Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Three questionable years under NCPO rule
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/05/2017
» May 22 will mark the third anniversary of the 2014 coup that saw the country switch to authoritarian mode under the stewardship of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Even with a new constitution now in place, the regime is relentlessly maintaining its tight control into a fourth and final year -- that is if a general election is called in accordance with the timetable of the charter.
Patronising stance on pickups backfires
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/04/2017
» The government's latest attempt to regulate traffic involving the use of pickup trucks is put on hold at least until the Songkran weekend is over. The saga reflects the long neglect in enforcing the law, the Thai attitude of mai pen rai -- it doesn't matter -- and the patronisation by the ruling class.
A citizen's response to the unity questions
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 14/03/2017
» The government recently sent 10 questions to each political party as a guideline for discussions on reconciliation. I went through them and tried to answer -- call it a citizen's response, if you may.
New US president and Thai foreign policy
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 08/11/2016
» After Americans cast their ballots today, Southeast Asian nations will have to deal with a new US presidency. Notwithstanding whoever wins the election, Thailand and its Asean neighbours will need to come up with strategic positioning and get their acts together.
Unity in mourning, without angry crowds
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 18/10/2016
» Thailand has been mourning the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej -- the father to the land and the country's pillar of stability and unity.
Free speech will pave way for tidy NCPO exit
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 23/08/2016
» Since the first day Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power on May 22, 2014, his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government have rounded up political dissenters from all walks of life.
Denials, blame game won't stop bombings
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 16/08/2016
» Some days after the Mother's Day blasts and arson attacks in the Upper South and Prachuap Khiri Khan, authorities still can't say with any certainty what happened at each incident, about 15 in all, who the culprits are -- though manhunts are on, and why. No group claimed responsibility or demanded any terms, making it easy for false rumours and conspiracy theories to spread, especially via social media.
Technocrat regimes and liberal democracy
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/08/2016
» Rao ma tueng jud nee dai young ngai? or "How did we arrive at this point?" is a Thai popular phrase expressing how one is facing a situation, with wonder and surprise, or just plain sarcasm. Many are asking the same question amid the current political predicament and ahead of the referendum on a constitution that imposes more control than gives way to liberal democracy.
Democracy is a creation of the people, not an elite few
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 22/10/2014
» As the National Reform Council (NRC) has convened and will soon begin to plunge into the so-called "reform" process with all the nitty-gritty details, a few points must be considered.