The parliamentary committee on national reconciliation, political reform and constitution amendment, chaired by Senator Direk Thungfang, prepared a report identifying six areas of the 2007 constitution that cause social division and conflict, and thus should be amended: dissolution of political parties and banning of executives from politics; the procedure for becoming an MP (apparently largely focusing on whether House constituencies should remain multi-member or return to being single-member districts); the procedure for becoming a senator; parliamentary endorsement of international treaties; appointment of MPs to other political positions (currently forbidden); and parliamentarians’ authority to help solve people’s problems (apparently meaning their scope to influence the activities of state agencies and possibly access to constituency development funding).

The panel proposed that a permanent committee be established to undertake further study on how political reconciliation could be achieved. The panel’s report was submitted to the prime minister and to House Speaker Chai Chidchob. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that cabinet would review the proposals, and they would be debated in parliament; he later said that the report contains conflicting proposals that would have to be resolved in parliament before any further action is taken. A group of 40 senators including Rosana Tositrakul objected to report, saying that the recommendations fail to address relevant issues. The report set off a process of negotiation among coalition partners and between government and opposition regarding how to proceed on constitution change.
             In July, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva paid a one-day visit to Bhumjaithai Party stronghold Buri Ram. He travelled with heavy security—reports indicated that over 4,000 policemen and soldiers were mobilized. Authorities had already made preparations to keep anti-government red-shirted demonstrators away (most authorities asserted that the demonstrators would be from other provinces). Abhisit promised 6.5 billion baht for the province in the next fiscal year, and a large investment in Buri Ram for an irrigation system under the Thai Strength policy. Bhumjaithai leader Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul accompanied Abhisit, but Newin Chidchob—the banned politician who is seen as the true power broker behind Bhumjaithai—did not appear. As Abhisit visited, a group of about 200 red-shirted anti-government would-be demonstrators were surrounded on a road and detained by about 500 blue-shirted government supporters. A report claimed that the blue-shirts were hired by Bhumjaithai Party.
               Reports claimed that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban were in conflict over the post of national police chief, with Abhisit wanting to name a caretaker while Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon is kept out of the way for his remaining time in office, while Suthep arguing there cannot be a caretaker while Patcharawat still occupies the post. This only added to continuing rumors of Democrat infighting.
                The government undertook several measures to promote its accomplishments. A publicity campaign was launched to highlight introduction of 15 years of compulsory education. The government announced it would distribute 10,000 copies of a book entitled “Six Months, 100 measures, 10 Million Happiness” and 200,000 copies of another book, “Stories from the Fence; Thai People’s Happiness is the Government’s Goal”. 
               There were several state campaigns that appear aimed at promoting “unity” and stifling conflict. The Interior Ministry was promoting the message “Protect the Institution (monarchy). Calm. Peace. Unity” by ordering local administrations to erect billboards displaying the message nationwide. The Army’s Internal Security Operations Command used television and skytrain advertisements to urge young people to love “moso”; looking into the campaign’s website revealed that this stands for moderation society, relating to principles of sufficiency economy and avoiding conflict. The prime minister launched another campaign, “I Love Thailand”, though it is not clear which agency is responsible for it. The core appears to be a social networking website that also carries the message to uphold national interest and reduce personal interests and conflicts. 
               An Abac poll of 4,102 families in 17 provinces determined that 71 percent of respondents wanted the government to continue working in office while 28 percent wanted it to resign. The report said that the government’s economic and political performance won overall approval, but no specifics were given. The report said that nearly 45 percent of respondents said they would vote Democrat were an election held today, while 40 percent would vote Puea Thai, and 15 percent would vote for other parties.
