Showing 1 - 10 of 1,337
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.
How world's super-rich are rewriting the rules
Oped, Joseph E Stiglitz & Jayati Ghosh, Published on 13/02/2026
» Ongoing efforts to derail multilateral tax cooperation lie at the heart of a global programme to replace democratic governance with coercive rule by the extremely wealthy -- or what we call 21st-century Caesarism. Any strategy to counter this programme, therefore, must recognise that taxing extreme wealth is essential to saving democracy.
Election Commission under new pressure
Oped, Editorial, Published on 12/02/2026
» As accusations of vote-counting irregularities mount, the Election Commission (EC) is encountering a crisis of confidence amid fading levels of public trust.
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.
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.
Japanese PM Takaichi comes out on top
Oped, Taniguchi Tomohiko, Published on 11/02/2026
» Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has just scored an unprecedented victory in the country's general election. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which she leads, won 316 seats in the 465-member House of Representatives (the Diet's lower house), up sharply from 198. The combined strength of two parties that had merged hastily -- despite their fundamentally opposing platforms -- in an effort to bring Ms Takaichi down fell from 167 seats to just 49. The LDP, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, has never looked more robust.
Voters' choice merits respect
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/02/2026
» Thailand's general election concluded yesterday amidst a nationwide atmosphere of anticipation, civic engagement and hope for the country's direction. By last night and into today, the outcome of the count has, in all likelihood, become broadly apparent to the public, setting the stage for the next crucial phase of our democracy.
Today's date with national destiny
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/02/2026
» Thailand has a double date with destiny today. As the polls open across all 77 provinces, it is imperative for citizens to exercise their right to vote in both the general election and the constitutional referendum.
School bus safety ignored
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/02/2026
» In January alone, there were eight school bus accidents, the Thailand Consumer Council says -- a prominent civic group campaigning for school bus safety. These incidents claimed one life and injured 122 others, yet they were treated as snippet news that drew little public attention.
Monks and politics
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/01/2026
» Re: "Statue rivalry sows conflict", (Editorial, Jan 25).