View Full Version : Surayud Govt. & CNS
This is just a sketch of how the new constitution might shape up. I thoroughly recommend you scroll down and read Article 37 first :D : -
Interim charter draft
The Summary of the Interim Constitution Draft of the Kingdom of Thailand (2006)
Preamble
The Interim Constitution is designed to outline the administrative mechanisms during a transition with due considerations to accepted legal principles of the democratic rule with the king as head of state, to restore social unity, to revitalise the economy, to social peace, to basic rights and liberties of citizens, to national obligations under the United Nations and international treaties and agreements and to the theory of self-sufficiency economy.
Article 1 prescribes for the constitutional monarchy and the Kingdom of Thailand as the singular state.
Article 2 deals with the dispensing of Sovereign Power via the legislation, the government and the courts of justice.
Article 3 guarantees basic rights, human dignity and equality under the law in accordance with the democratic rule under the king as head of state and international obligations.
Article 4 deals with the matter relating to the Privy Council
Article 5 outlines the formation and duties of the National Legislative Assembly, which will comprise 250 members appointed from professional groups, geographical areas and various sectors of society.
Article 6 spells out the removal of the Assembly members.
Article 7 empowers the chairman of the Council of National Security to counter-sign the royal command for appointment of Assembly speaker and deputy speaker
Article 8 outlines the impeachment process against the Assembly members, requiring 20 votes to endorse the impeachment motion and the two-third majority for removal.
Article 9 prescribes the Assembly meeting procedures.
Article 10 allows the Cabinet or the minimum of 25 Assembly members to sponsor a draft legislation.
Article 11 sets the procedures to file motions and launch censure debate without taking a vote.
Article 12 empowers the Cabinet to convene the Assembly for debate on relevant issues.
Article 13 grants immunity for remarks made on the floor.
Article 14 deals with the appointment and the removal of the prime minister and 35 Cabinet members.
Article 15 spells out the procedures to enact the royal decrees relating to financial matter.
Article 16 spells out the procedures to enact the royal decrees on non-financial matter.
Article 17 deals with the procedures to counter-sign the royal commands.
Article 18 guarantees the judicial independence.
Article 19 spells out the formation of the National Assembly comprising 2,000 members appointed by the chairman of the Council of National Security.
Article 20 empowers the Legislative Assembly speaker to chair the National Assembly.
Article 21 spells out the peer-vote of the National Assembly to elect 200 candidates for the Constitutional Drafting Council. The peer-vote must complete in seven days. If the voting failed, the CDC candidates must be selected from those with highest votes.
Article 22 empowers the Council of National Security to pick 100 of 200 CDC candidates for royal approval.
Article 23 spells out procedures for the removal and replacement of 100 CDC members.
Article 24 empowers the chairman of the Council of National Security to appoint CDC chairman and deputy chairman.
Article 25 empowers the CDC to select 25 charter writers from among its peers and the Council of National Security to name 10 charter writers.
Article 26 deals with the public hearing on the charter draft, requiring to the CDC to fully explain how and why the new draft would differ from the 1997 Constitution.
Article 27 deals with the debate to amend the charter draft.
Article 28 spells out how the CDC must factor in the public hearing and the debate on proposed amendments to the charter draft before coming up with the final version of the draft.
Article 29 sets the 180-day deadline to complete the charter drafting before organising the referendum on the new charter within 30 days.
Article 30 sets the 45-day deadline for the drafting of organic laws and bans the chairman of the Council of National Security, members of the National Legislative Assembly and those involved in charter writing from contesting the general election and the senatorial race for two years.
Articles 31 and 32 empower the joint meeting of the Cabinet and the Council of National Security to select and amend one of the previous charters to promulgate in 30 days if the charter writing failed to complete on time.
Article 33 allows the issuing of a royal decree on pay and benefits for the Council of National Security, the National Legislative Assembly and other bodies tasked to write the new charter.
Article 34 empowers the Council of National Security to call a joint meeting with the Cabinet in order to resolve administrative problems.
Article 35 deals with the formation of Constitutional Tribunal, comprising the president of the Supreme Court, the president of the Supreme Administrative Court, five Supreme Court judges and two Supreme Administrative Court judges. The tribunal is to replace the defunct Constitution Court.
Article 36 provides legal validations for all orders and announcements issued by the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM).
Article 37 grants complete immunity for all actions to seize power committed by the CDRM.
Article 38 prescribes for the compliance with legal and administrative traditions for issues not addressed by constitutional provisions.
Article 39 empowers the chairman of the Council of National Security to administer the country pending the appointment of a prime minister.
New prime minister and interim charter submitted for royal approval : Sonthi
Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin, leader of the military council, said Friday that he already submitted for royal approval new premier and the interim charter.
He however declined to reveal the name of the new premier
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30014953
New premier submitted for royal approval : Sonthi
The new prime minister is somebody we know well, Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin, leader of the military council said Friday.
Gen Sonthi that he already submitted for royal approval the new prime minister and the interim charter.
He however declined to reveal the name of the new premier.
"He (the new premier) is somebody we know well. He is someone who you will feel comfortable to wai him," Sonthi told reporters.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09/29/headlines/headlines_30014954.php
Royal Approval will be sought for the interim charter and a new PM this afternoon.
Note that in the first report they have tucked away a sentence about Meechai Ruchupan resigning as a legal advisor to the CDR. Meechai has a long history of favoring constitutions which better suit the elite and the legal community rather than ordinary citizens; and has been subject to some criticism in the last few days as a result. But, this may just indicate that his work on the interim charter has run its course and he sees it as sensible to distance himself from the junta.
Broadcast of ceremony
A nationwide broadcast has been scheduled this afternoon of the ceremony at which the interim prime minister will receive the royal command on his appointment, a TV Pool source said last night. The Government House ceremony will be broadcast from 4.45pm.
The Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) is due to submit its choice for PM - expected to be General Surayud Chulanont - for endorsement by His Majesty the King today, after the expected promulgation of the interim charter. The interim constitution was submitted for royal endorsement yesterday.
Former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan, a key figure in the drafting of the interim constitution, has resigned as legal adviser to the CDR, a source said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/01/headlines/headlines_30015093.php
Sonthi to be granted an audience to nominate interim PM at 4 pm
Channel 7 reports Sunday morning that Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin will be granted an audience by His Majesty the King at 4 pm Sunday when he would submit the name of the interim prime minister for a royal command.
A source said Sonthi would nominate Gen Surayud Chulanont as the interim prime minister.
TV pool would broadcast live a ceremony held at PM's Office at 4:45 pm for Surayud to receive the royal command.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015095
Things seem to be moving faster than scheduled. I note that the interim constitution is now being read out on all TV channels: -
His Majesty the King has signed the interim Constitution, TV pool announced Sunday.
The interim charter takes effect on October 1 until a new constitution is drafted and signed by His Majesty the King.
The royal command states that the Council for Democratic Reform staged the coup to annul the previous charter, which was full of loopholes, so that a new charter could be drafted so His Majesty approved the interim charter pending the drafting of a new one.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015096
Gen Surayud appointed as the 24 th prime minister
General Surayud Chulanont, a respected retired army officer and advisor to Thailand's king, becomes Thailand's 24 th prime minister Sunday.
HM the King endorsed Surayud who was nominated by the military council that deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he was in the US.
In white uniform, Surayud bowed before the portrait of HM the King in a ceremony at the Government House at about 5pm.
Surayud's appointment came after HM the King endorsed the interim charter that will replace the 1997 charter abolished on September 19 when the military council, led by Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Bunyaratblin, seized the power from Thaksin Shinawatra last month.
Sonthi earlier sought reassure the country the military would not interfere in the work of the new prime minister.
The new interim constitution tasks the junta with choosing a new prime minister who will then be responsible for selecting his cabinet.
Gen Sonthi told reporters on Sunday he had asked former Thai army chief General Surayud Chulanont to become prime minister.
"We will not interfere in selection of ministers," he said.
"The new prime minister will use his own judgement. The cabinet ministers will be more knowledgeable than us" about running state affairs, he said.
But Sonthi reaffirmed that the Council for National Security, as the junta are now calling themselves, will help run the country during any transition period.
"As the new prime minister is forming his own government, we will administer the country," he said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/01/headlines/headlines_30015100.php
Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim Edition) of B.E. 2549
Somdet Phra Paramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej Sayammintharathirat Bormmanatthabophit graciously grants the interim constitution on October 1 B.E. 2549, which is the 61st year of the present reign.
Phrabat Somdet Phra Paramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej
Mahitalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkri Narubodin Sayammintharathirat Borommanatthabophit is graciously pleased to proclaim that:
The leader of the Council for Democratic Reform successfully staged the coup on September 19 B. E. 2549 and presented a report to His Majesty.
The CDR leader informed His Majesty that he seized power and abolished the constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand with an intention to solve the problems of the people's losing confidence in the country's administration, the lack of efficiency in the supervision of the administration, and the monitoring of the state power. The problems led to massive corruption and malfeasance with no one being brought to justice, which has become a political crisis and caused rifts among members of the society, who were incited to take sides, causing the decline in the national unity and social crisis.
Although several sectors hve tried to solve the crises, their attempts failed and the situation worsened to the point that there could be violence and clashes which could cause bloodshed.
The situation was severely detrimental to the ruling system, economy and the law and order of the country. So, there must be an appropriate and interim ruling mechanism for the country, which is invented in line with traditional and customs of the Constitutional Monarchy system.
The interim mechanism is also aimed to restore love and unity, the economy, the law and order, to create strong system to check and investigate corruption, to establish good ethical system, to promote and protect the rights and liberty of the people, to have the country respect the UN treaties and treaties and agreements with other countries, to promote the country's ties with international communities and to promote Thais to adopt the self-sufficiency economy.
At the same time, the interim constitution will ensure sped-up attempts to draft and enact a new Constitution with broad public participation in every step.
To attain the goals as the CDR has informed His Majesty, the King commanded that the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim Edition) be promulgated with the following articles until the next Constitution is drafted and submitted for a royal command.
See the various articles at this link. They were still being updated after midnight 1/10-2/10: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/01/headlines/headlines_30015101.php
4 key Thaksinites released: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015098
PM Sarayud says 1 week to pick Cabinet: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015105
Kowit absent: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/headlines/headlines_30015162.php
Sarayud's vows: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/headlines/headlines_30015159.php
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
'The persistent myth of the good coup' - Chang Noi: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/opinion/opinion_30015127.php
'The Nation' is running a virtual tickertape service on the developing makeup of the Sarayud Cabinet. It's not worth pasting anything here, as this feed changes several times a day: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/06/headlines/headlines_30015276.php
The Nation's biography of our "new leader from heaven":
Surayud's colourful life (http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/02/politics/politics_30015145.php)
The life of General Surayud Chulanont is filled with paradoxes, one of which is that he is poised to become the interim prime minister, relying on the military as his power base, after making it his mission in 1998 to put soldiers back in their barracks. He managed to distinguish himself as a leader in combat, a government strategist overhauling the country's rice policy, a top military commander and a privy councillor after rising from humble beginnings as the son of a communist leader.
