Showing 1 - 4 of 4
Charter push is risky
News, Editorial, Published on 23/09/2024
» It is rare to see a ruling party and a main opposition party join hands in rewriting the constitution. But such is the case with the Pheu Thai Party and the People's Party, a reincarnation of the Move Forward Party, as they push with all their might to amend some sections of the junta-sponsored 2017 constitution.
Uncharted territory and a case of déjà vu
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/08/2024
» Another dissolution of another election winner should feel old in Thai politics. But what happened to Move Forward Party is not just déjà vu but uncharted territory. Its dissolution fits a recurrent pattern of systematic subversion of democratic institutions in favour of autocratic preferences in disregard of the will of the majority. The Constitutional Court's breakup of Move Forward also breaks new ground that is increasingly taking centre stage in Thailand's political landscape.
#BehindTheHashtags
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 06/03/2020
» Many student protests that were partly set off by the dissolution of Future Forward Party over the past two weeks has also ushered in new hashtags into the lexicon of Thai social media. At the time of writing, it has been reported that there are 28 hashtags associated with campus protests. Some are humourous while others carry strong political stances and sharp gibes. Whether you agree with these students who've chosen to make their voices heard, it's better to get used to their protest hashtags as more student flashmobs are on their way (but many speculate that the designation of Covid-19 as a dangerous communicable disease may be used as a tool to suppress them). Not to mention, an online campaign calling for people to wear black on Fridays as a symbol to oppose dictatorship began last Friday.
The lighter side of politics
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 30/03/2018
» Amid the deluge of headlines that pop up on my (and perhaps your) smartphone screen, a few manage to catch my attention with their unexpected funniness especially those regarding Thai politics. Some are so ironic, they are jokes. Not sure what I'm getting at? Here are a few examples for your entertainment. After reading too many corruption scandals involving state officials, one just needs a few laughs, y'know.