News from Thailand – March 29, 2013

Bangkok Post takes up almost the entire front page for yesterday's debate in parliament on the proposal to borrow 2 trillion baht for infrastructure works (which costs 3 trillion baht in interest).

Tino Kuis watched the debate on television and summarized opposition leader Abhisit's criticism. He calls Abhisit's argument 'calm and to the point'. Because I couldn't match that let alone improve it, here's his summary.

• Too little control by parliament and the population, not democratic, not proongsai, transparent (he has a point there).
• No planning yet, environmental report, agreement with China (continuation of railway lines).
• Would promote economic development along the new rail lines, but what development?
• Price train ticket as expensive as plane ticket.
• Borrowing so much puts a heavy burden on (grand)children.
• Too many opportunities for corruption.
• The government also failed to spend funds to prevent flooding.

So much for our special correspondent from Chiang Mai. I have mentioned the government position numerous times in my News from Thailand. In summary: Gross domestic product will increase by 1 percent, 500.000 new jobs will be created, the loan will be taken out over a period of 7 years and paid off over 50 years, Thailand's infrastructure has been neglected for years, the national debt will remain below the ceiling of 60 percent of GDP.

Today, parliament will continue with the so-called 'first reading'. A committee is then set to work and a second and third term in parliament will follow.

– The first peace talks between Thailand and southern rebels yesterday in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) must have been a real war of attrition, because it lasted 12 hours. Delegation leader Hassan Taib of the rebel group BRN put forward four demands: withdrawal of arrest warrants against alleged insurgents; release of prisoners convicted of violence; stop pending cases against alleged insurgents and withdraw a blacklist of suspects' names.

The Thai delegation leader, Paradorn Pattanatabut, secretary general of the National Security Council, brushed aside the demand for the release of detainees and promised to discuss the other points with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant agencies. Paradorn called on the insurgents to stop attacking civilian targets.

Taib supports the request but says it is difficult to persuade rebel groups opposed to the peace talks to reduce their attacks. Talks will continue on April 29.

While talking in Kuala Lumpur, a bomb exploded in Ban Joh Kroh (Narathiwat) as twelve paramilitary rangers on foot patrol passed by. Three rangers were killed and five were wounded.

– Thousands of fish in the Mun River in Nakhon Ratchasima have died. Over a distance of 3 kilometers they float with their bellies up in the water. And not only that, they also spread an unpleasant smell.

Phimai District Chief Pittaya Wongkraisrithong suspects the fish succumbed to a lack of oxygen, either because of the drought or water pollution from factories. The authorities have banned the population from eating the fish. Water samples were taken to determine the cause of the sudden death.

– 92 dogs, in Nong Khai on their way to the abattoir, were rescued by personnel of a marine unit. The animals were in two trucks, which could be stopped at 12:XNUMX am thanks to a tip. At the slaughterhouse, police found another XNUMX dogs in cages. The owner of the slaughterhouse has stated that he has been slaughtering dogs for six years. The meat is bought by local villagers and people from Laos.

– It must have cost another capital and the media were there in full force to report on it. Yesterday, Dtac founder and millionaire Boonchai Bencharongkul (58) married actress Bongkot 'Tak' Khongmalai (27), now three months pregnant. The wedding took place at the Mandarin Oriental hotel.

– A CD seller has been sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison and a fine of 66.000 baht for selling copies of a controversial Australian documentary about the royal family.

The man was arrested in an undercover operation in March 2011. Not only did he own the VCDs with an episode of Foreign Correspondent, but also from WikiLeaks documents. The lawyer says he will appeal and also submit the verdict to the Constitutional Court. According to the lawyer, Article 112 of the Criminal Code (lese-majeste) is in conflict with the article on freedom of expression in the constitution.

– A former senator and nine others received suspended prison sentences for trespassing in December 2007. They then climbed over the fences of the parliament grounds with about a hundred demonstrators and staged a sit-down demonstration in protest against legislation by the National Legislative Assembly installed by the coup leaders.

Economic news

– Songkran will be a cash cow for hotels, catering and airlines this year. The party will generate at least 59,2 billion baht in revenue, says the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The Association of Thai Travel Agents expects 100 charter flights to arrive in Thailand during the Songkran holiday. The Thai Hotels Association (THA) says that hotels in Phuket are almost all fully booked, in Pattaya at 70 percent and Chiang Mai at 80-90 percent.

The Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association expects 700 to 800 million baht to flow into various cash drawers with Songkran. Chinese people in particular seem to love Chiang Mai for its blockbuster Lost in Thailand. That movie is a crazy success in China.

During the first two months of the year, 4,56 million international tourists arrived in Thailand, an increase of 18,8 percent. The increase also has a dark side because hotels suffer from a shortage of staff, especially front desk staff, cleaning lady and waiting staff. THA president Surapong Techaruvichit thinks that 4- and 5-star hotels will have to raise the salary of cleaning and service staff from 9.000 baht to more than 10.000 baht a month.

– Seven real estate developers face court because they have not kept promises to buyers. The Consumer Protection Board is going to court because promised delivery dates are not met or houses are not transferred on time.

Secretary-General Jirachai Moontongroy believes that companies should not hide behind the shortage of workers. "They can't claim that those delays are inevitable." The CPB hopes to get compensation payments for the duped buyers through the courts.

The seven are Woraluk Property Co, Baan Piam Suk (2 owners), Ananda Development Two Co, Nirandorn Land and House 1994 Co, Property Home Expert Co, Niran Property Co.

www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post