Showing 1 - 10 of 300
People's Party eyes future despite hurdle
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 07/09/2024
» The People's Party did not win the Ratchaburi provincial administration organisation (PAO) chairman election last Sunday. However, this is not a major loss for the party, given the substantial increase in voter support it got for its candidate, almost threefold from the previous poll. Going forward, the party has good prospects for next year's local election and the general election of 2027.
Deck reshuffle carries risks for Thaksin
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 02/09/2024
» It was a classic case of killing two birds with one stone. That was the incorporation of the Democrats into the Pheu Thai-led coalition to substitute for the fragmented Palang Pracharath Party.
Srettha Thavisin fell to hidden forces
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 30/08/2024
» Hindsight is likely to place Srettha Thavisin in Thai political annals as a prime minister who tried his best but ultimately succumbed to forces way beyond his control. While his nearly 12-month tenure in office came up short on policy deliverables, it nevertheless reset Thailand's foreign policy projection on Myanmar amid more omnidirectional relations with the major powers.
Thorny ethics debate
Oped, Editorial, Published on 29/08/2024
» The nation's political parties are to kick off a process to seek amendments to the charter. The main focus is a clause regarding politicians' ethics and a law governing the dissolution of parties to prevent political upheavals.
Court image in the dock
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/08/2024
» It is unusual for Thais to criticise courts and jurists. But such anxiety comes with good reason. Thai law levies hefty penalties on those found to be in contempt of court -- imprisonment of one to seven years and fines of 2,000-14,000 baht.
Tricky minefield lies ahead of PM
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 19/08/2024
» The astonishing speed with which Thailand's 31st prime minister was nominated, endorsed in the House of Representatives and approved by Royal Command would not have been achieved without the intervention by "you know who" at the Ban Chan Song La mansion in Thon Buri.
Hurdles for new party
News, Editorial, Published on 16/08/2024
» A few days after the Move Forward Party (MFP) was dissolved, it proved its resilience by transforming into the People's Party. There were no political cobras or traitors, as previously speculated. Meanwhile, MP Nattaphong Reungpanyawut took the MFP baton from Chaitawat Tulathon with a small executive team.
People's Party rises from MFP's ashes
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 10/08/2024
» The heavy axe that the Constitutional Court wielded on the Move Forward Party (MFP) earlier this week failed to stop its resurrection on Friday as the People's Party (PP).
Uncharted territory and a case of déjà vu
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/08/2024
» Another dissolution of another election winner should feel old in Thai politics. But what happened to Move Forward Party is not just déjà vu but uncharted territory. Its dissolution fits a recurrent pattern of systematic subversion of democratic institutions in favour of autocratic preferences in disregard of the will of the majority. The Constitutional Court's breakup of Move Forward also breaks new ground that is increasingly taking centre stage in Thailand's political landscape.
Court deals blow to progressivism
Oped, Published on 09/08/2024
» The Constitutional Court on Wednesday finally ordered the Move Forward Party (MFP), the winning party of last year's general election, to be dissolved. Eleven executive members face a ten-year ban from politics. The charges and penalty relate to accusations against the MFP's activities and public campaigns to amend Section 112, known as the lese majeste law.