the blame, while the victimizer gets away with an almost clean slate after a period of punishment. And to add insult to injury, not even the harsh punishment often mandated by laws. Society's stamp of acceptance or rejection of the victim's status plays its omnipotent role throughout the months and years of dealing with such matters. The case of Mukhtaran Mai, the brave Pakistani woman gang-raped in revenge for alleged indiscretions committed by her brother, is an amazing account of rise against the shame. As she chose to take up the fight to regain her standing in her village and accused her rapists in an unprecedented step. Then went one step further as she opened a girls' school to eradicate illiteracy. Despite the harrowing memories and indignity of her situation, she dealt with her village's stance and stood alone in the face of society's expectations of silence. She effectively led a campaign that reverberated in her country and set the course for the voices of abused women to be heard for years to come. This brave woman became a true voice for hope and justice.

In Saudi Arabia, Rania Al-Baz, the famous announcer, the "face" of the abused women, battered and thrown out on the street and taken for dead by her husband, now pays for the price of broken silence. Forgiving her husband, her reconstructed new face made up, her hair unveiled and tinted with new color, coming out and talking to Oprah Winfrey, she is now an outcast. She dared to unveil and dared to change. The good she did by bringing to light the long-held taboo of talk of abuse, the opening of women's shelters since, the campaigns against violence that began, all forgotten by a society that took issue with her unveiling. Her husband had the right to it, she invited violence. She must have had problems and did something that led to his jealous rage. It is enough that she has cast off her veil, peeked out of magazine covers with her new looks, and later on as a hostess of another Gulf state satellite broadcast - her standing changed with the change of her looks as a woman without the accepted mode of dress.
The victim is blamed.

Nowadays with all the controversial complexities of the gang-rape of the Qatif girl, the focus is on her meeting an ex-boyfriend to retrieve an old photograph while being engaged to marry. Who is to blame? She invited rape by putting herself in the way of bodily harm, effectively showing herself to the hungry gazes of the "poor" attackers, being in the company of a nonrelation or guardian. So every woman with a strange driver, in a place where women can't drive and rely on drivers is inviting rape. Every woman who goes out in public is inviting rape, every woman in company of a coworker is inviting rape? The young girl is sentenced to lashing and flogging. The license of her lawyer is revoked. The same lawyer who defends forced divorce cases - another inhumane revocation of basic rights of women - was threatened with the loss of his license. His rights and his client's rights are thrown out the window as the lawyer's license is revoked by one judge without the usual steps undertaken for such action which requires the convening of disciplinary court to revoke a license. Her husband now derided for supporting her and dishonoring his manly honor, and yet despite all this both continue to seek a fair resolution. However, society's perception of shame and honor is tied tight to these concepts, as sympathy for the trauma is eroded bit by bit with each telling. The fervor caused by this "case" internally for over a year and internationally lately only highlights one matter: The victim is to blame. Be she single, married, divorced, she is the one who drew attention, putting herself in danger, and she should have kept quiet after all instead of reviving bit by bit agonizing psychological shock and revealing the unutterable horror.

In addition to violence, the rights of women to determine their own fate - let alone their lives - are at issue. From the essential right of being in charge of their lives, to getting educated, to the right to travel and work to eke out a living in these times of rising prices, high divorce rates and single motherhood, women are still not given the freedom to take charge of their lives and be the driving force in determining their destination. Society still labels a grown up woman a dependent in this day and age. That is her place in society and let none forget this centuries-old mandate. After all, she is the one that needs to be protected with honor. In societies where women are on the fringes, where they cannot represent themselves, where they "invite" rape and violence by action, appearance, talk, they are often cruelly put in their proper place by the very society they come from and have to live with this reality. Societies' pegging of women as deserving violence will continue to grow. Developments and economic growth in Eastern countries, regardless of their expected magnitude, don't and will not affect the status of women till women can be considered individuals in their own right.

From Japan and China, to India and Pakistan, from Saudi Arabia to Morocco, be they Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, women have and will continue to bear the burden of losing face, their social standing threatened, and their honor smeared on lifting the heavy veil of silence in cases of violence against them and their sisters in calamity. Will the time ever come when their own societies embrace their fragile trust in coming forth, a trust in a protective system instead of a prosecutorial system, a society that succors instead of attacks? Will that time ever arrive when women exposed to violence can gain their rights in the eyes of their own societies and win fair justice?

