Foreign Investors Dump Thai Stocks Amid Political Polarity Shifts

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22 May 2023, 17:19

The Thai stock market opened Monday morning with a price drop from 1,500 points, despite the MOU signing ceremony to form a government to be held today at the Conrad Hotel in Bangkok.

This government formation led by Move Forwrad leader Pita Limjaroenrat, who is also considered a candidate for prime minister. The signing ceremony on May 22 at 4.30 p.m. took place at the same time that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the coup 9 years ago.

Although the market rallied back 14 points higher in the afternoon from purchasing back major stocks (BiG Cap) led by CPALL, AOT, and GULF as the market relieved concerns over the government’s setup following the MOU signing news conference, there is no change to Section 112 in the MOU’s terms.

Uncertainties in the stock market remain high.

In the five days following the election on May 14, foreign investors sold Thai shares worth a total of 12 billion Baht. Furthermore, sales since the start of the year total 80 billion Baht. According to analysts, international investors are still concerned about the formation of the government.

Niwet Hemwachirawarakorn, a value investment expert at the Thai Value Investor Association, said elections have been held in Thailand and a new government with different policies than in the past is in the offing. However, it seems that investors have not reacted well to this.

Niwet said that the Thai index has actually not gone up in the last 10 years. In his opinion, it could be called the “lost decade.”

The situation is similar to that in Japan 20 years ago. At that time, Japanese society began to age rapidly, creativity began to wane and the creativity of “youth” replaced the old commodity and service industries. Japanese society and people who are more “conservative” could not keep up with this pace.

It was only in the last 10 years that Japanese stocks did exceptionally well, especially after the then-still-young Prime Minister Shinzo Abe who stimulated the long-hibernating economy.

For Thailand, however, Niwet added that the future will show in the next 2-3 months after the government is formed or in the next 1-2 years whether the policy will respond well to the country’s economic growth or not.

Niwet said those who will be in charge of the country should look at the stock market index as a sign that what they will do will affect the country positively or negatively in the long run.

He added that the stock market is not a niche sector as this market is the centre of people who do the economic activities that can predict the country’s economy. When the stock market goes up, it means that policies are going in the right direction and vice versa.

Yasothon Rocket Festival Returns At Beginning of Rainy Season

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Khaosod English

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22 May 2023, 16:48

“The magic of the Bun Bang Fai Festival, Yos Sunthon, and Yasothon” is still a tourist favourite. After a three-year hiatus, it held at Phaya Thaen Public Park, Nai Mueang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Yasothon Province, this time.

On Sunday, Yasothon’s Bun Bang Fai Festival 2023 came to its close. There was a race to launch 38 rockets into the sky and more than 20 light and sound rockets. The organisers begin lighting the rockets at 8:30 a.m. and continue until 5:00 p.m., allowing Thai and international tourists to observe the event throughout the day.

The Bun Bang Fai Festival, according to Mr. Natthaphon Naksuk, Mayor of Yasothon Municipality, is another festival according to the Isan way of life and an important tradition of Yasothon province, with the belief that when the farming season begins, people must have a ceremony to light rockets up to pay homage to Phaya Tan to inspire the rain to fall according to the season.

According to NECTEC, Rocket festival or “Boon Bang Fai” in Thai is usually held in the second week of May of each year, at the beginning of the rainy season. The farmers are ready to cultivate their paddy fields. The festival is popularly celebrated in the northeastern provinces of Yasothorn and Ubon Ratchathani. The celebration is an entreaty to the rain god for plentiful rains during the coming rice planting season.

The festival itself owes its beginning to a legend that a rain god named
Vassakan was known for his fascination of being worshipped with fire. To receive plentiful rains for rice cultivation, the farmers send the home-made rockets to the heaven where the god resided. The festival has been carried out till days.

An average rocket is some nine metres in length and carries 20-25 kilogrammes of gunpowder. Before ignition of the rockets, there will be more singing and dancing to celebrate the festival.

The climax of the festival is the ignition time. One by one the rockets are fired from the launching platforms. Each liftoff is greeted by cheers and noisy music. The rocket that reaches the greatest height is the winner.

MARRIOTT BONVOY INVITES CORPORATE TRAVELERS TO SPARK CONNECTIONS ACROSS ASIA PACIFIC

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Contributor

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22 May 2023, 14:22

Singapore, May 2023 – Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands and award-winning loyalty program, is inviting corporate travelers to reconnect with each other, create special moments and build memories through its latest campaign, “Spark This Moment”.

