Showing 201 - 210 of 229
Learning from a long history of coups
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/06/2014
» As Thailand’s latest coup bears striking similarities and differences to its dozen precursors, it behooves the National Council for Peace and Order to learn from the past. The military’s seizure of power on May 22 is now accompanied by daunting challenges and pitfalls that are consequential for all who want to see Thailand regain its democratic traction and way forward.
There’s no cure-all for political quagmire
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 16/05/2014
» As its political environment remains murky in the wake of the Constitutional Court’s ouster of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand now stands at a dire crossroads with deepening rifts and growing risks of turmoil and mayhem.
Going to polls remains the only solution
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/05/2014
» At issue in the immediate aftermath of the Constitutional Court’s ouster of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is whether her successor will be allowed to steer the caretaker government without debilitating street protests and whether the landmark verdict will be sufficient for Thailand to return to the electoral system as a way out of its political quagmire. Thailand is still in the thick of the woods as prospects on both counts remain murky. The only way out and the ultimate way forward in this flawed electoral democracy is still to stick to the popular mandate as the least problematic of all options. An unelected outcome is likely to bring more tumult and turmoil.
Thailand’s potential grand realignment
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 21/02/2014
» As caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra comes under mounting pressure from the gathering forces arrayed against her self-exiled and convicted brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, something will soon have to give. Thailand’s prolonged political standoff has crippled Bangkok’s central business district and placed Thailand in an economic free fall. At issue going forward is how much longer Ms Yingluck will last, how she is dislodged, what comes after, and whether a grand realignment takes place to marginalise Thaksin and move Thailand beyond him.
Electoral democracy can still succeed
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/02/2014
» That the election last Sunday was inconclusive and incomplete was a foregone conclusion. However, its controversial results revealed much more than many anticipated. Despite the uncertainty of the poll results, only 89.2% of which are complete, electoral democracy still works in Thailand. Eventually, it must be allowed to work within the rules of Thailand's democratic system for outcomes to be valid and sustainable.
Protesters must unite for democracy
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 31/01/2014
» So deep and visceral is Thailand's polarisation that it is no longer enough to go around in Bangkok with a neon sign saying "Thaksin is a crook". To the protesters led by Suthep Thaugsuban under the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), it is necessary to condone and partake in their efforts to uproot the corrupt "Thaksin regime" by blocking parts of central Bangkok and opposing the election this Sunday. But this should not be the case. It is imperative for the "anti-Thaksinites" everywhere to come out against the divisive and convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and to be in favour of electoral democracy at the same time.
The roots of global democratic malaise
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 14/01/2014
» The early 21st century is harbouring an alarming trend in emerging democracies. As political liberalisation and democratisation make headway, they have ended up polarising and splitting societies undergoing democratic transitions. This trend is likely to dominate the developing world for the next two decades and beyond.
Social media has polarising effect on political debate
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/01/2014
» From Thailand to Ukraine to Turkey and other places beset with contentious politics between electoral majorities and minorities, the sources of prolonged and visceral polarisation appear to stem increasingly from social media.
Time for new political social contract
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/12/2013
» From Thailand to Turkey to the Ukraine, the relationship between ruling majorities and electoral minorities has become combustible _ and is threatening to erode the legitimacy of democracy itself.
Charter ruling shows political progress
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 22/11/2013
» The Constitution Court's ruling this week to reject parliament's draft charter amendment to change the Senate from a roughly half-appointed to a fully elected chamber marks another crucial juncture in Thailand's grinding political transformation.