Showing 1 - 10 of 32
Thai Human Rights Council aspirations
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 17/05/2024
» Thailand's quest for membership of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), Geneva, for the period 2025-2027, is rightly gaining interest among the general public. With a new foreign minister today, it is intriguing to prospect whether there will be more (or less) momentum in the competition towards the winning post -- with elections for the HRC due in New York in October.
Hunger strike tragedy
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/05/2024
» The death of 28-year-old political activist Netiporn Saneysangkhom in a correctional hospital on Tuesday after a three-month-long hunger strike is a stark reminder of the growing ideological differences dividing the country.
Tough security law dims Hong Kong's lustre
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 28/03/2024
» There was no hint of dissent in Hong Kong's Legislative Council as its 88 members passed Article 23, a piece of draconian domestic Security legislation which "complements" Beijing's own 2020 Security stamp on the Special Administrative Region.
Remember the name
Oped, Postbag, Published on 20/02/2024
» Re: "Lessons to be learnt from Navalny's fight", (Opinion, Feb 19).
On why Thailand is politically unstable
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 15/11/2023
» Since the 1932 revolution -- triggered by a coup by progressive elites that replaced the absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy -- Thailand's politics have been marked by persistent conflict and instability.
Some good news for freedom of speech
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 13/05/2023
» The World Press Freedom Day, concurrently May 3, was celebrated recently with a panel discussion at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, which provided a fresh opportunity to catch up with news, especially on Thailand. It was also an occasion to reflect on international developments concerning the shrinking space for the free flow of information ("info-inhibition") in various settings.
Do as King Rama IX
Oped, Postbag, Published on 11/02/2023
» Re: “2 activists get bail as lives at risk”, (BP, Feb 8). The Criminal Court approved bail for the two political activists, “Tawan” and “Bam”, who are on hunger strike to ensure human rights, freedom of expression, and the ending of Sections 112 and 116 concerning lese majeste and sedition, respectively. However, the two young girls insist on continuing their strike.
Food for thought
Oped, Editorial, Published on 11/02/2023
» A hunger strike campaign by two young political activists demanding the release of all political prisoners as well as the abolition of the lese majeste and sedition laws has drawn concern from across the political spectrum.
Bid for UNHRC seat needs care
Oped, Yawee Butrkrawee, Published on 13/10/2022
» In late September 2022, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai announced Thailand's bid to be a member of the United Nation Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2025 cycle. While this is a bold, welcome move, self-reflection is much needed.
Tackling the controversial NGO law
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 06/01/2022
» Does Thailand need a law to regulate the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), otherwise known as non-profit organisations (NPOs)? A draft law has emerged recently which is causing a lot of headaches for civil society. The cabinet on Tuesday approved this draft in principle; it is now being forwarded to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for a public hearing, before it is sent to parliament for final approval. The authorities claim the new law is required to make the work of NGOs more transparent and to counter money-laundering.