Nimah Nawwab is a well-known Saudi poet and writer. She can be reached at arapoet555@yahoo.com.

Permission to reprint this article is granted by Khaled Al-Maeena, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News.  

1 December 2007
Translated from Korat Daily Online

Seminar, National Problems That Must Be Answered

On 25 November 2007, 15:00 hrs., at Korat's Ayara Hotel, the former president of the 2006 Constitution Drafting Assembly, together with representatives from the National Legislative Council, held a seminar attended by local media representatives and of local government, private and business interests. Titled National Problems That Must Be Answered, the seminar heard the former top official state, "I don't see light at the end of the tunnel." when indicating to the attendees what he expected to see arise out of the new constitution and current political maneuvering in Thailand.
The 1,000 attendees assembled for the seminar heard the frank assessment as they also expressed concern for what the future holds. With old political stalwarts like Suwat Liptapanlop said to be pulling strings behind the scene, together with his senior protege Thaksin Shinawatra, and old political war horses like Samak Sundaravet seemingly headed for the prime minister's post and one of Thailand's rowdy politicians Chalerm Yambumrung also canvassing for eager local voters, Thailand's future looks anything but illuminated. One of the problems is that the 2006 ousted premier and billionnaire Thaksin Shinawatra is widely perceived not for what damage he did to Thailand and its institutions, including the national economy and the monarchy, but for the widely popular promises he made, only some of which he kept. Suwat has also made such promises, before telling voters in Korat that money would flow like milk and honey if he were elected.

The veteran politician warned those assembled at the meeting,
"In the coming elections don't vote for politicians that are poor who then come in to administer the nation poorly. Keep in mind the letter 'd' [Ed. note: This is the Thai letter d, or dor dek) alphabet, which in politics is used in two words. The first word is 'daek,' which means never satisfied, never full. Dishonest and corrupt. Don't fall for this and vote for these kinds of politicians. The second word is 'duut' which means to siphon off...siphon off money. They siphon off money to accumulate power, and then afterwards siphon off many times more money.

Therefore we find now that there are many political parties today and over 3,000 candidates. These people are going to be elected by you so you need to elect good people, not candidates who will be good for a day or a week or a month. The people have to watch the behavior of politicians and political parties all along - how have they been acting?

Rule for Isaan: don't condemn Thaksin

Ex-Thai Rak Thai MPs cannot afford to abandon 'attractive' populist policies of former ruling party

Published on November 28, 2007
The Nation Group

There are two things election candidates aspiring to win in the Northeast should keep in mind. First, do not think about attacking ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Second, do not announce an alliance with the Democrat Party. Instead candidates should cling to and propagate the "attractive" populist policies of the former ruling Thai Rak Thai Party in their campaigns. The Northeast is one of the most important election areas. The region has the most constituency seats - about one-third of the 400, or 135. Parties which sweep most seats in this region normally win the majority of House seats and can become the core party in forming a government.

In the 2001 and 2005 elections Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai swept most seats there. Obviously, voters were attracted to and satisfied with its populist policies. For the first time in Thai political history, Thai Rak Thai proved a party could deliver its policies. The region became its stronghold. When the party was banned, some of its former MPs in the Isaan area fled to other parties. But no matter which party they now belong to - People Power (PPP), which is the incarnation of Thai Rak Thai, or Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana or Matchima Thipataya - they cannot abandon the populist policies in their campaigns. Some even have photos of Thaksin with the candidates and tell voters that "they are the real Thai Rak Thai". Kuthep Saikrajang, the PPP spokesman, said the election campaign in the Northeast was not really an ideological battle against the Democrats to become the next government.

He said when allies of the Democrats campaign there they do not attack the PPP but tactically ride on his party's favoured policies to gain an edge. "Such a tactic makes voters confused. They don't know what is real and what is not. We are now fighting alone," Kuthep said. He said some candidates of Puea Pandin in Maha Sarakham were using Thaksin's photo in their campaigns. Matchima Thipataya has clung to populist policies in its campaign, said Chuchai Mung-jaroenporn, a close aide of Somsak Thepsuthin and associate of the party. "We cannot deny that we have developed the populist policies of the defunct Thai Rak Thai for our campaign, such as debt moratorium or rice price insurance. I think it's OK as every party [which broke away from the defunct Thai Rak Thai] is doing the same," he said. Wichai Chaijitwanichkul, one of the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives who advises Puea Pandin, said he was not concerned that the party had to fight candidates who used to be comrades at Thai Rak Thai. "The real politician will realise there are no true friends or permanent foes in politics. We might today break up but we could reunite in the future," he said.

