PRAYUTH CHAN-OCHA
Should we fear this man?
By THE NATION
Published on January 30, 2010
Why, all of a sudden, does the little-known deputy Army chief attract so much political attention? Poised to replace General Anupong Paochinda and having four years to steer the Army, a coup must be the furthest thing from General Prayuth Chan-ocha's mind at the moment. Avudh Panananda reports
Although General Prayuth Chan-ocha is known to his colleagues as a mild-mannered and staid soldier, the deputy Army chief is being seen - given the backdrop of political turbulence - to have a pivotal role in a coup plot that could alter the course of Thai political history.
Regardless of whether the storyline is a figment of the imagination or an open secret, Prayuth is the man of the hour, with friends and foes alike trying to stake a claim to him as being their own kind, or threatening to destroy him if he refuses to go their way.
The red shirts and a large number of Pheu Thai MPs link him to a coup plot. Their argument is that Prayuth wants to have the door slammed shut on a possible comeback by fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Proponents of this scenario include Pheu Thai's Jatuporn Promphan, Nisit Sinthuprai, Suchart Lainamngern and Surapong Towijakchaikul.
At the other end of the opposition spectrum, a powerful Pheu Thai Party clique - led by Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Chalerm Yoobamrung - has portrayed Prayuth in a different light, harbouring hope of wooing him as an ally.
The Democrats, meanwhile, praise him as a professional soldier dedicated to toeing the line of the government team.
In the eyes of the top brass, Prayuth is the designated heir to Army chief General Anupong Paochinda. Yet the public knows and hears very little about the general who is poised to carry the Army's torch.
Within the Army ranks, Prayuth is a respected commanding officer who has been keeping a low profile.
As a graduate of Pre-Cadet Class 12, Prayuth made a wise choice early in his career by nurturing his professional ties with upperclassman Anupong from Pre-Cadet Class 10.
The two took care to watch each other's backs when they served as the Queen's royal guards in the elite 21st Infantry Regiment in Chon Buri.
When Anupong got a career boost to become the commander of the 2nd Infantry Division in Prachin Buri, Prayuth followed suit like a shadow. There the two were doubly lucky to fall under the good grace of the then Army chief, General Prawit Wongsuwan, who is presently defence minister.
After Anupong received his due promotion as the commanding general of the 1st Army Region, Prayuth again rode on his coattails to climb the military ladder.
Between 2001 and 2005, Thaksin was at the height of his power. Soldiers, particularly his fellow graduates from Pre-Cadet Class 10, were swayed to defend his authoritarian leadership.
Under the military traditions on assignment review, the rise of Pre-Cadet Class 10 automatically eclipsed the careers of those graduated from two classes below, including Prayuth.
If the September 19, 2006 had not happened, Anupong would have been promoted upstairs and Prayuth would have faded into oblivion, as Thaksin had already sensed their wavering loyalty.
The power seizure caused an about-turn of fate in favour of the two. Anupong was catapulted into the centre of power and he brought along his top lieutenant, Prayuth.
During the coup and its aftermath, Anupong was in a precarious position. He could not count on his classmates, as most were linked to Thaksin. He had to wield his clout through Pre-Cadet Class 9's General Montri Sangkhasap.
As the junta was about to pick the Army chief in 2007, Montri joined the race. Prayuth had the rare opportunity to shine by rallying his classmates, who were then division commanders, to back Anupong's leadership.
The Anupong-Prayuth alliance goes way back, and their mutual support is seen as the anchor that makes the Army the way it currently is, both politically and militarily.
With less than nine months to go to Anupong's retirement, the spotlight has obviously been turned on Prayuth. Born in 1954, he would have four years to steer the Army before himself reaching mandatory retirement age. And his long tenure might translate into wide-ranging consequences in the political landscape.
The red shirts and the yellow shirts are both making a lot of noise about Prayuth because they want to smoke him out to show his true colours.
Several coup scenarios, as churned out by the pro-Thaksin camp, have been designed to drive a wedge in the Anupong-Prayuth alliance. A case in point is Jatuporn and Nisit both claiming Prayuth was spearheading a coup plot without the backing of Anupong.
Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn gave his take on a coup, viewing it as an opportunity to trigger an upheaval leading to a complete transformation of the political scene. Under his scenario, the coup would speed up Thaksin's comeback.
However, coalition politicians and the yellow shirts beg to differ. A coup, if it happened, would root out Thaksin's supporters and put him in permanent exile. Although the Democrats stand firm in opposing any attempts at grabbing power, their consolation is that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is said to be on the shortlist to carry on as premier should there be a coup.
The top brass has reportedly made a routine assessment of the situation. Several generals voiced concern that unfolding events could lead to a political meltdown.
The key words here are "political meltdown". Unless this happens, Prayuth will remain on the fence and is free to respond with the scripted answer of "there is no coup".
January 30, 2010
January 25, 2010
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
The Khao Yai Thiang land encroachment case could open a Pandora's box, as thousands of people could be found to be illegally occupying land if the government really gets serious about enforcing the law.
"All of Thailand's jails wouldn't be enough to detain the offenders, if the authorities are serious about handling the cases as they have done with Gen Surayud Chulanont's resort home," said a lawyer who asked not to be named.
"It has to be admitted that Thailand has long had a problem with forest land encroachment and ownership and usage rights in the area."
Many stunning plots of land on mountaintops, in valleys and at seaside spots throughout the country now belong to rich local entrepreneurs, politicians, high-ranking state officials and corporate employees, and not a lot of the land is still owned by farmers.
"Those buyers are in general fully aware of the risk they are taking. They should thus be ready to control their minds once authorities take it back," said the member of the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
A senior forestry official said the problem of encroachment on forest reserves dates back many decades.
Not only landless and poor people as well as landlords have encroached on more than a million rai of forest reserves. Other offenders included monks building permanent Buddhist monasteries, centres, temples and accommodations.
He said the latest survey showed a total of 5,529 monasteries, centres, temples and accommodations covering 190,000 rai in forest reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In 70 cases, mostly in the northeastern provinces, occupants were evicted while others were allowed to remain as long as they helped authorities with forest conservation.
See also:
A place to call your own?
Developers favour title deeds over Nor. Sor. 3
Banks wary of anything less than full title deeds
He said forestry and national park officials had to use a lenient approach to deal with forest encroachment, particularly with farmers who have occupied and used the land for generations, in many cases dating back to the days before the areas were declared reserve land.
As a result, a lot of careful negotiation, understanding and co-operation is required.
In some areas where there is a risk of landslides, authorities can persuade occupants that they should move to safer places that would be allocated for them for living. In areas where there is no risk, authorities might propose that the occupants rent the land and help officials protect against further encroachment by outsiders.
In the case of Khao Yai Thiang, the official said that applying laws to evict thousands of people now living in the reserve, as applied in the case of Gen Surayud, would pose social as well as political problems.
A solution to encroachment would be to let them stay on but pay rent to the state and ensure that their communities serve as a buffer against future encroachment, he said.
In any case, he said, there has to be a law to legalise their occupancy.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said occupants of land in forest reserves and conservation areas covering 8.8 million rai should return their land to the state in February or face prosecution.
He said the government planned to allocate such occupied areas to needy farmers, with allocation expected to be completed over the next two years.
"We want to warn people that existing buying and selling of prevailing Por. Bor. Tor. 5 (land with possessory right recognised only by tax payments at the Local Administrative Office) is illegal, as this type of land is not [an ownership] rights document," said Mr Suwit.
Selling and buying of such documents for land tenure is also illegal under cabinet resolutions passed in 1998 and 1999.
"All of Thailand's jails wouldn't be enough to detain the offenders, if the authorities are serious about handling the cases as they have done with Gen Surayud Chulanont's resort home," said a lawyer who asked not to be named.
"It has to be admitted that Thailand has long had a problem with forest land encroachment and ownership and usage rights in the area."
Many stunning plots of land on mountaintops, in valleys and at seaside spots throughout the country now belong to rich local entrepreneurs, politicians, high-ranking state officials and corporate employees, and not a lot of the land is still owned by farmers.
"Those buyers are in general fully aware of the risk they are taking. They should thus be ready to control their minds once authorities take it back," said the member of the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
A senior forestry official said the problem of encroachment on forest reserves dates back many decades.
Not only landless and poor people as well as landlords have encroached on more than a million rai of forest reserves. Other offenders included monks building permanent Buddhist monasteries, centres, temples and accommodations.
He said the latest survey showed a total of 5,529 monasteries, centres, temples and accommodations covering 190,000 rai in forest reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In 70 cases, mostly in the northeastern provinces, occupants were evicted while others were allowed to remain as long as they helped authorities with forest conservation.
See also:
A place to call your own?
Developers favour title deeds over Nor. Sor. 3
Banks wary of anything less than full title deeds
He said forestry and national park officials had to use a lenient approach to deal with forest encroachment, particularly with farmers who have occupied and used the land for generations, in many cases dating back to the days before the areas were declared reserve land.
As a result, a lot of careful negotiation, understanding and co-operation is required.
In some areas where there is a risk of landslides, authorities can persuade occupants that they should move to safer places that would be allocated for them for living. In areas where there is no risk, authorities might propose that the occupants rent the land and help officials protect against further encroachment by outsiders.
In the case of Khao Yai Thiang, the official said that applying laws to evict thousands of people now living in the reserve, as applied in the case of Gen Surayud, would pose social as well as political problems.
A solution to encroachment would be to let them stay on but pay rent to the state and ensure that their communities serve as a buffer against future encroachment, he said.
In any case, he said, there has to be a law to legalise their occupancy.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti said occupants of land in forest reserves and conservation areas covering 8.8 million rai should return their land to the state in February or face prosecution.
He said the government planned to allocate such occupied areas to needy farmers, with allocation expected to be completed over the next two years.
"We want to warn people that existing buying and selling of prevailing Por. Bor. Tor. 5 (land with possessory right recognised only by tax payments at the Local Administrative Office) is illegal, as this type of land is not [an ownership] rights document," said Mr Suwit.
Selling and buying of such documents for land tenure is also illegal under cabinet resolutions passed in 1998 and 1999.
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
Surayud pulls down house
250 Khao Yai Thiang families fear same fate
* Published: 22/01/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Bangkok Post
Privy councillor Surayud Chulanont has begun moving out of his resort home on Khao Yai Thiang after authorities confirmed he was not entitled to occupy the forest land.
Suthep Pawareswitayalan, above, director of the Forest ResourceManagement Office, points to forest areas on Khao Yai Thiang.Heand Cholathis Suraswadi, deputydirector-general of the Royal Forest Department, right, are investigating the illegal occupation of land on the mountain which was intended for landless farmers.
Six-wheeler trucks were seen entering the home's compound yesterday afternoon and then leaving again with piles of wood, a roof structure and a water tank.
One villager said Gen Surayud had started moving his belongings on Wednesday.
The Royal Forest Department has informed Gen Surayud officially in writing he has 30 days to vacate his home and dismantle all structures.
Department deputy chief Cholathis Suraswadi said the letter was sent to Gen Surayud on Wednesday. It states he has no legal grounds to the land in line with a 1975 cabinet resolution allocating the forest land to landless farmers.
"It means he must return the land to the department within 30 days," said Mr Cholathis, who inspected the Khao Yai Thiang land in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
Gen Surayud has 15 days to appeal against the department's decision.
Mr Cholathis said the department would drop a criminal case against Gen Surayud because he had not been found guilty of encroaching on the forest.
But the general may be subject to a civil suit. The department will investigate to see if his occupation of the land had damaged it in any way.
The Royal Forest Department insists the land occupied by Gen Surayud came under the forest village programme of 1975 under which land was distributed to landless people on the condition it could not be transferred to anyone other than a legal heir.
Asix-wheel truck loaded with personal belongings is seen leaving privy councillor Surayud Chulanont’s holidayhomeon Khao Yai Thiang. JETJARAS NARANONG
Gen Surayud initially had about 21 rai on Khao Yai Thiang but it allegedly "grew" over the years.
Many other owners of Khao Yai Thiang property are thought to occupy land in contravention of the cabinet resolution.
Suthep Phavareswityaral, chief of a subcommittee investigating land transfers at Khao Yai Thiang, said a premliminary examination had found only two tracts of land were still in the hands of the original owners.
His inquiry is expected to come up with a full survey on the land ownership by early next month.
Uthai Sangchanthuek, head of tambon Khlong Phai in Sikhiu district, said the order evicting Gen Surayud had raised concerns among the more than 250 families who live in two villages on the mountain.
They are not sure about the legal status of the land they occupy. Each family has about 14 rai of land granted to them by the Royal Forest Department for farming.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti yesterday said Gen Surayud's case was an example for other illegal land occupants to follow by returning their land to the state. The occupants must return the land or face prosecution for intentionally taking over land in a forest reserve.
A source said the Royal Forest Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation were now seeking to take legal action against the owner of Soi Dao Highland Golf Club and Resort in Chanthaburi for encroaching on 400 rai of Khao Soi Dao wildlife sanctuary and forest reserve.
The golf course covers 4,000 rai.
250 Khao Yai Thiang families fear same fate
* Published: 22/01/2010 at 12:00 AM
* Bangkok Post
Privy councillor Surayud Chulanont has begun moving out of his resort home on Khao Yai Thiang after authorities confirmed he was not entitled to occupy the forest land.
Suthep Pawareswitayalan, above, director of the Forest ResourceManagement Office, points to forest areas on Khao Yai Thiang.Heand Cholathis Suraswadi, deputydirector-general of the Royal Forest Department, right, are investigating the illegal occupation of land on the mountain which was intended for landless farmers.
Six-wheeler trucks were seen entering the home's compound yesterday afternoon and then leaving again with piles of wood, a roof structure and a water tank.
One villager said Gen Surayud had started moving his belongings on Wednesday.
The Royal Forest Department has informed Gen Surayud officially in writing he has 30 days to vacate his home and dismantle all structures.
Department deputy chief Cholathis Suraswadi said the letter was sent to Gen Surayud on Wednesday. It states he has no legal grounds to the land in line with a 1975 cabinet resolution allocating the forest land to landless farmers.
"It means he must return the land to the department within 30 days," said Mr Cholathis, who inspected the Khao Yai Thiang land in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday.
Gen Surayud has 15 days to appeal against the department's decision.
Mr Cholathis said the department would drop a criminal case against Gen Surayud because he had not been found guilty of encroaching on the forest.
But the general may be subject to a civil suit. The department will investigate to see if his occupation of the land had damaged it in any way.
The Royal Forest Department insists the land occupied by Gen Surayud came under the forest village programme of 1975 under which land was distributed to landless people on the condition it could not be transferred to anyone other than a legal heir.
Asix-wheel truck loaded with personal belongings is seen leaving privy councillor Surayud Chulanont’s holidayhomeon Khao Yai Thiang. JETJARAS NARANONG
Gen Surayud initially had about 21 rai on Khao Yai Thiang but it allegedly "grew" over the years.
Many other owners of Khao Yai Thiang property are thought to occupy land in contravention of the cabinet resolution.
Suthep Phavareswityaral, chief of a subcommittee investigating land transfers at Khao Yai Thiang, said a premliminary examination had found only two tracts of land were still in the hands of the original owners.
His inquiry is expected to come up with a full survey on the land ownership by early next month.
Uthai Sangchanthuek, head of tambon Khlong Phai in Sikhiu district, said the order evicting Gen Surayud had raised concerns among the more than 250 families who live in two villages on the mountain.
They are not sure about the legal status of the land they occupy. Each family has about 14 rai of land granted to them by the Royal Forest Department for farming.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti yesterday said Gen Surayud's case was an example for other illegal land occupants to follow by returning their land to the state. The occupants must return the land or face prosecution for intentionally taking over land in a forest reserve.
A source said the Royal Forest Department and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation were now seeking to take legal action against the owner of Soi Dao Highland Golf Club and Resort in Chanthaburi for encroaching on 400 rai of Khao Soi Dao wildlife sanctuary and forest reserve.
The golf course covers 4,000 rai.
January 22, 2010
Thailand: 2006 Election Results
KINGDOM OF THAILAND
LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS OF 2 APRIL 2006
==============================================================================
Elections to the Sapha Poothaen Rassadorn (House of Representatives)
Source: Electoral Commission of Thailand, media websites
Parties
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* TRT - Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais)
The House of Representatives consists of 400 members elected from single-
member constituencies and 100 elected by nationwide proportional
representation.
Under Thai electoral law voters may cat a "No vote" - this is counted as a
valid vote.
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SEATS
==============================================================================
Registered voters 44,909,562
Total votes cast 29,088,209 64.8
Invalid votes 1,680,101 05.8
Valid votes 27,408,108 94.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Party Votes % Seats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thais Love Thais (TRT) 16,420,755 59.9 100
Others 1,935,647 07.1 -
"No vote" 9,051,706 33.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 27,408,108 100
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No other party gained the 5% of valid votes required to gain proportional
representation seats.
CONSTITUENCY SEATS
==============================================================================
Registered voters 44,778,628
Total votes cast 28,998,364 64.8
Invalid votes 3,778,981 13.0
Valid votes 25,219,383 87.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Party Votes % sEATS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thais Love Thais (TRT) 15,341,313 60.8 361
Others 267,196 01.1 -
"No vote" 9,610,874 38.1
Vacant 39
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 25,219,383 400
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The total votes cast for TRT and for "others" are estimates based on media
websites.
SUMMARY OF SEATS
==============================================================================
Party Proprtional Constituency Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thais Love Thais (TRT) 100 361 461 +84
Others - - -
Vacant - 39 39
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 100 400 500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Of the constituency seats, TRT has won every seat except the following:
Chumphon 1 and 3
Krabi 1, 2 and 3
Nakhon Si Thammarat 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8
Narathiwat 1, 2 and 4
Nonthaburi 3 (no eligible candidate)
Pattani 1 and 2
Phang Nga 1
Phattalung 2 and 3
Phetchaburi 1
Phuket 1 and 2
Prachuap Khiri Khan 3
Satun 1
Songkhla 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8
Surat Thani 3, 4 and 6
Trang 1, 2 and 4
Yala 1 and 3
Thailand: 2005 Election Results
KINGDOM OF THAILAND
LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS OF 6 FEBRUARY 2005
==============================================================================
Elections to the Sapha Poothaen Rassadorn (House of Representatives)
Source: Electoral Commission of Thailand
(c/o Adam Carr)
Parties
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* PCT - Pak Chart Thai (Thai Nation Party)
* PM – Pak Mahachon (Great People Party)
* PP - Pak Prachatipat (Democratic Party)
* TRT - Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais)
The House of Representatives consists of 400 members elected from single-
member constituencies and 100 elected by nationwide proportional
representation.
