Showing 21 - 30 of 80
PM lacking confidence despite loaded deck
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 17/12/2018
» In the upcoming Feb 24 general election, one retired general does not need a big win if he wants to become prime minister. Under the current constitution, he just needs a small share of votes, 126 out of the 500 MP seats up for grabs. Yet, there have been an endless series of (presumably dirty) tricks and (shrewdly planted) traps to emerge over the past month which have been seen as efforts to help him gain this small win. Why?
History repeats as graftbusters fall flat
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 04/01/2019
» If it was the subject of a piece of detective fiction, the long-running probe by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) into allegations that Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon deliberately concealed assets in the form of over 20 luxury watches would probably be a colossal flop: forgotten overnight or ridiculed for years to come.
Hard lyrics shame the status quo
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 28/10/2018
» Are the powers that be threatened by a rap song? This question came to mind on Friday after finding out how the police and the government had reacted to the song, Prathet Ku Mee (What My Country's Got) by young all-male Thai rappers, Rap Against Dictatorship. It prompted me to check out the video on YouTube. Since then I've kept replaying it. I've also got an answer.
PM putting poll on the fast track to failure
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 17/10/2018
» 'Maybe". That was the most up-to-date hint Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha gave to the press corps yesterday when asked whether he will enter the political fray.
The faux democracy that Prayut may build
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 19/09/2018
» When building a house, hiring a contractor whose credentials are more about demolishing structures than building new ones could turn into a nightmare. You could hardly blame such an inexperienced contractor if your house collapsed.
Bell tolls for antiquated traditions
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 05/10/2018
» Should the temple's early morning bell ringing stop, or should it go on? This is a topic that emerged on social media polls yesterday following a citizen's request for a quiet night and, probably, a nice deep sleep.
Plagiarism is innovation's cul-de-sac
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 07/09/2018
» What's new? That's what my reaction was when I learnt about the plagiarism allegation levelled at Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag over the winning design for Suvarnabhumi airport's new terminal that has been ongoing over the past week.
How will post-poll Thailand look?
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 20/08/2018
» Now the Election Commission and the National Council for Peace and Order have promised to hold the general election on Feb 24 next year, should we remain hopeful that the move will eventually lead Thailand to transition into a more democratic state? The answer largely depends on our expectations of the outcome, as well as the form of democracy that we want -- and we can look southeasterly to Cambodia, or westerly to Myanmar to get a rough idea of what Thailand's new beginning may be like.
Welfare blues as scheme proves a slog
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 20/06/2018
» As the Social Security Office (SSO) is proposing a plan for salaried workers and their employers to pay more to its scheme by raising the contribution cap of 750 baht a month to 1,000 baht, I thought it was time for me to claim the benefits that I have rarely used.
Justice flaws condemn death penalty
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 02/07/2018
» A latest claim by an eyewitness, that executed murder convict Teekrasak Longji was not a murderer, has mostly been buried in the death penalty debate where emotions ran high over the past two weeks.