Showing 1 - 10 of 13
The death of vote-buying
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 25/11/2018
» The government announced a brand new and unexpected Big Welfare Aid Programme (BWAP). Cynics, sceptics, anti-regime critics and even honest people wondered if the sudden decision to help the least-advantaged Thais just possibly has something to do with that other government programme -- so tantalisingly unspecified -- of an election that for the fourth year in a row has been pencilled in for, in the highly familiar phrase used by the general prime minister, "next year".
Peeing on our parade
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 08/07/2018
» Free wi-fi is now available for all guests in Hall 3 of Tham Luang, owned by Jao Mae Nang Non.
Art of the graft
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 03/06/2018
» Coup leader Gen (Ret) Prayut Chan-o-cha first mentioned his programme concerning corruption in late May, 2014, not long after seizing power. It was so long ago that there wasn't even a National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). It was still called the National Peace and Order Maintaining Council (NPOMC).
A mad, mad week
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 20/05/2018
» Week Three of the 2019-2020 election campaign was Crazy Week. There always is at least one.
The empty chairs of Buri Ram
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 13/05/2018
» The general prime minister packed his kit for yet another two-day trip to the provinces, an adoring welcome and ownership of every front page in his country.
Life without populism
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 06/05/2018
» Once upon a time in a land very, very far away with a "government by the people, for the people" there was a plan to fix recalcitrant taxi drivers and make them pick up passengers, politely, and then to reward the drivers with a fare increase. And that plan was carried out in the faraway country, and passengers were happy to reward deserving, hard-working, uncomplaining taxi drivers.
Long and winding roadmap
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 01/04/2018
» Question: Is it more scary, or less scary, that the junta doesn't have an actual plan slash conspiracy to keep itself in power? That it has extended its time and generous pay and perks without any design ever since the phantom 2015 election?
Tortured verdict
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 27/08/2017
» A truly pathetic moment in morality and warfare and diplomatic relations has ended without a whimper, let alone the attention it deserved.
No, really, Big Brother is watching
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 25/06/2017
» The Big Three of International Computing have convinced tens of millions of customers to spy on themselves. Considering this, what's the big deal when the government listens in too -- well, apart from the going-to-jail part -- at least?
First they came for the net idols
News, Alan Dawson, Published on 11/06/2017
» The always interesting National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) made a new power play last week. It will go a long way to negate the constitution's already somewhat nominal "liberty to express opinion ... by any means".