Lt Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat shakes hand with renounced insurgent Waeali Copter Waji
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Summary
Floods once again spilled into politics when the government’s optimism to keep the country safe and dry was frustrated by the inundation of the historic city Sukhothai in one of the Northern provinces. While critics were busy pointing out her tardiness in visiting the city only when water levels were already receding, in Bangkok the dispute between the city administration led by the oppositional Democrats and the government over the matter of canal drainage persisted ahead of the weekend, for which heavy rainfalls are predicted.
With the economic impact of the recent floods still to be assessed, the majority of factories affected by last year’s floods are reported to have reopened and be back at normal production levels. In other news, the government plans to stronger penalize property rights violations and decided that the stricken Airport Rail Link will come under state administration while receiving support payments.
In Thailand’s Deep South, 91 insurgents surrendered to security forces this week in a move that came as a surprise to the public, but apparently has seen considerable advance preparation. Citing disenchantment with their cause and ways of living, they have asked for assistance in getting back normal lives. How the state will deal with them will perhaps be one of the topics discussed in a meeting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra called for next week and to which she invited opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Politics
On August 31 Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, during a speech aimed at publicizing information on the government’s flood management sounded confident that her government’s flood mitigation measures will be able to prevent any major flooding in Thailand this year. Apart from keeping water in dam levels significantly lower than last year, the government has built more flood barriers, installed more pumps and dredged canals to improve water flow while further long-term investment plans will be announced in the coming weeks. The PM’s confidence suffered a blow though after the city of Sukhothai (about 400km north of Bangkok) was flooded early Monday morning. With Sukhothai being inundated up to one meter, critics of the flood protection plan voiced their concern about the preparedness. Furthermore, political animosity, playing a considerable factor in last year’s floods, continues to persist as seen recently over the plans to test Bangkok’s canal effectiveness for flood defenses. Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra protested the test, claiming that it could cause flooding while PM Yingluck insisted the tests were needed to find out if there would be requirement for further improvements. While the test passed without incident drainage tests in eastern Bangkok were postponed due to heavy rainfall in the capital. With seasonal flooding already reaching districts of Ayutthaya even months-long promises that Bangkok will not be flooded this year have been retracted as PM Yingluck confirmed that it would depend on the rain. Sanya Cheenimit, director of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s (BMA) Department of Drainage and Sewerage, put all 50 district offices on full alert for possible flooding with heavy rainfall predicted for the 14-17 September weekend. Analysts remain critical of the government’s flood protection plan, claiming it was unclear and lacking information to the public. (Globalnews) (ABC News) (Bangkok Post) (The Nation) (The Wall Street Journal)
The Thai justice system is put to the test once more after Vorayuth Yoovidhya, the 27-year-old grandson of Red Bull creator Chaleo Yoovidhya (4th richest family of Thailand), slammed his Ferrari into the motorbike of Pol Snr Sgt Maj Wichian Klanprasert at 5.30 in the morning, dragging him along for about 100m and killing him instantly before driving off to the family mansion. Pol Lt-Col Pannapon Nammuang, an inspector at Thong Lor police station and apparently friend of the family initially tried to cover up the incident by using a scapegoat, the family chauffeur. Recognizing the magnitude of the case, Bangkok’s police commissioner, Comronwit Toopgrajank, took charge and suspended the Thong Lor inspector. Investigation then concluded that the police officer did not cut in front of the Ferrari as previously claimed but hit straight from the rear with high speed. A test further revealed Vorayuth’s blood alcohol level to have been at 0.063%, above the 0.05% legal limit.
Commentators in the media and online forums were quick to lament the apparent double standard in the Thai justice system. Popularly restated was a comment on the Pantip Web forum stating: “If you’re rich, the verdict will take ages to be delivered, and will then come down as a suspended sentence. If you’re poor, the verdict comes faster than the speed of light: Go to jail immediately.” Social commentator Somkiat Onwimon agreed with this testimonial and added “Police are afraid of influential people, they treat the famous people differently and let them break the law.”
