'Political crisis continues to fester'
The current political crisis is deepening because those with opposing views do not accept the existence of the other side. "The red shirts say the yellows are irrational and nationalistic, the yellow shirts say the reds are credulous and uneducated."
Thaksin's propaganda machine
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra lives more or less in exile to avoid his imposed prison sentence. Belonging to one of the richest people in Thailand, he will definitely live a luxurious life there and he will want for nothing.
Heads are going to roll in the Thai cabinet
Heads will roll in the Yingluck cabinet next year. This weekend, leaders of the ruling party Pheu Thai will meet in Singapore with fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin, who still rules the roost in the party.
Thaksin gets passport back 'very soon'
Fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin will 'very soon' get his passport back, which was revoked by the previous government.
Prime Minister Yingluck is still firmly in the saddle
Prime Minister Yingluck still has the strong support of her constituents despite the wave of criticism over the government's floundering in tackling the floods.
Government backs down with amnesty decision
The pressure is off the boiler. On Sunday, Minister Pracha Promnok (Justice) announced that the cabinet's controversial amnesty decision has been amended. Persons convicted of drug and corruption offenses and/or who are on the run are excluded. This means that Thaksin will not receive an amnesty.
'Amnesty decision could provoke riots'
An ill-timed decision that could spark protests or even riots at a time when business life is already suffering from the floods. The Thai Chamber of Commerce is not happy with the amnesty decision that the cabinet took on Tuesday.
Storm of protest over amnesty decision
'This is the most despicable act', commented Yellow Shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul (photo) on the cabinet's amnesty decision on the occasion of the king's birthday on 5 December.
Sondhi is not alone in thinking this way. A Facebook account opened by a well-known TV anchor has already scored 20.000 protests.
New river, highways, railways, cities
It is not all wrong what the government is planning: a new river, new highways, new railway lines and new cities.
Government Yingluck gets a big fail in polls
The Yingluck government, after having been in the plush for three months, is not doing well in an opinion poll by Bangkok University.
Thaksin has an idea for water management
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra proposes to set up an integrated water management system to solve the problem of floods and droughts. Such a system, he estimates, would cost 400 billion baht. When Thailand pays for the project with agricultural products, the government does not have to allocate cash for it. According to Thaksin, China would be the ideal partner: the country has experience with water management and can put the products to good use. Thaksin did his…
How to become a millionaire in Thailand
With more than 20.000 euros in your bank account you are literally already a millionaire in Thailand. But the term millionaire actually means that you are financially independent and with that 20.000 euros that is not quite the case. Last week was the report of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, in which the assets of the 36 members of the new Yingluck Sinawatra cabinet were disclosed. The message was world news, because it appeared in many national …
Rice plan becomes a very expensive joke
Taxpayers can expect a 250 billion baht bill as the government reintroduces the much-criticized rice mortgage system. The system could also result in Thailand losing its position as the world's largest rice exporter to Vietnam (which has already taken over the lead in Asia). This says Pridiyathorn Devakula, former Deputy Prime Minister. Next month, the government will launch the system, under which the government will buy up unhusked white rice for a guaranteed price of 15.000 baht per ton…
Thaksin shows who's boss
Former Prime Minister Thaksin spoke or lectured the ministers of the Yingluck cabinet via Skype for more than 2 hours on Wednesday. He will do that every week on Monday from now on. Thaksin is concerned, according to a source in the party, about Pheu Thai's apparent inability to deliver on her election promises. That starts to play up the game. The instructions he gives to ministers through his sister would also not get through. …
After the first car, now also an advantage with the first home
After buyers of a first car, buyers of a first home are now also spoiled by the Yingluck government. The cabinet will consider the details on Tuesday. Buyers receive an annual tax refund of 10 percent of the value of their house for the first five years after purchase, provided the house is not more expensive than 5 million baht. Previously, the maximum would be 3 million baht. Finance Minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala says the amount has been increased…
The great chess game has begun
Before the red carpet can be rolled out for Thaksin's triumphant return, two conditions must be met: amnesty for Thaksin and the appointment of a friendly army commander. Voranai Vanijaka writes this in his weekly column in the Bangkok Post, in which he analyzes in great detail how Thaksin and ruling party Pheu Thai intend to achieve this. Simply put: by launching trial balloons such as Thaksin's trip to Japan, his announcement that he will attend his daughter's wedding in …
Chuvit continues casino hunting; the population feasts
The colorful politician Chuvit Kamolvisit is doing well in the eyes of the people of Bangkok. According to 90 percent of the respondents in the Abac poll of Assumption University, he made the most impression during the debate on the government statement. Abac surveyed 1500 people aged 18 and over in Bangkok. Meanwhile, Chuvit comes with a new revelation. During the debate on Tuesday, he showed a video of an illegal casino in Sutthisan (Bangkok), …