DPM promoted government policies to Phichit people

DPM promoted government policies to Phichit people

Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart visited Phichit to promote government policies in countering economic slump and pleaded all sides to be united.

Major General Sanan visited people in Phichit’s Taphan Hin and Tap Khlo Districts to promote the government's urgent policies during economic crisis period. Many policies such as village fund, crops price guarantee, unemployment rescue and livelihood grant for the elderly were told to the people.

He also asked Phichit people to be united, not to discriminate against each others, work purposefully and reduce expenses.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

PM : all libel cases will be treated impartially

PM : all libel cases will be treated impartially

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reaffirms today (March 6) that all libel cases will be dealt with impartially in accord to the nation’s legal procedures.

The Prime Minister said that he had already received a report on all libel cases, affirming that all cases will be impartially dealt with under the nation’s legal procedures.

Mr.Abhisit then added that he had not yet been notified on the details of the road block by tobacco factory workers’ rally that had disabled transportation, stating that he needs to consult with Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, the Finance minister, first.

The Prime Minister also admitted that he had been informed on the court’s ruling in the dispute between Lampang Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and pollutant affected Lampang residents but had not yet received the full report on the case. The matter will be consulted with Mr. Suwat Khunkitti, the Natural Resources and Environment minister, first before any decision could be further made.

On the banning of alcohol distribution during Songkran Festival, the Prime Minister asserted that he had already delegated Deputy Prime Minister Major General Sanan Kajornprasart to be in charge of the matter.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Police ready to safeguard Cabinet’s provincial visit tomorrow

Police ready to safeguard Cabinet’s provincial visit tomorrow

The Royal Thai Police Chief has confirmed full readiness of security units to provide safety for the Cabinet during its provincial visit tomorrow (March 7) while voicing no anxiety over possible protests.

Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan affirmed that the police have been readied to protect Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and all Cabinet members during their provincial visit tomorrow. He said orders have been directed to every provincial commander to adopt stringent security measures and closely monitor the situation.

Regarding the pressure from the government on the police’s operation, Pol. Gen. Patcharawat stated that he is not concerned as the police have their own working course. He also believed that the protest against the Cabinet, threatened earlier by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), would only serve as a means to express its opinions and would unlikely cause any unrest.

The Commissioner-General revealed, after the Police Commission Meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban, that two more officers would be appointed as his deputies upon an approval from the Board of Royal Thai Police later on.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Preecha Lertkamolmas selected as new chief of anti-graft panel

Preecha Lertkamolmas selected as new chief of anti-graft panel

The Senatorial session today (March 6th) appoints former deputy secretary-general of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) Preecha Lertkamolmas as new NCCC secretary-general in charge of scrutinizing the behaviors and work ethics of candidates for senatorial officials.

The Senate voted 99 to 3 votes with 3 senators abstaining during its 10-minute confidential meeting.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

OAG postpones hearing on Jakrapob’s lese majeste charge

OAG postpones hearing on Jakrapob’s lese majeste charge

The Office of Attorney-General (OAG) has adjourned its decision on indicting former PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair on a lese majeste charge to April 29 while stating that further investigation are being conducted.

The OAG’s Criminal Litigation Department Director Kayasit Pitsawongprakan has decided to postpone its hearing date on whether to press charge against former PM's Office Minister and the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core-leader Jakrapob Penkair following his allegation of lese majeste under Criminal Law Article 112 prompted by his speech made in English at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand on August 29, 2007.

Mr. Kayasit affirmed that investigative officials have been urged to expeditiously resume probing Mr. Jakrapob’s infamous statement concerning the Royal Institution due to previous irregularities in the official translation.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Korn unconcerns over coming censure debate

Korn unconcerns over coming censure debate

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij expressed confidence over the coming censure debate, saying he had no flaw for the opposition party to grill.

Mr. Korn said that he was not concerned to be grilled by the opposition parties in the coming censure debate. On the other hand, he would like the Opposition to start the censure debate as soon as possible since he viewed it as a good opportunity to clarify all issues brought up by the Opposition instead of letting them remain distorted.

Mr Korn said that he did not know how much or how accurate information the opposition party had on hand. Nonetheless, Mr Korn said he remained confident that he had no defect for the Opposition to bring up against him.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

PM to amend lèse majesté law

PM to amend lèse majesté law

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the lèse majesté law would be amended in response to international academics’ request.

Mr. Abhisit stated that the lèse majesté law could be amended on its enforcement in order to be fair to all parties. However, the amended law would not affect bygone cases.

The Prime Minister added that he had already given some guidelines for law amendment to Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, the National Police Commissioner-General.

Previously, Dr Thongchai Winichakul, a professor from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and other 50 international scholars submitted a petition requesting Thai Government to amend the lèse majesté law.