               The government took action to resist the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship’s  campaign to petition the King to ask for a pardon for Thaksin Shinawatra. Interior Minister Chaobvarat Chanweerakul ordered provincial governors and district chiefs to set up tables outside their offices and persuade people who had already signed to withdraw their signatures, for which Puea Thai Party threatened to file a complaint with the National Anti Corruption Commission. PM’s Office Minister Satit Wongnongtoey said that state media outlets were instructed to remind the public of the impropriety of involving the monarchy in politics and to assert that the petition is illegal. He accused petition campaigners of violating the law, though he apparently did not specify what law (some argue there are provisions that require a convict to begin serving his sentence before being eligible for pardon). Satit added that the red shirts were using the petition to deepen social and political divisions. Bhumjaithai Party organized a rally of 300 taxi drivers at the Royal Plaza and distributed stickers opposing the petition, though an independent report suggested that most drivers were uninterested, and even unwilling participants in the event. It was reported that the National Intelligence Agency would be authenticating the names, backgrounds and profiles of all people who sign the petition, which, the NIA told the prime minister, discouraged some people from signing. Petition organizers Jatuporn Promphan, Veera Musigapong and Natthawut Saikua wanted to collect 3 million signatures before submitting the petition on 7 August, but the in late July the NIA claimed that fewer than 1 million people had signed. United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship held a rally at Sanam Luang on 31 July to wrap up the petition campaign. PAD later extended its self-imposed deadline for submitting the petition to 17 August, expecting to collect 5 million signatures.
               As Thaksin Shinawatra’s 60th birthday approached, his spokesman announced that Thaksin would mark the occasion by granting 6,000 scholarships through his Thaicom Foundation. The move was seen as a challenge to the government and Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Thaksin had publicly told followers not to arrange any gathering at Sanam Luang for the occasion, but one went ahead anyway. In addition, Thaksin supporters around the country held various religious/magic ceremonies and parties. Thaksin promised to call in and to give a “surprise” to his supporters—the surprise apparently was him singing a song entitled “I shall return”, which was reportedly written for him by a famous artist. 
               In Chiang Mai, red-shirts clashed with police for two days. Demonstrators were protesting Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij’s visit to the city when police arrested Niyom Luangcharoen, a pro-red radio announcer, for allegedly trying to carry a gun into Chiang Mai airport (where a demonstration was going on). Angry demonstrators reportedly besieged a police station, attacked police and blocked Huay Kaeo Road. Police eventually dispersed demonstrators using water cannon.
               The Election Commission concluded that 13 Democrat MPs, including Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, had violated the Constitution’s Articles 48 and 265 by holding shares in telecom and media businesses, and in businesses that have been granted state concessions; complaints against another 15 Democrat MPs were dismissed, and the EC continued to investigate similar complaints against 44 other MPs. The case against the 13 MPs was sent to the Constitution Court; the MPs remain in office until such time as the Constitution Court decides whether to disqualify them. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban promptly resigned from his seat in the House of Representatives while holding on to his cabinet post—he insisted that he had done no wrong, but wanted to avoid the distraction of defending himself against the charges. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reportedly urged other MPs not to resign but instead wait until the Constitution Court rules on their cases.
               Criminal Court rejected People’s Alliance for Democracy’s complaint against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and the national police chief; PAD had accused the three of malfeasance for ordering that terrorism charges be pressed against PAD leaders in connection with the closure of Bangkok’s airports last year.
               People’s Alliance for Democracy reportedly decided not to acknowledge charges of terrorism and other offences arising from last year’s blockade of Bangkok’s airports; 36 PAD leaders were supposed to answer a police summons to appear and acknowledge the charges, but instead sent lawyers to decline to accept the charges. About 1,000 PAD supporters rallied at the Police Club to oppose the charges, and chief investigator Pol Lt Gen Wut Puawes said that police will review PAD’s arguments and the evidence presented by PAD’s lawyers.
               A Suan Dusit poll of 1,104 people nationwide reportedly showed that 59 percent of respondents believe that the judicial system exercises double standards; only 26 percent said that they had faith in the judicial system. Deputy Attorney-General Chullasingh Wasantasing yesterday denied that public prosecutors are biased in their treatment of People’s Alliance for Democracy and United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship figures. He said that cases brought against leaders of the two groups would be decided on their own merits.
