Showing 41 - 50 of 704
Charter a straitjacket on democracy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/05/2023
» The military-appointed constitution drafting committee that was set up after the coup in 2014 surely knew what it was doing. It crafted a charter in 2017 that now acts as a straitjacket on Thailand's democratic outcome from the general election last Sunday.
Pheu Thai must size up its options
News, Published on 15/05/2023
» By today, we should know the unofficial election results, particularly whether the Pheu Thai Party will win a landslide election or win the most House seats of all the other parties contesting the race for 400 constituency MP seats and 100 party-list seats.
Potential tricks and results in Thai poll
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 12/05/2023
» The fundamental risk in Thailand's election this Sunday is that ruling incumbents, spearheaded by coup-maker-cum-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and underpinned by the powers-that-be, are headed for a big loss. Yet they are unlikely to go away without distortion, subversion, and confrontation, as has been the case in the recent past. Unless the poll results are clear and unassailable, it is likely that more funny business will be put in motion after the election.
Will MFP rain on Pheu Thai's parade?
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 06/05/2023
» Now that the final countdown to the national election has started, numerous opinion polls suggest strongly that while Pheu Thai is still in the lead, its aim for a landslide could be just a pipe dream given the sharp rise in popularity of the Move Forward Party (MFP) which over the past few weeks has gone from strength to strength.
Defence, not diplomacy
Oped, Editorial, Published on 29/04/2023
» The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) seems to have had a change of heart in relation to its trouble-riddled task of procuring a submarine engine from the Chinese government.
Time to end watch saga
Oped, Editorial, Published on 25/04/2023
» Even after five years, the expensive wristwatches that Gen Prawit Wongsuwon claimed were borrowed from his friend continue to haunt the deputy prime minister's political career, as well as the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Pheu Thai may need a risky alliance
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 22/04/2023
» With the election approaching, Pheu Thai has experienced a setback. Despite its massive populist scheme -- a pledge of 10,000-baht digital wallets -- a number of pre-election opinion poll results show stagnating, if not declining, support for the party while its friend-turned-foe Move Forward Party is doing better by the day.
The politics of post-poll govt formation
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 21/04/2023
» As the campaign season heats up ahead of Thailand's poll on May 14, voter surveys have consistently indicated that the momentum favours the opposition Pheu Thai (PTP) and Move Forward (MFP) parties well ahead of the government side, comprising Palang Pracharath (PPRP), United Thai Nation (UTN), Bhumjaithai (BJP) and Democrat (DP) parties. On the personal popularity of prime minister candidates, survey results similarly suggest that the MFP's Pita Limjaroenrat and the PTP's Paetongtarn Shinawatra are neck and neck, followed by the PTP's Srettha Thavisin and the UTN's and incumbent premier Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Uighurs' plight a lesson for govt
News, Editorial, Published on 09/04/2023
» The case of 63 members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church who were arrested for overstaying visas in Pattaya last week brings back memories of the notorious repatriation of another group of Uighur refugees back to China in 2014.
Prayut's future increasingly unclear
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 08/04/2023
» As the May 14 election countdown has begun, Pheu Thai continues to take a healthy lead, with a strong chance of winning a landslide or even an avalanche -- if it gets over 310 out of 500 seats.