Surin is to be home to a new elephant park to shelter jumbos rescued from city streets.
A number of elephants have died or been seriously injured in accidents in Bangkok and other cities after being hit by cars, falling into potholes or suffering an electrical shock.
In the latest bid to solve the seemingly insurmountable problem, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry will set up an elephant shelter on 6,000 rai owned by the Royal Forest Department and the Forestry Industry Organisation, permanent secretary Saksit Tridech said yesterday.
Initially, about 100 stray elephants were expected to be relocated to the shelter, which could become another tourist attraction in Surin, dubbed "elephant city" because of the number of captive elephants in the province.
"We are going to invite all related parties such as the Interior Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and elephant owners to discuss how to operate the shelter in a way that will help solve the elephant problem,"Mr Saksit said.
The Department of National Parks,Wildlife and Plant Conservation believes there are about 2,000 elephants living in the wild and about 3,000 in captivity.
Officials estimate about half of the captive elephants have been forced to roam city streets and tourists sites at some stage.
Mattana Srikrachang, the wildlife department's elephant expert, said more needed to be done to stop elephant owners from bringing the animals into the major cities and putting their lives at risk. That included overhauling the captive elephant registration system so the authorities could get an accurate count of the number of captive elephants as well as information about their ownership and working places.
The data would help authorities come up with effective plans to manage and protect the elephants from danger.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
River Kwai statue gets no mercy
Provincial officials have found a special interest group does not own the land on which it plans to build a giant Goddess of Mercy statue and a religious complex at the foot of the bridge on the River Kwai.
A panel set up by the Kanchanaburi provincial administration accused the Kuang Yim Sunthorntham Foundation of illegal occupation of the four rai of land as it could not produce full ownership documents.
The land on the bank of the River Kwai was not included in the ownership documents of two other plots of land the foundation submitted to the local authorities.
The panel will check to see whether the land, where construction has already begun on some parts of the complex, is public land, a source said.
The panel, chaired by Kanchanaburi deputy governor Cherdsak Champathet,yesterday recommended the government order the foundation to suspend work and demolish the constructions already built.
Work on land for which there are no ownership documents would cease immediately, the panel said.
The foundation was not attacked for planning to build a construction that would ruin the scenery in the area.
Local environment groups also accused the foundation of violating the 1979 Building Control Act and city planning laws which control construction on historic sites, and the 2007 constitution which requires a public hearing for projects which might affect the general public.
A panel set up by the Kanchanaburi provincial administration accused the Kuang Yim Sunthorntham Foundation of illegal occupation of the four rai of land as it could not produce full ownership documents.
The land on the bank of the River Kwai was not included in the ownership documents of two other plots of land the foundation submitted to the local authorities.
The panel will check to see whether the land, where construction has already begun on some parts of the complex, is public land, a source said.
The panel, chaired by Kanchanaburi deputy governor Cherdsak Champathet,yesterday recommended the government order the foundation to suspend work and demolish the constructions already built.
Work on land for which there are no ownership documents would cease immediately, the panel said.
The foundation was not attacked for planning to build a construction that would ruin the scenery in the area.
Local environment groups also accused the foundation of violating the 1979 Building Control Act and city planning laws which control construction on historic sites, and the 2007 constitution which requires a public hearing for projects which might affect the general public.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Vasit to head panel to tackle BMA graft
Former deputy police chief Vasit Dejkunjorn will lead a committee to tackle corruption involving City Hall projects, a Bangkok Metropolitan Administration source says.
Pol Gen Vasit, who is renowned for his campaigns against corrupt police officers, will head an eight-member committee to take on a similar role to that of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The new body, which has five other members not associated with the BMA,has been endorsed by Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
The other outsiders besides Pol Gen Vasit are Juree Vichit-Vadakan, Tortrakul Yomnak, Jirawan Phakdibutr, Kittiwat Uchupalanant and Kanokkan Anukaensai, the source said.