“We’ve seen a strong uptake in MICE bookings, indicating a deepened desire for human connection and face-to-face meetings since the easing of pandemic restrictions,” said Ramesh Daryanani, Vice President of Global Sales, Asia Pacific. “With our diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts across the region, we’re able to deliver a wide range of offerings to meeting planners and corporate travelers to suit their needs, inspiring more meaningful connections and memorable moments”.

To empower and meet the evolving needs of meeting planners and corporate travelers, the new campaign highlights how guests can best maximize their meeting experience when booking with us:

Success – New ideas flow when people come together. Equipped with innovative and high-tech event spaces suitable for gatherings of all sizes, Marriott’s team of on-site event experts take care of planning and execution, so guests can put their minds at ease and focus on connecting and creating new ideas.
Passion – Discover the wonders to be found. With more than 1,000 hotels and resorts in Asia Pacific, guests can expect unforgettable experiences that showcase the unique local heritage and culture of their destination.
Appreciation – Gather to share delicacies and good times. Good food never fails to bring people together, especially in Asia. Marriott Bonvoy delivers gourmet excellence with its portfolio of world-class restaurants and bars, for a multitude of distinct culinary experiences. Guests can indulge in culinary finesse across 26 Michelin stars in 21 restaurants in Asia Pacific.
Appreciation – Gather to share delicacies and good times. Good food never fails to bring people together, especially in Asia. Marriott Bonvoy delivers gourmet excellence with its portfolio of world-class restaurants and bars, for a multitude of distinct culinary experiences. Guests can indulge in culinary finesse across 26 Michelin stars in 21 restaurants in Asia Pacific.
Relationships – Meeting face-to-face and creating new stories. Marriott Bonvoy’s wide array of offsite meetings and corporate retreats help meeting planners and business travelers cultivate purposeful experiences, build relationships, and connect with each other.
Kindness – Together, we can make the world a better place. Available in close to 100 hotels in Asia Pacific, Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy™ responds to a growing demand for purpose-driven travel, offering guests the refreshing opportunity to create a positive impact and form deeper connections with the local communities.

Eligible bookings of meeting or events with Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of participating properties in Asia Pacific offers great rewards including Double Marriott Bonvoy Points, Group Perks and more. For eligibility:

China: Book by 15 September 2023, for stays up to 30 September 2023
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For more information about the campaign, please visit https://go.marriott-promotions.com/spark-this-moment.

Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi Makes Debut at ACCR Czech Formula

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Khaosod English

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22 May 2023, 12:29

Rising star Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi, 16, helped his PHM Racing team to secure top two positions after the first race of the ACCR Czech Formula Championship at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria on Saturday.

In his first appearance at the championship, the 16-year-old racer crossed the finish line in second place,. PHM Racing reigned supreme by dominating the top two positions at the 4.318-km circuit.

Making his debut at the championship, the 16-year-old sensation showcased his remarkable talent by crossing the finish line in an impressive second place, 4.182 minutes behind his teammate James Egozi of the United States. The PHM Racing team established its dominance by securing the coveted top two spots, leaving their competitors trailing behind at the 4.318-kilometer circuit.

Nandhavudh, who displayed impressive speed and precision during the qualifying round with a time of one minute and 32.121 seconds, began the race from the third position on the grid. However, due to the rainy weather conditions, the start of this exciting new event in the Central and Eastern Europe region had to be initiated with safety cars leading the pack.

Behind the wheel of his No. 57 car, the talented Thai teenager made a strong start and wasted no time in making his way up the ranks, swiftly maneuvering to secure the third position. Within a span of 25 minutes, he displayed his exceptional driving skills, propelling himself into a commendable second place, trailing closely behind the American racer.

M01 — 16-year-old prodigy Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi leads PHM Racing Team to a remarkable one-two finish in the opening race of the ACCR Czech Formula Championship at Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Austria.

James Egozi, a remarkable 15-year-old competitor driving car No. 48, had a commanding start as he began the race from the pole position. Throughout the duration of the gripping 16-lap race, Egozi skillfully maintained his lead from start to finish, demonstrating his prowess on the track.

Completing the podium was Reno Francot of the Netherlands, representing Jenzer Motorsport, who secured the third position, finishing a mere 0.584 seconds behind Nandhavudh. Francot exhibited tremendous effort, closing in on the Thai driver in the latter stages of the race. However, the Thai remained composed under pressure, skillfully defending his position until the checkered flag.

