Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Army unwilling to yield to democracy
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 31/07/2019
» For the country like Thailand where the military staged two putsches within the past 13 years, a coup d'état should no longer be necessary.
British, Thai democratic systems can't be compared
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 30/05/2019
» The National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) appointment of their allies, friends and family members to sit in the 250-member Senate has turned the NCPO members, particularly its leader and incumbent premier Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha into the subjects of accusations of nepotism.
Poll positions
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 16/07/2018
» The Asean political calendar is a busy one over the next 12 months, with much riding on the outcome in at least three countries.
Mission from Moscow
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 02/04/2018
» As China continues to expand its influence in Asia, and at a time when some are questioning the continuing commitment of the United States, Russia is quietly building up its presence in the region.
Lese majeste law and reality
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 26/03/2018
» The lese majeste law in Thailand is a sensitive subject that most people prefer to avoid talking about. Under Article 112 of the criminal code, anyone can file a lese majeste complaint against anyone else and the police are obligated to investigate every single complaint. The courts can sentence anyone who "defames, insults or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent or the regent" to jail terms of between three and 15 years.
Can anyone help Suu Kyi?
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 02/10/2017
» There are questions that beg answers from Myanmar's elected government. If there is no genocide, then why have 500,000 people fled their homes? If there is nothing to hide, why can't journalists go and see for themselves without strict supervision? Why did Aung San Suu Kyi postpone a planned United Nations visit to Rakhine state last week?
History can't be erased with a plaque
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 24/04/2017
» The disappearance of the 1932 Siamese Revolutionary memorial plaque says a lot about anyone who removed it. But, first of all and let's get it of the way, removing the plaque does not mean that you are removing the history it represents.
BBC not very convincing about station
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 13/03/2017
» Even though the government has insisted it was the BBC's own decision to not renew the 20-year lease of a major shortwave broadcast station for Asia in Nakhon Sawan, many see it as the latest jab that the junta has carefully landed on the face of the British broadcaster.
The curse of corruption
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 30/01/2017
» Lately we are hearing more about corruption scandals across Asia and, sadly, we will probably be hearing more. The mother of them all is the long-running saga of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), one of the world's largest white-collar crimes.