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16-16, コメの政府間取引ねつ造、元タイ商務相に禁錮４２年

タイ政治経済2015年以降
⇒タクシン政権が10年続いたおかげでタイは工業化のチャンスを失した。

16-15、タクシン派元副首相スラポンに実刑（2016-8-29）


16-14.タクシン政権元閣僚ら、汚職で禁錮６年確定(2016-6-9)

T16-13 世論調査、支持率で民主党がタイ貢献を上回る(2016-5-11)

T 16-12 タイの1－3月の輸出は0.9％増、中国向け6.4のマイナス（2016-4-26）

T16-11, Trade of Thailand (2016-2-26)

T16-10.NESDB forecasts GDP growth of 3.3% this year(2016-2-16

T16-9.タクシン派の学者の動き（2016-1-29）

T16-8, 2016-17年度の米の生産を2,500万㌧に削減（2016-1-18）

T16-7.タイの2015年の外資承認は前年比微増（2016-1-13）

T16-6,Thai authorities detain, follow labour union leaders(2016-1-11)

T16-5,クルンタイ銀行汚職事件は最高裁で結審でず？（2016-1-8）

T16-4,2016年のタイの輸出は苦戦（2016-1-4-2）

T16-3 Somkidの経済政策は成功するか（2016-1-4-1）

T16-2,憲法起草委トップが政治家に警告、「発言には気をつけろ」(2016-1-4)

T16-1.Rice-pledging scheme helped country: Wattana(2016-1-3)


Tｐ15-2 経済閣僚人事、プディヤトンが外される。（2015-8-19）


Tp15-4 Thirachai大将が次期陸軍司令に就任（2015-8-24）

Tp15-5 爆弾犯容疑者のトルコ人が逮捕された（2015-8-29）

Tp15-6 　遂に実行犯容疑者を逮捕（2015-9-1）

Tp15-7 Police believe political motives linked to Erawan Shrine blast(2015-9-28)

Tp 15-8プラユット首相が国連で演説、タイの民主主義について（2015-9-30-1）

Tp15-9 イサーンの農民、再び窮地に（2015-10-1）

Tp 15-10タイの鉄道増強計画（2015-10-22）

Ｔｐ15-11不敬罪で逮捕の警察少佐留置場で自殺（2015-10-24）
引き続き、占星術師モーヨーンも11月7日に急死

Tp15-12,インラクの無実を元商業相が証言（2015-11-11

Tp15-13　反王室派軍政幹部暗殺を計画（2015-11-29）

Tp15-14タイ・中鉄道開発の覚書調印が延期(2015-12-3)


Tp15-15, タイの鉄道建設計画の現状（2015-12-4


Bomb suspects to face trial in civilian criminal courts: PM(2015-9-9)


Tp15-16タイの民主化は改革が済んでから（2015-12-24）

Tp15-17 2015年のタイの輸出は-5.5％（2015-12-29


Tｐ15-3 タイ国軍がタクシンを名誉棄損罪で告発（2015-8-18）

The Criminal Court on Tuesday accepted for further proceedings a defamation suit filed by the army against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In the lawsuit, the army accused Thaksin of defamation in violation of Sections 326 and 328 of the Criminal Code for comments made in a media interview, while he was in South Korea from May 19-22, about the political situation in Thailand and the military coup by the National Council for Peace and Order on May 22 last year.

Thaksin was in South Korea to attend the Asian leadership international conference.  A clip of the interview was posted on social media and  coments he made in it had damaged the army's reputation, according to the lawsuit.

Maj Gen Sarayut Klinmahom, director of  the Judge Advocate General's Department, told the court during the examination of the lawsuit on May 26 that Thaksin accused the Privy Council of supporting the May 22 coup and the army of causing damage to the country and admiring the Myanmar style of democracy in ousting the government. 

He submitted to the court a CD and printed text of Thaksin's interview.

The court on Tuesday accepted the lawsuit for further proceedings and set Oct 12 for the first hearing.

Chokchai Angkaew, Thaksin's lawyer, said that on Oct 12 he would request a postponement because hs client is abroad and would not be able to appear before the court that day.

The court would then decide how to proceed with the case, he said.


Ｔｐ15-1　エラワン爆弾事件（2015-8-18）


警察は犯人像を捕えることに成功。
Police after Ratchaprasong bomb suspect 18 Aug 2015 at 16:15 11,674 viewed2 comments WRITER: ONLINE REPORTERS Police...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/660032/police-after-ratchaprasong-bomb-suspect. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.





(サンケイ）2015-8-19

タイの首都バンコクで１７日に起きた爆弾テロは、昨年５月のクーデターで「治安維持」を大義名分に掲げて政権の座に就いた軍事政権に大きな打撃を与えた。体面を傷つけられた軍政は反体制派の取り締まり強化に動くとみられる一方、民政移管に向けた憲法制定作業の遅れも懸念される。（シンガポール　吉村英輝）

　テロから一夜明けた１８日の外国為替市場で、タイの通貨バーツは一時、対ドルで約６年４カ月ぶりの安値水準となる１ドル＝３５・５５バーツまで急落した。中国経済の減速で輸出が低迷する中、テロが海外投資家の不安材料に追加され、バーツ売りを加速させた。

　主力の農業も価格低迷や日照りで不調が目立ち、反政府デモ当時の落ち込みから回復した観光業は「数少ない明るい材料」（ロイター通信）だっただけに、外国人や観光客が犠牲となった今回のテロで景気が再び冷え込みかねない。

　テロの実行犯や首謀者が何者かは判明していないが、注目されるのが、軍部の圧力で沈黙してきたタクシン元首相派の動向だ。タクシン派は、軍政が来月初旬にも新憲法草案を承認するのをにらみ、反軍政の言動を活発化させている。

　新憲法草案が承認されれば、来年１月に草案の是非を問う国民投票、９月にも民政移管に向けた総選挙が行われる。草案には上院議員の一部任命制や軍部関与を継続する委員会の設置、非議員の首相任命可能条項などが含まれており、「タクシン派つぶし」が狙いとの見方が強い。

　インラック前首相は１７日に声明を出し、草案を「民主的でない」と批判。公正なルールなしで平和は成り立たないとした上で、「経済と市民生活が喫緊の課題だ」として早期の民政移管を訴えた。

　軍政は、インラック政権下で築かれた利権構造にも切り込んでおり、軍政とタクシン派の対立を背景に、反軍政勢力の一部が、国内外の反発を覚悟で首都での無差別テロに踏み切った可能性は排除できない。

　こうした中、プラユット首相は１８日、内閣改造の名簿を国王に提出したことを明らかにした。経済閣僚を交代させ、景気低迷に対する国民の不満を和らげる狙いとみられる。今回のテロを受けて治安維持の名目で軍政が長期化し、経済運営の混迷が深まる懸念もある。事実上の海外逃亡をしながら復権を狙うタクシン氏の次の行動にも関心が集まっている。


サトン事件；Same bombers (2015-8-19, BKK Post)

National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang said the bomb tossed from a bridge at Bangkok’s Sathorn pier and yesterday’s bombing of the Erawan shrine are the work of the same perpetrators, some of whom may be foreigners.

After inspecting the scene at the busy Chao Phraya River boat terminal, Pol Gen Somyot said divers were able to recover a half dozen metal fragments of the pipe bomb thrown from the Taksin road and rail bridge near the waterway and the BTS Saphan Taksin station.

The device bounced off a post and into the nearby Sathorn canal where it detonated harmlessly, sending up only a large plume of water. There were no injuries or damage.

Explosive ordnance disposal technicians found TNT was used in both devices, which had been stuffed into a metal pipe with a timed fuse.

Pol Gen Somyot said there were more than one person behind the two bombings and that both Thais and foreign nationals were involved.

“I can tell you now that there are not only foreigners involved in the incidents but some Thais must have taken part,” the police chief said. Foreigners, he said “could not have … walked their way onto the (Taksin] bridge. There must be Thai people involved whose hearts are not Thai.”

The Sathorn bomb was estimated to have a blast radius of 35-50 metres, less than half of the bomb left under a bench Monday night at the Hindu shrine at the Ratchprasong intersection.

Pol Gen Somyot admitted that police briefly arrested a foreign man at Suvarnabhumi airport who appeared similar to CCTV images of the prime suspect. Immigration officials initially stopped him due to a problem with his travel documents and released him so that he could fix it. He has not been allowed to depart Thailand for the time being.

Police would not rule out he was the same man who appeared in the Erawan CCTV footage and are investigating further.

The police chief asked the public to send tips to authorities if they see someone they suspect was the man seen wearing a yellow shirt and leaving a backpack at the Erawan blast site.

The Sathorn bombing took place at 1.20pm, but half the pier remained open with boat operations continuing as normal. Police closed Sathorn Road to traffic from the pier to the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station to investigate.

Assistant police chief Prawut believed the perpetrator wanted to throw the bomb onto a busy walking platform leading to the pier but missed. CCTV footage taken at the time of the explosion showed people running down a causeway over the canal to escape the blast.

Police initially dispatched divers into the canal to try to recover any surviving pieces of the bomb that Transport Minister Prajin Juntong called an "improvised explosive device". Later, sandbags and pumps were brought into to drain the impact area to hasten the search for evidence.

Sathorn pier is a major terminal linking Chao Phraya River commuter boats and the nearby Skytrain station. It's also a major tourist stop, especially for Chinese tour groups.

ACM Prajin said the Sathorn bomb was an IED that was thrown. An IED is also blamed for Monday's devastating explosion at the Erawan shrine that officially has left 20 dead and 125 injured.


BANGKOK (AFP) - A man suspected of planting a deadly bomb in Bangkok is part of a wider "network", Thailand's top policeman said Wednesday.(2015-8-19)

タイの軍・警察は当然のことながら「組織的犯罪」とみて全国的に警戒態勢をしいた。

The blast struck on Monday evening as worshippers and tourists crowded into the Erawan shrine in the Thai capital’s commercial heart, but with no claim of responsibility the motive and identity of the culprit remain a mystery.

The unprecedented attack left at least 11 foreigners dead, with visitors from Britain, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, and a family from Malaysia among the victims.

Another 68 people remain in critical condition after a blast that shredded bodies and incinerated motorcycles at one of the city’s busiest intersections, sending a shockwave through the country’s pivotal tourist industry.

"It’s a network," police chief General Somyot Poompanmoung told reporters without elaborating, a day after CCTV footage emerged showing a suspect leaving a backpack moments before the blast struck.

"We believe there must be people helping him, Thai people," he added, appearing to rule out the action of a lone wolf attacker.

Police had initially said a second explosion at a Bangkok pier on Tuesday that caused no injuries may also be linked, deepening fears for residents as police conceded they do not know who was responsible.

But on Wednesday Somyot said the second attack might also be a "copycat" and that police were keeping all options open.

Thai police have now offered a one million baht ($28,000) reward for information that leads to the arrest of the main suspect.

Widely circulated video of the suspect, apparently young and slightly built, and sporting glasses and shaggy dark hair, has prompted social media chatter that he could be a foreigner.

In a televised address Wednesday, Thai junta spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said security has been tightened in tourist areas "especially where there are many Chinese tourists, to regain their trust and confidence".

The Nation Multimedia


Tp15-5 爆弾犯容疑者のトルコ人が逮捕された（2015-8-29）

タイ警察は8月29日バンコク郊外に7月からアパート2部屋を借りて住んでいたトルコ人を逮捕した。部屋からは多数のベアリング玉（5㎜）が押収されたという。これはエラワンで発見されたものと同一サイズであるという。警察はこの人物が実行犯かどうかはまだわからないといっている。





Police Commissioner General Pol Gen Somyot Pumpanmuang said the suspect who was arrested in connection the Ratchaprasong bombing has a lot of explosives in possession.

He said investigators have yet to interrogate the suspect to find out how he was linked to the two bomb attacks in Bangkok.

He said the suspect has been taken by military officers for questioning.

The national police chief said he would be able to give more details about the arrest after the suspect has been thoroughly questioned.

The relevant embassy would be informed to send representatives to take part in the questioning, Somyot added.

"Now, the suspect has been taken by military officers for questioning. I affirm with the media and Thais that a suspect has been arrested with a lot of evidences," Somyot said.

The suspect, who was arrested at a rented apartment in Nong Chok, has been taken to the 11th Army Circle in Kiakkai area for questioning.



赤シャツ活動家が事前に爆発を仲間に警告（2015-8-20）

A red-shirt supporter who posted a message on his Facebook warning about a violent incident in Bangkok just days before the Erawan Shrine bombing, has told police he had nothing to do with the attack and...

Please credit and share this article with others using this link:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/661696/red-shirt-denies-involvement-in-erawan. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Post Publishing PCL. All rights reserved.
（BangkokPost8月20日）


Tp15-6 　遂に実行犯容疑者を逮捕（2015-9-1）

ヤブを通ってカンボジア国境を越えたところで、その男はカンボジア軍につかまり、タイ側に引き渡された。

BANGKOK—Thai authorities arrested a second foreign suspect in the bombing of a shrine in central Bangkok two weeks ago that killed 20 people, bringing investigators closer to determining who orchestrated the attack and why.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters Tuesday that a foreign man, whom he described as the main figure behind the country’s worst-ever terrorist attack, was detained as he was trying to cross Thailand’s eastern border into Cambodia. Gen. Prayuth didn’t say if he was the same man as the one caught on security cameras placing a pipe bomb beneath a bench at the Erawan Shrine during the evening rush hour on Aug. 17, but other officials in the ruling junta said he could be.

Tuesday’s arrest came after a breakthrough Saturday, when police arrested another foreign man at a Bangkok apartment building. Police said they found bomb-making equipment and fake passports in the rented room, prompting Gen. Prayuth to say for the first time Monday that the suspects might be involved with ethnic Uighurs attempting to flee repression in China and reach Turkey, where members of the Muslim-Turkic group have tried to resettle.

The investigation, however, is a sensitive matter for Thailand’s leaders, who have worked to build strong ties with China after seizing power in a coup d’état last year.

Thai police arrested a foreign man whom they described as a suspect in the deadly bombing in Bangkok on Aug. 17. They also found bomb-making materials during a raid at two Bangkok apartments they said were linked to the blast. The WSJ’s James Hookway reports. Photo: AP

China’s embassy in Bangkok issued a statement shortly after the bombing criticizing media for speculating that the blast might have been retaliation for Thailand’s decision to deport more than 100 Uighurs back to China in July. The deportations were met with violent protests outside a Thai consulate in Turkey. The bomb itself was planted at a site known to be popular with visitors from China.

