• OPINION

  Political 'cobras' are poisoning our democracy

  News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 01/04/2019

  » People who are familiar with Thai politics must know the metaphor ngu hao, literally cobra, which implies betrayal, dirty political games and bargaining.

• THAILAND

  A kerbside view of Thai politics

  Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 16/07/2017

  » On the day the doors of Phitsanulok Mansion were opened for Chalerm Changthongmadan, he felt his existence was recognised for the first time in his life.

• THAILAND

  Government House seizure next

  Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/11/2013

  » Anti-government protesters will seize Government House and other state agencies on Sunday and most state enterprises will go on strike on Monday, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban vowed on Friday night.

• OPINION

  Constructive dialogue on S112 needed

  News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 08/11/2021

  » Amid a series of youth protests calling for monarchy reform, one thing I learnt is that what has been lacking is a space for a constructive discussion -- a platform where people, either royalists, proponents of monarchy reform or those with neutral ideas, can have a healthy debate, without being in fear of violating the lese majeste law, or being criticised by left or right political wings that seem to have become more radicalised and lacking in tolerance to differing views.

• OPINION

  Violence as yellow shirts overreact

  News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 16/11/2020

  » Last week, a rally by a group of ultra-royalists in Nakhon Si Thammarat turned ugly after some elements from the crowd attacked a car, which they falsely believed to be carrying the co-founder of the Progressive Movement, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, out of a hotel. This is a sign that violent confrontations will be inevitable.

• OPINION

  Not time to get tough or stage another coup

  News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 19/10/2020

  » The crackdown on peaceful, unarmed protesters last Friday signalled the government's intention to get tough with pro-democracy groups. Such a stance prompts condemnation as well as concerns over violent confrontation.

• OPINION

  Subs plan could sink govt fortunes

  News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 24/08/2020

  » Even when the economy is thriving, with high GDP figures, we expect the government to spend rationally. Therefore, the government's decision to go ahead with the 22.5 billion baht submarine purchase at a time when the country is struggling amid economic contraction, millions are out of work because of Covid-19 restrictions and depend on state assistance, has understandably triggered outrage.

• OPINION

  Seat selections see political ethics hit nadir

  News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 13/05/2019

  » The country's political ethics reached a new low after the Election Commission (EC) and the military government chose, respectively, to award MP and Senate seats to people who may not be qualified.

• OPINION

  Will ‘welfare state’ promises be honoured?

  Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 25/03/2019

  » Following the general election yesterday, elected politicians will be closely watched how and whether they will keep the many promises made during their poll campaigns. One is their pledge to make Thailand a “welfare state”. Pheu Thai vows to improve the existing Universal Healthcare Coverage scheme, initiated by its precursor Thai Rak Thai. It also came up with a fresh idea of a “lottery savings” scheme that will encourage personal savings through the purchase of a lottery ticket.

• THAILAND

  Health care on life support

  Spectrum, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 26/11/2017

  » Thailand's universal healthcare coverage (UHC) scheme is confronting its most critical time since its introduction in 2002. For over a decade, the scheme has been praised all over the world for its achievement in providing healthcare access to over 48 million out of 66 million people, filling the gap left by the social security scheme and civil service welfare.

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