Showing 21 - 30 of 54
Playing with taxes could prove costly
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 21/03/2017
» ' In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," Benjamin Franklin once wrote. However, as the Reaper is sure to collect the dead, governments may not always be able to do the same with taxes.
No right to bear arms, no right to violence
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 28/03/2017
» Three separate incidents in last few weeks defined a deep-rooted malevolence that continues to tear the fabric of Thai society apart.
Local governing bodies badly need reform
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 04/04/2017
» Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon recently sent up a trial balloon on the possibility of calling elections for local administration organisations before the general elections. His line of thought is that if the local elected bodies are in place before the national body, national politicians will not be able to manipulate local politicians during their poll campaign.
S44 addicts need some cold turkey
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 07/03/2017
» Two recent opinion polls show a number of Thais still have a strong love affair with Section 44, the all-inclusive tool employed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Parties need to change their line of thinking
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 14/02/2017
» The military government's reconciliation forum has been well-received by political parties. The Democrat Party has agreed to join while the Pheu Thai Party has not taken its usual belligerent position against the proposal. They will eventually cave in. No one wants to miss the train.
Freedom of temple, religion must be assured
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 28/02/2017
» The cat and mouse game the government is playing with Phra Dhammajayo, the revered leader of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and his disciples has become a stand-off that is further dividing the nation. There are lessons and implications that all Thais, Buddhist or not, need to think about.
Why corruption continues to plague us
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 31/01/2017
» Those following news reports over the past few weeks likely have the impression that corruption is rampant in Thailand, with a series of bribery cases emerging one after another starting with the shady Rolls-Royce deals. The poor ranking by Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2016 speaks volumes about the state of corruption in the country.
Public interest, not their own, will save media
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 07/02/2017
» The recent attempt by the National Reform Steering Assembly's media reform panel to push through a media regulation bill seems like part of a "roadmap" to restrict freedom of speech.
Knee-jerk reactions won't lower road toll
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 10/01/2017
» The public outcry over fatal road accidents in Thailand has been seasonal and tied to major long public holidays, namely the New Year break and the Songkran festival. This is not news. Unfortunately, past governments' responses to the chronic problem have usually been short-lived.
Paving over the cracks in reconciliation
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 17/01/2017
» After two and a half years without serious and meaningful efforts to reconcile political conflict, the military government is vowing to press ahead with its national reform and development strategy. But the regime will find it hard to achieve meaningful reconciliation if it is not committed to a return to full democracy and applying the rule of law.