A little late to post this article, but a piece I wrote for Thai Enquirer last week: Often we do not know that we are living through historical turning points but it is unmistakable for someone living in Thailand in 2020. Amidst all that is not well with the Thai body politic — besieged by …
Abolish the Primary Vote
My piece for Thai Enquirer: As the spirited debate over constitutional amendments continues across the country, a hopeful consensus is gradually emerging. The opposition has finally been able to unite around a single motion on what they want to see amended. The government and even some senators are beginning to hear the music. This discussion …
The War on Salim
My piece for Thai Enquirer: On August 24th, the Manager newspaper published a political cartoon depicting Mao Zedong and Thanathorn Juangroongureangkit side by side. In front of Mao are the red guards, holding Little Red Books; in front of Thanathorn are today’s anti-government protestors, three fingers in the air. It was not an accurate depiction. Today’s protestors …
What Thailand Can Learn From Taiwan’s Last Dictator
My piece for Thai Enquirer today: It is unfortunate, from this tale of Taiwanese democracy, that Thailand is still stuck where Taiwan was in the mid-20th century: seen by elites as unready for democracy, needing the “tutelage” of supposedly benevolent military dictatorship. Palang Pracharath, also armed with the temporary provisions of a constitution that will …
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International School Students and Political Apathy?
This isn't really an article but I did want to note a couple of thoughts that I had. Recently, attention in the Thai English-language media has focused on international school students and their "political apathy." In particular, Khaosod English ran an investigative piece about the lack of concern international school students have for the current …
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A Pragmatic Look at Constitutional Reform
My article for Thai Enquirer: “We’ve seized Government House. We’ve seized airports. That couldn’t accomplish anything. What will the current protests do?” This was a tweet from a conservative account. This netizen doesn’t give the protestors enough credit. Already, political parties, parliament and government are moving to respond to the new and fast-changing situation. But …
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The military’s mindset is too outdated for the 21st century
My article for the Thai Enquirer: There is one ritual that many Thai men will undergo if they are privileged enough at the end of their secondary education. Ror Dor, as it is known colloquially, Territorial Defense students officially, and ROTC to the rest of the world. The course is intended to fill out the …
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Reconciling Thailand’s Political Generation Gap
My piece for Thai Enquirer: On July 19, in one corner of Thai Twitter, a question was posed. “Do your family members have differing political perspectives? And if so, how do you live together?” Never mention politics at the Thanksgiving dinner; so goes the timeless American wisdom. It appears that many young Thais follow the …
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How Thai Schools Can Reform History Teaching
My article for the Thai Enquirer: To control the past is to control the future: a cliché, to be sure, but one too relevant not to state. How Thailand has chosen to craft the history taught to generation after generation of students is an intentional act aimed at instilling national pride. But the propagation of …
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The Decline of the Pheu Thai Party
My piece for Thai Enquirer: “With respect, I must say that if the government is unable to answer my aforementioned questions, I will not be able to support this budget.” A threat issued by no lesser a figure than the leader of the opposition to the prime minister during the budget debate, but a threat …