Eligible voters: 44,572,101
Votes cast: 32,341,330 72.6
Invalid votes: 1,293,107 04.0
Valid votes: 31,048,223 96.0
(These figures are from the Election Commission website)
NATIONAL SUMMARY OF VOTES AND SEATS
==============================================================================
Party Votes % Change Seats
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democratic Party (PP) 4,018,286 16.1 (-10.5) 70 26 96 -32
Great People Party (PM) 1,460,095 05.9 2 - 2
Thai Nation Party (PCT) 4,041,232 16.2 (+10.9) 18 7 25 -10
Thais Love Thais (TRT) 14,077,711 56.4 (+15.8) 310 67 377 +129
Others 1,350,013 05.4 - - - -87
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 24,947,337 400 100 500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vote totals for each party are those given at the Election Commission
website. I do not believe they are accurate, because the Thai Nation Party
could not have won 16.2% of the vote and won only seven proportional seats.
The sharp increase in the TNP vote shown by these figures was not reported in
any media I have seen. My suspicion is that the "4" at the beginning of the
TNP vote total is a misprint for a "1" or a "2". Until I locate constituency
figures I cannot resolve this.
Angus Reid Consultants give the following party vote totals: Thai Love Thais
60.47%, Democrat Party 18.08%, Thai Nation Party 11.37%, Great People Party
8.26%, but give no source for these figures.
A Thai website (http://www.manager.co.th) gives the following figures for the
proportional representation vote:
Party Votes %
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democratic Party (PP) 7,066,000 23.2
Thai Nation Party (PCT) 2,039,000 06.7
Great People Party (PM) 1,152,308 03.8
Thais Love Thais (TRT) 18,896,000 62.2
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total 30,389,764
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This may be a more accurate reflection of the national vote.
Constituency Breakdown
Thailand: 2001 Election Results
KINGDOM OF THAILAND
LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS OF 6 JANUARY 2001
Elections to the Sapha Poothaen Rassadorn (House of
Representatives)
Source: Bangkok Post website
(c/o--Adam Carr)
Parties
---------------------------------------------------------
* PCP (Pak Chart Patthana) National Development Party
* PCT (Pak Chart Thai) Thai Nation Party
* PKS (Pak Kit Sangkhom) Social Action Party
* PKWM (Pak Khwam Wang Mai) New Aspiration Party
* PP (Pak Prachatipat) Democratic Party
* PST (Pak Seri Tham) Justice and Freedom Party
* TRT (Thai Rak Thai) Thais Love Thais
The House of Representatives consists of 400 members
elected from single-member constituences and 100 members
elected from national party lists on a proportional
basis.
MEMBERS ELECTED FROM NATIONAL PARTY LISTS (100)
=============================================
Thai Rak Thai (TRT): 48 members
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Thaksin Shinawatra
2 Purachai Piemsomboon
3 Somkid Chatusripitak
4 Uthai Pimchaichon
5 Adisai Potharamik
6 Sudarat Keyuraphan
7 Suvit Khunkitti
8 Pitak Intharawitthayanan
9 Pongpol Adireksarn
10 Pracha Maleenond
11 Surakiarti Sathirathai
12 Suriya Rungruengkit
13 Sora-ath Klinprathum
14 Chamlong Krutkhunthod
15 Chaturon Chaisaeng
16 Yuthasak Sasiprapa
17 Chettha Thanajaro
18 Sanoh Thienthong
19 Thammarak Issarangkul na Ayuthaya
20 Sutham Saengprathum
21 Somsak Thepsuthin
22 Pongthep Thepkachana
23 Polkit Hongthong
24 Boonchu Trithong
25 Pramuan Ruchanaseri
26 Chaiyos Sasomsap
27 Prayuth Mahakitsiri
28 Warathep Rattanakorn
29 Laddawan Wongsriwong
30 Adisorn Piengket
31 Preecha Laohapongchai
32 Vichet Kasemthongsri
33 Piyanat Watcharaporn
34 Suchart Chaovisit
35 Ravee Hiranchote
36 Charinrat Putthapuan
37 Sukhum Laowansiri
38 Viset Jaiyai
39 Sermsak Karun
40 Phumin Leethiratprasert
41 Phicharn Pibulvatthanawong
42 Pornsak Charoenprasert
43 Chusak Aekthong
44 Vivatthanachai na Kalasin
45 Suthin Klangsaeng
46 Surachai Baojanya
47 Yuthasil Thapanakul
48 Veerachai Veerametheekul
Democrat Party (PP): 31 members
---------------------------------------------------------
49 Chuan Leekpai
50 Banyat Bantadtan
51 Abhisit Vejjajiva
52 Therdpong Chaiyanand
53 Arthit Ourairat
54 Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda
55 Suthep Thaugsuban
56 Suthas Ngernmuen
57 Trairong Suwankhiri
58 Anant Anantrakul
59 Ekkamol Kiriwat
60 Marut Bunnag
61 Vijit Srisa-an
62 Mahidol Chantharangkul
63 Wannarat Kotcharat
64 Jurin Laksanavisit
65 Nibhon Promphan
66 Kobsak Sabavasu
67 Kalaya Sophonpanich
68 Surin Pitsuwan
69 Paitoon Kaewthong
70 Arkapol Sorasuchart
71 Samphan Thongsamak
72 Sathit Wongnongtoey
73 Anchalee Theppabutr
74 Pornsek Kanchanacharee
75 Phothipong Lamsam
76 Savit Bhodivihok
77 Anek Laothamthat
78 Pornvuth Sarasin
79 Sansern Samalapa
New Aspiration Party (PKWM): eight members
---------------------------------------------------------
80 Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
81 Wan Muhammad Nor Matha
82 Sukavich Rangsitpol
83 Chalerm Yubamrung
84 Chingchai Mongkoltham
85 Dr Nimit Nonthaphanthavast
86 Pichet Sathirachaval
87 Sulaimal Wongpanich
National Development Party (PCP): seven members
---------------------------------------------------------
88 Korn Dabbaransi
89 Suvat Liptapanlop
90 Pracha Promnok
91 Pavena Hongsakula
92 Vinai Sompong
93 Goanpot Asavinvijit
94 Prapass Limpaphan
Thai Nation Party (PCT): six members
---------------------------------------------------------
95 Kasemsamosorn Kasemsri
96 Viroj Saengsanit
97 Dej Boonlong
98 Sonthaya Khunpluem
99 Kobsak Chutikul
100 Janistar Liewchalermwong
CONSTITUENCY WINNERS BY DISTRICT
=========================================================
CENTRAL: 27 provinces 132 seats
=========================================================
ANG THONG (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Viroj Pao-in (PCT)
2 Somsak Prisanananthakul (PCT)
AYUTTHAYA (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kuakul Danchaivijit (TRT)
2 Pong Chiwanant (TRT)
3 Suvimol Phancharoenvorakul (TRT)
4 Withaya Buranasiri (TRT)
5 Boonphan Kaewattana (TRT)
BANGKOK (37 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Siri Wangboonkerd (TRT)
2 Krisada Sajjakul (TRT)
3 Lalita Rirksamran (TRT)
4 Kannikar Thammakesorn (TRT)
5 Prachuab Ungpakorn (TRT)
6 Sukhumbhand Paribatra (PP)
7 Charoen Kanthawaong (PP)
8 Somkiat Chanthavanich (PP)
9 Sitha Thivaree (TRT)
10 Issara Soonthornwat (PP)
11 Piraphan Salirathawipak (PP)
12 Chalermchai Jinawijarana (TRT)
13 Suppamas Isarapakdi (TRT)
14 Damrongdis Disakul (TRT)
15 Ruaylarp Iamthong (TRT)
16 Anusorn Panthong (TRT)
17 Pramont Kunakasem (TRT)
18 Puwanida Khunpalin (TRT)
19 Pimol Srivikorn (TRT)
20 Re-election
21 Tawatchai Sajjakul (TRT)
22 Pattrasak Osathanukhroh (TRT)
23 Sansanee Narkpong (TRT)
24 Wattana Sengpairoh (TRT)
25 Mongkol Kimsoonchan (TRT)
26 Vicharn Minchainant (TRT)
27 Anek Hutangkabadi (TRT)
28 Pramote Sukhum (PP)
29 Phimuk Simaroj (TRT)
30 Ong-art Klampaibul (PP)
31 Pitipong Temcharoen (TRT)
32 Vilas Chanthapitak (PP)
33 Suwat Muangsiri (TRT)
34 Suwat Wannasirikul (TRT)
35 Sakol Muangsiri (TRT)
36 Sutha Chanseang (TRT)
37 Sawaeng Rirkcharun (TRT)
CHACHOENGSAO (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anant Chaisaeng (TRT)
2 Itthi Sirilathayakorn (PCP)
3 Suchart Tancharoen (PKWM)
4 Wuthipong Chaisaeng (TRT)
CHAI NAT (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anucha Nakasai (TRT)
2 Monthien Songpracha (PCT)
CHANTHABURI (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thawatchai Anampong (PCP)
2 Komkai Polabut (PP)
3 Pongvej Vejjajiva(TRT)
CHON BURI (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sa-nga Thanasanguanwong (PCT)
2 Vidthaya Khunpluem (PCT)
3 Somchai Sahachairungrueng (PCT)
4 Surasit Nitiwutvoraluck (PCT)
5 Itthipol Khunpluem (PCT)
6 Charnsak Chavalitnititham (PCT)
7 Roj Wiphatpumiprathet (TRT)
KANCHANABURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Santhad Jinapak (TRT)
3 Re-election
4 Re-election
5 Re-election
LOP BURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Natthapol Kiatvinaisakul (TRT)
2 Pongsak Vorapanya (TRT)
3 Kamol Chirapanwanich (PCT)
4 Amnuay Klangpa (TRT)
5 Niyom Vorapanya (TRT)
NAKHON NAYOK (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
NAKHON PATHOM (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Prasan Boonmee (TRT)
2 Charnchai Pathummarak (TRT)
3 Pornsak Piemkla (TRT)
4 Chaiya Sasomsap (TRT)
5 Padermchai Sasomsap (TRT)
NONTHABURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Udomdej Ratanasathien (TRT)
2 Nithat Srinond (TRT)
3 Pimpa Chanprasong (TRT)
4 Apiwan Viriyachai (TRT)
5 Suchart Bandasak (TRT)
PATHUM THANI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Surapong Ungampornvilai (PCP)
2 Ekapote Panyaem (PP)
3 Sumet Ritthakanee (TRT)
4 Likit Moodee (TRT)
PHETCHABURI (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Alongkorn Polbutr (PP)
2 Thani Yisarn (TRT)
3 Apichart Supapaeng (PP)
PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Montri Pannoinon (PP)
2 Chalermchai Sri-on (PP)
3 Payao Pultharat (PP)
PRACHIN BURI (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sunthorn Vilawan (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Woravut Pumakanchana (TRT)
RATCHABURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Vivat Nitikanchana (TRT)
3 Prapaiphan Sengprasert (PP)
4 Vijai Wattanaprasit (PP)
5 Boonlue Prasertsopha (TRT)
RAYONG (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sathit Pitutaycha (PP)
2 Sin Khumpha (TRT)
3 Piya Pitutaycha (PCT)
SA KAEW (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thanit Thienthong (TRT)
2 Trinut Thienthong (TRT)
3 Vitthaya Thienthong (TRT)
SAMUT PRAKAN (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Wallop Yangtrong (TRT)
2 Prasert Denapalai (TRT)
3 Pracha Prasopdee (TRT)
4 Chiraphan Limsakulsirirat (TRT)
5 Salinthip Chaisadom (TRT)
6 Re-election
SAMUT SONGKHRAM (1 MP)
=========================================================
1 Rangsima Rodrasmee (PP)
SAMUT SAKHON (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anek Thapsuwan (PP)
2 Sutham Rahong (PP)
3 Udom Kraiwatnussorn (PKWM)
SARABURI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Ngern Boonsupa (TRT)
2 Yongyos Adireksarn (TRT)
3 Somchai Sunthornwat (TRT)
4 Veerapol Adireksarn (TRT)
SING BURI (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Chaiwut Thanakananusorn (PP)
2 Payap Panket (TRT)
SUPHAN BURI (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Varawut Silpa-archa (PCT)
2 Kanchana Silpa-archa (PCT)
3 Natthawut Prasertsuwan (PCT)
4 Banharn Silpa-archa (PCT)
5 Prapat Pothasuthon (PCT)
6 Jongchai Thiengtham (PCT)
TRAT (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Boonsong Kaiket (PP)
2 Thira Salakpet (PP)
UTHAI THANI (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thiraphan Veerayutwattana (PCT)
2 Noppadol Polsen (PCT)
NORTH: 16 provinces 76 seats
=========================================================
CHIANG MAI (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pakorn Buranapakorn (TRT)
2 Yaowapa Wongsawat (TRT)
3 Boonsong Teriyapirom (TRT)
4 Re-election
5 Pornchai Atthapiyangkul (TRT)
6 Noppakul Rathpathai (TRT)
7 Surapol Kiatchaiyakorn (TRT)
8 Panintra Pakkasem (TRT)
9 Yongyuth Suwaparp (PP)
10 Santi Tansuhat (TRT)
CHIANG RAI (8 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Samart Kaewmechai (TRT)
2 Sarit Ung-apinan (TRT)
3 Thavon Triratnarong (TRT)
4 Visan Techateerawat (TRT)
5 Re-election
6 Yongyuth Tiyapairat (TRT)
7 Ittidej Kaewluang (TRT)
8 Buasorn Prachamon (TRT)
KAMPHAENG PHET (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Preecha Musikul (PP)
2 Kaneung Thaiprasit (TRT)
3 Weipoj Arpornrat (TRT)
4 Sanan Sabaimuang (TRT)
5 Thawil Rirkrai (TRT)
LAMPANG (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Piroj Lohsunthorn (TRT)
2 Chinda Wongsawat (TRT)
3 Re-election
4 Pinit Chanthasurin (TRT)
5 Re-election
LAMPHUN (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Apaporn Putthapuan (TRT)
2 Sa-nguan Pongmanee (TRT)
3 Songchai Wongsawat (PP)
MAE HONG SON (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Panya Jinakham (PP)
2 Somboon Praiwan (TRT)
NAKHON SAWAN (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pinyo Niroj (PCT)
2 Kasem Pan-udomlak (PP)
3 Somkuan Oborm (PCT)
4 Sanchai Wongsunthorn (TRT)
5 Maytri Chartjindarat (TRT)
6 Banyin Tangpakorn (TRT)
7 Niroj Sunthornlekha (PCT)
NAN (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Khamron na Lamphun (PP)
2 Cholanan Srikaew (TRT)
3 Wallop Supeeyasil (TRT)
PHAYAO (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Arunee Chamnanya (TRT)
2 Wisut Chainarun (TRT)
3 Kriangkrai Chaiyamonkol (TRT)
PHETCHABUN (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Surasak Anakaphan (TRT)
3 Thaweesak Anakaphan (TRT)
4 Narongkorn Chawansantati (TRT)
5 Kitthikun Nakhabutr (TRT)
6 Kaew Buasuwan (PKWM)
7 Paisal Chantarapakdee (TRT)
PHITSANULOK (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pitak Santiwongdecha (PP)
2 Pisanu Polawei (TRT)
3 Mayura Manasikan (TRT)
4 Suchon Champhunoj (TRT)
5 Nakorn Machim (PP)
6 Veera Patamasiriwat (TRT)
PHRAE (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Tosaporn Sereerak (TRT)
2 Siriwan Prassachaksatru (PP)
3 Worawat Uea-apinyakul (TRT)
PHICHIT (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pradit Pataraprasit (PP)
2 Re-election
3 Siriwat Kachornprasart (PP)
4 Adul Boonset (TRT)
SUKHOTHAI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anongwan Thepsutin (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Somchet Limpraphan (PCP)
4 Re-election
TAK (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thanon Tantisunthorn (PP)
2 Chaiwuth Bannawat (PP)
3 Thanitphon Chaiyanant (PP)
UTTARADIT (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kritsana Srihalak (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Thanusak Lek-utai (TRT)
NORTHEAST: 19 provinces 138 seats
=========================================================
AMNAT CHAROEN (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thirachai Sirikhan (PKWM)
2 Paisal Chanthawara (PP)
BURI RAM (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Karuna Chidchob (PCT)
3 Saksayam Chidchob (PCT)
4 Surasak Nakdee (TRT)
5 Re-election
6 Sophon Saran (PCT)
7 Prakit Poladej (TRT)
8 Re-election
9 Re-election
10 Songsak Thongsri(TRT)
CHAIYAPHUM (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Chavalit Mahachan (TRT)
3 Kamsueng Prapakornkaewrat (TRT)
4 Wuthichai Sa-nguanwongchai (PCP)
5 Re-election
6 Charoen Chankomol (TRT)
7 Suravit Khonsomboon (PST)
KALASIN (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sukhumpong Ngonkham (TRT)
2 Orradi Suthasri (PCT)
3 Vidthaya Phumlaochaeng (TRT)
4 Pirapet Sirikul (PKWM)
5 Boonruen Sritharet (TRT)
6 Prasert Boonrueng (PKWM)
KHON KAEN (11 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Charkrin Patdamrongkij (TRT)
2 Prachak Kaewklaharn (TRT)
3 Natronglert Surapol (PKS)
4 Re-election
5 Phum Sarapol (TRT)
6 Re-election
7 Suchai Srisurapol (TRT)
8 Somsak Khun-ngern (PST)
9 Re-election
10 Re-election
11 Premsak Piayura (PKWM)
LOEI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Tossaphon Sangkasub (TRT)
2 Thanapol Timsuwan (TRT)
3 Re-election
4 Suvit Yothongyos (PST)
MAHA SARAKHAM (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thonglor Polkote (TRT)
2 Chaiwat Tinrat (TRT)
3 Yuthapong Charassathien (PP)
4 Charnchai Chairungrueng (TRT)
5 Kusumawadee Sirikomut (TRT)
6 Re-election
MUKDAHAN (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pramualsin Pokesawat (PST)
2 Lawan Tantikulpong (TRT)
NAKHON PHANOM (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
3 Mongkol Buppasiri (PKWM)
4 Re-election
5 Suphachai Phosu (PKWM)
NAKHON RATCHASIMA (17 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Wannarat Charnnukul (PCP)
3 Pravit Rattanapien (PCP)
4 Prateep Kreethavej (PCP)
5 Pitsinee Mungfakklang (TRT)
6 Re-election
7 Re-election
8 Pairote Suwanchawee (TRT)
9 Re-election
10 Re-election
11 Somsak Phankasem (PCP)
12 Somchai Pretprasert (TRT)
13 Prasert Chanruangthong (TRT)
14 Re-election
15 Re-election
16 Somsak Somklang (PCP)
17 Re-election
NONG BUA LAM PHU (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kittisak Hatthasongkroh (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Vichai Samit (TRT)