Surayud, 63, grew up in turbulent times when his father, Payom Chulanont, was forced to take refuge with the Communist Party of Thailand following a purge of the armed forces led by military strongman Field Marshal Prapas Charusathien. Determined to salvage his family's name, Surayud opted for a military career and graduated from the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy's class 11 in 1965.
Class 11 officers entered military service at the height of the secret battle to gain dominance over Laos during the Vietnam War. Surayud served on the front line in Laos and later fought the communist insurgency in Thailand's Northeast. He was credited with prowess in battle as well as his strategy in pacifying the insurgents and their sympathisers. While he was climbing the ladder through special warfare operations, Thailand was plunged into turmoil by uprisings in 1973 and 1976. To overcome the country's political problems, politicians and the ruling elite - notably MR Kukrit Pramoj - pushed for the installation of Army chief, General Prem Tinsulanonda, as prime minister, tasked with ending fractious politics and ushering in democratic rule.
Many saw Prem's rise to power in 1980 as half-baked democracy. For eight years, he steered the country through political turbulence and mobilised the armed forces to shore up his mandate. Surayud, at the time a lieutenant colonel, was one of Prem's close aides. Impressed by Surayud's track record against insurgency, Prem handpicked him to work as a strategist to address political demands and rein in politicians. Surayud worked mostly behind the scenes, but stepped into the spotlight briefly when he brokered a deal to revamp a scheme shoring up the price of paddy.
After Prem retired from politics to assume the position of Privy Council president, Surayud returned to military service in 1988, securing many key positions, such as commander of the Special Warfare Command and later of the Second Army Area. Shifting political winds saw him briefly sidelined to an inactive post as Army chief adviser before he staged a comeback as the dark horse to win the coveted post of Army commander-in-chief in 1998. Many billed him as a career soldier striving to promote professionalism and to modernise the military. He initiated the downsizing of the armed forces, revamped arms procurement to root out corruption and stopped the dispensing of military positions in exchange for political favours.
After the election of the first Thaksin government he was promoted to Supreme Commander in 2003 before his retirement the following year. Surayud and Thaksin clashed on many issues, most notably, meddling to sway the military for political gains. His final mission before retirement was organising rescue operations for Thais stranded in Phnom Penh following the burning there of the Thai Embassy. After leaving military service, Surayud briefly ordained as a Buddhist monk at a monastery for meditation in Nong Khai. His Majesty the King later named him an adviser sitting on the Privy Council.
Avudh Panananda
The Nation
--------------------------------
The 24th prime minister of Thailand
General Surayud Chulanont
Date of appointment: October 1, 2006
Date of birth: August 28, 1943
Education:
Royal Thai Military Academy (BS)
Infantry Centre School
Joint Staff College, Thailand
Joint Staff College, USA
Resource Management Programme, Ministry of Defence, USA
National Defence College (1993)
Marital Status: Married to Khunying Chitravadee Chulanont
Previous positions:
Privy Councillor (from November 14, 2003)
Member of the Executive Committee of the Anandamahidol Foundation (2003)
Supreme Commander
Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Army
Commanding General, Second Army Area
Commanding General, Special Warfare Command.
There are reports that the cabinet lineup will now be ready for Saturday or Sunday, and might even be announced shortly.
It came after 1 AM. I wouldn't have caught it if I hadn't been working on a deadline. 01:20: -
New Cabinet announced
The royal command has been issued to appoint the Cabinet of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.
The new Cabinet was announced on TV pool at 1 am Monday.
More details to follow.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015728
01:30 : -
The cabinet list approved by HM the King
HM the King on Sunday's night approved the cabinet list as followed:
MR Pridiyathorn Devakul as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister
Kosit Punpiamrat as Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister
Dipavadee Meksawan as PM's Office Minister
Peerapat Serirangsan as PM's Office Minister
Aree Wongaraya as Interior Minister
Banyat Chansena as Deputy Interior Minister
Nitya Pibulsongkram as Foreign Affairs Minister
Saowanit Kongsiri as Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister
Adm Peera Haochareon as Transportation Minister
Sansern Wongcha-um as Deputy Transportation Minister
Charnchai Likitjitta as Justice Minister
Suvit Yodmanee as Tourism and Sports Minister
Paiboon Wattanasiritham as Social Development Minister
Piyasawad Amaranan as Engergy Minister
Teera Sutabutr as Agriculture Minister
Rungruang Issarangkura as Deputy Agriculture Minister
Krirkrai Jeerapat as Commerce Minister
Sittichai Pokaiudom as Information Communication and Technology Minister
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015729
We all know MR Pridiyathorn Devakula. And Charnchai Likitjitta (former president of the Supreme Court).
What about the other cabinet members? Can someone shed some light?
The following grabbed my attention, though I don't really know them:
PM's Office Minister: Kunying Tipawadee Meksawan
I have heard that name before. Who is she?
Foreign Minister: Nitya Pibulsonggram
I seem to remember he is a veteran diplomat? Related to the field marshal? (I think yes.)
Social Development and Human Security Minister: Paibool Watanasiritham
Also sounds familiar...
Interior Minister: Aree Wong-araya
Again, I have heard that name before.....
Transport Minister: Adm Thira Haocharoen
Interesting choice... an admiral as transport minister. Possibly because we'll have to navigate around Suvarnabhumi by ship very soon? :rolleyes:
Also:
Suriyasai expresses dissatisfaction over five prospective Cabinet members (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30015639) - The Nation, 9 October 2006
Suriyasai Katasila, the secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said Saturday he was disappointed with five prospective new Cabinet members as they were former bureaucrats without vision and that some were former Thaksin supporters.
He said he wanted the interim premier to review the Interior, Agriculture, Communications, Foreign and Energy portfolios. "I'm afraid the new government will isolate itself and will not be able to integrate other social forces to help solve political problems," he said.
Suriyasai also suggested that an additional ministerial level appointment attached to the Prime Minister's Office be created to handle the ongoing violence in the deep South.
The Nation
*********************
That would refer to:
-Aree Wong-araya (connected to TRT?)
-Theera Sutabu
-Sitthichai Pokai-udom
-Nitya Pibulsonggram
-Piyasvasti Amranand
Wisarut
09-10-06, 06:50 AM
For the case of 5 Ministers who got BOOED by Khun Suriyasai, I can tell you as follows:
-Aree Wong-araya -> the Good old Mahatthai Man who have corrupted connection with TRT
-Theera Sutabu -> This man has connection Ee Sudarat and Ai Newin.
-Sitthichai Pokai-udom -> Minister fo ICT -> former Rector of Mahanakhon University of Technologies -> whop have connection with SHin Sattelite
-Nitya Pibulsonggram -> Minister of Foreign Affairs -> connection with FTA Deal with USA which make lots of NGOs goign to burn Effigies of Uncle Sam and Bush
-Piyasvasti Amranand -> Minister of Energy -> connection with PTT Privatization that allow TRT cronies to grab the stocks
Wisarut
09-10-06, 06:56 AM
PM's Office Minister: Kunying Tipawadee Meksawan - former Permanent Secetariate of Muinistry fo Culture and former Director of Civil Service Commission
Foreign Minister: Nitya Pibulsonggram is a son of Field Marshall Plaek INDEED
Social Development and Human Security Minister: Paibool Watanasiritham -> an NGO man with social concern ...
Interior Minister: Aree Wong-araya -> former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Interior -> Good old Mahatthai Man with TRT Connections
Transport Minister: Adm Thira Haocharoen -> former Royal Thai Navy Commander ...
Thanks Khun Wisarut! Very swift reply.
Maybe you can explain the rest of the pack later, if you find some time. ;)
-Nitya Pibulsonggram -> Minister of Foreign Affairs -> connection with FTA Deal with USAOh yes, now I remember! He was the chief negotiator for the FTA on the Thai side.
BangkokPundit
09-10-06, 03:01 PM
Foreign Minister: Nitya Pibulsonggram
I seem to remember he is a veteran diplomat? Related to the field marshal? (I think yes.)
Interior Minister: Aree Wong-araya
Again, I have heard that name before.....
Aree Wong-araya is a former permanent secretary (the top civil servant) of the Ministry of Interior, but he was also Deputy Education Minister for a period of time in the Thaksin government. His son stood as a candidate for Thai Rak Thai in the general election in February 2005 and won. He is also a Muslim.
Nitya Pibulsonggram is a former permanent secretary of Foreign Ministry. He has also served as Thailand's Ambassador to the US. Nitaya has come to attention of the the NGO/PAD crowd before. In January 2006, he was Thailand's chief FTA negotiator on the bilateral FTA with the US government. Here is what Suriyan Thongnoo-iad, an NGO representative, had to say about him.
Needless to say as long as the PAD don't like them, I probably will.
P.S I wrote this about 10 hours ago, but for some reason moi forgot to click "submit reply".
A supposed 'Full List' of 242 members has just been published. They either left item C. of the Private Sector members out, or they lettered it wrongly. I'll check the numbers.