However, Wichai said the battle in the Northeast in this election was a battle of individual candidates, not a party's name. "It's not that the PPP or the transformation of Thai Rak Thai has a better chance to win the election. That's because Isaan people don't like Samak [Sundaravej, the PPP leader]. They know that if they elect Samak, Thaksin will not become PM," he said. Even Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa is desperate to win a few MP seats in PPP's stronghold. Last week he went to campaign in the Northeast. Not only did he not attack Thaksin but also backed off from promising to join with the Democrats to form the next coalition. Banharn realises the Democrats are regarded by voters in the Northeast as a party for southern people, so it would not be his party's advantage to tie up with the Democrats. Moreover, when he addressed the crowd in Khon Kaen he let there be no doubt he and Thaksin were friends. He has helped Thaksin ever since the deposed premier began his telecom business. Premsak Piayura, a new Chart Thai candidate, pleaded for Khon Kaen voters not to judge him as a betrayer of Thaksin.

It had been alleged he was involved in a plot to overthrow Thaksin when he quit Thai Rak Thai shortly before the April 2 poll last year in order to enter the monkhood. The move left Thai Rak Thai in a position of being unable to replace him, as the deadline for registration had passed. Premsak said he did not leave Thaksin to go somewhere else. Instead, the ex-premier had left him to go to London and he could not follow him to such a faraway place. The Democrats have rarely campaigned in Thai Rak Thai's heartland as they are aware that they cannot refrain from attacking their fierce rivals, the PPP. Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, an outspoken politician and a key Democrat member, once said he did not want to campaign in the Northeast "because Isaan people don't like kaeng tai pla [a traditional southern-style curry dish]".
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,Kesinee Jaikawang -The Nation

What of Korat's Former Governor Pongpayome?

BANGKOK, September 26, 2007 (TNA) – Thailand's Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya who earlier stood firm he would not resign from his post, finally announced his decision to step down Wednesday after the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) found him holding shares in excess of 5 per cent in private companies, a violation of the former Thai constitution. Two other ministers in the present Cabinet, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Sittichai Pookaiyaudom and Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda, were also found to be holding shares over 5 per cent in private companies. Both announced their resignations earlier.
Mr. Aree told a press conference he decided to resign to show his responsibility over the case. He admitted he owned shares in excess of the acceptable amount in private firms including Kuang Pai San Food Products Plc, a local manufacturer of canned food products. He said the Local Administration Department had entered business contracts with Kuang Pei San Food Products Plc without his knowledge and that it was an “honest mistake.” The interior minister said he had informed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont about his decision and would submit his resignation to Gen Surayud when he returns from his New York trip. The resignation will be effective October 1.

Gen. Surayud, currently in New York to represent Thailand at the UN General Assembly, is scheduled to return this Saturday. Mr. Aree is the last of the three Cabinet members implicated in the share ownership controversy. ICT Minister Sittichai was the first to leave his portfolio without public pressure last week, to be followed a few days later by Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj who called it quits after strong criticism in light of her statement that she had no intention to resign. The 1997 Constitution bars cabinet members from holding personal shares over 5 per cent in a company to prevent possible conflicts of interest. The Assets Examination Committee has applied such approach in investigating shareholdings of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra during his time in office.
The 1997 Constitution was set aside in last year's coup and its pronouncements do not technically apply to the present situation. However, the NCCC nonetheless questioned the appropriateness of the shareholdings, as have various members of the public.

The minister's resignation leaves the ministry temporarily in the hands of the senior civil servant, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Pongpayome Wasaputi, who was formerly governor of Nakhonratchasima province. Ed.

