PM, Bangkok chief and environment board face court over PM2.5

By The Nation

 

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, and the National Environment Board have been summoned to testify today at the Central Administrative Court over the PM2.5 air-pollution crisis that has affected Greater Bangkok for nearly two months.
 

The court is expected to question Prayut, Aswin and members of the board in response to a complaint filed by the Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and 41 Bangkok residents. 

 

The complainants accuse them of negligence over the smog crisis, saying they failed to invoke the Environment Act and the Public Health Act to control PM2.5 levels. 

 

Linked to mortality

 

The World Health Organisation describes PM2.5 as carcinogenic. The particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or less is a cause of several other health problems, with long-term exposure linked to mortality.

 

According to the complaint, negligence of officials in tackling the crisis forced many schools and businesses to temporarily close. A number of people have also developed respiratory disorders and the Thai economy has suffered serious damage. Tourists, moreover, are reluctant to come to Thailand over reported air-quality problems, say the complainants. 

 

“We will prepare evidence of negligence and will strongly urge the court to order the three accused to swiftly introduce measures to deal with the sources of air pollution,” SGWA president, Srisuwan Janya, said. 

 

He said those burning sugarcane plantations and those buying burnt sugarcane should also face punishment. 

 

The Thai Chamber of Commerce, meanwhile, has warned that if the smog crisis is prolonged, financial damages would amount to between Bt10 billion and Bt15 billion a month. 

 

That estimate is based on the money people will have to spend on medical bills and N95 facial masks, as well as dwindling tourism income. 

 

According to the Thai Chamber of Commerce, people are already spending about Bt594 a month on average for masks and related protective products. 

 

With members of the public becoming more aware of the dangers posed by PM2.5, their spending would likely jump to Bt802 a month if the smog crisis drags on for as long as six months. 

 

“We conducted an opinion survey on the crisis during the Chinese New Year festival which found that people are worried that the PM2.5 problem will be prolonged,” Thanawat Polvichai, director of the Economic and Business Forecast Centre of the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30363671

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-07

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The court is expected to question Prayut, Aswin and members of the board in response to a complaint filed by the Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and 41 Bangkok residents. 

all for show; the thai court system, ostensibly part of checks and balances, is not impartial

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The court is expected to question Prayut, Aswin and members of the board in response to a complaint filed by the Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and 41 Bangkok residents. 

 

And in tomorrows news........

 

Section 44 used to remove all Central Administrative Court judges.

 

Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and 41 Bangkok residents taken by troops for attitude adjustment.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha, Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, and the National Environment Board have been summoned to testify today at the Central Administrative Court...

 

This is blasphemy. You cannot summon....God.

 

 

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by Hayduke

6 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

This is blasphemy. You cannot summon....God.

He'll probably act the same - when I try to summon god, he just ignores me, but there again I'm not a believer.

A whole 41 BKK residents included in the complaint.....out of 12 million!

Just can't see Prayuth and Asw!pe attending

There will be a song and dance literally about this before during after from PM0.5???? 

Prayuth won't turn up, he'll send Prawit - he's immune from prosecution.

They are right, the Thai government is responsible, but not only this one previous ones too.

 

But really how can they be effective when they have a police force that is lazy and corrupt. If they held periodic checks of busses and other black belching vehicles things would get better. If the MOT did real checks things would be better.

 

The government can make all the laws and rules they want but because of corruption and lazyness it does not really matter. The rules will not be enforced as the police does not like to work and loves backhanders and so does the MOT. 

 

That is why corruption is a cancer in this country and should be wiped out as best they can. As long as there is corruption laws mean nothing. 

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

A whole 41 BKK residents included in the complaint.....out of 12 million!

Just can't see Prayuth and Asw!pe attending

Says it all about the Thais and Thai 'resistance'.

I give up on them (politically speaking). They deserve all they are getting. They just love being defecated upon, all over. Not a public whimper from the vast, vast, vast bulk of them - about ANYTHING that is being done to them. So: enjoy your servitude and sickness, Thais!

 

 

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by Eligius

Just now, Eligius said:

Says it all about the Thais and Thai 'resistance'.

I give up on them. They deserve all they are getting.

Maybe they just know the country better then you do. They understand that the government can make all the laws they want but with corruption nothing will happen anyway. 

 

Its sad but the truth, they know that laws will be implemented enforced for a short while and then forgotten as the police does not want to work the public does not want to be inconvenienced.

 

Just imagine if they really enforce it that older pickups can't enter BKK.. the manpower it takes to do so and the bad will it would create from those who have older pickups. 

 

Or if they really went after the burning, the agitation it would get from the farmers. 

 

There are a lot of people who would not want to see stronger rules.  

I wonder how many members of the SGWA also participated in the Shutdown Bangkok rallies that brought the Junta to power?

F.... all has been done in the North with endless burning, the ban is on and every person near their house endlessly burning, not to mention farmers.  Its been decades and nothing changed. If Only 41 people joined the movement.... don't expect anything to change. 

This has been going on for years, and the only reason we are having this debate is social media shameing...Thailands little puppet show

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by mok199

3 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

 

And in tomorrows news........

 

Section 44 used to remove all Central Administrative Court judges.

