Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Thai police graft highlights bigger issues
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 26/04/2024
» There is no bigger news on the current Thai political scene than corruption among the top echelons of the police force. At issue is the tussle between Thailand's two senior-most cops, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn and Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, both accusing each other of being on the take. Their high-stakes feud would normally be a run-of-the-mill story for the infamously shady Thai police but this case has become a mirror and microcosm of structural graft that is corroding the highest corridors of politics, economy, and society.
An ex-cop who has no fear of the generals
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 14/12/2018
» Over the past four and a half years of military government, the Thai people have been physically cowed. Sure, there are many, possibly a silent majority, who may be waiting for the poll to have their say in opposition to the military junta that seized power in May 2014, led by then-army chief Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the incumbent prime minister. But few have been able and willing to stand up and stare down the ruling generals who routinely resort to intimidation and coercion, armed with guns and the law, which they sometimes interpret as they see fit. Just about everyone in Thailand is physically afraid of the junta in one way or another. Otherwise, there would have been more anti-junta demonstrations in public view.
The annals of Thailand's military dictators
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 12/10/2018
» As Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha eyes longer-term power beyond the next election, his eventual legacy will be compared to other military leaders who have come and gone as heads of past Thai governments. Had he left office or stepped down to run for it earlier, Gen Prayut might be in a better place. As things stand, his tenure and subsequent exit from the political scene does not appear promising for how he will be seen in hindsight.
Don’t repeat 1992 hijack of democracy
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 05/09/2014
» As it approaches its four-month mark after seizing power on May 22, Thailand’s military regime has boldly taken over the entire apparatus of governance and policy-making processes. Not since the 1950s and 1960s have the top brass been so directly and personally engaged in running the country. What it must do now is to avoid the fatal mistakes of past military-authoritarian governments and to prevent good intentions from rotting into ill outcomes.
Learning from a long history of coups
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/06/2014
» As Thailand’s latest coup bears striking similarities and differences to its dozen precursors, it behooves the National Council for Peace and Order to learn from the past. The military’s seizure of power on May 22 is now accompanied by daunting challenges and pitfalls that are consequential for all who want to see Thailand regain its democratic traction and way forward.
Protesters must unite for democracy
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 31/01/2014
» So deep and visceral is Thailand's polarisation that it is no longer enough to go around in Bangkok with a neon sign saying "Thaksin is a crook". To the protesters led by Suthep Thaugsuban under the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), it is necessary to condone and partake in their efforts to uproot the corrupt "Thaksin regime" by blocking parts of central Bangkok and opposing the election this Sunday. But this should not be the case. It is imperative for the "anti-Thaksinites" everywhere to come out against the divisive and convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and to be in favour of electoral democracy at the same time.