Showing 71 - 80 of 89
Charter rewrite backtracking a mistake
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 26/09/2020
» A political crisis seems unavoidable after politicians in the government coalition and the military-appointed Senate colluded in a charter rewrite vote which, in effect, slows down the rewrite process by another month.
Govt and Senate are playing with fire
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 12/09/2020
» While the movement for charter amendment as demanded by student activists appears to be gaining steam, with the formation of a constitutional drafting panel under way, there are signs some senators may already be backpedalling. There are suspicions this may be a tactic by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government to derail the process.
Cracks forming among opposition allies
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 29/08/2020
» Now is a turbulent time, not only for the government, which has encountered a plethora of challenges, for example the student rallies and the economic downturn, but also for the opposition bloc with regard to widening divisions between two major parties -- Pheu Thai and Move Forward -- as they compete for the leading role in the students' pro-democracy rallies.
Resignations a reality check for Prayut
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 18/07/2020
» The resignation of Uttama Savanayana from the finance portfolio and the team under Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak from the party and the cabinet is a sign of cracks appearing in the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP).
'Care' already being taken for next poll
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 04/07/2020
» The emergence of Care, a new political group in the political arena under a Pheu Thai breakaway faction, gives a strong impression that politicians are gearing up for the next election.
A reshuffle must be in the public interest
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 20/06/2020
» Even if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha makes it loud and clear he does not want to reshuffle the cabinet, the ongoing political turbulence will likely force him to rejig the portfolios, and that will likely occur very soon. Observers believe it could happen within a month.
Prawit push in PPRP war could backfire
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 06/06/2020
» The power struggle within the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is an attestation to how politicians are stuck in "old politics", with factions fighting one another, amassing personal gain, as well as gaining access to cabinet positions.
Covid-19 confusion risks doom for govt
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 14/03/2020
» With the Covid-19 outbreak slowly getting out of hand, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government is experiencing a crisis of confidence. State agencies tasked with disease control have been underperforming, a testament to a lack of unity and policy direction. The government has failed to clearly communicate with the people, and that has been intensifying public confusion. The worst part is that there is speculation that some public figures have been shamefully cashing in on the situation. An investigation is underway to prove if those in the face-mask hoarding racket have connections with someone in the cabinet.
Voices of student dissent must be heard
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 29/02/2020
» Since the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP) on Feb 21, Thai society has witnessed an escalating challenge to the Prayut Chan-o-cha government by university students across the country. Now a number of school students have joined the bandwagon with a series of flash mobs.
Korn's Democrat exit could let him shine
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 18/01/2020
» The surprise departure of Korn Chatikavanij from the Democrats deals a heavy blow to the oldest political party which was already struggling in an unfavourable political atmosphere. The bold move, however, gives the prominent politician a new opportunity with speculation rife he is about to found a new party. Political observers also foresee the possibility of Mr Korn becoming a new choice for PM in the next election.