Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Conflicts of interest worsen crisis
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 06/04/2026
» Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn's resignation as head of the committee handling the oil crisis caused by the war in the Middle East has spared him from public criticism over a potential conflict of interest linked to his family's oil trading business.
Testing times could prove govt mettle
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 09/03/2026
» A honeymoon period seems out of the question for the new administration led by the Bhumjaithai Party, which may come into office in late April or May, depending on how quickly the processes of electing the House Speaker and his two deputies, and the election of the prime minister in parliament, take place.
Thaksin's role in tariff talks raises questions
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 14/07/2025
» 'I have to do something for the country. Regarding the economic situation today, if I do not poke my nose in, then who will?" so said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday during a media forum.
Kingdom's top cops set poor example
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 24/06/2024
» The handling of the bitter feud between two heavyweights of the Royal Thai Police, Torsak Sukivimol and Surachate Hakparn, aka Big Joke, by a prime minister-appointed committee led by Chatchai Promlert is typical of a Thai style of conflict resolution that reflects the "mai pen rai" and "forget about it" attitude, despite the core issue being the integrity and honesty of the two officers.
PM needs to be open to public criticism
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 16/10/2023
» Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is desperately rallying the public to get behind the Pheu Thai Party's controversial digital wallet scheme. Known as the "helicopter money" scheme, the plan -- which will see 10,000 baht in digital cash remitted to all Thais aged 16 and above -- was one of the policies the party had promised its supporters ahead of the May 14 election.
PM kicks for touch on fuel, food prices
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 27/06/2022
» Wise men say putting the right man in the right job will get it done and done well. So when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week assigned the National Security Council (NSC) to take the lead in tackling energy and food problems, many eyebrows were raised, questioning the rationale of such bizarre idea.
Govt trips up in handling of Chana row
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 13/12/2021
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has unwittingly opened up the old wounds between him and former Deputy Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow, currently secretary-general of the core government party, Palang Pracharath (PPRP).
Vaccine buy bears up to scrutiny
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 25/01/2021
» Thank you Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Progressive Movement, for helping shed the light on the initiative of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the founding of a pharmaceutical firm, Siam Bioscience, 12 years ago, which was not widely known among Thais outside medical circles.
Govt response has been mind-boggling
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 16/03/2020
» Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul went ballistic against Western tourists once again, probably out of stress from his heavy responsibility in containing the Covid-19 spread.
Farming chemical facts distorted
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 02/12/2019
» Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit did not speak the whole truth about the reversal of the resolution by the new National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) that he chairs over weed-killers glyphosate and paraquat, and the pesticide chlorpyrifos.