Showing 1 - 10 of 32
Coalition already straining at seams
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 10/06/2019
» Trouble is brewing in the Palang Pracharath-led coalition alliance sooner than expected over the sharing of key economic ministries. Now that the party got its candidate, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, voted in as prime minister, it is going back on its promises by demanding the agriculture and commerce ministerial posts from the Democrat Party, and the transport minister's post from the Bhumjaithai Party, on the pretext that Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Gen Prayut's right-hand man on economic affairs, may opt out of the new cabinet if he does not control the three key economic ministries.
Future Forward boss faces Supreme Court test
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 29/04/2019
» The media shareholding case against Future Forward Party (FFP) leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and a few other prospective MPs appear to revolve around two issues -- firstly, the interpretation of Section 98 (3) of the 2017 constitution and Section 42 (3) of the MPs Election Act which forbid an election candidate from being a proprietor or shareholder of a media company and, secondly, whether a verdict of the Supreme Court can be reversed.
Military mindset will be tough nut to crack
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 27/11/2017
» The way the military -- from Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsowon down to the Phramongkutklao Hospital and the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps) -- has been handling the suspicious death of Pakapong Tanyakan, a freshman of the school, not only leaves much to be desired, but leaves the military establishment bruised.
The soul of the Mekong is in serious trouble
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 06/02/2017
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week asked reporters why non-governmental organisations (NGOs), environmental activists and academics continue to protest against the planned blasting of rapids in the Mekong River.
Media out to lunch as police whistle-blower calls
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 07/03/2016
» Media organisations and academics, as well as anti-corruption advocacy groups, went full throttle against embattled news anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda and Channel 3 last week. Meanwhile, the whistle-blowing by Adm Phajun Tamprateep, a former close aide to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, that revealed an unidentified general was involved in the "sale" of police positions ahead of the annual police reshuffle went largely unnoticed by the media.
Selfless heroism, hazing idiocy
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 23/02/2016
» Remember that beautiful story of the Krabi fisherman who instinctively went to the rescue of two elderly Norwegian bird watchers stuck in thick mud, throwing himself face down in the muck so they could free themselves.
Think, then think again before signing as a guarantor
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 03/02/2016
» Rule Number One for anyone thinking of being a guarantor for a friend, colleague, relative or lover - there is a legal and financial risk involved. It is frequently said by lawyers that once you become a guarantor, you have one foot in prison.
World media lauds Paween, but at home he's a leper
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 14/12/2015
» If I were in national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda's shoes I would be feeling very upset with Pol Maj-Gen Paween Pongsirin, the former deputy commissioner of provincial police Region 8 and chief investigator of the high-profile Rohingya trafficking case.
Why is Pheu Thai so worried?
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 03/11/2015
» Pheu Thai is up in arms over Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's use of Section 44 to protect officials clearing the huge stockpile of ageing rice and investigating suspected graft in the party's pledging scheme from civil and criminal litigation and disciplinary action.
Move quickly to seize forests back from rubber planters
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 21/04/2015
» With the blessing of the National Council for Peace and Order, the Royal Forest Department intends over the next two years to seize back one million rai of former forest that has been encroached on, cleared and planted in rubber.