NONG KHAI (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pongpan Sunthornchai (TRT)
2 Prasit Chanthathong (TRT)
3 Ekthanut Inrod (TRT)
4 Tewarit Nikornthep (TRT)
5 Re-election
6 Niphon Konekayan (TRT)
ROI-ET (9 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sanit Wongsaktanapong (PST)
2 Re-election
3 Re-election
4 Ekaparp Polsue (PST)
5 Nirand Namuangrak (TRT)
6 Nisit Sinthupai (PKWM)
7 Kitti Somsap (TRT)
8 Sakda Kongpet (TRT)
9 Re-election
SAKON NAKHON (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Chalermchai Urankul (PKWM)
3 Narisorn Thongtiras (PCT)
4 Sakhon Prompakdi (PST)
5 Pongsak Boonsol (TRT)
6 Seri Saranant (TRT)
7 Kasem Utara (PKWM)
SI SA KET (9 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Boonchong Veesommai (PKWM)
2 Pitthaya Boonchaleo (PKWM)
3 Wiwatchai Hotarawaisaya (PCT)
4 Chaturong Pengnoraphat (TRT)
5 Danairit Watcharaporn (TRT)
6 Tin Wongplang (PCT)
7 Re-election
8 Manop Charasdamrongnit (TRT)
9 Re-election
SURIN (9 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Chuchai Mungcharoenporn (TRT)
2 Thirachote Kongthong (PCT)
3 Farida Sulaiman (TRT)
4 Re-election
5 Pradut Manmai (TRT)
6 Supalak Kuanha (TRT)
7 Re-election
8 Seksan Saenphum (TRT)
9 Teeyai Phoonsritanakul (TRT)
UDON THANI (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sarawut Petpanomporn (PCP)
2 Atthapol Sanitwongchai (TRT)
3 Wichai Chaijitwanitkul (PCP)
4 Thirayuth Wanitchang (TRT)
5 Chaiyos Jiramethakorn (PP)
6 Thongdee Manitsarn (TRT)
7 Thirachai Saenkaew (TRT)
8 Torpong Chaiyasan (PST)
9 Tharapong Leelawong (PST)
10 Surachart Chamnansin (PST)
UBON RATCHATHANI (11 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
3 Witoon Nambutr (TRT)
4 Re-election
5 Chuvit Pitakpornpallop (TRT)
6 Re-election
7 Adisak Pokkulkanond (TRT)
8 Poonsawat Hotrawaisaya (TRT)
9 Suchart Tantivanichanont (TRT)
10 Re-election
11 Chatri Piriyakitpaibul (TRT)
YASOTHON (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
3 Re-election
4 Visant Dejsen (PKWM)
SOUTH: 14 provinces 54 seats
=========================================================
KRABI (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Arkom Engchuan (PP)
2 Pichet Phanvichartkul (PP)
CHUMPHON (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sirisak Onlamai (PP)
2 Suchart Kaewnapo (PP)
3 Suwaroj Palang (PP)
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Huwadiya Pitsuwan (PP)
2 Surachet Masadit (PP)
3 Narissa Adithepvoraphan (PP)
4 Manoj Vichaikul (PP)
5 Chinaworn Boonyakiat (PP)
6 Tripol Jorjit (PP)
7 Prakob Rattanaphan (PP)
8 Chamni Sakdiset (PP)
9 Apichart Karikan (PP)
10 Vitthaya Kaewparadai (PP)
NARATHIWAT (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pornpit Pattanakullert (PP)
2 Re-election
3 Najjamudin Uma (PKWM)
4 Re-election
PATTANI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Weiroj Pipitpakdi (PP)
2 Jeh Isamaair Jehmong (PP)
3 Sommart Jehna (PP)
4 Muk Sulaiman (PKWM)
PHANG-NGA (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kantawan Kuljanyavivat (PP)
2 Julit Laksanavisit (PP)
PHATTHALUNG (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Suphat Thammapet (PP)
2 Nipit Intharasombat (PP)
3 Naris Kamnurak (PP)
PHUKET (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Suwit Sa-ngiamkul (PP)
2 Chalermlak Kebsub (PP)
RANONG (1 MP)
=========================================================
1 Wirat Romyen (PP)
SONGKHLA (8 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Jua Rachasi (PP)
2 Lapsak Laparojkit (PP)
3 Prai Pattano (PP)
4 Vinai Senniem (PP)
5 Nibhon Bunyamanee (PP)
6 Tavorn Senniem (PP)
7 Sirichoke Sopa (PP)
8 Vichit Suwit (PP)
SATUN (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thanin Jaisamut (PP)
2 Sanan Suthakul (PP)
SURAT THANI (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Komet Kwanmuang (PP)
2 Pravit Nilwatcharamanee (PP)
3 Chumpol Kanchana (PP)
4 Shane Thaughsuban (PP)
5 Sinit Lertkrai (PP)
6 Nipa Pringsulaka (PP)
TRANG (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Suwan Kusujarit (PP)
2 Tawee Suraban (PP)
3 Somchai Losathapornpipit (PP)
4 Somboon Uthaiwiankul (PP)
YALA (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Prasert Pongsuwansiri (PP)
2 Paisal Yingsaman (PKWM)
3 Burahanudin Useng (PKWM)
LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS OF 6 JANUARY 2001
Elections to the Sapha Poothaen Rassadorn (House of
Representatives)
Source: Bangkok Post website
(c/o--Adam Carr)
Parties
---------------------------------------------------------
* PCP (Pak Chart Patthana) National Development Party
* PCT (Pak Chart Thai) Thai Nation Party
* PKS (Pak Kit Sangkhom) Social Action Party
* PKWM (Pak Khwam Wang Mai) New Aspiration Party
* PP (Pak Prachatipat) Democratic Party
* PST (Pak Seri Tham) Justice and Freedom Party
* TRT (Thai Rak Thai) Thais Love Thais
The House of Representatives consists of 400 members
elected from single-member constituences and 100 members
elected from national party lists on a proportional
basis.
MEMBERS ELECTED FROM NATIONAL PARTY LISTS (100)
=============================================
Thai Rak Thai (TRT): 48 members
---------------------------------------------------------
1 Thaksin Shinawatra
2 Purachai Piemsomboon
3 Somkid Chatusripitak
4 Uthai Pimchaichon
5 Adisai Potharamik
6 Sudarat Keyuraphan
7 Suvit Khunkitti
8 Pitak Intharawitthayanan
9 Pongpol Adireksarn
10 Pracha Maleenond
11 Surakiarti Sathirathai
12 Suriya Rungruengkit
13 Sora-ath Klinprathum
14 Chamlong Krutkhunthod
15 Chaturon Chaisaeng
16 Yuthasak Sasiprapa
17 Chettha Thanajaro
18 Sanoh Thienthong
19 Thammarak Issarangkul na Ayuthaya
20 Sutham Saengprathum
21 Somsak Thepsuthin
22 Pongthep Thepkachana
23 Polkit Hongthong
24 Boonchu Trithong
25 Pramuan Ruchanaseri
26 Chaiyos Sasomsap
27 Prayuth Mahakitsiri
28 Warathep Rattanakorn
29 Laddawan Wongsriwong
30 Adisorn Piengket
31 Preecha Laohapongchai
32 Vichet Kasemthongsri
33 Piyanat Watcharaporn
34 Suchart Chaovisit
35 Ravee Hiranchote
36 Charinrat Putthapuan
37 Sukhum Laowansiri
38 Viset Jaiyai
39 Sermsak Karun
40 Phumin Leethiratprasert
41 Phicharn Pibulvatthanawong
42 Pornsak Charoenprasert
43 Chusak Aekthong
44 Vivatthanachai na Kalasin
45 Suthin Klangsaeng
46 Surachai Baojanya
47 Yuthasil Thapanakul
48 Veerachai Veerametheekul
Democrat Party (PP): 31 members
---------------------------------------------------------
49 Chuan Leekpai
50 Banyat Bantadtan
51 Abhisit Vejjajiva
52 Therdpong Chaiyanand
53 Arthit Ourairat
54 Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda
55 Suthep Thaugsuban
56 Suthas Ngernmuen
57 Trairong Suwankhiri
58 Anant Anantrakul
59 Ekkamol Kiriwat
60 Marut Bunnag
61 Vijit Srisa-an
62 Mahidol Chantharangkul
63 Wannarat Kotcharat
64 Jurin Laksanavisit
65 Nibhon Promphan
66 Kobsak Sabavasu
67 Kalaya Sophonpanich
68 Surin Pitsuwan
69 Paitoon Kaewthong
70 Arkapol Sorasuchart
71 Samphan Thongsamak
72 Sathit Wongnongtoey
73 Anchalee Theppabutr
74 Pornsek Kanchanacharee
75 Phothipong Lamsam
76 Savit Bhodivihok
77 Anek Laothamthat
78 Pornvuth Sarasin
79 Sansern Samalapa
New Aspiration Party (PKWM): eight members
---------------------------------------------------------
80 Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
81 Wan Muhammad Nor Matha
82 Sukavich Rangsitpol
83 Chalerm Yubamrung
84 Chingchai Mongkoltham
85 Dr Nimit Nonthaphanthavast
86 Pichet Sathirachaval
87 Sulaimal Wongpanich
National Development Party (PCP): seven members
---------------------------------------------------------
88 Korn Dabbaransi
89 Suvat Liptapanlop
90 Pracha Promnok
91 Pavena Hongsakula
92 Vinai Sompong
93 Goanpot Asavinvijit
94 Prapass Limpaphan
Thai Nation Party (PCT): six members
---------------------------------------------------------
95 Kasemsamosorn Kasemsri
96 Viroj Saengsanit
97 Dej Boonlong
98 Sonthaya Khunpluem
99 Kobsak Chutikul
100 Janistar Liewchalermwong
CONSTITUENCY WINNERS BY DISTRICT
=========================================================
CENTRAL: 27 provinces 132 seats
=========================================================
ANG THONG (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Viroj Pao-in (PCT)
2 Somsak Prisanananthakul (PCT)
AYUTTHAYA (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kuakul Danchaivijit (TRT)
2 Pong Chiwanant (TRT)
3 Suvimol Phancharoenvorakul (TRT)
4 Withaya Buranasiri (TRT)
5 Boonphan Kaewattana (TRT)
BANGKOK (37 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Siri Wangboonkerd (TRT)
2 Krisada Sajjakul (TRT)
3 Lalita Rirksamran (TRT)
4 Kannikar Thammakesorn (TRT)
5 Prachuab Ungpakorn (TRT)
6 Sukhumbhand Paribatra (PP)
7 Charoen Kanthawaong (PP)
8 Somkiat Chanthavanich (PP)
9 Sitha Thivaree (TRT)
10 Issara Soonthornwat (PP)
11 Piraphan Salirathawipak (PP)
12 Chalermchai Jinawijarana (TRT)
13 Suppamas Isarapakdi (TRT)
14 Damrongdis Disakul (TRT)
15 Ruaylarp Iamthong (TRT)
16 Anusorn Panthong (TRT)
17 Pramont Kunakasem (TRT)
18 Puwanida Khunpalin (TRT)
19 Pimol Srivikorn (TRT)
20 Re-election
21 Tawatchai Sajjakul (TRT)
22 Pattrasak Osathanukhroh (TRT)
23 Sansanee Narkpong (TRT)
24 Wattana Sengpairoh (TRT)
25 Mongkol Kimsoonchan (TRT)
26 Vicharn Minchainant (TRT)
27 Anek Hutangkabadi (TRT)
28 Pramote Sukhum (PP)
29 Phimuk Simaroj (TRT)
30 Ong-art Klampaibul (PP)
31 Pitipong Temcharoen (TRT)
32 Vilas Chanthapitak (PP)
33 Suwat Muangsiri (TRT)
34 Suwat Wannasirikul (TRT)
35 Sakol Muangsiri (TRT)
36 Sutha Chanseang (TRT)
37 Sawaeng Rirkcharun (TRT)
CHACHOENGSAO (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anant Chaisaeng (TRT)
2 Itthi Sirilathayakorn (PCP)
3 Suchart Tancharoen (PKWM)
4 Wuthipong Chaisaeng (TRT)
CHAI NAT (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anucha Nakasai (TRT)
2 Monthien Songpracha (PCT)
CHANTHABURI (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thawatchai Anampong (PCP)
2 Komkai Polabut (PP)
3 Pongvej Vejjajiva(TRT)
CHON BURI (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sa-nga Thanasanguanwong (PCT)
2 Vidthaya Khunpluem (PCT)
3 Somchai Sahachairungrueng (PCT)
4 Surasit Nitiwutvoraluck (PCT)
5 Itthipol Khunpluem (PCT)
6 Charnsak Chavalitnititham (PCT)
7 Roj Wiphatpumiprathet (TRT)
KANCHANABURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Santhad Jinapak (TRT)
3 Re-election
4 Re-election
5 Re-election
LOP BURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Natthapol Kiatvinaisakul (TRT)
2 Pongsak Vorapanya (TRT)
3 Kamol Chirapanwanich (PCT)
4 Amnuay Klangpa (TRT)
5 Niyom Vorapanya (TRT)
NAKHON NAYOK (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
NAKHON PATHOM (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Prasan Boonmee (TRT)
2 Charnchai Pathummarak (TRT)
3 Pornsak Piemkla (TRT)
4 Chaiya Sasomsap (TRT)
5 Padermchai Sasomsap (TRT)
NONTHABURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Udomdej Ratanasathien (TRT)
2 Nithat Srinond (TRT)
3 Pimpa Chanprasong (TRT)
4 Apiwan Viriyachai (TRT)
5 Suchart Bandasak (TRT)
PATHUM THANI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Surapong Ungampornvilai (PCP)
2 Ekapote Panyaem (PP)
3 Sumet Ritthakanee (TRT)
4 Likit Moodee (TRT)
PHETCHABURI (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Alongkorn Polbutr (PP)
2 Thani Yisarn (TRT)
3 Apichart Supapaeng (PP)
PRACHUAB KHIRI KHAN (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Montri Pannoinon (PP)
2 Chalermchai Sri-on (PP)
3 Payao Pultharat (PP)
PRACHIN BURI (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sunthorn Vilawan (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Woravut Pumakanchana (TRT)
RATCHABURI (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Vivat Nitikanchana (TRT)
3 Prapaiphan Sengprasert (PP)
4 Vijai Wattanaprasit (PP)
5 Boonlue Prasertsopha (TRT)
RAYONG (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sathit Pitutaycha (PP)
2 Sin Khumpha (TRT)
3 Piya Pitutaycha (PCT)
SA KAEW (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thanit Thienthong (TRT)
2 Trinut Thienthong (TRT)
3 Vitthaya Thienthong (TRT)
SAMUT PRAKAN (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Wallop Yangtrong (TRT)
2 Prasert Denapalai (TRT)
3 Pracha Prasopdee (TRT)
4 Chiraphan Limsakulsirirat (TRT)
5 Salinthip Chaisadom (TRT)
6 Re-election
SAMUT SONGKHRAM (1 MP)
=========================================================
1 Rangsima Rodrasmee (PP)
SAMUT SAKHON (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anek Thapsuwan (PP)
2 Sutham Rahong (PP)
3 Udom Kraiwatnussorn (PKWM)
SARABURI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Ngern Boonsupa (TRT)
2 Yongyos Adireksarn (TRT)
3 Somchai Sunthornwat (TRT)
4 Veerapol Adireksarn (TRT)
SING BURI (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Chaiwut Thanakananusorn (PP)
2 Payap Panket (TRT)
SUPHAN BURI (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Varawut Silpa-archa (PCT)
2 Kanchana Silpa-archa (PCT)
3 Natthawut Prasertsuwan (PCT)
4 Banharn Silpa-archa (PCT)
5 Prapat Pothasuthon (PCT)
6 Jongchai Thiengtham (PCT)
TRAT (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Boonsong Kaiket (PP)
2 Thira Salakpet (PP)
UTHAI THANI (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thiraphan Veerayutwattana (PCT)
2 Noppadol Polsen (PCT)
NORTH: 16 provinces 76 seats
=========================================================
CHIANG MAI (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pakorn Buranapakorn (TRT)
2 Yaowapa Wongsawat (TRT)
3 Boonsong Teriyapirom (TRT)
4 Re-election
5 Pornchai Atthapiyangkul (TRT)
6 Noppakul Rathpathai (TRT)
7 Surapol Kiatchaiyakorn (TRT)
8 Panintra Pakkasem (TRT)
9 Yongyuth Suwaparp (PP)
10 Santi Tansuhat (TRT)
CHIANG RAI (8 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Samart Kaewmechai (TRT)
2 Sarit Ung-apinan (TRT)
3 Thavon Triratnarong (TRT)
4 Visan Techateerawat (TRT)
5 Re-election
6 Yongyuth Tiyapairat (TRT)
7 Ittidej Kaewluang (TRT)
8 Buasorn Prachamon (TRT)
KAMPHAENG PHET (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Preecha Musikul (PP)
2 Kaneung Thaiprasit (TRT)
3 Weipoj Arpornrat (TRT)
4 Sanan Sabaimuang (TRT)
5 Thawil Rirkrai (TRT)
LAMPANG (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Piroj Lohsunthorn (TRT)
2 Chinda Wongsawat (TRT)
3 Re-election
4 Pinit Chanthasurin (TRT)
5 Re-election
LAMPHUN (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Apaporn Putthapuan (TRT)
2 Sa-nguan Pongmanee (TRT)
3 Songchai Wongsawat (PP)
MAE HONG SON (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Panya Jinakham (PP)
2 Somboon Praiwan (TRT)
NAKHON SAWAN (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pinyo Niroj (PCT)
2 Kasem Pan-udomlak (PP)
3 Somkuan Oborm (PCT)
4 Sanchai Wongsunthorn (TRT)
5 Maytri Chartjindarat (TRT)
6 Banyin Tangpakorn (TRT)
7 Niroj Sunthornlekha (PCT)
NAN (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Khamron na Lamphun (PP)
2 Cholanan Srikaew (TRT)
3 Wallop Supeeyasil (TRT)
PHAYAO (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Arunee Chamnanya (TRT)
2 Wisut Chainarun (TRT)
3 Kriangkrai Chaiyamonkol (TRT)
PHETCHABUN (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Surasak Anakaphan (TRT)
3 Thaweesak Anakaphan (TRT)
4 Narongkorn Chawansantati (TRT)
5 Kitthikun Nakhabutr (TRT)
6 Kaew Buasuwan (PKWM)
7 Paisal Chantarapakdee (TRT)
PHITSANULOK (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pitak Santiwongdecha (PP)
2 Pisanu Polawei (TRT)
3 Mayura Manasikan (TRT)
4 Suchon Champhunoj (TRT)
5 Nakorn Machim (PP)
6 Veera Patamasiriwat (TRT)
PHRAE (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Tosaporn Sereerak (TRT)
2 Siriwan Prassachaksatru (PP)
3 Worawat Uea-apinyakul (TRT)
PHICHIT (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pradit Pataraprasit (PP)
2 Re-election
3 Siriwat Kachornprasart (PP)
4 Adul Boonset (TRT)
SUKHOTHAI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Anongwan Thepsutin (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Somchet Limpraphan (PCP)
4 Re-election
TAK (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thanon Tantisunthorn (PP)
2 Chaiwuth Bannawat (PP)
3 Thanitphon Chaiyanant (PP)
UTTARADIT (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kritsana Srihalak (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Thanusak Lek-utai (TRT)
NORTHEAST: 19 provinces 138 seats
=========================================================
AMNAT CHAROEN (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thirachai Sirikhan (PKWM)
