Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Major parties in battle to repel NCPO attack
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 04/04/2018
» At the end of March, 97 political groups applied to be registered as political parties. Come April, public attention has turned to existing political parties whose party members are required to reconfirm their membership status. These are some of the steps the military regime under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has taken to manipulate our politics ahead of the election next year.
Playing with taxes could prove costly
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 21/03/2017
» ' In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," Benjamin Franklin once wrote. However, as the Reaper is sure to collect the dead, governments may not always be able to do the same with taxes.
Short-sighted policies will not help poor
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 29/11/2016
» In its last-ditch effort to spur economic growth, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government is banking on spending in the consumption sector as it offers another cash handout package for the urban poor. Such a one-off package, which will be disbursed by next month, will not create sustained economic opportunities for low-income earners.
Rice politics and the death of Thai farmers
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 01/11/2016
» The latest dramatic fall in the price of rice could not have come at a worse time for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Hawaii-gate shows regime dangers of 'perks'
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/10/2016
» Public attention has been riveted on the high-profile trip to Hawaii of Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon to attend the Asean–US Defence Informal Meeting although those involved have made a massive attempt to downplay it.
No room for hypocrisy in anti-graft junta
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 27/09/2016
» Last Sunday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returned home from his US trip into the eye of storm. The recent controversies surrounding family members of his younger brother, defence permanent secretary Preecha Chan-o-cha, have diverted public attention from what he tried to achieve at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. With his anti-graft mandate, Gen Prayut has a tough choice to make or he could risk the legitimacy of his government.
Thai politics needs room to thrive, mature
Oped, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/09/2016
» Since the draft constitution gained public approval in the Aug 7 referendum, discussions have now shifted towards the organic laws, in particular the one on political parties.
Governor's errors play into NCPO's hands
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 30/08/2016
» Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is the latest to fall under the sword of Section 44. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), issued an order suspending him from work without pay. The suspension is supposed to be temporary until further notice.
Free speech will pave way for tidy NCPO exit
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 23/08/2016
» Since the first day Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power on May 22, 2014, his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government have rounded up political dissenters from all walks of life.