Seven of the dead came from China, along with other visitors from Malaysia, Singapore Indonesia, in addition to local Thais.

Leading figures in Thailand’s ruling junta insisted for days following the bombing that it wasn’t the work of international terrorists, saying it was linked instead to political conflicts in Thailand.

In recent years Thailand has seen riots, shootings and marathon street protests, culminating in last year’s military coup. Predominantly Buddhist Thailand is also home to a long-running insurgency in the Muslim-dominated southern provinces that has killed more than 6,000 people in the past decade.

But as the investigation unfolds, police are uncovering more evidence that appears to point to Uighurs or their sympathizers.



.
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-ocha confirmed yesterday for the first time that former finance minister Somkid Jatusripitak would become his deputy and head the government's economic team tasked with spurring economic growth in a Cabinet reshuffle.
While some business leaders were delighted with the news, as they believed he could help promote confidence in the business sector, many said they would closely watch for policies that could drive economic growth.

The premier decided to swap the posts of Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula and Somkid who is currently an economic adviser to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

"I have shifted Pridiyathorn to be an adviser and let Somkid take over instead. Somkid has helped me from the start, so there is no problem. Everyone is willing to be my adviser," Prayut told reporters.

Prayut submitted the new Cabinet list for Royal endorsement on Monday. He said more than 10 Cabinet positions had been "adjusted".

"Several people have been made advisers and will still work with me. I believe the new Cabinet will have to work harder than the previous one because I will get them to look at reforms," he said.

He said Deputy Prime Minster for social issues Yongyuth Yutthawong will be shifted to PM's adviser.

The premier revealed that apart from Somkid, General Prawit Wongsuwan, Wissanu Krea-ngam and General Tanasak Patimapragorn would continue as deputy prime ministers. Tanasak will, however, lose his post of foreign minister, Prayut said. A source said Tanasak's deputy Don Pramudwinai is expected to be elevated to foreign minister.

Somkid had also served as deputy prime minister and commerce minister under deposed prime minister

Thaksin Shinawatra government and was a key proponent of the populist policies known as "Thaksinomics".

Vallop Vitanakorn, vice chairman at the Thai National Shippers Council, said the new economic team led by Somkid should promote confidence in the business sector and come up with policies that would drive stronger economic growth.

However, Vallop foresees a stiff challenge for the new ministers, as many problems both internal and external are affecting the Thai economy. He said the private sector would keep a close eye on the new economic team and see whether they will come up with measures that could stimulate economic growth. Yet, he admitted that it will not be seen in short as many negative factors.

Among the urgent issues the private sector would like the new ministers to tackle are: Stimulate domestic spending and increase the low income of the grassroots; continue measures to promote economic growth; increase investments and boost investor confidence; solve issues related to the country's image on air transportation, labour and employment, and fishing industry; as well as increase the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises.

Pornsil Patchrintanakul, adviser to the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he was not excited about the reshuffle as only a few ministers have been changed. He said the previous team has done quite well in drawing up many economic policies, but some measures need more time for the results to be visible.

He said to promote more confidence, private enterprises want to see more long-term strategies to promote economic growth in the long run but the government is currently focusing on short-term strategies in order to handle the present problems.

Pornsil added that Thailand might need to draw up a 20-year plan to promote economic growth in several sectors mainly agricultural, manufacturing, investment, and service.

Some feel that Pridiyathorn could be upset about the swapping of positions with Somkid.

Before Prayut's confirmation of the change, Pridiyathorn had said the prime minister had never spoken to him about it hence he had no idea which post he would take.

"It doesn't matter actually," said Pridiyathorn. "During the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he didn't say anything. He just mentioned about the reshuffle, but we didn't have a one-on-one conversation between us," he said.

Pridiyathorn said there is only one chief adviser to the NCPO, which is General Prawit.

Despite the report about the upcoming reshuffle, Pridiyathorn continued his work yesterday at Government House, chairing two meetings.

Suvit Maesincee, who is tipped to be the Deputy Commerce Minister, said he had submitted his resignation as a National Reform Council member as he was going to join the Cabinet. However, he declined to reveal his portfolio.






Tp15-4 Thirachai大将が次期陸軍司令に就任（2015-8-24）


Deputy PM wanted general from Eastern Tigers to get the top job

A LAST-MINUTE move was made to prevent General Preecha Chan-o-cha, the prime minister's younger brother, from becoming Army chief.

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge of the country's security, reportedly wanted a general from the influential Eastern Tigers clique of the Army to get the top job.

On August 20, a day before the annual military reshuffle list was submitted by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to His Majesty the King for endorsement, Preecha's name was crossed out in favour of General Theerachai Nakwanich.

Theerachai, like Preecha, is also an assistant Army chief but he hails from the Eastern Tigers, whose members also include Prayut and Prawit.

Preecha was promoted to the role of defence permanent secretary.

Prawit reportedly argued that someone who can be trusted and who hails from the Eastern Tigers, known in Thai as "Burapha Phayak", should be Army chief during this transitional period, as the National Council for Peace and Order pushes hard for reform.

In a related development, General Sommai Kaoteera was named the new Supreme Commander as expected.

Another noteworthy promotion was that of Lt-General Kampanart Ruddit, the commander of First Army Region and the new assistant Army chief.

Since the May 22 coup last year, Kampanart has played an active role in monitoring and cracking down on anti-coup and anti-monarchist elements in Bangkok and the central region.

The central region is under the First Region Army command, which played an instrumental role in last year's Prayut-led putsch.

Lt-General Theppong Tippaya-chan was named the new commander of the First Army Region.

In another surprise reshuffle, Admiral Na Areenij was named the new Navy commander over favourite Admiral Narongpol na Bangchang.

The reason given for the decision not to promote Narongpol, an assistant Navy chief, to the top post was that he studied at a navy academy in Germany and not in Thailand.

It was reported that the top Navy post has always been occupied by a commander who graduated from the Royal Thai Naval Academy.

Narongpol had to settle for the job of deputy Navy commander.


Tp15-9 イサーンの農民、再び窮地に（2015-10-1）


KHON KAEN - The rural heartland of deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests.

The removal of generous agricultural subsidies has left rice farmers in the Northeast struggling with mounting debts, and they will get little relief when they sell their crop in coming months with rice prices near an 8-year low.

Petty crime is on the rise and retailers are struggling. The vast Platinum 168 shopping mall on the outskirts of the provincial capital of Udon Thani was built during the boom, but it is now less than a third occupied and no longer charging tenants rent.

"People are complaining about the rising costs of living, of having no money for spending," said Teerasak Teecayuphan, the mayor of the neighbouring provincial capital of Khon Kaen. "Their patience will gradually run out. Sooner or later this pot will boil over."

Thaksin's "red shirts", many of whom hail from the Isan region, have punctuated a decade of political turmoil, including protests on Bangkok's streets.

The military's campaign to disperse 10 weeks of protests in 2010 left scores dead and sparked the worst arson and rioting in Thailand's modern history.

Thaksin has reportedly told his supporters to stay calm and "play dead", but some in Thailand's poorest region say it is only a matter of time before discontent overcomes fear of the military and people again take to the streets.

"People want to protest," said Sabina Shah, a local leader of red shirt supporters in Khon Kaen.

"But we have to wait for the right trigger. If we come out now in small numbers it's suicide. We are just lying low and waiting for the opportunity - when the government argue among themselves."

The military toppled Ms Yingluck's government in the May, 2014, coup and have zealously enforced a ban on political activity.

Earlier, both Shinawatras mobilised the rural poor to deliver landslide electoral victories with a mixture of development projects, social benefits and subsidies.

Many in the Northeast think they are paying an economic price for their political allegiance.

Coup leader and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha represents a largely Bangkok-based establishment that reviles the Shinawatras' populist policies and is threatened by their rural support base.

His government has been austere in support for rural agriculture, which accounts for just under 10% of the country's economy.

"It is quite bad for farmers, we have heavy debt," said Pursudar Koyto, in Ban Kampom, a village surrounded by verdant rice paddy fields nearly ready to harvest. Gen "Prayut's government could have done more, like what they did in the Thaksin era."

While incomes improved under the Shinawatras, household incomes in Isan are still the lowest in Thailand, at just over 19,000 baht per month. That is less than half the 43,000 baht of the Bangkok region, according to government statistics for 2013, the latest data available.

MILITARY WARNS OF NATIONAL FALLOUT

The junta has made an about-turn on policy to breathe life into a moribund economy and head off rising discontent.

Gen Prayut in August appointed Somkid Jatusripitak - one of the architects of Thaksin's policies - as his economic tsar.

Mr Somkid has prioritised reviving the rural economy, which employs nearly 40% of the workforce.

"They are suffering," he told Reuters in an interview. "If these people don't have enough purchasing power it will hurt the whole system."

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy has undershot government targets. The central bank cut its GDP growth forecast to 2.7% from 3% on Sept 25, and to 3.7% from 4.1% for 2016. In 2014, growth was the slowest in three years at 0.9%.

Mr Somkid has announced a raft of measures, including soft loans through village funds, but the jury is still out on whether he can spur more growth. He said he would inject more cash into the rural economy if needed.

WORSE TO COME

The signs of economic malaise in Isan are widespread. Private investment, vehicle sales and property values have all fallen and farmers in the world's second-largest rice exporting country expect things to get worse before they get better.

Cash is already running out and many are selling cars and land to repay loans. Credit is scarce as banks tighten lending to battle rising bad debt.

"I have to borrow to pay some debt back every year," said rice farmer Khamkong Banphod, in the village of Ku Kaew near Udon Thani.

"Those facing hardship are the people who invested a lot of money and are now facing losses. They have their debt problems and are angry with the government."

The margin for millers has been razor-thin since subsidies ended, said Somsak Tungphitukkul, who owns rice mills in Khon Kaen province. Many mills cannot turn a profit and have been mothballed or closed, he said.

"It's going to be a nightmare for the rice industry if the government doesn't do something when the new crop comes in," he said.


水不足で２期作目を中止勧告（2015-10-2）

SEVERE WATER shortages seem inevitable as the level in both the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong river basins were well below average and farmers were instructed not to plant the dry-season rice crop to ensure availability of water for domestic consumption.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry permanent secretary Theerapat Prayunrasiddhi said the ministry had ordered the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) to inform farmers in the Chao Phraya River Basin about the water situation in order to encourage them not to grow the dry-season rice crop.

Theerapat said the water available in the four major dams in the Chao Phraya River Basin - Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwai Noi and Pasak Jolasid had only 3,006 million cubic metres as of yesterday, which was very low.

He said the RID, the Water Consumer Committee, irrigation volunteers and other authorities would meet with farmers to inform them about the water shortage, so that they will avoid the dry-season rice crop especially because of the high risk of failure of the crop due to water shortages. "I would like to inform all farmers and water users in the Chao Phraya River Basin that we do not have enough water for the dry-season crop, because the available water will be needed for domestic consumption. Irrigation Department officers will try to create understanding among water consumers about the water-management plan during the upcoming dry season," he said.

Despite the warning, it was reported that the dry-season rice crop had already been planted in 500,000 rai (80,000 hectares) of the overall 10.7 million rai of paddy fields in the Chao Phraya River Basin.

While a water shortage was also reported in the Western region, Thanarath Pummakasikorn, the director of Srinagarindra Dam, said that as of yesterday available water in the dam was only 2,294 million cubic metres, while available water in the Vajiralongkorn Dam was only 2,274 million cubic metres.

"According to the data, the water level is lesser now than in previous years. We face a critical water shortage and we can no longer provide water to the agricultural sector," Thanarath said.

He asked water users in seven provinces of the Mae Klong River Basin to use water wisely and encouraged farmers to cultivate crops that require less water.

Speaking at a forum 'Road map to the future of water management' organised by NOW26 channel yesterday, Wiwat Salyakamthorn, Agri-Nature Foundation president, advised that farmers in the irrigation area should adjust their production to suit the changing climate because the 20 per cent farmers in the irrigation area are the ones who suffer the most from drought.

"During a drought, we see that 80 per cent of farmers outside the irrigation area can adjust well to the situation because they are familiar with water shortages and can change their production pattern, unlike those in the irrigation areas who are used to easy access to water," Wiwat said. He concluded that the farmers needed to help themselves during drought, as the government cannot provide help to everyone. He urged them to learn mixed farming and have their own water reservoir on their land.


Tp 15-10タイの鉄道増強計画（2015-10-22）

オムシン運輸副大臣によれば、タイ国鉄（ＳＲＴ）は第2期メートル幅鉄道複線化事業の調査のためのコンサルタント契約を終えたという。同事業は、予算総額1000億バーツ、6路線で総延長1349キロ。

2017年予算を使用し、工期は3年間、財政負担の緩和のために民間へも投資を呼びかける方針。
6路線は以下の通り
１．パークナムポー（ปากน้ำโพ）～デンチャイ（เด่นชัย）間285キロ
２．コンケーン（ขอนแก่น）～ノンカーイ（หนองคาย）間174キロ
３．ホアヒン（เส้นทางหัวหิน）～プラチュアップキリカーン（ประจวบคีรีขันธ์）間90キロ
４．ジラ通り分岐駅（ชุมทางถนนจิระ）～ウボンラチャタニ（อุบลราชธานี）間309キロ
５．チュムポン（ชุมพร）～スラタニ（สุราษฎร์ธานี）間167キロ
６．スラタニ（สุราษฎร์ธานี）～ハジャイ・ソンクラー（หาดใหญ่สงขลา）間324キロ

また第1期複線化事業の6路線、総延長903キロのうち、3路線は年内に建設契約を実施できる見通しであるという。その3路線は、以下の通り
１．チャチュンサオ（ฉะเชิงเทรา）～クロンシップカオ（คลองสิบเก้า）～ゲンコーイ（แก่งคอย）間106キロ、予算113億バーツ
２．ジラ通り通り分岐点（ช่วงชุมทางถนนจิระ）～コンケーン（ขอนแก่น）間 185キロ、予算260億バーツ
３．プラチュアップキリカーン（ช่วงประจวบคีรีขันธ์）～チュムポン（ชุมพร）間167キロ、 予算174億バーツ

その他2路線は、環境影響評価（ＥＩＡ）を検討中で、その結果は年内にも取りまとめられる見通し。その2つの路線は。以下の通り
１．ナコンパトム（ช่วงนครปฐม）～ホアヒン（หัวหิน）間165キロ、予算201億バーツ
２．ロッブリー（ช่วงลพบุรี）～パークナムポー（ปากน้ำโพ）間148キロ、予算249億バーツ

最後の1路線は、マーバカバオ（ช่วงมาบกะเบา）～ジラ（จิระ）間132キロ、予算299億バーツで、現在土地収用のための勅令を準備中。


Ｔｐ15-11不敬罪で逮捕の警察少佐留置場で自殺（2015-10-24）
引き続き占星術師モヨーンも急死（2015-11-10）

不敬罪の容疑で占星術師（Suriyan Sujaritpolwan 53歳）と其の助手と警察少佐プラクロム・ワルンプラパ（Prakrom Warunprapa)44歳が先週逮捕され、軍施設にｍ留置され取り調べを受けていたがプラクロム少佐が留置場内で首をつって死んでいるのが発見された。どういう内容の不敬罪かは明らかではないが、それ以外にもマネーロンダリング、とばく場経営、古美術品の不正売買等多くの犯罪に関与していたとみられる。

これには警察官の組織的関与があるといわれパクロム少佐がカギを握る人物都みられていたようである。また占星術師はタクシンとのつながりがあるとみられている。
Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, 53, his secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp, 39, and Police Major Prakrom Warunprapa, 44の3人の逮捕はかなり重要な事案のようである。おそらくタクシンがらみの事件が表面化する可能性がある。

また、最近13名の高級警察官が更迭され、無役のポストにつけれれた。

軍は監視上の守衛を強化する様に命じられ、陣容を強化する予定になっていたというのが10月24日にネーションの記事であり。警官の自殺は23日（金）の夜のことであった。対策が後手に回った形である。どうもこの3人はかなりの重大容疑がかけられている模様である。

Authorities have opened an investigation into the death of Pol Maj Prakrom Warunprapa, a lese majeste suspect arrested earlier this week, after he was found hanged in his cell on Friday night. The Corrections...

