As we've all been inundated with coronavirus coverage, much of it being rather depressing, I've decided to start writing about random aspects of Thai politics and history not related to the ongoing pandemic. I hope you enjoy this first installment! In February, a controversy blew up when it emerged that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was [...]
In Times of Crisis, Scrutiny Becomes Duty
My new article for the Thai Enquirer: King Rama VI, a distinguished poet, once wrote the Sepha Samakee Sevok, exhorting the Thai people to unite as one under common leadership. A metaphor that he deployed was that of Siam as a ship. “The people are sailors in the sea, who must display a common unity”, the [...]
The Zoomer Generation
I woke up at 2 AM, and unlike every time I flew back to Thailand, it was not because of jet lag. It was because I had to take an exam at 3 AM. An ungodly hour, perhaps, but only for me; it was for a 1 PM class in California. I got out of [...]
Coronavirus and the Constitution
My new article for the Thai Enquirer: What does coronavirus have to do with the constitution? In October, I argued in a piece that to convince people of the pressing need for a constitutional revision, it is imperative to make a clear link between the constitution and bread and butter issues. With the Covid-19 disease [...]
In Thailand, Politics Back Outside Parliament
Tony Benn, the great British parliamentarian, said that there were five powerful questions that must be asked of a government. "What power have you got? Where did you get it from? In whose interests do you exercise it? To whom are you accountable? And finally, how can we get rid of you?" The last question [...]
The Rise of the Bhumjaithai Party
My new piece for the Thai Enquirer: In November 2017, amidst the political drought of long military rule, Reuters ran an article on Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party. Many, it reported, were now speculating that he could possibly be the next prime minister. Anutin, for his part, did nothing to play down expectations, [...]
Future Forward Is the Future’s Foreword
"The laws of physics", Stephen Hawking once wrote, "conspire to prevent time travel on a macroscopic scale." Time travel, both forward and backwards, were not possibilities to be ruled out, but the physicist made it clear that it was highly unlikely. He had, after all, once hosted a party for time travelers, the invite to [...]
Two Questions for Korn
Former Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij recently set up a new political party, after leaving the Democrats. "Kla", Korn had christened the new party: translated to English, it means something like 'the party of courage' — to dare. It was time, he declared, for a new political party that dares to do the work, and to [...]
The Day That Shocked a Nation
It is difficult to describe the events that transpired in Korat today. A reprehensible and senseless act, the tragedy took the lives of ordinary people for a reason none can ascertain. The crime is without precedent in living memory: that a sergeant would steal from his armory, kill his commanding officer and then rampage through [...]
The Politics of Epidemic Immunity
My new piece for the Thai Enquirer: “It won’t take long for Thais to develop immunity from coronavirus”, the post read, “but if we don’t deal with the nation-hating virus, a crisis will ensue.” Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom is not a politician known for pulling his punches, and this Facebook post was true to form. ‘Lutti chung-chard’, [...]
