Latest news with #People'sParty
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Court to issue Pichet ruling on Friday
The Constitutional Court will issue its final ruling on Friday in the case of Pichet Chuamuangphan, the first deputy House speaker, who stands accused of unlawfully influencing budget allocations for projects in his Chiang Rai constituency. The court announced Wednesday it had ordered the inclusion of both parties' closing statements in the case file, ruling the evidence and legal arguments were sufficient for a decision. Final deliberations will begin at 9.30am, with the ruling scheduled for 3pm. The case was filed by People's Party MP Bhuntin Noumjerm and 120 other MPs who alleged Mr Pichet had influenced the approval of three budget proposals from the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. He said Mr Pichet, a Pheu Thai MP, directed his adviser to draft seminar proposals focused primarily on his home province, later reallocating the funds to other initiatives. The actions may contravene Section 144 of the constitution, which prohibits lawmakers from altering or adding to the budget bill in a manner that leads to the misuse of state funds, according to Mr Bhuntin. Mr Pichet's proposals drew objections from the Office of Policy and Planning and Office of Finance for not complying with parliamentary regulations and may breach constitutional spending provisions.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Opposition MP under fire for criticising military
Political activist Srisuwan Janya has filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) demanding an investigation into what he described as 'serious ethical misconduct' by a People's Party MP. The move followed a Facebook post by Sahassawat Kumkong, an MP for Chon Buri, who criticised the military over the Thai-Cambodian border conflict. Mr Srisuwan said the post, since deleted, belittled the military which was carrying out its duties while the nation stood in moral support of its role in defending national sovereignty. The post was a disgrace to his position as MP and constituted a breach of the kind of ethics expected of political officeholders, said the serial petitioner. He called on the NACC to launch the probe and asked the Supreme Court to suspend the MP from his duties and revoke his right to contest elections for life. Mr Sahassawat later apologised for his actions and said he had no intention to incite hatred or divisiveness. People's Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome on Wednesday issued an apology, saying Mr Sahassawat had been warned by the party. He reaffirmed the party's support for the military in defending national sovereignty while cautioning against using the Thai-Cambodian conflict as justification for a military coup. 'Our stance never changes. We support what is good and demand reforms where they are needed. While we stand with the military in protecting the people, our call for reforms remains,' he said.
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Court to issue Pichet verdict on Friday
The Constitutional Court will issue its final ruling on Friday in the case of Pichet Chuamuangphan, the first deputy House speaker, who stands accused of unlawfully influencing budget allocations for projects in his Chiang Rai constituency. The court announced Wednesday it had ordered the inclusion of both parties' closing statements in the case file, ruling the evidence and legal arguments were sufficient for a decision. Final deliberations will begin at 9.30am, with the verdict scheduled for 3pm. The case was filed by People's Party MP Bhuntin Noumjerm and 120 other MPs who alleged Mr Pichet had influenced the approval of three budget proposals from the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. He said Mr Pichet, a Pheu Thai MP, directed his adviser to draft seminar proposals focused primarily on his home province, later reallocating the funds to other initiatives. The actions may contravene Section 144 of the constitution, which prohibits lawmakers from altering or adding to the budget bill in a manner that leads to the misuse of state funds, according to Mr Bhuntin. Mr Pichet's proposals drew objections from the Office of Policy and Planning and Office of Finance for not complying with parliamentary regulations and may breach constitutional spending provisions.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Opposition to submit urgent motion on trade talks with US
The opposition will this week submit an urgent motion involving trade negotiations with the United States and the border conflict with Cambodia following US President Donald Trump's call for a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia. Pakornwut Udompipatsakul, a People's Party list-MP and chief opposition whip, said on Tuesday the planned motion concerns Mr Trump's move to link the ongoing trade talks between the US and Thailand to a resolution of the border conflict. The US president allegedly warned that the 36% tariff on certain Thai exports would remain non-negotiable if fighting continued and threatened to halt trade deals with both Thailand and Cambodia unless talks resumed. Mr Pakornwut said that the interconnection between the border issue and trade negotiations would be brought up in this week's House session. While a ceasefire has been agreed upon, he expressed concerns about its fragility and urged the military to prioritise the national interest and public safety. Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an unconditional ceasefire, effective from midnight Sunday, following high-level negotiations held in Malaysia, which is the Asean chair. Bilateral military meetings were scheduled on Tuesday, with a full meeting of the General Border Committee to take place in Phnom Penh on Monday. People's Party list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu on Tuesday urged the government to quickly communicate on two fronts after Cambodia reportedly violated the ceasefire agreement. He wrote on Facebook that the government must inform the international community that Thailand adhered to the ceasefire and only responded in self-defence. It must also clearly communicate to those in risk zones to ensure their safety, he added. Meanwhile, a senator on Tuesday floated an eight-point proposal, including declaring martial law in seven provinces along the Thai-Cambodian border, to give the armed forces full power to protect national sovereignty. The proposal, made by Lt Gen Sukij Thangthong before the Senate session started, included the shutdown of all border checkpoints, cutting utilities until the border situation returns to normal, suspending all energy exports, and severing diplomatic ties until boundary disputes are fully resolved. The Senate observed a minute's silence for those killed in the border clashes before approving an urgent motion proposed by Sen Gen Sawat Thassana to discuss assistance for communities affected by the border clashes. Koon Kantho, 68, collects items from her house destroyed during Cambodia's artillery attacks, in Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Govt warns against online hatred
The government has issued a strong warning to local youths and social media influencers against inciting or engaging in violence towards Cambodian nationals in Thailand. The military skirmishes along the Thai-Cambodian border must not be used to justify xenophobic or hate-driven acts, said deputy government spokesman Anukul Pruksanusak. Recent social media content portraying Thai youths chasing or assaulting Cambodian workers had crossed the line, he said. "We urge the public to remain calm, exercise judgement, and not let emotion override rationality. Cambodian civilians have no involvement in the border conflict," he said. Authorities have been instructed to monitor areas with high concentrations of Cambodian workers. "Police will take strict legal action against anyone found committing violent acts," he added. The government reiterated its commitment to international norms and humanitarian values. "Thailand upholds the rule of law and does not support violence, especially against uninvolved civilians," Mr Anukul said. Meanwhile, the opposition People's Party (PP) issued a directive urging party members not to promote discriminatory actions or language against Cambodians. "Party members must not encourage, support, or communicate in a way that incites racial hatred or violence," PP secretary-general Sarayut Jailak said. Amid escalating tensions, thousands of Cambodian migrant workers are voluntarily evacuating Thailand. As of Saturday morning, long queues were seen at border checkpoints in Chanthaburi and Aranyaprathet, where Cambodian nationals arrived from various provinces -- including Bangkok and central Thailand -- carrying luggage, personal belongings, and even pets. Many said they were leaving to reunite with family amid growing uncertainty. Employers have expressed concern about labour shortages and rising costs, as they may need to replace the workers with higher-paid Thai labour. At the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo, nearly 1,000 Cambodian workers gathered, hoping the Thai side would allow them to cross, as had occurred in previous days. However, authorities informed that the border would not open for special passage Saturday, leaving many disappointed. Later, Aranyaprathet district chief Charin Phuchai and police superintendent Pol Col Phattarakorn Kaonuan contacted Cambodia's consulate to relocate the migrants to a temporary holding area at Klong Luek municipal market hall due to overcrowding at the checkpoint and a lack of proper facilities. Reports suggest Cambodian workers are fleeing not only due to the border clashes -- now in their third day -- but also because of growing fears fuelled by online rumours of Thai nationalist groups threatening violence against Cambodians. At the Klong Luek immigration checkpoint, Col Methee Kamtem, commander of Ranger Regiment 12, ordered security reinforcements to ensure the safety of the nearly 1,000 Cambodian migrants awaiting repatriation. The Public Relations Department reported congestion at the Klong Luek permanent border checkpoint opposite Poipet in Cambodia Saturday morning. A total of 553 Cambodian nationals with passports and 524 with border passes were waiting to return home. Meanwhile, 1,733 Thai nationals with passports and 168 with border passes were attempting to re-enter Thailand from Cambodia, having been stranded since border closures.
