Showing 551 - 560 of 576
Government playing with fire
News, Editorial, Published on 29/04/2016
» The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and government must stop the arbitrary arrest and detention of its critics through the extraordinary powers of Section 44 of the provisional charter or see itself becoming the trigger of a new round of conflicts.
Let the people speak out
News, Editorial, Published on 28/04/2016
» There are roughly three months to go before the country goes to the polls to decide on the fate of the Constitution Drafting Committee's draft constitution. Yet, the current political climate is not conducive for the public to exercise their political rights. Freedom to express views on the draft charter is restricted. Open threats of punitive legal action against those who speak out publicly darken the current atmosphere.
Watana has a point
News, Editorial, Published on 16/04/2016
» The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s summoning of former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook for criticising the draft charter does not augur well for the credibility of the charter referendum.
Gift ban carries risks
News, Editorial, Published on 14/04/2016
» The Super Poll Research Office of former Abac University pollster Noppadol Kannikar came up with an interesting yet questionable opinion poll result regarding the distribution of red Songkran water bowls by two Shinawatra siblings, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, former prime minister Yingluck, to their supporters in the North.
Stop overuse of Section 44
News, Editorial, Published on 09/04/2016
» As the country gears up for a charter referendum that will pave the way for an election, it is imperative that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and government repeal the authoritarian Section 44.
Army should open its ears
News, Editorial, Published on 06/04/2016
» The government has ignored public input on its policies, programmes, projects and, now, the draft constitution. This disregard for citizens' opinions is creating a dangerous atmosphere. Far from "returning happiness to the Thai people" as promised 23 months ago, the military regime since the power putsch has widened the rifts in society. Now, it is also creating rifts where none existed.
Reality puts bite on PM
News, Editorial, Published on 14/03/2016
» While the promised national reconciliation remains distant, the military regime did see two former political enemies find common ground last week. The problem is that former prime ministers Abhisit Vejjajiva and Thaksin Shinawatra only agree on opposition to the regime's current policies. Both claim Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are plotting to extend their power past next year.
'Big Brother' wants more
News, Editorial, Published on 25/02/2016
» One point of the 16-point proposal the cabinet submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) appears to be a move by the military regime to secure its hold on power once the new charter comes into effect. The move has caused an uproar among political and academic circles. Even CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan was surprised by the particular proposal and has sought a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, the government's top legal mind, for clarification.
Strategy bill is misplaced
News, Editorial, Published on 20/02/2016
» The national strategy bill and the centralised 25-member body it proposes to set up will contribute nothing to the country but reel together more layers of red tape to last as long as 20 years.
Referendum must be fair
News, Editorial, Published on 12/02/2016
» It is a welcome sign that the military government has allowed proponents and opponents of the 270-section draft constitution to conduct campaigns in accordance with their beliefs ahead of the referendum tentatively set for the end of July.