Showing 1 - 10 of 285
Bar raised on lese majeste issue
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 09/01/2012
» So, the lese majeste law, or Section 112 of the Criminal Code, will remain intact, at least for now and in the foreseeable future or as long as the nine political parties keep their word after reaching a gentlemen's agreement to leave it alone during a special Parliament meeting on Friday.
New cabinet a small improvement
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 19/01/2012
» Many ministers got their jobs in Prime Minister Yingluck's first cabinet because of their political connections rather than their competency. Her new lineup looks a bit better with more professionals in the ranks and, probably, a better chance that they will not get a fail mark when their six month performance rating falls due.
Communication blame-game helps no one
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 30/01/2012
» The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration came under heavy fire by Pheu Thai ministers over its alleged foot dragging in implementing flood prevention projects when the cabinet met last Tuesday. At the meeting, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra urged all relevant agencies responsible for flood prevention to start working immediately and to show some results in two weeks time, otherwise the budgets already allocated to them would be recalled.
Nitirat's twist on 'freedom of expression'
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 06/02/2012
» Supporters of the Nitirat group have turned up one after the other to give moral support to the group in its latest face-off with Thammasat University's administration over its decision last week to ban the group from using the campus to campaign for the amendment of Article 112 of the Criminal Code _ the lese majeste law.
Water agencies just can't seem to communicate
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 09/02/2012
» The conflicting statements from the various agencies about the current, unseasonal flooding in Sena district of Ayutthaya are as confusing as they are worrisome. They show that the agencies do not even communicate with one another, let alone cooperate.
No more blame games, please
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 23/02/2012
» Now that the government appears to have full powers to manage water resources, it must take full responsibility and not try to pass the blame to others if there is another flood this year, or any year.
If the troops go, who protects the innocent?
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 12/03/2012
» As Islamic insurgents stepped up attacks against security forces in neighbouring Narathiwat province _ killing five soldiers in a roadside bomb attack and wounding 12 others in other raids on army outposts on Wednesday and Friday respectively _ about 100 members of 16 civic and student groups staged a protest in front of Rajabhat University's Yala campus on Thursday against the alleged rape of a teenage Muslim girl by a young soldier.
Prawat slaps Santi's face to try and save face
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 19/03/2012
» Face saving is an important issue in Thai society, especially if that face belongs to somebody who feels he or she has a high social status. That is why Social Development and Human Security Minister Santi Prompat got himself into trouble when he failed to save the face of Prawat Uttamote, a list MP of the Pheu Thai Party, when the former decided to remove the latter's elder sister, Panita Kamphu na Ayutthaya, the permanent secretary of social development and human security, from her post. She swapped posts with Wichien Chavalit, an adviser to the Prime Minister's Office, which is regarded as an inactive post.
Big Jiew flip-flops on reconciliation
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 27/03/2012
» Having announced his political retirement some months ago, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh re-emerged out of the blue with an open letter in support of the KPI's reconciliation proposals. And then, just as quickly, he backed off -- explaining the time was not right for him to speak out.
PM's Hat Yai visit belated, but welcome
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 02/04/2012
» Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s visit on Monday to the southern tourist city of Hat Yai, her first since she took office last year, is welcome -- no matter how belated it is.