Showing 1 - 9 of 9
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.
Parties jostle to extend the life of NCPO
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/04/2018
» Three groups of political players are on the move in setting up parties to extend the life of the National Council for Peace and Order (NPCO) and support Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to continue as prime minister after the election. All three are working separately, but in essence are moving towards building leverage in the political numbers game.
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.
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.
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.
Three questionable years under NCPO rule
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/05/2017
» May 22 will mark the third anniversary of the 2014 coup that saw the country switch to authoritarian mode under the stewardship of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Even with a new constitution now in place, the regime is relentlessly maintaining its tight control into a fourth and final year -- that is if a general election is called in accordance with the timetable of the charter.
Scrap the unconstitutional media bill
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/05/2017
» The name of the National Reform Steering Assembly's (NRSA) media bill runs against its real purposes. Branded as the "protection and promotion of media rights, freedom, ethics and professional standard law", the contents of the bill have nothing to do with the title in their intrusive and abusive nature against freedom of speech.