Opinion

It’s CIA-spotting season in Thailand. The latest conspiracy theory has it that one was spotted, or exposed, in Khon Kaen province.

In Thailand, people often believe there can only be one notion of national interest. And if you disagree with this commonly held belief of what constitutes national interest, then you are against it. The current military dictatorship, known as the National Council for Peace and Order, claims to be protecting “national interest” while trying to maintain hegemony on what it is perceived to be.

One of the more disturbing news items last month was the withdrawal of Transparency Thailand from Transparency International.

I sweat – a lot. Not just slightly above average. When I run, my shoes sometimes get flooded. I sweat so much that I...

Short of a miracle, the prospect of Pita Limjaroenrat becoming Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister is now nil. Although his name will most likely be nominated again for a second bicameral vote this coming Wednesday, the fact that only 13 out of the 250 junta-appointed senators voted for him when he needs 55 or so votes from them means it is unofficially over even before the second vote.

As with any action, there are different points of view on this week’s decision by junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to end the use of military tribunals to try civilians.

Some Thais feel hope in the yet-to-be-named political party by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, but will it be more participatory or another billionaire beast of hierarchy?

In a quasi-dictator’s wet dream, the ‘democratic’ state gets to decide who can become a journalist, who not, and what journalists cannot write about – basically turning them into public relations servants.

Last night’s vote, which secured junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha another term in office, proved the process was rigged from the start.

Thailand’s hottest “spiritual” phenomena over the past months, or basically of the year 2023, is not led by a Buddhist monk, but an eight-year-old boy known as “Nong Nice” (Little Brother Nice).