Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Levelling out Thailand's political seesaw
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 25/04/2018
» Finally, the State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act of 2018 has taken effect, despite criticism about the controversial clause that virtually bans populist policies. It is seen as an attempt by the ruling regime under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to limit the role of elected representatives in turning campaign promises into government policies. With that, a democratic principle turns upside down.
Military treats democracy like a video game
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/06/2017
» Our leaders handle politics as if it were a video game. There is a reset button. Everything can be reset to zero -- and we start all over again.
Politicians' motives reflect their constituents
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 06/06/2017
» Three contesting parties for political power are at a junction leading to the general election and a return to democracy next year.
Local governing bodies badly need reform
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 04/04/2017
» Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon recently sent up a trial balloon on the possibility of calling elections for local administration organisations before the general elections. His line of thought is that if the local elected bodies are in place before the national body, national politicians will not be able to manipulate local politicians during their poll campaign.
'Reset' by charter drafters fails to deliver
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 22/11/2016
» The Constitution Drafting Committee's (CDC) current effort to deliberate the draft organic laws to "reset" independent organisations fails to touch on anything of real substance.
Regime should exploit 'win' to forge unity
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/08/2016
» No wonder Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was confident when he announced he would vote "Yes" two days before the referendum on Sunday. The results confirmed what he might have known through internal polls. The draft constitution passed with 61.4% of the vote, compared to a "No" vote of 38.6% at the time of writing; official results could differ only a little. The voter turnout was 55%, or 27.6 million Thais who came out to cast their vote.