The other two are BMA Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon and Charoenrat Chutikarn, head of the BMA's Civil Service Commission, the source said.
Apart from investigating corruption and irregularities involving BMA projects,particularly procurement schemes, the committee will advise the governor on how to prevent and tackle graft, the source said.
The establishment of the panel was introduced by MR Sukhumbhand in his attempts to restore the credibility of City Hall officials.
Earlier, MR Sukhumbhand said the BMA was badly in need of its own corruption investigation body as several projects in the past have had to be screened by independent agencies.
The source said the governor had no special cases for the new committee,which is expected to meet and lay down its framework soon.
Former governor Apirak Kosayodhin had set up a similar panel to investigate graft at the BMA. However the committee's work was "not quite fruitful", the source said.
It is believed the committee failed to do its job because most of the members were BMA officials.
The BMA has been rocked by graft scandals with the fire boats and trucks purchase scheme among its high-profile cases.
Its attempt to nullify the contract was foiled last month when the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court denied an injunction to suspend the sixth and remaining payments to Austria-based supplier Steyr Co.
The purchase deal, signed in 2004 by then Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, meant the BMA was obliged to buy the fire equipment once the letter of credit was opened.
Mr Samak's successor, Apirak Kosayodhin, signed the letter when he became city governor.
Mr Samak and Mr Apirak are among five politicians who have been indicted by the NACC over alleged irregularities involving the procurement.
The others are former interior minister Pokin Polakul, former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont and former commerce minister Watana Muangsuk.
Pol Gen Vasit, who is renowned for his campaigns against corrupt police officers, will head an eight-member committee to take on a similar role to that of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The new body, which has five other members not associated with the BMA,has been endorsed by Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
The other outsiders besides Pol Gen Vasit are Juree Vichit-Vadakan, Tortrakul Yomnak, Jirawan Phakdibutr, Kittiwat Uchupalanant and Kanokkan Anukaensai, the source said.
The other two are BMA Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon and Charoenrat Chutikarn, head of the BMA's Civil Service Commission, the source said.
Apart from investigating corruption and irregularities involving BMA projects,particularly procurement schemes, the committee will advise the governor on how to prevent and tackle graft, the source said.
The establishment of the panel was introduced by MR Sukhumbhand in his attempts to restore the credibility of City Hall officials.
Earlier, MR Sukhumbhand said the BMA was badly in need of its own corruption investigation body as several projects in the past have had to be screened by independent agencies.
The source said the governor had no special cases for the new committee,which is expected to meet and lay down its framework soon.
Former governor Apirak Kosayodhin had set up a similar panel to investigate graft at the BMA. However the committee's work was "not quite fruitful", the source said.
It is believed the committee failed to do its job because most of the members were BMA officials.
The BMA has been rocked by graft scandals with the fire boats and trucks purchase scheme among its high-profile cases.
Its attempt to nullify the contract was foiled last month when the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court denied an injunction to suspend the sixth and remaining payments to Austria-based supplier Steyr Co.
The purchase deal, signed in 2004 by then Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, meant the BMA was obliged to buy the fire equipment once the letter of credit was opened.
Mr Samak's successor, Apirak Kosayodhin, signed the letter when he became city governor.
Mr Samak and Mr Apirak are among five politicians who have been indicted by the NACC over alleged irregularities involving the procurement.
The others are former interior minister Pokin Polakul, former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont and former commerce minister Watana Muangsuk.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Vote fraud mars TAO elections
Tambon administration organisation elections held yesterday have been marred by widespread vote-buying allegations.
Poll cheats are suspected of spending more money than ever in the elections which were held in 2,959 tambons across 74 provinces.
The chair of the People's Network for Election Thailand (Pnet) in Ayutthaya,Chollada Boonkasem, said vote-buying was rampant in several tambons in the central province. Voters were offered as much as 1,000 baht to vote for candidates for the position of TAO chair, and 200 baht to 300 baht for TAO rank-and-file members.
