It is impossible for Move Forward Party Chachoengsao MP Jirat Thongsuwan to have participated in a lot-drawing procedure for military conscription after receiving a suspended jail sentence for failing to appear for conscription, said Lt. Gen. Taweepool Rimsakorn, commanding general of the Territorial Defense Command (TDC). Lt. Gen. Taweepool said Jirat attended his first conscription call-up in 2009 and requested conscription clemency, which was granted. He followed the procedures to renew this clemency annually until 2012 when he failed to report to TDC on time. Jirat asserted that when he arrived late for the extension, authorities prosecuted him, resulting in a fine from the Chachoengsao Provincial Court. After paying the fine, he underwent a lot-drawing procedure where he selected a black card exempting him from military service, he added. However, Lt. Gen. Taweepool refuted Jirat's claim, asserting that Jirat inaccurately stated arriving late for the extension in 2011. According to Lt. Gen. Taweepool, the correct information is that Jirat received a one-month jail sentence in 2012, later reduced to a one-year suspended term due to a confession. Lt. Gen. Taweepool contended that it is implausible for Jirat to have participated in a lot-drawing procedure after the court's ruling. According to procedures, he was expected to appear for service the following year in 2013, but he did not show up. Lt. Gen. Taweepool also said that the TDC has found all three copies of Jirat's Sor Dor 43 document under his previous name, Nawarin, which indicated that he did not take part in a lot-drawing process because all three copies are still with the TDC. Lt. Gen. Taweepool said the Sor Dor 43 document Jirat showed to the press is most likely forged. Move Forward Party Chachoengsao MP Jirat Thongsuwan vowed to resign as an MP if it was proven that he had forged his Sor Dor 43 document, as the army has claimed. He said he is willing to provide his copy of the document to the Territorial Defense Command to check for forgery after its commanding general, Lt. Gen. Taweepool Rimsakorn, said the TDC had found all three copies of Jirat's Sor Dor 43 document under his previous name, Nawarin, in its archive. Lt. Gen. Taweepool said this showed that Jirat did not take part in a lot-drawing procedure, which he claimed he did, and it also indicated that the copy that Jirat has been showing to the media is a forged document. When asked whether the reason for the mix-up was that he paid a bribe to obtain the Sor Dor 43 document, Jirat denied the accusation, emphasizing that he is neither rich nor well-connected to have the audacity to make such a move. He insisted that he has followed regulations.

Charter Court Ordered Pita & MFP to Stop Pushing for Lese Majeste Law Reform. Charter Court ruled Weds MFP & its then leader Pita Limjaroenrat have violated seeking to overthrow pol system by pledging to the electorate to amend royal defamation law. Amending lese majeste law would reduce protection of the monarchy. Charter Court argues violating lese majeste law affects national security but MFP seeks to reduce the severity of the crime. The Court adds Pita & party have the intention of "separating the monarchy institution from Thai Nation" because if amended as proposed by the party, "royal defamation crime will no longer be a crime against nat'l security". The court thus ordered Pita and the party to stop advocating for lese majeste law reform through all means but didn't punish Pita and the party further.

A disabled man, who decided to travel 400 kilometers from Sukhothai to Bangkok on his tricycle to protest against the decision to scrap his disabled welfare, refused to halt his journey. The 48-year-old man embarked on his trip three weeks ago, recently discovering that his welfare was canceled. Local authorities at Si Satchanalai's district office and police station informed him that, as he lacked a valid national ID, the only way to reinstate his 800 baht per month welfare was to travel to Bangkok and identify himself with the Comptroller General's Department, as no alternative options were available. Initial reports suggested that his disabled rights were revoked in October 2020 due to his incarceration and failure to report his return to Sukhothai for two years to local authorities. The man, identified as Monthon Phetsang, stated that he departed Sukothai on his tricycle three weeks ago. Authorities in Ang Thong stopped him last night based on a tip from a concerned citizen. He sought refuge at Chaiyo Police Station before resuming his journey. Today, after the news broke, officials from various agencies caught up with him in Ayutthaya, urging him to cease his journey. They offered assistance with his case, but he declined, expressing his desire for related officials and the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to personally hear about his situation. Although authorities informed him that his disabled welfare had been reinstated, he could obtain a new national ID the same day, and his journey might cause traffic disruptions, he insisted on continuing.

The cabinet has approved, in principle, the draft bill to register Indigenous people as Thai citizens. Culture Minister Sermsak Pongpanich stated that there are approximately 10 million indigenous ethnic people in Thailand, and the bill aims to register them as Thai citizens, with the condition that they refrain from cutting down trees and actively protect the forests they inhabit. Once registered as Thai citizens, the government will provide them with job support, and they will gain access to healthcare, he said. Sermsak added that Indigenous people can significantly contribute to Thailand's promotion of its "soft power," and their inclusion as citizens will also enhance the workforce in Thailand. According to Sermsak, the bill is currently being prepared for introduction in Parliament.

The Navy's electricity provider, Sattahip Electricity Authority, is allegedly overcharging civilians, according to Move Forward Party list MP Bencha Saengchantra, a member of a special parliamentary committee advocating for the transfer of various businesses from military control to other state agencies. Bencha claims that the electric provider, currently serving all five tambons of Chon Buri's Sattahip District, is charging 6 baht per unit for permanent electricity meters and 8-10 baht per unit for temporary electricity meters, significantly higher than the standard rate of around 4 baht. Obtaining a permanent meter from the electric provider is described as cumbersome and difficult, while the electric supply quality is reportedly poor, leading to frequent temporary blackouts, she added. As a solution, Bencha argues that control of the electric provider should be transferred back to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). The Navy took control of the business approximately 80 years ago when the five sub-districts were less developed. However, with significant development in these areas, now housing tourist attractions, residential estates, condominiums, and hotels, the quality of electrical supply has reportedly declined. Next week, the special parliamentary committee will investigate the transfer of control of an electric provider in Rayong's Ban Chang District, previously under Navy control until the power supply duty was transferred to the PEA in 1994. This study aims to facilitate the transfer of control of the Sattahip Electricity Authority to the PEA. Addressing the issue of the Navy's existing contract to supply electricity through the provider for another 25 years, Bencha notes that the committee will engage with the Ministry of Interior to explore options for reimbursing the concession fee already paid to the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Navy's prior investments.

The Navy's electricity provider, Sattahip Electricity Authority, is charging civilians more than other state providers due to variations in fuel adjustment costs and additional service fees. This explanation was presented during a meeting of a special parliamentary committee advocating for the transfer of various businesses from military control to other state agencies. Bencha Saengchantra, a Move Forward Party list MP and committee member, said last week that the Sattahip Electricity Authority is imposing a fee of 6 baht per unit for permanent electricity meters and 8-10 baht per unit for temporary electricity meters. This is significantly higher than the standard rate of approximately 4 baht. Apart from the lackluster explanation for the overcharge, the Navy has also failed to provide a detailed breakdown of how the annual profit of 1.8-2 billion baht from their eclectic business is utilized. They merely stated that these funds are allocated to provide welfare for civil servants and low-ranking personnel. The committee has requested the Navy to furnish specific details regarding this allocation in the upcoming meeting. Bencha also said that the next meeting will address the military's broadcasting businesses, including radio and television channels such as the army's Channel 5, which have never been scrutinized before.

The new maximum fare of 20 baht on the Red and Purple lines is causing some confusion as the newspapers are calling it a “flat rate 20 baht fare”. This gives the impression that no mater the length of your ride, you pay 20 baht. The truth is, the Purple Line is now 14-20 baht and the Red Line is 12-20 baht. The minimum fares still remain.