Showing 1 - 10 of 29
Shinawatras' future at a perilous stage
News, Chaitrith Yonpiam, Published on 23/08/2025
» Paetongtarn Shinawatra's political future hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court prepares to hand down a ruling on the leaked phone call case next week.
Thai-Cambodian feud is Asean's worst
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/08/2025
» The border dispute and consequent military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand in recent weeks have become Asean's worst crisis in its 58 years of existence. Ironically, it was an intra-regional war between Indonesia and Malaysia that gave rise to Asean in 1967, but now an intra-Asean military clash is undermining the Southeast Asian organisation's core reason for being and its main claim to credibility and prominence. Unless Asean, under Malaysia as its rotational chair this year, moves fast to contain the bilateral dispute and reinforce a delicate ceasefire agreement, Southeast Asia will be looked upon increasingly as a region and less as an organisation of member states.
Not above the law
Postbag, Published on 26/07/2025
» Re: "PP backs public criticism of ruling in cadet's death", (BP, July 24).
Crunch time for Phumtham
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2025
» New interior minister, and current acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, is a man who can make tough decisions. His recent record includes the decision to return Uyghurs to China early this year, as demanded by Beijing. Last month, he approved a long-delayed, controversial submarine procurement from China -- a call that even junta leader-cum-prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha shied away from.
A 'dangerous' July for the Shinawatras
News, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 28/06/2025
» The Hun Sen effect -- caused by a controversial private telephone call recording between Cambodia's de facto leader and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra -- has thrown Thai politics into disarray. Ms Paetongtarn is in treacherous waters as calls for her resignation grow. Her opponents are to gather today in a bid to throw her out of office.
PM's crisis and Thai political directions
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/06/2025
» What began just a month ago as a minor border dispute with Cambodia has spiralled into an existential political crisis in Thailand. In what she understood to be a private phone conversation with Cambodia's former prime minister and Senate President, Hun Sen, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra compromised her premiership and undermined Thai national interests. While she tries to ride out the storm, her tenure appears wobbly and unworkable. What comes next will likely proceed in one of three directions revolving around the Thai parliamentary processes, each with its own scenarios and considerations.
Cross at your peril
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/04/2025
» Re: "French tourist killed on zebra crossing in Kanchanaburi", (BP, April 4).
Thaksin's return and 2025 prospects
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 03/01/2025
» Thailand's political environment last year was marked by machinations to keep the biggest election winner, the Move Forward Party, from power and to ensure the runner-up, the Pheu Thai Party, leads a coalition government the old guard can put up with. These manoeuvres after the May 2023 poll, initially forced Move Forward into the opposition and ultimately dissolved the party while bringing Thaksin Shinawatra back from self-exile in August 2023 for a perfunctory jail sentence and installing Srettha Thavisin as prime minister over the same period.
Parole process hints at Yingluck's return
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 14/12/2024
» The release on parole of convicts in the rice scandal case one after another has sparked speculation about the prospective return of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who fled the country to avoid imprisonment in the same case.
Sizing up Chiang Mai
Oped, Editorial, Published on 28/11/2024
» The mobile cabinet in Chiang Mai tomorrow is not just another routine meeting of cabinet ministers. Rather, it is an early bugle call for the ruling Pheu Thai Party to fight and win the local election in this northern province in February.