Opinion

In a sane and democratic society, there is no way a former junta leader and his deputy could be running for the post of prime minister – not after they have committed treason by overthrowing an elected government.

As I type these words, some Thai and Cambodian trolls are doing their mighty best to undermine the future cultural relations between the two countries. The rocky cultural relations between the two neighbors with so much cultural commonality is now more of hate than love relations.

Police extortion is getting out of control, flouting the justice system like never before – or was it?

It has been over ten days now since monarchy-reform activists Tawan and Bam have unilaterally revoked their lese majeste bail and began their hunger strike in prison. They are now at Thammasat Hospital. The two young activists issued three lofty demands: justice system reform, release of all political prisoners, and for all political parties to call for the abolition of both the lese majeste and sedition laws.

Every Chinese New Year, I am reminded of a personal story of the paternal side of my ancestors and how it shaped my conscience and a deep sense of debt of gratitude towards Thailand.

Observing all the adoration accorded by Thai fans to rapper, singer, and dancer Lisa Blackpink (Lalisa Manobal) as she and her three Korean girl group members entertain the huge crowd at the National Stadium in Bangkok last week, I could not help but wonder where this 25-year-old Thai singer’s musical career would be today without the decade of training, grooming, and promotion by her South Korean record label YG Entertainment company.

Short of physically blocking and shutting down all the major international airports in Thailand or overthrowing the government, there is nothing that will stop the influx of Chinese tourists back to Thailand starting today. Those who fear that Chinese tourist re-spread coronavirus will have no choice but to take better care of themselves, wear masks, get a booster shot, and avoid crowded tourist venues, hoping for the best for Thailand in the weeks and months ahead.

Every year end, many journalists cannot escape wondering what the news of the year is. This time of the year is upon us again. I am a non-believer in the concept of news of the year, or person of the year, for the following reasons, however.

Bhumjai Thai Party leader Anutin Charnveerakul has emerged as a serious contender to become the next PM after 34 MPs from various other political parties defected to join his party on Friday.

The pledge by the main opposition Pheu Thai Party to raise the minimum wage from around 350 baht per day to 600 baht within five years, or by 2027, if elected to run the next government, has raised a lot of eyebrows and ignited a fierce debate as to whether it is appropriate or even realistic and whether it will do more harm than good to the Thai economy or not.