Ethan Ischer, also from Jenzer Motorsport and hailing from Switzerland, had a challenging race, settling for a sixth-place finish. Despite not performing at his peak, Ischer maintained his position at the top of the Championship standings with an impressive 60 points, owing to his previous victories in the Hungarian circuit.

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Speedboat Driver Charged With Injuring 37 Tourists In Phuket

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Khaosod English

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22 May 2023, 11:58

The driver of the speedboat that collided with a lighthouse in the middle of the sea in Chalong Bay, Phuket Province, injuring 37 tourists, mainly Russians, on May 17, 2023, was charged.

Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sermphan Sirikong stated that after questioning 19 witnesses, all of them provided the same information: the boat driver acted recklessly.

As a result, the driver was charged under Sections 300 and 390 for acting negligently and causing injury to others, which carries a maximum punishment of three years in prison and a fine of 60,000 baht. The Phuket District Court has jurisdiction over this.

On May 22, Pol. Lt. Col. Khun Somrak, the investigating inspector of Chalong Police Station in Phuket Province, disclosed that the physical examination findings of Mr. Satit Matchai, the boat driver, 29, identified narcotics such as methamphetamine not alcohol. As a result, the police document it as evidence before sending the case file to the prosecutor for presentation in court.

The A Time Nature Tour’s speedboat drove from Phi Phi Island to Chalong Bay, around 100 metres from Chalong Pier. The boat skidded and collided with a lighthouse. The officers acted quickly to transport the injured tourists to hospitals.

According to Phuket Governor Narong Wunsiew, 37 tourists were hurt, including four Thais, 21 Russians, nine Kazakhstans, one Hong Kong, one Chinese, and one Ukrainian. There are still 16 individuals in hospitals, 11 of whom are at Vachira Phuket Hospital. There were three at Mission Hospital, one at Dibuk Hospital, and one at Bangkok Hospital.

During this time, Phuket immigration officers visited foreign visitors who were hospitalised to assist them in extending their visas. If further treatment is required, the hospital should directly notify the Phuket Immigration Office.

The speedboat involved in the collision had the Medical Treatment Protection Act, which is worth 15,000 baht per person, and the victims also bought accident insurance from a reputable insurance provider. For coverage of medical expenses in case of injury, an additional 500,000 baht will be paid per individual.

Spacex Sends Saudi Astronauts, Including Nation’s 1st Woman In Space, To International Space Station

By

Associated Press

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22 May 2023, 10:06

SpaceX Crew Launch — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Dragon capsule and a crew of four private astronauts, lifts off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Saudi Arabia’s first astronauts in decades rocketed toward the International Space Station on a chartered multimillion-dollar flight Sunday.

SpaceX launched the ticket-holding crew, led by a retired NASA astronaut now working for the company that arranged the trip from Kennedy Space Center. Also on board: a U.S. businessman who now owns a sports car racing team.

The four should reach the space station in their capsule Monday morning; they’ll spend just over a week there before returning home with a splashdown off the Florida coast.

AP23141649837449 — The crew of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft, from left, Saudi Arabian astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi, commandeer Peggy Whitson, pilot John Shoffner and Saudi Arabian astronaut Ali al-Qarni arrive at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., before their launch to the International Space Station, Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Sponsored by the Saudi Arabian government, Rayyanah Barnawi, a stem cell researcher, became the first woman from the kingdom to go to space. She was joined by Ali al-Qarni, a fighter pilot with the Royal Saudi Air Force.

They’re the first from their country to ride a rocket since a Saudi prince launched aboard shuttle Discovery in 1985. In a quirk of timing, they’ll be greeted at the station by an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates.

AP23142569759255 — In this image from NASA TV, top row from left, Ali al-Qarni, John Shoffner, Rayyanah Barnawi, and Peggy Whitson, pose for a picture with current residents of the International Space Station, Monday, May 22, 2023. The space station rolled out the welcome mat for the two Saudi visitors, including the kingdom’s first female astronaut. (NASA TV via AP)

“Hello from outer space! It feels amazing to be viewing Earth from this capsule,” Barnawi said after settling into orbit.

Added al-Qarni: “As I look outside into space, I can’t help but think this is just the beginning of a great journey for all of us.”

AP23141660254413 — Saudi Arabian astronaut Ali al-Qarni greets family and friends as he arrives at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for a scheduled launch Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Rounding out the visiting crew: Knoxville, Tennessee’s John Shoffner, former driver and owner of a sports car racing team that competes in Europe, and chaperone Peggy Whitson, the station’s first female commander who holds the U.S. record for most accumulated time in space: 665 days and counting.

