Showing 1 - 10 of 15
New political parties must wipe slate clean
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 07/03/2018
» As new political parties rush to reserve names and kick off the registration process, there emerges an impression that our politics is being returned to a democratic mode. The existing political parties are supposed to start confirming the memberships of their members next month. However, there still is no clear signal from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over when it will allow political parties -- new or old -- to conduct activities. The road ahead remains full of pitfalls and loopholes. It will be a long time before the dust settles, if ever.
Reform of the police force must serve people
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 23/05/2017
» A fresh "police reform" has recently been proposed by a special committee under the joint whip of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). It, however, has drawn opposition from people's organisations who criticise the proposal for lacking concrete structural reforms.
Scrap the unconstitutional media bill
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/05/2017
» The name of the National Reform Steering Assembly's (NRSA) media bill runs against its real purposes. Branded as the "protection and promotion of media rights, freedom, ethics and professional standard law", the contents of the bill have nothing to do with the title in their intrusive and abusive nature against freedom of speech.
Local governing bodies badly need reform
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 04/04/2017
» Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon recently sent up a trial balloon on the possibility of calling elections for local administration organisations before the general elections. His line of thought is that if the local elected bodies are in place before the national body, national politicians will not be able to manipulate local politicians during their poll campaign.
A citizen's response to the unity questions
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 14/03/2017
» The government recently sent 10 questions to each political party as a guideline for discussions on reconciliation. I went through them and tried to answer -- call it a citizen's response, if you may.
Freedom of temple, religion must be assured
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 28/02/2017
» The cat and mouse game the government is playing with Phra Dhammajayo, the revered leader of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and his disciples has become a stand-off that is further dividing the nation. There are lessons and implications that all Thais, Buddhist or not, need to think about.
Why corruption continues to plague us
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 31/01/2017
» Those following news reports over the past few weeks likely have the impression that corruption is rampant in Thailand, with a series of bribery cases emerging one after another starting with the shady Rolls-Royce deals. The poor ranking by Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 speaks volumes about the state of corruption in the country.
Paving over the cracks in reconciliation
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 17/01/2017
» After two and a half years without serious and meaningful efforts to reconcile political conflict, the military government is vowing to press ahead with its national reform and development strategy. But the regime will find it hard to achieve meaningful reconciliation if it is not committed to a return to full democracy and applying the rule of law.
Challenges await city governor, NCPO
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 25/10/2016
» Prime Minister and head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha finally rid the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) of its last elected governor, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra. The dismissal order came a little less than two months after he suspended the governor over investigations into alleged irregularities at the BMA.
No room for hypocrisy in anti-graft junta
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 27/09/2016
» Last Sunday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returned home from his US trip into the eye of storm. The recent controversies surrounding family members of his younger brother, defence permanent secretary Preecha Chan-o-cha, have diverted public attention from what he tried to achieve at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. With his anti-graft mandate, Gen Prayut has a tough choice to make or he could risk the legitimacy of his government.