Thread: Thailand and the new coalition government

• PM Srettha warns Bangkok Port relocation plan could hit exports

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday poured cold water on plans to relocate Bangkok Port out of the city, warning of disruption to exports.

Asked about the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s proposal to move the port, Srettha told reporters covering his visit to City Hall that relevant agencies should carefully consider all the factors. He also remarked that Thailand’s biggest port, Laem Chabang in Chonburi province, is currently being expanded.

Srettha, who is also the finance minister, was speaking at a press conference after meeting with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to discuss city development.

Chadchart suggested last year that Bangkok Port be moved from Khlong Toei to Laem Chabang. The move would reduce freight-truck trips at Bangkok Port by at least 1 million per year, cutting traffic congestion and easing PM2.5 air pollution in the city, the governor said. It would also mean container ships no longer had to use the Chao Phraya River, clearing the way for the BMA’s planned flood-prevention project, he added.

Laem Chabang Port handles over 10 million cargo containers every year, compared with just 1 million at Bangkok Port. Laem Chabang is considered an environmentally friendly port with a railway connection to the Inland Container Depot in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district.

However, the Transport Ministry, which oversees the Port Authority of Thailand, says it has no plans to relocate Bangkok Port.

Chadchart has also complained that despite being included in the national action plan, the plan to move Bangkok Port has not been adopted by any state agency.

According to Transport Ministry sources, Bangkok Port is responsible for important cargo goods and functions as a distribution centre. They said that any relocation would affect the country’s import and export businesses and economy.

• PM visits Thaksin at home in his Ban Chan Song La residence

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin paid a private visit to former prime minister and prison parolee Thaksin Shinawatra at his Ban Chan Song La residence in Thonburi on Saturday morning.

He was seen arriving in a brand new “sonic titanium” Lexus LM350H Executive 4-seater prime ministerial staff car. He lowered the window to “wai” reporters and photographers gathered in front of the residence, without giving an interview.

He is the first high-ranking Thai government official to visit Thaksin since he was released on parole from the Police General Hospital on February 18th. The first VIP to visit Thaksin was former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen.

The prime minister said that Thaksin offered him moral support and asked him to look after his health, adding that they did not discuss politics but that he would welcome Thaksin’s recommendations or opinions.

He praised Thaksin as Thailand’s most popular prime minister and for being very resourceful.

Thaksin’s health, he said, appears to be improving, though he stills looks tired but is cheerful, perhaps because he is now home after 17 years of living in exile.

• Srettha vows to improve the residential quarters of military officers

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Saturday promised to improve the residences of military officers to raise their quality of life.

He was speaking after a survey of Royal Thai Army flats in Bangkok's Kiakkai neighbourhood to see how military officers lived there and to hear their demands.

He proposed setting up more facilities, such as co-working space, Wi-Fi internet network, parking lots, gyms and electric vehicle chargers.

"Initially, I think a 45-square-metre room is alright, but it needs more built-in furniture, as well as co-working space, gym, charging station for EV users and waste sorting point for maintaining the environment," he said on his Facebook post.

"We have voluntary conscription, so we have to start by offering welfare and good quality of life to the soldiers."

The PM also planned to visit other residences of the Royal Thai Navy, Royal Thai Air Force and Royal Thai Armed Forces on Monday.

• Srettha disappointed after unannounced check at Suvarnabhumi Airport

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made an unannounced check of operations at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday and found the arrival and departure passenger procedures were still disappointing.

Srettha announced on his X account on Saturday night that he had made another surprise inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday evening to follow up on his first unannounced inspection on February 5 in the morning.

“I came to check the service systems at Suvarnabhumi Airport without informing the airport in advance after I made a similar check in the morning. So, today I came to check in the evening and there were plenty of passengers,” Srettha posted on his X page.

The prime minister said he found that both the arrival and departure procedures were too long.

Srettha announced on his X account on Saturday night that he had made another surprise inspection at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Saturday evening to follow up on his first unannounced inspection on February 5 in the morning.

“I came to check the service systems at Suvarnabhumi Airport without informing the airport in advance after I made a similar check in the morning. So, today I came to check in the evening and there were plenty of passengers,” Srettha posted on his X page.

The prime minister said he found that both the arrival and departure procedures were too long.

“I counted the time since a passenger got off a vehicle and entered the check-in system and passed through the security system to reach his terminal to wait for boarding.

“And for arrivals, I counted from passengers' exiting their plane and coming to the immigration counters. I checked all the procedures in detail and found that they took a long time.”

Srettha said that he had asked the officials in charge if they could reduce the time taken. “The answer was that the processing time was uncertain,” Srettha said.

