Showing 1 - 4 of 4
Prayut's stance at UN must stand the test of logic
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 21/09/2015
» As a Thai citizen I would like to wish Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his delegation good luck on his imminent visit to the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York.
We need a British governance model, not North Korean
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 09/09/2015
» Last week I was honoured to have been invited to speak at The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), along with distinguished panelists like Khun Burin Kantabutra and ML Nattakorn Devakula. It was an evening of insightful discussion on the uncertain future Thailand faces, especially in light of the new constitution, which was evidently stillborn on Sunday.
Thailand should steadfastly reject 'the China model'
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 25/02/2015
» Thailand is now becoming increasingly isolated by the West. We have effectively been subjected to a "democracy downgrade", which has pushed us ever closer into the sinister embrace of Asia's only superpower, China. Thailand continues to do what we do best, play one side off against the other. But recent overtures to China by the junta and the unrestrained lauding of what is termed "the China model" as a suitable system of government for Thailand, have made me sick to my stomach.
Beware politicians' weapons of mass deception
News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 04/12/2012
» The most important role of any democratic citizenry is deciding who you trust to govern your country. This is the ultimate delegation of responsibility. But the process involves an intricate system of evaluating the ability, performance, policy and integrity of the person or party asking for your support. In order to do this vital job properly I think citizens ought to at least be aware of the "weapons of mass deception" that politicians employ to fool us into making uninformed decisions. An inquisitive electorate that asks poignant questions and holds people of authority to account is essential for a thriving democracy. Never blindly hand over the keys to our democracy without close examination, because all that glitters is not gold. As the great communicator Ronald Reagan once said: "Trust but verify."