Somchai case creaks
Discovery of possible human bones may not be turning point
Published on November 03, 2006

Interim government must step into uncharted waters
What has the Old Ginger Cabinet accoplished over the past 43 days since the military coup?
Published on November 03, 2006

Time for peace, reconciliation
The public apology for the previous government's atrocities in the South offers a chance for lasting peace
Published on November 03, 2006

Feisty Jaruvan is quite a handful
The gutsy auditor-general has adopted a take-no-prisoners stand, but her methods and approach don't sit well with everybody
Published on November 02, 2006

What's ethically wrong can't be politically right
Unless the promised political reform makes it absolutely clear and mandatory that unethical and conflict-of-interest actions that were ubiquitous under the Thaksin regime are punishable by law, then the September 19 coup will inevitably end up being labelled just another despicable episode in a power struggle.
Published on November 02, 2006

ONE strong case would be enough
Claiming that an aide to Thaksin may have been linked to Somchai's abduction was an astute move
Published on November 01, 2006

Please come back Thaksin, we miss you badly
I never thought I would be saying this after just about 40 days, but the power vacuum (yes, you heard it right), tormented national soul-searching, the confusion and everything else caused by your absence are becoming unbearable.
Published on November 01, 2006

Suspicions linger on cns vow to relinquish power
The coup leaders could try to ensure their efforts are not promptly undone by quietly supporting a political party in the next election
Published on October 31, 2006

No room for political puppets in the police force
There has been much speculation about the fate of national police chief Pol Gen Kowit Wattana. Some insiders have even suggested that his days are numbered and it's just a matter of time before he is rid of his position.
Published on October 31, 2006

Govt must grasp the nettle of TV reform
Mingkwan Sangsuwan's decision not to join the race to become MCOT Plc's president is no surprise, given the circumstances of his being made the company's original president five years ago.
Published on October 31, 2006

Sufficiency economy difficult to swallow
The new government's economic team may be finding it harder than expected to convince the private sector of the virtues of the sufficiency-economy philosophy.
Published on October 31, 2006

Attempt to forge connections demonstrates poor judgement
Thanong Khanthong uncovers a series of recent blunders that mark Temasek's handling of the Shin Corp controversy.
Published on October 30, 2006

A question of misjudgement
Temasek's attempt to try and peddle influence in Thailand by hiring a former royal employee has backfired
Published on October 30, 2006

Democracy, constitution, coup, couture
Thailand's worst political crisis in recent memory culminated in a military coup that toppled the Thaksin government on September 19.
Published on October 28, 2006

Prem's silence fails to repair the damage caused by meeting
The Nation's Political Desk examines the impact of an ill-advised meeting between General Prem Tinsulanonda and Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra.
Published on October 28, 2006

Damned if we do and damned to be wrong
Accompanied by her stepbrother Bannapot Damapong, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra yesterday paid a visit to General Prem Tinsulanonda, the president of the Privy Council, at his Sisao Theves residence.
Published on October 27, 2006

Prem-Pojaman meet ill-advised
A misuse of power and patronage at this juncture could undermine the effort to rebuild democracy
Published on October 27, 2006

AEC 'FAILURE' CASTS DOUBT OVER COUP
Promises of early results in corruption probes has faded into an embarrassing wall of silence
Published on October 27, 2006

Driven to acquire power and wealth
Whenever Thaksin Shinawatra has been in trouble or has needed to get a deal done, his wife Khunying Pojaman has always been there to take care of it. She is behind his success - and also behind his troubles.
Published on October 27, 2006

Who's afraid of the ghost of populism
Even the most battle-hardened politicians would tell you that if you didn't have to worry about opinion polls for the next election, you could do wonderful things for the country.
Published on October 26, 2006

'Undercurrent' equals subversive
Expression used by coup makers refers to TRT supporters who may undertake acts against the new govt
Published on October 26, 2006

Thaksin pushes CNS for A quick return
Says he'll be back when martial law is lifted, knowing Army chiefs under pressure
Published on October 25, 2006

