Showing 1,761 - 1,770 of 1,864
Lift ban and scrap meet
News, Editorial, Published on 22/03/2018
» This week, junta leader and Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha appeared to present himself as a more generous man. After having forbidden parties from holding political activities for almost four years, he has invited them to gather at a June meeting which will be planned, facilitated and possibly dominated by him. The move is, however, ill-advised and lacks substance. It will not be useful for anyone but it demonstrates the regime's desire to further exert control over post-election politics.
Why Putin is still – genuinely – popular in Russia
News, John Lloyd, Published on 22/03/2018
» Vladimir Putin won big on Sunday. According to the central election commission, the Russian president glides into his fourth term after winning his biggest-ever election victory, with nearly 77% favouring him. His nearest rival was an affluent multi-millionaire communist who got more than 11% by presenting himself as a Putin-plus, with a programme of nationalising the oligarchs' property instead of merely controlling it.
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 Cambridge Analytica red herring
News, Leonid Bershidsky, Published on 21/03/2018
» Facebook is being hammered for allowing the data firm Cambridge Analytica to acquire 50 million user profiles in the US, which it may or may not have used to help the Trump campaign. But the outrage misses the target: There's nothing Cambridge Analytica could have done that Facebook itself doesn't offer political clients.
Voters torn between old and new
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 20/03/2018
» How do we read this? A majority of people want new political parties to form a government after the next general election but the incumbent Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha remains the most popular choice to be prime minister, according to a latest opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration or Nida Poll.
'Stupid' locals label mocks Thai-ism aims
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 19/03/2018
» How do you feel if the state says it wants to hear about your plight in order to offer you help, but still holds a view that you are too "stupid" to think for yourself and continues to strictly forbid you from expressing your grievances unless it approves of the platform where you have your say?
Myanmar's peace process stumbles on
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 19/03/2018
» Myanmar's peace process is precariously poised with Panglong -- or the national peace conference as it is formally called -- set to meet in May. Several more ethnic groups -- including the Wa -- have agreed to sign the national ceasefire agreement (NCA). But, despite this, the peace process is in danger of disintegrating.
Next-gen politicians offer hope
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 18/03/2018
» Thailand today is witnessing the rise of a new breed of younger political aspirants who look to shake up the old-fashioned establishment.
Too many hurdles for the disabled to clear
News, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 17/03/2018
» Should the disabled have the right to access public transit? That's a silly question. Of course, they should. Everyone would agree, including the BTS boss, Anat Arbhabhirama, and the Bangkok governor, Pol Gen Asawin Kwanmuang.
Prime Minister Prayut is no President Xi
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 16/03/2018
» That the Chinese Communist Party-controlled legislature has removed the term limits of the country's president and vice president has already sent shockwaves worldwide. It means that President Xi Jinping can continue to be China's head of state into a third term beyond 2023. Even though China's presidency is less powerful than the Chinese Communist Party's General Secretary and head of the Central Military Commission, the abolition of presidential term limits sends unmistakable signals that President Xi intends to hold complete and absolute power. He is now seen as more powerful than any contemporary Chinese leader, unrivalled since the time of founding father Mao Zedong.