Despite the government's attempts to obscure it as much as possible, you could hardly miss it, especially in recent weeks and days: the ever-widening wave of protests for more democracy in Thailand.
Demonstrations at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok
This month there were several demonstrations, mainly by students, at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. The largest meeting was on August 16.
Strange that there is so much news about Belarus at the moment, while the same is happening in Thailand. Demonstrations for democracy.
What would be the reason? Interests far away?
Open letter to Prime Minister Prayut
First of all, I hope that someone can translate this letter to you into Thai. The reason I stand in solidarity with the youth demonstrators is that, unlike politics, human rights is something that cannot be discussed. Regardless of political views, whether conservative or liberal, moral and ethical obligations cannot be denied to your compatriots.
Interview with Bow, champion of democracy
After the May 2014 military coup that sent home an elected government, Nuttaa Mahattana (ณัฏฐา มหัทธนา ) became a staunch champion of democracy. Better known as Bow (โบว์) and with an online platform of over 100.000 followers, she is a popular speaker at political rallies. She participates in protests and demonstrations and is out to give Thailand a democratic order again. No wonder she's a thorn in the government's side. Who is this woman who dares to continue defying the military regime? Rob V. had a conversation with her at the end of February during a lunch in Bangkok.
Pro-democracy activists mistreated
In recent months, three activists have already been attacked and seriously assaulted several times. Last Friday, Ja New was the latest victim. He's in bad shape.
Is Thailand sick?
In one of the last posts about politics in Thailand, I was challenged by RobV to state whether I think Thailand is sick and how the patient can be cured. Apparently RobV assumes that Thailand is sick. But: what is sick? If you are sick according to a doctor, or does it already start when you feel sick?
Comparative Democracy
The Thai voter spoke on March 17 and 24 and by mail. Let's assume for now that the provisional result will not differ much or nothing from the official result. So what do the numbers say? And what would the distribution of seats in the Thai parliament have looked like if the method of distribution of seats as we have it in the Netherlands had been used here?
Wasn't it Thaksin who wanted to lead Thailand as a business? I don't remember exactly, but many (former) businessman make a good impression with the intention to get a country out of the doldrums by considering it as a company. Trump is one of them. Some things may be the same, but I think running a country is fundamentally different from running a company.
Thailand has a long history of coups, coups that should put the country back on the right track. After all, Thailand is a special country that, according to many coup-committing generals, is better off with a 'Thai-style' democracy. The country has so far not had the chance to develop properly democratically. What attempts at democratic development has the country experienced in the first 20 years of this century?
Thailand has a long history of coups, coups that should put the country back on the right track. After all, Thailand is a special country that, according to many coup-committing generals, is better off with a 'Thai-style' democracy. The country has so far not had the chance to develop properly democratically. What attempts at democratic development has the country experienced in the first 20 years of this century?
In conversation with three democracy fighters
On a sunny October morning, Tino Kuis and Rob V traveled to Amsterdam for a special meeting. We had the opportunity to speak with three people who are committed to democracy, freedom of expression and human rights of Thai citizens.
Sjaak has been following the discussions between, mainly, Tino and Chris about the political situation in Thailand for a long time. I am also following the responses to this with great interest. This made me decide to write down my opinion, for what it's worth, about Thai politics. This is to show a different vision and hopefully a discussion about it.
A communist devil he would be, he was banished from Thailand and died in Paris. The father of Thai democracy has now been rehabilitated. Students of the Thammasat University he founded make a wai to his flower-decorated statue to this day. And his birthday May 11 is 'Pridi Banomyong Day'.
On Saturday, May 5, the Democracy Restoration Group held a demonstration with speeches on the grounds of Thammasat University. One of them was Sasinutta Shinthanawanitch, who alone included the monarchy in her argument.
Thailand Disrupted: The Death of Thai-Style Democracy (End)
To better understand Thailand you need to know its history. You can dive into the books for that, among other things. One of the books that should not be missed is Federico Ferrara's “Thailand Unhinged: The Death of Thai-Style Democracy”. Ferrara is a lecturer in Asian Politics at the University of Hong Kong. In his book, Ferrara discusses the turmoil surrounding the deposition of former Prime Minister Thaksin and the political turmoil in the decades that preceded it.
Thailand Disrupted: The Death of Thai-Style Democracy (Part 1)
To better understand Thailand you need to know its history. You can dive into the books for that, among other things. One of the books that should not be missed is Federico Ferrara's “Thailand Unhinged: The Death of Thai-Style Democracy”. Ferrara is a lecturer in Asian Politics at the University of Hong Kong. In his book, Ferrara discusses the turmoil surrounding the deposition of former Prime Minister Thaksin and the political turmoil in the decades that preceded it, and Rob V. summarizes the most important chapters in this diptych.