A GROUP of special wardens, made up of military officers and guards from the Corrections Department, has been appointed to take care of three suspects detained over in a high-profile lese majeste case.

The wardens' key responsibility is to ensure the three men's well-being during detention, a source linked to the case has revealed.

The suspects are well-known fortune teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, 53, his secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp, 39, and Police Major Prakrom Warunprapa, 44, an inspector from the Technology Crime Suppression Division.

They are being held at a temporary detention facility at the 11th Military Circle on Bangkok's Nakhon Chaisri Road.

Meanwhile, a security guard at Suriyan's luxury condominium has claimed that police and officials began confiscating the fortune-teller's assets last week.

On the morning of October 15, many police and military officers arrived at Paholyothin Park Condominium in Chatuchak district and seized several of Suriyan's assets, including a sports utility vehicle, Buddha statues and other items, the guard said yesterday.

The guard, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the officers came in more than 20 vehicles.

"I was shocked to hear that 'Mor Yong' was arrested for lese majeste," the guard said, referring to the fortune-teller by his better known pseudonym.

The three suspects are charged with wrongly citing the monarchy to make personal gains, in violation of Article 112 of the Penal Code. Police said the three have confessed to the charge.

On Thursday, police searched Prakrom's unit at the luxury La Maison condominium, and later confiscated several items, including a Mercedes Benz sedan, a Volkswagen van and several motorcycles.

Police are examining the confiscated assets, which includes cash, cars, amulets, firearms, gold and watches, to see where they came from and if they may have anything to do with the suspects' wrongdoing, a source familiar with the case said.

The seized assets are being kept under tight security at the 11th Infantry Regiment, the source added.

On Wednesday, the Military Court approved a police request to detain the three for a longer period, as investigators are still working on the case.

Separately, 13 police have been transferred to inactive posts, as inquiries are underway to determine whether they are also involved in the lese majeste case.


またネット上では、ワチラロンコン皇太子付親衛隊のピシットサック・セーニーウォン　ナアユタヤー陸軍少将（พลตรีพิสิฐศักดิ์ เสนีวงศ์ ณ อยุทธยา）が同じ容疑で逮捕されたが、首吊り自殺で既に亡くなったとの噂も流れています。ピシットサック少将は、皇太子の代理としてヨーン氏と一緒に「Bike for DAD」（父のための自転車）の準備会合にも出席していた人物だそうです。



占星術師モヨーンの不審死（2015-11-10）

【タイ】パイブーン法相（前タイ国軍最高司令部副司令官）は９日、不敬罪容疑で１０月に逮捕し、こう留中だった著名な占い師のスリヤン（通称モーヨーン）容疑者（５３）が今月７日、敗血症で死亡したと明らかにした。

　容疑者は６日、体調が悪化し、こう留先のバンコク都内のタイ陸軍基地から医療施設に搬送され、翌日死亡したという。

　スリヤン容疑者は全国的に知られた占い師で、政府やタイ王室関連の委員会の委員も務めていた。今年に入ってからは、タイ軍事政権が主催し、シリキット王妃の誕生日を祝い８月に行われたサイクリングイベントと、プミポン国王の誕生日を祝い１２月に開催される予定のサイクリングイベントの組織委員会の委員となっていた。しかし、１０月になり、王室にこねがあるとかたって実業家から現金を恐喝したなどとして、パラークロム・タイ警察少佐（４４）ら２人とともに、突然逮捕された。パラークロム少佐は１０月２３日、こう留先の軍基地で首をつり死亡しているのがみつかった。

　一連の事件では、軍の高官であるカチャチャート陸軍大佐にも不敬罪で逮捕状が出たことが、９日、明らかになった。カチャチャート大佐は１０月３１日にタイ北部メーソートの国境から陸路でミャンマーに出国し、その後、行方不明となっている。カチャチャート大佐に関しては、タイ中部フアヒンのクライカンウォン宮殿近くの浜辺で今年８月に開園した公園の建設をめぐり、業者から賄賂をとった疑いが浮上しているもようだ。この公園は軍部が建設したもので、名君とされるタイの歴代国王７人の巨大な青銅像が立つ。

　昨年５月のクーデターで民選政権を倒し発足した軍政は汚職と不敬罪の取り締まりに力を入れてきた。それだけに、今回の事件が軍に波及することに神経を尖らせ、不敬罪容疑による軍幹部逮捕の動きを９日まで一貫して否定してきた。青銅像公園をめぐる汚職疑惑は９日にも報道官を通じ否定した。

　今回の事件は、昨年１２月にタイ王室を離脱したシーラット・スワディー元皇太子妃の関係者多数が逮捕、投獄された一連の事件に類似している。スワディー元妃の関係者では、昨年１１月下旬から、両親、姉、兄弟、元侍従長、おじのポンパット元警察庁中央捜査局長（警察中将）、義兄のコーウィット元警察庁サムットサコン県入国管理事務所長（警察大佐）らが不敬罪、収賄、資金洗浄などで逮捕され、実刑判決を受けて服役中。ほかにもポンパット中将らにつながる警察幹部、民間人数十人が不敬罪や恐喝などで逮捕、投獄された。中央捜査局では現在も不敬罪絡みの捜査が続き、今年１０月、所属の警官８人が捜査に伴い事実上の停職処分を受けた。

　司法当局によると、ポンパット中将らは違法カジノや石油密輸業者などから多額の賄賂を受け取っていたほか、昇進を希望する警官に警察ポストを販売し、多額の金銭を得ていた。また、賄賂を要求する際、王室関係者の関与をほのめかした。監禁、恐喝などにも手を染めていたとみられる。警察はこれまでに、ポンパット中将らが所有する家屋十数カ所を捜索し、自動車数十台と、地下金庫や隠し部屋に隠された現金、宝飾品、仏像、象牙など数十億バーツ相当を押収した


BKKポスト(2015-10-28)の記事で一連の警察幹部の異動の記事

警察長官チャクティップ　チャイジンダ（Chakthip Chaijinda)は警察報道官にデタナロン・スチチャルンバンチャ警察大将を任命した。また警察少将クラスの3名と大佐2名がが副報道官に任命された。
前任のプラウット（Prawut)警察大将はタイ警察顧問に就任した。「不敬罪事件」との何らかの関わりがあったものと憶測されている。

王室をダシに使った「汚職事件」とはこの12月に予定されている「お父さんのためのバイク」のイヴェントで中国から大量の自転車を輸入するために民間企業から多額の寄付金を募ったことが挙げられている。

今回更迭された報道官は8月のエラワン爆破事件で犯人を「ウイグル族」に結びつけた責任を取らされたとも考えられる。「ウイグル説」はタクシン派が考えたシナリオではないかという見方もある。

関連のネーションの記事

Prawut's ouster was not based on his performance, police chief clarifies

POL LT-GENERAL Prawut Thavorn-siri has tendered his resignation, ending his police career after his abrupt removal as police spokesman, a high-ranking police officer told The Nation yesterday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, this officer said the resignaion was sent to national police Commissioner General Chakthip Chaijinda yesterday.

The resignation came even though Chakthip had said that Prawut's removal from the post had nothing to do with performance issues or anything suspicious. "I have appointed a new team of police spokesman and deputies because it's a part of the cycle. When players on the field feel tired, they need to take a break," Chakthip said.

General Dejnarong Suttich-arnbancha has now officially replaced Prawut as police spokesman. Prawut in fact still retained his post as the adviser Level 10 when he submitted his resignation.

Earlier in the day, Chakthip also firmly denied a rumour that Prawut's home had been raided and searched. "No, that's not true," he said.

Asked about a recent high-profile lese-majeste case, Chakthip said a press conference would be officially held today to provide the public with information on the case. Suspects in the case include fortune-teller Suriyan Sujaritpol-wong, better known as "Mor Yong", and Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapa, who died during his detention last Friday.

Before his arrest, Suriyan had served as an adviser to a subcommittee responsible for holding activities for the "Bike for Mom" cycling event in August, as well as the "Bike for Dad" event scheduled for December.

Pol Lt-General Thitiraj Nongharnpitak, chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, said today's press conference would inform the public that the suspects had abused the reputation of the country's high institution in seeking personal benefits.

"We are going to make clear that the arrests of all suspects are based on evidence," he said.

Asked about rumours that a high-level police officer has also been implicated, Thitiraj said the details of the case would be revealed at the press conference today. The press conference would not disclose details about assets seizures, he said.

An informed source said Prawut was on vacation and he flew out of Thailand before Chakthip removed him as police spokesman on Monday.

"He is scheduled to fly back to Thailand on November 2," the source said.

To many, the order to remove Prawut from the post of police spokesman is a surprise given that Chakthip had only just installed him in the post on October 14.

Prawut also has solid credentials and sufficient experience to serve as spokesman for the police force. He served as police spokesman several times in the past. He was first appointed as spokesman by then acting national police chief Pol General Pateep Tanprasert.

When Pol General Wichean Potephosree rose to the helm of the police force, he appointed Prawut as spokesman. During his term as the national police |commissioner, Chakthip's predecessor, Pol General Somyot Poompanmoung, also named Prawut as police spokesman.





Tp15-12,インラクの無実を元商業相が証言（2015-11-11）

（ネーション紙は2015-11-10の電子版）
ニワツムロン元商業相はでインラク前首相が「コメ買い取り政策」で巨額赤字をもたらしたという件で訴追されているが、彼女を弁護する証拠書類を提示したという。

FORMER COMMERCE minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan has testified before a government committee that former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra did not commit wrongdoing in the rice-pledging scheme despite an estimated "loss" of Bt600 billion in taxpayers' money as alleged by the government.

Niwattumrong also handed over several hundred pages of documents to the committee detailing the rice-subsidy programme, which he said was executed in accordance with a 2003 Royal Decree.

He argued that the programme was good for the economy, resulting in increased tax revenue and higher incomes for farmers.

The former commerce minister is one of the defence witnesses in a civil compensation case being prepared by the government in which Yingluck stands accused of causing severe financial damage to the state as a result of implementing the farmer-subsidy programme.

Niwattumrong also argued that the programme did not take into account profits and losses, since it was a subsidy policy promoted during an election campaign. He said more than 10 government agencies were involved in the programme and none of them voiced opposition.

In addition, the National Economic and Social Development Board and Budget Bureau did not raised any objections either, he said, adding that both agencies were empowered to do so.

However, he said, non-government organisations or independent think-tanks such as Thailand Research and Development Institute were not authorised by law to oppose government programmes, even though the TDRI was the leading critic of this scheme, suggesting it would cause more damage than benefits.

Niwattumrong said the subsidy programme had contributed Bt350 billion to Bt700 billion to the economy during its lifetime, while farmers benefited from combined income of Bt140 billion per year thanks to the high price of rice pledged with the government at Bt15,000 per tonne.

He also said the government's tax collection was increased by Bt100 billion because of the implementation of this programme.

The former commerce minister said Yingluck as prime minister implemented measures to prevent fraud and corruption in this scheme and the current government should punish wrongdoers on a case-by-case basis.

At its peak, the government's rice inventories shot up to a total of 18 million tonnes after buying up the rice from farmers at a price much higher than the world market, allegedly resulting in a huge cost to taxpayers. Over the years, about 6 million tonnes have sold into the market, raising about Bt70 billion, and the overall cost is estimated at around Bt600 billion.

In addition, the rice-trading mechanism was distorted, resulting in negative consequences on exports, according to the programme's critics.



Tp15-13　反王室派軍政幹部暗殺を計画（2015-11-29）

Prachataiによれば反王室派（タクシン派）は軍政幹部の暗殺を計画しているという。9人の赤シャツ派が国王生誕記念の「Bike for Dad」のお祭り騒ぎに乗じてタイ軍政幹部の暗殺を計画しているとして、最近2人が逮捕され7人が逃亡中とされている。彼らは2014年のコン・ケーン・モデル事件に関与しているグループだといわれている。

Anti-monarchy figures overseas allegedly involved in plot to kill junta leader

Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 27/11/2015 - 17:17

The Thai police allege that suspects in a failed terrorist plot around the Bike for Dad event involve certain unnamed overseas anti-monarchy figures.     

On 27 November 2015, the Thai News Agency reported that Pol Maj Gen Chayapol Chatchaidej, Commander of the Counter Crime Planning Division of the Royal Thai Police, revealed that in addition to 2 suspects already in custody, 7 others were involved in a thwarted terrorist plot around the Bike for Dad event, a cycling rally to honour the King’s Birthday, which will take place nationwide on 11 December 2015, and are still at large.

On Wednesday, 25 November, Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, Commissioner General of the Royal Thai Police, announced that three suspects had been detained by the military for allegedly attempting to stage a terrorist attack around the upcoming Bike for Dad cycling rally.

