Showing 31 - 40 of 719
Can Thailand ever move forward?
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 28/04/2021
» In 2013, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) was formed, with members branding themselves as true patriots who maintained that the majority of those who were in the opposition came to power through vote-buying. They pushed for heavier legal punishments and removing the statute of limitations in cases involving corrupt politicians. They organised political rallies, obstructing many polling stations. The leaders were arrested and tried. The court saw this as a disruption of public services, which they saw as tantamount to terrorism and insurrection. On Feb 24, 2021 they were sentenced to imprisonment but released on bail.
A costly delay
Oped, Postbag, Published on 20/02/2021
» It is becoming increasingly clear that there will be no tourists arriving in numbers before the majority of Thai people are vaccinated. A country that depends on close to 20% of its GDP on travel and tourism should by now be right up there with Israel in terms of inoculations or at least at par with the UK to be able to open up this coming summer.
As turmoil rages, no quick return to halcyon days
News, Published on 18/01/2021
» Given the momentous and historic lawless disruption of the US Congress on Jan 6, serious and necessary questions are being asked: what is happening in America? I would like to provide some background from my personal perspective on the course of history now unfolding in this country.
The 'salim' phenomenon in Thai politics
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 18/12/2020
» Few phenomena explain and underpin Thai politics more than the rise and decline of what is known pejoratively these days as salim, a metaphorical variation of salim, a Thai dessert comprising multi-coloured thin noodles served in coconut milk with crushed ice. Once socially attractive and politically fashionable, salim have gone out of vogue, looked down upon in a new era of anti-establishment protest for pro-democracy reforms under the new reign. What becomes of these pro-military royalist-conservative salim will have much to say about what will happen to Thailand's political future.
Thai critics need state protection
News, Editorial, Published on 29/11/2020
» Sitanan Satsaksit, the sister of pro-democracy activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit, who was abducted in Phnom Penh, arrived in the Cambodian capital earlier this month, together with legal aides, to seek answers about her brother's disappearance.
Back to dark ages
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/11/2020
» Re: "Legal threats need rethink", (Editorial, Nov 25).
Vaccine no panacea
News, Postbag, Published on 24/11/2020
» In "Will vaccines end our economic slump?" Chartchai Parasuk reveals a sobering economist's view of Thailand's future prospects (Opinion, Nov 19).
Problem with lies
Oped, Postbag, Published on 14/11/2020
» Re: "Cops bend to royalist mob", (Editorial, Nov 13). Sadly, this is what happens when you brainwash people from the cradle to the grave, deny them access to the truth and create an unsustainable cult of personality.
The karmic results of voter suppression
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 30/10/2020
» When Thailand's justice system issues decisions that have political ramifications, fewer people are holding their breath these days because conclusions are increasingly foregone. In fact, when the historical record comes into fuller view, it will be seen that the politicisation of the judiciary has fundamentally undermined Thailand's fragile democratic development and reinforced authoritarian rule that has been resurgent over the past 15 years. Nowhere are these judicial sins and shortcoming more salient and damning than the systematic and selective disenfranchisement of voters.
Dialogue vital to find peace
Oped, Editorial, Published on 16/10/2020
» With the declaration of the state of emergency, the confrontation between Prayut Chan-o-cha and the anti-dictatorship activists has overwhelmingly intensified, and once again the country has plunged into division.