• OPINION

  PM needs to send the right message

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 28/09/2015

  » The recent discovery of two guardian deity sculptures at the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine is of significance for Thailand, and due credit must be given to the War Veterans Organisation and the Fine Arts Department. I have a penchant for historical and cultural artefacts that tell us more about who we are and where we came from as a nation. We are blessed with such an abundantly beautiful and rich cultural heritage, something which we unfortunately take for granted.

• OPINION

  We need a British governance model, not North Korean

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 09/09/2015

  » Last week I was honoured to have been invited to speak at The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT), along with distinguished panelists like Khun Burin Kantabutra and ML Nattakorn Devakula. It was an evening of insightful discussion on the uncertain future Thailand faces, especially in light of the new constitution, which was evidently stillborn on Sunday.

• OPINION

  Regime cyber walls risk freezing Thailand's progress

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 06/10/2015

  » The single internet gateway fiasco has unmasked what the military regime envisages as the kind of society Thailand should be. A single path towards "happiness", a single roadmap to Thai-style democracy, a single mindset for "Thainess", governed by a single internet gateway to ensure only the "right" information is consumed by society.

• OPINION

  Thailand urgently needs to tackle development traps

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 28/07/2015

  » About two weeks ago while having supper with my family, my wife received a phone call from former prime minister Anand Panyarachun. So far, so good. But when my wife turned the phone over to me and said, "Khun Anand wants a quick chat with you", my instincts told me I had written something irritating and was about to be lectured by a former prime minster. However, my concerns quickly dissipated, because to my surprise I had just earned a different kind of lecture: an invitation to the Amartya Sen lecture series which was held last Tuesday at the Intercontinental Hotel in Bangkok. Phew! Dodged another bullet.

• OPINION

  Thailand needs an informed citizenry

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 11/06/2015

  » The concept of citizenship is fundamental to the principles of democratic governance. The two go hand in hand. The democratic state can basically be reduced down to the citizen, and citizens can only exist under the auspices of a democratic state. Without delving into political theory, it is this "social contract" which defines the relationship between a citizen and the state.

• OPINION

  Thailand on global trial

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 15/07/2015

  » As a direct result of the military coup in 2014, all international observers have their eyes on Thailand. We are in the spotlight, but not in a good way. Instead of proudly taking our place on the world stage with dignity and honour, Thailand finds itself on trial by the international community.

• OPINION

  Thailand's political landscape rivals that of 'Hamlet'

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 02/06/2015

  » I was recently invited by the British ambassador to attend a performance of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' organised by The British Council and the British embassy at Chulalongkorn University. I must admit to never having seen Hamlet but I'm glad I finally did because it rather reminded me in parts of what's happening here in Thailand.

• OPINION

  Thailand can learn from my hero, Winston Churchill

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 03/02/2015

  » This year marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of arguably the greatest Briton that ever lived. Those who read my column will know that I have often quoted Sir Winston Churchill, because I find his life and the principles he stood for mesmerising. Churchill personified the greatness of the British Empire and his death in 1965 marked its spiritual end. I wholeheartedly believe that our anaemic leaders in Thailand should study his legacy, because even half a century after his death, Churchillian principles still have the unique ability to inspire.

• OPINION

  True statesmen share power and avoid victor's justice

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 10/12/2014

  » As a staunch supporter of democracy and as a writer, I now face what I shall call the "democrat's dilemma".

• OPINION

  Thailand after six months behind the iron curtain

  News, Songkran Grachangnetara, Published on 28/11/2014

  » We have marked six months since Thailand ventured into dangerous − but historically familiar − political waters. Slowly, but surely, an iron curtain has descended upon this country, snuffing out many forms of civil liberties we once took for granted.

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