The suggestions given by scholars include more concrete definitions of legal terms used in the law as well as the range of judicial power in legal proceedings. Therefore, the law will not be used as any political motives, claiming loyalty to the monarchy.

On the other hand, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Satit Wongnongtoey criticized international academics’ request, saying that they knew nothing about the Thai monarchy.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Senate Speaker confirms no lobbying to replace EC member

Senate Speaker confirms no lobbying to replace EC member

Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet has expressed confidence that no lobbying would occur in the selection of new EC Commissioner to replace Mr.Sumeth Upanisakorn as the selection committee is credible.

The Senate Speaker spoke of the selection process launched to find a new EC member after Mr.Sumeth completed his term at the age of 70, saying that the Office of the Secretary-General to the Senate has already contacted the EC selection committee to initiate the process.

Mr. Prasopsuk said that a timeframe for the selection cannot yet be set but assured that the selection commission would strictly adhere to standard regulations.

On speculations that lobbying would occur to fill the vacant post, Mr. Prasopsuk stated that the committee is already a credible and established body to select a new EC member.

He said that the committee would await candidate names to be proposed before consideration.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

PM not worried about his provincial visit tomorrow

PM not worried about his provincial visit tomorrow

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva affirmed he was not worried about his Lop Buri visit, while clarifying that the transfer of Governor was due to performances.

Mr.Abhisit said he was not worried about his people visit tomorrow (March 7) in the central Province of Lop Buri, believing the police could keep the rally peaceful.

Mr. Abhisit said he had no knowledge about the rumor that there would be 1,500 police officers guarding him, asserting that it was due to police’ s consideration.

Asked about the case that Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban would transfer the Governor if chaos occurred, Mr. Abhisit said it would depend on performances and suitability.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

PM comments on PAD’s new party

PM comments on PAD’s new party

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva sees the proposed establishment of a new political party by the yellow shirt camp as a good option for the people but he does not know the reasons for the establishment.

Commenting on the news that the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) would establish its own political party, the Prime Minister said he regarded the move as positive since voters would have more options in the elections.

Mr.Abhisit said he did not know the reasons for the establishment of a new party in response to PAD core leaders’ claims that they were disappointed with Democrat Party’s performance and Mr Abhisit’s lack of courage in his premiership. Anyway, Mr Abhisit said that he was always ready to clarify the matters.

Many news sources claim the establishment of a new political party of PAD named ‘Thian Haeng Dharma’ Party since December last year amid disputes of some yellow shirt protesters who disagreed with the move. However, the possibility was confirmed yesterday (5 March) by PAD core leaders, according to PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.

Mr Suriyasai said that the new party was to drive PAD’s political ideology since PAD perceived that the possibility to achieve its goal by the existing political party remained very slim.

He added that there were so many restrictions impeding attempts to change or reform politics in Thailand, even for the ruling Democrat Party, the main party in the present government.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

FPO to propose 5 measures for tackling unemployment

FPO to propose 5 measures for tackling unemployment

The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) has today (March 6) revealed the progress of its 5 measures designed to help the unemployed while expecting to bring the measures to conclusion soon before proposing to the Finance Minister.

Mr. Somchai Sajjapong, the Director-General of the FPO, reported the progress of 5 measures initially laid out in order to deal with the rising unemployment problem, which include the following:

1. A tax measure to allow workplaces suffering financial losses to apply for tax deduction in double amount on their employees’ compensation in the attempt to prevent layoffs.

2. A measure for setting up a welfare fund covering 20 million laborers in the informal sector, such as taxi drivers and street vendors.

3. A measure to encourage the provincial administrative organizations to spend their leftover 100-billion-baht budget on initiating various projects, which can subsequently create jobs.

4. A measure for public financial institutions to come up with specialized projects for labor with cooperation from other related bodies, for instance the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

5. A measure to push for successful establishment of the National Pension Fund after having been rejected by previous governments.

Mr. Somchai then informed that, upon the FPO’s final conclusion on the measures in the near future, they will be immediately proposed to Minister of Finance Korn Chatikavanij for consideration.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Finance Ministry ready to increase credit guarantee for small business owner

Finance Ministry ready to increase credit guarantee for small business owner

Finance Ministry is ready to provide more guarantee for the Small Business Credit Guarantee Corporation (SBCG) in case the demand in small business loan exceeds 30 billion Baht.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikawanit presided over the contract signing ceremony between Finance Ministry, SBCG and 16 commercial banks in Credit Guarantee Project worth 30 billion Baht.

He said that the project would enable small business owners to access the loans easier and it is better than asking for more lending from commercial banks because this cooperation project would decrease risk in lending of commercial banks as the government would guarantee the credit by 15.5 per cent of the loans.

