Opinion pieces and commentary on Thailand's current affairs, in English, from Thai PBS World contributors.
Thailand is ramping up its COVID-19 vaccination drive following an unprecedented surge in infections since April 5, with Thursday (April 15) bringing a record 24-hour high of 1,535 new cases. Official records show that only 247,850 people in Thailand had received their first jab as of April 5 – but that number more than doubled
The release of Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob’s timeline has failed to dampen public curiosity about his movements before he tested positive for COVID-19. Even after he launched legal action against two social-media users for suggesting he may have caught the virus at a nightspot in Bangkok’s upscale Thong Lor area, rumours about his nightlife habits
Supporters of Yingluck Shinawatra are cheering an April 2 ruling by the Administrative Court, claiming it clears the fugitive former prime minister of all legal responsibility for her government’s graft-plagued rice-pledging scheme. The court overturned the Finance Ministry’s 2016 order – issued under the post-coup junta regime – demanding that Yingluck pay Bt35.7 billion in
COVID-19 has been around for more than a year already in Thailand. Since it began spreading in early 2020, experts have been warning about more dangerous waves of infection to come. Yet, when the third wave finally hit this month, the government was seemingly caught ill-prepared. “We are not that confident. But we are doing
The fun of Thailand’s nightlife has sent new COVID-19 infections soaring over the past few weeks. Since March 22, clubgoers and staff have spread the highly contagious UK variant to more than 500 people across the country. In response, the government announced the closure of all entertainment venues in 41 provinces. As Thais pray that
The government is facing public anger for its perceived failure to clamp down on the decadent lifestyles of certain government figures blamed for recent high-profile COVID-19 cases. On Wednesday (April 7), Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob became the highest-ranking government official to come down with the virus. He insists he caught it up from his secretary,
For some reason, many people have this mentality, that they will not get infected with the virus that has been rampaging around the world since early 2020. Elites attend exclusive dinner parties, party-goers go clubbing night after night and many social events have seen attendees standing shoulder-to-shoulder…. all without face masks. Either people forget that
The push to change the junta-sponsored Constitution is back at square one after the amendment bill paving the way for a charter rewrite was shot down in its final reading last month. This week will see political parties propose draft bills to amend the charter chapter by chapter, which should be easier and faster than
The newly formed Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party sounds very familiar, especially since it carries the same name as the government initiative launched to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite government denials, observers believe the new party is connected with the “Ruam Thai Sang Chart” (Uniting Thais to Build the Nation) campaign launched by Prime Minister Prayut
Anti-establishment protest leaders imprisoned on charges of lese majeste and sedition claim their lives may be in danger behind bars. They recently voiced fears of being assaulted or even killed in jail, though prison authorities have dismissed their concerns about possible violence. Panupong “Mike” Jadnok, one of the protesters being held at the Bangkok Remand
Thailand’s economy has been hit hard by the COVID-19 fallout, with numerous layoffs, working hours cut and people’s income plunging. The government has implemented a raft of relief packages to keep businesses and households afloat. But the safety net provided by the state has not been enough to prevent many falling further into crisis and
The government-sponsored draft bill for a referendum on charter change is hanging in the balance after lawmakers were forced to postpone their vote when a significant point in the draft was changed last week. This delay is another setback in the push for changes to a junta-era Constitution that opponents say was written to extend the
