Showing 1 - 10 of 54
Violence as yellow shirts overreact
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 16/11/2020
» Last week, a rally by a group of ultra-royalists in Nakhon Si Thammarat turned ugly after some elements from the crowd attacked a car, which they falsely believed to be carrying the co-founder of the Progressive Movement, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, out of a hotel. This is a sign that violent confrontations will be inevitable.
Not time to get tough or stage another coup
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 19/10/2020
» The crackdown on peaceful, unarmed protesters last Friday signalled the government's intention to get tough with pro-democracy groups. Such a stance prompts condemnation as well as concerns over violent confrontation.
Subs plan could sink govt fortunes
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 24/08/2020
» Even when the economy is thriving, with high GDP figures, we expect the government to spend rationally. Therefore, the government's decision to go ahead with the 22.5 billion baht submarine purchase at a time when the country is struggling amid economic contraction, millions are out of work because of Covid-19 restrictions and depend on state assistance, has understandably triggered outrage.
Students deserve respect, not scorn
Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 20/08/2020
» The political situation in past weeks attests to the fact that the country is in need of educational reform as a clash of ideas between the younger generation and those phuyai has intensified.
No safe spaces in our faux democracy
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 18/09/2019
» As Asean chair, a Thailand governed by an "elected government" should have been well-suited to hosting meetings between governments and people from the region, and allowing those suppressed in their home countries to voice their plight and needs here.
Cruel forest law helped condemn Billy to death
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 11/09/2019
» Details of the gruesome murder of missing Karen rights activist Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen released last week by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) sent shivers down many spines. As the case made headlines, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha echoed public sentiment in calling for the culprit to be punished.
Taking up the fight against 'fake news'
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/08/2019
» The Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE) Buddhipongse Punnakanta has rolled up his sleeves in his fight against "fake news that is rampant on social media and the internet". Under his plan, the ministry is to launch the "anti-fake news centre", which is expected to be operational in October.
Military 'efficiency' will torpedo EEC
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 21/08/2019
» Since being initiated by technocrats and the previous government in 2015, the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has been touted as a new special economic zone that will transform Thailand into a high-tech economy.
Broaden the tax base, don't cut the rates
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/07/2019
» The delivery of the Phalang Pracharath Party (PPRP)-led government policy manifesto last week, and a pledge by the party during its election campaign to cut personal income tax rates, gained the public's attention as taxpayers started to ask it to fulfil the promise.
Landless poor bear brunt of failed policy
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 08/07/2019
» Last week, five villagers accused of encroachment on Saithong National Park in Chaiyaphum province were taken straight to jail after the Appeal Court upheld a ruling given previously by a lower court. The decision brought tears to their families and community members.