Showing 1 - 10 of 35
Thaksin chapter closes, another opens
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/09/2025
» In yet another dramatic twist in Thai politics, erstwhile anti-establishment political juggernaut and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra accepted a one-year jail sentence and began serving his time behind bars on Sept 9. After his return from a 15-year self-imposed exile in August 2023 and a concomitant royal pardon that reduced his eight-year imprisonment on corruption convictions to just one year, Thaksin cited his gravely ill health and spent the time comfortably at the Police General Hospital before being released on parole. The Supreme Court's ruling that his get-out-of-jail health card was invalid means Thaksin's renewed imprisonment and its aftermath are likely to reshape and realign Thailand's political landscape ahead of the next election, due by mid-2027.
Big job awaits PM
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/09/2025
» Thailand has a new prime minister. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has assumed the premiership, the country's third in less than three years since the 2023 general election.
The roadway to enabling governance
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 30/04/2025
» On May 11, communities across Thailand will vote in 2,469 municipal elections. Despite these polls being routine, they are a pivotal test of the country's commitment to moral leadership and enabling governance at the grassroots level.
Front-page funnies
Oped, Postbag, Published on 28/08/2024
» Re: "More heavy rain predicted, Thaksin to visit flood zone", (BP, Aug 27).
Expelling junta ghosts
Oped, Editorial, Published on 20/06/2024
» As the Senate election is more than halfway through, with the final voting due to take place next week, the country is set to have a new Upper House in a matter of weeks.
Thailand's semi-democracy returns
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 01/12/2023
» The appointment of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha as privy councillor has neatly bookended Thai politics over the past decade. It coincides with the 10-year anniversary of the street demonstrations that were led by the People's Democratic Reform Committee, paving the way for Gen Prayut to stage a military coup in May 2014. While the interim was a period of hard and soft military-authoritarian rule in 2014-19 and 2019-23, the new moving balance in Thai politics is a semi-democracy of sorts under the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government.
Give opportunities
Oped, Postbag, Published on 21/11/2023
» Re: "Myanmar still a ticking time bomb", (Editorial, Nov 19).
Don't underestimate the power of hope
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 27/10/2023
» Most Thais live with the hope of a better future. Their hopes play a crucial role in promoting the well-being of citizens and society. When people hope, they are more likely to persevere in adversity and take steps to overcome obstacles to improve their lives. In other words, hope motivates them to pursue meaningful goals.
Smart but no friends
Oped, Postbag, Published on 29/07/2023
» Re: "Consider the people's will", (Editorial, July 27).
Time for an Asian Monetary Fund
Oped, M Niaz Asadullah and Syed Abul Basher, Published on 14/06/2023
» Although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has long been the most prominent global institution for promoting financial stability, calls to create regional alternatives are growing louder.