Most cash handouts were reported in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phachi,Uthai, Sena and Bang Sai districts, Ms Chollada said, as she was handing poll fraud evidence to the provincial election committee. There are 93 tambons in Ayutthaya.
Mana Yaemchabok, an election committee member in Polkrang in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima,said poll supervisors and police were out in force looking for vote buyers on Saturday night. No violations were reported.
Thawee Chunkor, director of the Buri Ram election commission, said the atmosphere in many tambons in the northeastern province was lively. He expected the voter turnout to top 70%.
Mr Thawee said his panel had not received any complaints about poll violations.
But an observer said a group of teenagers was seen handing out pre-paid mobile phone cards to voters in several areas. Cash handouts of about 300 baht to 500 baht were also made, he said.
In the southern province of Ranong,voters flocked to the polls amid heavy rain.
Kamol Wipadapisut, chairman of the Ranong provincial election office, said the office received a complaint that a village head in tambon Ngao had failed to maintain his neutrality by suggesting that voters support certain candidates.The committee was investigating.
In the lower southern province of Trang, two election canvassers were arrested with cash they allegedly were using to buy votes.
Sompong Buaban, chair of the provincial election commission, said three complaints had been lodged with the commission, including the one about two arrested canvassers in Natam Nua TAO in Muang district.
The atmosphere in the three restive southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani was quiet.
In Yala, only a small number of voters showed up in tightly guarded Pron tambon in Muang district to cast their ballot.
Election Commission secretarygeneral Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the turnout around the country was expected to be about 70%.
Official results were expected to be declared by the EC this week, he said.
Poll cheats are suspected of spending more money than ever in the elections which were held in 2,959 tambons across 74 provinces.
The chair of the People's Network for Election Thailand (Pnet) in Ayutthaya,Chollada Boonkasem, said vote-buying was rampant in several tambons in the central province. Voters were offered as much as 1,000 baht to vote for candidates for the position of TAO chair, and 200 baht to 300 baht for TAO rank-and-file members.
Most cash handouts were reported in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phachi,Uthai, Sena and Bang Sai districts, Ms Chollada said, as she was handing poll fraud evidence to the provincial election committee. There are 93 tambons in Ayutthaya.
Mana Yaemchabok, an election committee member in Polkrang in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima,said poll supervisors and police were out in force looking for vote buyers on Saturday night. No violations were reported.
Thawee Chunkor, director of the Buri Ram election commission, said the atmosphere in many tambons in the northeastern province was lively. He expected the voter turnout to top 70%.
Mr Thawee said his panel had not received any complaints about poll violations.
But an observer said a group of teenagers was seen handing out pre-paid mobile phone cards to voters in several areas. Cash handouts of about 300 baht to 500 baht were also made, he said.
In the southern province of Ranong,voters flocked to the polls amid heavy rain.
Kamol Wipadapisut, chairman of the Ranong provincial election office, said the office received a complaint that a village head in tambon Ngao had failed to maintain his neutrality by suggesting that voters support certain candidates.The committee was investigating.
In the lower southern province of Trang, two election canvassers were arrested with cash they allegedly were using to buy votes.
Sompong Buaban, chair of the provincial election commission, said three complaints had been lodged with the commission, including the one about two arrested canvassers in Natam Nua TAO in Muang district.
The atmosphere in the three restive southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani was quiet.
In Yala, only a small number of voters showed up in tightly guarded Pron tambon in Muang district to cast their ballot.
Election Commission secretarygeneral Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the turnout around the country was expected to be about 70%.
Official results were expected to be declared by the EC this week, he said.
Beyond the concept of country is humanity
The star of all media this past week was indisputably Mong Thongdee,a 12-year-old stateless boy from Chiang Rai. Blessed with a talent for making paper planes, Mong has participated in the paper plane He was invited to join the international competition in Chiba, Japan, on Sept 19 and 20.
The problem was that he could miss that chance of a lifetime although he has every right to participate under the United Nations' Universal Declarations for Human Rights and is protected by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which Thailand ratified.
