Constitution Court Says Two Decrees Legal

23/2/2012
The Constitutional court ruled in favour of two decrees to set up a 350 billion baht flood prevention fund and the transfer of a BT14 trillion debt form the Finance Ministry to the Bank of Thailand.
The judges ruled that the decrees were not against the constitution because it involved urgent matters and it was within the constitution for the government to issue them without seeking prior parliamentary approval.

2013 Budget Outline Approved

23/2/2012
The cabinet approved the 2013 fiscal budget outline with expenditure of 2.40 trillion baht.
The 2012 budget is less by 20 billion baht but the budget deficit is also expected to decrease by 100 billion baht from 400 billion baht in 2012 to 300 billion baht in 2013. Governor spokesperson Thitima Chaisaeng said the budget was outlined keeping in mind that the economy would expand by 8.4 per cent in 2013.

Alleged Iranian group used $27 portable radios to hide five bombs for Bangkok attack

23/2/2012

An alleged Iranian hit squad used 27 dollar portable radios to hide at least five bombs that Israeli and American authorities said they intended to target Israelis in Bangkok.

A photograph of one undetonated bomb showed the inside of the radio packed with tiny ball bearings and six magnets. A surveillance photograph shows an alleged hit squad operative, Saeid Moradi holding a radio in each hand.

MRT fare to increase by THB1 starting July

23/2/2012

Commuters are expected to brace themselves for a price hike of 1 baht for MRT services starting on July 3. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) board has resolved to permit a fare raise for MRT rides according to the concession agreement which grants the Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL) the authority to increase MRT fares every two years. The positive consumer price index in September 2011 has indicated a need to adjust the minimum fare upward by 1 baht. Thus, the current fare range of 15-40 baht will be adjusted to 16-40 baht. The MRTA board stated that commuters will not be impacted by this minor change.

Democrat Spokesman: PM’s Meeting, A Conflict Of Interest

22/2/2012
Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said that the Prime Minister Yingluck shinawatra meeting with Srettha Thavisin, President of Sansiri Plc. and a group of real estate developers to discuss city zoning and land valuations, as per the reports, is by itself proof of conflict of interest and corruption on the part of the premier.
The Democrat Party voiced their suspicions as Ms Yingluck was a developer with SC Asset earlier and a representative from the company was also present at the meeting.
Mr. Chavanond said the government had suspiciously delayed the announcement of new land valuations and city zoning.
Under the flood prevention plan, the government has yet to declare the designated floodways or water retention areas and the spokesman pointed out that the premier might have been revealing the areas to the developers for mutual benefit.
Bangkok Timesaver