• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  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.

• 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

  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.

• 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

  Stop procrastinating, call the election now!

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 21/03/2018

  » The latest proposal by Somchai Sawaengkarn, a member of the coup-installed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), asking for a consensus from political parties for a further delay of the general election of another three months has been seen as a regime tactic to extend its grip on power. Such a proposal deserves to be condemned.

• OPINION

  '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.

• OPINION

  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.

• OPINION

  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.

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