Although this case ended happily later in the week when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva intervened personally on Mong's behalf, it uncovered a flaw in our bureaucracy and the attitude of certain officials.
Thailand can do much better.Although Mong was born in the Kingdom to registered migrant workers, he is not allowed Thai citizenship according to the Nationality Act. His sponsors brought him to meet the minister of the interior to seek his permission for Mong to join the contest.
Instead of figuring out a way to help him, the minister ruled out such a possibility and warned him that if Mong ever left Thailand, he could not return to the country.
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) stuck to this principle although Mong's supporters cited provisions under the two UN conventions, as well as accepted principles of common humanity. The ministry stood its ground and said even if Mong were allowed to leave the country and won the contest, it would not be in the name of Thailand because he is not a national.
But a high official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) pointed out that in the past an exception was not unheard of, and that the MOI had allowed aliens to leave the country on a case-by-case basis by coordinating with other ministries, including the MOFA. In those cases,the MOFA considered issuing appropriate types of passports and the aliens could return to the Kingdom.
She added that the MOFA could issue a yellow passport with a validity of one year and a re-entry visa if the MOI asks it to accommodate the request.
Listening to her, I felt relieved. With the help of civil officials like her Thailand could become willing to make exceptions to the rules when warranted, and avoid being dubbed as a violator of human rights, and Thailand has long held to a clear principle of enforcing the law to the letter, but if there is no applicable provisions for a particular situation, the closest possible provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis - with the necessary changes having been made.
I remember that during the dictatorial rule of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat (1959-1963), the abbreviated charter in effect in those days, with a mere 20 sections, still had this exception spelled out in the last section:"In a case where no provision under this charter applies,the case will be deliberated based on the customs of constitutional democracy." The provision is similar to Section 4 of the Civil and Commercial Code.
Those detained without limits under the anti-communist law in those days cited this provision as grounds to appeal their detention to the Criminal Court.They claimed their detention violated principles of human rights and customs of democracy. The court ruled in their favour.
The world today has changed a lot since those days, especially in terms of human rights, whose principles have become a compulsory subject for undergraduate law students at every university.In my view, the MOFA has greater experience and understanding of human rights issues than the MOI, and the MOI should strive to keep up with global developments. Even the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), of which Thailand is the chair this year,has voted to set up a human-rights organisation. This behooves Thai MPs and senators to study and catch up with the latest global trends.
Thailand is not Burma, where a person can be detained at will without limits or credible charges, to the condemnation and exasperation of the world community. The MOI has to catch up with the world instead of acting like a cold-hearted dinosaur, as it did with Mong.
The number of registered migrant workers in Thailand is almost two million,and there are another two million unregistered ones, according the Labour Ministry. The children of registered and unregistered foreign labourers are considered "stateless".
However, the two UN conventions cited above endorse the rights of children to citizenship and education, whether their parents are in the country legitimately or not.
Of course, national security is a big concern. But let's not forget that beyond the concept of country is humanity. We cannot deny anyone their basic rights and treat them as if they are not human.Both the international conventions and the Buddhist religion teach us the same thing - to have compassion for our fellow human beings. This philosophy has won us so many friends worldwide,and it is this principle that we must always uphold.
The problem was that he could miss that chance of a lifetime although he has every right to participate under the United Nations' Universal Declarations for Human Rights and is protected by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which Thailand ratified.
Although this case ended happily later in the week when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva intervened personally on Mong's behalf, it uncovered a flaw in our bureaucracy and the attitude of certain officials.
Thailand can do much better.Although Mong was born in the Kingdom to registered migrant workers, he is not allowed Thai citizenship according to the Nationality Act. His sponsors brought him to meet the minister of the interior to seek his permission for Mong to join the contest.
Instead of figuring out a way to help him, the minister ruled out such a possibility and warned him that if Mong ever left Thailand, he could not return to the country.
