Asian elections, democracy in 2024
Broken societies and dysfunctional political systems have undermined the appeal of democracy and led to structural polarisation and visceral social divisions. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is headed for a third straight win. Imran Khan, the cricket icon who entered politics and became prime minister, was removed from office in a no-confidence vote in April last year. In the United Kingdom, such a movement came forth in the late 1990s under former prime minister Tony Blair. With very few exceptions, when all is said and done, there is no exit from elections and democracy.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 29, 2023 09:48 UTC
Bad to good: What kind of year was 2023 for Asia?
Who had it bad and who had it good across the Indo-Pacific? Worst Year: Asia's ForgottenIn 2023, Asia's most vulnerable -- often displaced by armed conflict -- remained too often for the most part forgotten. The most significant escalation in hostilities in Myanmar since the 2021 coup, for example, worsened an ongoing humanitarian crisis in 2023. Bad Year: China's Property MarketFor millions of Chinese citizens still waiting for homes they put down payments on but might never be built, 2023 was a particularly bad year for China's property market. And for that reason and for uplifting spirits and bringing a bit of hope and joy in a tough year, ISRO wins "Best Year in Asia 2023."
Source:Bangkok Post
December 28, 2023 11:53 UTC
Strategy for next 20 yrs in review
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin chairs a meeting on the national strategy at Government House on Wednesday. Mr Srettha told a national strategy committee meeting on Wednesday he does not believe in planning too far ahead, especially for a national pathway that hinges on an outlook spanning 20 years. The meeting at Government House was also attended by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai and senior officials, including the defence permanent secretary. The strategy is guided by the sufficiency principle set out by the late King Rama IX. "We don't want future generations in the next 20 years to be tied to the ideas of older people.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 28, 2023 11:43 UTC
How not to hit the road
How not to hit the roadTomorrow, millions of holiday makers will hit the road to celebrate New Year. Every year, the government and its various ministries roll out the so-called "Seven Dangerous Days" campaign to reduce traffic accidents. For this year, the government has set a target to cut the number of road accidents during the festive period by 5%. According to the Command Centre for the Prevention of Road Accidents under the Interior Ministry, the number of casualties from road accidents during the so-called "Seven Dangerous Days" campaign during the festive holidays in the last three years has been steadily dropping. Despite doubts, it is likely that authorities can do better if they properly address the cause of traffic accidents.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 28, 2023 00:45 UTC
Buzz begins about Yingluck returning
Former red shirt leader Jatuporn believes ex-PM will follow the same path as her brother in 2024Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is seen at an unknown location in a photo posted on her Instagram account on Dec 26. (@pouyingluck_shin Instagram)Fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra could return to Thailand next year following in the footsteps of her brother, jailed ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, according to political activist Jatuporn Prompan. If Yingluck decided to return from her self-imposed exile, she would have to go through the judicial system before seeking a royal pardon, just like her older brother, said Mr Wissanu. “Based on the practice in Thaksin’s case, the procedure for Yingluck would be the same. In an interview in June when Thaksin’s homecoming was announced, Yingluck, 56, expressed her desire to return home and said: “But it’s up to fate.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 27, 2023 23:58 UTC
First referendum will ask public just one question
A voter casts a ballot at a polling station in Bangkok’s Dusit district in the referendum vote on the draft constitution in 2016. (Bangkok Post file photo)The government committee drafting new guidelines on holding a referendum to find common ground on how the 2017 constitution should be amended has decided to ask only one question in the first of three referenda to be conducted on the charter amendment. The committee is gauging public opinion on the wording in an attempt to defuse social and political conflicts related to another round of changes to the charter. The committee also approved a proposal to hold three proposed referenda on the charter amendment, he said. Mr Somchai suggested that a more suitable referendum question would be whether the public agrees with the government's proposal to rewrite the charter with an elected charter drafting assembly.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 27, 2023 11:30 UTC
PM 'intends to complete 4-year term'
PM 'intends to complete 4-year term'Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin. (File photo: Bangkok Post)Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said he hopes to remain in office until he completes his four-year term, insisting the coalition government remains stable. When asked if other parties will be invited to join the coalition government, the prime minister said he hasn't thought about it yet. Asked about whether it would be best if the Democrat Party joins the coalition, Mr Srettha said, "In terms of numbers, that may look better. "I am the prime minister and I am trying to complete my four-year term.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 27, 2023 10:37 UTC
Supreme Court acquits ex-PM Yingluck in one case
Supreme Court acquits ex-PM Yingluck in one caseFormer prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra greets supporters at the Supreme Court in Bangkok on Aug 1, 2017, when she made her closing statement in rice-scheme case. (Photo: Bangkok Post)The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Tuesday acquitted former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra of malfeasance in her 2011 transfer of a National Security Council secretary-general. The court also revoked a warrant for the arrest of Yingluck, issued when she failed to appear in court in November last year for her trial in the case. Mr Thawil petitioned the Supreme Administrative Court, which subsequently ordered the revocation of the transfer order. Moreover, the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously that Yingluck had abused her power by interfering in the transfer of government officials.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 26, 2023 20:33 UTC