Rumour has it that the prime target of the foiled terrorist plot was Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister himself.

On Thursday, Deputy Police Commissioner General Sriwarah Rangsipramkul said the military had detained only two suspects not three. The two suspects currently detained are former Pol Sgt Maj Prathin C. and Nattapol N.

The police chief added that the suspects also face charges under Article 112 of the Criminal Code, the lèse majesté law, and the Computer Crime Act for contacting each other via the Line chat application to prepare the terrorist plot on the auspicious event for the King.

Yesterday, the Deputy Police Chief said that the suspects in the terrorist plot were previously involved in the 2014 Khon Kaen Model case.

The name ‘Khon Kaen Model’ was given to the case of 26 defendants, mostly elderly, from several provinces in the North East, accused of being hard-core red shirts who planned to rebel against the junta. The alleged operation would first be carried out in Khon Kaen, the second largest province in Isan and a stronghold of the red-shirt movement, and then in other provinces in the North and the North East.

The police also announced that the two suspects said during interrogation that certain anti-monarchy figures overseas who posted messages defaming the monarchy on social media are involved in the plot.  

The court has already issued arrest warrants for other suspects at large.

The junta leader has accused the main faction of the red shirt movement, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), to be the mastermind of the plot.

The UDD leaders have, however, denied involvement in the plot, saying that the alleged terrorist plot is an attempt by the junta to divert public attention from the Thai Army’s Rajabhakti Park corruption scandal.



Tp15-14タイ・中鉄道開発の覚書調印が延期(2015-12-3)
、中国側が突然契約変更申し入れ

02/12/2015

アコム運輸相は12月１日、中国の協力のもとで進められるタイの鉄道開発計画に関する覚書に両国が３日に調印する予定だったが、これが延期されることになったと明らかにした。

この計画に関連してタイと中国の間ではゴムが輸出入されることになっている。しかし、中国側がこれについて変更を要求したことなどで、ソムキット副首相（経済担当）が意見が一致するまで調印は見送ると決めたものという。

運輸相によれば、２国間では中国がタイからゴムを輸入することになっていたが、中国は輸入会社を変更することや新しいゴムのみを輸入することを要求。これについて２国間ではまだ折り合いがついていない。

なお、同計画では、バンコク＝ノンカイ、ケンコイ＝マプタプットの２ルート計８６７キロメートルに３５００億バーツを投入して鉄道が建設される



Tp15-15, タイの鉄道建設計画の現状（2015-12-4）

Sino-Thai railway project can wait until terms are right

SASITHORN ONGDEE
sasithorn@nationgroup.com December 4, 2015 1:00 am

DO THAIS really need to rush to build a medium-speed railway on the northeastern route? The answer is obviously no.

So, it was not surprising when there were reports over the past few days that the rail cooperation between the Thai and Chinese governments might be put on hold because China's rubber purchase deal from Thailand had not gone as planned.

The Sino-Thai railway project was planned to feature 873km dual tracks with a 1.435-metre gauge carrying trains at a speed of up to 180 km/hour. The line was to link Laem Chabang in Chon Buri province with Nong Khai, a province in the Northeast bordering Laos via Nakhon Ratchasima, Kaeng Khoi in Sara Buri province and Map Ta Phut and Bangkok with Kaeng Khoi.

The Sino-Thai railway development project has been on the table of the two nations for many years, going back to time of the Chuan Leekpai government in 1992, but it has never made much progress.

Under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's ministration, the talks on railway cooperation were resumed and that revived Thai dreams of a concrete high-speed railway though the speed would have been in the range of 160 to 180kph.

The critical issues in the negotiations involved interest rate on soft loans that China would provide for the project and the engineering works on some sections of the route, as China reportedly wanted to cut through the mountains.

Thailand sought an interest rate of 2 per cent per annum on the soft loans while China insisted on 2.5 per cent, arguing that Thailand was now an upper-middle income country.

According to a state agency study, the internal rate of return on the project is not much. It suggests that only if the rail line passes through Laos and links up with the southern part of China, where the economy is sizeable with a fast-growing trend, would it be worth making the investment.

We can guess who will reap the most benefits from the railway project?

It is important that China offer more assistance to Thailand in the same way it provides for Laos.

In the meantime, the Thai government is playing another card, turning to Japan for rail cooperation instead, rather than grasping at nothing. This is because the government has banked on the railway investment to boost the economy next year.

It would indeed be strange if the Sino-Thai railway project ends up on shelf, because then it would not make it to the fiscal 2016 budget's transport development plan worth Bt1.79 trillion approved by the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The rail cooperation between Thailand and Japan could overtake the Sino-Thai railway project. Both countries will jointly invest in improving the single-track railway from Kanchanaburi, a border province in the West, to link up with Sa Kaeo in Aranyaprathet located on the east side and upgrading it to become a double-track railway.

After that they will jointly invest in an extension of the rail line from Kanchanaburi to Phu Nam Ron and from Sa Kaeo to Khlong Luek to link up with Myanmar and Cambodia, respectively.

The rail line as located along the Lower East-West Economic Corridor is likely in favour of Japan's production bases and its supply chains.

Thailand, however, has its own railway running from Bangkok to the Northeast, and though it features a single track with a metre gauge, it is under improvement to meet the safety standards to become a dual-track railway.

If there is no Sino-Thai railway project, Thailand will lose nothing except for a slide in land prices that have been skyrocketing in anticipation of the project and a slowdown in the economies driven by urbanisation.

There is no urgent need for the country to have a different railway track, especially one requiring a huge investment that could balloon to Bt500 billion from Bt400 billion previously estimated, if we do not get a good deal.


Tp15-16タイの民主化は改革が済んでから（2015-12-24）
Bloomberg
　プラユット車掌は２０１５年末の演説で「民主制」への復帰は２０１７年よりも前にはありえないと述べた。選挙万能主義には賛成できない。いまのあっま選挙を実施したらまた悪徳政治家が暗躍したいの社会は再び混乱に陥るというものである。

外国資金は既に49億ドル引き出された。それによってタイの株価は低迷している。２０１５年のGDP成長率は3％となろう。２０１４年は0.9％にすぎなかった。

政権は時々反体制派（タクシン派）の政治屋、学者、ジャーナリストを呼びつけ「態度の調整（Attitude Adjustment)を求めている。これは必要なことであり、「集会の自由」や「言論の自由」を放任しておけば、タクシン派が有り余る金を使って何をやり出すかわからないからである。

Thailand’s junta leader Prayuth Chan-Ocha used his year-end speech to remind his countrymen that he seized power in order to reform the nation and that a return to democracy will have to wait until that’s accomplished and won’t come before 2017.

“Everybody wants to ask for a return to normal, to democracy with full freedom," Prayuth said in a nationwide television address Wednesday. "I want to ask whether this is possible. If we want to create change from the past, it’s not. We have tried for 83 years with many coups. Now I want the real reform to take place. This is for our children’s future.”

Prayuth, who toppled the elected government in a May 2014 coup, has repeatedly pushed back potential dates for new elections. The latest timeline, which Prayuth reiterated in his speech Wednesday, has the junta stepping aside and allowing for elections in mid-2017. In order for that date to be met, however, a new constitution must be written and approved by voters and Prayuth has said the nation must be at peace with no dissent.

Global funds have pulled a net $4.9 billion from Thai stocks and bonds this year as fallout from the coup aggravated a selloff in emerging markets. The Thai economy is expected to grow 3 percent this year, recovering from 0.9 percent in 2014, when political unrest and the coup slammed growth. That’s still well below the Thai central bank’s estimated potential expansion rate of 4 percent to 5 percent.

The junta has banned political gatherings and outlawed opposition to its rule. It has regularly summoned academics, activists, journalists and politicians for what it terms "attitude adjustment" - temporary detention at military bases where detainees are required to sign pledges to not oppose the junta or else risk jail time and asset seizure.

In his hour-long speech, Prayuth urged people to stop trying to stir up trouble and reminded them that democracy doesn’t mean "unlimited freedom." He also warned people to stop trying to get foreigners involved in Thailand’s internal affairs.

“Now there are people who try to distort information," Prayuth said. "It’s just a group of few people who write messages and forward them. The first group are mentally ill and the second group are those who want fame in social media. I think they destroy the country. This includes people who take corruption cases to outside countries and ask them to solve the problems."

The junta has come under fire from Western governments and international rights groups for its limits on personal freedom as well as its increased pursuit of those accused of violating a law prohibiting criticism of the monarchy. That has coincided with increased scrutiny of Thailand’s record on human trafficking and forced labor, particularly in its fishing industry.



Tp15-17 2015年のタイの輸出は-5.5％（2015-12-29）

Slump in exports ‘worse than expected’ amid low oil prices

PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI,
ERICH PARPART
THE NATION December 29, 2015 1:00 am

EXPORTS are now expected to contract by 5.5 per cent to US$215 billion this year, worse than the previous projection of a 3-per-cent decline, due to the continued slide in oil prices in the world market.

This the third straight year of backsliding, but for next year, the Commerce Ministry is looking for a return to the growth path. Its 2016 forecast is for a 5-per-cent increase to $225 billion, reflecting the brighter picture for global trading, which is expected to bounce back from a shrinkage of 11.2 per cent to an expansion of 2.4 per cent.

The ministry reported that in the first 11 months of this year, shipments were off 5.5 per cent to $197.27 billion (Bt6.61 trillion), while imports declined 11.2 per cent to $187.04 billion.

In November alone, exports were down 7.4 per cent to $17.16 billion, while imports fell 9.5 per cent to $16.86 billion. Thailand locked in a trade surplus of $10.23 billion in the first 11 months, after adding $298 million last month.

"Oil and products from oil account for more than 10 per cent of total export value. Expected continuing falling oil prices will still be a risk factor for Thai exports next year," Somkiat Triratpan, director of the Commerce Ministry's Policies and Trade Strategies Bureau, said yesterday.
 The ministry estimates that the oil price next year will continue to drop from an average of $51.60 per barrel this year to $50.40. This would hit trade to many markets that depend heavily on oil sales.

If oil prices continue to deteriorate, not only will many oil-based products be affected, but also agricultural crops, mainly rubber.

As of November, the average oil price this year was $42.32 per barrel, but in December, it weakened to $36 per barrel.

Exports of agro-industrial products have crumbled in the first 11 months by 7.2 per cent, and those from other industries by 3.7 per cent. Exports to most markets were down, except to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam (CLMV), Australia, Latin America and the United States. Exports increased by 7.8 per cent to CLMV, 6 per cent to Australia, 0.2 per cent to Latin America and 1.4 per cent to the US.

Ripples from Myanmar people's protest against the Koh Tao murder verdict have not yet reached two-way trading. Border shipments from Thailand to Myanmar still grew by an average of 20 per cent.

Border trade

Two-way border trade with the four adjacent countries - Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia - rose by 6.4 per cent to Bt957.79 billion in the first 11 months of this year. Outbound border trade increased 4.4 per cent to Bt561.74 billion, while inbound trade rose 9.5 per cent to Bt396 billion.

Despite the declining sales overseas for Thai goods, sales abroad of the service sector climbed strongly by 14.8 per cent in the first nine months of this year to $44.42 billion.

Tourism is the strongest driver of Thai service exports this year. Exports of tourism services soared 21.9 per cent to $32.3 billion, which was 72.7 per cent of total service exports, Somkiat said.

Kulaya Tantitemit, director of the Fiscal Policy Office's Macroeconomic Policy Bureau, said the FPO still saw exports picking up next year, but it would be by less than the 2.5 per cent that had been predicted.

The contraction of 5.5 per cent in the past 11 months is already bigger than the FPO's current contraction projection of 5.4 per cent for this whole year.

The export sector will continue be one of the drags on the economy next year, as it accounts for 65-70 per cent of gross domestic product.

It will continue to be a victim of the softening of global demand, as many major trading partners are still gradually recuperating while China is faltering.

"It can be seen now that the global economy, which was expected to improve by a bigger margin than this year, is now only expected to recover gradually or be better than this year but not by much," she said.

The exchange rate is also expected to be volatile from the divergence in the monetary policies of advanced economies.

The estimated low crude-oil price of about $50 per barrel on average in 2016 will continue to put pressure on agricultural prices, which is a major part of the country's export sector.



T16-1.Rice-pledging scheme helped country: Wattana(2016-1-3)

The Nation January 3, 2016 5:12 pm

泥棒にも3分の利ありとはいうが言い訳にもなっていない。農民に消費の先食いをさせて、借金を増やさせただけではないか。タクシンはタイの経済改革を遅らせた。農民の数が21世紀になってから少しも減っていないどころか増えている。工業は一向に増えなかった。そのため1人当たりのＧＤＰで中国に抜かれてしまった。

Former commerce minister Wattana Muangsuk Sunday defended the rice-pledging scheme against allegations it distorted the market mechanism and caused losses, saying it was a public policy aimed at stimulating the economy and domestic consumption.

The ex-minister defended the scrapped scheme ahead of this month's scheduled start of the trial of ex-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders over her alleged negligence over the scheme and her failure to stop corruption and estimated losses to the state of at least Bt500 billion.

"The rice pledging scheme was implemented under a strict financial and monetary discipline," Wattana said. "The government was able to keep the fiscal balance by ensuring that the state expenses and present and future financial commitments were at a manageable level that the government was able to finance.

"The country enjoyed financial stability. The allegations that the project shouldered heavy losses and the government set aside a huge budget or sought loans to write off losses, creating bad debts and putting the country's financial system at risk of being bankrupt, was a misunderstanding and false.''

Wattana said the Yingluck government implemented the rice-pledging scheme by intervening in the market mechanism under a pubic policy protected by Article 84 (8) of the now-defunct 2007 Constitution.


T16-2,憲法起草委トップが政治家に警告、「発言には気をつけろ」(2016-1-4

03/01/2016

憲法起草委員会（ＣＤＣ）のミーチャイ委員長はこのほど、政治家らに対し、新憲法最終案の国民投票が実施される前に同案の内容を国民に誤解させるような発言をしないよう求めるとともに、誤解を与えたことで同案を否決された場合はその結果を招いた者が責任をとる必要があるとの考えを示した。

最初の憲法草案は１月29日に内容がまとめられ、また、最終草案は３月にできあがることになっている。

現行の暫定憲法の規定によれば、憲法の最終草案の是非を問う国民投票を実施し可決されれば、総選挙が行われる予定で、実施時期は来年半ばと見込まれている。


T16-3 Somkidの経済政策は成功するか（2016-1-4-1）

MR PRIDIYATHORN Devakula, the former head of the government’s economic team, shunned most kinds of populist policies during his 15 months in office from May 2014 to August last year.

