News from Thailand – December 12, 2013

Impressive is another understatement to describe the opening ceremony of the SEA Games 2013 in Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar). I watched the TV registration yesterday with my mouth open.

Thousands of dancers performed a show with traditional dances and music. They formed a colorful palette that sometimes took the shape of the map with the participating countries and then changed colors again. It was all of an utter perfection; I have not been able to catch a single dancer out of step.

But the show was also created with the support of China and, as the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in 2008 had already shown, that country goes for massiveness and perfection. China had dug into it pretty well. It provides nearly $33 million in technical support for the Games, including the opening and closing ceremonies (then I'll sit back in front of the TV).

Eleven countries will participate in the 22-day Games. It is fought in the well-known sports, but also in traditional sports such as quinlone en Vovinam. Myanmar is delighted with the Games, because the last time it was host country was in 1969. Two years ago, the military dictatorship ended in Thailand's neighboring country and the country has been on the rise ever since.

– Following on from the post 'Army doesn't talk to Suthep' some news from the (political) action front.

Ruling party Pheu Thai says it will not bow to (possible) demands from anti-government groups not to hold new elections. We would then lose our supporters in droves, said a prominent party member at a party meeting yesterday.

Another suspects that the anti-government movement will push for a military coup as a last resort if it fails to overthrow the government. At the moment, the movement has pinned its hopes on the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, but it will never succeed, he says, in achieving its goal this way.

Meanwhile, MPs from the opposition party Bhumjaithai are starting to defect to Pheu Thai. Six want to switch or have already registered as a member; four of them were already present at the Pheu Thai meeting yesterday. The so-called Matchima faction within Bhumjaithai is expected to switch.

The Volksraad wanted by action leader Suthep Thaugsuban can be installed, says Vicha Mahakhun, member and spokesperson of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. This can be arranged via an 'executive decree' (cabinet decision), but then both arguing parties must agree.

Prime Minister Yingluck yesterday doubted whether Suthep's idea is feasible now that the House of Representatives has been dissolved and the government is outgoing. The parliament consists only of the Senate.

According to Vicha, the law does not oppose the dismissal of Yingluck and her cabinet, which the PDRC (joint action groups) has demanded. It does not necessarily have to create a political vacuum. This has been shown before with the resignation of Thaksin in 2006, who was then succeeded by an acting prime minister.

– Opposition party Bhumjaithai will field 125 candidates in the upcoming elections (national list) and will attempt to win a district seat in 200 of the 250 constituencies.

It is still unknown whether the largest opposition party Democrats will participate in the elections. The decision will be made on Tuesday. The party meets on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Miracle Grand Hotel in Laksi (Bangkok). The members of parliament meet on Tuesday and on Wednesday policy is on the agenda, as well as the election of the party leader, secretary-general and board members.

– In a heavy bomb attack in Kapho (Pattani), four soldiers died and seventeen were injured, two of them seriously. The soldiers were in a military truck headed for an army camp. The force of the explosion caused the truck to hit a tree and end up in a ditch. The soldiers were thrown from the vehicle. The bomb left a crater 1,5 meters deep.

A traffic police officer was shot dead in Muang (Yala) yesterday. He was shot at in his car on his way to work. Again by a pillion passenger of a passing motorcyclist.

– Australia, Canada and France have joined the countries that have expressed concern about the political unrest. The Australian Foreign Minister expressed her appreciation for the way the authorities responded to the demonstrations. She warned her compatriots to avoid the protest locations.

Her Canadian colleague also contributed. "Canada is concerned about the ongoing protests in Bangkok and the risks of violence and instability."

France is closely monitoring the situation in Thailand, the Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

Germany, the US, New Zealand and China have already expressed their concerns. Today Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul will brief the ambassadors of the Asean countries about the political situation in Thailand.

– Ramkhamhaeng University has set up a center to provide assistance to students who are victims of political violence. It will also investigate the fighting between red shirts and students on Sunday 1 December at the Rajamangala stadium, where the red shirts held a rally. Three red shirts, a student and a bystander were killed, and fifteen people were injured. The university has opened a fund for financial aid to students.

– Today, opposition leader Abhisit reports to the Public Prosecution Service, which intends to prosecute him for the deadly actions of the army in 2010. Abhisit was prime minister at the time. His right-hand man Suthep Thaugsuban, who may also be prosecuted, is excused through his lawyer. He's too busy with the anti-government protests.

– The Thai Constitution Protection Association wants to know from the Constitutional Court whether the PDRC (cooperating protest groups) can form a People's Council and People's Parliament on the basis of the constitution. According to the government, a Volksraad is contrary to the constitution.

– Not only buildings on the government complex on Chaeng Wattanaweg have been looted by protesters, but also a building of the Ministry of Finance. This has emerged from research after the demonstrators left for Government House on Monday. The rooms of the minister, secretary of state and senior officials have been damaged. Also missing are four iPads, 50 notebook computers, 30 smartphones and a motorcycle.

– Protesters yesterday blocked the gate of the Ministry of the Interior, preventing officials from entering. The PDRC has called on officials to stop listening to the government because it is no longer legitimate.

– The Khao Yai National Park closes at 9 o'clock in the evening, so that animals can enjoy their love undisturbed. That time is also the official closing hour, but until now the security turned a blind eye. For the safety of the visitors it is better if they stay away. Elephants in particular don't like snoopers when they make a number. Monkeys have a knack for looking for food in visitors' tents.

– In an open letter, the Business Club for Democracy asks the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and foreign governments to no longer provide travel documents to former Prime Minister Thaksin, who lives in exile in Dubai. Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to 2008 years in prison in 2 for abuse of power during the sale of land to his then wife.

– The Immigration Office for foreigners on Chaeng Wattanaweg will reopen on Monday. It is currently temporarily located on the fourth floor of World Ladprao.

Economic news

– The private sector is concerned that a slowdown in government spending will take its toll on Thailand's economic growth next year, although the Bank of Thailand is not yet concerned.

Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said no new spending could be made in the run-up to the elections, especially for projects related to the populist policies of ruling party Pheu Thai. This will also lead to lower domestic spending.

In the unlikely event that the opposition party Democrats win, the 350 billion baht water management projects and the 2 trillion baht infrastructure works will probably be scrapped. Those projects are considered essential to boosting economic growth next year.

In October and November, the government spent 471 billion baht, 18,9 percent less than the original target and 15,2 percent year-on-year. “You can see from this that the political conflicts that started in October have affected government spending,” says Tanit.

There is a bright spot for early next year. In January, money is spent on election campaigns and "tens of billions" (Tanit's words) are distributed to the poor. And that is good for the economy.

– Never known, but elections are favorable for the domestic car market. A source at the Federation of Thai Industries says the elections will "definitely" increase demand for motorcycles and pickup trucks. Unfortunately, the article does not state why this is the case.

In the first ten months of this year, 1.123.268 cars were sold: 1,8 percent less on an annual basis, but more cars were produced: 2,12 million, which is 7,1 percent more on an annual basis. By the end of the year, the counter should be at 2,51 million vehicles.

www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post