articles 2 Oct (fwd)

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Bangkok articles for Sunday, 2 October 1994:
 
1:  KHIN NYUNT QUOTE
2:  KAREN APPEAL TO THAILAND
3:  THE DEPORTATION THAT NEVER WAS
4:  SLORC HAS NO CREDIBILITY 
5:  BURMA INVITES FOREIGN FIRMS TO PROSPECT FOR GOLD 
6:  AGENCIES TO DISCUSS DISTRIBUTION OF WATER  
7:  FISHERMEN TARGETED IN STEPS TO PREVENT PLAGUE 
SPREADING 
8:  BRACING FOR THE WINDS OF CHANGE
9:  MAJOR CHANGE IMMINENT
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
The Sunday Nation 2 October 1994
[KHIN NYUNT QUOTE]
 
"We met her as if in a family reunion." Burmese strongman Khin Nyunt, 
on meeting the woman he has kept under house arrest for five years, 
Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
The Sunday Nation 2 October 1994
KAREN APPEAL TO THAILAND
 
Karen guerrillas urged Thailand and the world community to use their 
influence to persuade the Burmese junta to being talks which go 
beyond a ceasefire agreement. The Karen National Union, however, 
appeared to relax its demands that talks take place outside Burma and in 
the presence of a UN observer, calling instead for a "neutral ground" 
and an independent international observer.
 
The Sunday Post 2 October 1994
THE DEPORTATION THAT NEVER WAS
 
[Photo caption: Burmese women, supposed to have crossed the border 
to Tachilek, walked back Into Thailand.]
 
BURMESE prostitutes arrested as illegal immigrants and deported from 
Mae Sai district were allowed to return freely yesterday in a deportation 
that never was.  
 
At about noon, 69 Burmese women and 10 men walked through the Thai 
immigration checkpoint to the middle of the small border bridge and 
returned in full view of the Thai immigration police.  
 
They should have crossed the bridge into Burma.  
 
Police could not give a clear explanation when questioned by a Bangkok 
Post reporter.
 
One officer said women were tortured and went missing if they returned.  
 
He said the deportation process was for the sake of formality.  
 
And he then asked the reporter if he wanted one of the women.  
 
The exercise was carried out after a joint Thai-Burmese committee, with 
approval from the Interior Ministry, agreed to extend checkpoint 
opening hours at Mae Sai and Tachilek by three hours.  
 
Before the agreement, checkpoints were opened from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
At the request of Burmese authorities the opening hours have been 
extended to 9 p.m. on trial Fridays, Saturdays  
and other holidays.  
 
A ceremony, attended by many people, was held on Friday to mark the 
agreement.  
 
Chiang Rai Governor Kamron Booncherd said the extension of opening 
hours at border checkpoints was intended to promote tourism in 
support of the Thailand-Laos-Burma-China growth quadrangle.  
 
Under the agreement, both Thai and Burmese people wishing to cross 
the border at Mae Sai are required to have a border pass to end illegal 
border crossing and to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.  
 
The Burmese prostitutes were supposed to have been deported under 
this agreement.  
 
The Sunday Post 2 October 1994
SLORC HAS NO CREDIBILITY 
Letters
 
SIR: History may remember Slorc as the "Ba Gyi Aung government". 
Every child in Burma has read the novel Ha Gyi Aung Ngar-the (Uncle 
Aung lied) in which a young boy was the victim of false promises by 
Uncle Aung. Like Ba Gyi Aung, Slorc has zero credibility. 
 
Slorc destroyed its credibility by holding elections and then refusing to 
transfer power to elected representatives. Worse, it used police state 
fascist methods to eliminate all political activity in Burma. Given this 
track record we have to be very careful about any promises by Slorc. 
 
Aung San Suu Kyi has only one non-negotiable demand: freedom and 
democracy for all Burmese. If Slorc is sincere about its desire for 
freedom and democracy in Burma, negotiations between Aung San Suu 
Kyi and Slorc should be concluded in weeks if not a few months. 
 
A success fully-negotiated political settlement will pass the smell test. 
Or to put it bluntly, it won't slink. Although we cannot fully describe all 
the details of a successful negotiated political settlement, we all know 
what it would look like.
 
