Showing 11 - 20 of 54
Reform of the police force must serve people
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 23/05/2017
» A fresh "police reform" has recently been proposed by a special committee under the joint whip of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) and the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). It, however, has drawn opposition from people's organisations who criticise the proposal for lacking concrete structural reforms.
Time for a plan to stop our city from sinking
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 30/05/2017
» Flooding is not a new phenomenon for Thailand. We are in a tropical region. Our ancestors not only survived, but thrived in this climate. But it is a challenge for our generation to deal with the deluges.
Politicians' motives reflect their constituents
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 06/06/2017
» Three contesting parties for political power are at a junction leading to the general election and a return to democracy next year.
Three questionable years under NCPO rule
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 09/05/2017
» May 22 will mark the third anniversary of the 2014 coup that saw the country switch to authoritarian mode under the stewardship of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. Even with a new constitution now in place, the regime is relentlessly maintaining its tight control into a fourth and final year -- that is if a general election is called in accordance with the timetable of the charter.
Thai political minefield threatens NCPO
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 16/05/2017
» As the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha approaches the end of its third year in power this Monday, its ability to govern seems to be faltering.
Vendor, lease policies marginalise majority
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 25/04/2017
» What do a ban on street food, being pushed by City Hall, and the proposal for 99-year land deals for foreign investors under the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), architected by the Finance Ministry have in common?
Scrap the unconstitutional media bill
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 02/05/2017
» The name of the National Reform Steering Assembly's (NRSA) media bill runs against its real purposes. Branded as the "protection and promotion of media rights, freedom, ethics and professional standard law", the contents of the bill have nothing to do with the title in their intrusive and abusive nature against freedom of speech.
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.
Patronising stance on pickups backfires
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 11/04/2017
» The government's latest attempt to regulate traffic involving the use of pickup trucks is put on hold at least until the Songkran weekend is over. The saga reflects the long neglect in enforcing the law, the Thai attitude of mai pen rai -- it doesn't matter -- and the patronisation by the ruling class.
Road to democracy requires no rewrites
News, Suranand Vejjajiva, Published on 18/04/2017
» As the new constitution has become law, two seemingly unrelated incidents could mar the path towards national reconciliation and a return to democracy.