This incident comes only a week after Orachorn Devahastin Na Ayudhya, a child of a privileged family, received only a two-year suspended sentenced after a car crash she caused killed 9 people in a mini-van in 2010. She was 16 back then and driving without a license. Similarly, the case of Duang Yubumrung, the son of Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubumrung, comes to mind. Bangkok police commissioner Comronwit Toopgrajank insisted though that “The truth will prevail in this case. I can guarantee it”, adding “we will not let this police officer die without justice. Believe me.” The Yoovidhya family meanwhile announced through its lawyer that they would not try to influence the investigation and compensate the family of the victim. How the death of a family member can ever be compensated remains to be seen.
Vorayuth meanwhile was released on a 500,000 baht ($15,900) bail despite a wrongful testimony and the attempt to lead the investigation astray by using a scapegoat. He will be charged with drunk driving and reckless driving causing death. (Bangkok Post) (Washington Post) (Financial Times) (NBC News)
While incumbent Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra already announced he would run for re-election, the Democrat Party has yet to officially announce him as their candidate. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai Party too has yet to announce an official candidate but a source within the party revealed a candidate might only be announced in November. Two names were circulating in the media this week: Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, former deputy leader of the Thai Rak Thai party, and Priewpan Damapong, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s ex-brother-in-law who will retire from his position as Police General at the end of this month. Khunying Sudarat seems to be hesitant as she announced on her Facebook page that she would not run in the election because she feared her current work on renovating Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal might be misconstrued as an attempt to raise her political stock. Surprisingly though, the Democrat Party declared that she would be a capable candidate for the Pheu Thai Party. (Bangkok Post) (The Nation)
Economics
The Thai government plans to impose harsher penalties on property rights violations. According to the draft law, sellers who put fake products into genuine packaging could be punished with a four years jail term and a fine of up to 400,000 baht. The Intellectual Property Department expects the new regulations to become effective next year since the cabinet has already agreed with the proposal. This year, over 4 million counterfeit products worth 77 million baht have been seized by the National Police Office up to now. However, in absence of explicit penalties, the current Trademark Act is not sufficient to curtail the amount of counterfeit products in flea markets, fairs and shops. (Bangkok Post) (The Nation)
In Sukhothai, business and residential areas are flooded since Sunday, when levees could no longer contain the Yom River carrying high water. The financial damage is unknown and the flood’s impact on tourism, of special economic importance to the former capital with its historic sites, cannot be estimated yet. Anuparp Kasornsuwan from the Department of Tourism stated that damaged sites will be repaired as soon as possible. In neighboring areas mainly agriculture was affected: In Bang Rakam district, 4,000 rai (6,4 km²) of farmland were flooded. In Phrom Phiram, 2,000 rai (3,2 km²) of farmland were under water. According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsom-boonsuk, a plan for a new dam helping to prevent future flooding in the northern area will be put forth by the government soon. Currently, the Yom River is not connected to a dam.
In Ayutthaya, industrial estates are claimed to be safe, according to their operators. The sites in the city, which is currently also suffering from flooding, were well prepared and lay in the non-affected eastern part of the city. Floodwalls in all industrial estates with the exception of Saha Rattana Nakorn are nearly finished. However, Thavich Taychanavakul from Hi-Tech Industrial Estate says that the government has to provide timely and accurate information to the private sector in emergency cases. The managing director of Nava Nakorn Industrial Estate in Pathum Thani, Nipit Arunvongse, stressed that a repeat of the severe flood from last year and the related damages to the local economy is extremely unlikely. (Bangkok Post) (The Nation)
Meanwhile, almost three fourths of factories in the industrial zones of Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani damaged by the devastating floods of last year are reported to be back to normal operations. However, a number of factories have decided to relocate to drier areas such as the Eastern Seabord – already Thailand’s industrial powerhouse – as well as Saraburi and Prachin Buri. While the most affected industrial zones still see land development today, experts believe their future to be in large determined by how the country will respond to the challenge of this year’s rainy season. (The Nation)