It would involve the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political 
prisoners. It would involve honouring the results of the 1990 elections 
and equitable power-sharing. 
 
Failure to negotiate a political settlement cannot be easily recognised. 
Therefore let me point out the key signals of a failed settlement. 
 
The first signal is if the National Convention passes a rubber-stamped 
constitution at gun-point. The second signal is a failure to announce a 
political settlement when Congressman Richardson and Sayadaw 
Rewata visits Burma in November 1994. 
 
By then both Aung San Suu Kyi and Slorc had sufficient time to 
discuss their views. 
 
The Burmese Resistance is hoping for the best but is prepared for the 
worst. - 
 
Myint Thein
Dallas, Texas
 
The Sunday Post 2 October 1994
BURMA INVITES FOREIGN FIRMS TO PROSPECT FOR GOLD 
Agence France-Presse, Rangoon
 
THE Burmese government has invited foreign companies to prospect 
for gold and copper in an effort to exploit the country's rich natural 
resources, an official newspaper said yesterday. 
 
Gold and copper mining, formerly the exclusive domain of a state 
enterprise, have been opened to "interested foreign companies" who 
will be allowed to "operate mineral prospecting and exploration in 
geologically prosperous areas" of central and upper Burma, the New 
Light of Myanmar daily said. 
 
Sealed bids will be accepted for 16 prospecting blocks totalling 1,400 
square kilometres, and successful bidders will be given one year for 
prospecting and two years for exploration. 
 
If commercially feasible discoveries are found, the government would 
come in on a joint venture with the foreign firm on a five-year recovery 
period, it said. 
 
The Sunday Post 2 October 1994
AGENCIES TO DISCUSS DISTRIBUTION OF WATER  
Tak
 
THE Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand and the Irrigation 
Department will hold a meeting today to draft ways on distributing 
water during the coming dry season.  
 
The meeting is in line with a government policy to save water.  
 
"The last drought is a good lesson for us to use water in the dams 
usefully and safely," Deputy Director of Bhumibol Dam Kamthon 
Thikamol said.  
 
The water supply needs in the Chao Phya River Basin has been kept 
high by run-off from the Ping, Wang, Yom and Nan rivers.  
 
The supply is regulated by Bhumibol and Sirikit dams for irrigation, 
hydro-power generation, flood control, navigation, sea water flushing 
and consumption.  
 
There is an average 25.7 billion cubic metres of water in the Chao Phya 
River Basin each year and of this, 11.1 billion cubic metres is supplied 
from Bhumibol and Sirikit dams.  
 
Although combined volume appears to be more than sufficient to meet 
water demands in the central plain, a large volume which cannot be 
controlled by the two dams is wasted down the river.  
 
The serious drought last year and the lack of rain above Bhumibol and 
Sirikit dams since 1986 forced EGAT to discharge the water reserve 
behind the two dams until the stock reached a critical level.  
 
The Bhumibol dam has a total storage capacity of 13.46 billion cubic 
metres.  
 
If water had not been discharged to help ease the drought last year, the 
dam level should have come back to a 1975 record-high, when the dam 
held water at its full storage capacity, Mr Kamthon said.  
 
The water level behind Bhumibol Dam was recorded on September 29 at 
246.76 metres above mean sea level. The dam is still capable of 
accepting another 4 billion cubic metres of water.  
 
The Sirikit Dam, meanwhile, has about 5.98 billion cubic metres of water 
which can be released.  
Mr Kamthon said usually no water will be discharged from the dam 
during rainy season but Bhumibol and Sirikit dams are discharging 1-6 
and 10-12 million cubic metres of water daily to help generate electricity 
following an accident at the Mae Moh coal-fired power plant.  
 
Rain brought by tropical storm Amy in July boosted the water level and 
it is believed the combined water volume in the two dams will be more 
than 12 billion cubic metres by January 1. 
 
The Sunday Nation 2 October 1994
FISHERMEN TARGETED IN STEPS TO PREVENT PLAGUE 
SPREADING 
The Nation
 
PUBLIC officials in Phuket have stepped up measures to prevent 
fishermen and local residents from the possible spread of the plague 
from India. 
 
