Latest news with #PhumthamWechayachai
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Acting PM affirms anti-drug stance
Acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai affirmed the government's commitment to combatting the spread of narcotics in the country, before adding officials who are negligent and/or complicit in the illegal drug trade will face serious consequences. Speaking on the national TV programme Okadthai ("Thai Opportunity") on Sunday, Mr Phumtham said tackling the country's drug epidemic is one of the government's top priorities. He also promised to address the problem with sustainable solutions, instead of temporary measures. He echoed sentiments voiced by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and suspended PM Paetongtarn, saying illegal drugs are a major obstacle to national development, as it hinders economic growth at the grassroots level. The acting prime minister said he has received complaints from several community leaders who claimed many local officials — from district chiefs to provincial governors — are complicit in the drug trade. "People are aware of what's going on. They wonder why [those officials] can continue to claim that they don't know, when we all do," he said. He admitted that enforcement has been a problem in the past, with those in power failing to decisively act on known offenders. 'From now on, if I visit an area and see a problem, I'll immediately order those officials to be transferred elsewhere. I did the same when tackling call-centre scams. I removed the police chiefs in three districts in Tak for allegedly backing illegal casinos,' said Mr Phumtham, who is also the Interior Minister. 'If I see negligence or complicity, they'll be removed first, then they'll face legal action. I believe this approach will bring real change.' He also said the government is working with Interpol to track regional kingpins and disrupt their financial activities. In addition, he said, the government has launched a number of campaigns to stop drugs from being trafficked across borders, such as the 'Seal Stop Safe' campaign, which targets drug smugglers at the nation's borderswith Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. He promised to step up border patrols and deploy advanced surveillance tools, including CCTV and thermal drones, to monitor routes used by traffickers. 'I will visit each area without announcement in advance. If I see good work, I'll support it. If I see failure, there will be consequences, regardless of rank. "Drug suppression is now a national priority, and we must act accordingly,' he said. He called for local communities to support the government's effort to combat drug smuggling, citing its benefits for the local economy. "As long as our bureaucratic mechanisms aren't being exploited to commit crime, we can solve these problems," he said.
NHK
3 days ago
- Politics
- NHK
Thailand launches nationwide crackdown on drugs
Thailand is launching a nationwide effort to crack down on illegal drugs. The operation is being called "No Drugs No Dealers." It involves the governors of Bangkok and all 76 provinces, as well the Royal Thai Police. The plan is to disrupt supply chains, seize the assets of producers, identify users for treatment and support, and foster cooperation across national borders. It comes amid a rise in health and social problems among the country's young people as a result of drugs. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said: "Drugs are a threat that has long undermined our nation. The drug problem is therefore a national issue that the government is determined to eradicate from Thailand." The government believes much of the production takes place in the so-called "Golden Triangle," which straddles the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says 130 tons of methamphetamine were seized in Thailand last year. It was the first time the amount exceeded 100 tons. Exacerbating the problem is the fact that drugs are being widely bought and sold online in the form of tablets, known as "Yaba."
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Supreme Patriarch backs reform effort
The Supreme Patriarch is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the country's monastic laws, urging the government to review the Sangha Act and revise outdated regulations to safeguard the sanctity of Buddhism, according to acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday. After meeting the Supreme Patriarch at Wat Ratchabophit yesterday, Mr Phumtham said in the wake of recent scandals which have rocked the monastic community, His Holiness is calling on all Thais to fully commit to protecting the religion. He said the Supreme Patriarch is in favour of reviewing the Sangha Act, which was first enacted in 1962, to ensure its relevance in today's society. "The Supreme Patriarch has also made it clear that action must be taken against monks who violate the monastic code," he said. "His Holiness also supports a plan by authorities to draft new regulations. He called for a thorough review of the Sangha Act to strengthen its provisions." He said that any amendments to the law must be coordinated with the Sangha Supreme Council, but emphasised that the Supreme Patriarch had already set the tone for a stricter and more disciplined approach. The Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, Suchart Tancharoen, echoed the call for reform. He said a working group is studying the Sangha Act to find ways to improve transparency and ensure punishment for misconduct. The reform process is being fast-tracked with input from relevant agencies to ensure the solutions are comprehensive and practical, he said. "We've already begun coordinating with the Ministry of Interior, local administrative bodies, and the national police," Mr Suchart said. "The National Office of Buddhism [NOB] may not have the authority to make arrests, but other agencies can, and everyone is taking this matter seriously. We must act now to protect the faith, and remember that wrongdoing is individual, not institutional." He confirmed he has instructed the NOB to draft the amendments within two weeks. Separately, opposition and People's Party leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, said his party is drafting its own version of the Sangha Act to address transparency in temple finances. He proposed that all donations over 100,000 baht be processed through electronic systems to ensure accountability. Key points in the draft include mandatory digital accounting of temple incomes, the use of e-donation systems for transparency, and strict bans on gambling or unethical conduct involving monks. Disciplinary and legal action will be taken without any exceptions. National Police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch said yesterday that the police have received 69 complaints against monks for misconduct.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Be wary of betting
After the casino initiative, wrapped in a contentious entertainment complex bill, fell flat, the ruling Pheu Thai Party is now touting controversial legislation on legalising online gambling, citing the need to increase state revenues. With a slim majority in parliament, the Pheu Thai-led government coalition last week decided to withdraw the casino bill for fear of unfavourable political consequences had the legislation been shot down in the House. Pheu Thai's attempt to propose legalised online gambling is on the horizon after it took over the interior portfolio from the Bhumjaithai Party, which left the coalition following a series of conflicts with Pheu Thai. As a result, Phumtham Wechayachai became the new interior minister. However, there is speculation that by pushing for an alternative to its casino plan, Pheu Thai is in dire need of a source of funds to prepare for a general election. Indeed, the Pheu Thai-led cabinet started the process early this year. While people focused their attention on the casino complex bill, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society amended various regulations restricting online betting. The issue was put to a public hearing in January and February, and 60% of over 4,300 participants agreed with the changes, while 40% did not. A bill was tentatively expected to be tabled in parliament in June. The Interior Ministry is aiming to issue gambling licences for 23 "traditional activities" like cockfighting, horse racing and boxing. There was also discussion to legalise online baccarat, roulette, blackjack, slot machines and the lottery. The campaign to legalise online gambling has been championed by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. In public, Thaksin has been talking about how underground gambling activities put huge amounts of money -- some 150 billion baht per year -- into the local economic system, and how Thailand could capitalise on this. Thaksin tried to calm those worried about the negative impact, saying the government would put in place strict control mechanisms, including a digital ID system that can verify each gambler's identity and age, as well as a dashboard system to monitor each gambler. The attempt, however, indicates that Thaksin hasn't learnt his lesson. The prospect of legalised gambling will face public disapproval, and this is the real hurdle. It may end up in a similar fashion to the entertainment complex policy. More importantly, preventive mechanisms by the government may not work as intended, as many of the 23 types of games listed under Thailand's anti-gambling law are considered a way of life in several communities, meaning easy access for community members, as this means control, unlike a casino operation, is almost impossible. It's worth mentioning that a study commissioned in 2023 by the Ministry of Public Health found that more than half a million teenagers or those under 20 were involved in gambling. It's very likely that legalisation would see a rise in the number of gamblers, not to mention graft problems involving state authorities. Online betting indeed could be a source of new grey businesses or corruption if provincial governors are appointed as licence issuers. But given the potential backlash against the ruling party, state income in the form of gambling revenue may not be worth it.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Phumtham warns 'idle' officials
Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday warned idle ministry officials that they face the risk of being transferred, and that the reshuffle of positions within the ministry could be finalised this month. Mr Phumtham's warning came as speculation of a reshuffle arose ahead of the transfer season in late September, which is the end of the government fiscal budget year. "Nobody is going to wait until September," Mr Phumtham, who also serves as acting prime minister, told reporters in reference to the repositioning of high-ranking officials within the ministry to match its operational needs. "I have ordered all departments to start working because I want to see everything operational by Oct 1 because there are so many issues at hand," he said. Mr Phumtham said he expects all the changes to be completed by mid-August at the latest. When asked if the deputy permanent secretary for interior, who supervised the revocation of ownership of the Alpine Golf and Sports Club, would be transferred, Mr Phumtham said he would look into this and other cases, including the Khao Kradong land controversy. The Alpine Golf and Sports Club is linked to the Shinawatra family, while parts of the Khao Kradong land are linked to the Chidchob family, a main backer of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), which recently exited the government coalition. If there are grounds to claims of violations of Section 157 of the Criminal Code for malfeasance in office, or if any work duties have been neglected or laws breached, legal action may follow, Mr Phumtham said. Transfers of idle, under-performing or law-breaking staff can proceed immediately if there is sufficient evidence, he said.
