Showing 11 - 20 of 26
No safe spaces in our faux democracy
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 18/09/2019
» As Asean chair, a Thailand governed by an "elected government" should have been well-suited to hosting meetings between governments and people from the region, and allowing those suppressed in their home countries to voice their plight and needs here.
Broaden the tax base, don't cut the rates
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/07/2019
» The delivery of the Phalang Pracharath Party (PPRP)-led government policy manifesto last week, and a pledge by the party during its election campaign to cut personal income tax rates, gained the public's attention as taxpayers started to ask it to fulfil the promise.
Apathy fuelling renewed culture of violence
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 01/07/2019
» 'He deserves it." That was the response -- with apparent satisfaction -- from netizens regarding a brutal physical attack on pro-democracy activist Sirawith "Ja New" Seritiwat by four unidentified men on Friday who hit him with baseball bats. The comments were made after pictures surfaced on social media showing Mr Sirawith unconscious and covered in blood.
Prayut's many critics are just warming up
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 10/06/2019
» Despite his political triumph in becoming the country's 30th prime minister, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha on June 5 experienced a challenge he has not encountered before in more than five years of his regime rule.
Gender equity push must start in the House
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 03/06/2019
» The status of women in Thai parliament has long been compared to that of an "ornamental plant", or mere decorative object.
Seat selections see political ethics hit nadir
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 13/05/2019
» The country's political ethics reached a new low after the Election Commission (EC) and the military government chose, respectively, to award MP and Senate seats to people who may not be qualified.
Political 'cobras' are poisoning our democracy
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 01/04/2019
» People who are familiar with Thai politics must know the metaphor ngu hao, literally cobra, which implies betrayal, dirty political games and bargaining.
Will ‘welfare state’ promises be honoured?
Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 25/03/2019
» Following the general election yesterday, elected politicians will be closely watched how and whether they will keep the many promises made during their poll campaigns. One is their pledge to make Thailand a “welfare state”. Pheu Thai vows to improve the existing Universal Healthcare Coverage scheme, initiated by its precursor Thai Rak Thai. It also came up with a fresh idea of a “lottery savings” scheme that will encourage personal savings through the purchase of a lottery ticket.
The same old trick won't fly in March polls
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 18/03/2019
» With just another five days to go before Thailand's first general elections in about eight years, the competition among political parties is heating up as each tries to court as many votes as it can from their public.
TRC's loss no win for pro-regime camp
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 11/03/2019
» The hashtag "Dissolved to death yet I still won't vote for Uncle" topped Thailand's trending topics chart after the Constitutional Court dissolved the anti-regime Thai Raksa Chart (TRC) party last Thursday for its nomination of Princess Ubolratana as the party's prime ministerial candidate -- a verdict that was met with emotional reactions from TRC supporters.