Showing 1 - 10 of 15
Wake up, Thailand
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 09/02/2014
» Traditionally we Thais are not very political. A person's political allegiance never mattered much. But these days, we eye each other more suspiciously. Flag colours? Simply red? Watch out.
History lessons lost
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 26/01/2014
» Sure, there are books out there, but if we aren't nurtured to appreciate the importance of history from a young age, why would we read them?
The 'Big Man' theory
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 16/01/2014
» To fully embrace democracy is to first offload the baggage of feudalism or absolutism. They are paternalism, patronage, tribalism, cronyism, nepotism and others. The baggage is never entirely discarded, but can and should be minimised.
Why we don't yet trust democracy
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 17/11/2013
» After Gen Prem Tinsulanonda stepped down in 1988, Thailand began a new experiment with democracy. The result was one heartbreak after another.
When democracy meets capitalism
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 05/09/2013
» There’s a reason why the Department of Special Investigation filed charges only against Abhisit Vejjajiva and Suthep Thaugsuban, while leaving the military out of the equation – a deal may have already been made.
Democracy loses in halls of parliament
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 21/04/2013
» In theory, a democratic nation is governed by three branches: the executive, judicial and the parliamentary or legislative. In Thailand's reality, the country is governed formally by those three institutions, but also informally by two other institutions, the military and what we shall term as the "old establishment".
The ammart's counter offensive
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 21/03/2013
» Trade Yingluck Shinawatra for Yaowapa Wongsawat, and what do we get? First, let's speculate. Let's connect the dots.
The change you must believe in
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 17/03/2013
» Thailand needs change. Everyone says it. But how do we go about it? Change can be implemented from the bottom up, or from the top down. The former is revolution. The latter is reform. We should prefer the latter, as the former is more likely than not to lead to bloodshed and destruction. World history is full of examples, the Arab Spring being the most recent.
Cool it, let the pretty lady do her job
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 14/03/2013
» With the result still not even confirmed, there's already clear evidence that the Bangkok gubernatorial election on March 3 did, indeed, have national consequences.
Yingluck, Yinglove one and all
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 04/11/2012
» Yingluck Shinawatra has yet to succeed, but she's inching ever closer. The Pitak Siam rally last Sunday and talk of a coup show just how nervous the other side is getting.