• 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

  Three questionable years under NCPO rule

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/05/2017

  » May 22 will mark the third anniversary of the 2014 coup that saw the country switch to authoritarian mode under the stewardship of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Even with a new constitution now in place, the regime is relentlessly maintaining its tight control into a fourth and final year -- that is if a general election is called in accordance with the timetable of the charter.

• OPINION

  Shutting out parties is recipe for trouble

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 06/12/2016

  » The gag order issued by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) after the 2014 coup which prohibits political gatherings of more than five people will be a key obstacle for parties when preparing for the next general election.

• OPINION

  Thai politics needs room to thrive, mature

  Oped, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 13/09/2016

  » Since the draft constitution gained public approval in the Aug 7 referendum, discussions have now shifted towards the organic laws, in particular the one on political parties.

• OPINION

  Governor's errors play into NCPO's hands

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 30/08/2016

  » Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra is the latest to fall under the sword of Section 44. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), issued an order suspending him from work without pay. The suspension is supposed to be temporary until further notice.

• OPINION

  Free speech will pave way for tidy NCPO exit

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 23/08/2016

  » Since the first day Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha seized power on May 22, 2014, his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government have rounded up political dissenters from all walks of life.

• OPINION

  Denials, blame game won't stop bombings

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 16/08/2016

  » Some days after the Mother's Day blasts and arson attacks in the Upper South and Prachuap Khiri Khan, authorities still can't say with any certainty what happened at each incident, about 15 in all, who the culprits are -- though manhunts are on, and why. No group claimed responsibility or demanded any terms, making it easy for false rumours and conspiracy theories to spread, especially via social media.

• OPINION

  Regime should exploit 'win' to forge unity

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/08/2016

  » No wonder Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was confident when he announced he would vote "Yes" two days before the referendum on Sunday. The results confirmed what he might have known through internal polls. The draft constitution passed with 61.4% of the vote, compared to a "No" vote of 38.6% at the time of writing; official results could differ only a little. The voter turnout was 55%, or 27.6 million Thais who came out to cast their vote.

• OPINION

  Technocrat regimes and liberal democracy

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/08/2016

  » Rao ma tueng jud nee dai young ngai? or "How did we arrive at this point?" is a Thai popular phrase expressing how one is facing a situation, with wonder and surprise, or just plain sarcasm. Many are asking the same question amid the current political predicament and ahead of the referendum on a constitution that imposes more control than gives way to liberal democracy.

• OPINION

  Open debate on the draft charter is critical

  News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 27/07/2016

  » As the nation rounds the last corner towards the Aug 7 constitutional referendum, the outcome remains uncertain and the aftermath worrisome.

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