Srikcir

"the government gave the Finance Ministry a green light for external borrowings of no more than Bt80 billion for the urgent phases of these projects."

Finally, the Junta-led government is going to provide badly needed economic stimulus for the nation through infrastructure improvements by borrowing the funds (ie., issuance of treasury bonds). Prayut had been personally against creating any debt for the nation. The business sector has been virtually screaming for the government to follow through for the last 6 months as the GDP falters.

HOWEVER,

Only Bt10 billion will be used to finance investment projects that do not require procurements in the third quarter of the current fiscal year (April-June 2015). That is too little and too late to sustain a GDP growth rate higher than 3% for the year. Now the Junta is betting on making bigger and more timely economic decisions for 2016 but that might be disrupted by a constitution referendum and/or national elections. The nation's economic woes will not be reversed in 2016.

"We want rule by law, not laws for rulers"

This was already attempted in the 1997 Constitution:

Chapter 1, General Provisions - Section 6 (certified correct translation)

" The Constitution is the supreme law of the State. The provisions of any law, rule or regulation, which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Constitution, shall be unenforceable."

That would mean that NEITHER the Junta's abolition of the 1997 Constitution, the military's 2006 Provisional Charter and revised 2007 Constitution, the NCPO's abolition of the 2007 Constitution, the NCPO's Interim Charter, and the 2007 Constitution, can legally supercede the 1997 Constitution and the rule of laws established by it. That also means that the subsequent amnesties granted to the coups by themselves are illegal.

Until the majority of the Thai electorate decide that they will control the rule of law, there will be no SUSTAINABLE rule of law.

"Everybody in power SAY: My way, my way only my way or the high way!!!!!" alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20> alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20> alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20> alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20> alt=cheesy.gif width=32 height=20>

You say that laughingly but there's only one power group who can say "it's my or the highway" that can IMPRISON OR EXECUTE anyone else who disagrees. As long as that group wields armed might, there can never be civilian power, no matter the kind of government the majority of the Thai electorate might choose.

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He is an Admiral. They need a PhD in education. More like a team of them really.

No, no, no. Probably just reassigning more PT minions. And so it goes.

Nobody has said the admiral or the general will personally plan the education reforms.

Did you ever think both of them are there because they has the power to demand and to drive change.

Surely you are aware that many of the CEOs of highly successful business corporations are not technical experts in regard to the products they make and sell, but they are highly capable of 'driving' their companies to success with clever leadership and where needed using their positional power to demand action. And where needed (especially where shareholders are not happy) they will have little hesitation to move staff around or dismiss them.

Are you aware that there is a long failure list of previous Thai PMs and education ministers (all parties) who have tried in the past to install major education reforms?

Why did they fail? One easy answer, the senior education ministry officials put up total roadblocks and absolutely refused to cooperate. Nothing happened.

Put it another way, can you name a current or previous PM or President anywhere in the world who is an expect about every subject? In reality not possible and not expected.

As already said by another poster: "But don't let the truth spoil your silly prejudices."

Also note that the general has already ordered a team of education people affiliated to the new education superboard, not connected to the mob just sidelined, to do a professional study of how education happens in Finland Singapore and Korea and make recommendations.

The stated reason for their removal was not education reform. There is no similarity to actions of CEO’s to change the direction of a company.

They were removed by the Admiral based on the widespread belief the three bodies were plagued with corruption and invoked Article 44 to forcibly remove them without evidence or defense. They had not yet been found guilty of corruption or other offences. They were not on a list of 100 officials suspected of corruption that was made at the order of the NCPO. They have not been even charged with corruption.

The restructuring of the three subordinate bodies in their absence is intended to impose strict Junta control over the educational process according to its OWN agenda where it can maintain absolute CONTROL without “conflict” or opposition, ie., from the three Heads. Note the new superboard will be appointed by the Junta "mob."

Without a national referendum, the charter will fail. Even the 2007 Constitution received only 51% majority support and it still failed. A "super majority" is needed to pass the charter, ie., 75-85%, and offer reconciliation for the nation.

But I don't think the Junta has the courage to put the charter in a national referendum as it knows it's designed to limit democratic participation and maintain the elitist power over the nation. I expect the Junta will invoke Article 44 and merely have the charter endorsed as the law of the land, albeit allowing some "comment."

A hijab doesn't cover the face. I don't see how that can be seen as a security issue.

If this is a state run school (in a Muslim majority area, nonetheless) there's no reason they shouldn't be able to wear a hijab. The fact that the school is on temple grounds is a non-issue, I see muslims wearing hijabs selling food etc. in markets on temple grounds all the time.

As long as all the other students can also wear whatever they like on their head. A turban, a tall hat, a bandana, a motorbike helmet (with visible face) or whatever pleases them.

This would be fun to wear and keep cool also:

I can't believe that OBEC made this statement for headscarves or are they referring to the face covers?

Both are banned

And yet:

- turnout of inbound tourists (South Korea & Japan) for the Thai New Year was somewhat disappointing due to limited airline

- occupancy rates ran from 50-60% in the month and up to 70% during Songkran

- revenue generated for the entire year will likely be around 1.28 trillion baht, falling short of the target of 2.2 trillion baht.

- a drop of 52.11 percent is likely to be seen in the number of Russian tourists this year.
- domestic market for tourism should continue to grow although this might happen at a slower pace than previously anticipated

The Nation 2015-03-20

Gen. Prayuth felt "uncomfortable" after viewing the video, and instructed the Royal Thai Army to take disciplinary action against the soldier.

This is the raw power of Article 44 in action - no discussion, no investigation, no defense.

Sickening.

“87.98% are satisfied with the state of peace and absence of political rallies”

BUT

“84.16% were dissatisfied with the government's use of power to restrict public opinion; and 79.69% were unhappy with an excessive use of laws and regulations.”

