Opinion pieces and commentary on Thailand's current affairs, in English, from Thai PBS World contributors.
TV host Kalamare downed by her own “Power Shot” She started as an ugly duckling in TV’s glamorous world but Patcharasri “Kalamare” Benjamas quickly rose to fame, winning over viewers with her quick wit in front of the camera. These days, she is not only more beautiful but also much richer. Though she ended her
Thailand looks poised to confirm its first official “super spreader” as fears grow over the scale of the latest cluster infection. The hashtag #DJ Matoom is top-trending on Twitter after the recent celebrity birthday party of Techin “DJ Matoom” Ploypetch on the rooftop of a five-star Bangkok hotel became “super-spreader event”. One party-goer broke his
Already hit by an anti-establishment uprising, Thailand’s ruling Palang Pracharath Party is now facing a potential revolt from within as it chooses a candidate for the Bangkok governor election. Three people are reportedly vying for the role, in the belief that running for the core coalition party will boost their chances of being elected later
Thailand’s heated debate over the lèse-majesté law has been revived, with supporters and detractors clashing on social media following the arrest of dozens of alleged violators in recent weeks. Some politicians have called for the repeal of Article 112 of the Criminal Code, under which defaming, insulting or threatening the King, the Queen, the heir-apparent
The new wave of COVID-19 has forced leaders of the anti-establishment movement to break from street rallies and focus instead on legal cases stemming from their campaign. As a result, the protests have moved online, with rally organisers launching new attacks on the government and the monarchy via social media. Key protesters’ participation in last
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has tossed an explosive question into the country’s ongoing battle against the COVID-19 outbreak: Should illegal migrant workers pay for their own treatment if infected? The move by Anutin, who is also deputy prime minister, could have a serious impact not just on foreign workers, but on the entire country.
After 12 months of tumult and tragedy, 2020 will go down as the “worst year ever” for millions in Thailand. Along with a global contagion that almost shut down the economy and society, the past year saw Thailand’s political divide widen as the youth-led street movement challenged a status quo rooted in the 2014 coup.
The country is counting down to December 2, when the Constitutional Court is scheduled to rule if Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha should lose his post for violating the charter. Just days before Wednesday’s verdict, observers remain divided as to whether the court will send Prayut packing – in the same way as it has
Fear is growing that Thailand’s ongoing political conflict will intensify, with no visible way out, after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declared that “all existing laws” would be wielded against anti-establishment protesters. Critics voiced concern that the draconian lese majeste law, which has not been used for some time, may be deployed to shackle the youth-led
As ongoing pro-democracy protests prompt more and more Thais to choose sides, actor and charity worker Bin Bunluerit has stood up to declare himself an uncompromising royalist. He surprised the public on Monday by announcing tearfully in a Facebook clip that he was severing his 34-year relationship with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation because he wanted to
Given his humble background and inspirational rise to the top, Loei governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum knows exactly where to find people in dire need. Hence, his destination one day recently was a pawnshop. Inside Loei City Municipality’s pawn facility, he pored over records of pawned items and identified 44 people in need of immediate assistance. He
After weeks of fumbling for answers to deal with the worsening coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha finally said what many had wanted to hear: “I am in charge.” But what do these grand-sounding words coming from the country’s top leader mean? As prime minister, wasn’t he supposed to be in charge all along? Probably
