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Bangkok Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Pheu Thai defends Thakin's tariff talks attendance
Key Pheu Thai Party figures have pushed back against renewed allegations that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is unlawfully influencing the party, insisting his role is strictly advisory and well within legal bounds. Pheu Thai MP and chief government whip Wisut Chainarun on Sunday addressed growing criticism over Thaksin's recent political involvement and participation in a policy meeting regarding US tariffs with 'Team Thailand' at Ban Phitsanulok, which triggered concerns that he may be unlawfully influencing the party or the government. Under sections 28 and 29 of the Political Parties Act, it is illegal for a party to allow a non-member to exert influence, dominate or instruct party activities in any way. Such an offence comes with serious consequences, including the dissolution of a party. Thaksin, often regarded as the de facto leader of Pheu Thai, is not a member of Pheu Thai. Mr Wisut insisted that inviting Thaksin to share economic advice in a forum does not constitute political interference. 'Thaksin never gives orders to MPs or officials. He's careful with his words and actions,' he said. The former PM was invited to the meeting to provide insights based on his experience, he added. He also criticised those constantly making legal complaints against Thaksin, saying, 'Are you so afraid of Thaksin? This kind of obsessive litigation is tiresome." Another Pheu Thai MP, Anusorn Iamsa-ard, also defended Thaksin's attendance at the meeting, noting that Thaksin's knowledge could be useful to the panel. He said the government welcomes input from all sectors in the handling of the tariff crisis and believes that Thailand can reach a deal to reduce US tariffs to below 36% by Aug 1. Meanwhile, Thaksin is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech on Thailand's economic outlook on Thursday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and preside over a major Buddhist ceremony at Wat Ban Rai in Nakhon Ratchasima. The controversy emerged after former Supreme Court judge What Tingsamitr posted on Facebook, alleging Thaksin's activities could be viewed as controlling the ruling Pheu Thai. He cited Thaksin's multiple public appearances, including media interviews and political forums, as evidence of indirect influence over Pheu Thai.
Bangkok Post
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Only courts can deal with Thaksin
The rally at the Victory Monument on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resembled the so-called "Bangkok Shutdown" held in 2014 by the People's Democratic Reform Committee to demand the ouster of the government of then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Ms Paetongtarn's aunt. The size of the crowd was stunning, estimated by the police in the tens of thousands. It was bigger than the rallies held by the "three-finger" movement during the rule of Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha following the coup that ousted the Yingluck administration. The head bands, wrist bands and ribbons bearing the tri-colour of the Thai national flag which appeared at the event also recall the atmosphere and sentiments of the mass rallies over a decade ago. Many of the protesters are politically literate and working people. Several of the protest leaders are from the same group who spearheaded the protests against Yingluck over a decade ago and her brother, former prime minister Thaksin, about two decades ago. Sonthi Limthongkul, a group leader behind Saturday's protest and owner of the Manager media group, told the crowd he led the protest against Thaksin about two decades ago and didn't expect to be actively involved in a protest now against his daughter, Ms Paetongtarn. Regardless of all the deja-vu, the collective frustration and resentment among countless Thais against Ms Paetongtarn and Thaksin would not have reached the point that drove them to take to the streets at the Victory Monument without the blessing in disguise delivered by Cambodian strongman Hun Sen, a close friend of the Shinawatra family and now Thailand's Number One enemy. Hun Sen is thought to have deliberately leaked the private conversation between him and Ms Paetongtarn to senior Cambodian officials which eventually went viral on Thai social media. It was the last straw among many Thais, already chafing under Ms Paetongtarn's premiership. Some of her remarks revealed a truth that many people have known all along about her, except for the "Yes" men and women in the Pheu Thai Party. That is she is completely unfit to lead Thailand as the head of the executive branch because of her immaturity, inexperience, political illiteracy and lack of knowledge. Yet she appears not to realise she lacks the depth needed to be the country's leader. Her flimsy claim that the conversation with Hun Sen in which she offered to do anything he wanted regarding the Cambodia border dispute was a mere negotiating tactic is infantile. It was like a confrontation between a lamb and a fox. It is an open fact the Pheu Thai is dictated and controlled by Thaksin which is a violation of the Political Parties Act. But pitifully, the Election Commission has turned into a lap dog that does not even dare to bark at Thaksin. If the "Bangkok Shutdown" protest taught Thais any lesson, it is that street protests, no matter the size of the crowd or how long they take, will not succeed in forcing a stubborn leader to step down. She will not step down because that is untypical of Thaksin's style: his signature style is to fight to the end. One