Govt can't afford to be complacent
In this final piece in a series marking the first month since the Sept 19 coup, The Nation looks at how long the government can postpone the return of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra and stop his vast number of supporters from getting together to protest.
Published on October 25, 2006

No real action seen as yet
Interim government needs to move quickly to reassure public over the reasons for the coup
Published on October 25, 2006

Loyal Prommin tried to foil coup
In the fifth of a series of articles marking the first month since the September 19 coup, The Nation focuses on the key role played by Prommin Lertsuridej, one of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's most loyal aides, on that fateful day.
Published on October 23, 2006

General pushed for coup privately and publicly
In the fourth in a series of articles marking the first month since the September 19 coup, The Nation reviews the omens that military action was imminent.
Published on October 22, 2006

Thaksin government was mulling its own coup
In the third in a series of articles marking the first month since the September 19 coup, The Nation discusses why the military takeover was inevitable.
Published on October 21, 2006

More options needed for speaker's job
NLA should explore other candidates besides the two contenders, who have detractors
Published on October 20, 2006

Battle that never came
In the second in a series of articles marking the first month since the coup, The Nation relates the day's events from the view of Thaksin Shinawatra's allies.
Published on October 20, 2006

Institutions are the pillars of democracy, not politicians
When a leader leaves office, we judge his legacy by the strength of the institutions he has left behind.
Published on October 20, 2006

Martial law only eased slightly
Interim regime fears Thai Rak Thai may regroup, so political meetings will be allowed, but not rallies
Published on October 19, 2006

September 19: how it all unfolded
This is the first in a series of articles marking the first month since the September 19 coup that ousted the Thaksin Shinawatra government.
Published on October 18, 2006

Who is likely to buy into Shin?
Hard to see who will risk snapping up part of Temasek stake
Published on October 18, 2006

The 'Thaksin curse' rocks newsrooms
The "perfect storm" has reached editorial departments.
Published on October 18, 2006

Clear up the investment muddle
Govt must abandon its ambiguous policy on foreign ownership and end spotty enforcement of nominee rules
Published on October 18, 2006

Thailand's 'coup de grace' is not lacking in legitimacy
The September 19 military coup was efficiently carried out by a group of military elites under the leadership of Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.
Published on October 18, 2006

Give corruption the collective boot
All stakeholders must work to end graft and promote good governance
Published on October 17, 2006

Media freedom and reform should be top priority
It's understandable why Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and his government will be putting a considerable amount of energy into restoring Thailand's shattered image as a democracy.
Published on October 17, 2006

Lottery will be an early test for pridiyathorn
Scheme is highly profitable but damned for encouraging gambling
Published on October 17, 2006

Impacts of the coup on Thai diplomacy
Nobody knows the reputation, value and importance of Thailand's image overseas better than His Majesty the King.
Published on October 16, 2006

The narrow road to a new constitution
What exactly is the route to a new constitution? Several people have voiced concern about the procedure, so it's worth describing in as simple terms as possible to show why this concern is real.
Published on October 16, 2006

Renewing old connections
Surayud banks on ex-communists in bid to win hearts and minds in Northeast
Published on October 15, 2006

Moving forward without fear
Rather than seek absolute control the interim rulers must promote the values that Thaksin shunned
Published on October 15, 2006

Disuse of power, soft approach weaken govt hands
When Thaksin Shinawatra still faced growing pressure from critics and opponents to quit the premiership and leave politics for good, a persistent question from his supporters was, "if not him, then who?"
Published on October 15, 2006

Can a constitution tackle corruption?
Lessons must be learned from the failure to translate the ideals of the 1997 charter into reality
Published on October 14, 2006

In the name of the father: Surayud's poignant mission
While every political critic in the world is scrutinising his rise to Thailand's leadership, perhaps the opinion Surayud Chulanont would most love to hear is of the man most elusive yet influential in many ways on his life.
Published on October 14, 2006

Assembly will not play a major role
Members of the National Legislative Assembly selected to form parliament yesterday have only one clear mandate: to become a rubber stamp for establishing legal instruments for the junta-installed government to run the kingdom for the next 12 months.
Published on October 13, 2006

