Showing 1 - 10 of 12
S112 dominates the amnesty debate
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 15/06/2024
» Three pending court cases involving former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and allegations of lese majeste violations, as well as bids to dissolve the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) and remove Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office, have effectively thrown the country into political uncertainty, with investors taking flight.
Hun Sen is Cambodia's de facto FM
Oped, Published on 14/06/2024
» Who exactly is in charge of foreign affairs in Cambodia? Judging by the last few months, Hun Sen, the former prime minister turned Senate president, appears to be pulling the strings. At least he's now the main mouthpiece.
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.
A turbulent time for govt
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/06/2024
» Winning an election and forming a coalition is one thing; running a country, another. After nine months at Government House, the Srettha Thavisin government finds itself struggling to fulfil its campaign promises. Tough issues -- such as the charter rewrite, boosting tourism, the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme and the sluggish economy -- remain a fierce challenge.
Govt must do more for heritage
Editorial, Published on 02/06/2024
» The Fine Arts department's decision to register an old wooden house -- a Kudeejeen community landmark -- in Thon Buri district as a historical site is welcome news for many. But this is just the beginning, and like other heritage sites, conservation is still a long way away.
Conservatives still wield 'lawfare' axe
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 01/06/2024
» Thai politics is facing a dilemma once again as key parties are being slapped with lawsuits.
Kicking learning issues down the road
Oped, Published on 31/05/2024
» As Thailand and the Education Ministry are trying to improve education -- such as promoting the use of AI, handing out laptops and increasing funds for research, issues that could and should be addressed at primary and secondary schools in Thailand are being avoided, delayed, and increasingly ending up in the lap of tertiary education. This causes problems for lecturers, students and other stakeholders.
Pheu Thai loses its mojo
Oped, Editorial, Published on 28/05/2024
» The latest public opinion poll by the King Prajadhipok Institute is just another survey showing the atrophy of the Pheu Thai Party.
Sea people still wait for justice
Editorial, Published on 26/05/2024
» Against a background in which the government refuses to recognise indigenous peoples, two recent landmark court verdicts have acknowledged the rights of Urak Lawoi, or Chao Lay in Thai (sea people) to live and earn a living in their traditional homes. Efforts to give them justice must not stop here. Their fight for their traditional rights are far from over.
Has crunch time arrived for 'Bibi' Netanyahu?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 24/05/2024
» It has not been a good week for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, chief decision-maker in the war in the Gaza Strip that has already cost at least 35,000 civilian deaths. (Some thousands of those 35,000 may have been Hamas fighters.)