Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Thai army needs to march to a new tune
Oped, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 13/05/2023
» I always get feelings of fear when I hear the army's famous propaganda song, Nak Paendin, which in Thai means "burden of the country". As a child born during the 1970s, this song reminds me of military putsches.
Panel stirs anger over 'toxic' vote
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 24/05/2018
» Campaigners have vowed to go to the Administrative Court after Wednesday's ruling by the Hazardous Substance Committee to allow the continued use of three toxic pesticides despite mounting concerns about their health impact.
November poll dreams may turn to dust
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 19/01/2018
» The general election is just 311 days away -- as long as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) keeps to its promise and sticks to the timetable for the political roadmap to democracy so the poll can proceed in November.
An election singing the same old tune
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 05/06/2017
» The harsh public criticism against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his "four questions" gives an impression that people in country look forward to an election. Putting aside the fact that some politicians can be unscrupulous, or there might be a possibility of street demonstrations, it appears people are willing to give democracy a chance. After all, it is my belief that Thais have special relations with democracy.
Leaders reject govt proposal to limit terms
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 24/04/2017
» Clad in official khaki uniforms, a group of kamnan and phuyai ban, local leaders at the subdistrict and village levels respectively, recently made their presence felt in Bangkok as they gathered to call for the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) to rethink its proposal to limit their terms in office.
Local voting offers clues to reconciliation
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 30/01/2017
» The charter drafting process is dragging on. Again. Another national reconciliation effort -- which have historically led to irreconcilable differences -- is back on the horizon. Again. These hurdles are enough to make many of us wonder whether a general election will occur as the junta promised. This year? Next year?
Unconventional conservationist
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 02/03/2016
» By look and temperament, Sasiprapa Raisanguan, a 22-year-old staff member at the Centre for Protection & Revival of Local Community Rights (CPCR), doesn't fit the stereotype of a Thai conservationist. She is no starry-eyed tree-hugger clad in natural-dye cotton, nor does she have a hemp rucksack or ride a bicycle to reduce her carbon footprint. At our interview in Chiang Mai, Sasiprapa arrives on her motorcycle, which she calls "a practical choice" to getting around the northern city where her office is.
Of me, my wellness and ThaiHealth
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 21/01/2016
» The name "ThaiHealth" (Thai Health Foundation), a public organisation well oiled by "sin taxes" from cigarettes and alcohol companies, has become the talk of the town. The glare of the spotlight came early this month when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked Section 44 of the interim charter to sack seven of its board members for alleged "conflicts of interest".
The first and final step to freedom
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 27/08/2014
» Which type of campaign or protest do you think has been the most effective and interesting? Gandhi’s fasts? Sasin Chalermlarp’s marathon walk? Perhaps you prefer the Ice Bucket Challenge, which has recently become vogue on social media.
Classroom citizens
Life, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 10/02/2014
» Professor Murray Print is an Australian expert on civic education in Asian countries. Lecturing on sociology and civic education at the University of Sydney, Prof Print has also madetime to travel across Asia during the past decade to conduct research and offer advice on what educational programmes should be used instil deep-seated values of democracy in students. He also attends workshops at Chulalongkorn University on developing a curriculum for civic education in Thailand. He works as an advisor for Thai Civic Education, a campaign to develop and strengthen democracy education in Thailand.