Thai news in brief – January 13
The honeymoon for the Thai motorist is over. On Monday, the price of CNG (compressed natural gas) and LPG will go up, respectively by 50 satang per kilo and 75 satang per kilo.
Both fuels will be gradually increased in price this year. The price of LPG for domestic use such as butane will remain unchanged until the end of the year. It won't go up until early 2013.
– The government's decision to compensate the victims of political violence between 2005 and 2010 with amounts of up to 4,5 million baht per family continues to give rise to criticism. Previously, next of kin complained that they would rather see those responsible for the death or injury of their loved ones brought to justice; now there are calls to extend the scheme to victims of 'bad' government decisions.
Nirand Pitakwatchara, member of the National Human Rights Commission, urges the government to also compensate people 'left in agony by the state's bad judgements'. According to him, there are many people whose rights have been taken away or who suffer hardships as a result.
– The investigation into the burglary at the home of Supoj Saplom, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport, is moving forward, in which 5 million baht (he says), 18 million baht (now overtaken by the police) or much more (say the arrested burglars) has been captured. The National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to charge him with unusual wealth.
On November 12, Supoj's home was broken into. The burglars say they saw an amount of between 700 million and 1 billion in his house. The police have so far arrested nine of the twelve suspects. The gang leader is said to have fled to Laos and from there to Cambodia. Supoj has been transferred to an inactive post at the Prime Minister's office for the duration of the investigation.
– According to opposition party Democrats, the government's decision to shift the interest payment on the FIDF debt of 1,14 trillion baht back to the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) is contrary to the constitution. That is why the party has filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court.
The debt of 1,14 trillion baht consists of obligations of the FIDF (an independent part of the Bank of Thailand), entered into during the financial crisis in 1997 to support ailing banks and financial institutions. The cabinet has decided to transfer the annual interest payments of 45 to 65 billion to the FIDF. As a result, it creates room in its own budget for investments in water management.
– Banks are willing to help, but the question remains who should bear the burden. They want clarity on how the FIDF debt problem will be solved in the long term. This is what Twatchai Yongkittikul, secretary general of the Thai Bankers' Association, says in response to the cabinet decision on the FIDF debt. Members of the association discussed the financing of interest payments with the central bank yesterday.
The government has authorized the FIDF to levy a 1 percent levy on banks on their assets, including the 0,4 percent that banks already pay to insure their assets. It is still unclear how much the FIDF will charge the banks.
– The Truth for Reconciliation Commission (set up by the previous government) proposes to reduce the maximum sentence for lèse-majesté from 15 years to 7 years. The committee believes that this will promote peace and national reconciliation. The committee also advocates that an official can have someone prosecuted. Now anyone can file a complaint. The police are obliged to investigate them.
– The National Anti-Corruption Commission will examine the purchase of the aid packages distributed during the floods. The Department of Special Investigation and a subcommittee of the NACC have found that 14 Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation officials colluded with two private companies in the procurement.
– A marine unit on Thursday morning on the Mekong prevented the smuggling of 800 dogs on their way to a food plate in Vietnam. The marines stumbled upon a gang loading 40 cages onto a boat. One smuggler was arrested, the others managed to escape. According to some reports, smuggling gangs have received orders to supply 2.000 dogs in connection with the Chinese New Year.
– The owner of the newspaper Inside Phuket was shot dead on Thursday. He was shot in his car by a motorcyclist's pillion passenger. He shot him four times. The victim died in hospital from his injuries.
– A police officer with the rank of captain is posthumously promoted to major general. The man died when a man suspected of drug trafficking hit the officer on his motorcycle with his car. The suspect was arrested on Wednesday.
– The First Army Region has been ordered to investigate the poaching of elephants in Kaeng Krachan National Park (Phetchaburi). Recently, five shot and burned elephants were found there.
– A second member of the five-member Electoral Council has signed a petition asking the Constitutional Court to deprive red shirt leader and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan of his parliamentary status. Jatuporn is charged with terrorism and lèse majesté. The Electoral Council came to the conclusion last month that Jatuporn is not entitled to his parliamentary seat. When a third Electoral Council member signs, the petition will be sent out.
– The President of the House has not yet received a request from the police asking the House to grant permission to question MP Kanchit Thapsuwan (Democrats). Kanchit is suspected of murdering a political rival. He currently enjoys immunity.
– After a delay of 3 months due to the floods, Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra of Bangkok yesterday signed the contract for the construction of an indoor futsal stadium with a capacity of 12.500 people. The 2 Futsal World Cup will be held from 18 to 2012 November.
– A Thai actress, dressed as a flight attendant, can be seen in a Japanese porn video on YouTube, walking on Suvarnabhumi and being lured by an assailant. The airport management is not happy with it and will look into whether the ban on filming can be better enforced, but they acknowledge that this will be difficult.
– Deputy Minister Chatt Kuldiloke (Transport) on Thursday opened the 78 kilometer long railway line between Chachoengsao, Si Racha and Laem Chabang. The government aims to turn the deep sea port of Laem Chabang into a regional transportation hub.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post