Yes, 19 names seem to be missing!:-
Government Sector
A. Representatives from Civil Servant C11 or equivalent (17)
1. Krit Garnjana-goonchorn
2. Khunying Kasama Varawarn na Ayutthaya
3. Karun Kittisathaporn
4. Kraisorn Pornsutee
5. Chakramon Pasukvanich
6. Pratch Boonyawongwiroj
7. Preecha Vajrabhaya
8. Pitipong Puengboon na Ayutthaya
9. Pongsak Semsan
10. Pachara Yutithamdamrong
11. Pornthip Jala
12. Rongphol Charoenphan
13. Wuthipan Wichairat
14. Lt-General Vaipot Srinual
15. Saksit Treedet
16. Somphol Phanmanee
17. Amphol Kitti-amphon
B. Representatives from judicial officials and public prosecutors (12)
1. Kitti Limchaikit
2. Juthathawat Inthrasuksri
3. Charnchai Sunthornramat
4. Tossaphron Sirisamphan
5. Prakit Prajonpajjanig
6. Pornchai Rujiprapha
7. Pornphet Wichitchonchai
8. Pirom Simasatien
9. Suchat Traiprasit
10. Surachai Phuprasert
11. Suwat Aonjaikhla
12. Adisak Srisappakit
C. Military officers (35)
1. Maj General Sanit Sapitak
2. Lt General Jiradet Kocharat
3. General Jirapong Wannarat
4. Lt General Chaipat Theerathamrong
5. Air Chief Marshal Chalee Chanruang
6. Air Chief Marshal Thares Punsri
7. General Thawat Jaruklat
8. Maj General Dapong Ratanasuwan
9. Admiral Nakhon Aranyanak
10. Admiral Nopporn Achawakom
11. Admiral Bannawit Kengrien
12. General Pathompong Kesornsuk
13. Lt General Prayuth Chan-ocha
14. Vice Admiral Pachun Tampratheep
15. General Pairoj Panitsamai
16. General Paisal Katanyu
17. Air Chief Marshal Paisal Sitabutr
18. General Montri Sangkhasap
19. Air Chief Marshal Raden Puengpak
20. Lt General Woradej Phumichitr
21. Air Marshal Wallop Meesomsap
22. Admiral Wichai Yuwanangkun
23. Lt General Wiroj Buacharoon
24. Admiral Wiraphol Waranont
25. Air Chief Marshal Weerawit Kongsak
26. General Somjet Watanasuk
27. Air Chief Marshal Sommai Dabphet
28. Lt General Sujet Watanasuk
29. Admiral Suchart Yanothai
30. General Suthorn Khamkhomkul
31. Admiral Surin Rerngarom
32. General Sophon Silpipat
33. General Ongkorn Thongprasom
34. Air Chief Marshal Adirek Chamrasritthirong
35. Maj General Adul Ubol
D. Police officers (7)
1. General Pratheep Tanprasert
2. General Patcharawat Wongsuwan
3. Lt General Manoch Satrulee
4. Lt General Watcharaphol Prasanratchakit
5. Lt General Wiroj Chantharangsri
6. Lt General Adul Saengsingkaew
7. General Issaraphan Sanitvong na Ayutthaya
E. Executives and employees of state enterprises (8)
1. Krayim Saantrakul
2. Chuanpit Chaimuenwong
3. Prajerd Sukkaew
4. Prasert Bunsampan
5. ACM Narongsak Sangkhapong
6. Paradetch Payakkavichien
7. Varatch Chawapong
8. Apinan Summanaseranee
Private Sector
A. Business, banks, and financial institutions (6)
1. Khunying Jada Wattansiritham
2. Chartsiri Sophonpanich
3. Chai Chaiyawan
4. Patareeya Benjapolchai
5. Sivaporn Dardarananda
6. Subhak Siwaraksa
B. Trade, Industry, Service, Transportation, Construction and Real Estate (19)
1. Kongkrit Hirankit
2. Jit Sirataranond
3. Chatchai Boonya-anand
4. Chanin Tonavanik
5. Chalit Kaewjinda
6. Narong Chokvattana
7. Dilok Mahadamrongkul
8. Theerapot Charoonsri
9. Pramon Suteewongse
10. Pornsit Sri-orathaikul
11. Yothin Analavin
12. Watchara Pannachet
13. Veerapong Ramangkul
14. Sompop Charoenkul
15. Santi Wilartsakdanon
16. Suthitam Jirathiwat
17. Sunantha Somboontham
18. Sumet Tantuvanich
D. Legal consultant and lawyer (7)
1. Dintra Asavanitch
2. Prapan Koonme
3. Poolsak Yooprasert
4. Paisal Puetmongkol
5. Meechai Ruchuphan
6. Saritphol Chompaisal
7. Apichat Jeerapan
Social Sector
A. Political Parties (4)
1. Kanjana Silapa-archa
2. Pinit Jarusombat
3. Surin Pitsuwan
4. Akkapon Sorasuchart
B. Intellectual on philosophy, language, religion, art and culture (11)
1 Kirti Boonjua
2 Damrong Sumalayasak
3 Woradej Amornworpipat
4 Winai Samaul
5 Waeduramae Maningji
6 Waemahadi Waedaoh
7 Sathienphong Wanapok
8 Abdul Rosak Ali
9 Abudulrohmae Jesae
10 Ismail Ali
11 Ismail Lutfi Japakiya
C. Media, Writers, Artists (20)
1. Kamhaeng Paritanont
2. Kamnoon Sittisamarn
3. Tamsin Rattanapan
4. Pol Col Nitiphum Navarat
5. Banyat Tassaneyavej
6. Pratumporn Watcharasathien
7. Prapat Sorn-aram
8. Prapa Srinuannat
9. Maj Gen Prapas Sakoontanark
10. Prasarn Maleenont
11. Pichai Wassanasong
12. Pattara Kampitak
13. Somkiet Ornwimol
14. Somchai Sawangkarn
15. Somchai Sakulsurat
16. Sombat Metanee
17. Sommai Parichat
18. Saravut Watcharapon
19. Somran Rodphet
20. Surang Prempree
E. Retired government officers specialising in various fields (43)
1. Kamthorn Udomritthiruj
2. MR Kamloonthep Devakula
3. Gen Jaral Kullawanit
4. Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang
5. Lt Gen Jaroensak Tiangtham
6. Chanasak Yuwaboon
7. Pol Lt Gen Chaiyan Maklamthong
8. Shane Wipatborwornwong
9. Gen Chokechai Hongthong
10. Songpol Timasart
11. Khunying Nantaka Suprapatanan
12. Gen Bantoeng Poonkham
13. ADM Prajet Siridej
14. Gen Prawit Wongsuwan
15. ADM Prasert Boonsong
16. Lt Cdr Prasong Soonsiri
17. Gen Preecha Premasawat
18. Gen Preecha Rojsen
19. Gen Pridi Samiphak
20. Thanphuying Preeya Kasemsan na Ayudhaya
21. AM Panya Srisuwan
22. Gen Panthep Phuwanartnurak
23. Pochanee Thanawaranit
24. Gen Phermsak Puangsaroj
25. Wit Rayananont
26. Vitaya Vejjajiva
27. Maj Gen Veerapong Sutarangkura
28. Gen Sanan Marungsit
29. Gen Somchai Ubondejpracharak
30. Gen Somthat Attanant
31. Somphote Kanchanaphorn
32. Pol Lt Gen Somsak Kwangsopa
33. Pol Gen Suthep Thammarak
34. Pol Gen Suthep Sivara
35. Pol Gen Sunthorn Saikwan
36. Pol Gen Surapol Chinachitr
37. Gen Surin Pikulthong
38. Orajit Singhalvanich
39. Assawin Kongsiri
40. Gen Arthorn Lohitkul
41. Gen Arphorn Kulapong
42. Uma Sukhonthaman
43. Gen Oud Buangbon
F. Local Development, Morality Promotion, Labour, Non-Governmental Organisations (13)
1. Gothom Arya (National Economic and Social Advisory Council chairman)
2. Juree Vichit-Vadakarn (Morality promotion)
3. Chob Yodkaew (Southern region)
4. Tuang Anthachai (Northeastern region)
5. Tuanjai Deetes (Northern region)
6. Prayong Ronnarong (Southern region)
7. Manas Kosol (Thai labourer development)
8. Mukda Intasarn (Northern region)
9. Wallop Tangkananurak (Central region)
10. Wiboon Khemchalerm (Central region)
11. Viriya Namsiripongpan (Council of Disabled People of Thailand)
12. Sophon Suphapong (Local development)
13. Ampol Chindawattana (Local development)
Academic Sector
A. University presidents / rectors, university lecturers and students (29)
1. Chalongpop Susangkarn
2. Chai-anan Samudavanija
3. Tawee Suraritikul
4. Borwornsak Uwanno
5. Boonsom Siribamrungsuk (president of Prince of Songkla University)
6. Prakob Wirojanagud (president of Ubon Ratchathani University)
7. Prasart Suebkha (rector of Suranaree University)
8. Preecha Buawiratlert
9. Purachai Piumsombun
10. Pongsak Angkasit (president of Chiang Mai University)
11. Pornchai Matangkhasombat (president of Mahidol University)
12. Manee Chaithiranuwatsiri (lecturer at Mahidol University)
13. Rangsan Saengsook (rector of Ramkhamhaeng University)
14. Wattana Swanyatiputi (president of Kasetsart University)
15. Wanchai Sirichana (president of Mae Fah Luang University)
16. Wiroon Tungcharoen (president of Srinakharinwirot University)
17. Wissanu Krea-ngam
18. Wutthipong Priabchariyawat
19. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong (dean of the National Institute of Development Administration)
20. Sangsit Piriyarangsan (lecturer at the Chandrakasem Rajabhat University)
21. Sujit Boonbongkarn
22. Khunying Suchada Kiranandana (president of Chulalongkorn University)
23. Suchat Upatham (president of Payap University)
24. Suphan Phupaka (president of Walailak University)
25. Sumon Sakolchai (president of Khao Kaen University)
26. Surapol Nitikraipoj (rector of Thammasat University)
27. Surichai Wankaew
28. Suwan Hanchaiyungwa (director of Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University's Graduate School)
29. Ammar Siamwalla
The Enforcer!
13-10-06, 12:55 PM
A supposed 'Full List' of 242 members has just been published. They either left item C. of the Private Sector members out, or they lettered it wrongly. I'll check the numbers.
Yes, 19 names seem to be missing!:-
Your addition missed "E. Executives and employees of state enterprises (8)" and the missing 11 are :
C: Businessmen (11)
1. Krachang Charupuekphan
2. Chakkravut Nittayasutti
3. Chatchawai Apibansri
4. Narongchai Akrasanee
5. Pol Gen Poonsri Hoonsawat
6. Pumisak Hongyok
7. Verachai Tantikul
8. Sakchai Thanaboonchai
9. Sutham Jittranukroh
10. Sathien Settasit
11. Anusorn Saengnimnual
The Enforcer!
Maybe, I've been here too long. I'm beginning to note that I'm increasingly not shocked by this kind of revelation. The Assets Examination Commission is releasing info on the assets of all members of the previous cabinet today.
Results so far: -
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family had a total assets of Bt12.68 billion and debts of 110 million when he finished his first term in 2005.
The figures was revealed by National Counter Corruption Commission on Friday. Prime minister and his cabinet members as well as their families were required by laws to declare their assets.
According to Thaksin's assets list submitted to the NCCC, Thaksin has Bt506 million, his wife, Khunying Pojamarn, Bt8.91 billion and his daughter, Paethongtarn Bt3.26 billion, when Thaksin finished his first term on March 14, 2005.
The laws require children of prime minister and ministers who are under 20 to declare their assets.
NCCC reported total assets of Thaksin and family as of March 14, 2006 increased to Bt12.75 billion. Thaksin owns Bt512 million, Pojamarn Bt8.99 billion and Paethongtarn Bt3.24 billion. Their debts were the same amount of Bt110 million.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30016692
Suriya has been anticipated as up there in the big time. I'm sure he will have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure plebs like us remain none the wiser ;): -
Total assets of Former Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juengrungruengkit, increase from Bt450 million in 2001 to Bt825 million in 2006. He has no debts.
National Counter Corruption Commission revealed the figure on Friday.
Suriya was a close aide to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was Transportation minister and then deputy prime minister and industry minister before being ousted when the army seized the power in September.
