Opinion

Beyond the heart-warming images of Thai anti-government demonstrators and Burmese anti-coup protesters in Bangkok demonstrating side by side on Wednesday lie major challenges facing both groups.

Last week’s failed coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reignited the pro-vs-anti coup debate in Thailand, particularly on social media.

Last month’s decision by the Culture Ministry to strip national artist Suchart Sawasdsri from the title for "dishonorable" behaviour by supporting the anti-government and monarchy-reform movement sent a shockwave through the Thai intellectual community and beyond.

The crackdown on alleged Thai Federation supporters during the past week can claim one immediate success: raising the fringe group to public attention.

While I definitely have no crystal ball as to who will become the 30th PM of Thailand, I think it is time to consider the leading candidates and what kind of PM they might become if the person wins.

Another young Thai made a stride at making the world known about the anachronistic and controversial lese majeste law this week.

It is not unthinkable that the most popular political party in Thailand could be dissolved on Wednesday.

The spray-painting of an anti-lese majeste law message and anarchy symbol on the wall of the Grand Palace complex on Tuesday has sparked a debate following the deep political division line in Thai society.

A 2015 study identified China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and Thailand as the top six sources of marine plastic, responsible for around 60% of plastic pollution at sea.

While Bangkokians have been waiting for nine years to be able to finally elect their governor anew due to the disruption caused by the May 2014 coup, people in all provinces have been waiting for over a century now. And the wait is far from over for non-Bangkokians.