Showing 71-80 of 89 results
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Post-Obama America's 'rebalance' to Asia
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 24/06/2016
» As the United States' presidential election kicks into higher gear with the upcoming nominations of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump as the Democratic and Republican party candidates vying for top office, Asian countries, and Asean in particular, are concerned about what will happen to outgoing President Barack Obama's "rebalance" (also known as the "pivot") strategy to Asia. The "rebalance" is likely to be a lasting legacy of President Obama's foreign policy accomplishments. It has provided Asian countries from Myanmar and Vietnam to the Philippines with a counterbalance to China's increasing regional footprints. But the future of the rebalance hangs in the balance.
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Aftermath of Thailand's failed UNSC bid
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/07/2016
» Thais generally want Thailand to do well anywhere. When it comes to sports, for example, we have even learned the rules of volleyball to support our women's national team, which has shot up from nowhere to be in the global top 10. But when it comes to diplomacy, where Thailand used to be world class, local cheering recently has not led to international results.
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The passing of Banharn put in perspective
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 29/04/2016
» The passing of former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa is cause for reflection of where Thai politics has been and where it is going. By definition, as a former Thai premier, Banharn was a very important person. Yet the praise being heaped on him by many, including leaders of the current government, for his achievements and ostensibly glowing legacy, are both superficial and hypocritical.
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Punishment, crime and justice in Thailand
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 04/03/2016
» Thailand's political polarisation knows no bounds. The raging controversy over media personality Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda's criminal conviction is merely the latest manifestation of a morality war being waged in Thai politics over the past decade between the rightful and the righteous for the country's future power and soul. While it does not seem that way on the surface in Sorrayuth's case, closer scrutiny indicates otherwise. The case also instructs us that such polarisation is no good for Thailand, that middle and third ways are still the only pathway out of the country's holding position.
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China's 'water grab' and its consequences
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 25/03/2016
» China's pattern of regional conduct has come increasingly into focus. It is much less about maintaining the way things have been -- otherwise known as the "status quo" -- and much more about revising the established dynamics and contours in the region to its preferences.
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Seeing politics via the Chuvit phenomenon
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/10/2015
» As Thailand's popular rule is in deep freeze under an undisguised military dictatorship, few dare to speak out for fear of intimidation and temporary detention. One exception for all Thailand watchers to follow is Chuvit Kamolvisit. What he has been saying speaks volumes about the current state of Thai politics.
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Discipline key to avoiding financial crisis
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 24/07/2015
» Without exception, financial blow-ups require commensurate bailouts. The stories across global financial crises are fundamentally similar, and the ensuing blame game the same, from Greece's ongoing turmoil to Thailand's implosion almost two decades ago. Notwithstanding countless post-mortems so far and those on the way, the inescapable and essential lessons from the Greek debacle are simple: Beware of indebtedness, and incur debt with discipline.
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Subs put too many eggs in China basket
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 13/07/2015
» That Thailand’s planned purchase of three attack submarines from China has raised eyebrows is to be expected. Over the past decade, marked by two military coups in Thai politics, relations between Bangkok and Beijing have become closer than ever. If the submarine deal goes ahead, it will substantially bond military-to-military ties between the two countries and crucially shift Thailand’s geopolitical posture from its traditional hedging among the major powers to a lopsided embrace of Beijing.
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Cabinet revamp vital in 'indefinite interim'
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/06/2015
» Thailand has a military government that unilaterally seized power by force, and it intends to stay in office for a while during a once-in-a-lifetime political transition for the Thai people.
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A 'third-way' compromise is imperative
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 23/01/2015
» As Thailand is gripped yet again by a political climax surrounding former prime minister Yingluck Shinwatra's impeachment trial for dereliction of duty over her ousted government's rice-pledging scheme, it is instructive to take a long view beyond the drama of the day.
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