Showing 91 - 100 of 270
Only sincerity can end strife
News, Editorial, Published on 27/10/2020
» Parliament, which saw a joint house-senate meeting begin yesterday, has one more day to find a solution to the political unrest.
The future of Thailand hangs in the balance
News, Published on 20/10/2020
» When General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his allies seized power in 2014, they promised to bring about national reconciliation, but the divisions in society have become worse. They promised to combat corruption, but nothing has really changed. They promised to eradicate any remaining poverty, but the number of people living below the poverty line actually increased for the first time in decades before the pandemic. They promised to drive economic growth, but Thailand continues to lag behind its neighbours. They promised to restore happiness to the Thai people but few are smiling now. The constitution they made is a national headache.
Not time to get tough or stage another coup
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 19/10/2020
» The crackdown on peaceful, unarmed protesters last Friday signalled the government's intention to get tough with pro-democracy groups. Such a stance prompts condemnation as well as concerns over violent confrontation.
Both sides must give peace a chance
Oped, Ploenpote Atthakor, Published on 15/10/2020
» On Wednesday the country narrowly missed a confrontation -- quite possibly violent -- between groups of people with different stances when it comes to the monarchy. But there are no sighs of relief -- just yet.
No 'peace and order' at all
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/10/2020
» With the decision to round up the leaders of anti-dictatorship activists who occupied areas surrounding the Democracy Monument ahead of today's planned rally, the police may have hoped to prevent a face-off between the protesters and right-wing extremists.
Nida poll a wake-up call
News, Editorial, Published on 29/09/2020
» The latest opinion poll conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration (Nida) shows a worrying trend in Thai politics, with public hopes in politicians and political parties quickly going down the drain. This, however, should hardly come as a surprise.
Why Thai student movement can't exist
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 28/08/2020
» Thailand's new round of political confrontation in the 21st century -- the first under a new reign -- is showing signs of déjà vu with fundamentally different dynamics. Earlier rounds of the Thai drama from 2005 to 2014 went through three major acts, each beginning with an election, followed by a problematic government and street demonstrations, ending with military or judicial interventions. Even though its electoral allies lost in these three polls, the pro-establishment side won each time it went onto the streets citing the monarchy as legitimacy and moral authority.
Thailand is not ready for the CPTPP
News, Published on 25/08/2020
» In the foreseeable future, Thailand will be shying away from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The country lacks necessary preparedness and consensus for the high-end free-trade arrangement. It still needs to modernise the tax system and enact new legislature to catch up with global trading rules. In addition, without any reconciliation of existing polarised views between the governmental agencies, private sector and civil society organisations, any attempt to enter the CPTPP's negotiation process now would be futile. It could also drive a further wedge into society, especially at this juncture.
Senate must give way
News, Editorial, Published on 24/08/2020
» As political pressure in on the rise, with more student protests planned, all political parties have rushed to adopt constitutional amendment as part of their agenda in an apparent bid to ease tensions.
Arrests will fuel dissent
Oped, Editorial, Published on 21/08/2020
» With the arrests of more activists in connection with their role in the July 18 rally at Democracy Monument, which was organised by the Free Youth group, the country is inching once again toward political strife.