2 Paisal Chanthawara (PP)
BURI RAM (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Karuna Chidchob (PCT)
3 Saksayam Chidchob (PCT)
4 Surasak Nakdee (TRT)
5 Re-election
6 Sophon Saran (PCT)
7 Prakit Poladej (TRT)
8 Re-election
9 Re-election
10 Songsak Thongsri(TRT)
CHAIYAPHUM (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Chavalit Mahachan (TRT)
3 Kamsueng Prapakornkaewrat (TRT)
4 Wuthichai Sa-nguanwongchai (PCP)
5 Re-election
6 Charoen Chankomol (TRT)
7 Suravit Khonsomboon (PST)
KALASIN (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sukhumpong Ngonkham (TRT)
2 Orradi Suthasri (PCT)
3 Vidthaya Phumlaochaeng (TRT)
4 Pirapet Sirikul (PKWM)
5 Boonruen Sritharet (TRT)
6 Prasert Boonrueng (PKWM)
KHON KAEN (11 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Charkrin Patdamrongkij (TRT)
2 Prachak Kaewklaharn (TRT)
3 Natronglert Surapol (PKS)
4 Re-election
5 Phum Sarapol (TRT)
6 Re-election
7 Suchai Srisurapol (TRT)
8 Somsak Khun-ngern (PST)
9 Re-election
10 Re-election
11 Premsak Piayura (PKWM)
LOEI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Tossaphon Sangkasub (TRT)
2 Thanapol Timsuwan (TRT)
3 Re-election
4 Suvit Yothongyos (PST)
MAHA SARAKHAM (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thonglor Polkote (TRT)
2 Chaiwat Tinrat (TRT)
3 Yuthapong Charassathien (PP)
4 Charnchai Chairungrueng (TRT)
5 Kusumawadee Sirikomut (TRT)
6 Re-election
MUKDAHAN (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pramualsin Pokesawat (PST)
2 Lawan Tantikulpong (TRT)
NAKHON PHANOM (5 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
3 Mongkol Buppasiri (PKWM)
4 Re-election
5 Suphachai Phosu (PKWM)
NAKHON RATCHASIMA (17 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Wannarat Charnnukul (PCP)
3 Pravit Rattanapien (PCP)
4 Prateep Kreethavej (PCP)
5 Pitsinee Mungfakklang (TRT)
6 Re-election
7 Re-election
8 Pairote Suwanchawee (TRT)
9 Re-election
10 Re-election
11 Somsak Phankasem (PCP)
12 Somchai Pretprasert (TRT)
13 Prasert Chanruangthong (TRT)
14 Re-election
15 Re-election
16 Somsak Somklang (PCP)
17 Re-election
NONG BUA LAM PHU (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kittisak Hatthasongkroh (TRT)
2 Re-election
3 Vichai Samit (TRT)
NONG KHAI (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pongpan Sunthornchai (TRT)
2 Prasit Chanthathong (TRT)
3 Ekthanut Inrod (TRT)
4 Tewarit Nikornthep (TRT)
5 Re-election
6 Niphon Konekayan (TRT)
ROI-ET (9 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sanit Wongsaktanapong (PST)
2 Re-election
3 Re-election
4 Ekaparp Polsue (PST)
5 Nirand Namuangrak (TRT)
6 Nisit Sinthupai (PKWM)
7 Kitti Somsap (TRT)
8 Sakda Kongpet (TRT)
9 Re-election
SAKON NAKHON (7 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Chalermchai Urankul (PKWM)
3 Narisorn Thongtiras (PCT)
4 Sakhon Prompakdi (PST)
5 Pongsak Boonsol (TRT)
6 Seri Saranant (TRT)
7 Kasem Utara (PKWM)
SI SA KET (9 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Boonchong Veesommai (PKWM)
2 Pitthaya Boonchaleo (PKWM)
3 Wiwatchai Hotarawaisaya (PCT)
4 Chaturong Pengnoraphat (TRT)
5 Danairit Watcharaporn (TRT)
6 Tin Wongplang (PCT)
7 Re-election
8 Manop Charasdamrongnit (TRT)
9 Re-election
SURIN (9 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Chuchai Mungcharoenporn (TRT)
2 Thirachote Kongthong (PCT)
3 Farida Sulaiman (TRT)
4 Re-election
5 Pradut Manmai (TRT)
6 Supalak Kuanha (TRT)
7 Re-election
8 Seksan Saenphum (TRT)
9 Teeyai Phoonsritanakul (TRT)
UDON THANI (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sarawut Petpanomporn (PCP)
2 Atthapol Sanitwongchai (TRT)
3 Wichai Chaijitwanitkul (PCP)
4 Thirayuth Wanitchang (TRT)
5 Chaiyos Jiramethakorn (PP)
6 Thongdee Manitsarn (TRT)
7 Thirachai Saenkaew (TRT)
8 Torpong Chaiyasan (PST)
9 Tharapong Leelawong (PST)
10 Surachart Chamnansin (PST)
UBON RATCHATHANI (11 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
3 Witoon Nambutr (TRT)
4 Re-election
5 Chuvit Pitakpornpallop (TRT)
6 Re-election
7 Adisak Pokkulkanond (TRT)
8 Poonsawat Hotrawaisaya (TRT)
9 Suchart Tantivanichanont (TRT)
10 Re-election
11 Chatri Piriyakitpaibul (TRT)
YASOTHON (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Re-election
2 Re-election
3 Re-election
4 Visant Dejsen (PKWM)
SOUTH: 14 provinces 54 seats
=========================================================
KRABI (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Arkom Engchuan (PP)
2 Pichet Phanvichartkul (PP)
CHUMPHON (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Sirisak Onlamai (PP)
2 Suchart Kaewnapo (PP)
3 Suwaroj Palang (PP)
NAKHON SI THAMMARAT (10 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Huwadiya Pitsuwan (PP)
2 Surachet Masadit (PP)
3 Narissa Adithepvoraphan (PP)
4 Manoj Vichaikul (PP)
5 Chinaworn Boonyakiat (PP)
6 Tripol Jorjit (PP)
7 Prakob Rattanaphan (PP)
8 Chamni Sakdiset (PP)
9 Apichart Karikan (PP)
10 Vitthaya Kaewparadai (PP)
NARATHIWAT (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Pornpit Pattanakullert (PP)
2 Re-election
3 Najjamudin Uma (PKWM)
4 Re-election
PATTANI (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Weiroj Pipitpakdi (PP)
2 Jeh Isamaair Jehmong (PP)
3 Sommart Jehna (PP)
4 Muk Sulaiman (PKWM)
PHANG-NGA (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Kantawan Kuljanyavivat (PP)
2 Julit Laksanavisit (PP)
PHATTHALUNG (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Suphat Thammapet (PP)
2 Nipit Intharasombat (PP)
3 Naris Kamnurak (PP)
PHUKET (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Suwit Sa-ngiamkul (PP)
2 Chalermlak Kebsub (PP)
RANONG (1 MP)
=========================================================
1 Wirat Romyen (PP)
SONGKHLA (8 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Jua Rachasi (PP)
2 Lapsak Laparojkit (PP)
3 Prai Pattano (PP)
4 Vinai Senniem (PP)
5 Nibhon Bunyamanee (PP)
6 Tavorn Senniem (PP)
7 Sirichoke Sopa (PP)
8 Vichit Suwit (PP)
SATUN (2 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Thanin Jaisamut (PP)
2 Sanan Suthakul (PP)
SURAT THANI (6 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Komet Kwanmuang (PP)
2 Pravit Nilwatcharamanee (PP)
3 Chumpol Kanchana (PP)
4 Shane Thaughsuban (PP)
5 Sinit Lertkrai (PP)
6 Nipa Pringsulaka (PP)
TRANG (4 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Suwan Kusujarit (PP)
2 Tawee Suraban (PP)
3 Somchai Losathapornpipit (PP)
4 Somboon Uthaiwiankul (PP)
YALA (3 MPs)
=========================================================
1 Prasert Pongsuwansiri (PP)
2 Paisal Yingsaman (PKWM)
3 Burahanudin Useng (PKWM)
January 20, 2010
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
DAAD discloses clip showing Gen Surayud's link in land dispute
21 January 2010
Thai News Service
Section: Government & Politics - A red-shirt leader has released an audio recording that allegedly features a conversation with a man claiming to be an original owner of the controversial plot of land on Khao Yai Thiang.
Key leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship or DAAD, Nattawut Saikuea, played an audio recording at a press conference yesterday featuring the voice of a man named Noppadon Pitakwanich, who claims to be an original owner of the controversial land plot on Khao Yai Thiang.
In the clip, Noppadon said he bought the 21-rai land plot for 700,000 baht from a man called Bao Sinnok and transferred the holding right, for free, to Colonel Surarit Chandratip, a close aide to General Surayud Julanont, who was then the commander of Army Region 2.
Noppadon said General Surayud requested the land and promised to give him 50,000 baht. He added that he never received the amount.
Meanwhile, Nattawut revealed that DAAD leaders will meet to plan a rally at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in an effort to show foreigners the government's alleged double standard.
DAAD core leader Arisman Pongruangrong said the red-shirt group will file complaints with all Privy Council members unless General Surayud takes responsibility in the case. - Thai-ASEAN News Network
21 January 2010
Thai News Service
Section: Government & Politics - A red-shirt leader has released an audio recording that allegedly features a conversation with a man claiming to be an original owner of the controversial plot of land on Khao Yai Thiang.
Key leader of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship or DAAD, Nattawut Saikuea, played an audio recording at a press conference yesterday featuring the voice of a man named Noppadon Pitakwanich, who claims to be an original owner of the controversial land plot on Khao Yai Thiang.
In the clip, Noppadon said he bought the 21-rai land plot for 700,000 baht from a man called Bao Sinnok and transferred the holding right, for free, to Colonel Surarit Chandratip, a close aide to General Surayud Julanont, who was then the commander of Army Region 2.
Noppadon said General Surayud requested the land and promised to give him 50,000 baht. He added that he never received the amount.
Meanwhile, Nattawut revealed that DAAD leaders will meet to plan a rally at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in an effort to show foreigners the government's alleged double standard.
DAAD core leader Arisman Pongruangrong said the red-shirt group will file complaints with all Privy Council members unless General Surayud takes responsibility in the case. - Thai-ASEAN News Network
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
Suwit won't hurry on land
15 January 2010
Bangkok Post
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has brushed off calls from the prime minister for a quick end to the controversy surrounding the forest land held by Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont.
"Everything has to be done to the same standard," Mr Suwit said yesterday.
"If we speed just Gen Surayud's case, how about the rest? We don't want to be seen as working to a double standard.
"We can't say if we will wrap it up in seven days, but we will proceed with urgency."
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday pressed the Royal Forestry Department to quickly find a solution to Gen Surayud's land holding at Khao Yai Thieng in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district. The department comes under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
Critics say Gen Surayud, a former premier and army chief, encroached on the land, where he keeps a holiday home.
A ministry panel is waiting for a report from the Office of the Attorney-General, but has promised to conclude its inquiry into land encroachment cases in the area in seven days.
Mr Abhisit on Wednesday argued that the panel should go ahead because the OAG had already issued clear guidelines on how to handle the case.
The OAG had said the former army chief was not guilty of forest encroachment but his possession of the land was contrary to a 1975 cabinet resolution which granted land possession rights in the area to villagers and their heirs only.
Department deputy chief Chonlatid Suraswadi, also a co-chairman of the committee dealing with forest encroachment cases, said the panel was looking at many cases, not just the one concerning Gen Surayud.
15 January 2010
Bangkok Post
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti has brushed off calls from the prime minister for a quick end to the controversy surrounding the forest land held by Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont.
"Everything has to be done to the same standard," Mr Suwit said yesterday.
"If we speed just Gen Surayud's case, how about the rest? We don't want to be seen as working to a double standard.
"We can't say if we will wrap it up in seven days, but we will proceed with urgency."
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday pressed the Royal Forestry Department to quickly find a solution to Gen Surayud's land holding at Khao Yai Thieng in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district. The department comes under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry.
Critics say Gen Surayud, a former premier and army chief, encroached on the land, where he keeps a holiday home.
A ministry panel is waiting for a report from the Office of the Attorney-General, but has promised to conclude its inquiry into land encroachment cases in the area in seven days.
Mr Abhisit on Wednesday argued that the panel should go ahead because the OAG had already issued clear guidelines on how to handle the case.
The OAG had said the former army chief was not guilty of forest encroachment but his possession of the land was contrary to a 1975 cabinet resolution which granted land possession rights in the area to villagers and their heirs only.
Department deputy chief Chonlatid Suraswadi, also a co-chairman of the committee dealing with forest encroachment cases, said the panel was looking at many cases, not just the one concerning Gen Surayud.
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
Red shirts target privy councillor
Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent
12 January 2010
Straits Times
They stage protest near royal adviser's home as prelude to bigger rallies in Bangkok
BANGKOK: Several thousand red-shirted protesters gathered last night near the mountain-top home of a royal adviser to protest against his illegal occupation of forest land.
The demonstrators charged that the home of privy councillor and former prime minister Surayud Chulanont was illegally built in the picturesque Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site. They demanded that he resign from the Privy Council for occupying forest land illegally.
Land scandals involving the rich and powerful are not new in Thailand. But this case is fodder?for the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in its efforts to protest against judicial double standards and to discredit the capital's old elite.
The UDD has also been breaching unspoken rules of conduct by attacking privy councillors, several of whom former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has openly blamed for engineering the 2006 coup that unseated him.
The councillors, who form the King's advisory circle, have denied the accusation.
Last night's protest is seen as a prelude to bigger protests to be held in Bangkok in the coming weeks as part of a campaign to pressure the Democrat Party-led government into early elections. The next election is not due till late next year.
The protest was peaceful and festive. Some red shirts chatted with several hundred policemen who were deployed to protect the 2ha estate, which has a stunning view.
The protesters have pledged to camp permanently at two makeshift wooden shacks, which they called the 'double-standards village', until General Surayud returns the property to the state.
UDD co-leader Weng Tojirakarn told The Straits Times: 'This is the most important forest reserve for water supply around the province of Korat. But Gen Surayud built his house here, against the law, and nobody does anything. This clearly shows the double standards in Thailand because normal people would have been thrown into jail for doing the same thing.'
He added: 'This shows the legal structure in Thailand has been destroyed.'
Doubts about the provenance of Gen Surayud's estate at Khao Yai Thiang surfaced in 2007, and an investigation recently found that the land had indeed been illegally sold and converted.
After a hasty meeting of government agencies yesterday, the Forestry Department set up a new committee to look into the land controversy.
Department chief Somchai Piansathaporn said the committee would investigate how Gen Surayud acquired the land, which under a 1975 Cabinet resolution had been allotted to landless farmers.
He said the local prosecution office decided against filing charges against the general because he did not know that the land had changed hands illegally.
Gen Surayud has agreed to return the land. But Dr Weng said that he ought to be punished in accordance with the law.
By targeting Gen Surayud, the UDD may open a can of worms and implicate many wealthy and well-connected people.
Red Shirts declare war plan against bureaucracy
15 January 2010
A key member of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship has declared a series of steps for the war to fight against bureaucracy.
