BANGKOK // Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand's recently elected prime minister, stressed the need to boost the country's economy and improve its international image in his maiden speech yesterday, which took place at the foreign ministry instead of parliament and one day late because anti-government protesters had blockaded the building.
Mr Abhisit, who was elected in a parliamentary vote two weeks ago, had to deliver his policy statement to a joint sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate before his government could formally start work on measures to try to revive the country's economy, battered by the protracted political crisis. Demonstrators had seized the country's international airport for more than a week and left only when the party that led the previous government was ordered dissolved.
Hopes that the newly formed coalition government, led by the Democrat Party, would resolve the country's political crisis have been short-lived as 10,000 red-shirted supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra, an ousted prime minister, blockaded parliament in protest against what they see as a "silent coup".
"The Abhisit government has no legitimacy - they have not won an election for more than eight years - and therefore have no mandate to be in power," said Jakrapob Penkhair, one of the demonstration's leaders and a close confidant of Thaksin. "The only solution is to dissolve parliament and hold fresh elections."
Mr Abhisit has promised heavy government investment in an effort to turn the economy around, which will include speeding up already planned mega-projects like extensions to Bangkok's underground and the elevated railway known as the Sky Train.
Earlier he had announced a package of government spending worth US$8.6 billion (Dh31.6bn), much of which is to be directed to the poor rural areas of the north and north-east, where support for the ousted government and Thaksin remains strong.
In his speech, Mr Abhisit also took measures to attract both international investors and tourists back to Thailand. Street protests and political turmoil continue to harm the country's international image and the economy.
"Political conflicts that have spread to civic groups could push the economy, along with the tourism industry, into recession if action is not taken quickly to resolve them and revive confidence among investors and foreign tourists," the prime minister said in his speech, which was televised.
"These conflicts are the country's weakness, especially at a time the world economy is entering its worst crisis in a century."
Mr Abhisit also said unemployment could double if nothing is done to boost the economy.
Although the new prime minister portrays himself as a figure who hopes to heal divisions in the country, many analysts believe the odds are stacked against him because of the way he came to power.
"The legitimacy of this government is based only partially in elections and more significantly on the manipulation of politicians ? That puts them in bed with some very unsavoury political characters and forces traditionally antithetical to democracy, including the military," said Kevin Hewison, a Thai studies professor at the University of North Carolina.
Having failed to win power through the electoral process on two previous attempts, Mr Abhisit knows he must succeed as prime minister if he is to be able to go to the polls next time and persuade voters they should support him and the Democrats, according to party insiders. He now has money and moral authority on his side to do that, they said.
Mr Abhisit has unashamedly adopted many of the populist policies of his predecessor and nemesis, Thaksin, to garner the support of the poor in the cities and the farmers in country's north and north-east.
"Populism should not be considered a dirty word; it's being adopted in many countries throughout the world to fight the current economic crisis," including in the United Kingdom and United States, said Kavi Chongkittavorn, the senior political editor at The Nation, an English-language daily newspaper.
"But what makes Abhisit different from Thaksin is that the infusion of funds will be transparent and accountable - and he will make sure they really benefit the people at the grassroots or community level, and not just feather the beds of the village headmen."
Thailand's political crisis is not likely to be resolved soon, especially as the red shirts have promised to step up their public protests against the government until fresh elections are held.
"The protests outside parliament will be suspended soon, but more rallies will be held throughout the country after the New Year holidays," said Veera Musigapong, a key leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, which is organising the demonstrations. "These protests will be peaceful and legal - we will not seize any government buildings."
The current government plans to stay in power for two more years if possible, according to senior members of the Democrat Party.
Gen Anupong Paojinda, the army chief who was instrumental in forming the new coalition government, has promised to support the Democrat government for the next two years.
But a repeat of this year's turmoil could change the dynamics of power yet again.
"For the time being at least it's in Abhisit's own hands," Mr Kavi said. "He needs to disburse government funds as quickly as possible - not only for the sake of the economy but to prove that the Democrats are really pro-people."
The first test of whether the Democrats are capable of making inroads into Thaksin's popularity will come within the next two weeks when by-elections will be held for 40 seats as a result of a court ruling last month that barred the MPs from politics for the next five years.
ljagan@thenational.ae
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali
Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
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The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
Various Artists
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
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Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
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Can NRIs vote in the election?
Indians residing overseas cannot cast their ballot abroad
Non-resident Indians or NRIs can vote only by going to a polling booth in their home constituency
There are about 3.1 million NRIs living overseas
Indians have urged political parties to extend the right to vote to citizens residing overseas
A committee of the Election Commission of India approved of proxy voting for non-resident Indians
Proxy voting means that a person can authorise someone residing in the same polling booth area to cast a vote on his behalf.
This option is currently available for the armed forces, police and government officials posted outside India
A bill was passed in the lower house of India’s parliament or the Lok Sabha to extend proxy voting to non-resident Indians
However, this did not come before the upper house or Rajya Sabha and has lapsed
The issue of NRI voting draws a huge amount of interest in India and overseas
Over the past few months, Indians have received messages on mobile phones and on social media claiming that NRIs can cast their votes online
The Election Commission of India then clarified that NRIs could not vote online
The Election Commission lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police asking it to clamp down on the people spreading misinformation
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