Thailand's Election Date Iffy

BANGKOK, September 11, 2007 (TNA) - A Thai Election Commission (EC) member said here Tuesday that confirmation of the exact date of holding Thailand's general election must wait for the passage of the organic laws of the constitution first. EC member Prapan Naikowit made his comments after presiding over a meeting with political parties on plans to organise the election in which he said small political parties proposed that the election should be held either on December 30 or next January 13 instead of December 23 as suggested by interim Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont earlier. However, the exact date of organising the election must first await the passage of the organic laws, said Mr. Prapan. Mr. Prapan said he personally favoured December 23 for the election as government officials might feel uncomfortable to work on December 30 -- being close to the New Year celebration -- while Thailand is still hosting the SEA Games on December 16. He said the EC would not be ready to hold an election in November and if any party had a better idea then it should propose to the EC so that it could be forwarded to the prime minister before the election law is released. In another development, representatives of 16 political parties Tuesday afternoon jointly submitted a letter to EC commissioner Sodsri Sattayathum, expressing concern regarding the possibility of the commission proceeding to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Union (EU) to allow its representatives to monitor the upcoming election. The parties said the MoU, if signed, would allow the EU to interfere in the internal affairs of this country, which they opposed. (TNA)

Samak, Thown Off Army TV, Becomes 'TRT'/People Power Party Leader

24 August 2007
the Korat Post/Agencies/local press

In what can only be described as an anti-climax, Samak Sundaravej, former Bangkok governor alleged to have committed wrongdoing in acquisition of billion Baht firetrucks for the city, became leader of a rejuvinated Thai Rak Thai party calling itself People Power. A close associate and fervent supporter of Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted Thai prime minister who is finally charged with various criminal wrongdoings, Samak found hiimself removed from Thai TV in the pre-19 September 2006 coup hours when he alleged that someone high up and beyond the constitution was attempting to interfer with the strongman premier. He was referring, if we allow concensus, to His Majesty's chief counsellor, Privy Council President Gen (ret.) Prem Tinsulalonda.
Samak has been uninventive in his role of governor of Bangkok in the past, alluding to flooding in the city as merely "water than hasn't dissipated." Something Samak certainly seems unable to do himself - dissipate (see editorial).
Samak's election as head of the new party spells trouble for Thai democracy, since the reconstituted Thai Rak Thai group will only kowtow to Thaksin and the ready-to-please cronies who benefitted from TRT in the past and who are overly willing to carry on with the same wrongs that prompted social unrest, undermining of the national financial infrastructure and which led to the 19 September 2006 coup. Click here for the Nation article on this Samak election.

NKP Linked to Laos

BANGKOK, August 17, 2007(TNA)
In ceremonies Friday Thailand's Transport Ministry handed over a pier and a road, constructed by Thailand to Laos to facilitate transportation between the two countries. Thai Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haocharoen and Lao PDR Deputy Minister for Transportation, Post and Construction Sommad Ponsena together presided at the ceremony to hand over the Banwentai pier and Route No.13 to Laos. The project, agreed by the two countries, saw Thailand's Marine Department building the pier while the Department of Highways built the road. The two projects cost about Bt63 million overall. The pier was finished in 2005 and the road construction was completed last year. The pier and the road link Thailand's Nakhon Phanom province and Laos' Kammuan province.

BANGKOK, August 12, 2007 (TNA)

Her Majesty 'Suggests' Inappropriatness of Mixing Church and State

Members of a Buddhist organisation who had planned to hold another round of a rally here if the proposed constitution which does not officially recognise Buddhism as Thailand's religion sails through next week's referendum have agreed to suspend their activities after Her Majesty the Queen suggested that religion should not be mixed with politics. Gen. Thongchai Kua-sakul, chairman of the Buddhist Organisation of Thailand, said the group would not make any movement if the draft constitution was approved in the national referendum due to be held next Sunday.
He said the decision was made following Saturday's address by Her Majesty the Queen for her 75th birthday--August 12--in which she said that everyone did not want Buddhism to be mixed with politics, but that it should be held in high esteem as a guiding light for all Thais. She said Buddhism was a religion that had belonged to Thais since the Sukhothai period.
Buddhist monks and lay people ended their protest June 29 outside Parliament after staging a rally and hunger strike there for several weeks, demanding that those who wrote the new constitution officially recognise Buddhism as Thailand's religion in the charter.
Buddhism is the faith of 95 per cent of Thailand's 65-million population. Despite the fact that Buddhism is the faith of majority, both the king and the government uphold and support all the religions in the kingdom.

BANGKOK, August 4, 2007(TNA)

NE Villagers "taking money" to Vote 'No!'