“It was a phenomenal ride,” Whitson said after reaching orbit. Her crewmates clapped their hands in joy.

AP23141657365450 — Saudi Arabian astronaut Rayyanah Barnawi waves to family and friends as she arrives at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., for a scheduled launch Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

It’s the second private flight to the space station organized by Houston-based Axiom Space. The first was last year by three businessmen, with another retired NASA astronaut. The company plans to start adding its own rooms to the station in another few years, eventually removing them to form a stand-alone outpost available for hire.

Axiom won’t say how much Shoffner and Saudi Arabia are paying for the planned 10-day mission. The company had previously cited a ticket price of $55 million each.

NASA’s latest price list shows per-person, per-day charges of $2,000 for food and up to $1,500 for sleeping bags and other gear. Need to get your stuff to the space station in advance? Figure roughly $10,000 per pound ($20,000 per kilogram), the same fee for trashing it afterward. Need your items back intact? Double the price.

At least the email and video links are free.

AP23142009052995 — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with the Dragon capsule and a crew of four private astronauts, lifts off from Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Sunday, May 21, 2023. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The guests will have access to most of the station as they conduct experiments, photograph Earth and chat with schoolchildren back home, demonstrating how kites fly in space when attached to a fan.

After decades of shunning space tourism, NASA now embraces it with two private missions planned a year. The Russian Space Agency has been doing it, off and on, for decades.

“Our job is to expand what we do in low-Earth orbit across the globe,” said NASA’s space station program manager Joel Montalbano.

SpaceX’s first-stage booster landed back at Cape Canaveral eight minutes after liftoff — a special treat for the launch day crowd, which included about 60 Saudis. “It was a very, very exciting day,” said Axiom’s Matt Ondler.

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MARCIA DUNN reported from CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida.

Investigation Begins On Two Ancient Shipwrecks In South China Sea

By

Xinhua News Agency

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21 May 2023, 21:34

china sea1 — This photo taken in October 2022 shows the interior of the No.1 shipwreck near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea. (Xinhua)

HAIKOU, May 21 (Xinhua) – An archaeological investigation on two ancient shipwrecks discovered in the South China Sea was launched on Saturday, opening a new chapter of China’s deep-sea archaeology, according to a press conference held Sunday in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province.

During the first archaeological survey of the No.1 shipwreck, located near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea, researchers successfully established a permanent underwater mapping foundation in the southwest corner of the shipwreck site. The preliminary search and investigation as well as image recording were also carried out, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA).

In October 2022, two ancient shipwrecks were discovered at an underwater depth of about 1,500 meters near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea. One mainly consists of porcelain relics, estimated to contain more than 100,000 pieces dating back to the reign of Emperor Zhengde (1506-1521) of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The No.1 shipwreck boasts piles of artifacts suspected to have been separated by its cabins, with the maximum height of the relic piles exceeding 3 meters.

china sea2 — This photo taken on May 20, 2023 shows a permanent underwater mapping foundation in the southwest corner of the shipwreck site in the South China Sea. (Xinhua)

The other, No.2 shipwreck, mainly contains a large number of wood logs, most of which have been processed simply already. Through a preliminary study, it was determined that the ship in question was loaded with cargo and had sailed from overseas to ancient China. It dates back to the reign of Emperor Hongzhi (1488-1505) of the Ming Dynasty.

“The wrecks are both relatively well-preserved and a large number of relics have been uncovered, which are indicative of their definite age,” said Yan Yalin, director of the archaeology department of the NCHA.

The new discovery of the ships is of great historical, scientific and artistic value, and it is not only a major deep-sea archaeological discovery in China but also a major archaeological finding in the world, Yan said.

The discovery demonstrates the historical facts that Chinese ancestors had developed, utilized and traveled to and from the South China Sea. It contributes to the research on China’s maritime history, ceramic history, overseas trade history and study on the Maritime Silk Road, according to the NCHA.

china sea3 — This photo taken on May 21, 2023 shows China’s crewed submersible Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior) in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, after completing the first archaeological survey of the No.1 shipwreck, located near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

According to Tang Wei, director of the archaeological research center of the NCHA, the two ships are of similar age and lie just about 10 nautical miles apart, with one ladened with porcelain exports and the other loaded with wood imported from overseas.

china sea4 — This photo taken in October 2022 shows the interior of the No.1 shipwreck near the northwest continental slope of the South China Sea. (Xinhua)

This is the very first time for China to discover ancient vessels sailing outbound and returning within the same sea area, which fully demonstrated the importance of the sea route and the booming trade at that time. The relics can help conduct an in-depth study on the two-way exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road in ancient times, Tang added.

