Showing 1 - 10 of 264
Prime Minister Prayut's huge little gaffe
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/08/2019
» While Thailand's flawed 2017 constitution was bound to run into a fundamental dispute at some point, the sudden and brewing charter crisis facing the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stems from an unlikely source. During the oath-taking ceremony presided over by Their Majesties on July 16, the Gen Prayut-led cabinet somehow omitted one-third of a statement which was mandated to be read aloud before officially taking office. What should have been a routine constitutional ritual has become a procedural gaffe that has captured national attention, putting government stability at risk and the prime minister's political longevity in doubt.
Asean must aim higher at November summit
News, Published on 10/08/2019
» 'Like red ants on a log floating downstream each certain it is controlling the direction of the flow." That was the acute observation of a coarse-skinned farmer staring at the TV screen at a small coffee shop in a 100-year-old market in Suphan Buri province in central Thailand when images of the grand Asean meeting in the capital Bangkok were being beamed across the world.
Curb land reform excess
News, Editorial, Published on 12/08/2019
» While Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has insisted that tackling inequality is a priority of his government, a recent move of one of his cabinet members on land reform seems to suggest otherwise.
Checklist: Are You a Good Politician?
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 30/08/2019
» □ Yes. But I didn't berate them or try to flex my muscles. I naturally speak loudly.
Oath gaffe a costly lesson for Prayut
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 31/08/2019
» While the royal blessing has appeared to ease pressure on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over his incomplete oath-taking, his predicament is still ongoing.
Finding 'Billy' just the start
News, Editorial, Published on 04/09/2019
» Thailand has long been notorious for letting numerous mysterious cases of extrajudicial killings, torture or forced disappearances go unresolved, and harbouring a culture of impunity among the state actors allegedly involved.
Missing persons still need legal help
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 05/09/2019
» The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is getting praise it well deserves. On Tuesday, the DSI held a joint press conference with other state agencies announcing they have found Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongcharoen, a Karen ethnic rights activist who disappeared more than five years ago.
Charter court faces 'contempt' dilemma
News, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 07/09/2019
» On Aug 28, Assoc Prof Kovit Wongsurawat received a letter from the Office of the Constitutional Court summoning him to meet the office's secretary-general over an "inappropriate" tweet.
Three small victories in Europe: A turning point?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 07/09/2019
» Have we reached peak fascist in Europe? Well, all right then, peak hard-right nationalist, but are we there yet? That would be reassuring, and three events in the past week give some cause for hope.
Karma will haunt corrupt until the end
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 14/09/2019
» The sight of former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom head down, listening to the Supreme Court ruling on his role in the fake government-to-government (G2G) rice deals contrasted sharply with that of the merriment of his former boss, Yingluck Shinawatra, sharing a sumptuous meal with her brother and fugitive former prime minister, Thaksin, and his youngest daughter.