Showing 1 - 5 of 5
Imagining Thai diplomacy under MFP
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/05/2023
» With the winners of the recent election headed by the Move Forward Party still working to form the next government, it is too early to predict the outcome of the political manoeuvring by its potential coalition partners. If everything goes as planned, it will be the first liberal government in Thai history. Since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand has been struggling to establish a strong foundation for a liberal society with democratic norms and values. So far, the efforts have not been successful, leaving Thailand stuck with the label of a half-baked democracy. Government after government has tried to push forward democratisation but failed due to political polarisation and a deep-rooted patronage system.
Hun Sen plays global politics with election
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/07/2018
» The international community, through the United Nations, helped Cambodia to organise its first and only "free and fair" elections in 1993. It was a wonderful moment for a country emerging from civil war, which has confidently moved forward ever since. Cambodia has been very much on its own, with up and down political contours. This past Sunday, Cambodia held its sixth election, with the Cambodian People's Party winning the majority of seats.
Fighting chance for Malaysian opposition
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/05/2018
» It would be hard these days to say anything about Malaysian politics without the risk of being branded as "fake news". But tomorrow 14,940,624 voters will have the last say, as they are expected to cast ballots at 8,989 polling centres throughout the country. Fake news aside, they will decide who is the real prime minister. After all, the leading contestants are both former and current Malaysian prime ministers, both of whom belonged to the same party, Barisan Nasional (the National Front), which has retained power for the past 61 years.
Locating Thailand in the Indo-Pacific region
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/01/2018
» Bluntly put, there are two reasons that propel Thailand to the front of the Asean queue in endorsing the US-led Indo-Pacific region concept. First of all, Thailand does not want the Indo-Pacific to concentrate on consultations between the US, India, Japan and Australia grouping -- known as the Quadrilateral or Quad. Bangkok perceives it as an emerging broader Indo-Pacific community. Secondly, the region's stability and prosperity will depend more on inclusive security cooperation both on land and at sea.
Vietnam aims to shine under Apec spotlight
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/10/2017
» After more than three decades of economic reforms, Vietnam will play host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang on Nov 10-11. Given the rapidly changing world and this dynamic region, the summit has great significance in terms of economic and strategic matters.