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) stuck to this principle although Mong's supporters cited provisions under the two UN conventions, as well as accepted principles of common humanity. The ministry stood its ground and said even if Mong were allowed to leave the country and won the contest, it would not be in the name of Thailand because he is not a national.
But a high official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) pointed out that in the past an exception was not unheard of, and that the MOI had allowed aliens to leave the country on a case-by-case basis by coordinating with other ministries, including the MOFA. In those cases,the MOFA considered issuing appropriate types of passports and the aliens could return to the Kingdom.
She added that the MOFA could issue a yellow passport with a validity of one year and a re-entry visa if the MOI asks it to accommodate the request.
Listening to her, I felt relieved. With the help of civil officials like her Thailand could become willing to make exceptions to the rules when warranted, and avoid being dubbed as a violator of human rights, and Thailand has long held to a clear principle of enforcing the law to the letter, but if there is no applicable provisions for a particular situation, the closest possible provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis - with the necessary changes having been made.
I remember that during the dictatorial rule of Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat (1959-1963), the abbreviated charter in effect in those days, with a mere 20 sections, still had this exception spelled out in the last section:"In a case where no provision under this charter applies,the case will be deliberated based on the customs of constitutional democracy." The provision is similar to Section 4 of the Civil and Commercial Code.
Those detained without limits under the anti-communist law in those days cited this provision as grounds to appeal their detention to the Criminal Court.They claimed their detention violated principles of human rights and customs of democracy. The court ruled in their favour.
The world today has changed a lot since those days, especially in terms of human rights, whose principles have become a compulsory subject for undergraduate law students at every university.In my view, the MOFA has greater experience and understanding of human rights issues than the MOI, and the MOI should strive to keep up with global developments. Even the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), of which Thailand is the chair this year,has voted to set up a human-rights organisation. This behooves Thai MPs and senators to study and catch up with the latest global trends.
Thailand is not Burma, where a person can be detained at will without limits or credible charges, to the condemnation and exasperation of the world community. The MOI has to catch up with the world instead of acting like a cold-hearted dinosaur, as it did with Mong.
The number of registered migrant workers in Thailand is almost two million,and there are another two million unregistered ones, according the Labour Ministry. The children of registered and unregistered foreign labourers are considered "stateless".
However, the two UN conventions cited above endorse the rights of children to citizenship and education, whether their parents are in the country legitimately or not.
Of course, national security is a big concern. But let's not forget that beyond the concept of country is humanity. We cannot deny anyone their basic rights and treat them as if they are not human.Both the international conventions and the Buddhist religion teach us the same thing - to have compassion for our fellow human beings. This philosophy has won us so many friends worldwide,and it is this principle that we must always uphold.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Saving a bygone beauty
Samphraeng residents fight to preserve the charm of Old Bangkok
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is backing similar efforts by locals to conserve the historical charm of Samphraeng with plans for a cultural festival of its own.
The 42rai neighbourhood in Phra Nakhon district is a showcase for King Rama IV and V's plans to modernise 19thcentury Siam with shophouses, fresh markets and trams.
Festival of historical treats
"Tarn Arharn, Chim Kanom, Chom Ardee Samprang" ("Enjoy Food, Desserts and Learn About Samphraeng's History") will be held between September 18 to 20, 11am to 11pm. "We'll focus on the rich historical background of the area including Phraeng Nara, Phraeng Phutorn and Phraeng Sanphasart, which house lots of old shops," said BMA Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
More than 300 families living in the neighbourhood's 144 herฌitage buildings will join the event. Community leader Teeraporn Kachaceevar says about 40 shops will also be part of celebrations, which will include an exhibition on bygone days in Samphraeng. Traditional plays and outdoor cinema will add to the nostalgia.
"We're hoping the Suntaraporn band will turn up to play," said Teeraporn. The idea of the festival is to bring the area to the attention of the average city resident. "We want people to be able to jump in a taxi and ask for Phraeng Phuthon without adding that it's near Chao Por Sua Shrine."