Most of the plots are aimed at attacking two Privy Councilors over alleged land possession.
Pro-Thaksin movement leader Natthawut Sai-keua told a press conference that the red-shirt key members, Suporn Atthawong and Arisman Pongruangrong are set to visit the Royal Forestry Department on Friday and will demand an investigation into a piece of land on Khao Yai Thiang hill owned by Privy Councilor and former prime minister General Surayud Julanont.
He cited a reliable source and claimed the former premier reportedly occupies a bigger area of land than he earlier informed the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
On January 17, Suporn will be at the Crime Suppression Division to file charge against the General over an alleged forest reserve encroachment.
On January 18, red-shirts key members will go to the Office of the Privy Council to submit an open letter addressing the alleged illegal rights of General Surayud on the Khao Yai Thiang land.
They said they hope the privy councilor will be able to provide reasonable answers.
After that they will head for the Department of Special Investigation to demand that legal action be taken against Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga for negligence in duty after the Minister appears to have delayed their petition seeking a royal amnesty for the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
And, on January 21, red-shirts supporters will go to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary and call for an explanation of the details of a petition-lodging procedure.
In addition, the group will stage a mass rally at Khao Soi Dao golf course in the eastern province of Chanthaburi.
The red-shirts claim the 400-rai golf course which encroaches on the Khao Soi Dao forest reserve is owned by the Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.
Natthawut said the rally, aiming at taking back the kingdom's land, will be peaceful.
He commented that General Surayud's decision to delay his return of the land in question to the state is disappointing members of the public.
He also pointed out that the General even insisted he will abandon the land only when officially asked by the Forestry Department.
Natthawut went on to say the privy councilor acts as the Chairman of the Foundation for the Protection of Khao Yai Forest, but it seems he wants to occupy the plot of land as long as possible.
He called on the Forestry Department to conduct an investigation into the controversial land once again.
In addition, he said if it is found that the land area is larger than 21 rai, General Surayud will face charges of forest encroachment and falsely reporting his assets to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. - Thai-ASEAN News Network
Gen Surayud won't give up land unless ordered by Royal Forestry Department
13 January 2010
Thai News Service
Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont is refusing to give up his land at Khao Yai Thiang until he is required to do so by a Royal Forest Department ruling, the Bangkok Post reports.
The former prime minister has also shrugged off red shirt demands for him to resign his position as privy councillor.
Gen Surayud on January 12 spoke publicly for the first time since the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship staged a rally in front of his holiday home in Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday and Monday, saying he would not return to his property until the department had decided on its position.
He also repeated his position that he was not aware that he had been occupying the land in Sikhiu district illegally.
"On my part, I will only say that I am ready to obey the law," Gen Surayud said.
"When the Royal Forest Department makes a ruling, I will be ready to act accordingly."
The land scandal and the demand for his resignation as privy councillor were totally unrelated, he said.
Gen Surayud, who is also chairman of the Foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection, spoke at a news conference to announce a charity concert to be organised at the national park on Jan 23.
The Royal Forest Department on Monday set up a panel to look into the Surayud case. It set a 60-day deadline for it to come up with a solution.
The solution will be applied to all cases involving the transfer of rights over reserve land to those ineligible.
The panel on January 12 pledged to complete its findings within a week after receiving information from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).
"We need to look at the details first before deciding on how to process the case," department head Somchai Pienstaporn said.
"Within seven days from receiving the case, we will be able to carry out the process in accordance with the law."
Public prosecutors in Sikhiu district decided in January last year to drop the case against Gen Surayud, deciding he had not been aware he had broken the law when he bought the land.
OAG spokesman Thanapit Moonlapruek said the office had forwarded the guidelines on how to deal with the case to the department last Thursday.
He said he was not sure why the department wanted to go ahead with the matter. The OAG concluded Gen Surayud had not violated the forest reserve law.
It also suggested the land be returned to villagers who had the right to use it but not sell it. But the decision rested with the department, the OAG spokesman said.
Puea Thai Party MP for Nakhon Ratchasima and UDD key member Suporn Atthawong on January 12 said authorities should arrest Gen Surayud right away for encroaching on state land because he had clearly committed an offence by building a holiday home on the mountain.
Mr Suporn slammed the department plan to look into the case, calling it a tactic to buy time for the privy councillor.
Senator Rosana Tositrakul, chairwoman of the senate committee on corruption and good governance, urged the public to look into other politicians and public figures who might control state land illegally.
POWER GAMES - Reds set their sights on encroachment in Chanthaburi
Nattaya Chetchotiros
14 January 2010
Bangkok Post
The government can let out a sigh of relief now that the Red Shirts have dispersed from Khao Yai Thiang and in so doing have cooled political temperatures.
But the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters have not actually packed their bags and gone home.
Instead, they are heading to Chanthaburi where, they claim, the influence of amartya thipathai (regime governed by aristocratic mandarins) has resulted in encroachment on another mountain peak, with land being grabbed unchecked for years.
The Khao Yai Thiang fiasco has put the normally reserved Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont on the defensive. He has so far refused to return to the Royal Forestry Department some 20 rai of land in a forest reserve overlooking the scenic Lam Takong reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The land was intended for landless farmers under a 1975 cabinet resolution. But that principle apparently was abused, as the tracts changed hands and some were developed into resort properties.
The Red Shirts ran through a list of owners of the Khao Yai Thiang plots and stumbled upon the name of Gen Surayud. Their demand is that the former premier cough up the illegally occupied land and hand it back to the proper authorities at once.
The UDD has fired a fresh salvo not only at Gen Surayud but at the entire institution of the Privy Council. The movement loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has consistently attacked Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda on account of his being the "chief amartya" on the council. Although there is no record of Gen Prem engaging in any land grab, the Red Shirts accuse him of links to alleged encroachment in forest reserves in Chanthaburi province.
Gen Prem is the honorary chairman of Bangkok Bank, said to be closely associated with the interests that invested in a golf resort on Khao Soy Dao in the eastern province. Private possession of the plot - as is the case with those on Khao Yai Thiang - is unlawful although the Red Shirts appear to have muddled through by holding only Gen Prem culpable in the Khao Soy Dao resort development.
The UDD is bent on whistle-blowing the "double standards" applied and the preferential treatment given to a certain crop of people.
The government, on the other hand, has been dealing with the red-shirt problems as they arise and can at best only control the damage, despite its struggle to thwart the pretexts for the UDD to rally.
A source close to Gen Surayud has affirmed the general will give up the Khao Yai Thiang plot as soon as the Royal Forestry Department sends him an official notification reclaiming the land.
The reported reassurance from Gen Surayud to return the land, however, did nothing to keep the Red Shirts from organising the rally on Khao Yai Thiang at the weekend, where they camped out for two days outside Gen Surayud's holiday home.
The Office of the Attorney-General explained that Gen Surayud is not legally accountable for purchasing the land originally owned by a Mr Bao Chanya in defiance of the cabinet resolution dated April 29, 1975. The resolution allowed farming on the land by landless individuals who are able to transfer the ownership to their children. The land, however, cannot be sold. But, as the prosecution determined, the buyers in this case are spared the consequences of the law because the April 29 resolution did not specify any legal punishment against violators.
That was how Gen Surayud escaped prosecution and why the Red Shirts were enraged. The Royal Forestry Department lessened the escalating tension after it announced it would get to the bottom of the Khao Yai Thiang saga by reviewing the ownership of every single plot of land there. The department said it would name a fact-finding panel within seven days of its receiving the prosecutors' view on the Surayud case. The ownership review is likely to extend over a period of two months. The arduous task is to examine all 400 plots on the mountain before it can be established which owners can continue farming and which must vacate. The illegal occupants will be given 60 days to dismantle any building on their plots.
According to the Forestry Department, the "problematic occupation" of forest land exists in 30 provinces. If all such occupants are to wind up with the same fate as Gen Surayud, where a reassessment of respective land ownerships must be carried out, an upheaval could ensue. Such trouble on a massive scale could trigger a major crisis for the government.
The government may choose to try to limit the land encroachment wrangle to Khao Yai Thiang, to prevent the matter from getting out of hand.
Declaring war on nationwide encroachers who are believed to hold more than 100,000 rai of land among themselves could be a losing battle for the government. Nonetheless, it realises it must call a spade a spade in screening out the Khao Yai Thiang occupants who are not qualified to pick a piece of the property in the first place.
The government knows the UDD is watching. A selective and discriminatory enforcement of the law against encroachers would give the movement fresh political ammunition to attack the privy councillors and the government.
The Red Shirts' retreat from Khao Yai Thiang is simply tactical. The UDD wants to muster enough vigour for a major rally in Bangkok later this month ahead of judgement day for Thaksin on Feb 26, when the Supreme Court will rule on whether or not to seize the 7.6-billion-baht assets of the ousted premier. According to the prosecutors, the assets were acquired through Thaksin's abuse of power while in office and the prosecution has pressed for their confiscation. If the verdict goes against Thaksin, the Red Shirts will not take it lying down.
Nattaya Chetchotiros is Assistant News Editor, Bangkok Post, and former President of the Thai Journalists Association.
Govt wages war on squatters
Apinya Wipatayotin and Anucha Charoenpo
12 January 2010
Bangkok Post
Khao Yai Thiang tops areas in for crackdown
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has set up a task force to crack down on encroachment on protected forests in the wake of the furore over the ownership of reserve land by Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont.
The task force will target 190 areas in 30 provinces where there are forest reserves and national parks.
Top of the list is the land at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district where Gen Surayud has his holiday home.
About 20 other areas in Chiang Mai, Buri Ram and Surat Thani are also being looked at, permanent secretary for natural resources and environment Saksit Tridech said yesterday.
There are about 400,000 families living illegally in protected forests and the Kingdom loses over 300,000 rai of forest every year as a result of encroachment.
Illegally occupied land will be seized immediately, with no need to wait for legal procedures, Mr Saksit said.
The ministry will seek a 1.5 billion baht budget to fund the task force's work.
A nationwide survey will be conducted with the help of satellite imagery.
The ministry will look into the land rights of 300 families at Khao Yai Thiang who may be in illegal possession of the land, most of which has been declared a forest reserve under the Royal Forest Department.
There is no time frame for the task force's mission, but Mr Saksit said there would be "no double standards" and called for officials to be given time to complete their work.
"Please be patient," he said.
The Royal Forest Department has set up another committee co-chaired by deputy chief Chonlatid Suraswadi and the deputy chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Chamnan Ekawatchotrakul, to find a solution within 60 days to the dispute over Gen Surayud's land at Khao Yai Thiang.
"Gen Surayud's case will be the model to be applied to other cases involving land right transfers to ineligible owners," Royal Forest Department chief Somchai Pienstaporn said.
Gen Surayud is under pressure by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to give up his land and home in Khao Yai Thiang.
Prosecutors have decided not to take action against him because he was not aware that he was breaking the law when he took possession of the land.
About 5,000 UDD members have gathered in front of his mountain home to push their demand that he vacate the land. About 1,500 police have been deployed to provide security.
"I think Gen Surayud is a good man," said Sith Assawakittanont, a UDD member from Bangkok. "But why does he want to keep the land which did not originally belong to him? It's really shameful."
UDD leaders are considering suing the Office of the Attorney-General and the Royal Forestry Department for neglecting their duty to seize the land from Gen Surayud. They said the state agencies had violated Section 157 of the Criminal Code which requires state authorities to perform their duty under the law for the benefit of the people.
The UDD alleges the agencies turned a blind eye to the problem despite knowing Gen Surayud owned the mountain land illegally.
UDD leaders, including Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan, Dr Weng Tojirakarn, Puea Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima Suporn Atthawong and former National Human Rights commissioner Jaran Dithaapichai listed their demands yesterday at the rally site.
The UDD leaders called on Gen Surayud to return the land to the state and resign from his position of privy councillor.
"Gen Surayud can't deny responsibility," Mr Suporn said.
"He has no longer the integrity to be a privy councillor. He must resign.
"Those trespassing and encroaching on the forest reserve are subject to legal punishment."
UDD protesters stayed on the mountain overnight, eagerly awaiting a phone-in address from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The demonstration was peaceful, and is expected to end today.
Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent
12 January 2010
Straits Times
They stage protest near royal adviser's home as prelude to bigger rallies in Bangkok
BANGKOK: Several thousand red-shirted protesters gathered last night near the mountain-top home of a royal adviser to protest against his illegal occupation of forest land.
The demonstrators charged that the home of privy councillor and former prime minister Surayud Chulanont was illegally built in the picturesque Khao Yai National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site. They demanded that he resign from the Privy Council for occupying forest land illegally.
Land scandals involving the rich and powerful are not new in Thailand. But this case is fodder?for the red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in its efforts to protest against judicial double standards and to discredit the capital's old elite.
The UDD has also been breaching unspoken rules of conduct by attacking privy councillors, several of whom former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has openly blamed for engineering the 2006 coup that unseated him.
The councillors, who form the King's advisory circle, have denied the accusation.
Last night's protest is seen as a prelude to bigger protests to be held in Bangkok in the coming weeks as part of a campaign to pressure the Democrat Party-led government into early elections. The next election is not due till late next year.
The protest was peaceful and festive. Some red shirts chatted with several hundred policemen who were deployed to protect the 2ha estate, which has a stunning view.
The protesters have pledged to camp permanently at two makeshift wooden shacks, which they called the 'double-standards village', until General Surayud returns the property to the state.
UDD co-leader Weng Tojirakarn told The Straits Times: 'This is the most important forest reserve for water supply around the province of Korat. But Gen Surayud built his house here, against the law, and nobody does anything. This clearly shows the double standards in Thailand because normal people would have been thrown into jail for doing the same thing.'
He added: 'This shows the legal structure in Thailand has been destroyed.'
Doubts about the provenance of Gen Surayud's estate at Khao Yai Thiang surfaced in 2007, and an investigation recently found that the land had indeed been illegally sold and converted.
After a hasty meeting of government agencies yesterday, the Forestry Department set up a new committee to look into the land controversy.
Department chief Somchai Piansathaporn said the committee would investigate how Gen Surayud acquired the land, which under a 1975 Cabinet resolution had been allotted to landless farmers.
He said the local prosecution office decided against filing charges against the general because he did not know that the land had changed hands illegally.
Gen Surayud has agreed to return the land. But Dr Weng said that he ought to be punished in accordance with the law.
By targeting Gen Surayud, the UDD may open a can of worms and implicate many wealthy and well-connected people.
Red Shirts declare war plan against bureaucracy
15 January 2010
A key member of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship has declared a series of steps for the war to fight against bureaucracy.
Most of the plots are aimed at attacking two Privy Councilors over alleged land possession.
Pro-Thaksin movement leader Natthawut Sai-keua told a press conference that the red-shirt key members, Suporn Atthawong and Arisman Pongruangrong are set to visit the Royal Forestry Department on Friday and will demand an investigation into a piece of land on Khao Yai Thiang hill owned by Privy Councilor and former prime minister General Surayud Julanont.
He cited a reliable source and claimed the former premier reportedly occupies a bigger area of land than he earlier informed the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
On January 17, Suporn will be at the Crime Suppression Division to file charge against the General over an alleged forest reserve encroachment.
On January 18, red-shirts key members will go to the Office of the Privy Council to submit an open letter addressing the alleged illegal rights of General Surayud on the Khao Yai Thiang land.
They said they hope the privy councilor will be able to provide reasonable answers.
After that they will head for the Department of Special Investigation to demand that legal action be taken against Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga for negligence in duty after the Minister appears to have delayed their petition seeking a royal amnesty for the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
And, on January 21, red-shirts supporters will go to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary and call for an explanation of the details of a petition-lodging procedure.
In addition, the group will stage a mass rally at Khao Soi Dao golf course in the eastern province of Chanthaburi.
The red-shirts claim the 400-rai golf course which encroaches on the Khao Soi Dao forest reserve is owned by the Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.
Natthawut said the rally, aiming at taking back the kingdom's land, will be peaceful.
He commented that General Surayud's decision to delay his return of the land in question to the state is disappointing members of the public.
He also pointed out that the General even insisted he will abandon the land only when officially asked by the Forestry Department.
Natthawut went on to say the privy councilor acts as the Chairman of the Foundation for the Protection of Khao Yai Forest, but it seems he wants to occupy the plot of land as long as possible.
He called on the Forestry Department to conduct an investigation into the controversial land once again.
In addition, he said if it is found that the land area is larger than 21 rai, General Surayud will face charges of forest encroachment and falsely reporting his assets to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. - Thai-ASEAN News Network
Gen Surayud won't give up land unless ordered by Royal Forestry Department
13 January 2010
Thai News Service
Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont is refusing to give up his land at Khao Yai Thiang until he is required to do so by a Royal Forest Department ruling, the Bangkok Post reports.
The former prime minister has also shrugged off red shirt demands for him to resign his position as privy councillor.
Gen Surayud on January 12 spoke publicly for the first time since the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship staged a rally in front of his holiday home in Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday and Monday, saying he would not return to his property until the department had decided on its position.
He also repeated his position that he was not aware that he had been occupying the land in Sikhiu district illegally.
"On my part, I will only say that I am ready to obey the law," Gen Surayud said.
"When the Royal Forest Department makes a ruling, I will be ready to act accordingly."
The land scandal and the demand for his resignation as privy councillor were totally unrelated, he said.
Gen Surayud, who is also chairman of the Foundation for Khao Yai National Park Protection, spoke at a news conference to announce a charity concert to be organised at the national park on Jan 23.
The Royal Forest Department on Monday set up a panel to look into the Surayud case. It set a 60-day deadline for it to come up with a solution.
The solution will be applied to all cases involving the transfer of rights over reserve land to those ineligible.
The panel on January 12 pledged to complete its findings within a week after receiving information from the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).
"We need to look at the details first before deciding on how to process the case," department head Somchai Pienstaporn said.
"Within seven days from receiving the case, we will be able to carry out the process in accordance with the law."
Public prosecutors in Sikhiu district decided in January last year to drop the case against Gen Surayud, deciding he had not been aware he had broken the law when he bought the land.