With the approval of NCHA, joint efforts between research institutes and a local museum will be made to carry out further archaeological investigations involving the two shipwrecks in three phases for about a year

At Least 12 Dead In Stampede At Soccer Stadium In El Salvador

By

Associated Press

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21 May 2023, 20:23

El Salvador Soccer Stampede — Rescuers attend an injured fan lying on the field of the Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

At least twelve people were killed and dozens more injured when stampeding soccer fans pushed through one of the access gates at a quarterfinal match in the Salvadoran league Saturday.

“El Salvador is in mourning,” said a statement from the press office of Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, which confirmed that at least 12 people were dead at the match between clubs Alianza and FAS at Monumental stadium in Cuscatlan, which is about 25 miles (41 kilometers) northeast of the capital.

AP23141129684261 — An injured fan in carried to the field of Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

Carlos Fuentes, spokesman for the first aid group Rescue Commandos, also confirmed the deaths.

“We can confirm nine dead — seven men and two women — and we attended to more than 500 people, and more than 100 were transported to hospitals, some of them were serious,” Fuentes said.

Play was suspended about 16 minutes into the match, when fans in the stands waving frantically began getting the attention of those on the field and carrying the injured out of a tunnel and down to the pitch.

AP23141135544270 — Fans take to the field of Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

Local television transmitted live images of the aftermath of the stampede by Alianza fans. Dozens made it onto the field where they received medical treatment. Fans who escaped the crush stood on the field furiously waving shirts attempting to review people lying on the grass barely moving.

Pedro Hernández, president of El Salvador soccer’s first division, said the preliminary information he had was that the stampede occurred because fans managed to push through a gate into the stadium.

AP23141126513668 — Men and a soccer player carry an injured fan to the field of Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

“It was an avalanche of fans who overran the gate. Some were still under the metal in the tunnel. Others managed to make it to the stands and then to the field and were smothered,” an unidentified volunteer with the Rescue Commandos first aid group told journalists.

National Civil Police Commissioner Mauricio Arriza Chicas, at the scene of the tragedy, said there would be a criminal investigation in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Office.

AP23141134448365 — Bodies are covered with a blanket at the field of Cuscatlan stadium in San Salvador, El Salvador, Saturday, May 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Milton Flores)

“We are going to investigate from the ticket sales, the entries into the stadium, but especially the southern zone,” where, he said, the gate was pushed open.

The Salvadoran Soccer Federation said in a statement that it regretted what had happened and voiced support for the victims’ families.

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MARCOS ALEMÁN reported from SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador.

Opinion: How Pheu Thai Lost to Move Forward

By

Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

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21 May 2023, 14:00

Pheu Thai PM candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanks her supporters during a press conference at Pheu Thai Party Headquarters on May 14, 2023.

The Pheu Thai Party Headquarters early on the election night was unusually mute unlike four years ago as early poll results showed the party was neck-to-neck against rival opposition Move Forward Party.

A key party supporter who was influential on social media still insisted to me at around 8pm that night the party would win around 220 seats, while Move Forward would get about 100. He could not have been more wrong as his face started to turn pale in disbelief and bitter as the following hours saw Move Forward eventually leading and emerged the biggest winner with 152 MP seats versus Pheu Thai’s 141.

What went wrong with the Pheu Thai Party?

For a long time Pheu Thai (and its previous avatars) had no serious competitor in the pro-democracy camp – but not anymore. (Back in the good old day in 2011, they won 265 MP seats and Yingluck Shinawatra became PM)

I am slightly surprised with Sunday’s results but not too surprised as Move Forward has been very popular with young voters in the pro-democracy, monarchy-reform camp from the very beginning, while the majority of key Pheu Thai candidates and leaders are much older and unable to communicate effectively and relate with young voters.

Pheu Thai chose not to push for the amendment of the controversial lese majeste law. That’s mean Move Forward is left as the only major and viable party with the pledge to amend the law and thus 90 percent if not more of the monarchy-reform camp have only Move Forward as the choice.

There were three million first-time voters. The vast majority of young monarchy-reformists are young to very young. Move Forward got 14 million party-list votes compared to 10 million of Pheu Thai. Go figure.

Pheu Thai also made a few major missteps in the weeks leading to the general election day, however.

