Thailand Passes Bill, Causing Yet Another Election Delay
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on January 26, 2018
Thailand's National Legislative Assembly have passed a bill that will delay elections into 2019. This is not the first time that the can has been kicked down the road under the current military government. Here's my report explaining why and what's next.
TRANSCRIPT
It was a long day and night for Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly as they debated for 14 hours before eventually passing a bill that will very likely delay democratic elections into 2019.
The bill on MP Elections has been passed with 213 to zero votes and four abstentions by the fully-appointed parliament. The crucial amendment that they have included is a delayed enforcement of the bill of 90 days after it has been endorsed by The King, which according to the constitution is supposed to happen by this summer.
This and three other electoral laws are required to be done before an election can be held, which were originally aimed for November 2018 later this year. However, now that one of the bills comes into effect 90 days later, it means were are going to miss that date.
But the military government’s legal expert, Deputy-PM Wissanu Krea-ngam, has reassured that the delay won’t be long.
WISSANU KREA-NGAM; Thai Deputy Prime Minister:
"90 days doesn’t mean within 90 days. It means that it’s not in effect before 90 days, it is in effect on the 90th day - no sooner, no later. But the elections will take place WITHIN 150 days [after law comes into effect]. So that can be after 1 month, after 2 months, after 3 months, after 4 months, after 5 months - but no longer than that!"
Nevertheless, we are now looking at the possibility of elections in February 2019 at the latest.
Obviously, the political parties that have been sidelined since the military coup of 2014 and prohibited from any activity - they’re not happy about the prospect of yet another election delay.
WATTANA MUANGSOOK; Former MP, Pheu Thai Party:
"Once you’re in the same boat, you owe the captain a favor. But the National Legislative Assembly has a short memory. They forgot that even though the [military government] appointed them, but their salary doesn’t come from the government, it’s from the taxes of the people who want an election."
One of the pressing questions is how does this affect the military government. Some observers think that they are clinging to power, others say they are just stalling and buying themselves more time.
DR. TITIPOL PHAKDEEWANICH; Dean Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University:
"The NCPO are quite certain that they would be able to maintain power after elections. Now I think they are trying to get more space to think through their strategy and also actually to handle the situation or to make deals, perhaps, with different parties or the Pheu Thai [Party].
It is not the first time that elections have been delayed under Thailand’s military government, which has been at the helm for nearly four years - that is ironically longer than some elected governments in recent history.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
All OK with Taxi OK? Bangkok Modernizes Cab Fleet
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on January 24, 2018
Bangkok's taxis currently don't have the best reputation and are also under pressure by Uber, Grab and Co. That's why Thai officials want to modernize the roughly 100.000 colorful cabs and make them more passenger-friendly. But not every cabbie is happy about the changes.
TRANSCRIPT
Sporting all the colours of the rainbow, taxis once ruled the streets of Bangkok.
But in recent years, locals and tourists alike have been complaining: Overcharging, rejecting customers, reckless driving... it’s pushing many away to use Grab and Uber.
In order to restore the somewhat tarnished reputation of Bangkok’s taxis, Thai officials have introduced a new set of rules, not only to make taxi rides more safe, more transparent, technologically up to date - but also to catch up with private ride-hailing services like Grab and Uber. But not every cabbie in the city is on board with the changes.
Thailand’s Department of Land Transportation is about to launch "Taxi OK", both a smartphone app for customers AND a scheme to upgrade Bangkok taxis.
But to join the programme, taxis have to install new equipment: GPS trackers, security cameras, an emergency button… and so on.
For some drivers though these technical upgrades are too expensive.
SADIS JAITIANG; President Thai Public Taxi Association:
"But for us independent taxi drivers, the new rules don’t work for us! 'Taxi OK' creates a bigger burden for us. We have no problem with the electronic payment system for example - but we have a problem with the additional equipment like the GPS, because of the additional costs."
Costs the taxi association says run up to more than $900, plus monthly service fees.
But Thai officials say no one has to buy such expensive equipment and has also filed a court injunction against the new rules.
