Showing 1 - 10 of 234
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.
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.
Three main parties and two directions
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 16/01/2026
» Although Thailand's election campaign is reaching fever pitch ahead of voting day on Feb 8, the dynamics and contours of its final outcome can be gleaned from past polls over the last 25 years. Only once in January 2001, as was indicated in this space last week, were voter results fully honoured and carried out. Other elections were either upended by military coups or manipulated by judicial interventions.
Thailand's political trajectory in 2026
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 09/01/2026
» What happens in Thai politics this year and the immediate horizon will be determined by the upcoming election on Feb 8. While contesting political parties are in full campaign mode, the contemporary history of Thai polls so far in the 21st century is not encouraging. Only once in the past 25 years have voting results went the way they were meant to, in accordance with the popular will. Whether the vote in four weeks will follow the same pattern will depend on whether the conservative establishment gets its preferred outcome.
Can Abhisit help the ailing Democrats?
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 22/09/2025
» Can Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister and four-time former leader of the Democrat Party, Thailand's oldest political party who is reported to be keen to return to politics, save the Democrat Party from almost certain electoral doom? No one dares to bet.
Voting fraud still an issue
Oped, Editorial, Published on 19/08/2025
» The latest report about MPs receiving cash offers to vote for bills proposed by the government shows how money politics continues to corrode Thailand's parliamentary system. An immediate and thorough investigation is needed to clear up any doubts about the integrity of our lawmakers and find out who the wrongdoers are, in the hope of preventing illegal lobbying in the future.
Thamanat aiming to push Bhumjaithai out of coalition
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 17/05/2025
» The latest “cobra” incident — involving a politician defecting to the Klatham Party — demonstrates Capt Thamanat Prompow’s fervent attempts to make his party an alternative choice for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government.
Charter rewrite faces major setbacks
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 22/02/2025
» Political parties, particularly those in the government coalition, have shown their true colours as the charter amendment process unfolds. Meanwhile, amid it all, the opposition People's Party has shown that it remains committed to changing the junta-sponsored supreme law of the country into one that is more democratic.
Shifting alliances and fading juntas
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 11/01/2025
» Thai politics is currently undergoing significant change. The junta and its conservative network, which held a grip on politics over the last two decades, are fading from the scene. Now, we witness ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra making his political comeback as a relatively new player -- the Bhumjaithai Party wields its power over the Upper Chamber.