               Arrest warrants were issued for a soldier and a policeman in connection with the April attack on Sondhi Limthongkul.  The soldier named was Sgt Maj Panya Srihera, a former aide to former army chief Gen Chettha Thanajaro; Chettha quickly distanced himself from Panya. Soon after, a third suspect was named—Army Col Sunai Prapuchaney, who is assigned to the Special Warfare Unit in Lop Buri and who is also the superior of Sgt Maj Panya.
                In mid July, deputy national Police Chief Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap said that the investigation of the attack on Sondhi was is proceeding slowly because some officers had been obstructing the investigation and leaking information to outsiders. People’s Alliance for Democracy spokesman Panthep Puapongpan claimed that there have been three attempts by military figures to interfere with the case. Rumors soon spread that national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon was responsible for obstructing the investigation and would soon be dismissed (Patcharawat, who is due to retire at the end of September, is thought by some to be too close to Thaksin Shinawatra’s clique); Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban spoke out repeatedly to reject such rumors. People’s Alliance for Democracy threatened trouble for the government unless Patcharawat were removed from office. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva eventually stepped in and declared that Patcharawat would be taking leave for an official visit to China. This proved to be only the beginning of several months of conflict involving Patcharawat and the selection of who would replace him in the post of national police chief.
               In reaction to reports in the Washington Post that mentioned an American detention and torture facility in Thailand in 2002, the Democrat Party said that its government would never allow the torture of terrorist suspects. Army commander Gen Anupong Paochinda had previously denied the existence of such a facility. Some observers noted, however, that some official denials appeared to focus on the present while avoiding whether such a facility existed in the past. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that Thailand has never had any policies or cooperation with the United States to establish secret torture chambers. Some officials asserted that the Washington Post’s story was an attempt to discredit Thailand and/or Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya while Thailand was hosting the  ASEAN summit.
               By the authority of the Education Ministry’s Private Education Commission, private tutorial schools around the country have been ordered closed from 13-28 July in order to curb the outbreak of H1N1; the proposal was made by the Ministry of Public Health, and approved by the prime minister. The Ministry of Public Health also wanted to close computer game shops, but neither it nor the Education Ministry had the authority to do so. The Tutorial Schools Association complained that the closure is a stunt to make it appear the government was taking action, and asserted that there were no grounds to believe that tutorial schools were involved in spreading H1N1. The Ministry of Public Health announced it was allocating over 300 million baht to buy H1N1 vaccine. The ministry hoped the first batch of one million doses would arrive in October, and the second batch of one million doses would arrive in January 2010. As of 13 July, public health authorities said there were 3,883 cases of H1N1 infection, and recognized 21 deaths due to the disease. Government opponents attacked the government for not doing enough to deal with the outbreak, and there were growing calls to have public areas closed and entertainment events suspended. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) ordered that all 435 schools, 200 daycare centers and 13 vocational training centers under its authority be closed the week of 15 to 19 July to halt the spread of H1N1. Schools run by the Ministry of Education remained open. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke on a special televised program to say that the situation did not warrant nationwide closures of schools and other public places, though Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai supported the BMA’s decision. The BMA also told city council members to distribute 10,000 face masks to constituents by the end of the week. Cabinet approved a budget of 850 million baht to buy vaccines and drugs to treat H1N1; the Ministry of Public Health declared the intention to spend 600 million baht on 2 million doses of vaccine.
               The Department of Special Investigation declared it was investigating rumors that foreign investors have created nominee companies to buy land and invest in rice farming. Foreigners are allowed to form joint ventures providing that Thai partners hold at least 51% of the shares, but the Foreign Business Act prohibits foreigners or foreign companies for renting or buying land for agriculture. Foreigners who violate the law could be punished with fines of up to 1 million baht and up to three years imprisonment.
               Ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia took on another dimension with dispute over maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Thailand, and claim to petroleum deposits. People’s Alliance for Democracy has complained that the government is failing to resist Cambodia’s claims on areas that PAD asserts are the sole territory of Thailand. The Thai press reported that Cambodia had, the previous month, given oil firm Total permission to carry out exploration operations in a disputed area.