ARTICLES

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.

14 Feb 2022

Will America Greenlight the Sale of F-35s to Thailand?

Ian Storey

The chief of Thailand’s air force wants to buy eight American-built F-35 fighter jets. While the sale would be a shot in the arm for the US-Thailand alliance, Washington may be reluctant to approve the sale because of Thailand’s growing military ties with China.

Defence Security Thai Military Thailand U.S.-Thailand Relations

11 Feb 2022

Chinese Students in Thailand: Cash Cow, At a Cost

Aranya Siriphon|Fanzura Banu

Thailand is reaping the benefits of a steady stream of Chinese students being enrolled in its universities. The trend, however, is not cost-free.

China Education 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

17 Jan 2022

Thailand and the Crisis in Myanmar: Playing a Peacemaker Role

Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee

The crisis in Myanmar is a delicate one for Thailand, given the military junta’s proclivity to drawing parallels between the two ASEAN countries. To help manage the crisis, Bangkok can play the role of a peacemaker to engage all parties concerned in Myanmar.

ASEAN Diplomacy Myanmar Thailand

13 Jan 2022

“Reform, Not Abolition”: The “Thai Youth Movement” and Its Demands for Reform of the Monarchy

Anusorn Unno

The Thai Monarchy has existed for centuries and despite official and public displays of love for and allegiance to the monarchy, it has constantly faced criticism. The call for its reform has gradually been incorporated into the contemporary Thai youth movement. From a dream, it has now developed into its dominant demand.

Thai Monarchy Thailand

21 Dec 2021

The Drugs Trade in a Time of Covid-19: Still Rolling

Punchada Sirivunnabood

The Covid-19 pandemic and associated movement restrictions have not inhibited the drugs trade in around the Golden Triangle. In fact it appears to have worsened it.

Crime Drug Trade Golden Triangle Myanmar 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