• THAILAND

  Coup rumours prove false ... for time being

  News, Wassana Nanuam, Published on 13/02/2019

  » The coup scare of recent days is baseless, given the brotherly bond between Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and army chief Apirat Kongsompong, according to a highly placed source in the army.

• THAILAND

  Under the army's close watch

  News, Wassana Nanuam, Published on 07/01/2019

  » The military will continue to play an important role in Thai politics this year, regardless of whether or not Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returns as premier after the general election.

• OPINION

  Go to Plan B

  Alan Dawson, Published on 13/01/2019

  » Normally notable for his silence, the Minister of Interior and inflatable blimp expert Gen Anupong Paojinda released the cat from his bag. His drones and workers, who had already begun setting up election facilities and security barriers, downed tools.

• OPINION

  The anatomy of a very tricky election

  News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 29/03/2019

  » Thailand's first election in nearly eight years was supposed to bring some closure to a self-appointed military government and clarity to the country's democratic future. Instead, it has generated much controversy and probable continuity for the incumbent military regime with murky political directions ahead. Central to the questions and outcomes surrounding the poll on Sunday is the Election Commission (EC). Its actions and interpretations of events will have much to say about what happens next.

• OPINION

  Poll uncertainty lingers as count nears finish line

  News, Ploenpote Atthakor, Published on 29/03/2019

  » Almost a week has passed since Thais cast their ballots, yet many things are still shrouded in uncertainties.

• OPINION

  Poster chaos a sign the times aren't changing

  News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 22/02/2019

  » As the elections near, city residents have to put up with some inconveniences. I am talking about the countless campaign posters -- featuring faces of people who are offering to change the country -- which are just about everywhere.

• OPINION

  TRC dissolution turns up political heat

  News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/03/2019

  » It is deja vu all over again in Thai politics. Another political party aligned to Thaksin Shinawatra, an ousted, self-exiled and convicted former prime minister, found its way to the Constitutional Court where it was dissolved in short order for "opposing the democratic system with the King as head of state".

• OPINION

  Election Commission must assert itself

  News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 25/01/2019

  » Thailand is supposed to have an independent Election Commission (EC) that oversees all electoral contests from local polls to national referendums. But as Thailand heads towards a general election on March 24, the seven-member EC has appeared less than eager and enthusiastic and too beholden to government preferences in staging what will be Thailand's first election in nearly nine years.

• OPINION

  Fairness needs to be ensured

  News, Alan Dawson, Published on 27/01/2019

  » In sports, as in politics, they call it a "tilted playing field". One or many tiny modifications to the game area give advantages that don't absolutely guarantee that the home team wins, but help to make it more likely.

• OPINION

  Royal command sets a new balance

  News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 11/02/2019

  » Thailand's political earthquake last Friday has caught observers at home and abroad off guard. Within half a day, Thai politics went through an unprecedented political roller coaster. It all ended with a press release from the royal palace at night, effectively reversing what had taken place in the morning.

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