Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Malaysia's vote a model for SE Asia
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 11/05/2018
» Southeast Asia has been a hotbed of issues that are not democratic in nature, but Wednesday's outpouring of Malaysia voters, showing their frustration by voting out a government accused of massive corruption, has shown a path for other nations to follow.
Longevity in power is no cure-all
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 19/11/2017
» A common theme of two elder statesmen who were in Bangkok on Thursday to attend the Bangkok Post's first international forum was that leaders need to be in power longer than just one term of 4-5 years so that the policies they implement are longer-term in nature and can help countries move forward.
Voters need to know of any economic hit
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 29/07/2016
» A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to meet the Election Commission (EC) during an event that I had helped organise for the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand.
Standing up for Thailand
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 25/07/2016
» It was about a decade ago that Kowit Sanandang, then the editor of the Bangkok Post, asked me to think of something that would be transformational in the years to come and how the newspaper should cover it. My first thought was of Asia and how it was becoming the engine of growth for the world.
The perils of strongman syndrome
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 16/05/2016
» Last week Asean suffered another blow after the Philippines joined the list of countries under the rule of people who go crazy with power.
Myanmar election hits close to home
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 20/11/2015
» This week was all about democracy in the region, and the biggest news came from one of our Asean member nations, Myanmar, which has finally joined the democratic world after historic elections.
Separating leaders from pretenders
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 01/06/2015
» In more than a year since the coup, there have been only a few times when I could proudly say that this undemocratic government has done something that Thailand could be proud of. Friday's gathering in Bangkok of 17 nations and a handful of international organisations was one such praiseworthy event.
Digital economy is more than a slogan
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 27/10/2014
» Thailand continues to struggle on many fronts, both domestically and internationally, although certain "opinion" polls suggest the public remains deliriously happy with the military regime when asked.
Modi must live up to inspiring words
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 18/08/2014
» The past week was an interesting one for Asia as a whole after the bully of the region responded the way everyone expected it to, rejecting even modest overtures for talks at the Asean Regional Forum in Myanmar.
If Afghans can vote, why can't Thais?
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 21/04/2014
» While Thailand continues to stumble to be taken seriously as a democratic country despite claiming to have had “democracy” for eight decades, other Asian countries are making dramatic changes. Enthusiastic voters in Indonesia and Afghanistan, long seen as political basket cases, have made their voices heard, as have the citizens of India, the world’s largest democracy.