ARTICLES

29 Sep 2020

Populations and Politics: The Demography of Thai Student Protests

Kevin S.Y. Tan

Demographic factors are driving Thailand’s current political protests. They will be hard to quell without major political reforms.

8 Sep 2020

General Prayut’s Failing Premiership: Self-inflicted Wound

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The sudden departure of Thailand’s newly-appointed finance minister is a sign that premiership of Prayut Chan-ocha is failing.

Thai Politics Thailand

8 Sep 2020

India’s Obsession With Thailand’s Kra Canal: Much Ado About Nothing

Ian Storey

News that Thailand has “cancelled” its Kra canal project and replaced it with a land bridge has exercised Indian observers. But you cannot scrap a plan that has not been approved and Indian media reports say more about tensions with China along their land border than a centuries’ old Thai canal plan.

India Kra Canal Thailand

18 Aug 2020

Thailand’s Political Unrest: Referendum on the Cards?

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The Phuea Thai Party is leading a bid to draft a new Constitution, in the wake of student protests calling on the government to stop harassment of critics and dissolve the Senate. Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-ocha can seize the initiative and call for a referendum. Given mounting calls for a “revolution,” not merely reforms, General Prayut does not have the luxury of time.

Thai Politics Thailand

18 Aug 2020

Thai Student Protests: Conjuring Up the Ghosts of 1932

Michael J. Montesano

That calls for replacement of Thailand’s military-imposed constitution have touched on the political role of the monarchy is no surprise. Growing signs of support for constitutional change in provincial Thailand may be a more telling development.

Thai Monarchy Thai Politics Thailand

11 Aug 2020

Thai Cabinet Reshuffle: Prayut Gets His Way (For Now)

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

The recent reshuffle of the Thai cabinet has thrown up several surprises. A sobering development is a parting of ways between General Prayut and the Phalang Pracharat Party.

Thai Politics Thailand

23 Jul 2020

Thai Cabinet Reshuffle: Avoiding Mismatch in the Mixing

Sihasak Phuangketkeow

The resignation of several ministers from the Thai cabinet has forced the hand of the prime minister, who will have to announce a cabinet reshuffle as the economy totters in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ultimately, the reshuffle will be more a change in personalities than policy direction.

Thai Politics Thailand

6 Jul 2020

Thai Cabinet Overhaul in the Offing?

Termsak Chalermpalanupap

Thailand will soon be looking at another cabinet reshuffle. But there is more than meets the eye. The prime minister’s relationship with the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party remains tenuous.

Thai Politics Thailand

26 Jun 2020

Thai Government: The Question of Legitimacy

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Thailand’s tough lèse majesté laws do not appear to have stifled expressions of resistance against the monarchy. Perhaps a review and relook of the laws surrounding perceived offenses to the monarchy is in order.

Thai Military Thai Politics Thailand

12 Jun 2020

Thai Military Reform: Never the Twain Shall Meet

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

Recent high-profile controversies involving the Thai military have elicited calls for reform in the institution. The problem is that the concept means different things to different parties.

Thai Military Thailand