Staff of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) as well as soldiers and district officers have been assigned to investigate reports that Northeastern villagers have been paid Bt200 each to vote against the draft charter, said Council for National Security (CNS) chairman. Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, also army chief, said he had ordered an investigation to determine whether the reports were accurate. "The attempt to trying to derail the draft constitution could exist in thinking but it's difficult in practice. However, officials will investigate again while the army will be responsible for security matter. I'm not worried about the referendum as people will gain better understanding in time," said Gen. Sonthi. Expressing confidence that as many as 90 per cent of eligible voters would accept the draft constitution, Gen. Sonthi said what Chaturon Chaisang, acting leader of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, expressed Friday during a debate that he could not accept the draft because it was written in a dictatorial way was purely Mr. Chaturon's personal opinion. Meanwhile, one of the new batch of nine anti-coup leaders of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and supporters dressed in red shirts and distributed leaflets to passers-by at a shopping centre here, urging voters to reject the 2007 draft constitution. Police were watching to see if the protesters violated the law, and business operators installed iron barriers to prevent the demonstrators from entering their premises. The UDD leader said similar campaigns are being done in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and will be repeated every Saturday until the referendum. (TNA)-E111

3 August 2007

Extracted and translated from 3 August 2007 Manager Online, by the Korat Post

Local Governor and Chamber Ordered to Be Impartial in Hotel Grading

Thai Tourism & Sports Deputy Minister Nat Intarapan.
Photo courtest Manager Online

In a better late than never effort, Ministry officials are beginning to ‘interrupt’ local officials with needful ‘hints’ on creating a fair environment where tourists are not going to be ripped off during the 6-15 December SEA GAMES– or at least won’t be too unhappy about it. Yet an important policy issue was not discussed: the justification between steep prices in high season and reasonable prices in low season. Assistant Minister of Sports and Tourism Orders Korat Governor and Chamber of Commerce to Be Fair and Impartial in Grading local hotels. Nat Intaraphan, deputy Minister of Tourism and Sports visited Korat recently to hold discussions with local business interests and government officials relating to preparations for the 24th SEA GAMES to be held between 6-15 December 2007, with Korat as the main host. According to the deputy minister, officials have already met exorbitant overcharging in Korat, specifically at the Hermitage, where rooms originally quoted at 1,000 Baht a night were suddenly available for only 1,600 Baht. Senior Thai government officials are now understandably sensitive about the damage that cheating and conniving to double/triple/quadruple charge tourists can cause the country, not just in terms of its shaky image and reputation, but in terms of subsequent loss in revenue from abroad. Deputy Minister Nat voiced extreme concern at the situation in Korat, stating that officials had already experienced unjust overcharging in Korat associated with the coming SEA Games. He exhorted local officials and business leaders to work together to prepare proper standards for hotel grading in terms of service, food and room quality. This will be a steep challenge since officials in Korat are extremely close-knit with local business interests and obtaining a relatively neutral fair standard will be difficult. While the deputy minister indicated that Korat’s three four star hotels – Sima Thani, Rachabhruk Grand, and the Royal Princess – did not really have a serious concern in this area, he may have neglected the repeated cheating that Cobra Gold and Cope Tiger staff faced while visiting Korat for military exercises. One American officer staying at the Sima Thani Hotel, for example, complained to us of being charged 17,000 Baht for telephone calls made in just two days – a charge that was later reduced by ninety percent after police involvement and protests. The Sima Thani dining room has also charged its diners 120 Baht for a small bottle of Heineken that is sold at Pizza Shop for 50 Baht and other places for no more than 60-80 Baht. According to the deputy minister, Kkorat’s current hotel ‘situation’ is as follows: The main municipality has approximately nineteen 2-4 star hotels totaling some 2,000 rooms; they are divided into five 4 star hotels totaling 919 rooms running from 1,000 Baht a night up, seven 3 star hotels totaling 815 rooms costing between 500-1,000 Baht a night, and seven 2 star hotels totaling 400 rooms with rates from 400-600 Baht a night. Estimates on the number of domestic and international visitors to Korat during SEA GAMES vary considerably, but according to one source, there are generally expected to be between 4,000-6,000 foreigners and well over 100,000 Thais at various times. Just for the media approximately 200 rooms will be needed. Whether appealing to the local community to work together to avoid cheating or not is the solution is a question. Around the world there are high season and low season rates, usually at least 100% added in high season and sometimes going off the map. In Lake Placid, New York, for example, there are currently places available for $200-$450 a night. This is a high season rate. In low season, depending on facility, rents begin slightly over $50 a night and go on up to slightly less than $200 in general. So there is a wide variance between high and low season, and arguments by Thai tourism officials that in Korat this amounts to unjust overcharging are debatable. It is also likely that when the actual games begin, rates will not be just double but triple or more. One important consideration for officials that is not yet being discussed with the ardor that it deserves is traffic. We all know how bad Korat’s traffic currently is. Imagine when SEAGAMES arrive!