“This has to be improved urgently,” the prime minister added.

• Sort out unending construction projects on Rama II, Srettha tells Transport Ministry

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has instructed the Transport Ministry to improve the condition of Rama II highway, so people travelling during the long Songkran holidays do not get caught in traffic bottlenecks.

Srettha highlighted his instructions in a comment on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. He was responding to a post on the travel page, Paksabuy, which said that Hua Hin was unusually quiet these days because Bangkokians did not want to deal with the notorious traffic congestion on Rama II. The popular seaside town is about 200 kilometres south of Bangkok.

In his post, the premier said the Transport Ministry should strictly monitor and control large construction projects to ensure they are built well and fast. He said his government has been monitoring large construction projects, whose delays have affected motorists and tourists as well as businesses of shops along the roads.

“As for the delayed construction project on Rama II, which is a key reason why fewer people are going to Hua Hin, the Transport Ministry said it will rush to tackle the issue so motorists find it easier to travel before Songkran,” Srettha said in his X post.

“I’ll monitor the issue to ease the grievances of the people as soon as possible. I’ll also supervise procurement and mete out penalties against contractors who abandon their work.”

On Wednesday, Paksabuy posted a photo of an empty Hua Hin beach, saying the seaside town now has far fewer Thai tourists and suggested that the notorious Rama II congestion might be the reason.

The post was picked up and highlighted by some online websites over the weekend, leading to the perception that Hua Hin had become a ghost town during the long weekend.

However, on Sunday, many local residents posted on their community group, “If anything happens in Hua Hin, update it here”, that many tourists were still visiting Hua Hin and the post on Paksabuy was made by someone who did not visit the town.

Rama II is the main gateway linking Bangkok to the South and is infamous for what is often called by Thai motorists “seven generations of construction”. Worse yet, the area is known for accidents with debris falling on passing vehicles.

The latest reason for the congestion is the construction of an elevated expressway in the middle of Rama II, which is supposed to ease congestion.

• PM aims to promote tourism in deep south

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is in the southernmost province of Yala today, to promote tourism and economic development in the region.

He is expected to meet with local residents and authorities to listen to their needs and problems. He also plans to visit various tourist attractions, as part of his first official visit to the region since taking office.

Srettha began his three-day official visit in Pattani province yesterday, home to the Krue Se mosque, the site of a massacre in 2004 in which 32 people were killed by Thai security forces following a day-long siege.

Security has been tightened and Srettha reportedly travelled in Pattani in a bulletproof vehicle. During his visit, he toured the Pattani Central Mosque and participated in religious activities.

Srettha wrote on his X post that he is amazed by the beauty of the mosque, “…apart from its magnificence and religious significance, the architecture is so beautiful that it is dubbed the Taj Mahal of Thailand”.

Srettha told reporters that his focus during the visit to the provinces is on creating opportunities to stimulate the economy and enhance tourism.

Tomorrow, he is scheduled to visit Narathiwat province.

He pointed out that the three restive provinces in the south boast numerous tourist attractions, which he referred to as ‘hidden gems’ awaiting visitors. The government aims to develop these provinces into tourism centres. Currently, the region attracts approximately 1.68 million tourists annually, with only 15% of them being foreigners.

The region offers many internationally familiar products, such as Halal food and batik clothing, which will be promoted to increase investment. Additionally, a one-stop-service centre has been established at the Betong customs house in Yala to facilitate business.

Furthermore, the government intends to promote cultures, religion, traditions and knowledge among the people, to foster greater understanding and peaceful coexistence. “Peace is crucial for the prosperity of both the country and its citizens,” said Srettha.

• Yala airport key to govt’s plan to boost tourism in Thailand’s South

Much to the joy of Yala residents, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Wednesday that the plan to build an airport in the province is already in the pipeline and will be implemented “soon”.

The closest airport to Yala, Thailand’s southernmost province, is in Narathiwat.

Srettha, who also doubles as finance minister, is on a three-day trip to Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat to promote tourism and related industries in southern border provinces.

On Tuesday, the premier visited Pattani’s tourist attractions, including the Pattani Central Mosque. He also chatted with locals and members of the Pattani Islamic Council about the government’s plan to establish a National Halal Industry Commission and Thai Halal Industry Centre to promote local food producers in the South.

On Wednesday morning, Srettha and his delegation paid respects at the city shrine in Yala’s Muang district, before receiving and wearing traditional mud-dyed shirts called “simaya” made by locals from Na Tham subdistrict.

