Showing 1 - 10 of 28
Old guard prevails in Senate elections
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 29/06/2024
» For those wishing for a wind of change in Thai politics, the Wednesday Senate election was a disappointment. Old power factions made substantial gains, dominating some 70% of the seats for the 200-member Upper House, while those representing the pro-democracy force grabbed just a few.
Onus on Pheu Thai as support dwindles
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 09/09/2023
» After making a policy statement before parliament on Monday, the Pheu Thai-led coalition is set to jumpstart its work under tight scrutiny from the opposition, especially the Move Forward Party (MFP). If this was not enough, members of the public are casting suspicious eyes at its policies, as several seem too good to be true.
MFP-Pheu Thai alliance on the rocks?
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 01/07/2023
» It's been a rough start in forming a coalition government, particularly with the row over the House speaker position between the Move Forward Party (MFP) and Pheu Thai. Now we've seen that it's a fragile partnership between the two, and if they do form a government together, more difficult times lay ahead.
Pita vs the 'judicialisation of politics'
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 17/06/2023
» More than one month has passed since the May 14 general election, and yet Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat's future is still hanging in the air as the controversy over his iTV shares, among other things, may nullify his bid to become prime minister.
Will MFP rain on Pheu Thai's parade?
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 06/05/2023
» Now that the final countdown to the national election has started, numerous opinion polls suggest strongly that while Pheu Thai is still in the lead, its aim for a landslide could be just a pipe dream given the sharp rise in popularity of the Move Forward Party (MFP) which over the past few weeks has gone from strength to strength.
Next poll brings old guard new priorities
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 25/03/2023
» Now that the country is heading towards an election, which is to take place on May 14, it seems the dictator vs democracy dichotomy has largely faded as most political parties are forced to focus on measures to tackle economic problems in order to boost their chance of winning in the polls.
Prawit manoeuvres for his political life
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 28/01/2023
» Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, in his capacity as leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), has rebranded the ruling party from being conservative right-winged to more liberal, using reconciliation and an end to colour-coded conflict discourse as a selling point.
The rise and fall of the minnow parties
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 03/12/2022
» Now the charter court has issued a ruling on the election system, all political parties are effectively gearing up for the next poll. With all in place, some pundits even entertain the idea that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha might call for a House dissolution at any time.
New parties present faint flicker of hope
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 22/10/2022
» With lingering political polarisation, some people have been looking at alternative "third" parties, hoping they may be able to steer the country out of the challenges it faces.
Weed bill opens coalition rifts before poll
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 24/09/2022
» Now that the government is on the last lap of its present tenure, with the next election on the horizon, politicians are rolling up their sleeves ahead of a renewed political battle for hearts and minds.