プリディヤトンはクーデター以来2014年5月から2015年8月まで経済担当相として「ポピュリスト政策」に反対の立場をとってきたが、経済が向上しないとの経済秋の批判にさらされシムキッドと交代させられた。しかし、事態は改善されていない。相続税は特に評判が悪かった。

However, his successor Somkid Jatus-ripitak is more comfortable with a wide range of policies and measures to stimulate the economy.

Over the past five months, the Somkid team has tackled the sluggish economy at various levels with multiple tools, including some populist measures.

At the grass roots, the team revived the Village Fund scheme with an injection of funds worth several tens of billion baht.

For credit-strapped small and medium-sized enterprises, it offered a Bt100-billion soft-loan programme at a 4-per-cent interest rate. To kick-start private investment, the Board of Investment and the Finance Ministry introduced extra tax incentives to encourage Thai and foreign investors to quickly implement their projects.
 For the longer-term goal of repositioning Thai industries, the team identified 10 "future" industries to be promoted by the government to uplift the country's international competitiveness.

For infrastructure investment, the public-private partnership (PPP) model got a new lease of life with a big portion of projects worth a combined Bt1.79 trillion set for bidding next year. The Somkid team also led a delegation to Japan to revitalise foreign investors' interest in the country.

The team also managed to boost domestic consumption with a surprise tax incentive for year-end shopping, making it the talk of the town in the final week of 2015.

In other words, the stage has been set for a stronger economy next year.

In hindsight, the Pridiyathorn team should be credited for stabilising the economy in the early months after the coup.

The team also implemented some tax reforms, with one notable example being inheritance tax, which will take effect on February 1. While the amount of inheritance tax to be collected might not be huge due to the watered-down rates and conditions, it represents a rare policy initiative aimed at social equity.

Also, legal and other moves for the "digital economy", initiated by Pridiyathorn, have helped efforts to boost international competitiveness, as have measures promoting the setting up of international headquarters and international trading companies in Thailand, among other things.

Overall, the Pridiyathorn team was less adept at stimulating a slow economy, when compared to the speed and variety of moves implemented by the Somkid team, which has been more successful in restoring business and consumer confidence in Thailand.


T16-4,2016年のタイの輸出は苦戦（2016-1-4-2）

This year, while Thailand’s exports remain at risk from several challenges （Ｎａｔｉｏｎ）

Following a third consecutive year of contraction, the Commerce Ministry has projected Thai shipments will grow by 5 per cent to US$225 billion (Bt8.12 trillion) this year, while the private sector forecasts growth in the region of 2-4 per cent.

The Thai National Shippers' Council foresees exports growing 2 per cent, while the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's Economic and Business Forecasting Centre predicts expansion of about 4 per cent.

However, the Bank of Thailand expects export growth to be flat this year, with its forecast taking into account a sharper slowdown in China and other Asian economies, the adverse impact of geopolitical conflicts on global demand and tourist confidence, and a further severe drought in Thailand.

 In 2016, according to the International Trade Promotion Department's outlook, many factors will influence Thai shipments.

Positive factors include the |global economy, which is expected to grow by 3.6 per cent, against 3.1 |per cent last year, while the International Monetary Fund forecasts global trade to expand by 2.4 per cent - following a contraction of |11.2 per cent last year.

The government's measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises in regard to financing and innovation, the promotion of super-cluster investment and investment in 10 special economic zones, and free-trade agreement policies will also help drive export expansion, the department said.

Malee Choklumlerd, director-general of the agency, said the government would play its part in achieving the goal of deepening Asean integration by broadening relations with neighbouring countries in CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) markets and other Asean countries, which would increase bilateral trade and investment.

The department will also cooperate with the Science and Technology Ministry in the development of innovations for export products, as part of efforts to restructure the manufacturing of exported goods, she said.

In 2016, Thai shipments to many markets are also expected to move back into positive territory, such as to the European Union, with 2.8-per-cent growth predicted by the department; the United States (3 per cent); Latin America (17.2 per cent); Asean (6 per cent), CLMV (13.6 per cent); India (9 per cent); and Australia (10 per cent).

However, shipments to Japan, Russia and Middle East markets are still expected to see some degree of contraction, due to an expected slowdown in those economies.

Exports to the three markets are forecast to drop by 1.5 per cent, 15 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively, she added.

To drive more shipments from this

year onward, the Commerce Ministry has launched a seven-strategy plan covering 2016-21, which will focus on market access and economic cooperation, demand-driven marketing, trade promotion with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, China and India, outward-investment promotion, trade in services, innovation-driven enterprises, and value creation, Malee said.

While many products should enjoy better orders from abroad over the next 12 months, there are some notable exceptions, such as the Thai fishery sector, which has a negative image overseas as a result of illegal, unreported and unregulated activities and labour problems.

Rubber-product exporters, meanwhile, have been victims of declining oil prices, and garments and textiles are a sunset industry, with many Thai factories shifting to neighbouring countries, she said.

However, products that will show positive export growth are automobiles and parts, jewellery and ornaments, frozen and processed chicken, electronics, electrical appliances, construction materials, machinery and parts, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products, furniture and parts, and gifts, souvenirs and home decorative items.

Meanwhile, given the growing trend for people to concentrate more on service trading, the government will concentrate export efforts more on services that are seen as the future for Thailand, and income from which will be particularly helpful during a period of sluggish income from the export of goods.

Malee said service businesses would play an increasingly significant role in creating national income, while the export of goods would over time play a reduced role.

The government will, therefore, be more concerned about driving service-business growth in the long run.

Nopporn Thepsithar, chairman of the Thai National Shippers' Council, said the council's forecast of Thai shipments growing at least 2 per cent this year was based on an assumption that the baht would average 35-37 per US dollar.

Gem, jewellery exports set to grow

Somchai Phornchindarak, president of the Gems, Jewellery and Precious Metal Confederation of Thailand and former president of the Thai Gems and Jewellery Association, predicted that exports of gems, jewellery and ornaments would continue to grow this year, at a rate of around 5 per cent.

To drive more shipments, he said jewellery enterprises had asked for the government's help in solving four key problems: a shortage of skilled labour; a lack of support for research and development; a shortage of financial liquidity; and the cost of imported raw materials.

The Federation of Thai Industries, meanwhile, has forecast that auto exports will increase by 3 per cent this year.

"Sales may not grow much, as commodity prices will still be low, curbing economic growth, but exports should still expand, particularly of eco-cars," said Surapong Paisitpattanapong, spokesman of the federation's Auto Industry Club.



T16-5,クルンタイ銀行汚職事件は最高裁で結審でず？（2016-1-8）

Panthongtae dropped from trial; 'charges against ex-PM may be shelved if he does not attend hearings' in the Supreme Court

Attorney General Julasing Wasantasing yesterday launched a Bt9-billion lawsuit that accuses former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 27 accomplices of involvement in fraudulent Krung Thai Bank loan transactions.

But an informed source said that if public prosecutors could not get key defendants such as Thaksin to face court, parts of the case relating to the ex-PM may be temporarily shelved.

Thaksin is currently a fugitive from justice, having fled abroad in late 2008 prior to the handing down of a two-year jail term by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders. That ruling came in another corruption case, relating to the purchase of a prime block of land on Bangkok's Ratchadaphisek Road.

In the Krung Thai Bank (KTB) case, state prosecutors submitted a writ citing an anti-graft report and 150 files in 17 boxes of evidence.

The case will be tried at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders. The high court is expected to convene its first hearing on July 25 after a nine-judge tribunal in charge of the case is named.

"The public prosecutors and graft busters have reached a joint decision to try Thaksin and 27 accomplices and exclude Thaksin's son Panthongtae and other family members from

the litigation," prosecution spokesman Winai Damrongmong-kolkul said.

Earlier, the graft investigation found that funds from the alleged fraudulent loans had been routed through Panthongtae's bank accounts. The prosecution has decided, however, not to try Panthongtae, who is not an office holder and thus not under the purview of the high court's fast-track process for graft offences.

The case came to light after the 2006 coup government formed the Asset Examination Committee to look into alleged graft violations involving Thaksin.

One of the cases taken by the AEC involved a complaint filed by the Bank of Thailand against the Krung Thai Bank over three suspicious transactions.

The AEC's mandate expired before it reached the trial stage. But

the National Anti Corruption Commission picked up on the AEC probe and ruled that it suspected foul play.

In June 2008 the NACC submitted the case for prosecution review. A joint panel of prosecutors and "graft busters" was set up to build the case and collect additional evidence.

The central claim of the prosecution is that then prime minister Thaksin abused his office to influence the bank's decision to grant loans to real-estate developer Krisda Mahanakorn despite the company's poor credit rating.

The alleged fraudulent deals happened when Viroj Nualkhair, one of the key defendants, was the managing director of KTB.

The deals allegedly involved a scam to bypass the credit rating to allow the bank to arrange loans to proxy companies in order to channel funds to Krisda Mahanakorn. The transactions were subsequently classified as non-performing loans.

The list of defendants can be divided into three groups: Thaksin, as office holder exerting influence over the loans; Viroj and the bank's board of directors; and three companies including Krisda Mahanakorn.

'Graft violations'

The prosecution contends that the defaulted loans were graft violations due to adverse impacts on the state-run bank.

The case will focus on three transactions. The first two are a Bt500-million loan granted to RK Professional Co Ltd and an Bt8-billion credit line extended to Golden Technology Industrial Park, which also received a Bt500-million loan for land purchase and Bt1.4-billion loan for project development.

The remaining transaction was the financing for a Bt1-billion sale of convertible preferred stocks between Krisada Mahanakorn and Grand Computer Communication. All these transactions took place during Thaksin's time as prime minister.

T16-6,Thai authorities detain, follow labour union leaders(2016-1-11)

Submitted by editor2 on Fri, 08/01/2016 - 16:30 Prachatai

タイの軍と警察が電気器具メーカー（三光合成？）の労度組合員幹部を逮捕したり、尾行したりしている。

Military and police officers have reportedly intimidated leaders of the Thai Labour Solidarity Committee (TLSC) several days after the committee investigated the detention of labour union leaders of an electrical appliance company.   

Yesterday, on Thursday, 7 January 2016, Wilaiwan Saetia, president of the TLSC, reported that 4-5 military officers both in uniform and plainclothes followed her from the factory that she works to her house.

She said that the authorities’ action intimidated her and the staff at her workplace.

Yongyut Mentapao, Vice President of the TLSC, today also reported that he had been followed by military and police officers from unidentified units.

He filed a complaint at a police station about the intimidation after the incident.    

She said that the officers followed her after the TLSC investigated the detention of Chalee Loysoong, TLSC Vice President, and Amorndech Srimuang, leader of the labour union of Sanko Gosei Technology Ltd., an electrical appliance manufacturer in the eastern province of Rayong, on Tuesday, 6 January 2016.

The two were detained by police officers at the Ministry of Labour in Bangkok for about four hours after they led about 500 Sanko Gosei workers to the Ministry to ask Gen Sirichai Distakul, the Labour Minister, for assistance in negotiating with Sanko Gosei.

In addition to detaining the union leaders, the police reportedly threatened them with charges under the Public Assembly Act.

On 20 December 2015, Sanko Gosei closed its plant in Rayong province. After the closure, employees of the plant camped out in front of the factory. Five days later, however, on 25 December 2015, the owners of Hemaraj Industrial Estate where the factory is located, obtained a court order to force the Sanko Gosei employees to leave the factory.  

On Thursday, 7 January 2016, IndustriALL, a global labour network, condemned the detention of the two labour activists, saying that the Thai government should instead have provided assistance to the group.

Jyrki Raina, the Secretary-General of IndustriALL, also expressed concern about the use of the Public Assembly Act to discourage labour unions from staging rallies.

“We are gravely concerned that the government is using the Public Assembly Act to curb the legitimate rights of workers to gather peacefully,” said Raina. “This goes against all norms and international standards.”         

“Criminalizing and arresting trade union leaders is not going to resolve this dispute. The arrests are particularly disappointing considering our positive meeting in December at which the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Labour said the government shared IndustriALL’s will to protect the rights of workers,” added Raina.



T16-7.タイの2015年の外資承認は前年比微増（2016-1-13）

タイ投資委員化によれば2015年の外資承認額は8,000億バーツ（約2兆5千億円）に留まり目標の1.4兆バーツを大きく下回った。
ただし、2014年の7,247億バーツをやや上回る水準であった。

最大の投資国は日本で426案件、1,440億バーツであった。第2位はシンガポールの122件399億バーツであった。

The Board of Investment said on Tuesday it approved applications worth about 800 billion baht last year, missing its target of 1.4 trillion baht by nearly 43%, but up from 724.7 billion baht in 2014.

The investment agency did not meet its target in 2015 as some applications were submitted prematurely and others needed the input of several government agencies, Hirunya Suchinai, the BoI's secretary-general told reporters.

"We did not meet the target because sometimes these are large projects and require approval from committees," Mr Hirunya said, adding that the agency would try to clear its backlog in 2016.

Since taking power in a May 2014 coup, the country's military rulers have struggled to kick-start Southeast Asia's second-largest economy. The economy grew 1% in the third quarter, up from 0.6% in the same period last year.

The government has accelerated approvals for investment projects and offered various incentives to help support the struggling economy as exports and domestic demand remain sluggish.

The central bank expects zero export growth this year partly due to a slowdown in China's economy. Tourism, which accounts for about 10% of GDP, is expected to help prop up the economy.

The investment agency replaced previous policies in 2014 by gearing its incentives to more value-added sectors.

The BoI said 1,038 project applications were recorded in 2015 versus 3,469 in 2014.

Foreign direct investment from Japan in 2015 remained the highest in Thailand, with total investment approved from Japan valued at more than 144 billion baht for 426 projects.

Singapore came a distant second with 122 projects approved valued at 39.9 billion baht between January and November.


ネーション紙によれば2015年の「免税申請投資」は2015年は2,180億バーツであたが、2016年には4,500億バーツに達すると見込んでいる。こえは大型案件が増加するという予想である。

The BOARD of Investment expects a huge jump in the value of projects applying for tax privileges to Bt450 billion this year from about Bt218 billion in 2015.



Hiranya Suchinai. secretary-general of the BOI, said yesterday that the board was confident of achieving this target given its recent offers of new tax measures and other measures in the pipeline.

It will also kick off the planned roadshows in the middle of this month to local and overseas markets to woo investment.

