Showing 11 - 16 of 16
Defeating big brother
News, Editorial, Published on 25/12/2017
» The men who stood up so dauntlessly to defeat a despicable proposal in the anti-graft organic bill in the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA) last week deserve the nation's gratitude. Earlier, a small group of the junta-backed legislature had suddenly produced the proposal as a last-minute addition to the bill to authorise widespread and unregulated wiretapping. It would have enabled the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to launch surveillance against, literally, anyone or any group. Worst of all, there was no provision for oversight. The proposal deserved to be shot down, and one must hope it will never resurface.
Hun Sen's attack may provoke revolt
News, Editorial, Published on 22/10/2017
» Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's political purges against his political opposition reached a dreadful point, another uglier turn, on Friday. The Senate, by 40 out of 60 members, voted to pass controversial amendments to the law on political parties, allowing the redistribution of MP seats of any dissolved party to minor parties.
Unity chances fading fast
News, Editorial, Published on 26/07/2017
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has signed off on his twin plans for national strategy and national reform, the two bills for which are awaiting royal endorsement. But the premier surely realises that his other goal -- unity building -- is fraught with problems. Events beyond his direct control have harmed chances of national reconciliation. The prime minister's actions, however, have made his goal increasingly unrealistic.
The temple of doom
News, Editorial, Published on 09/05/2016
» It is impossible to know what got into the minds of those behind the construction of the scale model of Preah Vihear. The chosen site alone seems an obvious jibe at Cambodia. The mini-version of Cambodia's second most loved ancient site went up in secret. It was unveiled in the media including the front page of this newspaper on April 25, then within hours was closed to the public. Last week the order came to tear it down, setting an apparent record for the shortest-lived "tourist attraction" in Thai history.
Top cops fail Chitpas test
News, Editorial, Published on 26/09/2015
» Top cops at the national police force may let out a sigh of relief now that controversial former protest leader Chitpas Kridakorn has withdrawn her application for a deputy police inspector post.
Suthep is a step behind
News, Editorial, Published on 03/08/2015
» The meeting and the statements by Suthep Thaugsuban and his reconstituted People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) pose a problem for the military regime. In order to regain the public spotlight, Mr Suthep had to promise something he could not deliver — a presentation without politics. He then proceeded not to deliver it. Mr Suthep's "political" meeting should, however, convince the military to allow such meetings and statements for all.