OAG spokesman Thanapit Moonlapruek said the office had forwarded the guidelines on how to deal with the case to the department last Thursday.
He said he was not sure why the department wanted to go ahead with the matter. The OAG concluded Gen Surayud had not violated the forest reserve law.
It also suggested the land be returned to villagers who had the right to use it but not sell it. But the decision rested with the department, the OAG spokesman said.
Puea Thai Party MP for Nakhon Ratchasima and UDD key member Suporn Atthawong on January 12 said authorities should arrest Gen Surayud right away for encroaching on state land because he had clearly committed an offence by building a holiday home on the mountain.
Mr Suporn slammed the department plan to look into the case, calling it a tactic to buy time for the privy councillor.
Senator Rosana Tositrakul, chairwoman of the senate committee on corruption and good governance, urged the public to look into other politicians and public figures who might control state land illegally.
POWER GAMES - Reds set their sights on encroachment in Chanthaburi
Nattaya Chetchotiros
14 January 2010
Bangkok Post
The government can let out a sigh of relief now that the Red Shirts have dispersed from Khao Yai Thiang and in so doing have cooled political temperatures.
But the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters have not actually packed their bags and gone home.
Instead, they are heading to Chanthaburi where, they claim, the influence of amartya thipathai (regime governed by aristocratic mandarins) has resulted in encroachment on another mountain peak, with land being grabbed unchecked for years.
The Khao Yai Thiang fiasco has put the normally reserved Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont on the defensive. He has so far refused to return to the Royal Forestry Department some 20 rai of land in a forest reserve overlooking the scenic Lam Takong reservoir in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
The land was intended for landless farmers under a 1975 cabinet resolution. But that principle apparently was abused, as the tracts changed hands and some were developed into resort properties.
The Red Shirts ran through a list of owners of the Khao Yai Thiang plots and stumbled upon the name of Gen Surayud. Their demand is that the former premier cough up the illegally occupied land and hand it back to the proper authorities at once.
The UDD has fired a fresh salvo not only at Gen Surayud but at the entire institution of the Privy Council. The movement loyal to ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has consistently attacked Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda on account of his being the "chief amartya" on the council. Although there is no record of Gen Prem engaging in any land grab, the Red Shirts accuse him of links to alleged encroachment in forest reserves in Chanthaburi province.
Gen Prem is the honorary chairman of Bangkok Bank, said to be closely associated with the interests that invested in a golf resort on Khao Soy Dao in the eastern province. Private possession of the plot - as is the case with those on Khao Yai Thiang - is unlawful although the Red Shirts appear to have muddled through by holding only Gen Prem culpable in the Khao Soy Dao resort development.
The UDD is bent on whistle-blowing the "double standards" applied and the preferential treatment given to a certain crop of people.
The government, on the other hand, has been dealing with the red-shirt problems as they arise and can at best only control the damage, despite its struggle to thwart the pretexts for the UDD to rally.
A source close to Gen Surayud has affirmed the general will give up the Khao Yai Thiang plot as soon as the Royal Forestry Department sends him an official notification reclaiming the land.
The reported reassurance from Gen Surayud to return the land, however, did nothing to keep the Red Shirts from organising the rally on Khao Yai Thiang at the weekend, where they camped out for two days outside Gen Surayud's holiday home.
The Office of the Attorney-General explained that Gen Surayud is not legally accountable for purchasing the land originally owned by a Mr Bao Chanya in defiance of the cabinet resolution dated April 29, 1975. The resolution allowed farming on the land by landless individuals who are able to transfer the ownership to their children. The land, however, cannot be sold. But, as the prosecution determined, the buyers in this case are spared the consequences of the law because the April 29 resolution did not specify any legal punishment against violators.
That was how Gen Surayud escaped prosecution and why the Red Shirts were enraged. The Royal Forestry Department lessened the escalating tension after it announced it would get to the bottom of the Khao Yai Thiang saga by reviewing the ownership of every single plot of land there. The department said it would name a fact-finding panel within seven days of its receiving the prosecutors' view on the Surayud case. The ownership review is likely to extend over a period of two months. The arduous task is to examine all 400 plots on the mountain before it can be established which owners can continue farming and which must vacate. The illegal occupants will be given 60 days to dismantle any building on their plots.
According to the Forestry Department, the "problematic occupation" of forest land exists in 30 provinces. If all such occupants are to wind up with the same fate as Gen Surayud, where a reassessment of respective land ownerships must be carried out, an upheaval could ensue. Such trouble on a massive scale could trigger a major crisis for the government.
The government may choose to try to limit the land encroachment wrangle to Khao Yai Thiang, to prevent the matter from getting out of hand.
Declaring war on nationwide encroachers who are believed to hold more than 100,000 rai of land among themselves could be a losing battle for the government. Nonetheless, it realises it must call a spade a spade in screening out the Khao Yai Thiang occupants who are not qualified to pick a piece of the property in the first place.
The government knows the UDD is watching. A selective and discriminatory enforcement of the law against encroachers would give the movement fresh political ammunition to attack the privy councillors and the government.
The Red Shirts' retreat from Khao Yai Thiang is simply tactical. The UDD wants to muster enough vigour for a major rally in Bangkok later this month ahead of judgement day for Thaksin on Feb 26, when the Supreme Court will rule on whether or not to seize the 7.6-billion-baht assets of the ousted premier. According to the prosecutors, the assets were acquired through Thaksin's abuse of power while in office and the prosecution has pressed for their confiscation. If the verdict goes against Thaksin, the Red Shirts will not take it lying down.
Nattaya Chetchotiros is Assistant News Editor, Bangkok Post, and former President of the Thai Journalists Association.
Govt wages war on squatters
Apinya Wipatayotin and Anucha Charoenpo
12 January 2010
Bangkok Post
Khao Yai Thiang tops areas in for crackdown
The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has set up a task force to crack down on encroachment on protected forests in the wake of the furore over the ownership of reserve land by Privy Councillor Surayud Chulanont.
The task force will target 190 areas in 30 provinces where there are forest reserves and national parks.
Top of the list is the land at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district where Gen Surayud has his holiday home.
About 20 other areas in Chiang Mai, Buri Ram and Surat Thani are also being looked at, permanent secretary for natural resources and environment Saksit Tridech said yesterday.
There are about 400,000 families living illegally in protected forests and the Kingdom loses over 300,000 rai of forest every year as a result of encroachment.
Illegally occupied land will be seized immediately, with no need to wait for legal procedures, Mr Saksit said.
The ministry will seek a 1.5 billion baht budget to fund the task force's work.
A nationwide survey will be conducted with the help of satellite imagery.
The ministry will look into the land rights of 300 families at Khao Yai Thiang who may be in illegal possession of the land, most of which has been declared a forest reserve under the Royal Forest Department.
There is no time frame for the task force's mission, but Mr Saksit said there would be "no double standards" and called for officials to be given time to complete their work.
"Please be patient," he said.
The Royal Forest Department has set up another committee co-chaired by deputy chief Chonlatid Suraswadi and the deputy chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Chamnan Ekawatchotrakul, to find a solution within 60 days to the dispute over Gen Surayud's land at Khao Yai Thiang.
"Gen Surayud's case will be the model to be applied to other cases involving land right transfers to ineligible owners," Royal Forest Department chief Somchai Pienstaporn said.
Gen Surayud is under pressure by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to give up his land and home in Khao Yai Thiang.
Prosecutors have decided not to take action against him because he was not aware that he was breaking the law when he took possession of the land.
About 5,000 UDD members have gathered in front of his mountain home to push their demand that he vacate the land. About 1,500 police have been deployed to provide security.
"I think Gen Surayud is a good man," said Sith Assawakittanont, a UDD member from Bangkok. "But why does he want to keep the land which did not originally belong to him? It's really shameful."
UDD leaders are considering suing the Office of the Attorney-General and the Royal Forestry Department for neglecting their duty to seize the land from Gen Surayud. They said the state agencies had violated Section 157 of the Criminal Code which requires state authorities to perform their duty under the law for the benefit of the people.
The UDD alleges the agencies turned a blind eye to the problem despite knowing Gen Surayud owned the mountain land illegally.
UDD leaders, including Puea Thai Party MP Jatuporn Prompan, Dr Weng Tojirakarn, Puea Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima Suporn Atthawong and former National Human Rights commissioner Jaran Dithaapichai listed their demands yesterday at the rally site.
The UDD leaders called on Gen Surayud to return the land to the state and resign from his position of privy councillor.
"Gen Surayud can't deny responsibility," Mr Suporn said.
"He has no longer the integrity to be a privy councillor. He must resign.
"Those trespassing and encroaching on the forest reserve are subject to legal punishment."
UDD protesters stayed on the mountain overnight, eagerly awaiting a phone-in address from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The demonstration was peaceful, and is expected to end today.
January 18, 2010
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
ENVIRONMENT - Surayud calls for drive to protect the nation's forests.
24 January 1999
Bangkok Post
Army Commander-in-Chief Surayud Chulanont yesterday called on parties concerned to help protect the country's dwindling forests, particularly watershed areas, in the wake of deteriorating water shortage problem.
He said the army was ready to help the Forestry Department in preserving forests nationwide, especially along the borders and near human settlements. Citing Khao Yai national park, he said the forest there is the source of several rivers including Lam Takong which serves as a lifeline for the people in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Gen Surayud admitted that he felt a strong sense of belonging with Khao Yai ever since his childhood days when he had the opportunity to go hunting for small games in the forest.
He said he had talked with several forest rangers at Khao Yai and was fully aware of their difficulty in protecting the forest with a mere 200 people. In his capacity as chairman of Khao Yai national park foundation, he said a musical concert would be held at the park on January 29-30 to raise fund to help the park officials and also to create public awareness about forest protection.
24 January 1999
Bangkok Post
Army Commander-in-Chief Surayud Chulanont yesterday called on parties concerned to help protect the country's dwindling forests, particularly watershed areas, in the wake of deteriorating water shortage problem.
He said the army was ready to help the Forestry Department in preserving forests nationwide, especially along the borders and near human settlements. Citing Khao Yai national park, he said the forest there is the source of several rivers including Lam Takong which serves as a lifeline for the people in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Gen Surayud admitted that he felt a strong sense of belonging with Khao Yai ever since his childhood days when he had the opportunity to go hunting for small games in the forest.
He said he had talked with several forest rangers at Khao Yai and was fully aware of their difficulty in protecting the forest with a mere 200 people. In his capacity as chairman of Khao Yai national park foundation, he said a musical concert would be held at the park on January 29-30 to raise fund to help the park officials and also to create public awareness about forest protection.
January 17, 2010
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
PM denies owning train, costly home - Suruyud says he has declared all his assets
YUWADEE TUNYASIRI ANUCHA CHAROENPO
26 December 2006
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has rejected as groundless an allegation he illegally possessed four decommissioned train carriages at a resort house with a swimming pool on a large block of land in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Gen Surayud said he did not own the house and old carriages shown in photos posted on a website.
He admitted he owned a 20-rai plot of land at Khao Yai Thiang mountain near the army-owned TV Channel 5 signal relaying station in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. He said he bought the land from a "Mr Pao", who is now a monk, when he was the chief of Army Region 2.
The plot did not have a land ownership document but he had a document showing that he had paid taxes to the state for the use of the land.
There has been speculation that former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was behind moves to besmirch the prime minister. Gen Chavalit has denied involvement in any dirty tricks.
The prime minister expressed confidence yesterday that Gen Chavalit had played no part in false allegations brought against him. Gen Surayud, who was installed as prime minister after the Sept 19 coup-makers removed Thaksin Shinawatra from power, said he had declared his assets, including the block of land in Pak Chong, to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
He told reporters during their weekly meeting he was willing to take them to his house near Khao Yai Thiang.
Justice permanent secretary Charan Pakdithanakul told the same press conference the prosecution recently decided to drop lese majeste charges against Mr Thaksin.
Mr Thaksin had said in his weekly radio address before he was removed from power that he would resign if the King "whispers in my ear" to do so.
YUWADEE TUNYASIRI ANUCHA CHAROENPO
26 December 2006
Bangkok Post
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has rejected as groundless an allegation he illegally possessed four decommissioned train carriages at a resort house with a swimming pool on a large block of land in Nakhon Ratchasima province.
Gen Surayud said he did not own the house and old carriages shown in photos posted on a website.
He admitted he owned a 20-rai plot of land at Khao Yai Thiang mountain near the army-owned TV Channel 5 signal relaying station in Pak Chong district of Nakhon Ratchasima. He said he bought the land from a "Mr Pao", who is now a monk, when he was the chief of Army Region 2.
The plot did not have a land ownership document but he had a document showing that he had paid taxes to the state for the use of the land.
There has been speculation that former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was behind moves to besmirch the prime minister. Gen Chavalit has denied involvement in any dirty tricks.
The prime minister expressed confidence yesterday that Gen Chavalit had played no part in false allegations brought against him. Gen Surayud, who was installed as prime minister after the Sept 19 coup-makers removed Thaksin Shinawatra from power, said he had declared his assets, including the block of land in Pak Chong, to the National Counter Corruption Commission.
He told reporters during their weekly meeting he was willing to take them to his house near Khao Yai Thiang.
Justice permanent secretary Charan Pakdithanakul told the same press conference the prosecution recently decided to drop lese majeste charges against Mr Thaksin.
Mr Thaksin had said in his weekly radio address before he was removed from power that he would resign if the King "whispers in my ear" to do so.
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
If a tree should fall ...
Supara Janchitfah
8 February 2009
Bangkok Post
Long-time residents of the verdant southern forestlands facing eviction wonder if the authorities can hear their pleas Song Kongmuang of Tapan village, Si Banphot district in Phatthalung province witnessed the destruction of her para rubber trees at the hands of forest rangers, with the district chief presiding over the ''ceremony''. The 0.47 hectare para rubber plantation had been cultivated by her family for generations. After cutting down the white-barked trees, the forest rangers and forestry officials planted various types of small trees.
''I felt sad seeing my trees cut down,'' said Ms Song, adding that the small trees would ''need many years to grow before they can protect the soil and yield any benefit to the natural environment''.
Jien Bamrung, a villager in Huai Yoi district of Trang, talked of the day scores of men with axes and saws came to wipe out his plantation: ''More than 100 national park officials came to my land. I asked them not to cut my trees as they were planted before the declaration of the Bantad National Park. But the officials didn't listen to my pleas, they cut down more than 100 para rubber trees and then planted little trees,'' Mr Jien said with bitterness.
These villagers and their neighbours speak with dismay of the apparent double standards applied when resorts, hotels and influential persons are the ones accused of encroachment in Trang and other nearby provinces.
Indeed, it's hard to imagine NPD officers coming with bulldozers to remove a hotel located off a beautiful white-sand beach in what locals say was formerly a pristine part of Trang's Chao Mai National Park. Presently the hotel's owners hold a title deed for the plot of land, something that causes a lot of raised eyebrows in these parts.A vendor who lives less than a kilometre away from the hotel is not alone in believing that she has been discriminated against by the authorities. ''I have been living in this area since before the declaration of the national park, but I have no land document. Why do they?'' she asked, pointing in the direction of the hotel from her shabby hut.
A state school teacher who lives across the road from the vendor came to join our discussion. He said that his palm-oil trees had been destroyed by the national park officials. ''I lived here for 28 years before the declaration of the national park, and I have a [Sor Kor 1] land occupancy document, but I was not spared,'' he said, adding that he had submitted the application many years ago to upgrade his documentation status to a land title deed, but he is still waiting.
A case involving land claimed by former interim prime minister Surayud Chulanont which overlapped a forest reserve area at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima province attracted considerable notice when it was brought to the attention of the public back at the end of 2007, but it appears to have been put in the inactive file. Two months ago I asked the Department of Forestry about the progress of the investigation. I got no clear answer.
Somchai Pienstaporn, the department's director-general did talk to me, but advised that I direct my questions to a committee that had been set up to do the investigation on March 20 last year. He gave me a list of members, but after several weeks I have not heard from any of them. Setting up committees to take the spotlight off a scandal is a popular ploy in Thai administrative circles, as the scandal soon fades away when no one follows up.
Such an outcome is highly unlikely for villagers who are accused of encroachment in protected areas. They will be haunted to the finish.
CHARGES LEVELLED
Part one in this series described the case of a man accused of encroaching in a national park who was ordered by the National Park, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (NPD) to cut down para rubber trees on land he says his family has cultivated for generations, long before the declaration of the national park. With help from a grassroots network involved in such cases in the Bantad mountain region, Prapan Thongtai has so far been able to resist efforts by the NPD to cut down his trees and force him off the land.
Mr Prapan, from Khaopai village in Trang province, has seen a series of charges levelled at him by the NPD. Khopu-Khaoya National Park (KKP) officials first came to the land he cultivates para rubber trees on in 2003 after charges were filed at the Ratsada district police station. After two years, in 2005 the Office of Trang Public Prosecutor decided not to prosecute him.
In 2006, park officials nevertheless twice ordered Mr Prapan to destroy the para rubber trees and leave the plot of land. In 2008, the NPD filed a civil lawsuit please do not cut the word civil against Mr Prapan asking him to pay compensation for destruction of the environment and forcing him off the land. Mr Prapan said he and his local citizen's group are ''now in the dialogue process with concerned agencies''.
Kamjay Chaithong from Si Nakharin sub-district in Phattalung process has had to face both civil and criminal charges. She was convicted of encroachment in a criminal court and ordered to pay a 20,000 baht fine, given a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to move off the 1.3 hectares in Bantad National Park she claims as hers. Moreover, in a pending civil summon, she is asked to pay 1.67 million baht for encroaching on the land.
In most cases locals don't dispute that their land lies within forest reserve or national park boundaries. What they maintain is that they were on the land before such areas were designated and that the land has been under cultivation for generations and hence never belonged within a national park or forestry reserve boundary in the first place.
As supporting evidence of their claims, some villagers point out that they have been receiving funds from the Office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund (Orraf), a state funding agency. The Orraf has the duty of granting funds to para rubber growers so that they can grow more trees and boost Thailand's exports. The agency takes a portion of the revenue after the para rubber milk is sold.
