Bangkok

Protests demand results and transparency from the EC

Published

3 weeks ago

April 1, 2019

The Thaiger & The Nation

Protests demand results and transparency from the EC | The Thaiger

by Kai Chanwanpen and The Thaiger

The Thai Election Commission has to keep fending off criticism after protests yesterday were staged over its performance and the number of people demanding its members’ resignations was approaching one million.

A former EC commissioner Sodsri Satayathum is calling on the agency to clear up all issues immediately before citizens launch an impeachment process, warning that the commissioners’ removal from office could postpone endorsement of the final vote results. The EC says full results will be ratified by May 9, but anger is mounting as the wait continues, prompting demonstrations at two Bangkok landmarks.A small but enthusiastic group gathered near the tourist hotspot Erawan Shrine whilst a larger protest was held near Bangkok’s Victory Monument.

University students and other citizens expressed their impatience with the EC’s inability to declare the credible full tally a full week after the election. Discrepancies in numbers provided by the EC have raised suspicions and it has been unable to provide credible explanations to allay public frustration.

The EC has also failed to manage misunderstanding spread over the internet. Every statement the EC issues on its Facebook page has been met with more cynicism.

More than 820,000 people have now signed a petition at change.org to impeach the seven EC commissioners. University students across the country defied school and state officials in setting up tables to gather signatures on petitions with a similar message.

Demonstrators in Bangkok gathered yesterday on the skywalk above the Victory Monument and around the Ratchaprasong intersection to protest the alleged lack of transparency in the election and the performance of the EC. However, the public disaffection might have no real legal impact, according to rights and legislation watchdog iLaw.

The current Constitution rejects public petitions against independent agencies, iLaw said, adding that the complaints should instead be taken to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which could determine whether there was cause to submit the case to court.

While the public is seething and wants the EC held accountable for its perceived ineffectiveness and lack of transparency, former commissioner Sodsri doubted that impeachment would be a sound option at this stage.

“The investigation could take considerable time before the NACC and the court reach their conclusions. The matter might not invalidate the election altogether, the expert said, but the suspension could interrupt endorsement of the final results and delay other post-election processes.”

It would be best if the EC “came clean” about everything, Sodsri said. In constituencies where results are in question, the agency should reopen the ballot boxes and clear all doubts, she suggested.

Sodsri warned that impeachment of the commissioners would stall post-election activities and the junta would continue to hold the reins of power.

SOURCE: The Nation

Related Topics:Election Commission protest

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Bangkok

Na-Oh, taking off daily into a brand new culinary adventure

Published

39 mins ago

April 20, 2019

The Thaiger

PHOTOS: The Nation | Na-Oh

A restaurant with a theme, a grand gothic theme – a flying vessel taking survivors of a post-apocalyptic world to a safe zone.

Na-Oh (a play on Noah and his journey-to-safety story) promises that its menu will constantly change to reflect a new theme set by the restaurant every three or four months, usually reflective of the various destinations the ‘journey’ will take you.

This flight of fancy is an old Lockheed L10-11, an 80s domestic flyer in the US now re-imagined as a restaurant in Bangkok’s Thonburi district as part of the Chang Chui Bangkok Plane Night Market, on the west side of the Chao Phraya.

The 55 metre, 150 tonne former jet that’s been permanently parked at ChangChui since 2017 is finally whisking passengers off on culinary adventures.

Formerly flying for Thai Sky Airlines fleet, the L10-11 was about to be scrapped when Somchai, the celebrated clothing designer and founder of fashion label FlyNow, flew to its rescue.

Upon boarding for what’s billed as a “futuristic food journey”, guests have five and five-course dinners to choose among – ranging from 1800 – 2800 baht.

Na-Oh, taking off daily into a brand new culinary adventure | News by The Thaiger

But when boarding the plane this time you’re entering a whole new world of imagination – the look is gothic, sumptuous, art-deco, eclectic and lush.

The restaurant owners have replaced the 400 airline seats with vintage sofas and chairs and added fancy chandeliers. Old steamer trunks serve as tables.

And adding to the ‘weird’ is a range of taxidermy hanging on the sides of the old plane – all are certified legal and ethical, meaning they died of natural causes.

Once upon a time surly baggage handlers would hurl your luggage onto a waiting trolley at an airport, but here the former luggage compartment is now a 10 seat lounge with high-backed maroon sofas.

The cockpit is a private dining room with a classic chesterfield.

You get the idea, Na-Oh is high on style, but what about the food? It’s fine dining with a thematic twist. Mostly Asian-inspired simple flavours, the owners describe the culinary experience as a futuristic food journey. So, expect the unexpected. Check out the current menu at Na-Oh HERE.

Compared to the dramatic interior and wow-factor, the degustation menu-style offerings are a secondary matter. But if you’re looking for that different dining experience in Bangkok strap yourself in, stow your tray table, open up your window covers and open up your mind to a new culinary experience.

Na-Oh is open daily, except Wednesday, from 6 to 11pm.

Bookings on 02 007 7070 or find out more HERE.

Na-Oh, taking off daily into a brand new culinary adventure | News by The Thaiger

Bangkok

New Economics Party clarifies their support for pro-democracy coalition

Published

17 hours ago

April 19, 2019

The Thaiger & The Nation

New Economics Party clarifies their support for pro-democracy coalition | The Thaiger

PHOTO: Mingkwan Sangsuwan, New Economics Party leader – The Nation

Leader of the New Economics Party Mingkwan Sangsuwan hasy reiterated his party’s intention to join with the pro-democracy coalition (Pheu Thai, Future Forward) and against the pro-junta party, Phalang Pracharat.

Amid uncertainty over which camp New Economics would work with after the election, Mingkwan has clarified he would not join with Phalang Pracharat because of “ideological differences”.

Six New Economics candidates were elected in the March 24 poll. Mingkwan gave assurances at today’s press conference that none of the new MPs would defect. The party’s deputy leader, Supadit Argadriks, also repeated the party’s intent to help uphold democracy with a constitutional monarchy, and live up to its pledge to voters.

Some of the party’s members yesterday petitioned the Election Commission to dissolve the party, alleging it had fallen under outside influences related to powerful business interests. But the deputy leader insisted today that the party was united. He said the complaint had stemmed from a misunderstanding.

Supadit said legal action would be taken against the plaintiffs who filed the petition with the EC.

SOURCE: The Nation

Bangkok

Central and upper Thailand residents warned to stay indoors

Published

22 hours ago

April 19, 2019

The Thaiger

Thailand’s Meteorological Department is warning people to avoid out-door activities due to the current high temperatures which are forecast to exceed 43C today in several northern provinces.

They are also advised to stay clear of big trees, poorly-erected structures or large billboards because of freak summer storms and strong winds caused by a low pressure cell over the northern part of the country.

In Bangkok, the TMD predicts that temperatures today will vary from 37-40C, with wind speeds of between 10-20Kph.

Thailand’s northern region will experience hot to very hot weather today, with temperatures varying between 39-43C, plus freak summer storms and strong winds expected in about 10% of the region.

Northeastern provinces will also experience high temperatures ranging between 39 and 41C with freak storms covering 20 percent of the region.

Temperatures in the central region are predicted to vary between 39 and 42 C with wind speeds of 10-20Kph.

The eastern coast of the South is partly cloudy today, with temperatures ranging from 25-27C at the low end, with highs of 34-36C.

The western coast is also partly cloudy today, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 37C.