The BOI has also drawn up a plan to provide tax incentives to encourage local investment in the tourism and agricultural industries, in line with the government's policy to strengthen the local economy. The planned incentives will also contribute to the forecast surge in the number of project applications this year.

The promotion agency will also encourage some approved projects to accelerate their investment this year to be eligible for additional tax privileges under the newly launched BOI special measures designed to hasten project investments.

According to its preliminary survey, about 1,600 projects worth Bt600 billion are eligible to gain additional tax privileges under the special measures approved by the Cabinet last November to urge projects to move faster rather than wait to see a sign of improvement in the economy.

The measures are for projects that applied for BOI tax privileges from January 2014 to June this year and can start production or provide services and generate revenue next year.

The BOI will also urge targeted investors to apply for tax privileges before the deadlines. For example, the tax privileges for an investment in a cluster will be available until the end of this year.

The projects approved by the BOI last year were worth more than Bt800 billion. If fully implemented, they would create raw-material demand of Bt781 billion per year.

Among the highlighted projects approved last year are 183 e-projects worth Bt18.9 billion related to the digital economy, software and cloud services and 127 projects worth Bt3.03 billion related to the international headquarters and international trading centre schemes.

There were also 126 projects worth Bt30.24 billion related to research and development, medical equipment manufacturing, biotechnology and engineering design.


T16-8, 2016-17年度の米の生産を2,500万㌧に削減（2016-1-18）
Bangkok Post

タイ政府と米作農家、精米業者、輸出業者は2016-17年の米生産を例年の3,000万㌧（モミ米・ベース）から2500万㌧に削減することで合意に達した。これは政府も1,000万㌧を超えるコメの在庫を抱えており、減産しないとどうにもならない状況に追い込まれているためである。

モミ米2,500万㌧は精米換算では1,650万㌧に相当する。例年の3,000万㌧は精米1,980万㌧である。米輸出は900万㌧を見込んでいるが、新米は60-70％となるとみている。これだと政府の手持ち在庫は300万㌧程度しか減らない計算になる。

米価はモミ米ベースでトン当たり7,500～8,000バーツと予想されている。

Rice farmers, millers and exporters have agreed to the government's plan for the country to cut rice production in the 2016-17 crop year to 25 million tonnes of paddy from 30 million on average. After...




T16-9,タクシン派の学者の動き（2016-1-29）

On a referendum

5052015

PPT has previously expressed reservations about a referendum on the military dictatorship’s draft constitution. The reason for this is that voting yes or no on hundreds of articles in a complicated document seems a futile exercise in constitution making.

However, as Prachatai has reported, a group of “[p]oliticians, labor unionists, academics, and others [have] urged the Thai junta to hold public referendum on the new constitutional draft, pointing out that people have the highest authority to determine the constitution.” That’s conceptually true but not something that the military dictatorship or the royalist elite would concede.

The “Public referendum group,” or Prachamati, has “over 150 leading academics, activists, and others such as Nidhi Eowseewong and Piyabutr Sangkanongul, a leading political scientist and a law scholar from Thammasat University, Chaturon Chaisang, the former Education Minister of Pheu Thai Party, and Pen-Ek Ratanaruang, a well known director” signed up to “a joint statement titled ‘[We] call for a democratic public referendum’.”

This statement “demands that the Thai junta must hold a public referendum on the new constitutional draft before its enactment and that if the public does not approve the draft, it should be redrafted by elected parliament members.”

The group adds that an elected Constitutional Drafting Committee would redraft the charter “if the draft is not approved by the public.” Such a strategy opens the way for a concerted No vote on the draft constitution. Elections associated with a referendum and a direct challenge to the military dictatorship’s tyranny sounds good to us. On this occasion, PPT has to agree with the political strategy involved.


T16-10.NESDB forecasts GDP growth of 3.3% this year(2016-2-16)

KWANCHAI RUNGFAPAISARN
THE NATION February 16, 2016 1:00 am

THE OFFICE of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) anticipates gross domestic product to grow by 3.3 per cent this year, up from 2.8 per cent in 2015.

The only major challenge is global economic difficulty, especially in China, the world's second-largest economy, which is grappling with the slowdown of its domestic economy and the measures set by Beijing to raise investors' confidence in the management of its financial sector.

NESDB secretary-general Porame-tee Vimolsiri said the major encouraging factors for the Thai economy included the acceleration of government expenditures and investments, especially on infrastructure projects, which will affect the budget disbursements of all state enterprises.

Another plus is the government's measures to stimulate the economy, while the depreciation of the baht will benefit the export sector and the income and liquidity of business. The decrease in the oil price, which is expected to be even lower than in 2015 on average, will increase the purchasing power of people and the business sector. The NESDB also anticipates that export value will rise by 1.2 per cent this year, while household consumption will increase by 2.7 per cent and overall investment by 4.9 per cent.

In the fourth quarter of 2015, year-on-year GDP growth was 2.8 per cent, compared with 2.9 per cent in the third quarter. On the production side, the non-agricultural sector expanded by 4.2 per cent last quarter, while the agricultural sector declined by 3.4 per cent as it was affected by the drought.

On the demand side, domestic demand increased at a faster pace in line with the 4.8-per-cent expansion of government consumption, compared with 2.5 per cent for private consumption, in the fourth quarter of last year. Those figures were higher than the 2.3-per-cent and 1.8-per-cent expansions in the previous quarter.

Gross fixed capital formation also expanded by 9.4 per cent in the final quarter of last year, with a 1.9-per-cent increase in private investment after a contraction of 10.1 per cent in the third quarter.

Public investment also continued to expand by 41.4 per cent, accelerating from 21.9-per-cent growth in the third quarter of 2015.

Nonetheless, the export of goods and services declined by 3.5 per cent last quarter because of the sluggish global economy. Imports of goods and services also dropped by 1.3 per cent.

Full-year GDP increased by 2.8 per cent, up from only a 0.8-per-cent increase in 2014.

Household consumption and overall investment expanded respectively by 2.1 and 4.7 per cent in 2015. Overall production outside the agricultural sector increased by 3.6 per cent, while production in the agricultural sector dropped significantly, by 4.2 per cent.

The unemployment rate stood at only 0.8 per cent last year, while inflation was minus-0.9 per cent.

The country's current account was also in surplus by 8.9 per cent of GDP.

"The growth of Thailand's GDP this year will be in line with the government's capability of managing and stimulating the economy, especially in the allocation of funds into major infrastructure projects as well as water management to solve the drought problem," Porametee said.

"The government has been launching measures to look after farmers and lower-income people, as well as in the granting of measures to support investment in the private sector, as well as SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises] and business start-ups," he said. Porametee said that for the export sector, the government should lead the private sector to penetrate specific markets, such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, which have spending power and growing economies.

T16-11, Trade of Thailand (2012-2-26)




Table 1 Imports (million$,%)

2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 ’14/13 ’15/14
1 Consumer goods 4,552 7,688 13,729 17,045 19,238 20,083 19,740 20,030 -1.7 1.5
2 Non-durables 3,083 5,101 8,933 11,137 12,418 13,116 12,765 12,723 -2.7 -0.3
3 Animal & fishery 948 1,636 2,350 2,962 3,328 3,433 3,067 2,831 -10.7 -7.7
4 Food, beverage, 828 1,553 2,974 4,129 4,623 5,009 4,936 4,833 -1.5 -2.1
5 Medicinals 490 820 1,809 1,984 2,165 2,189 2,256 2,383 3.1 5.6
6 Toiletries 345 640 1,197 1,395 1,571 1,747 1,740 1,858 -0.4 6.8
7 Other non-dura 473 453 604 666 730 738 767 818 3.9 6.7
8 Durables 1,469 2,587 4,795 5,908 6,820 6,967 6,976 7,307 0.1 4.8
9 House Electrical 403 570 782 866 1,032 949 870 918 -8.4 5.6
10 Textiles 415 675 1,269 1,538 1,813 1,813 1,891 1,933 4.3 2.2
11 Jewellery (ex pearl) 101 245 700 909 995 845 851 797 0.7 -6.4
12 Musical inst 17 27 39 59 71 54 42 42 -21.1 0.2
13 Furniture 64 194 424 529 689 754 760 830 0.9 9.1
14 Ceramic ( kitchenware.) 75 134 304 354 327 408 369 368 -9.6 -0.3
15 Watches 74 163 212 319 389 465 458 624 -1.5 36.3
16 Other durables 320 579 1,065 1,335 1,504 1,679 1,734 1,794 3.2 3.5
17 Raw, intermediate goods 40,780 76,299 112,410 134,699 140,876 141,515 134,568 110,885 -4.9 -17.6
18 Fuel 7,559 20,827 31,884 43,259 47,359 52,022 47,506 29,717 -8.7 -37.4
19 Crude oil 6,106 16,871 24,397 32,898 35,843 39,346 33,216 19,521 -15.6 -41.2
20 Natural gas 105 1,492 2,595 3,826 4,209 4,906 4,630 4,672 -5.6 0.9
21 ?Coal, coke 127 386 1,236 1,388 1,498 1,369 1,482 1,339 8.3 -9.6
22 Petroleum prod 1,222 2,078 3,657 5,146 5,808 6,401 8,179 4,184 27.8 -48.8
23 Minerals 1,313 2,358 2,488 3,926 3,878 3,079 2,577 2,465 -16.3 -4.3
24 Agricultural,agro-man 3,444 4,869 7,396 8,749 9,311 8,883 8,913 9,018 0.3 1.2
25 Non-agro manufacturing products 28,465 48,244 70,642 78,766 80,328 77,531 75,572 69,685 -2.5 -7.8
26 Construction mat 562 1,715 3,589 3,724 4,336 4,335 4,106 3,744 -5.3 -8.8
27 Base metal matr 4,522 12,254 18,070 21,546 21,866 20,765 19,552 16,441 -5.8 -15.9
28 Chemicals 4,004 7,263 11,539 14,338 13,675 13,388 13,109 11,468 -2.1 -12.5
29 Plastics 2,549 4,019 6,532 7,130 7,894 7,542 7,594 7,292 0.7 -4.0
30 Rubber and synth rubber mat 199 473 1,019 1,440 1,682 1,464 1,327 1,154 -9.4 -13.0
31 Electronics and elec appl mat 14,742 20,270 26,687 26,967 27,135 26,458 26,280 26,175 -0.7 -0.4
32 Electrical appli parts 2,043 2,030 2,162 2,675 2,839 2,794 2,475 2,860 -11.4 15.5
33 CP parts & acc 3,335 4,700 4,916 4,747 5,390 4,728 4,448 4,190 -5.9 -5.8
34 ?IC & parts 6,442 7,986 10,762 10,106 9,166 9,207 9,681 9,390 5.2 -3.0
35 ?Printed circuits 433 841 1,089 1,013 1,054 1,139 1,346 1,238 18.1 -8.0
36 Other elecl appa(ex.printed circuits) 2,489 4,714 7,758 8,426 8,687 8,591 8,330 8,497 -3.0 2.0
37 ?Yarn & fabrics 1,133 1,243 1,638 1,848 1,928 1,845 1,881 1,768 2.0 -6.0
38 Other non-agro manuf 753 1,006 1,568 1,773 1,812 1,734 1,722 1,644 -0.7 -4.5
39 Capital goods 13,247 25,389 38,230 48,630 60,366 58,248 55,042 53,138 -5.5 -3.5
40 ?Machinery, equip & supplies 11,038 21,336 32,933 39,387 49,966 45,426 44,300 42,336 -2.5 -4.4
41 Computer 331 849 1,439 2,064 2,288 2,261 2,059 1,901 -8.9 -7.7
42 Telecom equipments 1,627 3,310 4,678 5,697 7,075 7,449 7,886 7,828 5.9 -0.7
43 Power-gener machinery and parts 144 401 792 707 910 855 853 847 -0.2 -0.6
44 Transfo, gener, motors, and accum 1,601 2,357 3,007 3,399 4,743 3,885 4,400 4,354 13.3 -1.0
45 Other machin appliances & parts 5,699 11,506 16,800 20,697 26,332 22,921 21,516 19,733 -6.1 -8.3
46 ?Measur, check & precision 672 1,634 2,700 2,979 4,051 3,675 3,244 3,170 -11.7 -2.3
47 Optical appl 142 208 805 929 1,130 1,102 1,214 1,261 10.1 3.8
48 ?Office auto (ex CP) 45 103 988 946 1,080 1,114 1,240 1,279 11.3 3.2
49 ?Photograph inst 324 295 674 698 837 620 519 525 -16.3 1.1
50 Medic & surgi 206 377 587 739 921 981 825 917 -15.9 11.2
51 Rubber equip 245 295 462 531 599 564 545 520 -3.4 -4.5
52 Aircraft, ship & locom 866 1,884 1,453 4,868 5,508 8,069 5,772 5,276 -28.5 -8.6
53 Aircrafts 328 787 283 1,595 2,170 4,468 3,045 3,107 -31.9 2.0
54 Ships 31 319 186 504 394 304 528 288 73.7 -45.4
55 Ships' derric, crane 52 346 796 2,548 2,491 2,731 1,684 1,341 -38.3 -20.4
56 ?Locom & rolling stock 5 6 73 16 68 87 28 149 -68.4 441.2
57 Parts of aircrafts & ships 450 425 114 206 385 479 488 392 1.8 -19.7
58 Other cap goods 1,344 2,170 3,844 4,375 4,893 4,752 4,970 5,525 4.6 11.2
59 Other Imports 3,601 8,802 18,553 28,412 28,635 30,561 18,398 18,601 -39.8 1.1
60 Non-monetary gold 588 1,970 7,849 16,467 12,379 15,057 6,613 7,232 -56.1 9.4
61 Automotive 2,174 4,573 9,032 9,940 14,259 13,371 9,695 9,289 -27.5 -4.2
62 Vehicles 537 881 1,918 2,212 3,137 2,724 2,334 2,045 -14.3 -12.4
63 Vehicle parts 1,637 3,691 7,114 7,728 11,121 10,646 7,360 7,244 -30.9 -1.6
64 Other imports 839 2,259 1,672 2,005 1,998 2,134 2,091 2,080 -2.0 -0.5
65 Total Imports (Customs basis) 62,180 118,178 182,921 228,787 249,115 250,407 227,748 202,654 -9.0 -11.0
67 Coverage Adjustment -707 -878 -3,107 -3,774 -5,392 -6,760 -5,360 -5,515 -20.7 2.9
68 Classification adjustment -6,242 -11,656 -18,179 -22,461 -24,457 -24,365 -22,302 -19,839 -8.5 -11.0
69 Timing Adj 949 316 262 -423 -192 -534 108 216 -120.3 99.4
70 Imports, f.o.b. (BOP basis) 56,180 105,960 161,897 202,130 219,075 218,748 200,194 177,516 -8.5 -11.3