LAND REFORMATION
A Trang Natural Resources and Environment Office (NREO) statement reads that ''with the increasing population, people need more land to cultivate, but as there is no unclaimed land they trespass in the forest''. However, the response of government agencies to this problem has been to increase suppression, rather than provide land to the people. The Trang NREO plans to spend five million baht to prevent encroachment in the forest.
There is a government agency which for the last 34 years has been charged with distributing public land to the landless _ the Agricultural and Land Reform Office (Alro) _ under the Land Reform Act (LRA), issued in 1975, but it has encountered many barriers. As of November 30, 2008, the ALRO has provided Sor Por Kor 4-01 land documents for 1,851,198 people, which amounts to a total of 4.79 million hectares of land distributed throughout Thailand. (see graphic)
The secretary-general of the Alro, Anan Pusittikul, remarked that there are many challenges in distributing the land, not least the revocation of forest reserve status. ''If people can prove they have been living on the land before the forest declaration, the next process is to revoke the forest reserve status and do the land reform for them, but this is a time consuming process,'' he said. He added that many who have been granted land titles do not keep the land for cultivation as the land reform programme intends, but transfer or sell it to someone else.
The determination of who deserves to be awarded reformed land has been an issue for quite some time throughout several government administrations. Some politicians have even applied for and received the Sor Por Kor 4-01 document under the rationale that they are descendants of farmers, without considering other criteria such as income and present occupations. When caught red-handed at their obvious deceit, they claimed ignorance of the letter of the law.
An Arlo official who asked not to be named said that in these cases it took a ''number of years to revoke the land rights''. The lack of cooperation among state agencies and the tremendous number of people applying for land distribution are other big challenges. The Thaksin government initiated efforts for the poor to register with the Ministry of Interior, and between Dec 3, 2003 and March 15, 2004 there were an astounding 8,258,435 people registered _ 1.85 million of the registrants were landless and 1.28 million claimed some plot of land but have no land rights document. The list of registrants has been handed over to the Internal Security Operations Command for some reason.
TWO INVESTIGATIONS, TWO OUTCOMES
Regarding the case of the hotel by Chao Mai National Park, when contacted recently a Land Department (LD) official said that it is the duty of the province to manage such troubles. There is a long history of involvement from the LD in the matter, however. On June 6, 1989, the Forestry Department sent a request to the LD to investigate application for land titles on 10 plots of land, two of which were later acquired by the hotel. It took nine years for the LD to give its decision on, June 9, 1998.
By the time of the ruling, some of the plots of land, including the two now claimed by the hotel, had already received title deeds, making it very hard for concerned agencies to revoke the land rights or to prosecute involved officials who might have retired or transferred to other areas.
Verification of whether land documents should be issued or have been issued properly and legally, has always been a sensitive and time-consuming matter. Said a Trang Land official who asked not to be named: ''If we revoke somebody's land rights, they will sue us, we are already facing many court cases by those whose land papers were revoked.'' A new LD committee was formed in 2002 to investigate the controversial land titles. In the same year the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also undertook an investigation into the mater.
The LD ruled last May to revoke some plots of land in the area, but not those claimed by the hotel. On the other hand the NHRC determined that titles for the land on which the hotel now stands had been issued improperly. The NHRC bases its findings on requirements under the LRA pertaining to land use, backed up by 1967 and 1974 aerial maps. According to the 1989 ministerial Land Regulations, item 12, the amount of land for a land title deed must be equal to the amount of land that has been utilised, and not beyond the amount of land that has been calculated to have been used. The NHRC's investigation, using the calculations of a court official who specialises in reading and interpreting aerial maps, found that only about 0.68 of a hectare overlapping between the two plots of land had been utilised prior to the construction of the hotel.
The NHRC ruling has no legal force, and the organisation can only make its recommendations and findings known to the Office of State's Land Trespassing and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. It seems likely that the matter will soon fade away in all but the minds of locals in the Trang community.
When I asked recently at the Provincial Land Office to see the hotel's title deeds, an official told me to go to the Sikao district office as the original of the land documents were issued there. However, the district office asked me to provide a letter from my office before showing the documents. When that was finally accomplished I was allowed to read the documents, but not photocopy them.
After going through more than 200 pages for each document, I found out that there were inconsistencies such as allowing land title documents to cover much more land than originally stated in the land occupancy document. Officials said this was because they were taking into account the natural landmarks on the plot of land rather than what was written in the document.
Contrast this bending of the rules with the complaints of people who live in Trang and nearby provinces who say they first submitted their Sor Kor 1 land documents to their respective land offices a number of years ago but have still received no word. If you mention this to officials at the land offices, they will likely reply that ''it is a time consuming process''. This is the second in a series on land rights issues.
Supara Janchitfah
8 February 2009
Bangkok Post
Long-time residents of the verdant southern forestlands facing eviction wonder if the authorities can hear their pleas Song Kongmuang of Tapan village, Si Banphot district in Phatthalung province witnessed the destruction of her para rubber trees at the hands of forest rangers, with the district chief presiding over the ''ceremony''. The 0.47 hectare para rubber plantation had been cultivated by her family for generations. After cutting down the white-barked trees, the forest rangers and forestry officials planted various types of small trees.
''I felt sad seeing my trees cut down,'' said Ms Song, adding that the small trees would ''need many years to grow before they can protect the soil and yield any benefit to the natural environment''.
Jien Bamrung, a villager in Huai Yoi district of Trang, talked of the day scores of men with axes and saws came to wipe out his plantation: ''More than 100 national park officials came to my land. I asked them not to cut my trees as they were planted before the declaration of the Bantad National Park. But the officials didn't listen to my pleas, they cut down more than 100 para rubber trees and then planted little trees,'' Mr Jien said with bitterness.
These villagers and their neighbours speak with dismay of the apparent double standards applied when resorts, hotels and influential persons are the ones accused of encroachment in Trang and other nearby provinces.
Indeed, it's hard to imagine NPD officers coming with bulldozers to remove a hotel located off a beautiful white-sand beach in what locals say was formerly a pristine part of Trang's Chao Mai National Park. Presently the hotel's owners hold a title deed for the plot of land, something that causes a lot of raised eyebrows in these parts.A vendor who lives less than a kilometre away from the hotel is not alone in believing that she has been discriminated against by the authorities. ''I have been living in this area since before the declaration of the national park, but I have no land document. Why do they?'' she asked, pointing in the direction of the hotel from her shabby hut.
A state school teacher who lives across the road from the vendor came to join our discussion. He said that his palm-oil trees had been destroyed by the national park officials. ''I lived here for 28 years before the declaration of the national park, and I have a [Sor Kor 1] land occupancy document, but I was not spared,'' he said, adding that he had submitted the application many years ago to upgrade his documentation status to a land title deed, but he is still waiting.
A case involving land claimed by former interim prime minister Surayud Chulanont which overlapped a forest reserve area at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima province attracted considerable notice when it was brought to the attention of the public back at the end of 2007, but it appears to have been put in the inactive file. Two months ago I asked the Department of Forestry about the progress of the investigation. I got no clear answer.
Somchai Pienstaporn, the department's director-general did talk to me, but advised that I direct my questions to a committee that had been set up to do the investigation on March 20 last year. He gave me a list of members, but after several weeks I have not heard from any of them. Setting up committees to take the spotlight off a scandal is a popular ploy in Thai administrative circles, as the scandal soon fades away when no one follows up.
Such an outcome is highly unlikely for villagers who are accused of encroachment in protected areas. They will be haunted to the finish.
CHARGES LEVELLED
Part one in this series described the case of a man accused of encroaching in a national park who was ordered by the National Park, Wildlife and Plants Conservation (NPD) to cut down para rubber trees on land he says his family has cultivated for generations, long before the declaration of the national park. With help from a grassroots network involved in such cases in the Bantad mountain region, Prapan Thongtai has so far been able to resist efforts by the NPD to cut down his trees and force him off the land.
Mr Prapan, from Khaopai village in Trang province, has seen a series of charges levelled at him by the NPD. Khopu-Khaoya National Park (KKP) officials first came to the land he cultivates para rubber trees on in 2003 after charges were filed at the Ratsada district police station. After two years, in 2005 the Office of Trang Public Prosecutor decided not to prosecute him.
In 2006, park officials nevertheless twice ordered Mr Prapan to destroy the para rubber trees and leave the plot of land. In 2008, the NPD filed a civil lawsuit please do not cut the word civil against Mr Prapan asking him to pay compensation for destruction of the environment and forcing him off the land. Mr Prapan said he and his local citizen's group are ''now in the dialogue process with concerned agencies''.
Kamjay Chaithong from Si Nakharin sub-district in Phattalung process has had to face both civil and criminal charges. She was convicted of encroachment in a criminal court and ordered to pay a 20,000 baht fine, given a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to move off the 1.3 hectares in Bantad National Park she claims as hers. Moreover, in a pending civil summon, she is asked to pay 1.67 million baht for encroaching on the land.
In most cases locals don't dispute that their land lies within forest reserve or national park boundaries. What they maintain is that they were on the land before such areas were designated and that the land has been under cultivation for generations and hence never belonged within a national park or forestry reserve boundary in the first place.
As supporting evidence of their claims, some villagers point out that they have been receiving funds from the Office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund (Orraf), a state funding agency. The Orraf has the duty of granting funds to para rubber growers so that they can grow more trees and boost Thailand's exports. The agency takes a portion of the revenue after the para rubber milk is sold.
LAND REFORMATION
A Trang Natural Resources and Environment Office (NREO) statement reads that ''with the increasing population, people need more land to cultivate, but as there is no unclaimed land they trespass in the forest''. However, the response of government agencies to this problem has been to increase suppression, rather than provide land to the people. The Trang NREO plans to spend five million baht to prevent encroachment in the forest.
There is a government agency which for the last 34 years has been charged with distributing public land to the landless _ the Agricultural and Land Reform Office (Alro) _ under the Land Reform Act (LRA), issued in 1975, but it has encountered many barriers. As of November 30, 2008, the ALRO has provided Sor Por Kor 4-01 land documents for 1,851,198 people, which amounts to a total of 4.79 million hectares of land distributed throughout Thailand. (see graphic)
The secretary-general of the Alro, Anan Pusittikul, remarked that there are many challenges in distributing the land, not least the revocation of forest reserve status. ''If people can prove they have been living on the land before the forest declaration, the next process is to revoke the forest reserve status and do the land reform for them, but this is a time consuming process,'' he said. He added that many who have been granted land titles do not keep the land for cultivation as the land reform programme intends, but transfer or sell it to someone else.
The determination of who deserves to be awarded reformed land has been an issue for quite some time throughout several government administrations. Some politicians have even applied for and received the Sor Por Kor 4-01 document under the rationale that they are descendants of farmers, without considering other criteria such as income and present occupations. When caught red-handed at their obvious deceit, they claimed ignorance of the letter of the law.
An Arlo official who asked not to be named said that in these cases it took a ''number of years to revoke the land rights''. The lack of cooperation among state agencies and the tremendous number of people applying for land distribution are other big challenges. The Thaksin government initiated efforts for the poor to register with the Ministry of Interior, and between Dec 3, 2003 and March 15, 2004 there were an astounding 8,258,435 people registered _ 1.85 million of the registrants were landless and 1.28 million claimed some plot of land but have no land rights document. The list of registrants has been handed over to the Internal Security Operations Command for some reason.
TWO INVESTIGATIONS, TWO OUTCOMES
Regarding the case of the hotel by Chao Mai National Park, when contacted recently a Land Department (LD) official said that it is the duty of the province to manage such troubles. There is a long history of involvement from the LD in the matter, however. On June 6, 1989, the Forestry Department sent a request to the LD to investigate application for land titles on 10 plots of land, two of which were later acquired by the hotel. It took nine years for the LD to give its decision on, June 9, 1998.
By the time of the ruling, some of the plots of land, including the two now claimed by the hotel, had already received title deeds, making it very hard for concerned agencies to revoke the land rights or to prosecute involved officials who might have retired or transferred to other areas.
Verification of whether land documents should be issued or have been issued properly and legally, has always been a sensitive and time-consuming matter. Said a Trang Land official who asked not to be named: ''If we revoke somebody's land rights, they will sue us, we are already facing many court cases by those whose land papers were revoked.'' A new LD committee was formed in 2002 to investigate the controversial land titles. In the same year the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also undertook an investigation into the mater.
The LD ruled last May to revoke some plots of land in the area, but not those claimed by the hotel. On the other hand the NHRC determined that titles for the land on which the hotel now stands had been issued improperly. The NHRC bases its findings on requirements under the LRA pertaining to land use, backed up by 1967 and 1974 aerial maps. According to the 1989 ministerial Land Regulations, item 12, the amount of land for a land title deed must be equal to the amount of land that has been utilised, and not beyond the amount of land that has been calculated to have been used. The NHRC's investigation, using the calculations of a court official who specialises in reading and interpreting aerial maps, found that only about 0.68 of a hectare overlapping between the two plots of land had been utilised prior to the construction of the hotel.
The NHRC ruling has no legal force, and the organisation can only make its recommendations and findings known to the Office of State's Land Trespassing and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. It seems likely that the matter will soon fade away in all but the minds of locals in the Trang community.
When I asked recently at the Provincial Land Office to see the hotel's title deeds, an official told me to go to the Sikao district office as the original of the land documents were issued there. However, the district office asked me to provide a letter from my office before showing the documents. When that was finally accomplished I was allowed to read the documents, but not photocopy them.
After going through more than 200 pages for each document, I found out that there were inconsistencies such as allowing land title documents to cover much more land than originally stated in the land occupancy document. Officials said this was because they were taking into account the natural landmarks on the plot of land rather than what was written in the document.
Contrast this bending of the rules with the complaints of people who live in Trang and nearby provinces who say they first submitted their Sor Kor 1 land documents to their respective land offices a number of years ago but have still received no word. If you mention this to officials at the land offices, they will likely reply that ''it is a time consuming process''. This is the second in a series on land rights issues.
January 16, 2010
Surayud: Khao Yai Thieng
Spotlight; 'MY PLACE'
5 February 2008
Bangkok Post
Locals set to welcome the former prime minister 'home'
Story by ANUCHA CHAROENPO
Visit Khao Yai Thieng and fill your lungs with the fresh, cool highland air once, then you will know why so many wealthy people, including former prime minister Surayud Chulanont, want to have a house there. To prove how beautiful the area is and to bid farewell to political reporters as he was leaving office, Gen Surayud recently organised a trip to his resort house, which is located on a 20-rai plot of land on Khao Yai Thieng, in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district.
Sitting relaxed at the house, overlooking a stunning view of the Lam Takhong reservoir, Gen Surayud told reporters that he visited often before being appointed prime minister after the Sept 19, 2006, coup. There he likes to jog, take care of the garden, read books, camp and trek - activities he hardly had a chance to do after taking the prime minister's job. He said the Khao Yai Thieng open-house trip had nothing to do with ongoing investigations into his alleged illegal land acquisition and forest encroachment. The allegation surfaced shortly after he was appointed prime minister. Gen Surayud has repeatedly insisted that the land acquisition was clean and transparent.
Sudchai Boonchai, a leading member of the Saturday People Against Dictatorship, who made the accusation, submitted information and photos of the land - which was bought by Gen Surayud about 13 years ago when he was commander of the 2nd Army Region supervising the Northeast - to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC). However, the NCCC refused to look into the case, saying the law only allows it to carry out investigations into cases involving state officials who retired not more than two years after an alleged wrongdoing took place.
But an ethics committee under the National Legislative Assembly, led by Prasong Soonsiri, took up the case, as well as the land and forestry departments, which have been investigating the legality of the land acquisition and use. It is unclear when the inquiries will be completed or if the investigators will come up with any results at all. Gen Surayud's presence at Khao Yai Thieng might be a big issue for the general public, but not for villagers sharing the mountains with the former prime minister, who are very happy to have Gen Surayud as a neighbour.
Twenty-three years ago, the Forestry Department allowed hundreds of landless villagers to live on the mountains and make use of the land. The state did not grant them any land rights documents, but the occupants could legally make use of the land by paying land tax annually. Most villagers earn their living from growing winter fruits and vegetables, others run dairy farms and homestay businesses, while many of them sold their plots to land buyers. "Gen Surayud is not the only one who bought land from local villagers. Many rich people, especially businessmen and retired state officials, have also taken over land plots from the original occupiers," said Thongdee Siriwong, 66, a villager who has lived on the mountain for more than 30 years.
"I think the investigation is politically motivated. All the land owners on the mountain got their properties in the same way [as Gen Surayud]," he said. The former employee of the Channel 7 television station, who now runs a grocery shop in Khao Yai Thieng Nuea village, said he was glad to hear that the former prime minister will try to spend more time at his resort house so the villagers will have a chance to chat with him and get to know him. "I once saw him jogging past my house before he became the prime minister. I still remembered his smiling face. I wish I could see him more often, " he said. Khao Yai Thieng Tai villager Phao Sainak, 46, said she was waiting for Gen Surayud's return. "Everybody here loves and praises him so much because he has never caused anyone trouble. We're proud that we will have the former prime minister as our neighbour," said Mrs Phao.
Mrs Phao said that she was not surprised that Gen Surayud and other well-to-do people have chosen to buy or build resort homes in the area. It is an ideal retreat for old people and those with stressful jobs as they can live close to nature and relax, she said. Mrs Phao, who has lived there for more than three decades, recalled the days when Khao Yai Thieng was rich with natural resources and wild animals, such as rabbits, elephants, mouse deers and gibbons.
But with more people living in the area, the animals have disappeared or moved deeper into the forests. Mrs Pao said she wanted to see the former prime minister use his potential and ability to run a reforestation and wild animal protection project, to rehabilitate the ecological system.
Somwang Katemmad, a Khao Yai Thieng Tai village headman, said: " I am not interested in the investigations, no matter what the results will be. It's a nonsensical allegation. If he [Gen Surayud] was found guilty of unlawful intrusion, all the villagers here would also face the same charge."
