Showing 1 - 10 of 85
Thaksin chapter closes, another opens
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/09/2025
» In yet another dramatic twist in Thai politics, erstwhile anti-establishment political juggernaut and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra accepted a one-year jail sentence and began serving his time behind bars on Sept 9. After his return from a 15-year self-imposed exile in August 2023 and a concomitant royal pardon that reduced his eight-year imprisonment on corruption convictions to just one year, Thaksin cited his gravely ill health and spent the time comfortably at the Police General Hospital before being released on parole. The Supreme Court's ruling that his get-out-of-jail health card was invalid means Thaksin's renewed imprisonment and its aftermath are likely to reshape and realign Thailand's political landscape ahead of the next election, due by mid-2027.
Big job awaits PM
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/09/2025
» Thailand has a new prime minister. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has assumed the premiership, the country's third in less than three years since the 2023 general election.
The roadway to enabling governance
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 30/04/2025
» On May 11, communities across Thailand will vote in 2,469 municipal elections. Despite these polls being routine, they are a pivotal test of the country's commitment to moral leadership and enabling governance at the grassroots level.
Front-page funnies
Oped, Postbag, Published on 28/08/2024
» Re: "More heavy rain predicted, Thaksin to visit flood zone", (BP, Aug 27).
Bangladesh's youth uprising has Arab Spring echoes
News, Niaz Asadullah, Published on 27/07/2024
» In recent weeks, the Bangladeshi government has cracked down violently on students demanding equitable access to coveted government jobs amid an unemployment crisis. To contain the protests, authorities have shut down all educational institutions, imposed a strict curfew, and cut off internet access. Thousands of police officers and paramilitaries have been patrolling the streets, and more than 170 people have died.
First test for new senators
News, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2024
» Some 200 new senators recently endorsed by the Election Commission (EC) have the task of selecting a Senate Speaker, a position crucial for the integrity of the upper house.
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.
Shady dealings
Published on 18/12/2023
» Re: "Night venues warned to respect late opening rules", (BP, Dec 16).
Prabowo gets a TikTok makeover
News, Karishma Vaswani, Published on 12/12/2023
» Indonesians will get a chance to hear from their presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls in the first of five televised debates this week. The theme of the discussion is, among other issues, human rights. It should provide an opportunity for voters in the world's third-largest democracy to probe the calibre and character of the front-runner for the country's top job.
