Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Scandals confirm what we already know
Oped, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 07/05/2018
» Thailand has no shortage of national scandals; one after another in less than six months, starting from November of last year. It began with junta leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha berating a fisherman down south for daring to matter-of-factly ask him tough questions. Next came deputy junta leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon flashing his posh taste for luxury watches, which supposedly were borrowed from generous friends.
Victory for Suthep, of sorts
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 23/01/2014
» Ratchaprasong shopping street, Lumpini Park camping bonanza and Asoke/Ploenchit/Silom music festivals, none of these may seem much of a threat to the Thaksin Shinawatra political machine.
Them Ol'middle class Bangkokian blues
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 15/12/2013
» There's a saying from even before Thaksin Shinawatra became prominent in politics: ''Provincial people voted them in, Bangkok people kicked them out.'' The saying refers to the succession of stomach-churning governments during the 1990s democracy experiment. Regime after regime, the provinces voted in the corrupt and incompetent, while Bangkokians pressured each to step down. But for the past seven years, upcountry provincial folks have said, ''no, you're not going to kick this one out''.
We need more than a superficial makeover
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 29/09/2013
» Throwing subsidies around isn't going to turn stupidity into intelligence. Building fancy toys like high-speed trains isn't going to turn superficiality into sensibility. Giving lip service to democracy while practising feudalism isn't exactly democratic development, either.
Thailand 2020: Impaired vision?
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 28/07/2013
» Let the child learn to walk before expecting him to run. Otherwise, he'll trip and fall, suffer a booboo and cry like a baby. But it seems the Thailand 2020 scheme is expecting the child to go straight from crawling to running in the Olympics.
Chalerm's right, it's a cultural thing
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 14/02/2013
» Few people know how Thailand works and how to work Thailand like deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung does.
The importance of being Abhisit
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 06/01/2013
» Take a second. Think about it. It's a bizarre world we live in. Stand back and look at today from the perspective of 15 years ago.
Greed is good
Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 18/10/2012
» Giveaway. Getaway. Got away. All is well in Thailand. The rich get richer. The poor get tips. The middle class click "like".
Reconciled to the obvious
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 29/04/2012
» There have been three gestures that political analysts call "symbolic moves toward reconciliation". But no, really, they are not.
Il Duce, come-home-now
News, Voranai Vanijaka, Published on 15/04/2012
» Aung San Suu Kyi was imprisoned for 15 of the past 21 years in her own home. Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned several times on many different occasions in South Africa and India. Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison.