International Viewpoint - online socialist magazine

Thai elections without democracy

Thitinan Pongsudhirak — 2023-07-21T07:41:22Z

Although it may come across as dramatic and unprecedented, Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat's ordeal in trying to take office as prime minister after winning the May 14 election is par for the course in Thai politics over the past two decades.
Every time a party wins convincingly at the polls and its leader appears charismatic and capable, conservative forces push back resolutely to stymie and negate the election outcome. At issue in view of Mr Pita's case is thus whether (…)

- IV582 - July 2023 / Thailand

The gap is widening between the Royal Palace and the pro-democracy movement, which is mobilized against the danger of a putsch

Pierre Rousset — 2020-12-14T07:46:00Z

“One thing is certain, however: the pro-democracy movement, by its capacity to endure and to innovate, has opened a gaping breach in the domination of the military-monarchical order. It has never ceased to amaze with its resilience and inventiveness. We can only salute it for what it has already accomplished and support it as much as we can for what it can still accomplish.”

- IV551 - December 2020 / Thailand

Towards a test of strength

Pierre Rousset — 2020-11-24T09:44:18Z

The government is threatening severe repression. The democracy movement is calling for increased mobilization. The first key date announced is 25 November.

- IV550 - November 2020 / Thailand

Democratic movement attacks the established order in Thailand

Pierre Rousset — 2020-11-06T09:28:00Z

Led by young people and benefiting from broad support, the Thai democratic movement continues to mature. It is challenging the military-monarchist oligarchy, confronting the royal couple and harking back to the militant struggles of the past. The enthronement of King Rama X has opened a major succession crisis. More profoundly, a whole archaic order - which had succeeded in the 1990s and 2000s in aborting attempts to “modernize” the kingdom, shattering the hopes of democratization of society – is being called into question.

- IV550 - November 2020 / Thailand

Covid-19: Asian contrasts and lessons

Pierre Rousset — 2020-07-21T06:07:51Z

The evolution of the pandemic is particularly contrasted in Asia where it is much more difficult to compare national situations and policies than in Europe. However, we can try to identify a few lines of reflection, which are necessarily fragmentary.

- IV546 - July 2020 / Philippines, South Korea, China, India, Asia, Thailand, Covid-19 Pandemic

Militant Buddhism is on the march in South-East Asia – where did it come from?

2017-11-19T09:06:06Z

Even ten years on, the first mental image that comes to mind with regard to Therav?da Buddhism is that of Myanmar's Saffron Revolution of August-September 2007: thousands of Buddhist monks peacefully demonstrating in the streets of Yangon, Mandalay, Pakokku, Sittwe and other towns against the ruling military junta. These peaceful monks still exist, although many of them went into hiding, or fled abroad. But the Burmese monks in the headlines today are preaching violence instead of peace, and “firm action” instead of meditation.

- IV514 - November 2017 / Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma

Thailand: a high risk succession

Pierre Rousset — 2016-10-25T08:45:44Z

The king is dead, long live the king? The Thai royal family legitimates power more than actually possessing it. This function could be endangered with the coming to the throne of the crown prince. The death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej was officially announced on October 13, 2016. He had long been hospitalised, incapable of speech and probably of much else. This did not stop him from officially “signing” whatever the ruling military junta required to consecrate its political decisions.

- IV501 - October 2016 / Thailand

Asian organizations: No to another coup in Thailand!

2014-05-26T09:56:06Z

Asian organizations condemn the coup in Thailand.

- IV472 - May 2014 / Thailand

Free Somyot and all political prisoners in Thailand! End the Medieval Lèse-Majesty Law!

Joint Statement — 2012-04-30T14:14:09Z

We, the undersigned organizations, are deeply concerned about the continuous repression against social activists under lèse-majesté law in Thailand, including Somyot Pruksakasemsuk, a labour activist who has been imprisoned without bail since 30 April, 2011.

- IV447 - April 2012 / Thailand

Thailand: floods and reforms

Danielle Sabai — 2011-11-07T20:12:18Z

Three months after the elections which gave her a crushing victory, Yingluck Shinawatra, the leader of the Puea Thai party and the first woman Prime Minister of Thailand has had to face the worst floods since 1942. Since the beginning of the monsoon in late July, around two and a half million people have been affected by the floods in 28 provinces in the North and Centre of the country. More than 400 people have died and thousands of others have fallen ill.

- IV442 - November 2011 / Thailand