ARTICLES

11 May 2022

More Political Implications Than Meet the Eye in Upcoming Election for Bangkok Governor

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Bangkok’s voters will go to the polls to elect a new governor on 22 May 2022 for the first time in nearly a decade. The clear front-runner is former transport minister Dr Chadchart Sittipunt. This article evaluates the prospects for a surprise upset.

9 May 2022

Princess Sirivannavari’s Textile Initiative and Royal Power: Will Thai People Take the Hook?

Alexandra Dalferro

A textile motif designed by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana, the daughter of King Vajiralongkorn, is becoming popular across Thailand, raising questions about the power and purchase of the monarchy.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

20 Apr 2022

Labelling Fake News: The Politics of Regulating Disinformation in Thailand

Janjira Sombatpoonsiri

In Thailand, determining what news is true or fake appears to be a political matter. This article argues that political misuse of regulatory measures not only sows censorship and autocratic propensities, but also reinforce public mistrust in official mechanisms to curb disinformation.

Misinformation Online Misinformation Thai Politics Thailand

16 Mar 2022

Decoding Phuket Province’s Demand for Autonomy

Tita Sanglee|Michael J. Montesano

There are growing calls in Phuket, Thailand’s tourism powerhouse, to become more autonomous from the central authorities in Bangkok. While such an idea has not gained traction outside Phuket, the province might need to think deeper about what autonomy entails, and in what form.

Thai Politics Thailand

3 Mar 2022

Threat to Amnesty International Reflects Climate of Repression in Thailand

Alexandra Dalferro

The recent move to expel Amnesty International from Thailand is yet another indicator of the growing influence of the ultra-royalist political faction in Thailand.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

3 Mar 2022

‘Stand, Stop, Imprison’: People’s Defiance against the Thai Establishment

Anusorn Unno

Protestors against the Thai establishment have found a new form of defiance: demanding offenders’ right to bail. The ‘Stand, Stop, Imprison’ campaign has spread far and wide, largely due to its less controversial nature.

Thai Politics Thailand

22 Feb 2022

Thammanat versus Phalang Pracharat: Who Will Win?

Punchada Sirivunnabood

Controversial Thai politician Thammanat Prompow is proving his mettle as an adept political fixer and could well emerge as kingmaker at the next elections.

Thai Military Thai Politics Thailand

10 Feb 2022

‘We Apologise, But We Don’t Regret’: Thailand’s Frazzled Conservatives

Anusorn Unno

Thailand’s conservatives see new threats to their conception of political order, in the form of a politicised youth movement and the ruling government led by the Phalang Pracharat Party.

Thai Politics Thailand

25 Jan 2022

Ratsadornprasong Fund: New Front for People’s Struggles Against the Establishment

Anusorn Unno

A grassroots initiative called the Ratsadornprasong Fund has been created to shoulder the financial burden of bail and legal support for arrested protestors. The millions of baht raised in support of the fund is emblematic of the anti-establishment movement’s mass support in Thailand.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

16 Dec 2021

Thailand’s Main Opposition Party Hopes for a Landslide Election Victory: A Realistic Goal or Just a Dream?

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Phuea Thai (PT), Thailand’s main opposition party, is aiming at scoring a landslide victory in the country’s next general election, which is expected to take place in the third quarter of 2022. PT’s success may help allow the party’s chief patron, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to end his self-imposed exile overseas.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand