October 14, 2020 Thai Enquirer Summary Political News Fears are rising over the possibility of clashes between anti-monarchy protesters and pro- royal movements today (October 14). The anti-government group or Khana Ratsadon group, that was slated to start at 14:00 hrs today has been changed to 08:00 @ Ratchadamnoen Avenue. Protestors have come out already to start to fill in the area before the authorities cordon it off from protestors.
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October 14, 2020
Thai Enquirer Summary
Political News
Fears are rising over the possibility of clashes between anti-monarchy protesters and pro-
royal movements today (October 14).
The anti-government group or Khana Ratsadon group, that was slated to start at
14:00 hrs today has been changed to 08:00 @ Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Protestors have come out already to start to fill in the area before the authorities
cordon it off from protestors.
Khana Ratsadon launched a campaign in Bangkok’s adjacent province
Nonthaburi yesterday (October 13) to mobilize support among the new
generation, trying to persuade them to join the protest at the Democracy
Monument.
The Khana Ratsadon has already started its rallies as this report is being written
Human Rights lawyer Anon Numpha was on stage earlier this morning
The possibility of a clash seems more likely as
Royalist groups; one led by Dr Rienthong Nanna, Director of Mongkut Wattana
Hospital; one led by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) led by
Suthep Thaugsuban; one led by Suwit Thongprasert, former monk activist known
as Phra Buddha Isara, and the Thai Pakdee (Loyal Thai) group led by former MP
Warong Dechgitvigrom announced to mobilise supporters to hold counter
protests.
Earlier, Dr Rienthong came out to announce plans to clean up all the “trash” in the
city as he referred to anti-monarchy activists and supporters.
The royalist physician said in his Facebook post that he would lead
supporters of the Monarchy to rally at the Royal Plaza today (October 14),
to begin his “national garbage collection” operation.
He said that he could no longer tolerate the Khana Ratsadon protesters and
decided to launch the counter-protest and is ready to face the
consequences.
Suthep--- who led the months-long street protests against the Yingluck
government that triggered the military coup in 2014---announced that he will
mobilize people to show up on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to greet the royal
motorcade of HM the King today (October 14).
In his Facebook post, Suthep urged his supporters to turn up in yellow at
the Royal Pavilion Mahajetsadabadin to welcome the HM King’s
motorcade and to remain there until the King leaves.
Meanwhile more than 15,000 police officers have been deployed to keep the situation
under control.
A scuffle between police officers and anti-government protesters broke out 1 day before a
major anti-government rally scheduled today (October 14) following the arrest of 2
political activists. Among them were Jatupat Boonpattharaksa, aka Pai Dao Din, and
singer-songwriter Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan, known as Ammy of the Bottom Blues
band.
The arrests took place as police officers tried to demolish tents set up by
protesters to clear the rally site in front of McDonalds Restaurant on
Ratchadamnoen Avenue near the Democracy Monument along the route HM the
king is expected to travel for an unrelated royal ceremony.
Police then gathered 20 others including Chaiamorn, put them on the van and
brought them to the headquarters of Region One Border Patrol Police in Klong
Luang, Pathum Thani.
There was a chaotic scene as policemen dragged Jatupat from the top of a pick-up
truck while he was giving a speech about 1 hour before a royal motorcade was
scheduled to pass through the road and bundled him into a police van.
The royal motorcade passed by on the other side of the street. Protesters raised
their hands in the 3-fingered salute of anti-government campaigners and
demanded the release of those detained.
While the 21 activists were still being held in police custody, in the evening, Parit
led several hundred people to stage a protest in front of the police headquarters
and demanded their unconditional release.
Parit then announced to disperse the rally at 20.40 hours in front of the
Royal Police Office as he told protesters to keep energy for today’s
planned rally.
Meanwhile, police announced that it decided to bring 8 charges against 21 activists
including the charges for defying police orders, violating a public gathering law invoked
due to the coronavirus and obstructing traffic and public roads.
After the ceremony on the 4th
anniversary of the passing of King Rama IX was concluded
at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall in the Grand Palace at 19:41 hrs, their Majesties the
King and Queen met people in the rain outside the Grand Palace.
In regards to the arrests of activists, Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn
Juangroonruangkit came out to say on Twitter that, “I disapproved of the arrests by
security officials without arrest warrants”.
Thanathorn raised his objection to the arrests of protest activists, taking them into
custody, dispersing the rally without court-approved arrest warrants. Such
practices violated the rights to freedom of political expression and peaceful
assembly guaranteed by the constitution.
Reports have come out that the Free People Movement has donated 1 million baht from
public donations to the Khana Ratsadon group to finance its anti-government rally
scheduled today.
On its Facebook page, Free People announced support for Khana Ratsadon’s rally
on October 14 although the group is not part of rally organisers who fight for
democracy. To prove its sincerity, Free People announced to pass on 1 million
baht public donations raised during the August 16 rally to help finance Khana
Ratsadon’s rally.
