• OPINION

  Levelling out Thailand's political seesaw

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 25/04/2018

  » Finally, the State Financial and Fiscal Discipline Act of 2018 has taken effect, despite criticism about the controversial clause that virtually bans populist policies. It is seen as an attempt by the ruling regime under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to limit the role of elected representatives in turning campaign promises into government policies. With that, a democratic principle turns upside down.

• OPINION

  The rich history of 'siphoning' in our politics

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/05/2018

  » Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is accused of "siphoning" ex-members of parliament from various political parties into a party of his own that is currently setting up, rumoured to be the Palang Pracharat Party.

• OPINION

  New political parties must wipe slate clean

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 07/03/2018

  » As new political parties rush to reserve names and kick off the registration process, there emerges an impression that our politics is being returned to a democratic mode. The existing political parties are supposed to start confirming the memberships of their members next month. However, there still is no clear signal from the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) over when it will allow political parties -- new or old -- to conduct activities. The road ahead remains full of pitfalls and loopholes. It will be a long time before the dust settles, if ever.

• OPINION

  The political economy of a regime

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 14/03/2018

  » The bottom-line performance of any government is measured by its success in managing the economy and putting money into its citizens' wallets. In Thailand, as long as the current ruling regime can deliver on the economic front, it can remain authoritarian and generally safe from mass uprisings against it.

• OPINION

  Time for a plan to stop our city from sinking

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 30/05/2017

  » Flooding is not a new phenomenon for Thailand. We are in a tropical region. Our ancestors not only survived, but thrived in this climate. But it is a challenge for our generation to deal with the deluges.

• OPINION

  Vendor, lease policies marginalise majority

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 25/04/2017

  » What do a ban on street food, being pushed by City Hall, and the proposal for 99-year land deals for foreign investors under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), architected by the Finance Ministry have in common?

• OPINION

  Scrap the unconstitutional media bill

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/05/2017

  » The name of the National Reform Steering Assembly's (NRSA) media bill runs against its real purposes. Branded as the "protection and promotion of media rights, freedom, ethics and professional standard law", the contents of the bill have nothing to do with the title in their intrusive and abusive nature against freedom of speech.

• OPINION

  Thai political minefield threatens NCPO

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 16/05/2017

  » As the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha approaches the end of its third year in power this Monday, its ability to govern seems to be faltering.

• OPINION

  Playing with taxes could prove costly

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 21/03/2017

  » ' In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," Benjamin Franklin once wrote. However, as the Reaper is sure to collect the dead, governments may not always be able to do the same with taxes.

• OPINION

  Patronising stance on pickups backfires

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/04/2017

  » The government's latest attempt to regulate traffic involving the use of pickup trucks is put on hold at least until the Songkran weekend is over. The saga reflects the long neglect in enforcing the law, the Thai attitude of mai pen rai -- it doesn't matter -- and the patronisation by the ruling class.

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