Surin Chosen

MANILA, July 30, 2007(TNA) – The assembled Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers have designated Thailand's former foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan as ASEAN secretary general, scheduled to take office on Januanry 1 next year, deputy foreign ministry spokesman Piriya Khempol said Monday. During the 40th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Manila, the Philippines, Dr. Surin was nominated unopposed and designated as the next ASEAN secretary general, effective Jan. 1, 2008. The official announcement of the Thai candidate as the regional body's chief executive by ASEAN leaders is scheduled for Singapore in November. Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram's nomination of Dr. Surin as ASEAN secretary general was immediately welcomed with applause by his counterparts from throughout the region. Dr. Surin, currently a member of Thailand's National Legislative Assembly, pledged to put forward the efforts to resolve problems regarding economic disparities among ASEAN member states and to set up the so-called East Asia Community which will not only include the current ASEAN states but also Japan, South Korea and China. The new grouping will also deal with other communities in the wider Asia and Pacific regions as well as the United States, Russia and Europe. In the current era of globalisation, the 40-year-old ASEAN community, which consists of 10 countries and 535 million people, would not prosper without constructive relationships in terms of international trade, investment and other economic developments with others, the ex-foreign minister commented. The designate ASEAN secretary general said the ASEAN community should continue to foster political solidarity among the member states, besides extending economic cooperation, and also help the new member states, namely Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, develop their respective natural and human resources to an optimum extent. Those member states have plenty of untapped natural resources but limited know-how, he said. Meanwhile, the ASEAN foreign ministers planned to set up a regional human rights body , details of which are scheduled for discussion from August until November in Brunei, Laos, Singapore and Thailand. The planned human rights organisation will be stipulated in an ASEAN charter to be announced by the ASEAN foreign ministers during a United Nations conference in New York in September. ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (TNA)

Once Convicted of Lese Majeste, Veera 'Leads' Mob To Privy Council President's Home
Mob throws hundreds of articles of refuse into Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulalonda's home on 22 July 2007, in a protest sympathetic to allegations that Prem was instrumental in the ouster of Thaksin Shinawatra on 19 September 2006. Photo - Manager Online

23 July 2007
the Korat Post Online

22 July 2007 was another day of protests in Thailand, this time brazenly held in front of His Majety the King's Chief Privy Council adviser General Prem Tinsulalonda. Thai television images revealed thousands of protesters, violent and angry, hurling everything from water bottles, stones and other waste to steel barracades into the front gates of General Prem's home and over the fence onto his lawn.
The brazen demonstration of anti-Prem behavior was significant, as well as was the limited number of police on the scene and their inability to prevent the demonstrators from reaching Prem's residence. First that the Thai public should organize such a protest against anyone so close to the king, and secondly, that Thai police were not able [or willing] to quash the protests before they began with adequate planning and manpower. Some political pundits indicate that this shows Thai police 'barons' are still generally in favor of Thaksin and his return, and that they are even willing to watch General Prem bear the brunt of criticism. The pundits also indicate that growing differences between the pro and anti-Thaksin camps in Thailand are likely to increase, with growing threats of violence. There have been constant demands for peaceful resolution of political differences in the country, but old habits die hard -tragically.[ See editorial].

One Thai observer indicated that this protest event showed Thaksin was not only still extremely popular in Thailand, but that his supporters were no longer afraid of publicly stating that General Prem was behind the coup of 19 September 2007.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the ousted prime minister, had indicated as much even before he left Thailand, hinting that someone in a very high position [close to the king?] was behind machinations that, according to him, would not allow him to carry out his duties as prime minister.
What Thaksin failed to reveal, however, was how his own behavior and that of his political cronies had led to the coup, to non-democratic elections in Thailand, and to perhaps the country's greatest levels of corruption and human rights violations since the Thanom Kittikajorn years. Editorial.