Showing 1 - 10 of 32
The rich history of 'siphoning' in our politics
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/05/2018
» Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is accused of "siphoning" ex-members of parliament from various political parties into a party of his own that is currently setting up, rumoured to be the Palang Pracharat Party.
Laying siege to the City of Angels
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 18/04/2018
» The appointment of Sakoltee Phattiyakul as deputy governor of Bangkok by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha through the use of Section 44 has been seen as a move by the regime to take control of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and pave a path towards securing votes in the capital for the election in the near future.
Major parties in battle to repel NCPO attack
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 04/04/2018
» At the end of March, 97 political groups applied to be registered as political parties. Come April, public attention has turned to existing political parties whose party members are required to reconfirm their membership status. These are some of the steps the military regime under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has taken to manipulate our politics ahead of the election next year.
'Talk show' debate sets tone for election
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 28/03/2018
» The first open debate between representatives of political parties since the 2014 coup took place last week at a forum in Bangkok. It pitted veteran politicians against young bloods entering politics for the first time. Even though the event was more like a talk show and somewhat superficial, it did set the tone for the kind of politics we could expect leading to a general election next year.
Stop procrastinating, call the election now!
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 21/03/2018
» The latest proposal by Somchai Sawaengkarn, a member of the coup-installed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), asking for a consensus from political parties for a further delay of the general election of another three months has been seen as a regime tactic to extend its grip on power. Such a proposal deserves to be condemned.
The political economy of a regime
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 14/03/2018
» The bottom-line performance of any government is measured by its success in managing the economy and putting money into its citizens' wallets. In Thailand, as long as the current ruling regime can deliver on the economic front, it can remain authoritarian and generally safe from mass uprisings against it.
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.
Military treats democracy like a video game
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/06/2017
» Our leaders handle politics as if it were a video game. There is a reset button. Everything can be reset to zero -- and we start all over again.
Politicians' motives reflect their constituents
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 06/06/2017
» Three contesting parties for political power are at a junction leading to the general election and a return to democracy next year.
Thai political minefield threatens NCPO
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 16/05/2017
» As the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha approaches the end of its third year in power this Monday, its ability to govern seems to be faltering.