Meanwhile, all Thai International Airways flights to New Delhi and 
Calcutta had been cancelled because of health concerns among staff 
members 
 
Jaturong Theorakanok, a provincial public health official, said health 
officials had discussed strict precautionary measures against the 
plague, and the province was prepared to detect its presence if it 
arrived. 
 
He said the group most vulnerable to the disease was fishermen who 
fish in Burmese, Bangladeshi and Indian waters. Health officials will 
soon discuss preventive measures with fishing operators. 
 
He said fishing boats that sail outside Thai territorial waters will have to 
undergo a treatment process upon their return. Vessels reaching port 
will also be checked for rats, which will be terminated if found. 
 
Indian passengers or those who have been to India since Sept 1 will be 
screened at the provincial airport. Officials will ask for permission to 
deport any passenger found with the disease, he said. 
 
Jaturorlg said Indians or others travelling from India who are now 
staying in the province will have to be checked by health officials for 
plague symptoms. Officials will seek cooperation from hotels on the 
island. 
 
Representatives from the Immigration Office, Phuket Airport, Phuket 
Port, Police Department and businesses will meet on Tuesday to 
discuss the issue. 
 
The Sunday Post 2 October 1994
BRACING FOR THE WINDS OF CHANGE
 
MEMBERS of the New Aspiration and Palong Dharma parties are 
lobbying hard for Cabinet posts in the coming shake-up of portfolios 
within their parties. The reshuffle may strengthen the Chuan 
administration - or do it irreparable harm. Prakobpong Panapool 
comments.
 
IT'S common for politicians to aspire to a Cabinet position at least once 
in their career. It helps them gain popularity in the pursuit of their own 
interests.
 
The Chuan coalition government is reaching the halfway point of its 
four-year term. The time has come for members of the New Aspiration 
and Palang Dharma parties to race for ministerial posts while reshuffling 
their Cabinet members. 
 
One of the hottest questions at the moment is whether the PDP's 
powerful founder, Chamlong Srimuang, will accept a ministerial post, 
Chamlong was elected party leader on Sept 16, succeeding Deputy 
Prime Minister Boonchu Rojanastien. 
 
Apart from regaining the PDP helm that day, Chamlong reassumed full 
control of the party. Almost all of the newly-elected executive members 
are members of Chamlong's so-called religious faction, while members of 
the ministerial wing were kicked off the executive. 
 
It's expected that Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai will reject any 
conditions Maj Gen Chamlong might set out before he becomes a 
Cabinet minister, and PDP members know that if Chamlong wants a 
Cabinet post, he mustn't try to set terms. 
 
Chamlong's decision to return to the PDP leadership is considered a 
mission to save the party from slumping further. PDP members believe 
he will unconditionally choose to become deputy prime minister or 
communications minister. 
 
Chamlong earlier this year made his participation in the Cabinet 
conditional on getting his way on a number of traffic matters. But the 
conditions were rejected outright by Prime Minister Chuan, who said 
Chamlong should first join the Cabinet and discuss his conditions at the 
first meeting. 
 
Apart from Chamlong, at least half of the 11 PDP Cabinet members are 
expected to be replaced. Strongly tipped to be sacked from their 
ministerial posts are PM's Office Minister Chinnawuth Sunthornsima, 
Deputy Education Minister Adisorn Piengkate, Deputy Agriculture 
Minister Thawil Chanprasong, Deputy Public Health Minister Udomsilp 
Srisaengnam and Deputy Communications Minister Charas Puachuay. 
 
The members likely to become ministers include first deputy party leader 
Krasae Chanawong, who is capable of running the Foreign and Public 
Health ministries; third deputy party. leader Samut Mongkholkitti, who 
has been a Bangkok MP since the inception of the PDP and who is 
knowledgeable on agricultural issues, and Chamlong's close aide, 
Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who is expected to replace Charas as deputy 
communications minister. 
 
Thawil Praisont, who recently resigned as deputy House speaker, is 
tipped to replace Chamni Sakdiseth as deputy interior minister. It's likely 
that former PDP secretary general Udorn Tantisunthorn will become 
deputy House speaker. 
 