The demand of loan could be concluded in September, if it exceeded 30 billion Baht as in the contract, the Finance Ministry would increase the credit guarantee. The budget which was used in this project would be from fiscal budget year 2010 and domestic loan.

President of Kasikornbank Prasarn Triratworakul said that the bank expected to expand small business loan for 20-30 billion baht, the guarantee project of government could make the bank increase its lending.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

SET Index edges down by 0.22 points

SET Index edges down by 0.22 points

Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index lost 0.22 points or -0.05 percent to close at 416.89 points with a market value of 2.769 billion baht after the market closed this morning (March 6). Despite the movement in a narrow range, Thai stocks today appeared better than regional trading.

An analyst reported that regional markets averagely declined by 0.5-1 percent while Thai stocks deteriorated due to negative factors from Dow Jones Industrial Index and the lack of clarity of the Chinese government’s economic stimulus measures. Despite the gloomy perspective, investors still have power purchasing to plough their money in Thai stocks.

Thai bourse today is expected to face a trade fluctuation but in a narrow range with its projected support line of 411 points and expected resistance line of 424 and 429 points.

Top five most active values were as follows.

PTT decreased to 144.00 baht, down by 1.00 baht with a market value of 388.56 million baht.

PTTEP decreased to 84.00 baht, down by 1.00 baht with a market value of 291.40 million baht.

BANPU increased to 204.00 baht, up by 2.00 baht with a market value of 218.54 million baht.

SCB increased to 55.50 baht, up by 0.50 baht with a market value of 186.09 million baht.

BBL increased to 74.50 baht, up by 0.50 baht with a market value of 157.56 million baht.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Finance Minister reports improved consumers’ purchasing power

Finance Minister reports improved consumers’ purchasing power

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij reports improvements in consumers’ purchasing power and prepares plans to deal with global fluctuating economy.

After presided over the opening ceremony of ‘Living in Style 2009’ today (6 March) at Siam Paragon Complex and having a discussion with real estate business entrepreneurs, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij said that there has been an improvement in consumers’ purchasing power since January.

Mr Korn said that housing sales have been increasing since consumers are more confident on political stability and remedies given by the Government to the real estate sector. He further said that the Government is ready to support the industry since the industry can help stimulate the economy from construction material, furniture businesses to more employment.

There is also an improvement in the tourism industry. Number of tourists traveling to Thailand has started to return to ordinary although the number is not as high as the same period last year due to the lower purchasing power of tourists resulted from the economic downturn.

Mr Korn said that the Government still has to implement more stimuli to boost the economy since both Thai and global economy are still fluctuating. It is also expected that the economic damages will continue. Anyway, Mr Korn affirmed that the Government has already prepared plans to mitigate such problems directly for the people and through entrepreneurs.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

DCM Alongkorn to request additional budgets to support exports

DCM Alongkorn to request additional budgets to support exports

Deputy Commerce Minister Alongkorn Ponlaboot considers requesting additional budgets totaling five billion baht from the government to extend the country’s import markets and promote investments in a bid to prop up Thai exports throughout whole year.

Mr. Alongkorn stated that without additional budgets, it would be difficult for Thai exports to grow, but the ministry has promised to sustain this year's projected export growth of zero-three percent as best as it could. He expressed his belief that the country’s staggering exports would turn around in the second half of 2009. He said the performance of Thai exports as of 2009 would be assessable after the first quarter of this year.

In a separate development, Mr. Alongkorn said he has paid his visits to the Middle East, and chaired the opening ceremony of a trade operation center for Middle East and North Africa at the Thai Office of Trade Promotion in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. He said the center was aimed at facilitating Thai entrepreneurs in terms of trade cooperation and giving them chances to run their business in the Middle East and North Africa.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009

Thai Baht trades at 36.24-36.26 against the US dollar today

Thai Baht trades at 36.24-36.26 against the US dollar today

The Thai local currency traded at in the range of 36.24-36.26 baht against the US dollar after the market opened this morning (March 6th), weaker than yesterday’s trading at 36.14-36.16 to the US dollar. The currency later today reportedly traded at 36.17-36.19 against the US dollar this morning.

As for other major foreign currencies, the Japanese yen closed at in the range of 98.40-98.43 against the US dollar while the Euro traded at in the range of 1.2549-1.2553 against the US dollar after the market opened this morning as well.

The Thai baht was expected to move in a narrow range after depreciating, compared to the US dollar currency. No new factors from domestic and overseas markets emerged to support the trading of the baht. The currency was expected to move between 36.10-36.30 against the US dollar today.

National News Bureau of Thailand
06 March 2009