Showing 31 - 40 of 53
PM faces big decisions in cabinet revamp
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/12/2016
» As Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha prepares for a cabinet reshuffle, some political observers, including myself, watch with anxiety.
Knee-jerk reactions won't lower road toll
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 10/01/2017
» The public outcry over fatal road accidents in Thailand has been seasonal and tied to major long public holidays, namely the New Year break and the Songkran festival. This is not news. Unfortunately, past governments' responses to the chronic problem have usually been short-lived.
Rice politics and the death of Thai farmers
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 01/11/2016
» The latest dramatic fall in the price of rice could not have come at a worse time for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Shutting out parties is recipe for trouble
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 06/12/2016
» The gag order issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) after the 2014 coup which prohibits political gatherings of more than five people will be a key obstacle for parties when preparing for the next general election.
New US president and Thai foreign policy
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 08/11/2016
» After Americans cast their ballots today, Southeast Asian nations will have to deal with a new US presidency. Notwithstanding whoever wins the election, Thailand and its Asean neighbours will need to come up with strategic positioning and get their acts together.
Challenges of democracy after Trump win
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 15/11/2016
» As Donald Trump becomes the president-elect of the United States, challenges to modern democracy are noted.
'Reset' by charter drafters fails to deliver
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 22/11/2016
» The Constitution Drafting Committee's (CDC) current effort to deliberate the draft organic laws to "reset" independent organisations fails to touch on anything of real substance.
Short-sighted policies will not help poor
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 29/11/2016
» In its last-ditch effort to spur economic growth, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government is banking on spending in the consumption sector as it offers another cash handout package for the urban poor. Such a one-off package, which will be disbursed by next month, will not create sustained economic opportunities for low-income earners.
No room for hypocrisy in anti-graft junta
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 27/09/2016
» Last Sunday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returned home from his US trip into the eye of storm. The recent controversies surrounding family members of his younger brother, defence permanent secretary Preecha Chan-o-cha, have diverted public attention from what he tried to achieve at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. With his anti-graft mandate, Gen Prayut has a tough choice to make or he could risk the legitimacy of his government.
Hawaii-gate shows regime dangers of 'perks'
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/10/2016
» Public attention has been riveted on the high-profile trip to Hawaii of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to attend the Asean–US Defence Informal Meeting although those involved have made a massive attempt to downplay it.