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Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Opposition presses for improved border-clash compensation
The main opposition People's Party on Thursday plans to question the government about improving compensation for residents affected by recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. Party leader and opposition chief Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, accompanied by list-MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, chairman of the House military affairs committee, on Tuesday led a group of MPs to visit affected areas in Kantharalak and Khun Han districts of Si Sa Ket province. During the visit to Phum Sarol village in Sao Thongchai sub-district, local officials reported that 13 villages were impacted by the fighting. While evacuations were carried out in time, a BM-21 rocket strike hit a petrol station, causing serious damage to 29 homes and partial damage to another 437. Many residents have yet to return to their houses. Tambon chief Weerayut Duangkaew relayed three main requests: compensation on a per-household basis, welfare support for the Chor Ror Bor village defence volunteer unit, and a separate rehabilitation assistance for farmers apart from disaster aid. Mr Natthaphong said relief payments were inadequate and difficult to access. The Interior Ministry has provided a 3,000-baht allowance, but only for vulnerable groups, and residents are even charged to photocopy lengthy claim forms before submitting their application, he said. "Certain budgets in some places don't reach the people. Sometimes, the government announces measures, but there's still no clarity on implementation," said Mr Natthaphong. He said compensation for house repairs by local authorities was far from sufficient, and some villagers are unaware of which agencies to approach. Mr Wiroj asked why the government has yet to seek cabinet approval for lump-sum household compensation, which is normally granted only after an area is declared a disaster zone. "Armed conflict is also a disaster. Why has the cabinet not approved household compensation?" he asked. In Thapthim Siam village in Khun Han district, village head Saisamon Butpha said modern firearms and allowances are insufficient. "We are volunteers, buying our own uniforms, relying on donated food and supplies. Yet we must protect our homes from cross-border threats and drug addicts, illegal loggers and informants," she said.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
PP to quiz govt on damages for victims
The main opposition People's Party will on Thursday submit an interpellation in parliament on compensation measures for residents affected by recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border. Party leader and opposition chief Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, accompanied by list-MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, chairman of the House military affairs committee, on Tuesday led a group of MPs to visit affected areas in Kantharalak and Khun Han districts of Si Sa Ket province. During the visit to Phum Sarol village in Sao Thongchai sub-district, local officials reported that 13 villages were impacted by the fighting. While evacuations were carried out in time, a BM-21 rocket strike hit a petrol station, causing serious damage to 29 homes and partial damage to another 437. Many villagers have yet to return to their houses. Tambon chief Weerayut Duangkaew relayed three main requests: compensation on a per-household basis, welfare support for the Chor Ror Bor village defence volunteer unit, and a separate rehabilitation assistance for farmers apart from disaster aid. Mr Natthaphong said relief payments were inadequate and difficult to access. The Interior Ministry has provided a 3,000-baht allowance, but only for vulnerable groups, and villagers are even charged to photocopy lengthy claim forms before submitting their application, he said. "Certain budgets in some places don't reach the people. Sometimes, the government announces measures, but there's still no clarity on implementation," said Mr Natthaphong. He said compensation for house repairs by local authorities was far from sufficient, and some villagers are unaware of which agencies to approach. Mr Wiroj asked why the government has yet to seek cabinet approval for lump-sum household compensation, which is normally granted only after an area is declared a disaster zone. "Armed conflict is also a disaster. Why has the cabinet not approved household compensation?" he asked. In Thapthim Siam village in Khun Han district, village head Saisamon Butpha said modern firearms and allowances are insufficient. "We are volunteers, buying our own uniforms, relying on donated food and supplies. Yet we must protect our homes from cross-border threats and drug addicts, illegal loggers and informants," she said.
Bangkok Post
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Pheu Thai blasted for rejecting amnesty bills
The opposition has lashed out at Pheu Thai for refusing to support proposed amnesty efforts related to the lese majeste law, dismissing as unconvincing the ruling party's justification that it must appease coalition partners due to the government's slim majority. The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed three amnesty bills but rejected two versions submitted by civil society groups and the former Move Forward Party (MFP), which is now the main opposition People's Party (PP), during their first readings. The three bills, also known as the "Promote Peaceful Society Bill", were proposed by different parties. The two that did not pass were the MFP's "Amnesty for Political Offences Bill" and the "People's Amnesty Bill", which was backed by 36,723 signatories. Pheu Thai subsequently claimed it had not abandoned young people facing prosecution under Section 112 of the Criminal Code (the lese majeste law), and that it is seeking a solution, but it cannot yet reveal the details. These arguments are both vague and unsatisfactory, opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, also head of the PP, said yesterday. "There are channels available to offer clarity and reassurance to those impacted," he said. "I don't understand why those avenues are not being used." Mr Natthaphong also pointed out that there are various procedural approaches available in the House when it comes to voting, even if a party's stance cannot compel coalition partners to support a particular bill. He said that if Pheu Thai were genuinely committed to representing the voices of those facing political prosecution, the party could have taken a stronger, more assertive stance. He suggested Pheu Thai could have used internal coalition negotiations to propose that the issue not be subject to a binding cabinet or coalition resolution, which would have allowed its MPs the option to abstain from voting against the MFP's bill and the other bill backed by civil society groups. This way the two bills could have passed the first reading and proceed to more comprehensive deliberation, he added. Mr Natthaphong insisted that political will and clear communication are more important than hiding behind procedural constraints. "Amnesty should be broad-based, inclusive, and free from discrimination," he said, adding: "Only then can it lay the foundation for genuine peace and national reconciliation." Rangsiman Rome, a PP list-MP, meanwhile, described the rejection of both bills as a troubling sign of selective treatment and accused the government of lacking the political courage needed to seriously address deep-rooted political conflicts. "Pheu Thai does not have even a fraction of the courage needed to seize this opportunity to address the crisis boldly," Mr Rangsiman said.