Some observers believe Chamlong will invite outsiders to hold 
ministerial posts under the PDP's quota. Former communications 
minister Nukul Prachuabmoh reportedly may return to that portfolio 
replacing Winai Sompong. However, Nukul has denied the reports.
 
It's been known from the PDP's very first day that the most powerful 
figure in the party is Chamlong. It is Chamlong alone who will choose 
which PDP members and outsiders join the Chuan administration. 
 
Chamlong on Wednesday said his party's executive committee will 
complete the reshuffle of its ministers by this Tuesday. He claimed 
every MP had the right to push for his or her own nomination. 
 
At a NAP meeting on Tuesday, NAP leader Chavalit Yongchaiyudh was 
authorized to make changes to the party's Cabinet ministers. The NAP 
has been given 12 ministerial portfolios, but at the moment only 11 NAP 
members are ministers because Chavalit concurrently controls interior 
and is a deputy prime minister. 
 
Gen Chavalit had to take over the latter post after Amnuay Viravan 
resigned earlier this year, to avoid possible conflict among NAP 
members who wanted the portfolio. Chavalit has vowed to stay on as 
deputy prime minister only temporarily. Amnuay left the NAP to form 
the Thai Leadership (Nam Thai) Party. 
 
Chavalit is now under pressure as NAP MPs representing various 
factions lobby hard to become Cabinet members. Although he has the 
authority to reshuffle the NAP's Cabinet members, the job is not easy 
because the NAP is comprised of many factions. 
 
It was rumoured that certain NAP members were willing to pay 
Bt500,000 for a ministerial post. Some members have admitted that the 
rumour is true. 
 
NAP ministers likely to go are Deputy Agriculture Minister Sawat 
Suebsaiprom, PM's Office Minister Surasak Thiamprasertj Deputy 
Industry Minister Kiatchai Chaichaowarat, Deputy Education Minister 
Santhong Srithares, and other ministers who have been accused of 
failing to make recognizable achievements. 
 
Factions in the NAP have already chosen their key members to take 
ministerial posts. Mahasarakham MP Krit Kongphet is the candidate for 
the Look Phra Phai faction, led by Deputy Communications Minister 
Thawee Kraikupti. 
 
NAP Secretary General Phisam Moonlasartsathorn's faction supports Si 
Sa Ket MP Boonchong Veesommai to become a Cabinet member, while 
Chiang Mai MP Thawatwong na Chiangmai is backed by the northern 
MPs' faction, of which Deputy Finance Minister Boonchu Trithong is 
the leader. 
 
NAP members not aligned to any faction may also be given ministerial 
posts, including Kalasin MP Khunthong Phuphewduan, who is a former 
deputy education minister. 
 
Some observers believe Chamlong's participation in the Cabinet will 
stabilize the coalition, enabling it to survive its mandatory four-year 
term. 
 
Leading members of the opposition predict that the government's 
stability will not be affected by the reshuffle of Cabinet portfolios within 
the New Aspiration and Palang Dharma parties. 
 
Prachakorn Thai leader Samak Sundaravej said both parties wish to stay 
within the coalition, so the reshuffle will have no negative impact. But 
Samak said the government may face minor problems if Chamlong joins 
the Cabinet. 
 
"Chamlong is the kind of person who doesn't listen to other people's 
opinions. His personality will make it difficult for him to work with other 
Cabinet members," he said. 
 
Deputy Chat Pattana leader Kom Dabaransi agreed that the government 
will be unaffected by changes within the two parties. He pointed out 
that both New Aspiration and Palang Dhamma still support Chuan as 
prime minister. 
 
Like Samak, many observers believe Chamlong's presence in the Cabinet 
will hurt the government because Chamlong refuses to bow to anyone. 
 
Chamlong's participation as a Cabinet member may create a serious rift 
within the Democrat Party, which may lead to the fall of the government, 
observers say. 
 
Sukhumbhand Baripatra, a leading political scientist, predicts the 
coalition government will collapse within six months if Chamlong 
accepts a Cabinet post. 
 