So it would seem the Thai people are not happy about trading their rights and liberties for the sake of peace. This survey sends a loud message to the Junta that should it fail to hold a public referendum on the draft 2015 constitution, there will be disturbances.

Pity about the rabid farangs who cannot wait for things to return to the bad ol' days. They just won't be happy until there is blood on the streets again.

There is no blood on the streets of Pyongyang, North Korea or Bejing, China either.

In the U-Multirank University survey, International Orientation has four graded areas: Student mobility, International academic staff, International joint publications, and International doctorate degrees. AIT scored “A” is all four areas as did 40 other universities. But for AIT that would still seem to be an achievement.

HOWEVER

The bulk of the survey centered on scoring the over 1,000 universities by Teaching & Learning that was subdivided into six programs: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering. Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Physics, and Psychology.

Scoring within each program was further divided into two areas: 1) Teaching & Learning, 2) Teaching & Learning Student Survey.

AIT only had one scored program (computer science) in the Teaching & Learning Student Survey area that was a “C” in Quality of courses & teaching. That placed AIT at #151 in the total rankings for computer science.

Prince of Songkla ranked higher in Physics (#127) and Mechanical Engineering (#97)

Do you guys hate Thailand so much that you can't give kudos to one small institution that is bucking the system and performing to top-level standards?

My congratulations to AIT in Thailand for your achievement and my hopes that the Education Ministry can learn from your methods.

In the U-Multirank Unicersity survey, International Orientation has four graded areas: Student mobility, International academic staff, International joint publications, and International doctorate degrees. AIT scored “A” is all four areas as did 40 other universities. So how was it deemed to be the top university in the world?

Because the ranking was done alphabetically beginning with the letter "A"!

"He said that the governors have done a great job especially in boosting the economy, so much so that they can propose for more money this coming financial year."

Governors have spent their funds so well that they will get more. But no mention of any milestones met or accomplishments on the projects themselves. Were the projects completed on time and within or below budget? Did the projects meet the mission requirements? There seems to be a complete lack of accountability, but let's dole more government funds.

It strikes me that PM Prayuth is no longer head of the army. Sooner or later the army will wonder who should be giving them orders.

General Prayut is still Chief of the NCPO (aka the Junta) that has absolute power over all of Thai government and people, including the military. In fact now that he has invoked Article 44, the Royal Thai Police fall under military jurisdiction. The soldier was perfectly correct to ignore the police stop.

in time the US and the IMF will both lose their financial influence on the global Markets, with China forming their version of the IMF and other nations eager to join against the wishes of the US.

It has always been the US that has lead the world into financial difficulties, their version of capitalism just doesn't work, The US haven't been able to lead the world out of this last recession. I doubt Obama's antics have helped much with Allies who wonder what is the US about these day!

The world is moving away from the dollar being the number one currency.

Meanwhile, as a hedge AGAINST THEIR OWN CURRENCIES, both China and Russia hold large foreign reserves in USDs. It is called, "Talking out of both sides of your mouth."

Authorities should have implented these new rules years ago.

Albeit, there has been no link made between the car bomb and mining industry explosives. Sounds like another wild goose chase.

"Military power could be used to detain and interrogate suspects before warrants were issued" ... immediate confessions and convictions follow.

Article 44 has reformed Justice.

"During the first quarter, gross domestic product was up 3% year-on-year thanks to increased automotive exports and the rebounding tourism industry....The committee will still maintain its economic growth forecast of 3.5-4.5%."

A bit of MISDIRECTION here. The GDP was DOWN to 3% from the projected 3.5%-4.5% largely thanks to the collapse in export growth that contributes 70% of the GDP.

The Center of Economic and Business Forecast just yesterday revised this year's growth projection to 3.2% from 3.5 to 4%. Looks like it was too optimistic.

I never have seen a government so willing to take credit for its economic failures as if they were actually successes.

I'd like to see the EC demonstrate how it can follow the constitution. Fortunately, there is no constitution now for it to follow. But be assured, whenever a constitution is endorsed, the EC will be unprepared to carry out elections.

"500 electric buses would be part of the procurement plan for 2,694 buses for Bangkok Mass Transit Authority....The first procurement order has been finalised for 489 NGV buses due for delivery in June."

Procurement for 989 buses has been finalized that will require 20 years O&M. But no details as to the number and identity of bidders? Is this all going to be an "inside" procurement, a sole source procurement based on some unknown preferences? What happened to accountability and transparency ion government acquisition? Apparently nothing.

With the American military firmly placed in Australia with permanent bases the lose of Thailand as a good friend isn't a major drama. Plus the USA has bases in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Philippines so they aren't to far away from Burma or Thailand.

The US may also negotiate leases for several of its former naval bases in Vietnam to help keep the China Sea open to international traffic and challenge illegal Chinese oil platforms off Vietnam on contested resource areas. Thailand with the shallow Sea of Andaman offers little geographical advantage.

The Pak Bara deep-seaport might also serve as a good location for a submarine base.

To the Junta-led it is a political statement to make a profit and it is political statement to make a loss. No wonder the Junta's economic policies have failed the nation.

The CDC's adaptation of Germany's MMP electoral system is a mockery with all the various ekectoral "adjustments," special restricting provisions, and numeruous unelected independent organizations that judge the qualifications of the candidates according to unspecified professional, ethical, and moral standards. The entire Thai electoral system has NO similarity in any democratic nation and more closely resembles North Korea's electoral system.

And still no mention of any public referendum. The Junta and its clone organizations will do a show and tell of the new constitution, then go directly for an endorsement by Head of State. Thailand will then march boldly into the 19th century that will make Cambodia look progressive.