Table 2. Exports of Thailand (million$,%)
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 14/13 15/14
1 Agriculture 4,700 7,638 16,795 23,675 18,216 18,217 17,973 16,057 -1.34 -10.66
2 Rice 1,641 2,329 5,341 6,432 4,632 4,420 5,439 4,613 23.05 -15.18
3 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 6,148 7,496 8,940 10,712 6,734 6,613 10,969 9,796 65.89 -10.70
4 Rubber 1,525 3,710 7,896 12,698 8,746 8,234 6,022 5,057 -26.87 -16.03
5 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 2,540 2,948 2,734 2,997 2,999 3,437 3,409 3,654 -0.80 7.16
6 Tapioca 334 549 1,586 1,923 2,097 2,478 2,813 2,794 13.52 -0.65
7 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 4,111 4,012 5,993 5,630 6,929 8,272 9,822 10,216 18.73 4.01
8 Fruits 207 265 504 911 907 1,002 1,205 1,238 20.30 2.72
9 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 354 590 837 1,162 1,354 1,368 1,397 1,373 2.10 -1.70
10 Horticultural products, n.i.e. 489 686 1,227 1,356 1,289 1,462 1,575 1,370 7.73 -13.01
11 Animal products 505 99 240 355 545 622 920 985 47.85 7.07
12 Fishery 2,315 1,946 2,880 3,066 2,847 2,124 2,153 1,783 1.36 -17.16
13 Crustaceans 1,552 985 1,725 1,786 1,531 1,020 966 784 -5.28 -18.82
14 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 454 168 249 210 192 104 87 89
 -16.32 2.10
15 Fish 397 517 691 744 782 630 660 565 4.89 -14.37
16 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 356 417 397 377 372 313 335 276 6.79 -17.51
17 ?Cuttlefish, squid, octopus 293 367 361 415 425 352 365 303 3.87 -17.20
18 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 83 92 69 63 62 58 64 56 9.97 -12.32
19 Fishery products, n.i.e. 73 76 103 121 108 122 161 131 31.45 -18.61
20 Forestry 163 325 783 1,072 1,086 1,244 1,264 1,171 1.62 -7.39
21 Mining 837 1,696 1,249 1,797 2,057 1,572 941 529 -40.12 -43.80
22 Crude oil 389 1,388 837 1,379 1,662 1,164 421 64 -63.82 -84.79
23 Mineral products, n.i.e. 448 308 411 418 394 408 520 465 27.46 -10.62
24 Manufacturing 59,584 96,847 164,412 186,354 197,556 201,204 201,361 190,241 0.08 -5.52
25 Agro-manufacturing Products 7,405 11,221 21,606 27,441 28,557 27,818 27,120 25,651 -2.51 -5.41
26 Food 4,409 6,666 12,810 16,851 17,310 16,318 15,658 14,875 -4.05 -5.00
27 Sugar 668 735 2,195 3,677 4,003 2,914 2,792 2,737 -4.18 -1.98
28 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 4,111 3,085 4,559 6,565 6,914 6,057 6,354 7,672 4.92 20.74
29 Fish, canned, prepa 722 1,473 2,410 2,938 3,435 3,388 3,060 2,663 -9.69 -12.98
30 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 389 625 779 781 801 781 806 774 3.22 -3.93
31 Crustaceans canned, prepared, or preserved 1,345 1,027 1,709 2,104 1,764 1,419 1,223 1,054 -13.79 -13.81
32 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 137 153 213 216 184 130 101 103 -22.37 1.63
33 ?Meat, canned, 337 851 1,760 2,051 2,123 2,152 2,074 2,152 -3.66 3.77
34 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 101 277 428 441 464 440 429 479 -2.51 11.70
35 Pineapple, canned, 216 329 466 666 546 510 509 573 -0.12 12.46
36 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 446 512 519 641 586 565 528 491 -6.52 -7.06
37 Other fruits & veg canned 326 555 803 861 794 877 923 926 5.20 0.36
38 Quantity (1,000 Ton) 370 521 471 460 396 418 411 402 -1.64 -2.21
39 Preparation of cereals flour 167 349 733 861 944 1,026 1,064 1,147 3.64 7.79
40 Quantity (Metric Ton) 124 261 289 301 315 350 375 407 7.17 8.55
41 Food products, n.i.e. 628 1,347 2,734 3,694 3,701 4,031 4,013 3,624 -0.46 -9.69
42 Beverages 241 455 1,004 1,281 1,464 1,706 1,927 2,098 12.92 8.90
43 Rubber products 722 1,455 3,953 4,930 5,064 4,953 4,457 3,605 -10.02 -19.12
44 Paper products 601 903 1,329 1,463 1,532 1,584 1,646 1,597 3.91 -2.99
45 Wood & wood products 441 595 867 950 912 936 1,050 997 12.12 -5.06
46 Leather & leather products 425 436 535 614 647 705 743 761 5.46 2.34
47 nimal food 279 447 802 934 1,086 1,151 1,227 1,229 6.60 0.16
48 Other agro-manufacturing 286 263 306 419 542 464 413 491 -11.04 18.90
49 Apparels and Textile Materials 5,615 6,732 7,780 8,334 7,334 7,598 7,579 6,958 -0.25 -8.20
50 Footware and parts 848 898 820 926 738 713 765 675 7.20 -11.74
51 Electronics 17,915 24,611 33,568 32,714 33,004 32,741 33,315 32,082 1.75 -3.70
52 Computer 605 1,272 459 465 383 224 256 247 14.22 -3.50
53 Computer parts & accessories 7,897 10,231 15,989 14,596 16,687 15,741 15,424 14,648 -2.01 -5.03
54 Integrated circuits & parts 4,484 5,951 8,067 7,910 6,689 7,200 7,496 7,729 4.11 3.12
55 Printed circuit 1,138 1,279 956 965 611 939 1,239 1,315 31.97 6.13
56 Telecommunication equipments 2,140 3,150 4,088 4,318 4,394 4,062 3,961 3,574 -2.48 -9.76
57 Other electrical apparatus (excl. printed circuits) 1,653 2,729 4,010 4,459 4,240 4,576 4,940 4,568 7.96 -7.52
58 Electrical Appliances 5,421 7,867 10,485 11,287 11,531 11,801 12,306 12,047 4.28 -2.10
59 Air conditioning machines 953 2,015 3,004 3,475 3,528 3,912 4,061 4,074 3.82 0.30
60 Microwave ovens; cooking dev; 249 468 595 555 639 640 625 581 -2.47 -6.93
61 Refrigerators 328 736 1,403 1,538 1,654 1,743 1,746 1,736 0.18 -0.59
62 Other household electrical appliances 1,159 1,655 2,227 2,254 2,218 2,344 2,628 2,502 12.12 -4.83
63 ?Parts of electrical appliances 2,731 2,993 3,256 3,465 3,492 3,161 3,245 3,154 2.67 -2.80
64 Metal & Steel 2,442 4,902 8,327 9,409 11,275 10,778 9,608 9,212 -10.86 -4.13
65 Iron & steel 1,038 2,099 2,842 2,793 4,424 3,881 2,697 2,596 -30.52 -3.73
66 Aluminium 256 575 1,035 1,126 1,051 1,136 1,267 1,121 11.52 -11.51
67 Copper 208 526 957 1,260 1,415 1,359 1,323 1,140 -2.63 -13.82
68 Other metal & steel 939 1,701 3,493 4,231 4,385 4,402 4,321 4,354 -1.84 0.76
69 Automotive 3,118 9,525 22,400 23,255 29,366 31,585 31,623 32,423 0.12 2.53
70 Passenger car 217 2,162 7,025 6,263 5,679 6,622 6,519 9,547 -1.56 46.46
71 Pick up and trucks 1,425 3,021 5,844 5,361 10,520 10,590 10,346 8,275 -2.30 -20.02
72 Motorcycle 115 295 632 821 1,117 1,399 1,153 1,184 -17.52 2.62
73 Other vehicles, 34 116 293 351 425 459 510 531 10.96 4.08
74 Vehicle parts & accessories 1,327 3,931 8,606 10,460 11,625 12,515 13,095 12,887 4.63 -1.59
75 Aircrafts, ships, locomotive 135 1,673 1,688 3,130 2,877 2,749 2,759 1,994 0.37 -27.75
76 Machinery & Equipment 3,709 6,698 14,941 16,769 17,091 17,773 19,283 19,247 8.49 -0.18
77 Jewellery 1,480 2,819 5,104 6,281 6,410 6,696 7,154 7,060 6.84 -1.31
78 Chemicals 1,221 2,619 5,706 8,213 8,384 9,019 8,474 6,301 -6.05 -25.64
79 Petro-chemical Products 2,691 5,897 9,055 11,914 11,703 12,322 13,247 11,678 7.50 -11.84
80 Petroleum products 1,771 3,360 8,661 11,315 13,096 12,925 11,385 8,163 -11.91 -28.31
81 Photographic & cinema instr 582 273 1,908 2,209 2,622 2,416 2,046 1,912 -15.30 -6.57
82 Optical appliance and instruments 255 858 2,067 2,063 2,155 2,308 2,463 3,189 6.73 29.46
83 Toiletries and cosmetics 296 811 2,095 2,428 2,600 2,614 2,509 2,350 -4.00 -6.34
84 Furniture and parts 984 1,325 1,285 1,271 1,231 1,312 1,256 1,111 -4.20 -11.56
85 ?Other Manufacturing 3,698 4,758 6,918 7,394 7,584 8,037 8,470 8,188 5.39 -3.32
86 Other Exports 2,083 2,294 7,183 6,607 7,339 4,072 3,577 4,371 -12.15 22.20
87 Non-monetary gold (excl. goldsmiths) 60 252 6,512 5,927 6,688 3,338 2,818 3,856 -15.57 36.82
88 Other products 2,022 2,042 671 680 651 734 759 515 3.42 -32.10
89 Re-Exports 94 192 4 5 5 72 254 223
90 Total Exports (Customs basis) 69,776 110,936 193,306 222,576 229,106 228,505 227,524 214,375 -0.43 -5.78
92 Coverage Adjustment -1,887 -1,574 -1,658 -3,457 -3,361 -3,095 -2,746 -2,266 -11.27 -17.49
95 Exports, f.o.b. (BOP basis) 67,889 109,362 191,647 219,118 225,745 225,409 224,777 212,109 -0.28 -5.64



Table 3 Trade with major countries (million$,%)
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 13/12 14/13 15/14
Japan Expot 20,309 23,870 23,466 22,235 21,741 20,076 -5.2 -2.2 -7.7
Import 37,854 42,206 48,738 41,083 35,507 31,236 -15.7 -13.6 -12.0
Balance -17,545 -18,336 -25,272 -18,848 -13,766 -11,160 -25.4 -27.0 -18.9
USA Expot 20,201 21,783 22,786 22,953 23,892 24,058 0.7 4.1 0.7
Import 10,677 13,394 12,520 14,629 14,580 13,864 16.8 -0.3 -4.9
Balance 9,525 8,390 10,266 8,324 9,312 10,194 -18.9 11.9 9.5
China Expot 21,474 26,250 26,870 27,233 25,084 23,742 1.4 -7.9 -5.4
Import 24,237 30,502 37,121 37,727 38,498 41,066 1.6 2.0 6.7
Balance -2,763 -4,251 -10,251 -10,494 -13,414 -17,324 2.4 27.8 29.1
Hong Kong Expot 11,249 11,952 13,097 13,189 12,610 11,830 0.7 -4.4 -6.2
Import 1,817 2,340 1,901 1,627 1,189 1,572 -14.4 -27.0 32.3
Balance 9,432 9,613 11,196 11,562 11,421 10,258 3.3 -1.2 -10.2
ASEAN Expot 44,320 54,044 56,499 59,309 59,414 55,155 5.0 0.2 -7.2
Import 30,362 37,157 40,349 41,798 41,030 38,441 3.6 -1.8 -6.3
Balance 13,958 16,887 16,150 17,511 18,384 16,714 8.4 5.0 -9.1
Indonesia Expot 7,347 10,078 11,209 10,873 9,509 7,834 -3.0 -12.5 -17.6
Import 5,692 7,376 8,095 8,092 7,279 6,564 0.0 -10.0 -9.8
Balance 1,655 2,702 3,115 2,781 2,230 1,270 -10.7 -19.8 -43.0
Malaysia Expot 10,567 12,399 12,425 13,015 12,764 10,190 4.7 -1.9 -20.2
Import 10,729 12,332 13,106 13,282 12,746 11,917 1.3 -4.0 -6.5
Balance -162 67 -681 -267 19 -1,728
Philippines Expot 4,886 4,641 4,861 5,034 5,868 5,992 3.6 16.6 2.1
Import 2,375 2,704 2,724 2,627 2,612 2,358 -3.6 -0.6 -9.7
Balance 2,511 1,937 2,137 2,407 3,256 3,633 12.6 35.3 11.6
Singapore Expot 8,994 11,423 10,836 11,236 10,450 8,756 3.7 -7.0 -16.2
Import 6,293 7,789 7,834 8,227 7,884 7,164 5.0 -4.2 -9.1
Balance 2,701 3,634 3,002 3,010 2,566 1,592 0.3 -14.7 -38.0
Cambodia Expot 2,342 2,693 3,778 4,256 4,525 4,958 12.7 6.3 9.6
Import 215 176 250 355 590 639 42.4 66.0 8.4
Balance 2,127 2,517 3,529 3,901 3,936 4,319 10.6 0.9 9.7
Laos Expot 2,136 2,768 3,588 3,758 4,033 4,237 4.7 7.3 5.1
Import 749 1,130 1,238 1,360 1,411 1,471 9.8 3.7 4.3
Balance 1,387 1,637 2,350 2,398 2,622 2,765 2.1 9.3 5.5
Myanmar Expot 2,073 2,846 3,127 3,788 4,239 4,175 21.2 11.9 -1.5
Import 2,814 3,486 3,674 4,033 3,917 3,566 9.8 -2.9 -9.0
Balance -741 -640 -547 -244 322 609 -55.3 -231.9 88.8
Vietnam Expot 5,846 7,059 6,483 7,182 7,882 8,907 10.8 9.7 13.0
Import 1,397 2,031 2,986 3,269 3,938 4,050 9.5 20.5 2.9
Balance 4,449 5,028 3,497 3,913 3,945 4,857 11.9 0.8 23.1
Taiwan Expot 3,224 3,862 3,419 3,371 4,013 3,533 -1.4 19.0 -12.0
Import 6,815 7,506 8,216 7,600 7,537 7,530 -7.5 -0.8 -0.1
Balance -3,591 -3,644 -4,796 -4,229 -3,525 -3,997 -11.8 -16.7 13.4
S.Korea Expot 3,610 4,577 4,779 4,588 4,520 4,105 -4.0 -1.5 -9.2
Import 8,061 9,216 9,005 9,068 8,547 7,039 0.7 -5.7 -17.6
Balance -4,451 -4,639 -4,226 -4,479 -4,027 -2,935 6.0 -10.1 -27.1
India Expot 4,394 5,181 5,473 5,182 5,615 5,296 -5.3 8.4 -5.7
Import 2,253 3,020 3,400 3,504 3,039 2,628 3.1 -13.3 -13.5
Balance 2,141 2,161 2,073 1,677 2,575 2,667 -19.1 53.5 3.6
EU(15) Expot 19,217 21,531 19,423 20,075 21,027 19,836 3.4 4.7 -5.7
Import 13,277 17,074 19,399 21,230 18,523 17,279 9.4 -12.8 -6.7
Balance 5,940 4,457 24 -1,155 2,505 2,557
France Expot 1,761 1,883 1,618 1,668 1,646 1,602 3.0 -1.3 -2.7
Import 1,440 2,185 3,215 4,157 2,432 2,706 29.3 -41.5 11.3
Balance 321 -303 -1,597 -2,489 -786 -1,104 55.9 -68.4 40.5
Germany Expot 3,302 3,763 3,609 4,067 4,532 4,287 12.7 11.4 -5.4
Import 4,629 5,409 5,981 6,113 5,916 5,547 2.2 -3.2 -6.2
Balance -1,327 -1,646 -2,373 -2,046 -1,384 -1,260 -13.8 -32.4 -9.0
UK Expot 3,659 3,887 3,801 3,787 4,007 3,824 -0.4 5.8 -4.6
Import 1,908 1,953 2,778 3,309 2,781 2,550 19.1 -15.9 -8.3
Balance 1,751 1,935 1,023 477 1,226 1,274 -53.3 156.7 3.9
Netherland Expot 3,644 4,563 4,176 4,432 4,611 4,271 6.1 4.0 -7.4
Import 952 1,137 1,153 1,076 1,040 971 -6.7 -3.3 -6.6
Balance 2,692 3,426 3,023 3,357 3,571 3,300 11.0 6.4 -7.6
Middle East Expot 9,633 10,352 11,677 11,715 11,733 10,497 0.3 0.2 -10.5
Import 21,241 30,414 32,315 35,756 29,066 18,337 10.6 -18.7 -36.9
Balance -11,608 -20,062 -20,638 -24,041 -17,333 -7,840 16.5 -27.9 -54.8
World Total Expot 193,306 222,576 229,106 228,505 227,524 214,375 -0.3 -0.4 -5.8
Import 182,921 228,787 249,115 250,407 227,748 202,654 0.5 -9.0 -11.0
Balance 10,385 -6,211 -20,009 -21,902 -225 11,721