According to NCCC, Suriya owned a total asset of Bt450 million with no debts in 2001. His wife had Bt341 million and no debt.
He submitted his asset list in 2005, saying he owned Bt748 million and no debts. When he became deputy prime minister and industry minister, he had Bt751 million and one year after, his assets increased to Bt825 million.
Small fry really!
http://bangkokbiznews.com/2006/06/02/images/picweb_copy82.jpg
(Picture: Krungthep Thurakit)
Kantathi is the wealthiest among young ministers
Former Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon is the wealthiest among new faces in the Thaksin cabinet members.
As of March 14, 2005, Kantathi owned Bt4.46 billion, mostly in 22 bank accounts and other financial institutes. He owned 193 plots of lands which are worth about Bt2.8 billion.
He has under his name a Bt24-million house and 15 other buildings worth about Bt375 million, according to National Counter Corruption Commission. His wife, Sopawan, owned assets about Bt35.3 million, mostly in banks and financial institutes.
Kantathi is the wealthiest when compared to other ministers who were considered new faces, including former PM's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva, former Deputy Transportation minister Pumtham Vejchai and former Energy Minister Wiset Jupibarn.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/20/headlines/headlines_30016742.php
Don't know about you! I'm pretty certain that this lot and other TRT friends are going to be completely let off the hook simply because it's the natural way of ALL governments here. When someone says "prove it", I'm inclined to tell them to prove to me conclusively that it ain't true. The point being really that the majority of citizens will never have the economic clout to be able to prove it. The wealthy always say "prove it", knowing full well that we don't have the same access they do to the 'browbeaters'. My suspicion is that only guerilla politics will ever wrongfoot that degree of smugness: -
How did the poor dears ever scrape by?
Former Foreign Minister Kantathi Supamongkhon emerged as the wealthiest Thai Rak Thai Party newcomer in the now defunct Cabinet of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
According to the National Counter Corruption Commission's (NCCC) public release of officially declared assets of ministers who were considered new faces in the Thaksin administration, Kantathi, as of March 14, 2005, was worth Bt4.46 billion, mostly in 22 bank accounts and other financial institutions. He also owned 193 plots of land worth about Bt2.8 billion.
He has in his name a Bt24-million house and 15 other buildings worth about Bt375 million, according to the NCCC. His wife, Sopawan, has assets worth about Bt35.3 million, mostly in banks and financial institutions.
According to Thai law, Cabinet members are required to declare their assets, along with those of their spouses and children under the age of 20, to the NCCC when they start and finish their terms in office.
Former deputy education minister Rung Kaewdaeng is the poorest ex-Cabinet member, having only Bt922,733 in assets, while his wife Phongsai has Bt4,600,535.
Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, when a deputy commerce minister before October 6, 2004, had Bt427,351,637 while his minor children were worth Bt436,633,067. But when appointed Transport Minister on August 3, 2005, he only had Bt101,500,664 left while his children had Bt848,728,354.
Sudarat Keyuraphan is poorer. She had Bt874,826,095 when taking office at the Agriculture Ministry on February 18, 2001 in the Thaksin I Cabinet, compared to Bt867,759,446 when retaining the title on March 14, 2005.
Suriya Lapvisutisin is another poor minister, having Bt669,332,989 in assets and Bt92,173,213 in debts when former deputy commerce minister in 2001. He had Bt487,034,711 in assets and Bt63,504,000 in debts when leaving office on August 2, 2004.
Somsak Thepsuthin has had his assets reduced hugely from Bt236,664,883 to Bt13,228,463 from the first to the second time he took office, on February 18, 2001 then on March 14, 2005.
Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/21/national/national_30016780.php
Also can't help thinking that it would have been far better, for those genuinely interested in more transparent government (what few there really are!), to have plotted an entrapment rather than a coup. It would also have avoided the necessity for the west to go through its cynical and shambolic 'sanctions' routine. We also might not have had to put up with all those former 'democracy-abusers' suddenly coming over all democratic. Some hope, of course: -
ASSET DECLARATION
Thaksin 'poorer' after his PM stint
Bt73-bn Shin Corp profit not included in March assets
The assets of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his wife and younger daughter were worth about Bt12.7 billion as of March, the national anti-graft body reported yesterday.
Thaksin had Bt512 million, his wife Pojaman Bt8.99 billion and his daughter Paetongtarn Bt3.26 billion when the ex-PM submitted their financial reports on March 14, one year after his first Cabinet completed its term.
The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday made available publicly details about the assets and liabilities of members of the previous Cabinets led by Thaksin.
The assets disclosure has raised doubts over his family's real wealth, although the three Shinawatra members have become Bt1 billion poorer since Thaksin first took office in 2001.
In 2001, Thaksin had Bt569 million, wife Pojaman Bt9.9 billion and daughter Paetongtarn Bt3.24 billion.
A sum of Bt73 billion, which the Thaksin family received from a tax-free sell-off of Shin Corp shares to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in January when he allegedly exploited the government's policies to benefit his family's telecom empire, was not included.
It is only because Thaksin's two other children, Panthongtae and Pinthongta, who held stakes in Shin Corp, are no longer required by law to disclose their assets and liabilities as they have reached the legal age of 20.
The NCCC's long-awaited public release of Thaksin's officially declared assets comes a month after a military coup ousted him from office.
Thirty-three members of Thaksin's latest Cabinet, which was overthrown in the September 19 coup, have all submitted their financial statements with the NCCC at the order of the anti-graft agency appointed by the coup-makers. The NCCC said recently that it could release information regarding the latest assets declaration in a month.
The ex-premier, one of Southeast Asia's richest men before taking office in 2001, was widely accused of corruption and crafting policy to enrich himself and his friends.
Critics denounced the official figures as misleading and inaccurate, saying Thaksin transferred large sums of money and stock holdings to relatives and others close to him, including his maid and driver. Much of his money is also believed to be held in offshore accounts in tax havens like the British Virgin Islands.
US magazine Forbes ranked Thaksin the 18th richest man in Southeast Asia in 2005 with a fortune worth US$1.3 billion (Bt52 billion), a figure that opponents believe is a more accurate indicator of his wealth.
"The issue we've taken with him in the past was all those things that never showed up in the first place - all the assets that he never declared but are either under his control or under his ownership," Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was quoted by Associated Press as saying.
The issue of Thaksin's assets could sow seeds of doubt over his honesty, which was first challenged in 2001 when he faced an NCCC charge of asset concealment. He survived the Constitution Court's ruling by eight votes to seven in favour of his innocence.
But Thaksin has faced allegations since then over conflicts of interest over which businesses of his family, relatives and close aides had benefited from their positions in the government.
The value of Shin Corp in 2001 when Thaksin assumed power was about Bt20 billion. In the firm's sell-off to Temasek, Thaksin's family and the Damapong family of his wife Pojaman received Bt73 billion.
Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula recently said that while holding the Bank of Thailand's presidency, the Bt73 billion was still in Thailand under his observation.
NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said yesterday he could not say the anti-graft body was convinced by the report. But he insisted that the anti-graft body would launch deep investigations into all kinds of transactions among Thaksin's family members or other people if they were linked to conflicts of interest.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/21/headlines/headlines_30016789.php
Not much choice, really! Meechai who continues to see it as his bounden duty to keep the legal profession in healthy business, Prasong who continues to act like a secret agent, and Purachai who thinks he is purer than driven snow. One can only hope Meechai draws some conclusions from the fact that he drew considerable ire in some quarters. Somehow, I doubt it.
Perhaps yet another nail in the coffin of Thailand's ability to compete in future: -
Meechai elected NLA speaker
Despite much public criticism and opposition against him, Meechai Ruchuphan was Tuesday elected as the speaker of the National Legislative Assembly.
Meechai was elected with 167 votes.
Prasong Soonsiri came second with 47 votes while the other contender, Purachai Piumsombun, won 27 votes.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30016992
Before NLA started the voting, NLA members agreed to a proposal that they would vote twice to select the president out of concerns that the president would possibly not get more than half of the chamber.
However as Meechai won more than half of the 242 NLA, the second round was not necessary.
Political observers earlier said that there would be a fierce contest between Meechai and Prasong, with Meechai would edge out Prasong with narrow margin.
The NLA will then select the deputies.
Meechai, a former president of the Senate, played a key role during the coup by acting as legal adviser to the military elite, who staged the coup to oust the caretaker government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Prasong also advised the military rulers on most political moves during the coup.
And perhaps even the token woman?: -
National Legislative Assembly voted Meechai Ruchuphan as speaker and retired Gen Charan Kullawanich and Pochanee Thanawaranich as deputies.
Jaral, Pojanee elected deputy NLA speakers
Jaral Kullavanit and Pojanaee Thanavaranich were elected deputy speakers of the National Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Jaral, deputy secretary-general of the National Security Council, received 170 votes in the contest for the first deputy speaker.
Pojanee, a former director-general of the Insurance Department, received 128 votes and become the second deputy speaker of the NLA.
The Nation
It will be interesting to see what policies materialize and whether any real debate occurs in the NLA. The last sentence looks a bit ominous: -
National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan said Wednesday that the government would announce its platform to the NLA on November 2.
He said he was informed by the government that the interim administration would be ready to announce its policy to the interim parliament on November 2.
He said he had not yet define a timeframe for NLA members to debate on the policy because he had yet to sound out how much NLA members are interested to debate on the platform.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30017094
Looks extremely broad brush to me. Pity they had to resort to that word 'love' again [2.1]. Totally preposterous idea: -;)
Policies of Surayud Government (not official translation)
Gen Surayud Chulanont will declare his government's policies to the NLA on November 3, as follows: -
1. Policies on political and administrative reform
1.1 Support the drafting of a new Constitution for a political reform, stressing participation of people at all levels.
1.2 Introducing new measures and strengthening current means to combat graft and corruption. New laws preventing conflict of interest by politicians and government officials will be enacted.
1.3 Establishing a council of political development to write a blueprint for political reform according to the will of the new Constitution.
1.4 Writing a blueprint for the utilisation of national communication resources for the benefit of the public and people's political education so that they understand democracy under constitutional monarchy and the political reform.
1.5 Promoting press freedom as well as responsibility while pushing for laws on broadcast media so that the state media, private media and community media truly serve the public.
1.6 Promoting the roles of the private and civic sectors in parallel with the government in developing the potential of civic groups and communities to strengthen and protect their interests.
1.7 Administrating personnel and managing government agencies in accordance with the goal of sustainable development, a strong society and happy people on the sufficiency economy principle. Meanwhile, develop government officials to be professional in serving the public and stick to morality.
1.8 Continually supporting power decentralisation so that locals can be self dependent and self governing according to local people's will.
2. Social Policies
The interim government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has launched the following policy guidelines to help create "a strong society where people live together pleasantly and harmoniously on a moral basis":
2.1 Promoting love, unity and harmony among the people to make them work together to retrieve and rehabilitate the country. Summarising the lessons from previous disharmony and creating a process to solve problems.
