News from Thailand – January 26, 2013

News from Thailand, January 26, 2013

We are not going to war, but the military is prepared to use force as a last resort. Army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha made this seemingly contradictory statement yesterday after a meeting between Prime Minister Yingluck and lawyers about the Preah Vihear case.

The strategy that Thailand will follow to prevent the controversial 4,6 square kilometers at Hindu temple Preah Vihear from being allocated to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague was discussed.

Prayuth said that regardless of the Court's ruling, negotiations between the two countries will continue. “There are procedures we have to follow when there are border battles. But at the end of the day, the conflict is settled at the negotiating table. […] In the disputed area we have to follow the rules. If they are violated, protest is the only correct action.'

The government is confident that the case can be won. Cambodia has asked for a 'reinterpretation' of the 1962 verdict awarding the temple to Cambodia. Thailand reasons: because the Court did not rule on the surrounding area at the time, the Court cannot now give an interpretation beyond the subject of its judgment at the time.

Both countries will soon begin clearing mines in the demilitarized zone, which was ordered by the ICJ in an interlocutory judgment last year. Cambodia and Thailand have still not withdrawn their troops from the area.

– About three hundred teachers, students and former students, dressed in mourning clothes, demonstrated yesterday at the statue of father Emile August Colombet, a French missionary who founded the Assumption College in Bang Rak (Bangkok). They oppose the planned merger of primary and secondary schools, which would cut teachers' salaries by 3.500 baht per month. According to the students, the merger will affect their future prospects.

The school management responded yesterday by closing the school until February 1, but Deputy Minister Phonthep Thepkanchana called on the school to reopen as soon as possible. According to a Mathayom 6 (sixth grade high school) teacher, his students are most affected by the closure because they have to take final exams next Monday and another exam of the Ordinary National Educational Test next month.

– The Rohingya refugees, there are now 1.390, may stay in Thailand for the next six months. This is what Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul (Foreign Affairs) said after a meeting with government services responsible for the refugees. The temporary shelter costs Thailand 12 million baht, based on an amount of 75 baht per person / day for food.

Over the next six months, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will consult with Unicef ​​(the UN children's fund), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Red Cross about the group's future. The talks are about how the Rohingya can be helped to apply for asylum in a third country.

Thailand is also talking to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the British ambassador to Thailand, because according to the deputy minister, the British have brought the Rohingya to Myanmar. Formally, Thailand regards the Rohingya as illegal immigrants who should be repatriated as soon as possible if the law were followed.

In Prachuap Khiri Khan, some of the 120 male Rohingya have gone on hunger strike. They complain about the quality of the food. The president of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Islamic Committee has promised to consult with the authorities to improve their accommodation and meals.

– Nine government companies that provide public services are given two weeks to come up with proposals in the event of strikes. The Ministry of Transport thus responds to the strike a week ago by Thai Airways International ground staff, which caused a large number of flights to be delayed and passengers to have to wait a long time for their luggage.

The nine companies are: THAI, Airports of Thailand, Port Authority of Thailand, State Railway of Thailand, Expressway Authority of Thailand, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (underground metro), Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co (air traffic control), Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (overground subway) and the Transport Company (interurban bus transport). PAT and Exat have already submitted their plans.

The Minister of Transport is somewhat concerned about the Port Authority of Thailand. Union members would go on strike to enforce overtime pay. According to the Deputy Minister of Transport, the strike at THAI was due to a communication problem between management and staff.

– Suvarnabhumi airport is not pleased with the strike of Thai Airways International (THAI) ground staff last week and is looking forward to measures. Consideration is being given to imposing stricter 'performance' requirements on THAI and admitting a third concessionaire for baggage handling.

It turned out that the strike had more serious consequences than previously thought: 302 international flights were delayed, of which 233 were THAI and 69 were foreign carriers that depend on THAI. More than 70.000 passengers had to wait 15 minutes to 4 hours and 23 minutes. Earlier reports spoke of 76 THAI flights.

