Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Thailand should emulate Japan's art of adaptation
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 03/11/2015
» I recently embarked on a family holiday to Japan. It was only our fourth visit in 10 years. This time we paid a brief visit to Osaka and Kobe, but in my opinion, the highlight of the trip was my first ride on the Shinkansen, Japan's high-speed train.
Thailand needs a new constitution free from fear
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 18/08/2015
» In the entire history of the world, human beings have come up with some pretty outrageous ideas, like the man who solved the problem of his low ceiling by chopping off his legs. In my view, the Constitution Drafting Committee's (CDC) so-called crisis committee, inserted in the draft constitution, is a far worse idea. The Borwornsak draft constitution has hit a new low, because the crisis committee will essentially attempt to institutionalise military coups. It will seek to legitimise the illegitimate and make lawful what is inherently unlawful, which is an abomination to the very concept and study of law. It is nothing less than constitutional heresy!
Let's face it, the chickens are coming home to roost
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 25/06/2015
» No single Thai administration is capable of solving the country's most chronic and deeply embedded problems. Any administration that says it can is talking absolute tosh and insulting the nation's cumulative intelligence.
Thailand on global trial
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 15/07/2015
» As a direct result of the military coup in 2014, all international observers have their eyes on Thailand. We are in the spotlight, but not in a good way. Instead of proudly taking our place on the world stage with dignity and honour, Thailand finds itself on trial by the international community.
Only real democracy will solve Thailand's problems
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 29/01/2015
» In my view, the Yingluck Shinawatra impeachment proceedings were shameful and will go down in history as one of the most horrendous events in modern Thai history.
Thailand should steadfastly reject 'the China model'
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 25/02/2015
» Thailand is now becoming increasingly isolated by the West. We have effectively been subjected to a "democracy downgrade", which has pushed us ever closer into the sinister embrace of Asia's only superpower, China. Thailand continues to do what we do best, play one side off against the other. But recent overtures to China by the junta and the unrestrained lauding of what is termed "the China model" as a suitable system of government for Thailand, have made me sick to my stomach.
We can learn from Selma marches
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 12/03/2015
» This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches which were led by Rev Martin Luther King Jr and many other civil rights activists. These three marches by ordinary American men and women, mostly of African descent, still stand as historical landmarks of the triumph of the human spirit over grave injustice and the dark forces of segregation.
Reforms must ensure state apparatus is on our side
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 19/12/2014
» Among the reforms the National Reform Council (NRC) is expected to design is a new election system that will help Thailand mitigate the influence of vote-buying.
Mandela's legacy puts that of our politicians to shame
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 09/12/2013
» Nelson Mandela was a man greatly admired throughout the world, and in death his message lives on. This fragile, softly spoken, human rights colossus went to war against the mighty apartheid regime and won. His allies were freedom and justice. His weapons were his convictions and his indomitable spirit. In the end, numerous leaders of the free world flocked to join his cause. A believer in liberty and equal rights for all, regardless of colour or creed; a belief he was willing to die for.