Opinion pieces and commentary on Thailand's current affairs, in English, from Thai PBS World contributors.
“This year, I don’t know why we fight, it will not make a difference. We have been making sacrifices for a whole year already. This is not ‘back to zero,’ this is worse than last time,” said the owner of CHU, a very popular eatery in the heart of Bangkok, which finally decided to close
This month marks a year since Thai government critic Wanchalearm “Tar” Satsaksit disappeared following his apparent abduction in Cambodia on June 4, 2020. His family, friends, and fellow activists have failed to locate him despite repeated attempts, both in Thailand and in Cambodia. Many now believe he is no longer alive. Wanchalearm, 37, was kidnapped
Politics should be normalised, was Amanda Obdam’s key message during a recent interview with Thai PBS World, as beauty pageants in recent years have undeniably became a platform for women to express their political opinions, as they relate to their own countries. “One of the conversations I had a lot with the girls was about
Proposed amendments to the Official Information Act are aimed at protecting state secrets, contrary to the law’s original goal of securing the public’s right to access government data, critics warn. The draft amendments would prohibit the disclosure of any official information deemed potentially damaging to the monarchy or its security. They also cover information on
COVID-19 will top the agenda when the new session of Parliament kicks off this week, with battle focusing on executive decrees including the bill for another Bt 500 billion in borrowing to stimulate the economy. Opposition parties are poised to grill the government over its move to add financial burden to a country already sunk
Thais’ generosity has never been lacking when it comes to pleas for donations. And thanks to mobile banking, money can now be transferred almost immediately to people in need. But occasionally, recipients turn out to be less deserving of our charity than they first appeared. Earlier this month, it took an 18-year-old girl just four
Thai politics has taken a surprising twist amid the worsening COVID-19 crisis, with supporters of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha now joining loud calls for him to quit. Previously seen as supporters of Prayut’s government, members of the newly formed “Prachachon Khon Thai” (The Peoples of Thailand) group have raised eyebrows by calling on the PM
Alarm is growing in Thailand after the Department of Corrections revealed that 2,835 COVID-19 cases had been found inside two major Bangkok prisons. Critics are questioning the Department of Corrections’ measures to prevent the spread of the virus, while human rights groups are calling for inmates in “unnecessary custody” to be released. Ten leaders of
The third wave of COVID-19 that rolled into Thailand last month has rocked not just the fragile economic recovery but also the government’s vaccination plans. The resurgent virus has spawned serious outbreaks in the key economic hub of Bangkok and its vicinity, leaving the government scrambling to redeploy its limited supply of vaccine to COVID
The Constitutional Court’s controversial ruling last week in favour of Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Prompow has upset many people, including supporters of the government. Thammanat, a key dealmaker and trouble-shooter for the ruling Palang Pracharath Party, was ruled eligible to continue as an MP and remain in the Cabinet despite spending four years
The ongoing third wave of COVID-19 underlines one thing: Thailand is no longer a champion in managing the contagion, and that has a lot to do with its government. As of May 6, the number of COVID-19 cases recorded in Thailand since the epidemic began stood at 76,811. Of these, 336 have died and 29,680
Disappointment, anger and despair is rumbling through Thai society after Thammanat Prompow was let off the hook by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday. Though many were unsurprised by the verdict, they still found it unacceptable. As Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, Thammanat has overcome more than a few political controversies, though his criminal past in