THAI provides 70 percent of ground services, including baggage handling. About 50 to 60 carriers depend on it. The remaining 30 percent is provided by Bangkok Flight Services, part of the Bangkok Airways group.

– Six airports will be given a major overhaul so that they can function properly when the Asean Economic Community comes into effect in 2016. Most of the money from a budget of 3,2 billion baht will go to Mae Sot airport in Tak province and Betong in Yala. The runway will be extended in Mae Sot and a new terminal will be built in Betong.

At Ubon Ratchatani Airport, the apron is being expanded and the terminal is being renovated. The passenger terminal is also being renovated in Udon Thani. Narathiwat airport will have a separate area for Muslims traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj, and the taxi-way for a maintenance center will be expanded at Nakhon Ratchasima airport. Twenty-two other airports will follow later.

– Several dozen activists yesterday in protest against the 10-year prison sentence that Somyot Prueksakasensuk received for lèse-majesté, burned pages of a fake law book. They did so in front of the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, where Somyot was sentenced. The action lasted about an hour and was filmed by police and court officials. Eighteen organizations protested in front of the Thai embassy in Seoul (South Korea).

Somyot has not been denied bail 18 times since his arrest, but 12 times, the newspaper now reports.

– A 41-year-old man suspected of the murder of two marines in September 2005 in Narathiwat was arrested yesterday during a raid on a house in Samakkee. On his head was a bounty of 500.000 baht. The owner of the house was also arrested because he had sheltered the man, two other suspects managed to flee.

No shot has yet been fired in the case of the teacher who was murdered in cold blood in a school cafeteria. Police are looking for four suspects.

The Confederation of Private Schools in the Southern Border Provinces has called on the Ministry of Education to give private school teachers a monthly hazard allowance of 2.500 baht, as well as public school teachers.

About 1.500 university graduates are ready to work as teaching assistants in the South. They all come from the southern provinces and have recently undergone educational training.

– The Forest Industry Organization, which stores 27.000 cubic meters of confiscated wood, wants to monetize the wood by making furniture. If the wood is kept any longer, it will rot and become unusable. Currently, 60 percent can still be used. The storage costs have now risen to 30 million baht. It concerns rare wood such as teak and kraya loei. Seized rosewood may not be used for commercial purposes.

– A New Zealand man died yesterday at the Chalong pier in Phuket because he fell from his yacht that was rammed by another boat. He slipped and fell into the water, knocking him unconscious when his head hit something. A passerby jumped into the water but his help came too late.

– A 5 month old burnt fetus was found last night on a lawn in Muang (Samut Prakan). A witness saw a couple on a motorcycle drop a bundle wrapped in cloth and set it on fire. The police assume that the parents wanted to get rid of the fetus after an illegal abortion.

– Four companies have tendered for the construction of the new parliament building. The tender will take place on 20 February and the contract will be signed on 28 March. The new parliament building is being built in Kiakkai.

– Two Thai films are competing for a Tiger Award at the International Film Festival in Rotterdam at the end of January: 　 Girl by Visra Vichit Vadakan, which premieres there, and 36, a movie by Nawapol Thamrongratanarit.

With Karaoke girl Visra makes her debut as a feature film director. The film is a mix of documentary and fiction about a woman from a village in Nong Khai who starts working in a karaoke bar in Bangkok. Film critic Kong Rithdee credits the film Bangkok Post a 'delicate story of a night woman adrift and in search of an anchor'.

Visra should be no stranger to some because she married a Facebook top executive and a friend of Mark Zuckerberg 2 years ago, who was spotted by the media in Thong Lor.

The film will be shown in Bangkok later this year. The article does not discuss the other film, which is characterized as a 'missed romance'.

Political news

– Opposition leader Abhisit admits that his (Democratic) candidate for governor of Bangkok is facing a tough time, now that an Abac poll gives his main rival from ruling party Pheu Thai, Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a lead. That Democrat is Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who has been governor for the past 4 years and is running for re-election.