2.2 To enable people to live happily and harmoniously, the government will draw up a social reformation plan with the participation of all social sectors, including the general public, business, academia, the media and religious bodies. The plan will aim for a strong, moral and democratic society.
2.3 Speeding up education reform under the principle "virtue before knowledge". The government will increase educational opportunity and quality. Students will be taught the importance of sufficiency economy, harmony, peaceful action and democracy. Education management will be assigned to local administrative units.
2.4 Improving people's physical, mental and intellectual wellbeing by reforms that decrease environmental and behavioural risks. The government also plans to improve the medical system and launch a National Health Promotion Act.
2.5 Promoting sports to give people from all levels of society the opportunity to play and exercise, as well as supporting local men and women athletes to reach international level.
2.6 Strengthening local communities to manage their own affairs regarding economic, social, cultural and administrative matters, environment management and community rights. The government will also work seriously and continuously to prevent social problems and drug abuse. The government will strive to protect children, youths, the disabled, the elderly the underprivileged and women.
2.7 Promoting Thai culture as the basis for enduring peace in society with the participation of all sectors. Society will preserve and treasure national art and culture, as well as the various local cultures.
2.8 Reforming the justice system with the people's participation. The processes of case investigation, trial, criminal rehabilitation and humanrights protection will be improved to provide quick and easy access to justice. Providing choices of justice systems that give people a role in resolving disputes, preventing crime and protecting their communities.
2.9 Supporting and developing the efficiency of justice agencies and personnel by using advanced technology and high standards in forensic science.
3. Economic Policies
The new government will uphold market mechanisms in its economic policies, but good governance will be instilled under the philosophy of sufficiency economy to ensure economic fairness and minimise conflicts of interest as well as personal interests.
The government is expected to clarify the sufficiency economy philosophy, which has created confusion among foreign investors who mistakenly believed that under the concept, the Thai economy would look inward. Rather, the concept highlights good governance as a means of regulating development in a market economy.
Among the policies which will be put to the National Legislative Assembly this week, the government will emphasise the importance of development in the agricultural sector, which will include the continued promotion of the One Tambon One Product scheme, initiated by the Thaksin government.
The government promises to proceed with "mega projects", with a focus on those ready to be implemented. The priority will be projects that offer more efficient logistics and energy conservation, as well as flooddamage and drought alleviation in key economic areas. The government promises to prioritise the investment plan within three months.
Meanwhile, to boost competitiveness, the government plans to map out a master plan on intellectual infrastructure within six months. Its rationale is that despite investment in economic infrastructure, Thailand remains less competitive than rival countries.
The government also plans to introduce a project to increase "economic immunity" by highlighting both efficiency and economic figures (through the gross domestic product). A national efficiency promotion plan will be drafted jointly with the private sector and is set to be complete in six months.
Last but not least, the government will draw up a master plan on telecommunications resource development to ensure greater use of telecommunications by the public, and to enhance the public's political education.
4. Foreign policies
The government aims to enhance national interests, better understanding and confidence in the international community, implementing friendly policies to continue international cooperation on the basis of justice, transparency and democratic norms in accordance with international laws, notably the United Nations charters and human rights convention.
Therefore the government has formulated the following policies.
4.1 Pursue an active role in bilateral and multilateral frameworks to enhance national reconciliation and security, particularly in the context of the situation in the deep South.
4.2 Promote friendship and cooperation with neighbouring countries at the subregion, region and intraregion levels for stability and security and mutual prosperity.
4.3 Enhance strength of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by speeding up the formation of the Asean Community.
4.4 Pursue a constructive role in accordance with the frameworks of the United Nations and other multilateral cooperation bodies to promote peace, democracy, human rights, humanitarian issues, environment preservation, sustainable development, and tackling transnational problems and public health.
4.5 Protect interests of Thai citizens abroad and promote the role of the Thai community abroad.
5. Security policies
The changing situation in the globalisation era has set a priority on security concerns as a security crisis could rapidly spread and affect state national security and peace.
5.1 To promote cooperation among government, private, social and academic sectors in order to provide protection for the country, and to mobilise resources to upgrade capability levels of the military.
In normal situations, the government will strengthen and use the military's potential to support the country's developments in all aspects for the sake of national security and prosperity under the Sufficiency Economic Theory. The military will help promote reconciliation, protection, alleviation, as well as solving important problems of the country including the daily violence in the southern provinces by adopting the royal guidelines of "understanding, accessing, developing; unconventional threats relating to the environment; victims of disasters and terrorism; domestic and transnational crimes, which include narcotics, illegal immigrants, illegal aliens, contraband trade, human trafficking and piracy.
5.2 To develop and strengthen the potential of the military to be in accordance with changes in the security environment so that it has the capability for preventing, warning and protecting the interests of the country, as well as being able to settle conflicts quickly. The military should be equipped with an effective intelligence system, science, technology, defence capabilities and defence industry so it can be selfreliant, have an effective backup system, suitable mobilisation and logistics.
In addition, the government will support the creation of foreign and security cooperation with neighbouring Asean and other countries, to reduce mistrust and create trust for the sake of peace. It will support missions for peace and humanity under the framework of the United Nations for the benefit of the country.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/10/27/headlines/headlines_30017330.php
The thumps-up given to trouble makers and money suckers led by The Skinhead, The White Beard, The Cruel Face and The Udorn Guy.I assume "skinhead" refers to Chamlong Srimuang, but who are the others?
Full Speech of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand this evening: -
..... what Thailand experienced over the last five years may have had the form of democracy, but certainly not the content. It was the camouflage of electoral politics subverting the true democratic principles of the rule of law, justice for all, honesty and transparency in government, and respect for human rights. This subversion of democratic principles was not the mandate given to the government by the people; rather, it was a mandate unilaterally shaped by a political party that pulled together unprecedented political and financial power, power so great that all the checks and balances so carefully built into the 1997 Constitution were neutralised.
The rest of the speech: -
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/07/regional/regional_30018323.php
Baton Rouge
10-11-06, 05:43 PM
My ex-CP of T drinking buddy from Yasothon emailed me with this one, knowing full-well how much I enjoy a good chuckle over the antics of the 'Oliver Hardy' of Thai military/politics.
Ex-PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has today been criticizing the CNS for placing military officers on state enterprise boards. 'Ai Lit' (AKA 'Big Jiw' to the politically incorrect) apparently said the CNS was encouraging people to think that it staged the coup for vested interests. I have to say that I was completely in accord with 'Old four-eyes' when I first read that one.
But then he went on to say that military officers were not usually well-versed in business administration, and so should not be appointed as members of state enterprise boards of directors. At that point, I took my separate way and started in with the thought that this was one moment where he really should have opted to exercise his oft-heard refrain, " Pom mai roo! Mai naa nawn!" ("I don't know! I'm not sure!").
Ai Jiw (I can't resist the temptation anymore) is an absolute past master of the vested interest. During his 'military period' he was virtually incapable of mounting a pincer movement unless he had been able to sit down ahead of time and plot some hidden business agenda first. He has also sat on many company boards - although probably as a salaried 'figurehead' rather than an accomplished businessman. He has started a well-known high-street optical business, while at the same time appearing to be greatly in need of that advice which is so often given to English soccer refs by bolshy spectators. (Presumably he was pre-empting the 'self-sufficent' economy craze here, with the thought that it is sometimes necessary to lose - Why would a big business necessarily need a lot of customers?) As far as I know, he has had no CEO training. (And some would say he brought few leadership qualities with him from the military anyway.) That said, none of those impediments stopped him from being a minister numerous times, a PM with CEO aspirations, and a minister/advisor in the last CEO-style government.
Could it be that the real reason for Chavalit's criticism springs from the fact that CNS is mostly comprised of military men of the wrong class? The sort of officer-bully material that his military academy 'freshies week' hazings taught him to hate with a vengeance? I sort of picture him there as the academy's very own version of Billy Bunter, but I won't stoop to mention the subject of fags.
Could it be that he wishes to curry favor with the rightly-disgruntled common folk of Thailand's poorest region? (It's his political heartland, although locals still have little to show for his 'Green Isaan' initiative. Although, he presumably became the 'potted plant' potentate of Nakon Phanom as a result.)
Could it be his last big chance to rekindle his aspirations of being far more of a statesman than his sometime friend/enemy General Prem will ever be? Pa Prem's roaring success obviously rankles, while Chavalit will only ever be remembered for making a pig's ear out of his vested interest/peacebuilding adventures down south. If he can broker some kind of agreement between the NE's sons of the soil and the current bunch, it might just be forgotten that he was basically given the old heave-ho from the PM's chair.
If I could say one good thing about Chavalit, it's that (like Oliver Hardy), he never completely gives up on his lost causes.
He also said that if military officers wanted to become economic experts, there should be a school set up to teach them about business. At this point, my mind started working in a way that Ai Jiw would probably approve of, if he can unmist his spectacles first. Why bother with special schools? Send them to TU and Chula, where they can spy on the lefty lecturers at the same time. Having stolen a few vaguely socialist political philosophies with which to entrap the unsuspecting NE public, they can then bump off a few of the aforesaid 5th columnists (We're talking newspapers here!) to ensure that no copyright litigation ever materializes.
'Killing two birds with one stone' has always been Ai Lit's philosophy. Shame his store-bought glasses nearly always let him down on both objectives! 'An Oliver Hardy with the wrong spectacles' would be how I'd characterize him for posterity.
Baton Rouge
11-11-06, 10:27 PM
Found this online on The Nation.
There seems little doubt that Ai Lit is up to no good. Why would he suddenly have so much to say recently, after months in which he has been total incapable of even saying that he's not sure? Perhaps he's taking a leaf out of the Samak Sundaravej book. As we all know, 'Jamuk Chompoo' runs a critical part of Thaksin's 'Pay Per Snide Attack' project. Perhaps, Ai Lit is hoping to benefit financially from a far more polite form of Thaksin promotion. (In fairness to the big man, he's one of those Thai politicians who usually shafts the public with a great deal of decorum and politeness.) I suspect he has also got his sights firmly set on ministership/ advisor's post in the next Thaksin government. Retirement is obviously palling somewhat. Accompanying KY Pankrua on numerous bling-bling shopping expeditions probably gets a bit tedious.
CNS should confine Thaksin to his residence if he returns, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said Saturday.
Council of National Security should allow former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return home because it was easier to watch him here rather than in Paris or London, Gen Chavalit.
"It is better to allow him to come home and watch him at his Chan Song Lar residence. To confine him in his residence, CNS could put him under watch everyday. It is easier for the CNS to know his movement if he is in Bangkok, instead of Paris and London," said Chavalit, a former prime minister.
This is Thailand and Khun Thaksin is a Thai, therefore, it is his rights if he wanted to come home.
