Showing 1 - 10 of 50
Still in dark over oath
News, Editorial, Published on 20/09/2019
» The single most crucial matter that should have come out of Wednesday's parliamentary debate on the prime minister's oath blunder is simple -- Gen Prayut's assurance that he and his government will abide by the constitution. That can put any wild speculation about a possible putsch and anxiety about prolonged political uncertainty to rest.
Gen Prayut's uncommon dictatorship
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/02/2019
» When confronted with the contention that Thailand's upcoming election is rigged and manipulated, the insiders and advisers of the Thai government will say otherwise. They argue that this poll is no more rigged than its predecessors and the incumbents and power holders of the day will naturally and understandably arrange for constitutional laws and election rules to be written to suit their interests and boost their poll chances. Some of this rationalisation is true, but most of it is self-interested hogwash.
Section 279 must go
News, Editorial, Published on 13/12/2018
» As political parties gear up for their election campaigns ahead of the Feb 24 poll, a rare meeting of minds has emerged this week among three key parties. The Democrat, Future Forward and Pheu Thai parties, who habitually disagree on contentious issues, have agreed on the need for constitutional amendments and the removal of the regime's seeping Section 44 orders. They all said they would prioritise these tasks if elected to the Lower House.
Trapped in a gilded cage of complacency
News, Published on 08/02/2018
» Across the globe, democracy, freedoms and the rule of law are collapsing. Our planet is suffering from increasing uncontrolled migration due to resource extraction limits and global climate change which is compounding rising authoritarianism and xenophobia in countries like Myanmar. Thailand, a key middle power in Southeast Asia with great potential to lead, remains trapped in a golden cage of complacency.
Decline and fall
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 04/02/2018
» It now becomes pretty predictable, until the moment of push comes to shove-them-out. The form of the actual end game remains unknown but the beginning has ended, and the end has begun.
Incoming Amlo board chairman draws scrutiny
News, King-oua Laohong, Published on 09/10/2017
» The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) board drew wide attention when it appointed its former secretary-general Pol Gen Chaiya Siriampankul as board chairman last week.
PAD's hypocrisy in respecting court rulings
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 09/08/2017
» The bitter complaints from the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against the recent ruling by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions that favoured its rival paint a clear picture of the political divide Thailand is trapped in.
Military treats democracy like a video game
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/06/2017
» Our leaders handle politics as if it were a video game. There is a reset button. Everything can be reset to zero -- and we start all over again.
Three questionable years under NCPO rule
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/05/2017
» May 22 will mark the third anniversary of the 2014 coup that saw the country switch to authoritarian mode under the stewardship of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Even with a new constitution now in place, the regime is relentlessly maintaining its tight control into a fourth and final year -- that is if a general election is called in accordance with the timetable of the charter.
Prayut keeps S44 powers, refuses to set election date
Kyodo News, Published on 07/04/2017
» In a speech to the country following Thursday's promulgation of the constitution, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said it is too early to set the exact date of the next general election as there are many political tasks to be completed.