Showing 1 - 10 of 38
Implications of conservative triumph
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 13/02/2026
» The incumbent and conservative Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party has surprisingly swept Thailand's Feb 8 election with a commanding win. With the previously poll-leading and progressive People's Party (PP) coming in a distant second, Thailand appears headed for a conservative coalition government revolving around BJT and like-minded junior partners. Known for its conservative stance and being pro-status quo, it would not be surprising if the BJT-led coalition government, led by Prime Minister-elect Anutin Charnvirakul, were not challenged by the Constitutional Court, the Election Commission, and other supervisory agencies, which have derailed and dissolved reform-minded winning parties in the past.
Next government won't be a grey one
Oped, Nattaya Chetchotiros, Published on 12/02/2026
» The formula for the new government will be an amalgamation of three colours -- navy blue representing the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), red symbolising Pheu Thai (PT), and light blue, the colour code of the Democrat Party.
Ground game
Oped, Postbag, Published on 12/02/2026
» Re: "BJT win bodes well for conservatives", (BP, Feb 11). Given the tallies of the nationwide party list vote, I don't understand the justification for the following assertions: "BJT's landslide victory reflects a surge of nationalist sentiment" (5.9M votes); the PP suffered from "lingering voter scepticism" and "eroded public confidence" (9.8M votes).
Will poll be breakout or more of same?
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/02/2026
» As Thais go to the polls this Sunday, the most consequential question is whether Thailand will finally break out of its debilitating cycle of political instability and economic underperformance that has marked the past two decades. The signs and signals suggest otherwise -- at least not yet.
Poll perils persist
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/01/2026
» As the election campaign intensifies ahead of the Feb 8 poll, a number of education outlets as well as media channels are churning out opinion survey results suggesting the popularity ratings of individual candidates.
Dark horse, deep state in upcoming polls
Oped, Nattaya Chetchotiros, Published on 15/01/2026
» The national election may be 20 days away, yet political analysts are already reading the tea leaves. Surprisingly, their predictions point in the same direction -- the next coalition could be a surprising mix of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), Pheu Thai and -- hold your breath -- the Democrat Party.
Anti-military tag harms PP poll hopes
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 12/01/2026
» War creates heroes. It also fuels a strong sense of patriotism. Hence, in the eyes of most Thais, the Thai military -- especially Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, former commander of the 2nd Army Region -- have become heroes for risking their lives, or for the lives lost and injuries sustained, during the two rounds of bloody armed conflict with Cambodian forces in July and December.
Nuanced Thai smiles
Oped, Postbag, Published on 09/01/2026
» Re: " 'Mai pen rai' paradox: from kindness to toxic silence", (Life, Jan 7). This is an excellent article, but alas goes down a rabbit hole, akin to mitigating daily road fatalities and addressing other issues often lamented in this column that we're acquainted with.
Chasing a new charter
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/12/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's move to dissolve the House early, following a dispute over how much power the Senate should have in forming a new charter-drafting body, may give the impression that efforts to rewrite the constitution have collapsed. However there is still some -- dim -- light at the end of the tunnel.
People's Party not ready for big league
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 15/12/2025
» Alas, the reformist People's Party (PP) has shot itself in the foot, once again. The latest botch happened on Dec 11 during the joint sitting of the Senate and the House to vote on the second reading of the charter amendment bill.