With him staying here, it would be easier for CNS if they wanted to negotiate for something. "With him staying here, the CNS can take care of him and talk to him."
Baton Rouge
11-11-06, 10:43 PM
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/12/headlines/headlines_30018737.php
:eek: My word! This was quite strongly worded for Gen Sonthi. And note the 'vested interest' kicker at quote bottom.
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), yesterday rebuked General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, a former premier, for sharply criticising CNS and the government.
Sonthi also dismissed as groundless rumours that there could be a counter-coup to topple the Surayud government.
"Who would stage the counter-coup? I guess there must be something in the mind [of Chavalit]. Our country will fare worse if there is such a remark.
"It's not possible for Class 9 soldiers [of the armed forces' preparatory school] to do that since they're all my subordinates. Above all, they're all soldiers of HM the King," he said.
Sonthi suggested that Chavalit harboured a "hidden agenda" in making public statements against the government and the CNS.
"I don't know why General Chavalit commented about Thaksin's issues. He may have something in mind. He may try to negotiate something for his own interests or subordinates," Sonthi said.
According to Sonthi, Chavalit's statements on Friday could be possibly linked to appointments of senior generals to boards of state enterprises, which did not include any of Chavalit's close aides.
Baton Rouge
11-11-06, 10:54 PM
:) I just love this bit. This is truly worldclass obfuscation from Thailand's Olympic Gold Medallist Obfuscathlete, General Chavalit Yongjaiyudh - yesterday.
"The CNS has to correct what is not right and what is in the best interests of the public. I heard they filled the boards of state enterprises with military men. If this is the case, it is not good. Sometimes they look at the picture from one side and there may be concerns about some issues. [But in most cases] we can forgive them,'' he said.
:confused:
Baton Rouge
12-11-06, 09:34 PM
This ongoing withering criticism of General Chavalit is really something to behold. I don't think I've ever seen the man walk into such much flak. Most of us have had a misspent youth. Big Jiw has had a misspent prime, and even a misspent dotage. And in all that time, he has rarely been subjected to much real criticism. Presumably on the grounds that "he may be a duffer, but he's one of our duffers". But now the long pent-up animus of some of his supposed military 'chums' seems to have finally erupted. Most old military men deserve to shake off this mortal coil with an ounce of dignity. In Big Jiw's case, it seems a bit like Chile's General Pinochet. He's had it coming to him for a long time, and I'm buggered if I'm going to miss the fine spectacle of his fate finally catching up with him.
Baton Rouge
13-11-06, 01:32 PM
Urgent: Sonthi to apologise Chavalit this evening
Council for National Security Chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin will lead other CNS members to have dinner with former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyud Monday morning during which the CNS leader will issue an apology to Chavalit, a well-informed source said Monday.
Sonthi would meet Chavalit after he strongly criticized the former prime minister for demanding the CNS to allow ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand.
The Nation
How fickle can you get? One really does wonder why anyone would bother to label this urgent.
It appears the armed forces succession is likely to prevent Thaksin returning to Thailand any time soon. That said, since when has any prohibition on the rich and famous here ever been completely binding. I think we can take this all with a bit of a pinch of salt. The Nation has to continue fantasizing itself as the hard-nosed journalistic mean machine that it will never be in reality. And doubtless one could also say something similar about the two macho military men described below. Their rock-solid resolve will almost certainly fizzle out into nothing after some future golfcourse transaction: -
......
The CNS performance in the post-coup period has not been up to par. So it is not a surprise that there is simmering conflict among the military rulers. You have to keep an eye on General Saprang Kalayanamitr, the deputy army chief, as another key player. He is not happy with the CNS, which is not pro-active enough. He has stepped in to fill this vacuum by becoming, with approval from Sonthi, head of the Special Operations Centre of the CNS. General Anupong Phaochinda is deputy chief of this new body, which is tasked with monitoring the progress of the interim government's policies and the other independent agencies, which are now focusing on tackling the corruption scandals of the Thaksin regime.
After General Sonthi's retirement next year, General Saprang will succeed him as army chief. But he will stay on for only one year before retiring from service, after which General Anupong will take the military helm until 2012. General Anupong will get the big reward for his role in the coup. While General Saprang and General Anupong hold the reins of power, you can bet that Thaksin will never be allowed to return to Thailand. The general understanding among the military rulers is that Thaksin will stay in exile for the rest of his life, like Field Marshall Praek Phibulsongkram.
Thaksin is indeed a lame duck. He can only dream he will be able to return to Thailand after the general election. He is travelling around the region to keep his hopes alive and to keep himself in the headlines. Khunying Pojaman, his wife, yesterday joined him in Hong Kong to celebrate her birthday. There have been rumours of a counter-coup from overseas. "Only one or two billion baht would suffice to stage a coup," someone was heard saying.
......
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/11/24/opinion/opinion_30019789.php
In the case of MinEd's spouse, I'm not sure I would. Perhaps we should really be checking out the 'ousekeeper and the showfer: -
Few would not be surprised to learn that Information and Technology Minister Sithichai Pokaiudom has a total assets of Bt318.9 million. But no one thought that he possessed a collection of guns worth about Bt22 million.
News about Sithichai's love for firearms came as National Counter Corruption Commission revealed assets of the Cabinet members of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Friday.
Among the cabinet members, Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula is the richest, with assets of Bt754 million while the poorest was Banyat Jansena, deputy interior minister, as whose total declared assets was 0Bt778,921.
The richest spouse of the cabinet members was Pornpan, wife of Information and Technology Minister Sithichai, whose assets came out to be a total of Bt814 million.
The poorest spouse was Sukhon, wife of Education Minister Wijit Sri-saarn, as her total asset was Bt1,050.
According to NCCC, Surayud owned Bt25.24 million while his wife, Khunying Col Jitrawadee has Bt65.56 million.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/01/headlines/headlines_30020477.php
Scuba22
01-12-06, 08:07 PM
Doesn't anyone wonder how a career military man and his wife manage to accumulate 90 m B?
FarangBha
02-12-06, 12:29 PM
Of course i wonder... but 1m US isnt that much in a hiso thai society. But 1m US in a personal arms collection... thats interesting
BangkokPundit
02-12-06, 05:45 PM
Doesn't anyone wonder how a career military man and his wife manage to accumulate 90 m B?
I must say I thought the same thing. I had expected a Chuanesque type amount, but 90 million baht is a lot more than I expected. I wonder if the press will ask any questions on how the wealth was acquired given we have a free press now.
To be honest, it doesn't seem that much. He probably married into a monied family, and his wife probably has property investments to wile away the time. There are folks around here who probably have more than that.
Scuba22
03-12-06, 12:27 PM
To be honest, it doesn't seem that much. He probably married into a monied family, and his wife probably has property investments to wile away the time. There are folks around here who probably have more than that.
Sure, but how many of them are career military people?
Inheritance and returns to it are certainly understandable - the source of the assets seems to me much more pertinent than the size of the holding. Someone who marries into or inherits a billion baht is a different story than someone who inexplicably comes into even a million.
Does anyone ever report the sources of income? I'm beginning to chuckle just thinking about that...
Scuba22
Is it April 1st today? :confused: This must be one of the most bizarre reports I've seen in a long time: -
Surayud denies owning train compartments
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Monday ruled out a report, which was allegedly leaked to the press by Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, that he illegally acquired four train compartments for his residence in Nakhon Ratchasima. He insisted that he was clean and transparent.
During a press briefing at the Army Club, Surayud showed three aerial photos of his 20-rai residence compound taken on "August 23, 2005" along with his explanation about its geography and how he selected this location for his retreat home.
"As you can see from this photos, there was no compartment," Surayud said. He then made a joke to the reporters that he had owned more than four train compartments but they were in Bangkok.
At this point, Surayud referred his quote to models of train compartment, which were placed in front of his podium, as part of his collection.
"I am a realistic person. I can explain any of your doubts," he said, adding that he would lead a group of reporters to visit his Nakhon Ratchasima residence after the New Year to clear out their suspicion. However, the date has not been fixed.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022476
One wonders whether Chavalit ever worked in the Aerial Intelligence Dept. By some accounts, Air America was more his scene during the Vietnam War era. ;)
http://farangaffairs.com/pmach/images/uploads/chavalit1.jpg
http://nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/25/p1news/images/30022462-01.jpg
Google Earth Placemark for Yai Thiang Mountain (Unfortunately rather low-resolution): -
http://www.2bangkok.com/06/Yai%20Thiang%20Mountain.kmz
Mystery photo adds to pressure on Surayud
An anti-coup coalition yesterday urged the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to search the property of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont over allegations that he illegally acquired four train carriages for his home in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The Thai-language newspaper Khaosod published a photo on the front page of yesterday's edition which showed a building that resembled a railway carriage near Surayud's retreat home.
The Forestry Department is also reported to be scrutinising Surayud's plot of land to decide whether is located in the national forest reserve.
Sudchai Bunchai, a leader of the Saturday Opposition Group against the Coup, handed an open letter to an official at the NCCC's headquarters, asking the anti-graft agency to scrutinise the land at Surayud's retreat residence.
There are suspicions as to how Surayud acquired the train carriages and the plot of land on which the house was built.
As the land was part of a national forest reserve before being transferred to the ownership of a local resident named "Bao", from whom Surayud claimed to have bought the land, the NCCC should check if the local man ever existed and if the purchase was transparent, Sudchai said.
Khaosod published the photo that contradicts the images shown by Surayud in his press briefing on Monday.
During the briefing, Surayud showed three aerial photos of his 20-rai residence taken on August 23, 2005. He told reporters there was no train railway carriage on his property. However, Khaosod's photo shows there is a long rectangular object located close to the house, which is apparently the same house where Surayud said he often stayed for a retreat.
The newspaper said the object looked like a train carriage. Its reporter took the photo only a few days ago, it added.
After hearing about the anti-coup group's move, Surayud insisted he was open to any kind of scrutiny as he was a man of the people.
Wichai Laemwilai, director-general of the Forestry Department, said he would look into the allegation, particularly if Surayud's residence was located in a national forest reserve.
Thai Rak Thai Party deputy spokesman Jatuporn Promphan called on the NCCC to seek the truth in the matter as he believed the residence was built on national forest reserve land. He did not show any evidence.
Meanwhile, former TRT minister Suranand Vejjajiva called for fairness over the scrutiny of national leaders. As anti-graft agencies have launched a serious probe into deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, they should let him have a chance to defend himself, he said.
Surayud's case should be applied under the same context, he added.
"As the government is not elected, it should be scrutinised more seriously," he said.
