News from Thailand – April 22, 2014
A grenade was fired at Narong Sahametha's home on Sunday evening. The grenade punched a large hole in the wall and damaged a car.
Narong is permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and he openly supports the protest movement, which must have been the motive behind the attack. The grenade was fired from a distance of 50 meters, according to police. Police are stepping up patrols in the area.
- Bangkok Post opens with a very long story about the possibility of a military coup by the East Tigers, the nickname of the second Infantry Division Burapha Phayak. Former Prime Minister Thaksin is said to have told followers who had visited him in Beijing that they could stage a coup.
The rumors are also fueled by an audience the king has granted to Prawit Wongsuwon, former division commander and defense minister in the Abhisit cabinet; former army commander Anupong Paojinda, also Burapha Phayak, and - yes, there it is again - grise eminence Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council.
They joined a delegation presenting a Buddha statue to the monarch and Prem spoke to the king separately. For Thais, such an audience is an indication that something is about to happen.
But you already understand: the East Tigers deny. A commander says that at least forty battalions are needed for a coup, the tigers could never do it alone. Another officer says that Burapha Phayak is being used as a scapegoat again. This would have to do with the deployment of Burapha Phayak soldiers in April 2010 at the Khok Wua intersection, where the army drove out red shirts.
Noppadol Pattama, legal adviser to Thaksin, denies that his boss has mentioned the possibility of a coup. Thaksin is said to have said that his family is willing to make a sacrifice by leaving politics if it leads to "national progress".
– Bangkok will get two new parks this year. One park of 34 rai is located under the expressway in Lat Phrao; part of the park is specially designated for dogs. Our loyal four-legged friend plus their owners can relax and do exercises. The other park of 3 rai will be in Bang Phlat. Three more parks will be added next year: in Bang Bon (100 rai), Phetkasem soi 49 (70 rai) and Bung Lam Phai more in Min Buri (78 rai).
– The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers that some products contain the false statement that they are considered safe by the FDA. These are nutritional supplements that claim to improve sexual performance, provide weight loss, breast enlargement and clearer skin. A list of suspected products is available on the FDA's website.
– A Thai research team developing an anti-malarial drug says it has reached the pre-clinical testing phase. According to the team, the developed synthetic compound P218 is able to prevent the formation of DNA in malaria parasites. This could lead to a new drug to replace pyrimethamine, the most commonly used drug, to which the disease is increasingly resistant.
The pre-clinical test is held in a foreign laboratory. The drug will then be tested on humans. This phase lasts three years. In total, it will take five years for the drug to reach the market. The research team is confident that the pre-clinical phase is successful.
– The newly established Rubbish Collection Organization (RCO, see Witch hunt threatens against people who insult the monarchy) shouldn't get it into her head to send armed men out to track down suspects of lèse-majesté, because then she will have to deal with the police.
This is what a police spokesperson says in response to a Facebook message from the founder that an armed force is being formed that is able to fight an 'armed lese majeste gang'.
In the message, Rienthong asks the chief of the national police to understand the need for violence and not to take legal action against RCO members who carry a weapon. The spokesperson points out that no organization in the country is allowed to carry weapons.
Rienthong posted his FB message following his claim to have seen "suspicious-looking men" in three cars outside his home. He says he has been intimidated ever since he announced the establishment of the RCO.
Red Shirt leader Korkaew Pikulthong disagrees with the establishment of the RCO. It is the job of the police to take action against people engaged in anti-monarchy affairs, not from self-appointed groups.
– The yes-no game between the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (responsible for enforcing the emergency law for Bangkok) and the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission was continued yesterday by Capo director Chalerm Yubamrung. And I'll leave it at that, because I think it's bickering. Who wants to read it, see Capo stands by caution to court, NACC on the newspaper's website. It's mostly old cake.
– A 65-year-old man was shot dead yesterday in Bannang Sata (Yala). He was fired upon as he rode the motorcycle. The district was already shaken on Sunday by an attack on a couple, their 2-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old cousin. Only the cousin survived the attack. The couple has a son who is a defense volunteer. He survived an attack in February.
– The police in Bangkok will take tougher action against nightlife that remain open after 1 am. An amendment to the Entertainment Venue Control Act of 1966 is being prepared. The current fine of 2.000 baht will be increased to 60.000 to 200.000 baht. Violators can also be imprisoned.
The so-called satan borikan, such as ramwong folk dance clubs, massage parlors, pubs and discos. The amended law also applies to open-air stalls where liquor is sold and music is played louder than 80 decibels. The owner must have a permit, which costs between 10.000 and 50.000 baht, depending on size.
According to the police, there are currently XNUMX unlicensed entertainment venues in Bangkok.
– Airline Thai Airways International (THAI) blames the large decrease in the number of passengers from East Asia on the political unrest. In the first quarter, the number of passengers from China decreased by 25,8 percent, from Japan by 8 percent and from South Korea by 12,9 percent. As a result, the loss was 30 million baht higher than expected. THAI does not want to say how much loss was suffered. Average cabin occupancy was 68,7 percent compared to 80,3 percent in the same period last year.
Political news
– So today the announced meeting of the Electoral Council will take place with all political parties about the new elections. Opposition leader Abhisit opposes holding a vote when the participating parties cannot agree. Former government party Pheu Thai has insisted on this.
Abhisit believes that the parties should not demand anything, but should concentrate on the national interest to find a solution. If they fail to do so, the country may slide into unrest and a coup.
Abhisit hopes that all political parties will provide solutions for the country instead of focusing on partisan interests. They should not be forced to agree on a date for the elections, Abhisit said.
Electoral Council Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn says that today the opinions of the security services will also be presented with which the Electoral Council spoke on April 8. The result of all consultations goes to the government.
Legal adviser Bhokin Bhalakula of Pheu Thai hopes that a solution will be found for elections as soon as possible. Failure to do so could give the impression of a conspiracy, which would have a deterrent effect on the parliamentary process of adopting the budget. Parliament should start on this next month so that the budget is ready on time. [The Thai financial year runs October 1 to September 30.]
To prevent the registration of candidates from being blocked as in the previous elections, Bhokin points out that this can also be done in safe places such as army bases and over the internet. Elections on July 20, a suggestion by Somchai, Bhokin thinks is too late. Then the budget is not ready in time. Today's meeting will be broadcast live on NBT and Channel 9.
– Former governing party Pheu Thai continues to believe that new elections and a referendum are the only way to free the country from its political deadlock. 'Listening to the voice of the people is the only solution'.
Pheu Thai believes that new elections should be held within 45 to 60 days after March 27, the day on which the Constitutional Court declared the February 2 elections invalid. "If that doesn't happen, then only the interests of those who want to create a vacuum in the country's governance system will be served." The party urges all parties, especially opposition Democrats, to cooperate in setting a new date.
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www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post