Showing 81 - 90 of 125
Level political playing field
News, Editorial, Published on 19/10/2018
» Despite vehement denials by his close aides that Prime Minister and regime leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's social media campaign is all about his political future, the facts speak for themselves.Gen Prayut's launch of personal Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts over the weekend has caused a major stir.
Only a total ban lift will do
News, Editorial, Published on 30/08/2018
» After having imposed its political ban for more than four years, the continued reluctance of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to restore full political rights and freedom of expression to the Thai people and political parties has raised grave concerns about a hidden agenda.
More empty NCPO threats
News, Editorial, Published on 02/08/2018
» The infamous "legal department" of the military regime has unveiled its new target of political bullying: The Future Forward Party. Led by Col Burin Thongprapai, the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) legal team has filed a police complaint against three members of the party accusing them of provoking public disturbances and violating the Computer Crime Act over some remarks on June 29.
Bank on right track with transparency
News, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2018
» It is not often to see the Bank of Thailand (BoT) announce its intervention in the Thai currency even though such practice is a normal duty of a central bank.
Playing field tilted to regime
News, Editorial, Published on 05/07/2018
» No matter how many former MPs the newly formed "three amigos" political group, or Sam Mitr, will eventually recruit for Phalang Pracharat, their alleged actions seem contrary to the spirit of the election law and the political ban -- both of which are the work of the military regime.
A summit to prevent war
News, Editorial, Published on 31/05/2018
» It is taking feverish preparations to bring about the June 12 Singapore summit between the two most extroverted world political leaders. Presumably, US President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un are back on schedule for their meeting. It is necessary to say "presumably" because this summit has gone from impossibility to certainty, then from unlikely to cancelled, and now "back on schedule". Two weeks out, the summit offers some promise of being the most important such meeting of our age.
Coup regime turns four
News, Editorial, Published on 22/05/2018
» Tuesday is the fourth anniversary of the military coup d'etat by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. It is no cause for celebration. Indeed, protesters will be active today, demanding that Gen Prayut live up to his promise for a return to democratic principles, starting with a free and fair general election. Now the prime minister, Gen Prayut has promised elections every year since he seized control of government, yet he still refuses to set a date.
P-Move close in on dream
News, Editorial, Published on 16/05/2018
» The government did the right thing to reverse Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remarks and speak in good faith with P-Move representatives. Gen Prayut was wrong and unnecessarily abusive when he accused them of protesting in order to demand handouts. The People's Movement for a Just Society, to use P-Move's full name, is once again trying to right old wrongs. Now, thanks to clearer thinking, it may be possible.
Keep your powder dry
News, Editorial, Published on 29/03/2018
» Conservationists and citizens have good reason for the current outrage over the recent poaching case at Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. The shooting of the extremely rare black leopard in itself was a despicable act. Skinning and eating the big cat, as well as killing a deer and pheasant, showed a contempt for the law, nature and sheer decency. Worried about a whitewash, the country's best-known conservationist wants to organise a major public demonstration of concern.
Premchai a liability to his own business
Oped, Editorial, Published on 11/02/2018
» TIT, or “This is Thailand”, is the phrase that has been commonly used here for years when people make fun of the country’s law enforcement, supposedly good governance and other systems. During the past few months, Thailand has been caught in the debate on how the law and the government are going to deal with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, who has been caught wearing 25 luxury watches worth close to 40 million baht in total but had failed to include them in his assets declaration. The agency which is investigating the case against him is led by his former secretary, while his alibi has been that he had borrowed the watches from his friends, one of whom has passed away.