Showing 1 - 10 of 46
Freedom of temple, religion must be assured
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 28/02/2017
» The cat and mouse game the government is playing with Phra Dhammajayo, the revered leader of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and his disciples has become a stand-off that is further dividing the nation. There are lessons and implications that all Thais, Buddhist or not, need to think about.
Unity in mourning, without angry crowds
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 18/10/2016
» Thailand has been mourning the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej -- the father to the land and the country's pillar of stability and unity.
Democracy is a creation of the people, not an elite few
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 22/10/2014
» As the National Reform Council (NRC) has convened and will soon begin to plunge into the so-called "reform" process with all the nitty-gritty details, a few points must be considered.
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.
Parties jostle to extend the life of NCPO
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/04/2018
» Three groups of political players are on the move in setting up parties to extend the life of the National Council for Peace and Order (NPCO) and support Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to continue as prime minister after the election. All three are working separately, but in essence are moving towards building leverage in the political numbers game.
Laying siege to the City of Angels
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 18/04/2018
» The appointment of Sakoltee Phattiyakul as deputy governor of Bangkok by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha through the use of Section 44 has been seen as a move by the regime to take control of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and pave a path towards securing votes in the capital for the election in the near future.
'Talk show' debate sets tone for election
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 28/03/2018
» The first open debate between representatives of political parties since the 2014 coup took place last week at a forum in Bangkok. It pitted veteran politicians against young bloods entering politics for the first time. Even though the event was more like a talk show and somewhat superficial, it did set the tone for the kind of politics we could expect leading to a general election next year.
Major parties in battle to repel NCPO attack
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 04/04/2018
» At the end of March, 97 political groups applied to be registered as political parties. Come April, public attention has turned to existing political parties whose party members are required to reconfirm their membership status. These are some of the steps the military regime under the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has taken to manipulate our politics ahead of the election next year.
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.
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.