The Democrat Party was established in 1946. Kuang Apaiwong was the 
party's first leader, and MR Kukrit Pramoj was the party's first secretary 
general. It's the country's oldest political party but it faced a lot of 
serious internal conflicts under the leadership of MR Seri Pramoj, 
Thanat Komant and Bhichai Rattakul. 
 
But when Trang MP Chuan Leekpai was elected party leader in 1990, the 
Democrat became one of the most stable political parties in the country. 
After it surprisingly won more parliamentary seats in the Sept 13, 1992, 
general election, it became the core party of the current coalition, and 
Chuan was appointed prime minister. 
 
Other parties in the coalition, in particular Palang Dharma and New 
Aspiration have experienced internal problems that have led to the 
proposed reshuffle of their Cabinet members. But the Democrats have 
not had to deal with such rifts. 
 
It's almost certain that the Democrats will leave their Cabinet line-up 
unchanged. Party regulations stipulate that no member can be a Cabinet 
member for more than two successive terms, unless he is endorsed by at 
least two-thirds of the membership present at a party meeting. 
 
There's no need for the Democrats to change their portfolios because 
no party member has called for a reshuffle. Chuan should be praised for 
his ability to keep the party stable and control members. 
 
However, the Democrats are likely to make changes among members 
who hold political posts other than ministerial ones including 
secretaries to the prime minister and deputy prime minister. 
 
The Sunday Post 2 October 1994
MAJOR CHANGE IMMINENT
 
THE Chuan Leekpai Government, which has just marked its first two 
years in power, is about to undergo a major change, triggered by a new 
leader in the Palang Dharma Party (PDP) and a power struggle in the 
New Aspiration Party (NAP). 
 
Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, back at the PDP helm, will do all in his 
power to gather support from those willing to abide by his "iron rules". 
This includes replacing PDP Cabinet ministers. 
 
NAP numbers crunchers have failed in an attempt to shuffle the party's 
Cabinet representatives. The fledgling party comprises ambitious 
veteran politicians who are constantly fighting for supremacy and 
Cabinet posts. 
 
Prime Minister Chuan, to administer the country effectively, should not 
be distracted by the initiating of a new Cabinet line-up instilled by 
factional infighting. 
 
The Government's popularity is currently high in the public eye, 
according to a recent poll in Matichon daily. 
 
The core Democrats are found to be leading the PDP and NAP in all 
respects. 
 
Mr Chuan appears the only viable contender for Prime Minister for 
years to come. Everything considered, Maj-Gen Chamlong, Gen Chavalit 
Yongchaiyudh, Gen Chatichai Choonhavan and Banharn Silpa-archa are 
no match for the Democrat leader, whose credibility is rising steadily. 
 
People have come to the realisation there can be political stability only 
under the Democrats' leadership. The long-standing Democrats, with a 
track record and systematic, consistent parliamentary skill, have 
received the public's vote of confidence. 
 
Indeed, the public is tired of seeing "trash" in politics. They see nothing 
constructive or dynamic in the political manoeuvring inside embattled 
coalition parties. 
 
The PDP and NAP appear not to be advocating productive and 
concrete changes beneficial to the public. Intra-party adjustments are 
being used to settle conflicts. Meanwhile, personal gain is seen as futile 
and unproductive by the public. 
 
It is no secret PDP and NAP executives will try at all costs to win 
coveted Cabinet posts, which are an inroad to power and opportunity 
for fame and riches. 
 
This explains why the announcement of a Cabinet line-up can be a 
tedious process involving a lot of lobbying for support in exchange for 
a special favour. 
 
The NAP is divided into factions according to origins, social status and 
vested interests. The major groups are led by: 
 
o Secretary-general Phisan Moolasartsathorn, who is also Science, 
Technology and Environment minister;
 
o Deputy Transport and Communications Minister and "Luk Phraprai" 
boss Thawee Kraikrupt, who commands most Cabinet posts; 
 
o Deputy Finance Minister Boonchu Trithong, who has most followers, 
and 
 
o Deputy Interior Minister and head of the "Solidarity" faction Den 
Tomeena, who has southern Muslim MPs under his wing. 
 
