Showing 1 - 10 of 306
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.
Selective blame
Oped, Postbag, Published on 13/02/2026
» Re: "NACC timing questioned", (Editorial, Feb 11).Re: "NACC timing questioned", (Editorial, Feb 11).
NACC timing questioned
Oped, Editorial, Published on 11/02/2026
» As winning political parties begin forming alliances and the public waits for a new government to address bread-and-butter issues, the National Anti-Corruption Commission's (NACC) decision to move against former MPs from the People's Party is, to say the least, poorly timed.
Thin buyer guide
Oped, Postbag, Published on 11/02/2026
» Re: "Choosing the right air purifier for Thailand's rising air pollution", (Life, Feb 8).
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.
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.
Voters, time to brush up!
Oped, Editorial, Published on 31/12/2025
» With less than 40 days to go before the February general election, the Election Commission (EC) has yet to show it is capable of organising a meaningful public referendum on rewriting the charter.
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.
Charter bill still afloat
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/12/2025
» The month of December commences amid considerable political uncertainty. As parliament is set to convene its extraordinary session on Dec 10-11 to deliberate the proposed changes to the charter, to be followed by a regular session the day after, speculation mounts that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul may attempt to dissolve the House early -- in a bid to counter the Pheu Thai Party's threatened no-confidence motion.