Opinion pieces and commentary on Thailand's current affairs, in English, from Thai PBS World contributors.
Worried that disruption from the latest COVID-19 outbreak will derail their futures, thousands of Mathayom 6 students are trying hard to have their university entrance exams postponed. #Courtpetitionsforexampostponement is trending on Twitter after six students submitted a plea to the Central Administrative Court with the help of Pheu Thai Party spokeswoman Asst Prof Arunee Kasayanond
A heated and lengthy debate accompanied by chaos including a walkout are expected in Parliament when the charter amendment draft bill returns for its third and final reading on March 17-18. Meanwhile, another legal review will likely be sought if the bill sails through. Supporters and opponents are already locking horns over the previous review,
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s COVID-19 vaccination was again cancelled at last minute on Friday. The cancellation adds another twist to the already-dramatic story here of the COVID-19 vaccine that has been developed through AstraZeneca – Oxford University collaboration. The latest cancellation happened for “safety reasons” after Denmark, Norway, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg have
The hashtag #SaveBangKloi is spreading fast through social media, as Thai netizens campaign to defend ethnic Karen forest dwellers in Phetchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan National Park from further violence and eviction. This long-running dispute is seen as a key test of whether Thailand can find the right balance between preserving its forests and protecting the rights of forest dwellers. When
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has spoken – though not as forcefully as many might have wanted to see. But optimists in the regional grouping believe its message was clear enough to sink in with the military junta in Naypyidaw. However, the fact that Myanmar security forces still continue to use deadly force
Another crucial moment for the Thai Constitution has arrived, with the court set to rule on March 11whether Parliament is authorised to pave the way for a charter rewrite. The Constitutional Court’s ruling carries serious implications for Thailand’s tense political stand-off. The verdict could rock the Prayut government’s stability while also setting off the largest anti-establishment protests seen to date.
Four political parties will battle for a single MP seat when the polls open in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Constituency 3 by-election on Sunday (March 7). The coalition Democrat and Palang Pracharath parties, the opposition Seree Ruam Thai and Kla – a new party with no MPs – are all targeting the parliamentary prize, though
Inspired by the ongoing anti-coup protests in Myanmar, and enraged by the indictment and detention of four protest leaders on lèse majesté charges, Thailand’s anti-establishment protests resumed after a pause since mid-December. Large-scale protests no more? One may argue that the momentum has been lost, as the size of the protests has not picked up
The Criminal Court’s recent decision to send leaders of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) to jail over their street rallies against Yingluck Shinawatra’s government has deep political implications and may even alter the course of current and future Thai protests. Battle over Cabinet seats Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted that last month’s censure debate
A Feb 24 Criminal Court verdict has placed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in a situation he was dreading — the need for a Cabinet reshuffle he reportedly tried to delay as long as possible to avoid shock waves in his fragile coalition. However, with three of his Cabinet members now sentenced to jail, the PM
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and nine other Cabinet members managed to sail through last week’s no-confidence vote — mostly with comfortable margins — while the opposition declared success in opening government wounds. However, the vote results offered tell-tale signs about the state of Thai politics, its most powerful figures, and the aftermath of the censure
With their clear majority in the House, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and the nine other targeted ministers are expected to sail through the second no-confidence debate in the two years his government has been in office. Observers, however, worry about possible unrest amid planned anti-establishment protests on voting day. The vote on the four-day censure