The PM’s party then visited Yala’s TK (Thailand Knowledge) Park in Muang district to watch local students making handicrafts. Speaking to the students, Srettha said everybody in the deep South will be granted equal opportunities in terms of education, economy and transport infrastructure.

He also said the government was already planning to build an airport in Yala, adding that he believes the province will soon become another tourism hub in the South.

The premier and his delegation are scheduled to observe the operations of the Betong customs checkpoint and visit the Betong Winter Flowers Garden, Betong Mongkhonrit Tunnel (the first mountain tunnel in Thailand), and AyerRweng Skywalk.

Yala has set a target of welcoming 2 million Thai and foreign visitors this year and securing tourism revenue of 7 billion baht.

• Ministry preparing to submit national costume to Unesco for listing

The formal Thai national costume is on the way to being proposed for inclusion on Unesco’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as the Culture Ministry first asks for approval by the Cabinet.

Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich said a formal submission about the costume’s knowledge, craftsmanship and practices has already been prepared, but it should receive approval from the Cabinet first.

“Once receiving Cabinet's approval, the Department of Cultural Promotion will submit information to Unesco in March this year,” he said, adding that Unesco will also be considering submissions proposed by other countries.

Sermsak added that Thailand’s Tom Yum Kung (spicy shrimp soup) and kebaya, the traditional costume in Southern Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, will be considered later this year.

These items will be follow by the formal Thai national costume, Muay Thai and Loy Krathong respectively, he added.

Meanwhile, Department of Cultural Promotion director-general Kowit Pakamart said the formal Thai national costume proves the country’s identity, which has been preserved for more than 1,400 years harking back to the Dvaravati era.

“A significant development in the formal Thai national costume took place in 1960 when Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother graciously called for a study of the evolution of the Thai women’s costume and created eight types of costumes for people to wear on various specific occasions,” Kowit explained.

“Nowadays, Thai people continue to wear the eight types of formal Thai national costumes as part of their daily lives, such as attending state and religious ceremonies.”

Apart from making people proud of Thai craftmanship and tradition, Kowit said the formal Thai national costume is an example of the country’s soft power that creates jobs, generates income and stimulates the economy.

It also inspires new generations to further develop Thai fabrics into traditional or creative costumes, he added.

• Foreign Minister Parnpree resigns

Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara says that he has resigned from his ministerial position, stating that he wishes to “uphold his principles”, without offering any further explanation.

His resignation comes as the cabinet reshuffle is announced in the Royal Gazette, which sees him removed from the deputy premiership but retaining the foreign minister portfolio.

“I am confident that my past works, as the deputy premier and foreign minister, have brought benefits to the country. I did my job to the best of my ability and my work was effectively implemented,” said Parnpree.

He added that he has not yet informed PM Srettha Thavisin of his decision, and his resignation will come into effect today.

He said he believes that a suitable person will be found to fill the roles of deputy prime minister and foreign minister.

Asked if he will continue working with the Pheu Thai party, Parnpree, a long-time senior member of the party, said he still loves the party but does not know yet and needs more time to think about it.

His resignation letter went viral on social media. When reporters asked him whether the two-page letter, addressed to the prime minister, was real, he replied “yes, it’s more than real.”

In the letter, he mentions that he travelled to negotiate for the Thai nationals taken hostage in Israel, resulting in the release of 23, as well as the repatriation of 8,000 Thais from Israel to Thailand.

Apart from fostering relationships with ASEAN, the EU, India and the superpowers, his achievements include the launching of visa-free schemes with some countries, he wrote.

He hopes that the cabinet reshuffle will result in a more effective administration of the country, which is transparent and protective of the country’s benefits.

In his letter, he thanked the premier for allowing him to work in the government for a period of time.

• PM apologizes to Panpree and vows to shoulder consequences

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today says he will take responsibility for the consequences of his decision to remove Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara from the position of deputy premier, which was followed by Parnpree’s resignation as foreign minister.

“I have already sent my apologies to Khun Parnpree via a Line chat group, saying I’m sorry if my decision upset him,” the prime minister told reporters. He emphasised his respect for Parnpree’s decision to resign, noting their long acquaintance and that there is no personal conflicts between them.

Srettha added that dissatisfaction with cabinet reshuffles is not uncommon, stating, “My decision concerning the cabinet reshuffle is based on the benefits for the country. I am now considering who will become the new foreign minister. He will be someone who has worked with the Pheu Thai party for a long time.”

Parnpree confirmed his resignation as foreign minister shortly after the cabinet reshuffle was announced in the Royal Gazette. Although he lost his position as deputy prime minister, he would have retained his foreign ministry portfolio.

