Thailand Politics

Prayuth Threatens Action if Shinawatra Supporters Protest

A successful impeachment needs three fifths of the 250-strong national legislature to vote in favour.

BANGKOK – Thailand’s Military Appointed Junta Chief, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha warned citizens the military will “take action” under martial law if protests occur as a result of impeachment proceedings against ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

On Friday the army-stacked National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will begin the impeachment of former Prime Minister Yingluck for driving through a costly rice subsidy scheme.

Thailand’s first female premier, who is due to appear at the assembly on Friday, was removed from office by a court ruling shortly before the military coup in May knocked out the rump of her administration.

Observers say a vote to impeach her – which carries an automatic five-year ban from politics – could stir her ‘Red Shirt’ supporters to protest, ending months of relative calm since the army grabbed power and imposed martial law on the kingdom. But junta chief Prayut Chan-ocha, the prime minister, shrugged off any potential revival of the street protests which have blistered Thailand’s recent political history.

“There will be no protest, they can’t protest. If they don’t accept the ruling, we will take action, that’s it,” he told reporters. “What is the condition of martial law? No political movement,” he said, urging the public to allow the NLA to reach its conclusion, which is due before the end of the month. A successful impeachment needs three fifths of the 250-strong national legislature to vote in favour.

Critics say the NLA is driving through a junta-led agenda to dismantle the power base of Thaksin Shinawatra – Yingluck’s older brother who lives in self-exile to avoid jail for a corruption conviction. “Driving her (Yingluck) out of politics could instigate resentment among her political supporters,” said Thai academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun, of Kyoto University. “Thailand is Thailand and the rule of law can be bent to serve the power interests of the elites.”

Thaksin, who was deposed as premier in a 2006 coup, sits at the heart of Thailand’s deep schism. He is loathed by the Bangkok-centred establishment and its supporters among the judiciary and army, but still enjoys support in the nation’s poor but populous northern half. Shinawatra-led or aligned parties have won every election since 2001.

In that time they have been battered by two coups and seen three other premiers banned by the kingdom’s interventionist courts. The Shinawatras’ electoral dominance comes as concerns mount over Thailand’s future once the reign of revered 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej ends.

While popular among Yingluck’s rural voters, the loss-making rice policy galvanised the protests against her government that presaged the coup. The scheme punched a hole in Thai finances and led to huge rice stockpiles as buyers baulked at the attempt by Yingluck’s administration to fund the multi-billion dollar subsidy by hoarding the grain to force up global prices. The junta has said fresh polls are unlikely before 2016 as it seeks to re-write the constitution and enact sweeping reforms aimed at rooting out corruption. – AFP

Thailand Politics

Thai Prime Minister’s Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.

According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.

The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.

According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.

This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.

Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.

The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.

Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.

About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.

Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.

The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.

Thailand Politics

Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.

The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.

The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.

Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.

In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.

Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.

The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.

A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.

Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.

The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.

Thailand Politics

Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.

Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.

Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.

Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond

Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.

Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.

Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.

“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.

The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.