Myanmar Stresses China's Peaceful Rise to Regional Leadership

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10 May 2014, 12:24

Workers pass across the road next to the gateway decorated for 24th ASEAN Summit in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, 09 May 2014 (DPA).

NAYPYITAW (DPA) — Myanmar officials highlighted the importance of China's peaceful rise in the region on Saturday ahead of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit.

Myanmar will host Sunday for the first time since it joined the 10-nation bloc in 1997.

"China is not only a big friend of Myanmar's, but China is also the biggest trading partner of most of the ASEAN counties so China's peaceful rise is very important for the ASEAN region," said Ye Htut, a spokesman for President Thein Sein.

ASEAN summits, held twice a year, end with declarations on regional issues such as economic integration and common security concerns.

The Philippines and Vietnam are lobbying this year for a strong statement from ASEAN against aggression in the South China Sea. Several countries have territorial disputes with Beijing over sovereignty claims to the sea, petroleum reserves and rights to fishing grounds.

Myanmar, as host, will play a crucial role in determining the tone of the final ASEAN statement on China, its northern neighbour and main foreign investor.

ASEAN foreign ministers met in the capital Naypyitaw Saturday to discuss regional issues, including the South China Sea tensions, ahead of the summit.

Ye Htut described the Philippines' and Vietnam's problems with China as a matter of "bilateral relations."

China's policy has been to address its territorial disputes at the bilateral level, while the Philippines and Vietnam want a common ASEAN stance to pressure Beijing to agree to a Code of Conduct in the disputed areas.

The issue is seen as a test for ASEAN unity, in the face of China's growing political and economic clout in the region.

China was one of the few countries that stood by Myanmar when it was under military junta rule between 1988 to 2010, and propped it up during years of Western economic sanctions.

ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

Indonesian Opposition Party Wins Parliamentary Vote

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Khaosod English

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10 May 2014, 12:20

Electoral officials check ballot papers during vote counting at a polling station in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, 09 April 2014 (DPA).

By Ahmad Pathoni (DPA)

JAKARTA — The opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), led by former president Megawati Sukarnoputri, secured 19 percent of the vote in April 9 parliamentary elections, the General Election Commission said.

Golkar, the ruling party during the reign of former dictator Suharto, was second with about 15 per cent. The Gerindra Party of former military general Prabowo Subianto, who is a presidential hopeful, came in third with 12 per cent, the commission said.

PDI-P has nominated popular Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo as its candidate for the July 9 presidential election. But the party needs to form an alliance with one or more other parties, as a party or coalition of parties that must receive 25 per cent of the popular vote or 20 per cent of seats in parliament to nominate a presidential candidate.

PDI-P has struck an alliance with the National Democratic Party (NasDem), which won nearly 7 per cent of the vote but is still trying to woo other parties to broaden its support base.

Surveys before the parliamentary elections indicated Widodo would win the presidency by a landslide, with his popularity ratings more than double those of his closest rival, Subianto.

Widodo, a heavy metal fan and former furniture retailer, rose to political prominence as mayor of Solo in Central Java province, where he introduced a series of policies including free health care and education.

Widodo won the Jakarta gubernatorial election in 2012 and has since built a reputation as a capable and hands-on leader with a common touch, through his frequent visits to the capital's poor neighbourhoods.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, which leads the ruling coalition, was at 10 per cent in the official vote tally, a sharp drop from 21 per cent in 2009 elections.

Yudhoyono cannot run again after two terms in office, and his party has been embroiled in corruption scandals involving senior members.

Motorist Reportedly Attacked By Armed PCAD Militants

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Khaosod English

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9 May 2014, 20:05

PCAD guards man the Uttrapimuk-Don Muang Tollway while PCAD supporters demonstrate at the Police Sports Club nearby, 9 May 2014.

BANGKOK — A motorist says he was attacked by a group of anti-government protest guards during their brief occupation of the Uttrapimuk-Don Muang Tollway in Bangkok today.

Viphavadee Road and its elevated toll way were shut down by supporters of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) while they clashed with police at the Police Sports Club this afternoon.

During the PCAD demonstration at the Police Sports Club nearby, masked "guards" wearing bullet-proof jackets manned the expressway to regulate traffic. Videos posted on social media show the guards threatening commuters not to drive past their checkpoint without permission.

One motorist told Khaosod that he was driving to Don Mueang Airport with his girlfriend when PCAD guards forced him to park his car on the right lane of the toll way.

According to Mr. Sorasak, who requested to be identified only by his surname for fear of retaliation by PCAD supporters, a group of masked PCAD guards approached his vehicle and ordered him to roll down the window. When he refused, one of the guards broke the windshield with a handgun and and another repeatedly punched him in the face until he fell unconscious, Mr. Sorasak reported.

The assault on Mr. Sorasak was captured on video by another motorist, who later posted the video clip of the incident on Facebook.

Mr. Sorasak, who was reportedly sent to Viphavadee Hospital to treat injuries from the assault, said his mother has filed formal complaints with Thoong Song Hong Police; Mr. Sorasak explained that he could not file the complaints himself as the doctors have not permitted him to leave the hospital.

Pol.Cpt. Anuchit Chartchuliam, a police officer at Thoong Song Hong Police Station, told Khaosod that Mr. Sorasak's family have filed charge yesterday, and the police are now investigating the incident.