But Abhisit is not giving up yet. The race has only just begun, he says, and the party and Sukhumbhand will announce more concrete policy intentions in the coming weeks. Sukhumbhand spoke in front of the town hall yesterday. He said his 4 years of experience gives him an advantage in continuing his work.

Rival Pongsapat received support from Prime Minister Yingluck yesterday. She climbed the Pheu Thai stage at the statue of King Taksin the Great in Wong Wian Yai on the Thonburi side of Bangkok. The prime minister said that Pongsapat will work with the central government to improve the lives of Thonburi residents so that they reach the same level of prosperity as the residents of Bangkok.

Pongsapat promised residents to tackle the drug problem, build more public parks, provide bike lanes and a metro line, and expand street lighting.

Yesterday was also the last day for candidates to register for the elections to be held on March 3. Seven did so, bringing the total number of candidates to 25. [Of whom 23 have no chance, I take the liberty of adding.]

Economic news

– There is no evidence of speculation with the baht or of large dollar purchases being made to boost the baht's value. However, large short-term investments are made in the local bond market. This says Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul in response to concerns about the rise in the baht.

The current measures already prevent speculation with the baht, such as the limit on foreign investment in the local currency without underlying transactions. Short-term investment in the bond market has increased as investors react to uncertainties in the global economy. Foreign investment in the stock market has declined as the price-to-earnings ratio has decreased. Since the beginning of the year, $2 billion in foreign capital has poured in.

Finance Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong says that intervention in the baht will be avoided, even at the expense of exporters. The government is considering accommodating them by softening the measure that foreign currencies must be exchanged for the baht within a certain period. “We can allow them to hold it for a longer period of time. That will reduce the risk of losses.'

In the long run, relief is in sight as the government plans to borrow 2 trillion baht, which will increase imports and ease pressure on the baht. Next week, the minister will have a meeting with the Federation of Thai Industries about the strong baht. “Everyone – the government, the central bank and exporters – must act now that capital flows continue,” said Payungsak Chartsutthipol, chairman of the FTI.

– Thailand's credit rating remains unchanged at BBB+, according to ratings agency Standard & Poor. The agency says the rating remains stable, but it has warned that political stability and the long-term impact of financial programs remain matters to watch.

"In recent years, the political situation has been somewhat uncertain, but that has not yet significantly affected business," said Kim Eng Tan, director for Asia Pacific. No change in the rating is expected in the coming years, but the rating could come under pressure from policy measures, such as the rice mortgage system, and the way in which they affect the financial position of public banks.

Tan says rapid credit growth, particularly from home and car purchases, could be a concern if the economy underperforms and that rapid growth continues.

– Thais love pills, but not push-ups. The Consumer Health 2012, a report by Mindshare Thailand, shows that sales of health products rose to 61 billion baht last year from 37 billion baht in 2007, an increase of 10 percent per year. Vitamins and nutritional supplements are especially popular, followed by herbs, traditional products and medicines.

Mindshare surveyed 3.000 people. Of these, 84 percent said they were satisfied with their health, the promotions and the policies of the government and companies. But, now comes the bad news, women exercise less (38 percent against 52 percent in 2008) and men eat less fruit and vegetables (43 – 51 percent).

But overall, Thailand is healthier because there were fewer deaths from infections, accidents and unhealthy lifestyles. The life expectancy of Thai men has increased from 55,2 to 69,9 years and for women from 61,8 to 74,9 years. The research also shows that the number of singles, couples without children and divorced people is no longer increasing.

– Thailand's second largest contracting company Ch. Karnchang Plc says the controversial Xayaburi dam in Laos is 10 percent complete. The statement confirms activists' suspicions that Laos never halted work on the dam, despite promises it would await further environmental impact studies. Officially, construction would have started on November 7. Vietnam and Cambodia in particular had pressed for further studies.

www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post