Showing 11 - 20 of 298
PM tenure a timebomb
Oped, Editorial, Published on 30/09/2021
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's controversial tenure is set to become another political timebomb that might plunge the country into crisis.
Thai charter changes without reform
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 25/06/2021
» In view of the ongoing parliamentary debate about constitutional revisions, it has become the consensus that the 2017 charter is flawed and in need of change. At issue is the nature and extent of charter amendments. What is being proposed can be categorised into three positions -- those favouring amendments without fundamental reforms and others who want reforms with all necessary amendments, with some advocating measures in between. Owing to the powers of incumbency, status quo proponents aligned with the coalition government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha are likely to carry the day, thereby stoking political tensions to manifest on the horizon.
The anatomy of waning youth protests
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/03/2021
» By all accounts, Thailand's youth protest movement over the past year has lost steam. Its key leaders have been charged on anti-monarchy grounds and jailed without bail, while the rank-and-file are demoralised, still on the move but in thin numbers. On the other side, the incumbent centres of power have reasserted control and put down what at its peak was the most vociferous and vigorous anti-establishment movement Thailand had seen in decades.
Charter rejig ties MPs up in knots
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 01/03/2021
» Staunch royalist and conformist Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn recently complained about he and his colleagues' failed attempts to make the amendment of the 2017 military-sponsored constitution more difficult.
In our politics, time really can stand still
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 13/02/2021
» A number of political developments, ie the waning pro-reform movement and the major loss of the Move Forward Party in local elections, may have given the Prayut Chan-o-cha government and the Palang Pracharath Party such a false sense of confidence that they feel they can now move to delay the process of rewriting the constitution.
Hopes dim for better charter
News, Editorial, Published on 10/12/2020
» The constitution has always been part and parcel of the country's political crisis. It's therefore no surprise that salvation also lies in the hope that a new, fair and inclusive charter will materialise soon.
Give 'people's draft' a chance
News, Editorial, Published on 17/11/2020
» After weeks of uncertainty and speculation, the fate of seven charter amendment drafts will soon be decided, as parliament reconvenes today specifically to deliberate on the matter.
This year must not see a repeat of 1976
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 15/08/2020
» If Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is really serious about averting the current political crisis stemming from the confrontation between pro-democracy and right-wing factions, he must immediately take steps to have the charter rewritten and set up a drafting panel.
A charter for the people
News, Editorial, Published on 06/03/2020
» In June 2016, 13 activists were arrested for distributing "Vote No" leaflets in Bangkok in the lead-up to the constitutional referendum. They were charged with the crime of "breaking the law".
Military 'efficiency' will torpedo EEC
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 21/08/2019
» Since being initiated by technocrats and the previous government in 2015, the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has been touted as a new special economic zone that will transform Thailand into a high-tech economy.