CHERDCHAI SANANSRISAKORN; Deputy Director-General Department of Land Transport:
"The Department of Land Transport has not specified what model or brand they should use - we only have set the technological standards. There are many models and brands they can let us approve and over time, price should not be a problem soon."
About 7,000 taxis have joined the upgrade scheme, but every one will eventually have to meet the new rules, no matter what.
And with that, Thai authorities hope to see Bangkok taxis rule the roads once again.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
Explainer: Thailand's Lese Majeste Law and Why Sulak Sivaraksa Was Not Charged
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on January 18, 2018
84-year scholar and social activist Sulak Sivaraksa escapes prosecution under Thailand's lese majeste law. He was charged for questioning the historical accuracy of an event that took place way back in the 16th century - or not. Here's my explainer about the law, the charge and why Sulak will not face trial.
TRANSCRIPT
It doesn’t happen very often that a case involving allegations of insulting Thailand’s monarchy is being dropped, but that is exactly what happened to Sulak Sivaraksa. A Thai military court decided not to prosecute the 84-year-old veteran scholar due to lack of evidence.
The case stems from a university seminar in 2014 about a historic event in 1593, where Siamese King Naresuan defeated the Burmese Crown Prince Mingyi Swa in a formal duel on elephants - that is the prevailing Thai historic account that is still being taught today.
But there are no other accounts that confirm this has actually taken place like this, so that’s why Mr. Sulak - like many other historians before him - are questioning this what is now considered a highly-celebrated Thai legend, commemorated by the Thai army on their Armed Forces Day.
Thailand’s lese majeste law states "whoever defames, insults, or threatens the king, queen, heir-apparent, or regent" can be punished with up to 15 years in prison, so it doesn’t cover past and deceased kings. But it the law has been often more loosely interpreted to defend the royal establishment.
Rights groups have criticized this law as harsh and draconian and the number of lese majeste cases skyrocketed in the past decade, estimated in the 1000s, with a very high conviction rate.
This is not the first time Sulak Sivaraksa has faced such a charge before - it is actually his forth. But the reason why he has not been prosecuted is not only that he proclaims himself to be a royalist, but he also enjoys wide respect and support not only here in Thailand, but also around the world. So basically he’s too well-known, too famous. A trial would have sparked huge public outcry and condemnation.
That is a privilege that other defendants do not have.
Since the military coup of 2014, it is estimated that at least 94 people have been prosecuted and 43 sentenced. Just earlier this month, a blind woman was jailed for reposting an article critical of the monarchy on Facebook.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
Former PM Yingluck in UK on business visa: party sources
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on January 9, 2018
According to Pheu Thai Party sources, former and now fugitive Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is currently in the UK on a business visa. What this means for her and how - or rather if - the current Thai military government is intensifying their "hunt" to bring her back? Here's my explainer.
TRANSCRIPT
The confirmation by the Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is so far the most concrete indication of the whereabouts of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra - at least from the Thai official side.
The comment comes after photos of the former, now fugitive Prime Minister have been widely shared online, showing her to be supposedly in the British capital of London.
The photos cannot be independently verified.
The Foreign Minister didn’t say what Thai authorities would do next and whether or not they will seek Yingluck’s extradition, but he said that they have been in touch with their British colleagues. Thailand and the United Kingdom do have an extradition treaty.
It is rumored that Miss Yingluck is seeking a political asylum in the UK, ever since she has failed to show up before a court verdict here in Bangkok last August.
The former PM, who was toppled in a military coup in 2014, was charged with criminal negligence for her government’s mismanagement in a popular, but highly-expensive rice subsidy scheme that cost the country billions of dollars.
She was sentenced later in abstentia to 5 years in prison.
Miss Yingluck herself has yet to make any public comment or statement since she fled Thailand, so until then it looks like that she will remain silent in the UK.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok
Puppies and watches put pressure on Thai PM, Deputy PM
Originally aired on Channel NewsAsia on January 4, 2018
Puppies and watches - that's not only are those common items people wish for Christmas - these two things are also putting some pressure on both Thai PM Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha and his number two, Dep-PM and Defense Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan. Here are some details.
