Showing 1 - 10 of 14
What's the right kind of love for King and country?
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 05/12/2015
» When it comes to fierce, honest debates, the clashing of opposing ideas and rousing Churchillian speeches, nobody does it better than the British House of Commons.
Regime cyber walls risk freezing Thailand's progress
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 06/10/2015
» The single internet gateway fiasco has unmasked what the military regime envisages as the kind of society Thailand should be. A single path towards "happiness", a single roadmap to Thai-style democracy, a single mindset for "Thainess", governed by a single internet gateway to ensure only the "right" information is consumed by society.
We need a British governance model, not North Korean
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 09/09/2015
» Last week I was honoured to have been invited to speak at The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), along with distinguished panelists like Khun Burin Kantabutra and ML Nattakorn Devakula. It was an evening of insightful discussion on the uncertain future Thailand faces, especially in light of the new constitution, which was evidently stillborn on Sunday.
Without change the Democrat Party faces irrelevance
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 04/08/2015
» Does anybody really think that political progress is conceivable without also reforming the Democrat Party? As they say, "honesty is an expensive gift, so never expect it from cheap people". Well, here is my gift of honesty.
Setting the record straight on my conservative roots
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 05/05/2015
» On Thursday, the United Kingdom will go to the polls in what looks to be one of the most closely contested general elections in British history.
Thailand should steadfastly reject 'the China model'
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 25/02/2015
» Thailand is now becoming increasingly isolated by the West. We have effectively been subjected to a "democracy downgrade", which has pushed us ever closer into the sinister embrace of Asia's only superpower, China. Thailand continues to do what we do best, play one side off against the other. But recent overtures to China by the junta and the unrestrained lauding of what is termed "the China model" as a suitable system of government for Thailand, have made me sick to my stomach.
In the Thai political rule book, not all crimes are equal
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 19/02/2015
» The year 2015 is a rather special year for students of British history like myself, because it marks the 50th anniversary since the death of Sir Winston Churchill and the 750th anniversary of a much less celebrated but equally vital historical landmark called the de Montfort Parliament.
Thailand can learn from my hero, Winston Churchill
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 03/02/2015
» This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of arguably the greatest Briton that ever lived. Those who read my column will know that I have often quoted Sir Winston Churchill, because I find his life and the principles he stood for mesmerising. Churchill personified the greatness of the British Empire and his death in 1965 marked its spiritual end. I wholeheartedly believe that our anaemic leaders in Thailand should study his legacy, because even half a century after his death, Churchillian principles still have the unique ability to inspire.
Thailand after six months behind the iron curtain
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 28/11/2014
» We have marked six months since Thailand ventured into dangerous − but historically familiar − political waters. Slowly, but surely, an iron curtain has descended upon this country, snuffing out many forms of civil liberties we once took for granted.
In decrying corruption, elites must show consistency
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 22/03/2014
» Let me be clear: I despise corruption and suffer from it like the rest of us. Let me be even clearer: I’d like to see Thailand rid itself of the deeply corrupt and incompetent elements of the “Thaksin regime”.