Bangkok Post
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Opposition to discuss strategy
Opposition party leaders are scheduled to meet on Thursday to decide whether to table a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, while opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has called for caution, urging MPs to wait for the right moment. "Let me reaffirm that we are not opposed to, nor do we disagree with, the idea of tabling a no-confidence motion," said Mr Natthaphong, who also leads the main opposition People's Party (PP). "However, the timing and manner in which it is submitted must be carefully considered. Given the current political climate, it's essential that all opposition parties are in agreement before taking any action," he said. House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said that if the Constitutional Court agrees on Tuesday to hear the petition submitted by a group of senators seeking to remove Ms Paetongtarn over her handling of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, and decides to suspend her pending a ruling, then the motion cannot go ahead. "A no-confidence motion can only be submitted once per parliamentary session each year. If we move forward with it now, we would have to wait until July next year to file another," Mr Natthaphong warned. The PP leader expressed concern that certain factions may attempt to exploit the current political uncertainty to push for extra-constitutional measures, including calls for military intervention, a move he said would run counter to democratic principles. While protesters at Victory Monument on Saturday clearly called for Ms Paetongtarn to step down and for coalition parties to pull out of the government, the movement was led by "the usual faces", figures with a history of involvement in street protests that, in the past, have ended in coups, he said. Responding to recent opinion polls showing a rise in his popularity at he expense of Ms Paetongtarn, Mr Natthaphong said he was grateful for the public support, though he acknowledged that such figures could fluctuate ahead of the next general election. On speculation that Ms Paetongtarn could be replaced by an unelected outsider under Section 5 of the constitution, Mr Natthaphong said this was not a scenario the PP supported, but admitted it remained a concern. For now, he said he hoped opposition parties could reach a consensus on the appropriate timing for a no-confidence motion, taking into account the evolving political situation. Bhumjaithai Party spokesperson Nan Boontida Somchai said the PP had, in principle, agreed to Bhumjaithai's proposal to push for a no-confidence motion after parliament reconvenes on Thursday.
Bangkok Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
PM Paetongtarn's popularity plummets in Thai opinion poll
A quarterly opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration has found most respondents considered the opposition leader the most suitable choice for the position of prime minister and his party as their favourite. Nida conducted the survey on 2,000 people sampled nationwide from June 19 to 25 and it found that opposition leader and People's Party chief Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut emerged as the most favoured candidate for the position of prime minister. Respondents' support for him and his party was much greater than that for the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its leader, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Of the respondents, 31.48% of respondents wanted Mr Natthaphong to be the prime minister today because he is of the young generation, has courage to express opinions and political stances and presents clear and modern ideas. The second biggest group of respondents, 19.88%, said they did not see a suitable prime ministerial candidate. The third largest group of respondents, 12.72%, considered Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as the most suitable choice for the premiership. Gen Prayut is a privy councillor and former prime minister and former defence minister. He was a prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN). The poll found Gen Prayut was favoured for his honesty, straightforwardness and ability to restore national order. He did not appear as a choice for the prime ministerial position in the previous quarterly poll by Nida. The fourth most popular choice was Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul who was supported by 9.64% of respondents, followed by incumbent Prime Minister and ruling Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra favoured by 9.20% of respondents. Ms Paetongtarn had been the most favoured choice as the prime minister in the previous quarterly Nida Poll in March when she received support from 30.9% of respondents while Mr Natthaphong had support from 22.90% of respondents. Ms Paetongtarn has been heavily criticised after the leaked audio clip of her phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen earlier this month. When respondents were asked about their favourite political party, the biggest group, 46.08%, chose the opposition-core People's Party, followed by 13.24% for UTN, 11.52% for Pheu Thai and 9.76% for Bhumjaithai. Meanwhile, 7.72% of respondents did not have a favoured party.