Mr Somwang said he will hold a meeting with villagers on whether to host a welcoming ceremony for the return of the ex-prime minister. "We're happy to hear that he will visit the village more often after stepping down because he can help us develop our community and protect the natural resources," he said.
5 February 2008
Bangkok Post
Locals set to welcome the former prime minister 'home'
Story by ANUCHA CHAROENPO
Visit Khao Yai Thieng and fill your lungs with the fresh, cool highland air once, then you will know why so many wealthy people, including former prime minister Surayud Chulanont, want to have a house there. To prove how beautiful the area is and to bid farewell to political reporters as he was leaving office, Gen Surayud recently organised a trip to his resort house, which is located on a 20-rai plot of land on Khao Yai Thieng, in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district.
Sitting relaxed at the house, overlooking a stunning view of the Lam Takhong reservoir, Gen Surayud told reporters that he visited often before being appointed prime minister after the Sept 19, 2006, coup. There he likes to jog, take care of the garden, read books, camp and trek - activities he hardly had a chance to do after taking the prime minister's job. He said the Khao Yai Thieng open-house trip had nothing to do with ongoing investigations into his alleged illegal land acquisition and forest encroachment. The allegation surfaced shortly after he was appointed prime minister. Gen Surayud has repeatedly insisted that the land acquisition was clean and transparent.
Sudchai Boonchai, a leading member of the Saturday People Against Dictatorship, who made the accusation, submitted information and photos of the land - which was bought by Gen Surayud about 13 years ago when he was commander of the 2nd Army Region supervising the Northeast - to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC). However, the NCCC refused to look into the case, saying the law only allows it to carry out investigations into cases involving state officials who retired not more than two years after an alleged wrongdoing took place.
But an ethics committee under the National Legislative Assembly, led by Prasong Soonsiri, took up the case, as well as the land and forestry departments, which have been investigating the legality of the land acquisition and use. It is unclear when the inquiries will be completed or if the investigators will come up with any results at all. Gen Surayud's presence at Khao Yai Thieng might be a big issue for the general public, but not for villagers sharing the mountains with the former prime minister, who are very happy to have Gen Surayud as a neighbour.
Twenty-three years ago, the Forestry Department allowed hundreds of landless villagers to live on the mountains and make use of the land. The state did not grant them any land rights documents, but the occupants could legally make use of the land by paying land tax annually. Most villagers earn their living from growing winter fruits and vegetables, others run dairy farms and homestay businesses, while many of them sold their plots to land buyers. "Gen Surayud is not the only one who bought land from local villagers. Many rich people, especially businessmen and retired state officials, have also taken over land plots from the original occupiers," said Thongdee Siriwong, 66, a villager who has lived on the mountain for more than 30 years.
"I think the investigation is politically motivated. All the land owners on the mountain got their properties in the same way [as Gen Surayud]," he said. The former employee of the Channel 7 television station, who now runs a grocery shop in Khao Yai Thieng Nuea village, said he was glad to hear that the former prime minister will try to spend more time at his resort house so the villagers will have a chance to chat with him and get to know him. "I once saw him jogging past my house before he became the prime minister. I still remembered his smiling face. I wish I could see him more often, " he said. Khao Yai Thieng Tai villager Phao Sainak, 46, said she was waiting for Gen Surayud's return. "Everybody here loves and praises him so much because he has never caused anyone trouble. We're proud that we will have the former prime minister as our neighbour," said Mrs Phao.
Mrs Phao said that she was not surprised that Gen Surayud and other well-to-do people have chosen to buy or build resort homes in the area. It is an ideal retreat for old people and those with stressful jobs as they can live close to nature and relax, she said. Mrs Phao, who has lived there for more than three decades, recalled the days when Khao Yai Thieng was rich with natural resources and wild animals, such as rabbits, elephants, mouse deers and gibbons.
But with more people living in the area, the animals have disappeared or moved deeper into the forests. Mrs Pao said she wanted to see the former prime minister use his potential and ability to run a reforestation and wild animal protection project, to rehabilitate the ecological system.
Somwang Katemmad, a Khao Yai Thieng Tai village headman, said: " I am not interested in the investigations, no matter what the results will be. It's a nonsensical allegation. If he [Gen Surayud] was found guilty of unlawful intrusion, all the villagers here would also face the same charge."
Mr Somwang said he will hold a meeting with villagers on whether to host a welcoming ceremony for the return of the ex-prime minister. "We're happy to hear that he will visit the village more often after stepping down because he can help us develop our community and protect the natural resources," he said.
Surayud:Khao Yai Thieng
ABOUT POLITICS; Heading back to nature
24 January 2008
Bangkok Post
As happy times are again set to return to the family of outgoing Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, his wife, Chitravadee Chulanont, wastes no time in outlining the future of the family and defends her house and husband. Thanpuying Chitravadee is eagerly looking forward to the day her husband steps down when the new government takes office with plans for leisure activities with her husband and sons.
"Normally, we do activities together on Sundays but after my husband accepted the premiership, he has not had enough time for the family and we have hardly had dinner together," she said. "I have waited for this day for more than a year," she said during a visit by the press to her house on Khao Yai Thieng mountain in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima last weekend.
The controversial land acquisition and use is being investigated by the Forestry and Land Departments, amid claims that it might have been state land and as such, off-limits to private buyers. But Thanpuying Chitravadee, the landowner, reiterated the legality of land rights which she had obtained more than a decade ago. "I pay 80 baht in land tax every year," she said, explaining that she did not buy the land for business purposes. Instead, she wanted to develop it as a forest so that her family members, relatives and close friends would use it as a retreat. "We came here often before Gen Surayud took up the premiership. "He wanted us to live close to nature. That's why we built only a small house with two toilets and one living room. We always slept in tents outside the house," she said.
The prime minister spent his time reading books, jogging, watering trees and watching the sunset overlooking the Lam Takhong dam. Thanpuying Chitravadee defended her husband saying he had done his best to solve the problems plaguing the country since he came to power in October 2006. Thanpuying Chitravadee said her husband will never return to politics after stepping down from the premiership because he wants to spend the rest of his life as an ordinary person.
"I know that he is tired of this mission but I have never heard him complaining about it or being in a bad temper at home," she said. However, she is uncertain whether her husband will return to being a privy councillor, saying the decision depends on His Majesty the King. "People don't need to praise my husband highly after he retires from office. Just saying something fair about him is enough," she said.
-
Just one drama after another Former United States ambassador to Thailand Ralph Boyce took early retirement from the US foreign service when his appointment ended last month, but will retain a highly visible, and probably very vocal, presence in the Southeast Asian political scene. Mr Boyce is now a senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew Institute in Singapore, where he was posted from 1992 to 1994. Like many of his predecessors, Mr Boyce, widely known as Skip, is expected to exploit his connections in the region for the benefit of American or regional policy formulation.
The diplomat, who speaks Thai, Persian and French, added colour to Thai politics during the final years of his diplomat career and his comments about the Thaksin government are seen as having helped justify the Sept 19, 2006 coup. Mr Boyce's replacement, Eric John, might not be as colourful or as outspoken, but the Indiana-born diplomat has his fingers well-attuned to Thailand's pulse. Mr John arrived in Thailand exactly a week after the Dec 23 general election and has been active ever since, despite having to wait for an audience with His Majesty the King to present his credentials, including copies of the Letter of Credence and Letter of Recall of His Predecessor.
He said at his first function last week that he looked forward to the commemoration of the 175th anniversary year of the Thai-US Amity Treaty later this year. After all, Thailand is the United States' oldest ally in Asia, longer than China and Japan, and there must be some landmark celebration for this bilateral event. Mr Boyce's three years in Thailand could be described as a dramatic time, given the fact that he was here to bear witness to several major events, including the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne and the 80th birthday celebration. He was also here to handle US-Thai affairs during the 2004 tsunami and the Sept 19 coup.
Mr John's years could be equally testing. As a former deputy assistant secretary of state for Southeast Asia, he has coordinated Washington's's Asian policy, including the relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which Thailand chairs from the middle of this year.
He will play a key liaison role in US relations with Thailand, bilaterally and within Asean. Affairs related to Burma are also likely to arise. The 48-year-old diplomat is optimistic about Thailand's prospects in light of the coup, which he has described as only an interruption, albeit a significant one. Regarded as an expert in Korean and Vietnamese affairs, Mr John will now have to deal with the volatile political scene in Thailand and the region, while negotiating his way through changing times at home at the same time.
-
In search of a security blanket
As the Council for National Security (CNS) prepares to step down, members of the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), are nervously awaiting the return to Thai shores of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The CNS will, for all intents and purposes, disband after the new People Power party-led government is sworn in.
The PPP, a resurrection of the Thai Rak Thai party which the CNS toppled in the Sept 19, 2006 coup, has threatened to undo many of the changes which the CNS put in place, including creating the ASC.
The ASC has every reason to fear the return of Mr Thaksin, the founder of Thai Rak Thai. After all, the military-appointed body's primary task was to carry out investigations that would allow for corruption and abuse of authority charges to be brought against the Thaksin administration.
It recommended the indictment of Mr Thaksin himself in connection with alleged abuse of power in his wife's purchase of prime land in Ratchadapisek road.
The CNS and the ASC are in every sense of the word natural enemies of the PPP and Mr Thaksin.
The time to settle scores seems set to begin sooner rather than later.
Morale is also dipping to new lows after CNS strongman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin appears to have shrunk from the limelight following the PPP's election victory.
The frequent get-togethers between Gen Sonthi and the ASC at his residence over meals and karaoke seem to have been relegated to the history books.
He has embarked on an extended visit to the Middle East and North Africa as if he were trying to escape the hurt and pain of witnessing the PPP's, and essentially Mr Thaksin's, triumph at the polls on Dec 23, which was tantamount to a defeat for the CNS.
With Gen Sonthi, perceived by many as the tower of strength for the CNS and the military-installed agencies, fading into oblivion, the job of comforting nervous ASC members has befallen acting CNS chief Chalit Phukphasuk.
At a belated New Year party which ACM Chalit threw for the ASC at the Air Force headquarters on Monday, the celebratory mood was dampened by questions hanging over the ASC's future.
Among ASC heavyweights who turned up at the party were committee chairman Nam Yimyaem, Udom Fuengfung, Klanarong Chantik, Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, Sak Korsaengruang and Kaewsan Atipho.
The ASC figures are worried that the changing of the guard at Government House could dim the chances of cases against Mr Thaksin being seen through to the end.
"Mr Thaksin still has might and influence. Once he is back, the cases against him could be dropped," a source said.
The ASC members, whose tenure expires on June 30, are regarded as political post-holders and as such are also liable to stand trial in the Supreme Court's section on crimes committed by politicians. A petition against them would have to be lodged through the National Counter Corruption Commission.
The ASC, however, functions under a legal provision which exempts it from criminal prosecution in ordinary courts.
The Monday night party was abuzz with questions as to who will protect the ASC after the CNS walks off into the sunset.
It was ACM Chalit who rose to the occasion. "I sympathise with the ASC for making the sacrifice and taking up the mission. They came to help because the CNS asked them to," he said.
ACM Chalit's assurances were meant to ease the ASC's worries that the new government may push for a law which would strip the committee of its immunity from criminal prosecution. An air force source said ACM Chalit may be able to offer protection to the ASC - that is, if he does not face retribution himself.
24 January 2008
Bangkok Post
As happy times are again set to return to the family of outgoing Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, his wife, Chitravadee Chulanont, wastes no time in outlining the future of the family and defends her house and husband. Thanpuying Chitravadee is eagerly looking forward to the day her husband steps down when the new government takes office with plans for leisure activities with her husband and sons.
"Normally, we do activities together on Sundays but after my husband accepted the premiership, he has not had enough time for the family and we have hardly had dinner together," she said. "I have waited for this day for more than a year," she said during a visit by the press to her house on Khao Yai Thieng mountain in Sikhiu district of Nakhon Ratchasima last weekend.
The controversial land acquisition and use is being investigated by the Forestry and Land Departments, amid claims that it might have been state land and as such, off-limits to private buyers. But Thanpuying Chitravadee, the landowner, reiterated the legality of land rights which she had obtained more than a decade ago. "I pay 80 baht in land tax every year," she said, explaining that she did not buy the land for business purposes. Instead, she wanted to develop it as a forest so that her family members, relatives and close friends would use it as a retreat. "We came here often before Gen Surayud took up the premiership. "He wanted us to live close to nature. That's why we built only a small house with two toilets and one living room. We always slept in tents outside the house," she said.
The prime minister spent his time reading books, jogging, watering trees and watching the sunset overlooking the Lam Takhong dam. Thanpuying Chitravadee defended her husband saying he had done his best to solve the problems plaguing the country since he came to power in October 2006. Thanpuying Chitravadee said her husband will never return to politics after stepping down from the premiership because he wants to spend the rest of his life as an ordinary person.
"I know that he is tired of this mission but I have never heard him complaining about it or being in a bad temper at home," she said. However, she is uncertain whether her husband will return to being a privy councillor, saying the decision depends on His Majesty the King. "People don't need to praise my husband highly after he retires from office. Just saying something fair about him is enough," she said.
-
Just one drama after another Former United States ambassador to Thailand Ralph Boyce took early retirement from the US foreign service when his appointment ended last month, but will retain a highly visible, and probably very vocal, presence in the Southeast Asian political scene. Mr Boyce is now a senior research fellow at the Lee Kuan Yew Institute in Singapore, where he was posted from 1992 to 1994. Like many of his predecessors, Mr Boyce, widely known as Skip, is expected to exploit his connections in the region for the benefit of American or regional policy formulation.
The diplomat, who speaks Thai, Persian and French, added colour to Thai politics during the final years of his diplomat career and his comments about the Thaksin government are seen as having helped justify the Sept 19, 2006 coup. Mr Boyce's replacement, Eric John, might not be as colourful or as outspoken, but the Indiana-born diplomat has his fingers well-attuned to Thailand's pulse. Mr John arrived in Thailand exactly a week after the Dec 23 general election and has been active ever since, despite having to wait for an audience with His Majesty the King to present his credentials, including copies of the Letter of Credence and Letter of Recall of His Predecessor.
He said at his first function last week that he looked forward to the commemoration of the 175th anniversary year of the Thai-US Amity Treaty later this year. After all, Thailand is the United States' oldest ally in Asia, longer than China and Japan, and there must be some landmark celebration for this bilateral event. Mr Boyce's three years in Thailand could be described as a dramatic time, given the fact that he was here to bear witness to several major events, including the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne and the 80th birthday celebration. He was also here to handle US-Thai affairs during the 2004 tsunami and the Sept 19 coup.
Mr John's years could be equally testing. As a former deputy assistant secretary of state for Southeast Asia, he has coordinated Washington's's Asian policy, including the relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which Thailand chairs from the middle of this year.
He will play a key liaison role in US relations with Thailand, bilaterally and within Asean. Affairs related to Burma are also likely to arise. The 48-year-old diplomat is optimistic about Thailand's prospects in light of the coup, which he has described as only an interruption, albeit a significant one. Regarded as an expert in Korean and Vietnamese affairs, Mr John will now have to deal with the volatile political scene in Thailand and the region, while negotiating his way through changing times at home at the same time.
-
In search of a security blanket
As the Council for National Security (CNS) prepares to step down, members of the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), are nervously awaiting the return to Thai shores of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The CNS will, for all intents and purposes, disband after the new People Power party-led government is sworn in.
The PPP, a resurrection of the Thai Rak Thai party which the CNS toppled in the Sept 19, 2006 coup, has threatened to undo many of the changes which the CNS put in place, including creating the ASC.
The ASC has every reason to fear the return of Mr Thaksin, the founder of Thai Rak Thai. After all, the military-appointed body's primary task was to carry out investigations that would allow for corruption and abuse of authority charges to be brought against the Thaksin administration.
It recommended the indictment of Mr Thaksin himself in connection with alleged abuse of power in his wife's purchase of prime land in Ratchadapisek road.
The CNS and the ASC are in every sense of the word natural enemies of the PPP and Mr Thaksin.
The time to settle scores seems set to begin sooner rather than later.
Morale is also dipping to new lows after CNS strongman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin appears to have shrunk from the limelight following the PPP's election victory.
The frequent get-togethers between Gen Sonthi and the ASC at his residence over meals and karaoke seem to have been relegated to the history books.
He has embarked on an extended visit to the Middle East and North Africa as if he were trying to escape the hurt and pain of witnessing the PPP's, and essentially Mr Thaksin's, triumph at the polls on Dec 23, which was tantamount to a defeat for the CNS.
With Gen Sonthi, perceived by many as the tower of strength for the CNS and the military-installed agencies, fading into oblivion, the job of comforting nervous ASC members has befallen acting CNS chief Chalit Phukphasuk.
At a belated New Year party which ACM Chalit threw for the ASC at the Air Force headquarters on Monday, the celebratory mood was dampened by questions hanging over the ASC's future.
Among ASC heavyweights who turned up at the party were committee chairman Nam Yimyaem, Udom Fuengfung, Klanarong Chantik, Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, Sak Korsaengruang and Kaewsan Atipho.
The ASC figures are worried that the changing of the guard at Government House could dim the chances of cases against Mr Thaksin being seen through to the end.
"Mr Thaksin still has might and influence. Once he is back, the cases against him could be dropped," a source said.
The ASC members, whose tenure expires on June 30, are regarded as political post-holders and as such are also liable to stand trial in the Supreme Court's section on crimes committed by politicians. A petition against them would have to be lodged through the National Counter Corruption Commission.
The ASC, however, functions under a legal provision which exempts it from criminal prosecution in ordinary courts.
The Monday night party was abuzz with questions as to who will protect the ASC after the CNS walks off into the sunset.
It was ACM Chalit who rose to the occasion. "I sympathise with the ASC for making the sacrifice and taking up the mission. They came to help because the CNS asked them to," he said.
ACM Chalit's assurances were meant to ease the ASC's worries that the new government may push for a law which would strip the committee of its immunity from criminal prosecution. An air force source said ACM Chalit may be able to offer protection to the ASC - that is, if he does not face retribution himself.
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