alternative is the remaining coalition parties might jump ship, which is not likely either as all appear to enjoy the benefits that come with their cabinet seats. The only likely political change is through the courts of law which may take time and patience. Any suggestion of a coup to force a regime change is suicidal for the plotters and harmful to the country as a whole. A coup will be condemned worldwide and Thailand may face sanctions from the international community, particularly in the wake of pending trade talks with the US over the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. We can look forward to tomorrow, when the Constitutional Court will decide whether to accept for consideration a petition filed by a group of senators asking the court to strip Ms Paetongtarn of her premiership over the leaked conversation between her and Hun Sen which they deem a serious breach of national security. If the case is accepted for consideration, the court can choose to suspend her from her duty as prime minister. If that is the case, a new prime minister must be found. Once again, it will be a candidate put forward by the Pheu Thai Party and another proxy of Thaksin's. Hence, the vicious cycle of Thai politics, with Thaksin still looming large in the background and pulling strings from behind. Unless, of course, Thaksin is put behind bars to serve the one-year jail term that he has dodged. July will be a decisive month for Thaksin as the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders also hold hearings to determine whether the jail sentence handed down on Thaksin for three corruption convictions was enforced by the Corrections Department or not. Or, Hun Sen could drop another damning bombshell against Thaksin if he has anything else up his sleeve. With the Paetongtarn administration in a shaky position, even with a new cabinet lineup pending which is likely just old wine in a new bottle, the only logical alternative is for the House to be dissolved to return democracy to the people.
Local Norway
24-06-2025
- Business
- Local Norway
Tax cuts and kindergarten rules: Norway rolls out raft of new laws
Tax cut should lower power bills From July 1st, the government is cutting the "electricity fee" or elavgiften by 4.4 øre per kWh, a change that it expects will reduce the average households annual spending on power networks by 825 kroner per year. Together with the so-called Norway Price, the measure is intended to reduce the burden on households from high power prices. Rules to stop kindergartens extracting excess profits From July 1st, Norway is tightening up how companies running private kindergartens or barnehage use payments from parents and government subsidies in the hope of ensuring that more of their income is used to fund childcare and education. From July 1st, parental payments can only be used to fund staff salaries and operating costs, maintaining and improving facilities and staff training. Advertisement Stricter laws on 'cooling off' periods for politicians From July 1st, changes will come into force to Karanteneloven , or "Quarantine Law", Norway's rules to limit the 'revolving door' between politicians and businesses. The changes will expand politicians' duty to provide information to the Committee on Post-public Employment Restrictions, limits the right to compensation when the politician moves to a business they have established after entering public office, and sets up a legal basis for stripping politicians of payments if they breach the rules of their "cooling off period". Ban on anonymous political donations From July 1st, a change to the Political Parties Act, or Partiloven, will ban contributions to political parties from anonymous donors, foreign donors, and public bodies such as municipalities, counties, and publicly owned enterprises. Political parties are also required to identify and document the ultimate source of all contributions, even when the money has been funnelled through foundations, associations and other intermediaries. Stricter rules for estate agents New rules come into force on July 1st which will tighten the rules for estate agents, among other things prohibiting the practice of secret bids, where estate agents can take bids and keep them secret from other bidders. The new rules bring in other stricter requirements for brokers, and give the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway (Finanstilsynet) greater powers to monitor and enforce compliance with the regulations. Advertisement Sami names added for southern counties From July 1st, a change to the Division of Lands Act ( Lov om deling av grunneiendom ) will mean that the counties of Innlandet and Nordland gain official names in Sámi languages. Innlandet gains the name Sisdajve in Southern Sámi, while Nordland gains the names Nordlánda and Nordlaante in Northern and Southern Sami respectively. Separate collection of glass and metal waste mandatory From July 1st, municipalities across Norway will have to collect glass and metal waste separately, as Norway implements the last parts of the EU's Waste Framework Directive. For those living in major towns and cities, this should not make much difference, as most already collect glass and metal waste separately, but it may mean changes for those living in less densely populated areas Norway's security police gains power to process public data Norway's PST security police will from July 1st gain new powers to store, systematise, and analyse publicly available information which it can use to prepare analyses and intelligence assessments on potential national security threats. The new rules bring in new rules on how such public information should be stored and processed.
