Showing 1 - 10 of 2,353
Thai foreign policy needs new rudder
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/09/2024
» Thailand's foreign policy posture and projection under Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the new government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is off to a good start under severe structural constraints. Given the widespread consensus both at home and abroad that Thailand has fallen behind its peers over the past two decades, the imperative of regaining its international standing is undisputed. But doing so under what the foreign minister has outlined as a "neutral stance" under "non-alignment" among the great powers is moot and misguided. What Thai foreign policy needs is multi-alignments and omni-directionality under a new rudder.
Charter push is risky
News, Editorial, Published on 23/09/2024
» It is rare to see a ruling party and a main opposition party join hands in rewriting the constitution. But such is the case with the Pheu Thai Party and the People's Party, a reincarnation of the Move Forward Party, as they push with all their might to amend some sections of the junta-sponsored 2017 constitution.
Solving the Myanmar migrant surge
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/09/2024
» With the civil conflict in Myanmar showing no signs of abating soon, Thailand faces formidable challenges in irregular migration from the country. Without adequate and sustainable solutions, Thailand's overall development, including its economy, society, and security, will be seriously impacted.
Belief in the 'middle way'
Published on 08/09/2024
» Re: "Thailand's Dhammacracy", (PostBag, Sept 1).
Follow-ups needed
Oped, Postbag, Published on 07/09/2024
» Re: "Seed bomb threat to forest ecology", (Editorial, Sept 2), "Hilltop plot seized after landslides", (BP, 2 Sept) & "Phuket Buddha site ordered closed due to landslide risks", (BP, Sept 3).
Govt faces reshuffle risk
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/09/2024
» The upcoming annual military reshuffle is being watched by political pundits and society because it will happen during the tenure of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a daughter of former PM Thaksin and a niece of former PM Yingluck.
Srettha Thavisin fell to hidden forces
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 30/08/2024
» Hindsight is likely to place Srettha Thavisin in Thai political annals as a prime minister who tried his best but ultimately succumbed to forces way beyond his control. While his nearly 12-month tenure in office came up short on policy deliverables, it nevertheless reset Thailand's foreign policy projection on Myanmar amid more omnidirectional relations with the major powers.
Thaksin reclaims political centre stage
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 24/08/2024
» As the Pheu Thai Party was busy forming a new cabinet, Thaksin Shinawatra re-consolidated his power in the blink of an eye. Few, if any, political observers would have imagined this phenomenon in almost two decades of colour-coded politics that saw Thaksin, for much of that time, living in self-imposed exile.
Thai politics has turned upside down
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 23/08/2024
» The rise of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the return -- and re-entry, of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, have turned Thai politics upside down. On the surface, Mr Thaksin still dominates Thai politics nearly 20 years after he was deposed by a military coup and exiled for most of that period. This time, his political power and influence are being exercised through his daughter Ms Paetongtarn. As the Shinawatra clan has been coopted by its former establishment adversaries, the past two decades of periodic elections, street protests, two military coups, two constitutions, and multiple judicial bans on political parties and elected politicians have entered a new chapter.
Dhaka's role in Myanmar's crisis
Oped, Published on 23/08/2024
» As Bangladesh ushers in a new era of leadership under Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, the world watches with hope and anticipation. His leadership, emerging from a period of student-led protests and political upheaval, symbolises a triumph of democracy and justice in a region long plagued by strife. But as Bangladesh looks inward to heal and rebuild, there is an urgent call for its new leadership to turn its gaze toward a neighbour in dire need -- Myanmar.