Showing 1,351 - 1,360 of 1,387
Populism casts shadow over Thai politics
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 19/12/2018
» Initially, after the 2014 military coup, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave us reason to hope that he could bring about drastic changes to Thailand's political norms -- among these, an "addiction" to populist policies.
EC must show full fairness
News, Editorial, Published on 19/12/2018
» The Election Commission members are hosts and controversial participants in a vital meeting on Wednesday. The full seven-member EC is to meet with political parties on rules, methods and procedures of the just-stirring campaign and election day events. But the EC will be in the hot seat. Some of its early rules on electioneering have given the impression of favouritism.
Social media the theatre of 'Information World War'
News, Published on 19/12/2018
» A year ago, in his annual New Year's resolution post, Mark Zuckerberg pledged to spend 2018 fixing Facebook by addressing foreign manipulation, election interference and other threats. He and other tech leaders should probably renew that vow for 2019, and 2020, and possibly every year after that.
Re-imagining Taiwan's ties with Asean
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 18/12/2018
» Taiwan's relationship with Southeast Asia is moving towards a new dynamic. It is no longer confined to trade, investment or the long-standing one-China policy. Now, it is all about people-to-people relations, as more Southeast Asians are coming to the island to work, study and settle down. They are collectively known locally as sin tai-ker or new Taiwan's guests.
PM lacking confidence despite loaded deck
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 17/12/2018
» In the upcoming Feb 24 general election, one retired general does not need a big win if he wants to become prime minister. Under the current constitution, he just needs a small share of votes, 126 out of the 500 MP seats up for grabs. Yet, there have been an endless series of (presumably dirty) tricks and (shrewdly planted) traps to emerge over the past month which have been seen as efforts to help him gain this small win. Why?
The torture of Theresa May as Brexit drama unfolds
News, John Lloyd, Published on 17/12/2018
» Now is the time for all good citizens to put their elected politicians on the rack. Torture is what tyrants visited -- and, often, still visit -- upon real or presumed enemies among their own people. But subjecting their leaders to prolonged public humiliation has come to be a default position among democracies. None knows this better than the United Kingdom's Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Time for Prayut to show his integrity
News, Editorial, Published on 16/12/2018
» As the country gears up for an election, initially expected to take place late February next year, the military regime under Prime Minister Chan-o-cha should learn about the political etiquette that obliges it to refrain from the business-as-usual edict in running state affairs.
EC needs to be impartial
News, Editorial, Published on 15/12/2018
» This year, two individuals have set extraordinary examples for Thai people, demonstrating that integrity and honesty are traits that matter for those in or running for public office.
An ex-cop who has no fear of the generals
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 14/12/2018
» Over the past four and a half years of military government, the Thai people have been physically cowed. Sure, there are many, possibly a silent majority, who may be waiting for the poll to have their say in opposition to the military junta that seized power in May 2014, led by then-army chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the incumbent prime minister. But few have been able and willing to stand up and stare down the ruling generals who routinely resort to intimidation and coercion, armed with guns and the law, which they sometimes interpret as they see fit. Just about everyone in Thailand is physically afraid of the junta in one way or another. Otherwise, there would have been more anti-junta demonstrations in public view.
Think about those stuck in the middle
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 14/12/2018
» Economic expert Banyong Pongpanich's claim that Thailand's inequality gap is the worst in the world, based on figures from the 2018 Global Wealth Databook by Credit Suisse (CS), has taken social media by storm.