TRANSCRIPT
It is a ruff start to the new year for the Thai government as both its Prime Minister and one of his deputies are under watch for possible violation of anti-corruption laws.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was forced to clarify himself why he spent $215 more than the usual market price for three puppies he bought during an official trip to Sukhothai province late last year.
Initially he said that the extra cash was "moral support" given to the breeder. But since Thai officials are prohibited by law to give out or receive gifts of more than $90, watchdogs have indicated that this is a possible violation of anti-corruption rules.
Now the PM states that these extra costs were for the vaccination of the puppies and he’s willing to re-sell them.
Even more under fire is his number two, Deputy-PM and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. He remains completely silent on why he failed to declare over dozen luxury watches in his list of assets that every minister has to submit when entering office.
Over the past few weeks, cyber sleuths have to this point discovered at least 15 expensive watches worn by him, some of them costing as much as $100,000.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission is looking into this matter, but has not provided an update so far.
Both cases come at a somewhat inopportune time for the military rulers who are almost four years at the helm now since the 2014 coup and are risking overstaying their welcome and democratic elections still an uncertainty, despite being announced for November later this year.
Bangkok Bike-Sharing Business Rolls On - But Where Are The Lanes?
Originally published on Channel NewsAsia on January 4, 2018
Mobike, ofo, oBike - more bike-sharing companies are offering their services in Bangkok - a city which roads were not designed for cyclists in mind. So what will the city be doing?
TRANSCRIPT
Of late, more Bangkokians have been seen cycling in the capital…yup,traffic and all.
And this trend seemed to have not gone unnoticed by bike sharing companies – making Bangkok the latest capital in Southeast Asia set to become a battleground for bike sharing service.
The latest contender to enter the market is 'Mobike', starting with a limited soft launch on the grounds of an university campus in Bangkok.
But for the Chinese company, the Thai capital is just the beginning, with plans to expand to other cities in the country as well.
MARK LIN; Head of International City Operations; Mobike:
"We’re quite bullish on the Thailand market in general. Because it’s a very vibrant economy and [has] young demographics. And people are tech-savvy, are willing to try novel, new things. So I think this all fits the criteria of the users we’re looking for."
Like its competitors oBike and Ofo, Mobike is offering bicycles that don’t need to be docked at certain stations and can be simply unlocked via a smartphone app for a small fee.
But is that really enough to get people riding?
SAKSITH SAIYASOMBUT; Bangkok, Thailand:
"Bike-sharing services are one way to get more people riding – and of course, there are the obvious benefits for health and the environment. But while it makes great sense to ride in wide open areas like this university campus here; in downtown Bangkok, the reality is going to be very different."
Bangkok’s roads were not built with cyclists in mind.
Nevertheless, city officials have been pushing for more bike usage in recent years.
More than 300 kilometers of bike lanes have been built in and around the city.
The city administration also have their own bike sharing service – set up since 2013.
So far, it has about 9,700 registered users.
While the city doesn’t mind private bike sharing companies opening up shop in Bangkok, it is concerned about the many implications it has on the traffic.
THANACHAI MEKPRASERTWANICH; Director of Policy and Planning Division, Department of Traffic and Transport Bangkok Metropolitan Authority: "It will benefit the people. But what concerns the city are issues on safety that will come up and the impact of increased number of bikes. In other countries, for example, we’ve seen some problems there ranging from infrastructure, traffic, the understanding of bike sharing, sharing the roads. So when there are more bikes, there’ll be initial impacts."
Something that both the city administration and private bike sharing companies do agree on is the opportunity to offer - in combination with public transport system - a feasible transport alternative in order to combat the notorious traffic jams of Thailand’s capital.
And Thais and tourists alike can discover a whole different perspective of Bangkok - on two wheels.
Don’t forget helmet and perhaps face mask.
Saksith Saiyasombut, Channel NewsAsia, Bangkok