• OPINION

  Light at end of tunnel for unity panel?

  Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 07/11/2020

  » At first glance, it seems the formation of the reconciliation committee has hit a snag as the idea is opposed by some opposition parties, and the anti-dictatorship movement. But there are signs that those opposed to it may get back to the negotiating table, signalling light at the end of the tunnel.

• OPINION

  New rules needed as endgame nears

  News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 24/10/2020

  » Society is holding its breath as today marks the deadline of the anti-dictatorship movement's demand for embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign. Will there be a confrontation? How will it end?

• OPINION

  Govt and Senate are playing with fire

  Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 12/09/2020

  » While the movement for charter amendment as demanded by student activists appears to be gaining steam, with the formation of a constitutional drafting panel under way, there are signs some senators may already be backpedalling. There are suspicions this may be a tactic by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government to derail the process.

• BUSINESS

  Abhisit talks post-pandemic future

  Business, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 01/08/2020

  » As observers try to fathom how the Covid-19 pandemic will reshape healthcare, the economy, lifestyles and beyond, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reckons that the global health crisis should serve as a call to arms for Thailand to reduce economic dependencies that make it vulnerable. Moreover, it should also serve as a time when the country revisits its development strategies.

• OPINION

  Keep guard up against virus rebound

  Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 09/05/2020

  » The country has started the countdown for the second round of easing and reopening, with the initial date set for May 17, though conditions do apply. Indeed, we will probably know within the next five days if the much-anticipated relaxation, with greater freedom of movement and various business and trade reopenings, is possible.

• OPINION

  Voices of student dissent must be heard

  News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 29/02/2020

  » Since the dissolution of the Future Forward Party (FFP) on Feb 21, Thai society has witnessed an escalating challenge to the Prayut Chan-o-cha government by university students across the country. Now a number of school students have joined the bandwagon with a series of flash mobs.

• OPINION

  Is return of political violence inevitable?

  News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 21/12/2019

  » The powers that be should not underestimate the "flash mob", the first street protest since the March 24 elections, organised last week by the opposition Future Forward Party (FFP). On the surface, the incident may stem from the resentment of FFP and its supporters over the Election Commission's (EC) move to have the new party dissolved, but it cannot be denied there are also many elements that echo dismay with the coup and subsequent election.

• OPINION

  Why FFP must learn art of compromise

  News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 12/10/2019

  » Less than four months since the new Prayut government took office, political polarisation has evidently widened with the presence of new challengers like the Future Forward Party. Fortunately, those in the conflict are still trying to play by the rules, not taking it to the streets as we experienced some 10 years ago.

• OPINION

  Karma will haunt corrupt until the end

  News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 14/09/2019

  » The sight of former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom head down, listening to the Supreme Court ruling on his role in the fake government-to-government (G2G) rice deals contrasted sharply with that of the merriment of his former boss, Yingluck Shinawatra, sharing a sumptuous meal with her brother and fugitive former prime minister, Thaksin, and his youngest daughter.

• OPINION

  Coalition braces for vital budget bill test

  News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 28/09/2019

  » With the 2020 budget bill being tabled in parliament next month, the final countdown has started for the coalition government led by army chief-turned-politician Prayut Chan-o-cha.

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