The report about the train carriage was allegedly leaked to the press last weekend by an aide to former prime minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who appears to have a conflict with the coup leaders.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/12/27/headlines/headlines_30022637.php
He admitted he owned a 20-rai plot of land at Khao Yai Thiang mountain near the army-owned TV Channel 5 signal relaying station in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. He said he bought the land from a "Mr Pao", who is now a monk, when he was the chief of Army Region 2.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/261206_News/26Dec2006_news07.php
The Google images aren't good enough to figure out this location. With clear images, it's relatively easy to spot the steel lattice work of say a transmission mast. And I can't find that mast on maps: -
Surayud vows to resign if holding land illegally
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Wednesday vowed to resign if he is illegally holding land on the Khao Yai Thiang Mountain in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Surayud said he was ready to have his land holding investigated by officials.
He said he had been renting the land from villagers and had been properly paying holding taxes.
He said if the state wanted the land back, he would be willing to return as he was not using it for any purpose now.
"I am willing to be probed. As I've said, we are ready to return the land because we are not using it much," Surayud said.
"If someone wants to hold me responsible politically, I will be ready because I am not clinging on to my seat. If I am found guilty and demanded to resign, I'll be ready to step down."
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022646
This just came in. I read it to a Buddhist aquaintance, who reminded me that as a Muslim, General Sonthi is legally entitled to have up to four registered wives. And living together in the same house is normal. We are not talking 'Mia Noi' here. The overall reaction was, "What's the big deal?" Are we missing something here?: -
Anti-coup group calls for Sonthis' sacking for allegedly registering two marriages
An anti-coup group calling itself "Pi Rab Khao (White Dove) 2006" Thursday asked Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to sack Council for National Security chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin for allegedly having two registered marriages.
In a letter submitted to the premier's representative by leader Noparuj Vorachitwutthikul and several members, the group alleged that Sonthi had violated articles 137 and 157 of the criminal law by having two registered wives.
Noparuj said the Army chief had registered his marriage to his first wife, Sukanya, when he was a lieutenant, and later registered another marriage to his second wife, Piyada, while he was a captain.
"He now lives together with his two wives; we can prove it from many media [sources]," Noparuj said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022771
jpatokal
29-12-06, 10:15 AM
If this article (http://wwwsshe.murdoch.edu.au/intersections/issue9/jackson.html) is to be believed, polygamy in Thailand was outlawed in the 1930s, and I somehow doubt that Muslims are excepted.
Baton Rouge
29-12-06, 10:35 AM
In which case, the Thai government has been ignoring its own legislation with regard to its Muslim population ever since. My understanding is that the four-wife policy is a local version of Islamic law that the Thai government has decided to live with for the sake of not antagonizing its Muslim citizens. Whether it is actually written into Thai law, I can't say. Probably not, as one then has the difficult task of figuring out whether a person is or isn't a real practicing Muslim.
It strikes me that 'Pirahp Khao' is clutching at straws here. And one wonders how many of their richer members have a 'Mia Noi.'
I guess you are refering to this part of the article (see below). Notice the articles mentions that the laws enacted to make Thailand conform to 'international standards' were rarely rigidly enforced. The more I read of this, the more I think that 'Pirahp Khao' actually dislikes the notion of wives living in the same house. It is, of course, considered quite normal amongst Muslim men who can afford it. Personally, the open-ness of such arrangements seems acceptable to me. Surely, the real issue is ensuring that women are not coerced into such arrangements against their will and better judgement -as is the case in a very small number of fundamentalist Mormon communities in the US. There are undoubtedly well-educated Muslim women who appeared quite happy to share a husband and live in an extended family in the same family compound. And there are also a large number of Muslim women who have made it quite plain that they will only marry if the husband agrees not to take another wife.
Polygamy was also officially banned in the 1930s, but the custom of multiple-marriages continues unofficially, in a modified form, to this day. Perhaps the main difference between the practice of polygamy in Thailand before and after the legal 'banning' instituted in the 1930s is that in earlier periods a man's various wives typically lived together within the same large household, whereas in the contemporary period men with more than one wife usually maintain separate households for their various families, so that a superficial image of monogamy is created. Contemporary Western visitors to Thailand may be invited to dine at the home of a man's 'major wife' [mia luang], and even become regular acquaintances of the family, while remaining ignorant of the fact that their male host maintains a second home where his 'minor wife' [mia noi] resides and cares for his second brood of children.
I was also very struck by this 'endnote'.
[91] The continuing influence of Phibun-period policies is reflected in the fact that in 2002 former Interior Minister Purachai Piamsombun cracked down on recreational drug use, underage drinking, and other activities considered immoral in the name of 'establishing social order' [jat rabiap sangkhom], a phraseology borrowed directly from Phibun's dicates.
That rings a bell! Much as I avoid 'bar culture' (because I find a lot of 'sin' to be pretty tedious), I completely distrust the motives of moralizers like Purachai and Chumlong. I wouldn't mind betting a lot of these so-called 'Pirahp Khao' noggins are Purachai & Chumlong fanatics.
Baton Rouge
29-12-06, 05:12 PM
I have a feeling that the railway coaches were an intentional red herring. If they had hit Surayud with 'encroachment' straight away he would have had no comment. As it was, he showed pictures of his retirement home that made it blatantly obvious it was in a hilly area. And everyone knows that a great deal of such land is or has been effectively state-owned. However, it is at times like this when one feels inclined to repeat the Trinkian refrain, "But I don't really care a hoot!". If both wealthy politicians and supposedly clean generals seem intent on showing they have nothing new to offer, should I care?
Activists call on Surayud to resign for alleged forest encroachment
Two leading activists Friday called on Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to step down for allegedly breaching the forestry law by owning land in forest area in Nakhon Ratchasima.
The call was made in an open letter submitted to Government House officials by Sant Hathirat, chairman of the May 1992 Heroes Foundation, and Weng Tojitrakarn, president of the Campaign for Popular Democracy.
The letter said Surayud had breached the Forestry Act and the National Forest Reserves Act by holding land on the Yaithiang Mountain in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Weng also called on government agencies concerned to take legal action against Surayud.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022862
jpatokal
30-12-06, 09:29 AM
I guess you are refering to this part of the article (see below). Notice the articles mentions that the laws enacted to make Thailand conform to 'international standards' were rarely rigidly enforced. The more I read of this, the more I think that 'Pirahp Khao' actually dislikes the notion of wives living in the same house. It is, of course, considered quite normal amongst Muslim men who can afford it.
Actually, I believe that most Muslims who practice polygamy do maintain separate households -- there's an injunction in the Koran that says you can only take many wives if you can care for them all, which these days tend to mean that only the rich do (although being 'rich' in the countryside may be quite different from being 'rich' in a city).
Surely, the real issue is ensuring that women are not coerced into such arrangements against their will and better judgement -as is the case in a very small number of fundamentalist Mormon communities in the US. There are undoubtedly well-educated Muslim women who appeared quite happy to share a husband and live in an extended family in the same family compound. And there are also a large number of Muslim women who have made it quite plain that they will only marry if the husband agrees not to take another wife.
In Malaysia, written consent from the first wife is required if a man wants to marry a second one.
As with so many things, legalization is the best way to mitigate the damage: in Thailand, what happens to a second wife if her husband dies? Legally she's just an adulterer and out of luck if the first wife claims all of his property...
Baton Rouge
30-12-06, 09:53 AM
My informant tells me that it is quite common for wives to live in the same house or the same compound in the deep south. It is, of course, almost seen as a sort of act of charity for a man to marry a widow. (It's possible that Sonthi's 2nd wife is an army widow.) As for your comments on the second wife being seen under Thai law as technically an adulterer, that is actually one reason why some locals would like to see more use of Shariah Law in the area. On the other hand, my informant also tells me that some local Muslim women actually like to make it plain that they are marrying under Thai law as a means to fend off the husband's acquisition of further wives that might dilute their inheritance.
I remember the case of the fourth wife of a wealthy Muslim businessman. She didn't even live in the same town, although she played a pivotal role in running the business. She was obviously conscious that her eventual inheritance (she was much younger than he) would probably be quite small, so she set about sending her daughters abroad for their education in order to extract the maximum advantage before his eventual demise. She even invested in property in an expensive resort town for her daughters to live in. She told me that she thought the property was actually quite cheap, since it was capable of generating income from conference lets out of college term time. Shrewd stuff! Their core business was pretty sound too, and in a stable area.
Interesting to note that Sonthi himself doesn't seem that important in this thread. My informant and his friends think this whole charge is a complete piece of mischief-making, and think this is a complete non-issue to southerners of both religions.
:eek: The Interior Minister seems to be admitting that he has actually broken the law in an effort to deflect attention from General Sonthi and his two 'legal' registered wives.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30022947
Aree defends Sonthi
Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya Saturday defended Council for National Security chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin against allegations that he had broken the law by having two registered wives, saying that it was a personal matter.
Aree, who like Sonthi is a Muslim, was reacting to a call made on Thursday by an anti-coup group calling itself "Phirab Khao (White Dove) 2006" for Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to sack the junta leader for having allegedly registered two marriages.
The interior minister said it was a personal matter that should not be publicised. "They [the anti-coup group] should consider how they can restore harmony to the country rather than try to expose personal matters," he said.
Aree said he didn't know whether the Army chief had in fact registered two marriages, but added that whoever was raising the issue should desist because it was damaging rather than constructive.
"This government has the objective to solve the problems of the country; why do they have to create conflict rather than harmony? If they want to criticise, let's talk about the [government's] work" he said.
Aree said Muslim men could have four wives according to tradition.
"I have six wives while the CNS chief has only two, so it is nothing to talk about," he said.
The Nation
jpatokal
31-12-06, 11:42 AM
Aree said Muslim men could have four wives according to tradition. "I have six wives..." he said.
How does that work? :eek: :confused:
Kowit grim-faced after talks with PM - Bangkok Post, January 23, 2007 (http://www.bangkokpost.com/230107_News/23Jan2007_news03.php)
...All 18 suspects were also connected to two senior military officers known as ''Se Muk'' and ''Maj-Gen M,'' the source said...
Who is ''Se Muk'' and ''Maj-Gen M''?
I'm told that the implication of the prefix 'se' or 'seh' for people of a hoodlum disposition indicates that the person is a close confidante of an important and powerful person. So it could be interpreted as 'sidekick', and it is possible that the sidekick is close to a prominent military officer, businessman or politician.
Rather forthright stuff from Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont. Not a bad move, I suspect! There are those who believe that the junta leader - Gen Sonthi Bonyaratglin has been getting a bit too complacent - of late - in his belief that the CNS is getting back on track. That said, with a ruthlessly ambitious reactionary like Gen. Saprang Kalayanamitr breathing down your neck, it probably doesn't pay to act too cautiously either: -
PM blames junta leader for worsening unrest
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday accused the nation's junta leader of failing to do enough to curb a separatist insurgency in the Muslim-majority south.
General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who heads the junta as well as the country's main security organization, has failed to improve the security situation in the southern border provinces, Surayud said.
"Most villagers have no confidence that the government can help them. During public hearings in the region, it's clear that people have no confidence in the government," Surayud said.
