Showing 1 - 10 of 83
Reshuffle cements Srettha's grip
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/05/2024
» After eight months at the helm, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin staged a much-anticipated cabinet reshuffle with unexpected drama and unsurprising consolidation. As head of a coalition government, Mr Srettha appears more "prime ministerial" as the reshuffle has strengthened his hand to implement the ruling Pheu Thai Party's flagship policies.
The threat posed by Cambodia's new strongman
Oped, Published on 26/04/2024
» Although 2024 is being heralded as a banner year for elections, with dozens of countries -- representing more than half the global population -- holding polls, for some, it marks the nadir of democracy. Cambodia is one such case.
Thaksin's influence no longer potent
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 01/04/2024
» The return of Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand continues to raise questions about the fairness of our justice system.
It's now time for healing
News, Editorial, Published on 07/12/2023
» Public anxiety has grown as the Move Forward Party (MFP) is pushing for an amnesty bill that seeks to pardon all groups involved in colour-coded conflicts and also offenders of the draconian Section 112 of the Criminal Code -- lese majeste law.
Well, that was a wild ride to Govt House
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 04/09/2023
» Finally, the Pheu Thai-led coalition government of 11 parties has been formed and is expected to assume office either this week or early next week, depending on when the government's policy statement is delivered to parliament by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Only the young can change Thailand
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/06/2023
» If the past two decades of Thai politics has been about populism and colour-coded conflicts between the yellow-shirted pro-establishment forces against the red shirts aligned with ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the foreseeable future will likely be about structural reforms and a generational clash between the age-old established centres of power against young Thais who are rising up to determine their country's future directions. It is unsurprising that only younger Thais can change Thailand because their old compatriots have too much at stake and too many vested interests in the entrenched and deeply embedded status quo.
Talk to the generals
News, Postbag, Published on 04/06/2023
» Re: "Defence body eyes reform", (BP, June 2).
Reversing Myanmar's internal strife
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 10/02/2023
» This month marks two anniversaries of ongoing conflicts in Europe and Southeast Asia, namely 12 months after Russia invaded Ukraine and two years since Myanmar's military seized power by toppling a democratically elected and civilian-led government under Aung San Suu Kyi.
Japan is facing a fiscal dilemma
News, Published on 06/02/2023
» Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently unveiled an ambitious plan to double the country's defence budget to ¥43 trillion, roughly 2% of Japan's GDP, over the next five years. Notably, the country's massive rearmament programme, its biggest since the end of World War II, has not triggered a political or public backlash. With Japan facing multiple security threats, including North Korean missile tests, Chinese coast-guard ships encroaching on its territorial waters and Russia's militarisation of the disputed Kuril Islands (known in Japan as the Northern Territories), polls show public support for the proposed increase.
What's next in zero-Covid China drama
News, Published on 12/12/2022
» China's leaders always knew that they would have to abandon their zero-Covid policy eventually and that the longer they waited, the more painful the transition would be.