Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Deck reshuffle carries risks for Thaksin
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 02/09/2024
» It was a classic case of killing two birds with one stone. That was the incorporation of the Democrats into the Pheu Thai-led coalition to substitute for the fragmented Palang Pracharath Party.
The rise and fall of Srettha Thavisin
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/08/2024
» While leaders come and go, they leave behind a legacy that can be mixed, varying from glory to ignominy. Only a few leave nothing much to remember. As for Thailand's 30th prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, it was cursory at best. Overall, it's a good case study on how pomposity and self-adulation affect leadership.
Tricky minefield lies ahead of PM
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 19/08/2024
» The astonishing speed with which Thailand's 31st prime minister was nominated, endorsed in the House of Representatives and approved by Royal Command would not have been achieved without the intervention by "you know who" at the Ban Chan Song La mansion in Thon Buri.
Casino bill lacks input
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/08/2024
» The sea change in politics after the downfall of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin will delay the pro-casino policy that Pheu Thai has pushed forward aggressively. Such a delay is welcome as this policy is still considered half-baked, lacking public participation in any meaningful sense.
New party under siege
Oped, Editorial, Published on 13/08/2024
» Two days after the Constitutional Court disbanded the Move Forward Party (MFP) and banished its 11 executive committee members from politics for ten years, the remaining 143 MPs who survived the court's axe and some core party members promptly formed a new party -- the People's Party, selecting its new leader and a five-member executive committee.
Expelling junta ghosts
Oped, Editorial, Published on 20/06/2024
» As the Senate election is more than halfway through, with the final voting due to take place next week, the country is set to have a new Upper House in a matter of weeks.
Move Forward case reveals autocracy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 07/06/2024
» The Constitutional Court's announcement that it will consider the Move Forward Party's (MFP) written defence in its dissolution case on June 12 appears ominous. After several attempts to make its argument that a campaign pledge to amend the lese majeste law against royal insult is not tantamount to "overthrowing Thailand's democratic regime with the King as head of state", the party's time is up. As the biggest election winner in May 2023, the MFP's dissolution is perceived as a foregone conclusion. Such a revelation might risk Thailand being perceived as an autocratic regime based on legal manoeuvres, and power plays that do not derive from voter preferences.
Reshuffle cements Srettha's grip
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/05/2024
» After eight months at the helm, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin staged a much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle with unexpected drama and unsurprising consolidation. As head of a coalition government, Mr Srettha appears more "prime ministerial" as the reshuffle has strengthened his hand to implement the ruling Pheu Thai Party's flagship policies.
From Fleet Street to the Big Chilli
Roger Crutchley, Published on 05/05/2024
» It came as a shock to learn that long-time friend and colleague Colin Hastings died on Monday in Bang Saray when he suffered heart failure and the car he was driving collided with a wall. He was 73. Here are a few personal memories of Colin, best known as publisher of Big Chilli magazine.
All in to fix charter
Oped, Editorial, Published on 25/04/2024
» Through its endorsement of three referendums that would amend Thailand's entire charter, a proposal that was forwarded by a study panel under Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the government has now set in motion the charter drafting process. It is looking like it will proceed at a snail's pace.