The unusual public criticism from Surayud against the man who appointed him as premier came amid escalating violence in the deep South.
Surayud has made resolving the conflict a top priority, and has restored a key mediation centre while extending an offer to hold talks with the militants.
He has also worked to improve ties with neighbouring Malaysia, which had been badly strained by the unrest.
Agence France Presse
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30026735
The Nation has taken to posting transcripts of its recent major interviews in a way that suggests they are full unexpurgated versions. Given their brevity, I find that hard to believe. So perhaps the PM's comments on the junta were also a part of the interview, but were removed for concision: -
Live Interview with PM
Live coverage of The Nation's Group Editor Thepchai Yong with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont starts at 8.30pm on Channel 9.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont gives his first live TV interview with the Nation's Group Editor Thepchai Yong since taking his post after the coup more than four months ago:
Thepchai: Since he was ousted as prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has readily carried out his political movement from outside the country. Is this irritating you?
Surayud: Not at all. He has the right to do that. The more he talks, the more people will know how he thinks. They can judge by themselves if what he says is true or not.
Thepchai: If Khun Thaksin is watching this interview, what do you want to tell him?
Surayud: I want him to know that there has been a transition from the time of his government that saw serious problems of power abuse and lack of good governance. We are now in a transition period and if he wants to come back, he can do that after everything is in place.
Thepchai: When do you think is the appropriate time?
Surayud: After the new permanent government is formed. But that depends on his own decision too.
Thepchai: Any possibility for discussion of conditions for his return?
Surayud: First his has to stop his political movement. The conditions for his return do not depend on me alone but also on the Council for National Security and other parties concerned. Some groups may be against his return and I have to take this into consideration.
Thepchai: Khun Thaksin has said that he would wash his hands off politics. Is that enough as the reason to allow him to return?
Surayud: We have to think about it. If he will really honour his words, that will be acceptable. But we have learned from the past that sometimes he said one thing but do the otherwise. It is not absolutely certain that he will always do what he says.
Thepchai: Is it possible to see reconciliation between your government and Khun Thaksin?
Surayud: That is possible. Any political conflicts often have their time of reconciliation. The bottom line is that he must not cause any problems to the national administration and the people.
Thepchai : How do you look at Thaksin?
Surayud : He is a politician who works both for the public and for his own selfinterest. It is like any other politicians. Politicians look at both public and vested interest. Good politicians look at public interest more than self-interest.
Thepchai : Four months ago people give you a big chance. Now if you talk to every sector, they begin to feel frustrated. Businessmen said they gave you C. Women groups showed their disappointment.
Surayud : Thai people have their expectation. We cannot work with just our power alone. We have to administrate the country by law. Though I am appointed, I stick to principle not emotion. I have to use reason and not sentiment. Some people said we must focus four charges that the "CNS cited to stage a coup". I do not do all four missions. Examination is not my job because they have AEC and NCCC. AEC and NCCC want, the government cooperate and coordinate. AEC meet with the Cabinet recently and resolved that the Cabinet should have Cabinet resolution to make officials file complaints. They have enough power to do so.
Thepchai : How about criticism from them that officials go into neutral gear?
Surayud : If they have problem with legal problem we can help them solve by amending law. AEC has the power but they hesitate to do it since it is a special investigation. Officials who do not give cooperation because they are involved in the case. How many officials were not involved in the previous government. If they have to file complaints for the case, they have to bring charges against themselves.
Thepchai : The government was criticised for policies such as capital control, alien business, Suvarnabhumi airport. They said the government creates confusion.
Surayud : To protect baht value, we have to solve the problem so that the baht value does not effect export and agriculture sector. Compare agriculture price, we insist that agriculture price is better. We protect farmers so they can stand on their own feet. People who are not happy are stock traders. Money has not gone anywhere. It is only the pictures.
When Malaysia said they will not follow IMF, every one condemned the country. But they can survive and now every one compliment Malaysia that they did the right thing. If we can sustain our economy, that is the final answer. If you look from the export angle, they said capital control is good.
For alien investment law, we try to solve nominee problem. The last straw for the political crisis was the nominee problem. We want to make this problem clear. Sure it bring confusion and hesitation but we have to explain that we are not scaring away investors.
Thepchai: People in general now seem not to have very good impression in your interim government. Do you think any changes will have to be made?
Surayud: I think the government will have to emphasise more comprehensiveness in its overall work. Each ministry has their responsibility for such a job. We have to look into transparency and budget spending carried over from the past government's projects. We will continue with projects that benefit the people and made adjustments where necessary. Amendments of laws unfinished during the term of the past of the government will also be taken over. I have told the Cabinet that they will have to make a priority order of all the jobs.
Thepchai: Do you think members of your Cabinet will remain the same until the end?
Surayud: It is their honesty that is most important. For competence they all have it at the best. At this moment, I see no problem at all about their honesty.
Thepchai: Do you have full control over your Cabinet or you have to appease them?
Surayud: I can command them. I do not have to appease them.
CONTINUED IN NEXT POST
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/13/headlines/headlines_30026756.php
Thepchai : Do your government have any difference with the CNS lately as some news reports suggested?
Surayud: There is no problem between the CNS and the government. We are in direct contact all the time while doing our jobs.
Thepchai: You have close work relationship with the CNS chairman but what about the other members? Are they all working in the same direction as your government?
Surayud: I know them all. Sometimes we might have different points of view but the goal of our works is the same.
Thepchai: You have once said that your trump card is resign if you cannot do your job at its best. Do you still stick to that?
Surayud: I have never said that. In doing my job, I have to achieve the goal. If I cannot, there are only two choices; either the CNS sacks me or I resign. I do not see a prospect of resigning now and in the future anyhow.
Thepchai: What do you think about criticism on CNS members possibly having an agenda for their future in politics?
Surayud: I do not think they want to sustain political power but they just want to make the country politically stable. I have talked to the CNS secretary general and vice chairman and they said they had no plan to enter politics.
Thepchai: And you believe them?
Surayud: I do. And in my own belief, military leaders had hardly succeeded in politics. I think they know that.
Thepchai: What is your advice to the CNS for its role?
Surayud: Be transparent. The people and the media are monitoring their work and they know what is going on. For me, I am ready to listen to them and correct any mistakes.
Thepchai : Can you persuade some military officials not to step into politics
Surayud : I have not reached that point.
Thepchai : If you think you have to do, can you?
Surayud : I can only say few people will not listen to me. It is a fact and I am not disappointed. It is normal thing in life. I cannot make every one do what I want.
Thepchai : What is the military role for the country in the future? Will they do the same thing as what happened.
Surayud : It is up to the politicians, if they improve themselves. If we have quality politicians, then this thing will not happen. The military will have no reasons to cite. Both supporters and opponents of Thaksin have been fighting. For September coup, if we allow (Thaksin to stay on), the conflicts will widen. It is not the military issue, but it is political condition and situation. People who look from outside said they see it as a Thai way to solve problem. They told me if politicians have good governance, the coup would not have happened.
Thepchai : You told me before September 19 last year that you were confident there would not be a coup anymore in Thailand. How come it still happened?
Surayud : It is up to politicians and people. The military plays little part. What is the reason for the coup, solve at the reason. If we can analyse the reason, then we can solve the problem.
Thepchai : Do you admit that it must happen for September 19 and future one?
Surayud : I cannot predict future. For the 19 September Coup, if we had let the situation continued, the conflicts would have been widen. Many believe both sides will clash on September 20. Every believed it is likely to happen that way.
Thepchai : You have the picture of honest and clean but the allegation against you that you encroached national forest and allegation that you are unusually rich. Is your honesty image destroyed?
Surayud : I can prove those allegation with transparency. I am ready to be checked. I declared that I used the land. But whether I am right or wrong, I cannot say but other agencies have to say. If they said I am wrong, I accept.
Thepchai : You said you accept the responsibility with your PM post.
Surayud : If I am unusually rich, I cannot stay on the post. I cannot allow that to happen. I earn my assets with honest. I do not cheat from anyone.
Thepchai : The chance that Thaksin and his families will be charged?
Surayud: The latest development over two days ago, his wife and his relative will be charged. There will be more progress that AEC and NCCC can make and bring the truth to the public. They are just suspect and not yet the convicts.
Thepchai : What is your expectation (regarding corruption investigation)?
Surayud: I have no expectation. It is up to concern agencies whether they can set priority for they have little time left.
Thepchai : What do you want your government to be recorded in history?
Surayud : Not really. I just want to be a transition government that bring a general election and build national reconciliation. I do not want clashes between groups, or killings. I look at the southern violence, I want to see peace there. I see it as Thai people's problem that need neighbour help. This problem may not be solved on my term but later.
Thepchai : When will the election be held?
Surayud : The sooner is best. No time and no date has been set. It is up to the drafting of the constitution whether it is completed fast. Once it is finished, the government can provide funds for the election, and the referendum.
End of the Interview
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/13/headlines/headlines_30026756.php
Not so much a U-turn as about five times around a roundabout trying to decide on an exit when there are only two - one marked 'Possible Progress' and the other marked 'This is the way you came': -
Thailand U-turn on rebel talks
Thailand said Friday it was willing to hold talks with separatists in the kingdom's Muslim-majority south with the help of neighbouring Malaysia, reversing an earlier statement denying such plans.
Earlier, the foreign ministry had denied that Thailand was planning to hold talks with Thai separatists after Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi offered to help mediate.
But Thailand's army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, who met with Abdullah in Bangkok on Monday, said his government was now ready for talks with Malaysia acting as an intermediary.
"We have agreed that there should be talks if Malaysia can help Thailand figure out which groups we should hold talks with, and if such talks can produce substantial and effective results," the premier told reporters.
"We don't want to talk about rice with mango farmers. That is, we want to talk with the right people who can yield (results)," he said, but declined to give further details.
The separatist insurgency was one of the key topics during discussions between Surayud and Abdullah, who vowed to cooperate with Thailand to resolve the violence, which has killed more than 1,900 people since 2004.
Agence France-Presse
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30027048
Hi-Yah! :confused: :eek: [Doubtless, an appropriate expression of frustration for the Chinese New Year!] This report was so badly written that I have had to rapidly translate it from English to English. The end result is still a bit rough, but I think you will now get the main idea: -
Thailand accepts Malaysia's offer to mediate talks with rebels
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said today that the government has agreed to accept Malaysia's offer to mediate negotiations with the insurgents who have caused a flare-up in the violence in the deep south in the last three years. This reverses an earlier denial by the Foreign Minister that the Thai government was interested in using the mediation services of the Malaysian government.
"We will agree to talks if Malaysia will help us to figure out insurgent groups who can lead us to a practical outcome," the Thai Premier said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi offered - during his visit to Thailand last week - to help mediate talks between the insurgents and the Thai government.
Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram, however, issued a s