Showing 1 - 10 of 50
The gist of Thai politics over 20 years
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/02/2026
» Thailand's democratic institutions have been repressed and kept weak to the point that confusion still prevails almost two weeks after the Feb 8 election, which purportedly showed a clear victory for the ruling Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. On the one hand, Mr Anutin and BJT stalwarts are busy forming a coalition government with other parties. On the other hand, fraud allegations from civil society groups and the opposition People's Party have reached a critical mass with the plausibility that the recent vote might be nullified to pave the way for a new poll.
Behind the smiles
Oped, Postbag, Published on 23/09/2025
» Re: "Govt denies seizing BBC footage", (BP, Sept 19).
Casino bill latest throw of the dice
Oped, Yuangrat Wedel & Paul Wedel, Published on 29/01/2025
» The Thai government is once again struggling to establish a consistent and enforceable policy on gambling, hoping to win big on tourists, revenue, and jobs. This is the latest twist in more than a century of shifting approaches to games of chance.
Two wasted decades in Thai politics
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/12/2024
» Now that Thaksin Shinawatra appears actively back in Thai politics, it is demoralising to look back at Thailand's wasted time and opportunities. Once a promising country on the way from democratic transition to consolidation in the late 1990s, Thailand has become semi-autocratic, and its rocky political trajectory over the past two decades is now structural. The traditional institutions of power that grew out of the Cold War have been calling the shots in earlier decades and are just unwilling to let the country move forward in the immediate years ahead.
Korea martial law lessons for Thailand
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/12/2024
» Last week, South Korea experienced a titanic political shift when President Yoon Suk-yeol imposed martial law late on Tuesday night. The move lasted just over six hours before it was lifted, making it one of the shortest-lived martial law declarations in modern political history. It was lucky because it started late at night and ended early in the morning. Had it occurred during the day, the outcome could have been very different.
Revamping development strategy
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 17/08/2024
» Thailand's economic trajectory is teetering on the edge of regression, demanding immediate attention. Thailand's growth rates in the first quarter of 2024 fell behind all Asean member countries except Myanmar. These facts cast serious doubts on the efficacy of traditional economic development strategies. The primary goal of enhancing the well-being of Thai citizens is at stake.
Stop making the 'Munich in 1938' analogies
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 15/06/2024
» Scarcely a week passes without some media pundit or attention-seeking historian warning that a Great War is nigh. As always, there are enough signs and portents around to make that sort of prediction plausible, but it's rarely correct. In fact, it hasn't been correct now for 79 years.
Spending plans?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 27/04/2024
» Re: "Prawit declares B87m in assets", (BP, April 25).
Recruit Vicha
Oped, Postbag, Published on 30/03/2024
» Re: "Applause for PM in tacking RTP rift", (Opinion, March 23).
The rule of law
Oped, Postbag, Published on 28/03/2024
» Re: "Voter intelligence", (PostBag, March 26).