Showing 1 - 10 of 298
Reconfiguring Thailand's constitution
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 18/01/2024
» A key debate this year will be the question of constitutional reform. The current constitution -- the 20th -- is the product of a coup d'etat.
Respect the charter
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/07/2023
» A parliamentary resolution on Wednesday that rejected the renomination of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister has perplexed most, if not all, legal experts in the country, many of whom may be wondering if it complies with the 2017 charter.
Charter a straitjacket on democracy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/05/2023
» The military-appointed constitution drafting committee that was set up after the coup in 2014 surely knew what it was doing. It crafted a charter in 2017 that now acts as a straitjacket on Thailand's democratic outcome from the general election last Sunday.
Quit delaying the anti-torture law
News, Editorial, Published on 29/01/2023
» The long-awaited anti-torture law is set to take effect next month. However, the Royal Thai Police is requesting a delay in its enforcement, citing a lack of readiness. The government must reject this request as it is a last-ditch effort to preserve the police's often violent interrogation tactics and culture of impunity.
PPRP's break-up all part of the 'plan'
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 19/11/2022
» When all the Apec summit formalities are over, it's likely Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will make the uncertainty about his political future clearer, particularly over whether he will cut links with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and align with the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (RTSCP), recently set up by his close aides. One thing is clear, he has no plan to leave politics.
Silently complicit in a far-fetched ruling
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 03/10/2022
» The Constitutional Court's ruling that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's eight-year term in office did not expire on Aug 24 and that he can stay on is far-fetched.
Curtain falling for old power cliques
Oped, Published on 10/09/2022
» With public anxiety growing over the future of Prayut Chan-o-cha in the role of prime minister, society has become shrouded with rumour and speculation.
Good leaders always know when to quit
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 13/08/2022
» The political temperature is rising ahead of Aug 24 -- a date that will likely decide the fate of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's political career, as well as the country's future political landscape.
Tackling the controversial NGO law
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 06/01/2022
» Does Thailand need a law to regulate the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), otherwise known as non-profit organisations (NPOs)? A draft law has emerged recently which is causing a lot of headaches for civil society. The cabinet on Tuesday approved this draft in principle; it is now being forwarded to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for a public hearing, before it is sent to parliament for final approval. The authorities claim the new law is required to make the work of NGOs more transparent and to counter money-laundering.
Clear up tenure doubt
News, Editorial, Published on 03/01/2022
» The length of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's tenure is back under the spotlight, after a legal team from the House of Representatives claimed that he is entitled to serve as premier until 2027.