Showing 91 - 100 of 104
Policy momentum flounders after amnesty debacle
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/11/2013
» Even before its peddlers in parliament made a panicky retreat, the expansive amnesty bill to absolve all those involved in Thailand's political conflict going back to 2004 already yielded longer-term ramifications.
The politics behind Thailand's amnesty controversy
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/11/2013
» Thaksin Shinawatra has achieved a feat undoable by other Thais. By trying to absolve himself of a criminal conviction and other alleged crimes and infractions, Thaksin has united his rank-and-file supporters and opponents.
Government meddling harms unity efforts
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 14/08/2013
» The tendency of governments to shoot themselves in the foot never ceases to amaze. In Thailand's latest high-profile case of official self-affliction, the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra lost the plot when it tried to rope in key domestic power brokers to work on a "political reform council" and invited prominent international figures to promote reconciliation and unity. Conflating these two parallel tracks of reform and compromise has led to controversy and confusion. The best way for the Yingluck government to ensure the utility and effectiveness of these exercises is to get out of the way completely.
Election in little Cambodia has bigger implications
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 02/08/2013
» The preliminary election results in Cambodia are tantamount to a political lightning strike on the incumbent regime of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the country's electoral strongman who has been at the helm for close to three decades.
Thailand needs viable electoral alternatives
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 28/06/2013
» After some months of relative calm following turmoil and mayhem in recent years, Thai politics is heating up again.
Cooperation key at Preah Vihear, whatever ICJ decides
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 22/04/2013
» Few matters of international importance have captivated national attention in Thailand quite like the televised contest over the Preah Vihear temple area at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week.
Thailand's stalemate and uneasy accommodation
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/02/2013
» Thailand has regained relative calm and stability over the past year. After the worst floods in half a century subsided in early 2012, on the back of political crisis and turmoil that date back to 2005, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government has some breathing space to roll out its consumption-driven "populist" policy agenda.
Speaking peace to Asean
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 01/02/2013
» Never before in its 45 years of existence has the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) received so much public attention in Thailand.
Cultivating the major powers
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 26/10/2012
» Among the countries of Southeast Asia, Thailand holds special and resilient relationships with all of the major powers that are the region's movers and shakers.
New great game in mainland Southeast Asia
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/10/2012
» After more than a year in office with an overwhelming electoral mandate, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has parlayed her solidifying domestic standing for growing international credibility.