Showing 11 - 20 of 436
Calling Thai domestic abuse to account
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/08/2022
» Developing societies (including Thailand) have enjoyed the presence of extended families, in contrast with the smaller unit of nuclear families. This broader coverage, encompassing not only the parents and children but also grandparents and other dependants, has offered a social safety net to support family members. Yet, that extended unit has now been disintegrating for some time, compounded by the stress due to Covid-19. What then are the areas needing more attention to tackle the changing scenario?
If Roe goes, the end is nigh for women's rights
Oped, Published on 11/06/2022
» It used to be that who you were at birth defined who you were for the rest of your life: slave or owner, emperor or subject, aristocrat or serf, man or woman, black or white. But, over time, moral revolutions have chipped away at the idea that we simply inherit our identities.
Disappearances bill nears final vote
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 06/06/2022
» A recent seminar on May 24 hosted by the Ministry of Justice together with international organisations highlighted various stepping stones in the struggle against torture and enforced disappearances in Thailand. There was detailed discussion of the draft national law on the issue. There was also analysis of Thailand's most recent report on its implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment (CAT), which was an eye-opener for the public.
When marriage equality is an issue of freedom
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 01/04/2022
» The cabinet early this week finally shot down a draft of the marriage equality bill that was proposed by the Move Forward Party (MFP). The doomed destiny of this progressive pro-gender equality draft bill is not surprising under the current ultra-conservative government.
NGOs deserve their place
News, Editorial, Published on 27/03/2022
» Exasperated by criticism and calls for political accountability, the Prayut government is pushing a law to clip the wings of civil society. This is a travesty.
Pitfalls on path to equality
Life, Thana Boonlert, Published on 28/02/2022
» In the future, the family frontier will be expanded. The declining population is posing a challenge to the country in the midst of a brain drain due to political conflict. Given the demographic crisis, public health officials are seeking an amendment to allow commercial surrogacy. However, the slow progress of the marriage law for same-sex couples can put their desire for parenthood on hold.
Quorum 'game' played badly harms voters
News, Published on 09/02/2022
» The collapse of recent sessions of the House of Representatives due to the lack of a quorum is a serious threat to the political institution -- but not one that is unprecedented in the history of Thai democracy.
Tackling the controversial NGO law
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 06/01/2022
» Does Thailand need a law to regulate the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), otherwise known as non-profit organisations (NPOs)? A draft law has emerged recently which is causing a lot of headaches for civil society. The cabinet on Tuesday approved this draft in principle; it is now being forwarded to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for a public hearing, before it is sent to parliament for final approval. The authorities claim the new law is required to make the work of NGOs more transparent and to counter money-laundering.
Thai politics needs a middle pathway
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 20/11/2021
» The ditching of a charter amendment bill by the joint parliament chambers is anything but a surprise. Yet, it would be wrong to think that the defeat is the end of the pro-democracy movement's audacious campaign. Indeed all factions realise nullifying the military-sponsored 2017 charter will be a drawn-out case of political warfare.
UN review shows human rights flaws
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 17/11/2021
» The international human rights system consists primarily of two parts: international human rights treaties to which countries are invited to become parties on the basis of their consent, and the UN's own jurisdiction, through the UN Human Rights Council, covering all countries even if they do not consent to the coverage. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) belongs to the latter part of the system and Thailand's recent appearance before this process on Nov 10, in public and online, was eye-opening.