Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Dissolution only deepens political divide
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 25/02/2020
» The Prayut Chan-o-cha government does not want street protests. The majority of people say they will not join political rallies either because they fear for their safety and believe they would instigate disorder, according to a recent Nida poll.
Section 44 is no match for senior monk
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 07/03/2017
» Even totalitarianism requires certain conditions for it to work. These include an ability to produce immediate results, possession of hegemonic power and the formation of a climate of fear.
Cracks widen as govt goes to S44 extremes
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 28/02/2017
» When Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked Section 44 of the interim charter which gives him absolute power over the legislative, executive and judicial branch in late 2014, he promised to use it "constructively".
The living with generals survival guide
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 17/02/2017
» There are still many disagreements in politics but a consensus may be reached that the future, as far as we can see it, belongs to the military and its conservative backers.
The high life underscores regime's lows
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 07/02/2017
» A lucrative drugs gang suspected of laundering money through purchases of Lamborghinis and big bikes with the help of hi-so types and celebrities; alleged corruption scandals at several state enterprises; forcing political reconciliation via the signing of a memorandum of understanding: The government's list of challenges seems to grow day by day and become ever more daunting.
Chuvit's next move
Life, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 20/01/2017
» Chuvit Kamolvisit walked into the top floor suite in his hotel on Sukhumvit and suddenly with no words of greeting or introduction launched into a rapid-fire monologue as if he were hosting a talk show.
The sorry state of law enforcement
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 05/07/2016
» An air of ambivalence is shrouding the one area where lucidity is expected to shine through: the state of law and law enforcement in the country.
Thailand's justice system is crumbling
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 21/06/2016
» Whether it is the proposal to de-list methamphetamine as a dangerous narcotic, the failed attempt to arrest influential money laundering suspect Phra Dhammajayo, the apparently illegal possession of a brown hornbill by billionaire Vikrom Kromadit or the use of Section 44 to roll out a 15-year free education policy instead of 12 years as proposed in the draft constitution, these diverse occurrences point to the same malaise: The country's justice system is crumbling.
Justice fails test in temple stand-off
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 31/05/2016
» No matter how it turns out, the stand-off between the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and Wat Phra Dhammakaya has underscored a combination of extreme conviction and weak enforcement of the justice system that has underpinned Thailand's many crises.
Missing the point of the park saga
News, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 24/11/2015
» The heart of the matter in the Rajabhakti Park scandal is as large and clear as the giant statues that adorn it. It is only strange that all the military men seem to have missed the point.