Govt seeks free rides after Pink Line fault
Govt seeks free rides after Pink Line faultThe Transport Ministry will ask the operator of the Pink Line monorail system to extend the free trial period along the line after a section of the line had to be closed on Sunday following the failure of a part of the track's conductor rail. As of Monday, a total of seven stations, from Nonthaburi Civic Centre (PK01) to Pak Kret Bypass (PK07) remain closed. Rides along the Pink Line are currently free of charge, but commercial services are slated to begin on Jan 3, with fares ranging from 15-45 baht. To make up for the suspension of services at the seven stations, the ministry will hold talks with the system's operator to extend the free trial period, he said. A 300-metre stretch of the conductor rail fell to the ground, while a four-km section was left hanging over the street below.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 26, 2023 12:34 UTC
Pro-worker group sweeps Social Security Board election
Pro-worker group sweeps Social Security Board electionParticipants join a parade organised by labour groups calling for reform of employment conditions and the social security system for improved protection and welfare of workers. The activity marking the World Day for Decent Work was held at the Social Security Office in Nonthaburi on Oct 7, 2020. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)The Progressive Social Security group emerged as a winner in the country’s first Social Security Board (SSB) election on Sunday, with the vote count almost complete. In the election, 14 new board members were chosen by members of the Social Security Fund (SSF). The first six are from the Progressive Social Security group.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 26, 2023 03:03 UTC
Japan automakers to invest B150bn in Thailand over 5 years: govt
Japan automakers to invest B150bn in Thailand over 5 years: govtFILE PHOTO: A Toyota EV car is seen at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Bangkok, March 30, 2022. (Reuters)Major Japanese auto manufacturers will invest 150 billion baht in Thailand over the next five years, a government spokesperson said on Monday, supporting the country's transition to making electric vehicles. Toyota Motor and Honda Motor will invest about 50 billion baht each, while Isuzu Motors will invest 30 billion baht and Mitsubishi Motors 20 billion baht, spokesperson Chai Wacharoke said, adding this would include the production of electric pickup trucks. Japanese manufacturers have dominated the Thai auto sector for decades, but Chinese EV makers have recently been making large investments. The investment by the Japanese automakers will support the government's policy of transitioning from combustion engine vehicles to EVs, Mr Chai said.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 25, 2023 17:18 UTC
Activists call for a review of drug laws
Rawitsara Piakhuntod, Institute of HIV Research and InnovationBesides sections 113 and 114 of the code, Ms Rawitsara said she was also concerned about Section 115. The problem, Ms Rawitsara said, is that a search can be ordered at the discretion of law enforcement officials. And if they are drug dependent, they must be treated as patients, Ms Rawitsara said. The death penalty, imprisonment, custody, fines and confiscation are approaches which are only suitable for those who traffic drugs," Ms Rawitsara said. She said that the Office of Narcotics Control Board's harm reduction programme should be there to reduce harm in society, not harm the people it is supposed to serve.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 25, 2023 09:05 UTC
Pita and Move Forward trounce Srettha and Pheu Thai in popularity poll
• 22.35% for Srettha Thavisit, the current prime minister, citing his knowledge, ability and straightforwardness as well as their support for the Pheu Thai Party. • 5.75% for Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra due to her being a new generation politician and their support for the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra family's past achievements. • 1.70% for Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party, citing his ability to befriend people of all groups and his past achievements. • 1.65% for Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party, citing her past experience and their desire to see women in the country's administration. A combination of 1.85% were for other political parties including Thai Sang Thai, Chartthaipattana, Pheu Thai Ruam Palang, Prachachat, Chart Pattana Kla and Seri Ruam Thai Party.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 25, 2023 02:24 UTC
Search continues for 2 missing passengers on scuba tour boat
Search continues for 2 missing passengers on scuba tour boatA navy soldier on board Tor 995 patrol boat uses binoculars to search for two missing passengers on a scuba-diving tour boat that sank near the Surin Islands National Park on Saturday. (Photo supplied)PHUKET: A search and rescue centre has been set up to look for two men - a Thai cook and a British tourist - who were still missing after a scuba-diving tour boat sank near Ko Torinla or Ko Khai island on Saturday. The island is part of the Surin Islands National Park, an archipelago of five islands in the Andaman Sea some 55 kilometres from the mainland. Tor 995 patrol boat was dispatched from the centre at 7.45am to search for the missing men in an area northwest of where the boat, the Reggae Queen, went down. The scuba-diving tour boat had 18 passengers on board when it sank; 16 were subsequently rescued and taken to nearby Khura Buri Pier.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 24, 2023 18:07 UTC
Iran threatens closure of Mediterranean
“They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways,” Tasnim quoted Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Naqdi, coordinating commander of the Guards, as saying. The White House on Friday said Iran was “deeply involved” in planning operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Iran has no direct access to the Mediterranean itself and it was not clear how the Guards could attempt to close it off, although Naqdi talked of “the birth of new powers of resistance and the closure of other waterways”. “Yesterday, the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz became a nightmare for them, and today they are trapped … in the Red Sea,” Naqdi was quoted as saying. The only groups backed by Iran on the Mediterranean are Lebanon’s Hezbollah and allied militia in Syria, at the far end of the sea from Gibraltar.
Source:Bangkok Post
December 24, 2023 01:06 UTC