A pot that threatens to boil over
Martial law remains as Sonthi fears disgraced politicians may mobilise the masses, specially if TRT is barred
Published on October 13, 2006

Behind democracy's facade, the rule of law withered
We have survived the political crisis. Now we need to explain to the whole world what went wrong.
Published on October 13, 2006

Woes of firm that trusted in Thaksin
Temasek Holdings of Singapore has found itself in a big mess with the Shin Corp deal because its leaders naively believed that Thaksin Shinawatra was a person with whom they could do business.
Published on October 12, 2006

A lot to do in a short time frame
The Surayud government faces many tough tasks, some unpopular to vested interests
Published on October 12, 2006

Can 'Old Ginger' Cabinet hit the ground running?
Interim premier Surayud Chulanont says he never promised the country a "dream Cabinet". ("I am no magician.") He can only pledge that he picked his 26-member Council of Ministers (combined age: 1,698 years old) on the basis of their honesty, their backgrounds and their proven experience.
Published on October 12, 2006

Turning international opinion around
Dismay over Western reaction to coup, but military will need to act to win back favour from abroad
Published on October 11, 2006

Somewhere in London, someone is laughing
Dear friends and foes, and foes-turned-friends: I'm having a great time, despite my plight.
Published on October 11, 2006

'Cabinet of Old Men' to take it slow and steady
The initial celebratory mood quickly changed to disappointment following the announcement of the Cabinet line-up, most of whose members look as if they belong to a lost generation.
Published on October 10, 2006

Retired diplomat Nitya to retain foreign policies
New minister's toughest task may be to justify the coup to other countries
Published on October 10, 2006

Boosting economic sentiment appears to be a major priority
By appointing 11 economic ministers, the Surayud government has sent a strong message that it aims to revive sagging economic sentiment, not growth.
Published on October 10, 2006

Boonrawd tipped to seek talks with rebels
The insurgency in the deep South will be high on the agenda of newly appointed Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas, a former classmate of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont at the Chulachomklao Military Academy's Class 12.
Published on October 10, 2006

Social issues are set for new approach
National welfare, education, justice and agriculture look set for doses of reconciliation, ethics and sufficiency-economy theory.
Published on October 10, 2006

No honeymoon for Surayud govt
The interim administration will be put through its paces and judged on its achievements or failures
Published on October 10, 2006

How the interim charter preserves CNS's power
Despite the transformation of the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) into the Council for National Security (CNS) and the enforcement of an interim constitution, academics are concerned that leaders of the September 19 coup will continue to wield power.
Published on October 09, 2006

Good ministers are hard to find
Surayud struggles to get clean candidates without ties to former administration
Published on October 06, 2006

AEC wraps up case relating to airport
An Assets Examination Committee (AEC) investigative group has finished one of the cases relating to Suvarnabhumi Airport and will present it to a committee meeting on Monday, secretary-general Kaewsan Atibhodi said yesterday.
Published on October 06, 2006

Shin Corp deal in jeopardy
Lower court ordered to hear case on licences for AIS, ShinSat and iTV in interest of 'national security and consumers'
Published on October 06, 2006

AEC to file first charges Monday
The Asset Examination Committee (AEC) will on Monday file its first charges against those suspected of graft in government projects under the Thaksin regime.
Published on October 06, 2006

How the junta is tightening the screws
The truth about the allegations and scandals of the Thaksin regime looks more likely than ever to come out
Published on October 06, 2006

Apec meeting in Hanoi will be a big test for Surayud
Luckily, Thaksin will not be a hard diplomatic act to follow
Published on October 06, 2006

Somsak plays role of brutus in trt's tragedy
Master plotter tries to get into coup-makers' good graces while planning next move
Published on October 05, 2006

Nails in thaksin's coffin
Orders by military leaders over the weekend were designed to bury the former PM's regime
Published on October 04, 2006

Six months to fix charter flaws
Thirty-five experts to be selected to work on new constitution
Published on October 03, 2006

ARC faces a tough reform task amid criticisms
For the coup makers, the hardest part started immediately yesterday.
Published on Sep 21, 2006