Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Economic prosperity is in the eye of beholder
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 23/05/2018
» With GDP growth in the first quarter of this year reaching 4.8% year-on-year, the regime under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha may believe it has good reason to boast of its performance, especially when it is marking its fourth year in power. But wait, such economic prosperity may not be the reality for many.
Somyot loans expose patronage roots
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 07/02/2018
» The admission of former national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang that he borrowed 300 million baht from a fugitive massage parlour tycoon reminds us how deeply the patronage system is entrenched in Thai society.
PAD's hypocrisy in respecting court rulings
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 09/08/2017
» The bitter complaints from the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) against the recent ruling by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions that favoured its rival paint a clear picture of the political divide Thailand is trapped in.
Keeping a lid on state rice stock scandals
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 19/07/2017
» Even though the military government has vowed to push for reforms in a number of key areas, it seems to have overlooked a critical issue also in need of reform: The management of the state's rice stockpiles.
We need to stop putting a price on education
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 28/06/2017
» Last weekend, I had the chance to discuss with my old friend the hot-button issue that made headlines last week -- pae jia, or tea money, whereby parents pay to secure school places for their children.
'Secret' submarine buy erodes public trust
News, Soonruth Bunyamanee, Published on 26/04/2017
» The decision of the military regime to approve the procurement of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China in what has been seen as a cover-up comes at a high price: public trust.