ARTICLES

16 Mar 2023

Thai General and Premier Learns the Ropes as a Full-fledged Politician

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thai premier General Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former career military officer, is evolving to become a full-fledged politician who dangles goodies and hustles deals with other people of his ilk.

Thai Politics Thailand

13 Jan 2023

Democratic Consolidation or Authoritarian Survival: Thailand’s Next General Election in 2023

Napon Jatusripitak

The upcoming elections in Thailand might raise hopes of a post-coup democratic consolidation. But the polls could well result in a hung parliament or worse.

6 Jan 2023

Thai PM’s New Move Raises More Questions Than Answers

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has finally announced his intention to be the prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation Party. Many questions remain, however, about how he intends to proceed in the run-up to the next general elections.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

5 Jan 2023

Long-Delayed Thailand-China High-Speed Train: A Political Game on Two Tracks

Sivarin Lertpusit

The beleaguered construction and murky progress of the proposed Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed railway are emblematic of deeper problems underlying Thailand’s and China’s infrastructural ambitions.

Belt and Road Initiative China-Thai Relations Thai Politics Thailand

2 Nov 2022

The Threat and Allure of Thai-Style Party Bans

Napon Jatusripitak

There is irony in the Pheu Thai Party’s attempt to get its rival Bhumjaithai Party banned since this tactic was originally designed to eradicate Pheu Thai itself. The attempt will likely alienate Pheu Thai’s supporters and weaken its anti-regime stance.

Thai Politics Thailand

17 Oct 2022

Merge or Die: How Chart Pattana Kla Reflects a Sea Change in Party Dynamics

Napon Jatusripitak

The merger between the Kla and Chart Pattana parties is a logical outcome of Thailand’s new electoral rules, which will benefit bigger entities at the expense of smaller, party-list driven ones. The new rules mean that more of these mergers should be expected.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

23 Sep 2022

Thailand’s New Electoral System: More Freedom of Choice, With a Catch

Napon Jatusripitak

Thailand’s new electoral system, which will be used in the next general elections, will yield more freedom of choice for voters. It will, however, put smaller parties at a disadvantage.

Thai Elections Thai Politics Thailand

5 Sep 2022

Prayut’s Suspension: The Authoritarian System Behind the Thai Premier

Michael J. Montesano

Questions about the political fate of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha serve as a distraction. It is more important to understand the post-2014 authoritarian system that supports Prayut.

Thai Military Thai Politics Thailand

1 Sep 2022

Between Taipei and Beijing: Education Options among the Yunnanese Chinese of Northern Thailand

Aranya Siriphon

Because of China’s soft power, some KMT Chinese in Northern Thailand have gradually shifted from being pro-Taipei to being pro-Beijing. Out of the 110 private tutoring Yunnanese schools in Northern Thailand, more than 40 have begun to accept Beijing’s support and modelled their school structure in accordance with PRC’s guidance.

China-Thai Relations Thai Politics Thailand