 

Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and 41 Bangkok residents taken by troops for attitude adjustment.

And that attitude adjustment camp is located in a middle of a sugar cane field set to burn next week.

28 minutes ago, robblok said:

Maybe they just know the country better then you do. They understand that the government can make all the laws they want but with corruption nothing will happen anyway. 

 

 

Beyond that, WHO are they going to complain to.... their elected representatives in government???? 

Just now, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

Beyond that, WHO are they going to complain to.... their elected representatives in government???? 

Now they are complaining at a court, but that was not the point. Point is that even if the government wanted it it would be impossible to do as making sure the police does their work for a longer period without corruption is impossible.

FWIW, the Central Administrative Court is the same one that originally ruled the BTS system and the BMA did NOT need to make its stations accessible to the disabled, only later to be overruled by the Supreme Administrative Court. So, these guys have a really fine track record of watching out for the public's interest.

 

23 minutes ago, Pib said:

And that attitude adjustment camp is located in a middle of a sugar cane field set to burn next week.

They'll be feeling the heat very soon.

The basic "under-dog" for this is : Knowledge, lack of planning,no respect, bad attitude, no responsibility , honest way of thinking, corruption, the deep sikness of Proudness and Jealousness.

It's only a question of Baht, bath, bath , baht, bath...........!!!!!!!

14 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

FWIW, the Central Administrative Court is the same one that originally ruled the BTS system and the BMA did NOT need to make its stations accessible to the disabled, only later to be overruled by the Supreme Administrative Court. So, these guys have a really fine track record of watching out for the public's interest.

 

Yes the BTS system is a big sham they lose a court case but nothing is done. Should have big fines for every day they wont comply.

1 hour ago, robblok said:

That is why corruption is a cancer in this country and should be wiped out as best they can. As long as there is corruption laws mean nothing. 

Prayut promised to eliminate corruption when he took over, what do we see today?

Corruption is rife in every sector, ultimately Thailand will suffer greatly as it is so endemic that nothing will get passed or done without the proverbial kick-back or open payments.

In the end Thailand will have only Thais as no-one else will wish to be here, living or doing business.

Opportunities are opening daily across the borders & people are taking themselves out of Thailand to take full advantage.

Just now, hotchilli said:

Prayut promised to eliminate corruption when he took over, what do we see today?

Corruption is rife in every sector, ultimately Thailand will suffer greatly as it is so endemic that nothing will get passed or done without the proverbial kick-back or open payments.

In the end Thailand will have only Thais as no-one else will wish to be here, living or doing business.

Opportunities are opening daily across the borders & people are taking themselves out of Thailand to take full advantage.

Prayut is as much a sham and corrupt government he replaced and as much as the next government will be corrupt democratic or not. It won't change until the public starts to change and demand non corrupt politicians and will vote outside their old preferences if the old parties are corrupt. Until then it wont change as the corrupt politicians know they will be voted in again.

32 minutes ago, robblok said:

Prayut is as much a sham and corrupt government he replaced and as much as the next government will be corrupt democratic or not. It won't change until the public starts to change and demand non corrupt politicians and will vote outside their old preferences if the old parties are corrupt. Until then it wont change as the corrupt politicians know they will be voted in again.

I still think, Rob, that the Thais have a real chance for something better, more honourable and progressive with Thanathorn's Future Forward Party - but I don't think he will get anywhere near sufficient votes to be part of a government, let alone lead one.

So yes - it will be the same old, same old (i.e. Prayut!). (There is no way that a Pheua Thai government - although wanted by numerous Thais - will EVER be allowed by the junta and higher powers to rule again!).

 

 

Edited February 7, 20197 yr by Eligius

3 minutes ago, Eligius said:

I still think, Rob, that the Thais have a real chance for something better, more honourable and progressive with Thanathorn's Future Forward Party - but I don't think he will get anywhere near sufficient votes to be part of a government, let alone lead one.

So yes - it will be the same old, same old (i.e. Prayut!).

 

I have hope for Thanathorn too, but he is aligning himself with the PTP. I don't mind that ideologically but I think he would be sucked up in the corruption this way. I could be wrong but would he be willing to blow up a coalition if he sees corruption ?

 

Still i think he is the best chance there is at the moment.

The price to give-up those Chinese Submarines might suffice.

 

Oh, of course they're Absolutely Necessary. With the Air Pollution and Bangkok Sinking, it really is a Rush to the Bottom.

13 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

 

And in tomorrows news........

 

Section 44 used to remove all Central Administrative Court judges.

 

Stop Global Warming Association (SGWA) and 41 Bangkok residents taken by troops for attitude adjustment.

This is funny...but it's probably true as well which makes it sad and disappointing. Wonder if ole' 44 will even show up?

11 hours ago, Eligius said:

Says it all about the Thais and Thai 'resistance'.

I give up on them (politically speaking). They deserve all they are getting. They just love being defecated upon, all over. Not a public whimper from the vast, vast, vast bulk of them - about ANYTHING that is being done to them. So: enjoy your servitude and sickness, Thais!

 

 

In a Draconian state where people face 35 years in prison for liking a Facebook post, opponents of the state washed up with belly full of concrete, state controlled media and a history of rampant human rights abuses, do you really blame people for not wanting to resist?