Weekly highlights | Bangkok Post: news

The Nitirat group comes under heavy fire for its controversial proposals regarding the monarchy, as moves to amend or rewrite the charter gained added momentum. Meanwhile, a confrontation is looming between the City Hall and the government over flood prevention - amid predictions of another flood crisis this year.

People attend a forum organised by law academics from the Nitirat group at Thammasat University on Jan 16, 2012. The group is gathering 10,000 signatures on a petition demanding an amendment to Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

The push by seven Thammasat law lecturers, known as the Nitirat group, to set a new order for the monarchy met with a major setback this week when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced for the first time that her government would definitely not amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the lese majeste law which deals with actions which are deemed offensive, insulting or threatening to the revered institution.

Backing up Ms Yingluck’s stance on the lese majeste law, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung branded the Nitirat group's proposals as nonsense, saying he would oppose any attempt to amend the law.

The group's latest proposal for a complete rewrite of the 2007 Constitution, especially regarding the monarchy and including requiring His Majesty the King to take an oath before the parliament to protect the charter seems to be the last straw. It has unified monarchists on all sides of the political divide, including the army and other academics, to lash out at the group, particularly its leader Dr Vorajate Pakeerat.

Although the Nitirat group comprises only seven law lecturers at Thammasat University, it has the support of many red-shirt followers.

The harshest criticism came from Dr Bovornsak Uwanno of the King Prachadhipok Institute and Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Dr Bovornsak said instead of requiring the King to take an oath before the parliament Dr Vorajate, a recipient of the prestigious King Anand scholarship, or the King’s scholarship, should himself take an oath that he would not betray or be ungrateful to the King for the scholarship which made it possible for him to finish his PhD in law in Germany.

General Prayuth asked the seven law lecturers what good they had ever done for the country that gave them the right to propose a new order for HM the King who throughout his reign, and before, had contributed so much for the good of the country and the Thai people.

Senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn questioned the group's motives. He said proposals would benefit only a civilian dictatorship and give it complete control of the civil service, the military and the judiciary.

The proposal would also mean judges would be appointed and placed by politicians, not by their own peers.

Heavily damaged houses are visible behind the city pillar shrine in Suphan Buri province following a fireworks explosion at a Chinese New Year celebration on Jan 24, 2012. (Photo by Tawatchai Kemgumnerd)

The Chinese New Year's celebrations this week went smoothly and in joyous mood in most of the country where there are Chinese communities, but not in former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa's Suphan Buri where it was unfortunately marred by tragedy.

Second only to Bangkok’s celebration in Yaowarat, or Chinatown, the Chinese New Year’s celebration in Suphan Buri is considered a major event in the province and annually draws tens of thousands spectators. As usual, the fireworks display, dragon dances and Chinese classical dances by troupes from China were the highlights of the celebration chaired by the provincial governor and Mr Banharn.

For reasons yet to be determined by police, many fireworks accidentally exploded during the sensational fireworks display, setting off fires in a crowded community next to the Dragon Park where the celebration was held. Four people died and more than 70 hurt, fortunately most suffered only minor injuries, and more than 60 houses went up in flames.

Governor Somsak Phurisrisak said that the victims would be compensated. Those slightly injured would receive 3,000 baht, with 5,000 baht for the seriously injured and 25,000 baht for the family of each of the dead. Owners of damaged houses will each receive 20,000-30,000 baht.

Mr Banharn, a key organiser of the celebration, subsequently said there would be no fireworks display at future festivities.

As for the constitutional amendments issue, Udomdej Rattanasathien, a Pheu Thai MP of Nonthaburi and a government whip, said he expected the issue to be tabled in the parliament in February.

He maintained that the government whips' position is to amend Article 291 of the constitution to provide for the creation of a charter writing assembly.

The whips' stance coincided with that of an activist group led by Yodyiem Srimunta, which on Wednesday submitted a proposal to the parliament signed by some 65,000 people demanding the amendment of Article 291 to set up an elected charter writing assembly.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranon said that it would take two to three months to verify all the signatures and vet the draft proposed by the activist group.

Former law professor Dr Ukrit Mongkolnavin, who was designated by the government to explore means to amend the charter, has come up with its own proposal – that is a panel of 34 handpicked individuals would write a new charter. Dr Ukrit claimed that his option would be cheaper and quicker than the proposed elected assembly.

The government is yet to decide whether to amend or rewrite the charter.

On the political front, the ruling Pheu Thai party has declared war on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, with Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit unceremoniously warning that he might fire Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra if City Hall refuses to cooperate fully with the government in the implementation of flood prevention plans.

Although the governor was elected by the people of Bangkok, Mr Yongyuth said he had the power to dismiss the governor, but quickly added that dismissal would be the last resort.

The government's Flood Relief Operations Command led by Justice Minister Pracha Promnok was at odds with the City Hall over flood prevention measures for Bangkok during last year’s big flood, with the governor insisting that the city has its own plans and water experts to cope with the problem.

During the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Yingluck urged all ministries and agencies concerned with flood prevention to start working immediately, otherwise the budgets already allocated to them will be taken back and transferred to other agencies which are better prepared.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomai on Wednesday hit back at the government's accusations that City Hall is delaying implementing flood prevention projects.

He said that the city administration had not received the 1.9 billion baht in funding for the programme, as claimed by the government.