• OPINION

  Thai politics needs room to thrive, mature

  Oped, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/09/2016

  » Since the draft constitution gained public approval in the Aug 7 referendum, discussions have now shifted towards the organic laws, in particular the one on political parties.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Regime fails test in reconciliation, reform

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 20/09/2016

  » When proclaiming his government's two-year success last week, head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seemed to focus on the wrong place.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  Technocrat regimes and liberal democracy

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/08/2016

  » Rao ma tueng jud nee dai young ngai? or "How did we arrive at this point?" is a Thai popular phrase expressing how one is facing a situation, with wonder and surprise, or just plain sarcasm. Many are asking the same question amid the current political predicament and ahead of the referendum on a constitution that imposes more control than gives way to liberal democracy.

• OPINION

  Back to the future in our political models

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 06/09/2016

  » T wo political models are presently being cited by supporters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as vehicles for his continuation as premier after the general election of 2017. One is the so-called "Prem Model", a reference to the era of Gen Prem Tinsulanonda who was prime minister between 1980 to 1988. The other is the setting up of a military-backed political party to become the core in the formation of the next government.

• OPINION

  Free speech will pave way for tidy NCPO exit

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 23/08/2016

  » Since the first day Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power on May 22, 2014, his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government have rounded up political dissenters from all walks of life.

• OPINION

  Governor's errors play into NCPO's hands

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 30/08/2016

  » Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is the latest to fall under the sword of Section 44. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), issued an order suspending him from work without pay. The suspension is supposed to be temporary until further notice.

• OPINION

  Regime should exploit 'win' to forge unity

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/08/2016

  » No wonder Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was confident when he announced he would vote "Yes" two days before the referendum on Sunday. The results confirmed what he might have known through internal polls. The draft constitution passed with 61.4% of the vote, compared to a "No" vote of 38.6% at the time of writing; official results could differ only a little. The voter turnout was 55%, or 27.6 million Thais who came out to cast their vote.

• OPINION

  Denials, blame game won't stop bombings

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 16/08/2016

  » Some days after the Mother's Day blasts and arson attacks in the Upper South and Prachuap Khiri Khan, authorities still can't say with any certainty what happened at each incident, about 15 in all, who the culprits are -- though manhunts are on, and why. No group claimed responsibility or demanded any terms, making it easy for false rumours and conspiracy theories to spread, especially via social media.

First Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next Last