Parnpree, a long time senior member of ruling Pheu Thai party, cited “principles” as the basis for his resignation, in a two-page letter addressed to Srettha, without providing further details.

In an interview today, Parnpree expressed his belief that his removal from the deputy premiership undermines his credibility, particularly on the international stage, adding “I am confident that my past work as the deputy premier and the foreign minister was not the reason I was removed from the deputy prime minister position.”

“I always work for the sake of the country,” he stated, hoping that the cabinet reshuffle would lead to a more transparent and beneficial administration.

Some political observers noted Parnpree’s mention of his residence in Soi Rachakru in his letter, which is where former Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan lived. They claim that Parnpree sought to emphasise his close ties with Chatichai, due to his marriage to one of Chatichai’s granddaughters.

The observers said Parnpree’s resignation has shaken the Srettha administration’s credibility.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai secretary general Sorawong Thienthong mentioned that the party may offer Parnpree a position as an advisor. He added, however, that it would be Parnpree’s decision whether to accept such an offer.

Parnpree, as the foreign minister, had been the image of Thailand and the government internationally.

• Srettha chooses new foreign minister after Parnpree’s shock resignation

• Parnpree bids farewell to Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara bade farewell to Foreign Ministry officials today, after resigning as foreign minister.

A number of officials were seen gathering and taking photos with him in the main hall of the ministry.

They presented flowers to Parnpree, who was appointed to the position in September last year.

He also paid respects to the monument of HRH Prince Devawongse Varopakarn, the father of Thai diplomacy, located within the ministry.

Parnpree decided to resign from the Srettha Thavisin government after losing his deputy prime ministership, while retaining his position as foreign minister, in the administration’s first cabinet reshuffle.

He did not disclose the actual reason behind his decision, which had surprised many. He simply stated that he wanted to “uphold his principles”.

Parnpree's resignation a major loss for Pheu Thai

• Industrial Works Department chief resigns

Industrial Works Department Director General Jullapong Thaveesri announced his resignation at a meeting of the House Industrial Affairs Committee in parliament on Wednesday.

Jullapong was invited by the House committee to explain the illegal movement of cadmium slag, from a landfill in Tak province to Samut Sakhon, Bangkok and Chon Buri, and the recent fire at a warehouse belonging to Win Process, an industrial waste recycling plant in Rayong province.

After giving his explanation of the two incidents, Jullapong told the committee that he was no longer in a position to deal with the two incidents because he had already tendered his resignation to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Industry.

The announcement of his abrupt departure reportedly stunned the committee’s chairman Akaradej Wongpitakroj and other members who offered him their morale support.

Jullapong was reprimanded by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his visit to Rayong last week, to follow up on the fire at the Win Process plant.

Industry Minister Pimpatra Wichaikul also indicated her dissatisfaction over the Industrial Works Department’s handling of chemical leaks from the Aek Uthai Company’s facility in Uthai district of Ayutthaya, also an industrial waste treatment facility.

It is rumoured that Pimpatra was seeking cabinet consent to transfer Jullapong to deputy permanent secretary or an inspector-general position.

Jullapong was due to retire at the end of September this year.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

Industrial Works Department Director General Jullapong Thaveesri announced his resignation at a meeting of the House Industrial Affairs Committee in parliament on Wednesday.

I don’t know much about Mr. Thaveesri, but he might have F’ed up.

Mr. Bahiddha-Nukara will be missed. He seemed to be alright.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

I don’t know much about Mr. Thaveesri, but he might have F’ed up.

Mr. Bahiddha-Nukara will be missed. He seemed to be alright.

Whole lot of dissention in the ranks. Pretty sure it is related to differences in the degree of relations with China vs US.

• Pichit Chuenban: Shinawatra lawyer in the dock after promotion to Cabinet

Known as the Shinawatra family’s most trusted lawyer, Pichit Chuenban has now been appointed to the Pheu Thai-led government despite lingering doubts over his eligibility for political office.

Critics say the newly appointed Prime Minister’s Office minister does not meet constitutional requirements that lawmakers must have “evident integrity” and “no behavior that is a serious violation of or fails to comply with ethical standards”.

The charter also prohibits anyone who has received a prison sentence – except for negligence, petty offenses, or defamation – from becoming a minister.

The 65-year-old Pichit, who was given the job in this government’s first Cabinet reshuffle, argues that he is fit to serve as a minister despite being sent to prison for six months in 2008 for contempt of court.

He said this was not a criminal offense and insisted the sentence stemmed from a court order rather than a guilty verdict.