According to international specialist recruitment agencies, the job market for mid-level to senior level positions in Thailand will remain attractive. Because North-East Asian economies are slowing down, the focus of international investors will shift to ASEAN economies – especially after the AEC integration in 2015. Indonesia as ASEAN’s largest economy and Thailand as a pivotal country for future investments in Myanmar and Cambodia will be of special interest. However, foreign investors would appreciate easier access to mid- and senior-level positions for expatriates and foreigners, according to James Vessey from the recruitment firm Robert Walters. Furthermore, investors search for employees with excellent English communication skills and a high level of intercultural understanding. (Bangkok Post)
Airport Rail Link, the company operating the rapid transit line of the same name, will come under state administration. On a meeting, it was agreed that the Finance Ministry will take over the major stake of the transport system connecting Suvarnabhumi Airport with central Bangkok, due to the bad financial condition of the company. The mass transit system only carries 4,500 people on average per day and is said to lack sufficient flexibility to connect well with other public transport systems. Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan also announced that 460 million baht have been approved to support the financial liquidity of Airport Rail Link. (The Nation)
Security
The conflict in Thailand’s Deep South received a new twist on Tuesday when 91 insurgents from Narathiwat surrendered to Thai security forces. The group of militants included Waeali Copter Waji, who is suspected to have been involved in a 2004 arms robbery at a military camp that killed four and is widely seen as one of the key incidents that escalated the long smoldering conflict. The men were reported to be surrendering on account of realizing they are fighting a lost cause, acknowledging a shift in the government’s way of handling security in the region, and wanting jobs as well as to lead peaceful lives. Apparently the move had been preceded by talks that were coordinated by the militant’s families and society. State officials declared they would help the men. A government security policy allows for lawbreakers that surrender to avoid criminal charges by undergoing a special training that may last up to six months. The question now is whether the government will be able – and willing – to apply that rule to surrendered militants. (Bangkok Post) (MCOT) (The Nation)
Equally important, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has announced a meeting to be held about the conflict in the South which will also be attended by opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Democrat MPs from the southern provinces. Other participants will include military commanders, the chief of the Southern Borders Provinces Administration Organization and officials from the Internal Security Operations Command. Up until now, members of the ruling Pheu Thai and the oppositional Democrat party have quarreled repeatedly over the matter of the Deep South insurgency, with little indication they’d be ready to set aside differences to develop a common approach. The announcement of the meeting is one in a flurry of activity by the government since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan saw a further increase of violence in the affected provinces this summer. (Bangkok Post) (The Nation)
Meanwhile, the actual situation in the South is not showing any substantial change, with the emergency executive decree for administration being extended for another three months. Recent reports of violent incidents indicate that especially in the province of Narathiwat, insurgents seem now to specially target workers at rubber plantations, ostensibly in order to disrupt the economic livelihood of many people in the South. (Bangkok Post) (Click here to view HDFF’s Southern Thailand Incident Map)
After several days of rain, flash floods hit several provinces in the lower North and upper Central regions, setting villages under water and damaging farmland. Most affected was the city of Sukhothai which was flooded up to one meter on Monday after levees along the Yom River broke due to erosion, even when the actual water level was still well below the floodwalls. On Thursday, Prime Minister Yingluck visited the city and defended the government’s flood prevention program. While emergency repairs using gabions, rocks and sandbags finished at the broken levee in Sukhothai, inspections were ordered in four provinces where dykes were comparably old. (Bangkok Post) (MCOT) (The Nation)
In an effort to control and direct the run-off from the North, water was being diverted from the Yom River to the Nan River, where reservoirs are able to provide additional capacity. At the same time, people along the Chao Phraya, of which the Nan River is a tributary, were told to be prepared for possible floods. In preparation, water levels in the Bangkok canal network were lowered to improve drainage. While Deputy Bangkok Governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul, member of the oppositional Democrats, warned against using inner city canals to deal with the run-off, the government repeatedly stated its optimism about the flood prevention program. (Bangkok Post)
The enormous size of drug crime in Thailand was quantified on Wednesday when the Office of the Narcotics Control Board released its achievement figures. According to the Office, in one year police arrested almost 400,000 drug suspects, seizing more than 26 million yaba tablets, 1,400 kg of crystal meth, 254 kg of heroin, 1,600 kg of marihuana and 4.5 million pseudoephedrine tablets, as well as assets worth more than 1.6 billion baht. Within the same timeframe, 580,000 addicts went through rehabilitation programs. (Bangkok Post) (The Nation)
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