PCAD guards have a record of physically assaulting random bystanders, despite PCAD leaders' insistence that they have intensified discipline training for their guards. Some PCAD guards also carry firearms.

Last month a group of PCAD guards beat and shot an army colonel after he attempted to remove traffic cones placed by PCAD protesters on Chaeng Wattana Road. PCAD core leader Buddha Issara later apologised to the Royal Thai Army, claiming that the colonel was assaulted because of a "misunderstanding."

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Rice Payments Further Stalled By Ousting of Finance Minister

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9 May 2014, 18:14

Rice farmers gather in front of Ministry of Commerce to demand payment for their mortgaged rice, 6 February 2014.<br /> — Rice farmers gather in front of Ministry of Commerce to demand payment for their mortgaged rice, 6 February 2014.

BANGKOK — Farmers who are still waiting to be paid for participating in the government’s rice-pledging program will be forced to wait even longer now that the country lacks a Finance Minister, a government official said.

The former Minister of Finance, Kittirat Na Ranong, was ousted alongside ex- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and eight other Ministers on Wednesday after the Constitutional Court found them guilty of unlawfully transferring the head of the National Security Council (NSC) in 2011.

The Cabinet post has yet to be filled, which means there is currently no one with the authority to approve payment of the 5 billion baht owed to rice farmers who sold paddies to the government under its rice mortgage scheme, said Manas Chaemweha, director of the Comptroller General Department (CGD).

According to Mr. Manas, budget regulations require that any state expenditure of more than 500 million baht be personally approved by the Minister of Finance.

The payment to the farmers must be paid by 31 May, Mr. Manas added.

Earlier this year, thousands of farmers marched to Bangkok after the government failed to pay them on schedule.

The costly rice subsidy scheme, in which the government bought rice from farmers at almost twice the market price, has caused huge financial losses for the government and incurred harsh criticism from a number of financial experts.

In addition, Thailand’s anti-graft agency indicted Ms. Yingluck yesterday for failing to stop the widespread corruption that purportedly plagued the program. The Senate may now use the case as grounds to impeach Ms. Yingluck and ban her from political office for five years.

Of the 20 billion baht owed to farmers, 15 billion has already been paid, and the last 5 billion baht is waiting for official approval, Mr. Manas said.

Mr. Manas said the Deputy Minister of Finance may be able to sign the payment order on behalf of the absent Minister of Finance, although this could entail legal complications.

Apart from the rice payments, the government also needs to approve money to repair damages caused by the recent earthquake in Chiang Rai province, Mr. Manas said.

According to the Director of the Department of Foreign Trade, Surasak Riangkuea, the massive stocks of rice accumulated by the government are being "steadily" sold off to foreign buyers.

Mr. Surasak claimed that many foreign countries are pursuing contracts with the Thai government because they are aware that the price of Thai rice has fallen sharply over the past few months.

"It's a good opportunity for Thai rice," Mr. Surasak said, "I am confident that at least 8-10 million tons of Thai rice will be exported throughout this year."

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PCAD Monk Leader Calls Tear Gas Barrage “Attempted Murder”

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9 May 2014, 17:26

PCAD activists dismantling barbed wire erected by the police at the entrance to the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) before the police dispersed them with tear gas, 9 May 2014

BANGKOK — A Buddhist monk and core anti-government leader has filed attempted murder charges against the police that used tear gas on him and his group of demonstrators today.

It was the first instance of violence during today's large-scale anti-government demonstrations, referred to as the "Final Battle" by leaders of the People's Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD). The massive rally is part of the group’s ongoing effort to replace the current caretaker government, now led by Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongphaisarn, with an unelected PM and "People's Council."

Protesters led by the core PCAD activist and Buddhist monk Buddha Issara clashed with police this morning after attempting to enter the headquarters of the Centre for Administration of Peace and Ordre (CAPO) on Viphavadee Road.

Buddha Issara led protesters to CAPO’s headquarters with the intention of negotiating with a high-ranking government representative. When his request for a dialogue was ignored, the monk attempted to enter the building despite police orders that he stop “trespassing.”

When Buddha Issara refused to stop, police fired tear gas and high-pressured water at the monk and his entourage.

PCAD protesters hurled water bottles and screamed insults at the police in response, but eventually retreated.

After the clash subsided, Buddha Issara went to Thoong Song Hong police station to file charges of “attempted murder” against the officers who unleashed tear gas on his group.

Meanwhile, in a statement read this afternoon, CAPO announced a decision to charge 51 PCAD leaders with serious offences including terrorism, insurrection, illegal assembly, causing public disorder, and obstruction of the 2 Feb. elections.

This morning's confrontation at CAPO also brought traffic on Viphavadee Road to a halt, with PCAD guards blocking several lanes of the road near the CAPO headquarters.

According to a statement by the Traffic Police Command, traffic on Viphavadee Road and the elevated toll way above the road were completely "paralysed" by the clashes.

Those who wish to travel to Don Mueang Airport have been advised to avoid Viphavadee Road use Phahon yothin Road instead.

On Friday, other groups of PCAD protesters marched through Bangkok’s financial district and demonstrated in front of a number of state-owned TV stations and government buildings, including the Government House and Parliament.

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PCAD Monk Leader Calls Tear Gas Barrage “Attempted Murder”

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Khaosod English

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9 May 2014, 17:26