Showing 1 - 10 of 25
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.
Talking peace with a tyrant: Who'd do it?
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 25/08/2025
» Peace is a beautiful word. It is an ideal condition under which people of different countries, religious faiths, races, cultures and political views can co-exist happily, without having to fight with each other, without having to shed blood as being witnessed across the world from Ukraine in eastern Europe to Gaza and Yemen in the Middle East, and even along the Thai-Cambodian border before a ceasefire agreement was signed late last month.
Govt keen to dangle debt relief
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 24/03/2025
» Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's recent idea to solve the problem of non-performing loans (NPLs) in the household debt sector is just a further extension of two similar programmes introduced by a previous Pheu Thai-led government to ease the financial burden of small debtors and SMEs.
Safeguards needed for legal gambling
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 13/01/2025
» The government's dream of developing an integrated entertainment complex complete with a casino in Bangkok or on the eastern seaboard is facing hurdles after the Council of State last week raised an objection on the ground that such a megaproject is not relevant to the government's policy to promote a new form of tourism industry.
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.
Edging towards a moment of truth
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 21/08/2023
» It appears that Thailand may, finally, have its 30th prime minister after the joint sitting of the House and Senate tomorrow -- after a general election that took place three months ago on May 14 -- if everything goes smoothly. That is what many people, the private sector in particular, are expecting. But uncertainty still prevails.
Renegades bring House debate to life
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 21/02/2022
» Mustachioed MP of Uttaradit province Saranwut Saranket does not look like a typical Thai politician. He looks more like a Wild West cowboy, albeit without a gun slung on his waist or a horse.
Spare 'Toon' from carping over his run
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 27/12/2021
» With the dark shadow of the Omicron variant looming, the year 2022, which is just a week away, was never going to be a year of untold happiness to begin with for most people in the world, including Thailand.
Money to be made, on and off the tables
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 11/01/2021
» So the buck stops at Pol Lt-Gen Veera Jiraveera, the commissioner of the 2nd Region Provincial Police Bureau overseeing the eastern region covering Rayong, Chon Buri, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces.
Peaceful end to protest a win in itself
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 21/09/2020
» Much to the relief of many, the anti-dictatorship protest at Sanam Luang yesterday ended peacefully and quickly. This was thanks to the protesters, who gathered under the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration's (UFTD) banner, the government and especially the police, who have shown extraordinary patience in avoiding hostile confrontations -- even though some of the remarks made on stage by the speakers were provocative.