Commenting on the planned reports that the demonstrators would march to Government
House today (October 14), national police chief Suwat Chaengyodsuk came out to say
that police would not give permission for the Khana Ratsadon group to hold rally
overnight, citing that the law prohibited demonstrators from approaching Government
House for at least 50 metres and staying overnight there.
Police also plan to put up fencing barriers and barbed wire to divert protesters’
marching route.
Pol Col Watchawee Thammasema, Superintendent of 4th subdivision of the
Special Branch, who is in charge of security at Government House, said that he
will try to persuade protest leaders not to use Ratchadamnoen Avenue for their
march, but to use the Nakhon Sawan Road instead.
If the protest leaders do not agree, he said that concrete barriers and barbed wire
fencing will be erected at the Chamaimayurachet Bridge, to block the protesters.
He said the protesters will be allowed to use Phitsanuloke Road.
Upon reports of their Majesties the King and Queen’s plan to visit the Temple of
the Emerald Buddha today (October 14) for the graduation ceremony for Pali
scholars, security agencies expect an influx of 40,000 people from Bangkok and
other provinces to gather from the Grand Palace to the Ampornsathan Throne Hall
to witness their audience. Police are reported to set up a checkpoint for the virus
and weapon screening among people entering area.
Economic News
Businesses fear political rallies will deepen the country’s economic woes and derail an
economic recovery.
Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), anti-
government sentiment which has drawn a massive turnout of protesters raised
concern about Thailand’s economic recovery.
Kalin has seen signs of sluggish economic recovery amid rising political
demonstrations. Although there are signs of improved recovery momentum in the
4th
quarter, the TCC chairman said he is particularly concerned by the
unemployment rate. He urged Thais to help bring the country out of the current
economic crisis, rather than stirring up a stunt to create political tensions which
undermined businesses’ confidence and domestic spending.
As for the Khana Ratsadon group’s demand for the resignation of Prime Minister
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, Kalin told protest activists to be reasonable with their
demand. As for demand for Gen Prayut’s resignation, Kalin asked political
activists if they have someone in mind to succeed Gen Prayut.
Stanley Kang, chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand
(JFCCT), said a stable political environment is the key to attracting foreign
businessmen and investors. He said political tension that built up after the
economy was hit by the COVID-19 crisis worsened Thailand’s economic crisis
amid attempts by several parties to bring solutions to economic woes. Kang said
he is keeping a close watch if political demonstrations would have any impact on
the country’s productivity.
The state-owned Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) plans to propose soft
loans for 7 domestic low-cost carriers.
Exim Bank president Pisit Serewiwattana said the bank will forward its plan to
offer soft loans to 7 low-cost airlines to newly appointed Finance Minister
Arkhom Termpittayapaisith to propose to the government.
The bank’s proposal is to offer soft loans to enable the airlines to pay employees
to preserve their employment and pay for fuel. However, the source did not
specify the amount of loans the bank plans to offer to the 7 airlines.
Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is seeking to extend its non-aeronautical business
arms to boost non-aeronautical revenue for the loss-ridden airline.
THAI Catering managing director Varangkana Luerojvong expected the ratio of
revenues from non-aeronautical businesses of the airline comprising catering,
aircraft maintenance and cargo handling to rise from 15 per cent to 50 per cent of
THAI’s total revenues within the next 5 years.
Initially, revenue from catering is expected to rise to 20 billion baht from an
average of 10 billion baht per annum while revenue from aircraft maintenance set
to rise to 15-20 billion baht and cargo services 20 billion baht or a combined 40-
50 billion baht per annum across 3 business units
In 2021, THAI’s catering unit plans to increase the number of franchise outlets to
700 across all brands including the airline’s Puff & Pie bakery and deep fried
dough or “patong-go” and open Royal Orchid Dining Experience restaurants in
overseas destinations like London, Tokyo and several cities in China.
The COVID-19 outbreak that continues to wreak havoc on the economy forced state
enterprises to seek additional liquidity support for the Fiscal Year 2021 (October 2020-
September 2021).
Following the cabinet’s recent approval for management of public debt at 3
trillion baht for the Fiscal Year 2021, it is reported that 12 state enterprises sought
a combined 43.433 billion baht in liquidity boost, with the State Railway of
Thailand (SRT) being the agency that sough a liquidity boost at the highest
amount of 11.5 billion baht, according to a source with the Ministry of Finance.
The new land appraisal prices, used as a base for the land and building tax collection,
may not expand by the previously assessed rate of 8% because of the impact of Covid-19,
says the Treasury Department.
The new land appraisal prices were set to be used between 2020 and 2023, but
have not been implemented because drafting of the organic law of the Land and
Buildings Tax Act has yet to be completed.
The department has adopted land appraisal prices used between 2016 and 2019
temporarily.
It is expected the new land appraisal prices and the revised organic law will be
completed near the end of next year, said deputy director-general Wilawan