Mr Den, MP for Pattani, is tipped to give his post to close ally Deputy 
Parliament Speaker Wan Mohammed Nor Mata, MP for Yala, in the new 
line-up. 
 
Apparently because of the unsettled dispute over Cabinet posts, the 
NAP agreed when it met on Tuesday to let Gen Chavalit decide on the 
new line-up. 
 
The NAP leader, who is also Interior Minister, earlier failed to settle the 
struggle for the top post at the Labour and Social Welfare Ministry: So 
he had to serve concurrently as Labour Minister. 
 
There is no guarantee Gen Chavalit will be more decisive next time. He 
may even check into a hospital for "medical treatment" when he is not 
prepared to make a crucial decision. He could once again bide his time 
faking sickness. 
 
Meanwhile, PDP leader Maj-Gen Chamlong has resorted to old tactics 
and "iron rules" in a bid to keep all party members in line. 
 
To restore party credibility and image, Maj-Gen Chamlong is likely to 
shuffle all PDP Cabinet posts, keeping only one or two old faces. 
 
Political pundits predict he will serve as deputy premier, 
communications minister, or both. 
 
However, while the core Democrats appear disinterested in PDP and 
NAP affairs, secretary-general Sanan Kachornprasart, who is viewed as 
the Government's general manager, has been closely following 
developments in the two parties. 
 
With the PDP and NAP affairs still unpredictable, Mr Sanan has subtly 
established a bond of friendship with Opposition leaders. He has held 
talks with leading figures of the Chart Thai and Chart Pattana parties.
 
Ostensibly, he has an alternative option should either the PDP or the 
NAP prove problematic or threaten the Government's survival. 
 
Political developments, regardless of their manifestation or face value, 
appear to be for the better. Premier Chuan has in fact expressed 
optimism over the Government's future.
 
"I'm not pondering a House dissolution, although it will be to our (the 
Government's) advantage," the
 Premier said.
 
"The Government is so lucky to have come this far. I'm not entertaining 
the possibility of being in office for eight years."
 
Chuan said his Government has always tried to solve problems 
democratically. "I'm relieved to see that people are more imbued with 
true democracy. After all, we now abide by the democratic principle."
 
The resurrection of an old mentality by NAP members is least desirable. 
Such a phenomenon reflects
the party's lack of unity. The power struggle shows that they have still 
to cultivate political ideology. It is not noble to seek power and 
opportunity for the sake of vested interests and to benefit one's allies.
 
It is always ethical for politicians to pause to examine their conscience 
and remind themselves of their noble vocation. 
 
Why is one in politics? Surely not to recover the campaign costs.
 
What is one doing for the country's and the people? Of course the 
answer to this question cannot be found where party members selfishly 
struggle for power and glory with s no public interests in mind.
 
The PDP is no doubt back to square one in its bid to restore its lost 
image and shattered credibility. Maj-Gen Chamlong, the party leader 
with a mission, has to work extra hard to win back the public trust and 
faith in his leadership. 
 
Apparently the PDP leader has failed to catch up with the pace of the 
public. He appears not to have been in tune with the contemporary 
world and the changes around him. He doesn't see what they want him 
to see. He fails to hear what they want him to heed. 
 
The PDP leader is indeed fit to be temporary ad hoc leader. He can be 
,effective only in a small section of society. But surely he is not 
qualified or prepared to be an effective national leader. 
 
Maj-Gen Chamlong is too rigidly pre-programmed to lead and guide 
people effectively. People's liberty and freedom is too precious to yield 
blindly to his dictatorial I iron rules". 
 
His non-conformist lifestyle and personalised philosophy of life are not 
in tune with the modern world. He has still to realise that one can, and in 
fact should change with the world without losing one's identity or 
individuality. 
 
The public now knows Maj-Gen Chamlong for what he really is. His bid 
to be a born-again politician has drawn little interest. He may at best 
attract a solid group of admirers and supporters just like when he set us 
the "Joint Force Group" year back. 
 
Things change with time. People's belief and convictions tend a change 
continually because of diverse factors. 
 
Chamlong must have an indomitable spirit and infinite forbearance to 
wait for the time when the public may once again trust and have faith in 
him and what he stands for.