News from Thailand – January 19, 2013

Like previous governments, the Yingluck government is ignoring environmental problems. She is concerned only with the question of how to stay in power and maintain her popularity. And fearing that they will move their production base to other countries, they pamper foreign investors. 

In her column in Bangkok Post Kultida Samabuddhi recalls the 2012 Annual Report of the Pollution Control Department with the ominous message: the environment deteriorated on all fronts last year. The quality of the sea water is deteriorating at an alarming rate, the mountains of waste are increasing and air pollution is getting worse.

Kultida finds it significant that Yingluck has not become chairman of the National Environment Board and the National Health Commission. She has delegated that task to her deputy prime ministers. "It is obvious that the prime minister does not have to chair every council, but by becoming chairperson of those two bodies she would send a signal to the public and government departments that the government is serious about environmental issues," Kultida writes.

For the past 18 months, the Pheu Thai government has only talked superficially about environmental issues and then only when an incident has occurred. It has failed to fulfill a very vital task, which is to protect the environment and to enforce strict compliance with environmental laws.

– Twenty million Thais are blacklisted by the National Credit Bureau, so they cannot take out a loan. At least at commercial banks, because money loan sharks are not that difficult. And in some cases, the victims resort to illegal activities so that they can pay their debts.

And that is exactly where the problem lies, says a group that is committed to 'rights and liberties'. [No name is given by the paper.] The group has therefore turned to the Ombudsman asking whether the Credit Information Business Act of 2002 is unconstitutional. Because according to the constitution people have the right 'to make a living and do business in a free and fair manner'.

– Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Tanasak Patimapragorn believes that the international community is leaving Thailand in the cold when it comes to the reception of the Rohingya refugees. Although international organizations emphasize the need to help the Rohingya, they are not providing enough direct aid, forcing Thailand to shoulder the burden alone.

A total of 949 Rohingya have been arrested in the past two weeks. They have fled Myanmar because they are persecuted there and smuggled into Thailand by human traffickers. However, Thailand is not a final destination, because they want to go to Indonesia or Malaysia.

Prime Minister Yingluck said yesterday that setting up refugee camps is not a solution, because the Rohingya do not want to settle in Thailand. The government will discuss with the UN how the influx of refugees from Myanmar can be stopped and in which countries the Rohingya could settle.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, not the most tactical person in the cabinet, actually said that the issue is delicate and that strict application of immigration laws would put Thailand in a bad light. “If we are too strict, we will look bad in the eyes of the international community. But at the same time we have to defend our national interests.' Chalerm did keep open the possibility of a reception camp, but that would depend on the number of refugees.

– The Thai population is now showing its best side. Numerous people have poured food, money and other supplies to help the Rohingya, who are housed in Narathiwat, Trang, Yala, Songkhla and Pattani.

In the Trang Shelter for Children and Families, 12 Rohingya children and one adult were medically examined. Most were found to be malnourished and some had sustained injuries during their long journey.

In Bang Klam, Songkhla, Rohingya villagers are helping to refurbish a vacant section of the police station so they can stay there instead of a police cell.

– No dangerous concentrations of mercury were found in water sources at the 304 Industrial Park in Prachin Buri last week, said a source at the Pollution Control Department (PCD). The PCD examined nine samples of sediment and soil and eleven samples from the Shalongwaeng Canal which is connected to the industrial estate. The sampling is in response to a study by the Earth organization, which announced earlier this month that it had found excessive concentrations of mercury.

The head of the PCD does not yet want to confirm the results of its own investigation. "I want to study the results thoroughly first and prepare an explanation for the public in case the results of the PCD are contrary to those of the environmental group."

– Red shirts threaten to hold a rally later this month to force the government to grant amnesty to all political prisoners and to compensate those who have been acquitted. According to them, the promised compensation is being paid very slowly.

Only a dozen exonerated persons will be eligible for the next round of payouts, says Arthit Baosuwan, who was acquitted of arson in CentralWorld [on May 19, 2010]. According to him, 1.800 people were arrested on the basis of the Emergency Ordinance for minor offenses at the time. 'These people should also receive compensation.'

Jiam Thongmak, arrested in connection with theft in CentralWorld and also acquitted, has not seen a penny despite a promise from the Ministry of Justice. Compensation is not only good for the reconciliation process, she says, but also helps people get back on track with their lives. "Many were in debt before they were imprisoned and because they were imprisoned they couldn't pay anything."

The planned rally is an initiative of the 'Friends of Thai Political Prisoners', also known as the Street Justice movement. She wants to mobilize 29 supporters on January 10.0000 to put pressure on the kettle.

– Tomorrow and Monday the cabinet will meet in Uttaradit. As always with these periodic regional meetings, there is once again a wish list from provincial authorities. The province of Uttaradit is asking for 130 million baht for various development projects. Neighboring province Tak comes up with a proposal for the construction of a highway and railway. The Ministry of Interior proposes to develop Mae Sot in Tak into a special economic zone.