T 16-12 タイの1－3月の輸出は0.9％増、中国向け6.4のマイナス（2016-4-26）

【タイ】タイ商務省によると、タイの１―３月の輸出額は前年同期比０・９％増の５３８・３億ドル、輸入額は１２％減、４５６・４億ドルだった。

　品目別の輸出額は自動車・部品６６・６億ドル（前年同期比１・５％増）、コンピュータ・部品３２・２億ドル（同５・９％減）、ハードディスクドライブ（ＨＤＤ）１６・５億ドル（同３９・５％増）、集積回路１７・３億ドル（同３・４％減）、電気製品５４億ドル（同６・８％減）、宝石・宝飾品１９・８億ドル（同３・１％増）、コメ１２・３億ドル（同１１・８％増）、天然ゴム１０・１億ドル（同２２・２％減）、キャッサバ製品８・４億ドル（同１６・５％減）、食品４０・９億ドル（同０・６％増）、砂糖６・９億ドル（同３０％増）――など。

　輸出先でみると、日本向けが５４・２億ドル（前年同期比５・７％増）、米国５６・６億ドル（同３・２％減）、欧州連合（ＥＵ）１５カ国４９・９億ドル（同０・６％減）、東南アジア諸国連合（ＡＳＥＡＮ）１４０・８億ドル（同３・９％増）、中国５２・３億ドル（同６・４％減）――など。

　３月の輸出額は前年同月比１・３％増、１９１・３億ドル、輸入額は６・９％減、１６１・６億ドルだった。



T16-13 世論調査、支持率で民主党がタイ貢献を上回る(2016-5-11)

10/05/2016

バンコク 大学のリサーチセンターはこのほど、支持率では民主党がタイ貢献党に勝るとの世論調査結果を発表した。同大学の世論調査は「バンコク・ポール」と呼ばれ、 定評ある世論調査のひとつとなっている。

全国の１０１４人を対象に実施した今回の世論調査では、「どの政党を支持するか」との質問で、22％が「民主党」、19％ が「タイ貢献党」と回答した。ともに大政党であるが、民主党は反タクシン派であり、一方のタイ貢献党はタクシン色の強い政党となっている。その他の政党は 支持率が最高でもわずか２％ほどで、民主・タイ貢献には遠く及ばなかった。

また、党首に関する質問では、民主党については「アピシット党首の続投を望む」 が22％、「スリン元ＡＳＥＡＮ事務局長の党首就任を望む」が同じく22％。タイ貢献党については、「スダラット女史（元タイ愛国党副党首）の党首就任を望む」が72％に及んだ。

タクシンは憲法改正の国民投票前にひと騒動おこすべく、必死で画策している。チェンマイのドイ・ステェプ寺院付近の山火事もタクシン派の放火事件と見る向きもある。しかし、バンコクでことをおこすのは難しい。


16-14.タクシン政権元閣僚ら、汚職で禁錮６年確定(2016-6-9)

【タイ】チュチープ・ハ－ンサワット元農相（７２）とウィタヤ・ティエントーン元下院議員（７５）が有機肥料の支給政策をめぐる権力乱用、価格談合に問われた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所政治家刑事犯罪部門は８日、両被告に禁錮６年の実刑判決を言い渡した。

　タイ字紙マティチョンによると、ウィタヤ被告は判決公判中に血圧が２００まで上昇。チュチュープ被告は判決を聞いて気分が悪くなり、気付け薬を吸い込んだ。２人は判決後、そのまま収監された。

　検察によると、タクシン政権の２００１―２００２年に実施された農家への有機肥料支給策で、農業協同組合省は入札を実施して、肥料１３万トンを約３・７億バーツで購入した。当時農相だったチュチュ―プ被告と農相秘書だったウィタヤ被告はこの入札を操作した上、農家に支給された「肥料」が極めて低品質だったため起きた汚職追求の動きを握りつぶした。

　２人はタクシン派と対立する現軍事政権下の２０１５年３月、最高裁政治家刑事犯罪部門に起訴された。最高裁政治家刑事犯罪部門では１回の審理で判決が確定し、上訴できない。

　チュチュ－プ被告のハーンサワット家は政治家を輩出し、中部パトゥムタニ県の政財界で強い影響力を持つ。ウィタヤ被告の兄のサノ・ティエントーン氏は１９９０年代に政権樹立の鍵を握るキングメーカーとして力を振るい、内相などを務めた。地盤の東部サケーオ県では圧倒的な影響力を持つ。今回の判決は、こうした地方豪族的な一族の影響力低下をうかがわせるものだ。




16-15、タクシン派元副首相スラポンに実刑（2016-8-29）

2016年8月26日(金) 02時47分(タイ時間)
News Clipの記事より
サマック政権（２００７―２００８年）で主要閣僚を務めたスラポン・スープウォンリー氏が権力乱用で訴えられた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所政治家刑事犯罪部門は２５日、スラポン氏に禁錮１年の実刑判決を言い渡した。

　スラポン氏は判決後、収監された。最高裁政治家刑事犯罪部門は政治家の汚職などを裁く一審制の特別法廷で、１回の審理で判決が確定し、上訴できない。

　有罪とされたのは、タクシン元首相一族が所有していた持ち株会社シン（現社名、インタッチ）と通信衛星会社シンサテライト（現社名、タイコム）の事業権の変更をめぐる権力乱用。通信衛星事業が外資にコントロールされることを防ぐため、シンはシンサテライトに最低５１％出資することを事業権で義務付けられていたが、スラポン氏はＩＣＴ（情報通信技術）相だった２００４年、これを４０％に引き下げた。シンはその後、シンサテライト株１１％を株式市場で売却した。２０１３年に、タイ汚職取締委員会がこの事業権の変更が権力乱用だとして告発し、裁判が行われた。

　スラポン氏は１９５７年生まれ。タイ国立マヒドン大学医学博士。マヒドン大学医学部副部長を経て、タクシン政権で副保健相、ＩＣＴ相、政府報道官、サマック政権で副首相兼財務相を務めた。

　シンは２００６年に、シンガポール政府の投資会社テマセクに事実上買収され、社名をインタッチに変更した。シンサテライトも社名をタイコムに変更している。

　インタッチは現在、タイコム株の４１％を所有している。今回の判決を受け、タイ軍事政権が実質的に外資傘下にある通信衛星事業をタイ側に取り戻す動きを強めることも予想される。

　タイコムは大型のブロードバンド（高速大容量通信）通信衛星「タイコム４（ＩＰスター）」など衛星５基を運営するほか、タイでインターネット接続などの事業を行っている。２０１５年は売上高１３１・４億バーツ、最終利益２１・２億バーツ。


2017年8月25日(金) 17時52分(タイ時間)
　
【タイ】タイ政府が農家から買い取ったコメの一部を政府間取引で中国に輸出したと偽りタイ国内で転売したとして、ブンソン元商務相ら２８の個人、法人が汚職などに問われた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所は２５日、ブンソン元商務相に禁錮４２年の実刑判決を言い渡した。

　その他の被告に対する判決はプーム元副商務相が禁錮３６年、マナット元商務省貿易局長が禁錮４０年、ティーカムポン元副貿易局長が禁錮３２年、アカラポン元貿易局秘書官が禁錮２４年、コメ商社サヤームインディカのオーナーのアピチャート被告が禁錮４８年。アピチャート被告は１６９億バーツの損害賠償も命じられた。

　裁判は政治職在任者の汚職などを裁く一審制の特別法廷、最高裁政治職在任者刑事犯罪部門で行われ、実刑判決を受けた被告は判決後、収監された。８被告は無罪。被告１人は逃亡して出廷せず、判決が先送りされた。

　今回の裁判はインラク政権（２０１１―２０１４年）が導入した事実上のコメ買い取り制度「コメ担保融資制度」をめぐるもの。最高裁は同日、コメ担保融資制度の巨額の損失と汚職を放置したとして、インラク前首相が職務怠慢などの罪に問われた裁判の判決も下す予定だったが、前首相が出廷しなかったため、判決を延期し、前首相の逮捕状を発行した。

　プラウィット副首相兼国防相は前首相がすでに国外に逃亡したという見方を示している。前首相については、複数のタイ字紙が、２４日にカンボジア経由で空路シンガポール入りし、兄のタクシン元首相と合流したと報じた。

■コメ担保融資制度

　コメ担保融資制度はインラク政権発足直後の２０１１年１０月に導入された。政府が市価の約４割高でコメを買い取ったため、コメ農家には好評だったが、タイ産米は価格上昇で輸出量が激減し、２０１２年には１９８１年以来初めてコメ輸出世界一の座から転落した。また、政府がコメの国際価格の上昇を待って売却を遅らせた結果、膨大な在庫が積み上がった。買い取り資金の大半が精米業者、輸出業者、政治家、大規模農家にわたり、汚職の温床になっているという指摘もあった。国際通貨基金（ＩＭＦ）はこの政策を、「財政負担が重い割に政策効果が低い」と批判した。２０１４年５月のクーデターでインラク政権を打倒したプラユット軍事政権は同年、コメ担保融資制度を廃止し、インラク前首相ら関係者の訴追、賠償請求を進めている。
《newsclip》
前タイ首相に逮捕状、汚職裁判判決で出廷せず　国外逃亡かnewsclip

前タイ首相に逮捕状、汚職裁判判決で出廷せず　国外逃亡か

【タイ】タクシン元首相の妹のインラク前首相が職務怠慢などに問われた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所での判決当日の２５日、前首相は病気を理由に最高裁に出廷しなかった。これを受け、最高裁は前首相の逮捕状を発行した。

タクシン派団体会長、保釈取り消しで収監

【タイ】タイ刑事裁判所は１１日、テロ容疑に問われているタクシン元首相派団体、反独裁民主戦線（ＵＤＤ）のジャトゥポン会長（元下院議員）について、保釈条件に違反したとして、保釈を取り消し、同氏を収監した。

タクシン派指導者のソンティ氏　証取法違反で禁錮２０年、収監

【タイ】経営破たんした新聞大手マネジャー・メディア・グループ（ＭＧＲ）の創業者ソンティ・リムトーンクン氏（６８）とＭＧＲの元取締役２人が証券取引法違反に問われた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所は６日、控訴裁...

０６年タイ下院選で不正見逃し　元選挙委２人、禁錮２年で即収監

【タイ】２００６年４月の議会下院選でタクシン元首相派政党の選挙違反を意図的に見逃したとして、当時の選挙委員会のワサナー委員長（６７）とパリンヤー委員（６８）が選挙法違反などに問われた裁判で、タイ最...

タイ国営銀元社長に禁錮１８年、収監先で心臓発作　タクシン政権の巨額不正融資事件

【タイ】債務不履行状態の不動産会社に１００億バーツを超える不正融資を行ったとして、タイ国営クルンタイ銀行（ＫＴＢ）の元経営幹部らが汚職などの罪に問われた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所は２６日、被告１９人に...

タクシン派幹部に実刑・収監、タイ憲法裁長官批判で

【タイ】タクシン元首相派の政党、プアタイ党のプロームポン報道官とキアットウドム前下院議員がワサン元タイ憲法裁判所長官に対する名誉棄損を問われた裁判で、タイ最高裁判所は２４日、被告２人に禁錮１年の実...

特集

汚職