Pichit was among the 13 newly appointed Cabinet ministers sworn in before His Majesty the King on Friday evening in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

Overshadowed by prison sentence

In 2008, Pichit and two junior lawyers were representing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a corruption case when they were charged with offering a cash bribe of 2 million baht concealed in a snack box to officials of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions.

They were subsequently sentenced to six months in jail each for contempt of court.

After the trio completed their jail term, public prosecutors dropped the bribery charges. However, the Law Society of Thailand revoked their licenses to practice law for breaking its rules of conduct. Pichit’s permit to practice law has never been renewed despite his repeated applications.

When Srettha’s Cabinet was formed in September last year, Pichit was tipped to become PM’s Office minister, but his name was dropped from the lineup at the last minute on Pichit’s request following widespread public criticism. Instead, he was appointed as the PM’s adviser on legal affairs.

The bribery allegation returned to haunt Pichit during the reshuffle, but this time he stood firm despite intense pressure from critics.

Intense scrutiny

Three activist groups petitioned the Election Commission last Tuesday to seek a ruling from the Constitutional Court on whether Pichit possesses qualities that would disqualify him from becoming a government minister.

Political activist Wirangrong Dabbaransi also petitioned the Ombudsman’s Office to seek a Constitutional Court ruling on Pichit’s eligibility for the job.

Premier Srettha has stood by his appointment of Pichit, saying the ex-lawyer is qualified to hold a Cabinet post and the Council of State – the government’s legal advisors – had already confirmed his eligibility.

The council however seems to have some reservations, saying its legal advice was limited to the constitutional clauses mentioned by the Cabinet Secretariat in its query.

It emphasized that the duty of interpreting the Constitution lies with the Constitutional Court, while its advice was just for administration purposes.

The council’s advice on eligibility standards for government ministers was contained in a “highly confidential” letter dated September 1, 2023. Copies of the letter have been circulating on social media over the past week.

Serving the Shinawatras

Pichit has several years of legal experience under his belt, having served as a lawyer for Thaksin and his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra in cases stemming from their tenures as prime minister.

Thaksin is regarded as the patriarch of Pheu Thai, while his youngest daughter Paetongtarn is the party’s current leader.

Pichit obtained a law degree from Ramkhamhaeng University before receiving a master’s in the same field from Dhurakij Pundit University. He later earned a master’s in political science from Ramkhamhaeng University and a doctorate in industrial business administration from King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.

In 2011, he was elected as a Pheu Thai list MP before serving as Yingluck’s legal adviser during her time as prime minister. After her government was ousted in the 2014 military coup, he advised her defense team on a case in which Yingluck was accused of negligence in overseeing her government’s rice subsidy scheme.

In 2019, Pichit became the chief legal adviser of Pheu Thai’s “sister party”, Thai Raksa Chart, which was later dissolved by a court for naming the King’s eldest sister, Princess Ubolratana, as its prime ministerial candidate.

• Labour Ministry to support law to protect some 20m freelancers

The Labour Ministry will push for enactment of a bill to better protect some 20 million freelance workers nationwide, a spokesman of the ministry said on Sunday.

Phumphat Muanchan said the bill to support and protect freelance workers would be submitted to the Cabinet for approval soon, after which it would be tabled to the House of Representatives.

Among other things, the bill would seek to register freelance workers and would encourage them to form groups or associations.

The bill would also seek to set up a revolving fund to provide soft loans to freelance workers and to provide life and health insurance for them.

It would also define freelance workers.

The spokesman said there are now about 20 million freelance workers in Thailand, covering several professions including farmers, vendors, service providers, transport service providers, cleaners, riders and food makers.

The spokesman said Labour Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn has set up a committee to develop potential of freelance workers under the policy of “one tambon, one group of freelance workers”.

The policy would encourage freelance workers from each tambon to form their own group to enhance their chances of receiving better benefits, such as social security and soft loans, the spokesman said.

He said the Labour Ministry would also coordinate with the Commerce Ministry, the Interior Ministry, and the Tourism and Sports Ministry to find labour markets or product markets for these workers.

• Govt spokesman approached to take another position

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke admitted today that he was approached to take on a different political role, but refused to reveal the details.

He also denied widespread reports that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin plans to remove him from his current position, stating that the matter has never been discussed with him.

“It is true that somebody asked me to consider taking another political position. I cannot disclose the details, but I admit that a proposal was made,” the spokesman said, declining to say who had approached him.

He added that he is still the government spokesman, as evidenced by his attendance at work every day.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

The bill would also seek to set up a revolving fund to provide soft loans to freelance workers and to provide life and health insurance for them.

Atm, more give aways are the last thing Thailand needs to repair an economy in deep trouble.