Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Local govt reforms must hand power to the people
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 09/07/2015
» The National Legislative Assembly's (NLA) Committee on Local Administration's proposal to scrap Provincial Administrative Organisations (PAOs) raises doubts about its practicality.
The quest for equity in Thai university rankings
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 15/10/2018
» In his recent article, "Rankings not be-all, end-all for Thai unis", Mike Hayes astutely addressed the problems in the international university ranking systems vis-à-vis Thai universities, and there is little point in rehashing the faults he correctly brought to light. In his final paragraph, however, he offered an alternative ranking system that would incorporate official rankings but seems to be far more applicable to Thailand by incorporating Thai universities' contribution to local communities, national development and a democratic society.
PAO polls: An illusion of democracy?
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 24/12/2020
» Last Sunday, Thailand had a long-overdue election of the chairs and council members of all Provincial Administration Organisations (PAO). Are these elections really meaningful?
The path to poverty in Thailand
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 20/01/2021
» Thailand has had an interesting journey to its current ranking of sixth in the world, and first in Asia, in income inequality, as cited by the World Population Review. The country has historically been a patronage society, where the upper echelons of society are expected to look after those who are underprivileged.
Planting the seeds of development
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 03/02/2021
» Economic development in Thailand has not just been a responsibility of the central government, but its exclusive domain. Thus, the management inventiveness and fiscal autonomy of local governments for this function are often shackled by the rules, regulations and orders from the bureaucrats within the central government agencies or by those at the provincial level.
Can Thailand ever move forward?
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 28/04/2021
» In 2013, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) was formed, with members branding themselves as true patriots who maintained that the majority of those who were in the opposition came to power through vote-buying. They pushed for heavier legal punishments and removing the statute of limitations in cases involving corrupt politicians. They organised political rallies, obstructing many polling stations. The leaders were arrested and tried. The court saw this as a disruption of public services, which they saw as tantamount to terrorism and insurrection. On Feb 24, 2021 they were sentenced to imprisonment but released on bail.
Leading by serving, not ruling
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 24/05/2021
» About two weeks ago, through a Facebook group, more than half a million Thais expressed a desire to leave Thailand to settle down in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Australia and New Zealand, among others.
Participatory democracy: A way forward for Thais
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 25/06/2021
» A functional parliament is a strong foundation of a participatory democracy. Globally, the governing bodies of the socio-economically and politically advanced countries operate under some form of participatory democracy.
Rescuing Thailand from the middle-income trap
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 07/07/2022
» Eleven years ago this month, Thailand made a laudable achievement by moving from the category of a lower middle-income country to an upper-middle-income country.
Progress through decentralisation
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 30/05/2023
» The results of the latest general election have indicated a clear direction that most citizens would like the country to go. However, because of the entrenched power structure, the effort by a coalition of opposition parties to form a new government that could radically transform Thailand may be futile. The first reason is the Election Commission's scrutiny of the claims that Mr Pita Limjaroenrat, the Move Forward Party's leader, owns ITV shares. Second, he may be unable to garner the needed 376 votes from the Senate and parliament. Finally, will the dispute over the House speaker position affect the coalition?