First, they were ambivalent until the very last minute whether they entertained the idea of forming a coalition with the ruling pro-junta Phalang Pracharath Party or not. The party is led by former deputy junta leader Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan and had supported Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha to become PM after the previous election in 2019.

The mixed message costed them dearly and even on the election night, a reporter still asked Pheu Thai leaders that they were still considering a coalition with Phalang Pracharath, a clear sign that some reporters were not convinced even after the repeated denials in the last week before the election.

The party also fielded three PM candidates but have never made it clear which one would be their first choice as PM candidate. On the other hand, Move Forward only has one candidate and its candidate, Pita Limjaroenrat, presents himself as the next prime minister at various debates.

What’s more, the de facto party leader, ousted and fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinwatra, tweeted a few days before the election that he wants to come home from his self-imposed exile, reminding some voters that perhaps Pheu Thai is more about the Shinawatra clan than about them.

The Pheu Thai Party is basically getting older, while pro-democracy young voters felt the part has been given several chances in the past and when it got most seats in 2019 were unable to form a government.

It cannot be denied that there is also something attractive about a novelty. Many voters wanted to give this new party called Move Forward a chance to run and change the country as it promised. For the meantime, Move Forward and its leader-cum-PM-candidate Pita is as popular as the newest imported donut chain which has just been opened in Bangkok and has many people queuing up for hours to sample the taste of the new sweet in town.

Thaksin himself admitted on Tuesday during his weekly online talk that Move Forward offered a better packaged product than Pheu Thai, more savvy on social media with many organic promoters, while party supporters said Pheu Thai needs rebranding. Crude as it may be to compare political parties to products, such analogies offer a glimpse on why Pheu Thai did not win most seats and won much less than their own projection.

First, Pheu Thai, if it is a business, is a family business under the control of the Shinawatra clan with Thaksin as the patriarch and some consumers (voters) feel they are not really listening or genuinely responsive to them and the final say is with Thaksin, the de facto party leader, who is in Dubai.

Move Forward, meanwhile, is more like a co-op with much greater participation from customers and shareholders (voters and party members) and that can be seen with the fact that the party received the largest public donation (through tax deduction) to fund them out of all parties despite it being one of the newest parties and no single family or clan owns the party.

One can think of the Democrat Party not being under the control of a single family but then again, the party has sold out over the years after their repeated support of military regimes, one after the other – so the product advertisement does not match the reality, and some say the party should drop the word “Democrat” from its name as it is an oxymoron.

Elsewhere we see political parties as “family business” not unlike that of Thaksin, think of Silpa-archa clan and Chart Thai Pattana Party and the patronage politics in Suphan Buri province or Liptapanlop family and Chart Pattana Kla party as examples.

Pheu Thai as a dynastic political party, or family-owned company, is why Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra was a PM candidate. It is out of sync with the concept of meritocracy subscribed by growing number of Thais fed up with nepotism.

Second, and equally important, that Pheu Thai and Move Forward are not really selling the same products as Pheu Thai made no attempt to reform the lese majeste law, they are thus products from two different segments like one watch with waterproof quality while the other with no waterproof guarantee.

The problem with Pheu Thai is essentially more than just rebranding or marketing as the problem is at the very DNA of the party, with Thaksin, and now getting out of touch with the majority of young voters who want more fundamental change in Thailand. In the final analysis, a political party is more than just a business or a brand and to think of it as such would only be corrosive and detrimental to the party itself.

A Pangolin That Shows Up In A House, Gives Birth To A Baby

By

Khaosod English

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21 May 2023, 03:41

Rescuers from Nong Chok Volunteer Foundation (Ratchapruek Centre) assisted in the capture of a female pangolin after being informed by the owner of a house in Thian Thong Village 2, Pracha Samran Road, that an unidentified animal had been spotted coiled up in a house.

Mr. Wasan Kamphaengdee, 34, a rescue worker, stated that after putting the pangolins in a crate and reporting to Pracha Samran Police Station on May 19, he phoned wildlife officials to pick her up on May 20.

Unexpectedly, the pangolin gave birth to a baby about 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. The rescuers then transported the animal to the Bangkhen Wildlife Conservation Clinic because they were concerned about the baby’s health. The officers were originally cared for and will be returned to nature.

The pangolin is protected wildlife in Thailand by the Wild Animal Preservation and Protection Act, BE 1992, and is also protected under international law. The perpetrator who has possession or seizure will be fined up to 40,000 baht or imprisoned for four years, or both.

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