After holding a similar event on a smaller scale in 1998, the community believes this time it can do better.
Teeraporn says that residents are desperate to promote their case for sustainable development of the area. "There are plans for building and infrastructure but we believe the community should be consulted over all new development."
Samphraeng was home to the country's first market of luxury goods, opened during the reign of King Rama V. Many of the other commercial buildings that first rose here when roads replaced canals are still operating. "So far 10 to 15 per cent are still in the business as shops," says Samphraeng Community president Kanlawat Talathat.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is backing similar efforts by locals to conserve the historical charm of Samphraeng with plans for a cultural festival of its own.
The 42rai neighbourhood in Phra Nakhon district is a showcase for King Rama IV and V's plans to modernise 19thcentury Siam with shophouses, fresh markets and trams.
Festival of historical treats
"Tarn Arharn, Chim Kanom, Chom Ardee Samprang" ("Enjoy Food, Desserts and Learn About Samphraeng's History") will be held between September 18 to 20, 11am to 11pm. "We'll focus on the rich historical background of the area including Phraeng Nara, Phraeng Phutorn and Phraeng Sanphasart, which house lots of old shops," said BMA Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
More than 300 families living in the neighbourhood's 144 herฌitage buildings will join the event. Community leader Teeraporn Kachaceevar says about 40 shops will also be part of celebrations, which will include an exhibition on bygone days in Samphraeng. Traditional plays and outdoor cinema will add to the nostalgia.
"We're hoping the Suntaraporn band will turn up to play," said Teeraporn. The idea of the festival is to bring the area to the attention of the average city resident. "We want people to be able to jump in a taxi and ask for Phraeng Phuthon without adding that it's near Chao Por Sua Shrine."
After holding a similar event on a smaller scale in 1998, the community believes this time it can do better.
Teeraporn says that residents are desperate to promote their case for sustainable development of the area. "There are plans for building and infrastructure but we believe the community should be consulted over all new development."
Samphraeng was home to the country's first market of luxury goods, opened during the reign of King Rama V. Many of the other commercial buildings that first rose here when roads replaced canals are still operating. "So far 10 to 15 per cent are still in the business as shops," says Samphraeng Community president Kanlawat Talathat.
Pay rise proposed
The Interior Ministry will propose to Cabinet next week salary increases of 23 to 51 per cent for Bangkok councillors, district councillors and city council officials, a source at Government House said yesterday.
The ministry says pay for officials is not appropriate for conditions and living costs in the capital, plus salaries and allowances had to be in line with adjusted pay for political officials.
The proposal seeks to alter pay rates retrospectively, from October 1 last year. The ministry also wants to amend the paycut for Bangkok councillors who miss more than a quarter of meetings in each term, from Bt320 a day to 3 per cent of the person's pay each day they are absent.
The rise, if approved, would give the Bangkok Council chairman a 24percent pay hike (Bt78,920 a month), while the vice chairman would get a similar rise (Bt64,970 a month) and city councillors get a 32percent hike (Bt54,120 a month). District council presidents would get a 40percent hike (Bt19,050 salary), while district councillors would get a 51percent hike (Bt15,250 salary), if the move is endorsed.
The ministry says pay for officials is not appropriate for conditions and living costs in the capital, plus salaries and allowances had to be in line with adjusted pay for political officials.
The proposal seeks to alter pay rates retrospectively, from October 1 last year. The ministry also wants to amend the paycut for Bangkok councillors who miss more than a quarter of meetings in each term, from Bt320 a day to 3 per cent of the person's pay each day they are absent.
The rise, if approved, would give the Bangkok Council chairman a 24percent pay hike (Bt78,920 a month), while the vice chairman would get a similar rise (Bt64,970 a month) and city councillors get a 32percent hike (Bt54,120 a month). District council presidents would get a 40percent hike (Bt19,050 salary), while district councillors would get a 51percent hike (Bt15,250 salary), if the move is endorsed.
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