• OPINION

  12 more new laws to really improve Thailand

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 04/06/2013

  » These are some new laws I think Thailand would benefit from. Most regular readers will recognise this as a sequel to my previous articles under the same title.

• OPINION

  Rice scheme critics need a dose of empathy

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 02/07/2013

  » The Yingluck Shinawatra administration's rice-pledging scheme has received virtually universal condemnation from Thailand's intellectual cognoscenti, ranging from university professors to leading figures in prominent think tanks.

• OPINION

  Section 112 hurts more than helps monarchy

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 21/03/2013

  » Three cheers to the producers of the Thai PBS programme on constitutional monarchy and congratulations to the director and the board of governors of Thai PBS for finally allowing the final installment of the series to be televised. I watched the series with delight and, as a taxpayer who funds the Thai PBS, for once thought my hard-earned cash was put to good use producing an informative programme bringing together differing views from the full spectrum of the intellectual cognoscenti.

• OPINION

  Nine laws for a better Thailand

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 02/04/2013

  » Before we invest 2 trillion baht in high-speed rail, we must first be able to have high-speed traffic, high-speed tax refunds, high-speed immigration queues ... and last but not least, high-speed justice. Parliament will be busy over the next few weeks with the usual political bluster surrounding constitutional amendments and massive loans for murky megaprojects. But perhaps our esteemed politicians should first consider some rather more pressing legislative changes, such as the following:

• OPINION

  The will of the people shall not be denied

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 07/05/2013

  » Perhaps it shouldn't surprise me that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would get so much grief from Bangkok's elites, when _ for once in her short political career _ she decided to utter some words (albeit not her own) of actual substance in the so-called "Mongolia Speech".

• OPINION

  Success now comes with a degree in degeneracy

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 05/02/2013

  » Thailand is not a failed state by any stretch of the imagination because the primary institutions of the state _ such as the military, the legislature, and the executive and judicial branches of government _ seem to be, on the surface, functioning well enough.

• THAILAND

  The Democrats' delusion reaches a pinnacle

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 05/03/2013

  » The people of Bangkok have once again resoundingly spoken by re-electing the aristocrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra for a second term as governor of Bangkok. Some of you might be surprised, but in this governor contest I voted for the Democrat Party candidate for the first time since Abhisit Vejjajiva became party leader. Let me explain why.

• OPINION

  How to tell if you're still a farang

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 28/11/2012

  » As a Thai who has spent some time abroad I consider myself able to evaluate whether a farang, (I use this term endearingly) has been properly assimilated into Thai society.

• OPINION

  How about a few new laws for Thailand?

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 19/01/2013

  » The following are some of the new laws which I think if judiciously implemented would make a lot of sense and bring happiness to the general public. No doubt readers will be able to come up with some of their own new laws too.

• OPINION

  Beware politicians' weapons of mass deception

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 04/12/2012

  » The most important role of any democratic citizenry is deciding who you trust to govern your country. This is the ultimate delegation of responsibility. But the process involves an intricate system of evaluating the ability, performance, policy and integrity of the person or party asking for your support. In order to do this vital job properly I think citizens ought to at least be aware of the "weapons of mass deception" that politicians employ to fool us into making uninformed decisions. An inquisitive electorate that asks poignant questions and holds people of authority to account is essential for a thriving democracy. Never blindly hand over the keys to our democracy without close examination, because all that glitters is not gold. As the great communicator Ronald Reagan once said: "Trust but verify."

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