The province deploys 3.500 police officers to protect the cabinet. A delegation led by Prime Minister Yingluck will visit the Huay Ree and Bueng Chor reservoirs, two projects initiated by the royal family.

– Will Thailand remain on the so-called 'dark gray list' of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) or will it be removed from the list on February 18 in Paris? The Anti-Money Laundering Office is confident that the latter will succeed.

Two bills on money laundering and financial support for terrorism have been approved by both Houses and only require the signature of the king. They must convince the FATF that Thailand is serious about combating those excesses.

In February last year, the FATF listed Thailand as one of XNUMX high-risk countries. It did too little against money laundering and terrorist financing. In June, Thailand received another warning.

– Hurry up with the National Savings Fund, which was already established by law in May 2011 under the then Abhisit government, says the Informal Workers Network. Many of the 30 million people working in the informal sector are anxiously awaiting the fund, which will allow them to start saving for retirement.

The delay is caused by the Yingluck government wanting to change the relevant law. This concerns the amount that the government contributes, the maximum age at which someone can become a member of the fund and the option of a lump sum or a monthly pension.

– Bang Sue gets a new station and a train depot. Yesterday, the State Railway of Thailand signed the contract for construction. The (end) station will consist of four platforms for commuter trains, twelve platforms for other distances and eight platforms for future use, a parking garage and a connection to the metro station. The construction, which will take two and a half years, will cost 29 billion baht.

Political news

– Four sides are fighting for the favor of Seree Supratid, who gained a lot of authority in 2011 with his analyzes of the floods. Two independent candidates for governor of Bangkok, ruling party Pheu Thai and opposition Democrats have asked him to become deputy governor.

Seree, director of the National Research Center at Rangsit University, says he has not yet decided which of the four will be allowed to recruit him. 'Actually, I can work with anyone who shares my ideas for improving the capital – especially in the environmental field.'

All candidates can get information about water management in the capital from him and he is willing to help them all formulate policy objectives in the field of combating environmental pollution and making Bangkok flood-free.

The Democratic party does not announce which party members will be nominated for the post of vice governor until after the elections in order to prevent an internal rift. Within the party, a fierce battle is being waged for those four posts. When Sukhumbhand Paribatra is re-elected, he and the party board will jointly decide who will be deputy governor.

Pongsapat Pongcharoen, candidate for ruling party Pheu Thai, was advised yesterday by Sudarat Keyuraphan, who had previously been put forward as a candidate by fellow party members in Bangkok. Sudarat said he is willing to help Pongsapat. She will not, as the media previously reported, speak on Monday when PT's election caravan arrives in front of the town hall, but will be present "as an expression of moral support".

On March 3, the people of Bangkok will elect a new governor. There are seven candidates: Pongsapat (governing Pheu Thai party), Sukhumbhand Paribatra (opposition Democrats; he is running for re-election) and five independent candidates. Sukhumbhand is ahead in the polls, but most voters are still cautious. Bangkok has 4,3 million voters. The Electoral Council is campaigning to get people to the polls; she hopes for a turnout of 67 percent.

Economic news

– The appreciation of the baht has slowed slightly, but the central bank warns the market and investors that new developments abroad can abruptly reverse that trend. Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul of the Bank of Thailand excludes that measures will be taken in the near future to dampen price increases.

Since the beginning of the year, the speed of price movements has been erratic — fast on some days, slow on others, Prasarn says. Market players would do well to be cautious, he says, now that signals of short-term speculation are emerging. They should not overlook factors in the global market, such as news that can instantly change trends in the financial market.

Compared to other currencies in the region, the baht's appreciation was slower last year. Prasarn cites Thai investment portfolios and foreign direct investment at $8 and $10 billion, respectively, compared to total foreign capital inflows of $20 billion.

According to Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong (Finance), domestic pressure on the baht is easing because, unlike in previous years, the economy does not show a trade surplus. The government's infrastructure investment plans require imports, which will further ease pressure on the baht.

– The five private jet charter companies Mjets, Siam Land Flying Co, AC Aviation, Advance Aviation and Kan Air have a competitor. The Prayoonwitt Group has established a subsidiary, Jaras Aviation, which will focus on the business market. The new batch offers both domestic and international flights with two aircraft, a Cessna 550 Citation Bravo and Cessna Grand Caravan.

The Prayoonwitt Group is owned by the Liptapanlop family, who made their fortune in construction and real estate. The establishment of Jaras Aviation is considered complementary to the family-owned five-star Inter Continental Hua Hin Resort. According to Jaraspim Liptapanlop (81), founder of the family empire, the need for transport will increase enormously with the arrival of the Asean Economic Community, with business people mainly benefiting from flexibility instead of having to rely on scheduled flights. Jaras will fly from Don Mueang.

– A record number of motorcycles were sold last year: 2,13 million, 6 percent more than the year before. Honda sold the most and thus maintained its leading position for 24 years.

www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post