Korea Herald
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Is People Power Party headed for dissolution?
Expert says dissolving party 'would be difficult,' suggests strong reform, rebranding Voices either calling for or expressing concerns over the dissolution of the main conservative People Power Party have grown in recent days. This comes amid a widening rift within the party over the defeat in the June 3 presidential election, coupled with looming threats of being subjected to special counsel investigations targeting impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on multiple charges connected to his failed martial law bid. But an expert expressed skepticism over the scenario of a dissolution, saying such cases have been rare. The liberal and ruling Democratic Party of Korea's Rep. Park Hong-geun on Wednesday floated the idea of swiftly passing a bill that he drafted in March that would dissolve the 'party of a president' convicted of impeachment or treason. In March, Park, along with several other Democratic Party lawmakers, drafted a bill to amend the Political Parties Act and allow the Ministry of Justice to review and file a dissolution of the party under such circumstances with the Constitutional Court, without delay. Under the current law, the Constitutional Court alone has the power to dissolve political parties. 'At the time when the bill was drafted, I wasn't focused on (pushing for) the passage of the legislation because I had reasonable expectations that the People Power Party would reflect upon their actions and reform once former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office and the party loses the early election,' Park wrote in a Facebook post. 'With the People Power Party refusing to look back or reform until the end, shouldn't the National Assembly pass the amendment to the Political Parties Act and (the main People Power Party) be dissolved in accordance with the request of (the people) and a legal process?' Park denounced snowballing conflicts within the main conservative party. Interim leader Kim Yong-tae, has called for reform, including changing the months-old party line of voting against Yoon's impeachment motion. The majority of the People Power Party lawmakers boycotted the plenary vote on the party line. Supporters of Yoon within the conservative party, meanwhile, have called for party leadership, including Kim, to step down and take responsibility for the election loss. On the other side of the political sphere, former Daegu Mayor and heavyweight conservative politician Hong Joon-pyo has warned the People Power Party 'to brace for' President Lee Jae-myung's apparent plans to dissolve the party. 'After the Lee Jae-myung administration wraps up the special counsel investigations (against Yoon and his wife Kim Keon Hee) they are expected to launch a process to dissolve the party, so brace for (a situation) where every man will become himself,' Hong wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday. One of the three special counsel probe bills promulgated by Lee on Tuesday is to look into allegations that the People Power Party leadership at the time stood in the way of the Assembly's move to pass a motion to lift Yoon's martial law bid early in the morning of Dec. 4, 2024. Observers have expressed concerns this could serve as grounds for the Constitutional Court to approve the dissolution of the party. However, Park Sang-byeong, a political commentator and professor at Inha University, pointed out that the dissolution of a political party is a process that is 'more complicated than it seems on the surface' and that the court would find the leadership's alleged involvement to be an 'insufficient' argument. "There is expected to be reform or a rebranding of the party, but it would be difficult and insufficient for the Constitutional Court to dissolve the People Power Party on the current reasons cited by the ruling party," the expert said via phone. "A strong reform and rebranding would be a plausible solution for the People Power Party." mkjung@
