Showing 31 - 40 of 436
Clock is ticking
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/09/2020
» Re: "Charter rewrite vote delay," (BP, Sept 25).
Peaceful end to protest a win in itself
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 21/09/2020
» Much to the relief of many, the anti-dictatorship protest at Sanam Luang yesterday ended peacefully and quickly. This was thanks to the protesters, who gathered under the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration's (UFTD) banner, the government and especially the police, who have shown extraordinary patience in avoiding hostile confrontations -- even though some of the remarks made on stage by the speakers were provocative.
Govt and Senate are playing with fire
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 12/09/2020
» While the movement for charter amendment as demanded by student activists appears to be gaining steam, with the formation of a constitutional drafting panel under way, there are signs some senators may already be backpedalling. There are suspicions this may be a tactic by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government to derail the process.
Peace process at risk of disintegrating
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 19/08/2020
» Myanmar's civilian government has made peace and national reconciliation a central platform of its administration since taking office in early 2016. But after almost five years very little has been achieved and the peace process is yet again precariously poised. The next stage -- the fourth round of the Panglong talks as Aung San Suu Kyi dubbed it after her historic electoral victory five years ago -- is scheduled to start today in the capital Nay Pyi Taw but is in danger of disintegrating into disarray.
Coronavirus and democracy in Southeast Asia
Oped, Published on 01/04/2020
» In Southeast Asia, as the health crisis escalates and countries go into different variations of a lockdown, it is affording regimes with authoritarian tendencies the opportunity to suppress political expression, enforce strict obedience and consolidate their rule. Unless this is called out and actions taken to address these measures, a post-Covid-19 Southeast Asia will put democracy on the backfoot in the region.
A charter for the people
News, Editorial, Published on 06/03/2020
» In June 2016, 13 activists were arrested for distributing "Vote No" leaflets in Bangkok in the lead-up to the constitutional referendum. They were charged with the crime of "breaking the law".
Shinzo Abe's constitution dream
Asia focus, Published on 08/07/2019
» 'When the country is strong, and the risk of war small, when there is no threat of being attacked from without," the Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki once said, "then nationalism ought to diminish accordingly."
Rising star Piyabutr will enrage FFP foes
News, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 29/06/2019
» The first two-day meeting of the House of Representatives this week has probably set the tone for the remainder of the parliamentary session. Opposition debates look set to be hard-hitting, and rebuttals from the government aisle are expected to be equally fierce.
Roll back NCPO orders
News, Editorial, Published on 26/06/2019
» A draft bill forwarded on Monday by civic groups, led by iLaw, to push for the repeal of the military regime's "unjust and undemocratic" orders, along with moves by opposition parties to fulfil their pledges to amend the constitution, signify that the country's real road map to democracy may just be about to begin.
This is not democracy
News, Editorial, Published on 07/06/2019
» Senators' show of force at a joint parliamentary vote for a new prime minister on Wednesday night suggests this is just the beginning of the nightmare for those who fear Upper House members will end up acting as the loyal representatives of the military regime.