Showing 91 - 100 of 673
Thailand's changing political narrative
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/09/2016
» So far in the 21st century, the main narrative of Thai politics has centred on a colour-coded class divide, characterised by an urban-rural chasm along the lines of elites versus the masses.
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.
Thais should become less pragmatic
News, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 12/08/2016
» So the circus-like referendum came and went. And the vote came down decidedly on the side of the junta government.The constitution drafters and supporters are understandably ecstatic. Their work in drafting the country's supreme law will not go to waste, and, with the public mandate on its side, the junta can now carry on with its national reform agenda and returning the country to a democratic path.
Regime should exploit 'win' to forge unity
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/08/2016
» No wonder Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was confident when he announced he would vote "Yes" two days before the referendum on Sunday. The results confirmed what he might have known through internal polls. The draft constitution passed with 61.4% of the vote, compared to a "No" vote of 38.6% at the time of writing; official results could differ only a little. The voter turnout was 55%, or 27.6 million Thais who came out to cast their vote.
Media gag needs rethink
News, Editorial, Published on 18/07/2016
» When Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returns to work after the long holiday, he should put the question of censorship at the top of his "to-do" list. One of his last orders before the long weekend was to appoint the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission as national censor for everything that is broadcast. He used his wide powers under Section 44 to make the appointment, and he should now consider taking it back. Even if one accepts that media censorship is necessary, the broadcasting regulators are the wrong choice.
A rocky road to the draft constitution vote
News, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 12/07/2016
» A glance at the motto on the website of the Office of the Election Commission (EC) regarding the forthcoming charter referendum, which will take place in about three weeks' time, and many may gain the impression the process is going smoothly, without problems.
Our voices are drowned out as vote nears
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 08/07/2016
» The military government's decision to set up monitoring centres in all provinces across Thailand in order to more closely monitor all political activities in the lead-up to the crucial Aug 7 referendum has turned up the political temperature.
The big issue: Toy story
Alan Dawson, Published on 26/06/2016
» It was nearly eight years ago that two clever green shirts masterminded the “hidden coup” that persuaded important members of the inner circle of Lord Voldemort na Dubai to defect to Abhisit Vejjajiva’s Democrats and make Mr Abhisit prime minister.
Referendum is a mess
News, Editorial, Published on 20/06/2016
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has reversed an earlier pledge to stay clear of the debate on the national referendum on the draft constitution. After several weeks of insisting he would let the Election Commission handle the pre-vote phase, the prime minister has now stepped into the fray. His reason for raising the political stakes is the red shirts' attempts to open "fraud centres" that would monitor any attempt to cheat in the referendum. Gen Prayut said the centres would not be tolerated.
Messengers are casualties of 'transparency'
News, Nopporn Wong-Anan, Published on 16/06/2016
» On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon chaired a signing ceremony between the armed forces and agencies under the Ministry of Defence and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) pledging to perform their duties with transparency and make the military free from corruption.