Showing 81 - 90 of 172
Short-term 'fear factor' a gamble that can't last
News, Published on 16/03/2021
» What does the pro-monarchy camp gain by applying the controversial lese majeste law with full force?
Thailand's dilemma in Myanmar crisis
News, Published on 02/03/2021
» Several subjects were on the table last Wednesday when Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. They discussed the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations as well as the preparations for the scheduled Asean Informal Ministerial Meeting and, of course, the situation in Myanmar.
Anti-coup crackdown takes fatal turn
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 01/03/2021
» Myanmar's security forces have unleashed a concerted crackdown on the country's peaceful protesters leaving 23 dead and thousands injured throughout the country in the last two days. In planned pre-emptive strikes, the police moved ruthlessly to disperse and arrest protestors preparing to join yesterday general strike. "They used teargas, stun grenades and fired live ammunition indiscriminately into the crowds," said Soe Soe, a young university student at a protest site told the Bangkok Post.
PDRC jailings reveal Ratsadorn's fate
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 27/02/2021
» On the one hand, the Criminal Court's verdict on Wednesday, which threw core figures of the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in jail for their role in the 2013-2014 protests, means a cabinet reshuffle is on the way. Particularly for the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), the ruling is a political windfall for the faction led by Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon who can now tighten his grip on the ruling party.
Myanmar coup: Asean's new fault line
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 26/02/2021
» Already geopolitically divided by China's regional assertiveness, Asean is now facing a new fault line from Myanmar's recent military coup. Just like its divergent views toward China, Asean's mixed preferences toward the Myanmar armed forces' abrupt seizure of power on Feb 1 threaten to further weaken Southeast Asia's 10-member grouping and marginalise its role as the central organising vehicle for regional peace and stability.
Peoples' power versus military might
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/02/2021
» Millions and millions of protesters swarmed onto the streets throughout Myanmar earlier this week in an overwhelming rejection of the military's seizure of power. Despite dire threats and warnings from the country's coup leader, the army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, marchers thronged the thoroughfares even in small towns to demonstrate their deep support for democracy and their rejection of the coup.
Thailand's bail system -- is it made for the rich?
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 24/02/2021
» The issue of bail is critically important for Thailand and is especially relevant to the gap between the rich and the poor. It is also emblematic of the chasm between power derived from the coup d'etat and the aspirations of a democratic and just society.
Thai-Aussie ties are on cloud nine
News, Published on 23/02/2021
» On Feb 15, a historic milestone was achieved when Their Majesties the King and Queen visited the Australian Embassy -- the first time in the annals of Thailand's external relations that a monarch had visited a foreign mission. Their Majesties were there to view a documentary prepared by the Australian Embassy commemorating the King's time in Australia. Indeed, Thai-Australian relations have come a long way.
Law change could quell waning protests
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 22/02/2021
» The protests by the anti-establishment Ratsadorn group in front of parliament on Friday and Saturday when the no-confidence debate was wrapped up were relatively peaceful and unprovocative. The crowd appeared to be outnumbered by the police.
Interpreting what's behind the 'veto' coup d'etat
Oped, Published on 20/02/2021
» Military "veto" coups have been prominent in countries where armed forces have played leading roles in society like Myanmar and Thailand -- the two countries which have experienced their fair share of coups. The latest putsch occurred on Feb 1, in Myanmar. With Myanmar's military having had a long and close relationship with Thailand's armed forces, and both countries' militaries prone to staging coups, one wonders to what extent Myanmar's putsch can be explained in the context of the history of coups in mainland Southeast Asia. Does Myanmar follow the Thai model?