Democracy

  • Thai Life88th anniversary of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy commemorated

    88th anniversary of Thailand’s constitutional monarchy commemorated

    Today marks the 88th anniversary of Thailand’s transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy. Activists from several groups are staging peaceful gatherings across the country to mark the anniversary of the 1932 revolt, in what was then Siam. 30-40 demonstrators gathered at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument and played a video reenactment of the speech made by People’s Party leaders after they…

  • World NewsCovid restrictions ignored in Hong Kong as hundreds of protesters take to the streets

    Covid restrictions ignored in Hong Kong as hundreds of protesters take to the streets

    Hundreds of Hong Kong residents have defied police orders, taking to the streets to mark one year since pro-democracy protests began. They assembled in the Central district and marched to nearby streets, shouting various political slogans including, “Fight to the End”. There were also large gatherings in shopping malls, with people singing protest anthems and holding up “Liberate Hong Kong”…

  • Politics NewsDefence Ministry to take legal action over anti-government slogan campaign

    Defence Ministry to take legal action over anti-government slogan campaign

    The Defence Ministry is vowing to take action after an anti-government slogan was projected onto various Bangkok monuments and buildings, including the Defence Ministry building itself, at the weekend. The Seek the Truth slogan also appeared on the Democracy Monument, at the Victory Monument BTS station and on Wat Pathum Wanaram temple. Former members of the now defunct Future Forward…

  • Politics NewsFormer Future Forward members claim they’re behind political slogan campaign around Bangkok

    Former Future Forward members claim they’re behind political slogan campaign around Bangkok

    Former members of the now defunct Future Forward party say they are responsible for projecting a political slogan on to some of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks Sunday night, and say more’s to come. Coconuts reports that the political figures, now members of a group called “Progressive Movement,” shared a video of activists using projection equipment from within a van. The…

  • Covid-19 NewsYour democracy is killing you and how China suppressed Covid-19

    Your democracy is killing you and how China suppressed Covid-19

    OPINION On January 25, 2020 the Chinese government started locking down around 930 million citizens over the following few weeks, starting with the city centres of Hubei province, the probable ground zero of the outbreak, and spreading outwards. Most of these Chinese citizens are still quarantined in their homes. About two weeks later, in the second week of February, the…

  • World NewsHong Kong police call for curfew amid riots

    Hong Kong police call for curfew amid riots

    PHOTO: AFP Pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong have been clashing with police since the shooting at close range of an 18 year old protester earlier this week. Activists have gone on the rampage, setting fires and throwing petrol bombs, while police responded with tear gas, as four months of protests show no signs of dying down. The police themselves are…

  • World NewsChina celebrates 70 years of communism, while Hong Kong police shoot pro-democracy protester

    China celebrates 70 years of communism, while Hong Kong police shoot pro-democracy protester

    PHOTO: AFP Shortly after a huge military parade in Beijing, celebrating 70 years of communist rule in China, police shot a pro-democracy activist in Hong Kong as protests in the troubled city grew. Demonstrations have gripped Hong Kong for four months now, but this was the first such injury from a live round and marks a significant escalation in protests…

  • World NewsA drop in Thai visitors to Hong Kong as protests continue

    A drop in Thai visitors to Hong Kong as protests continue

    PHOTO: Booking.com The ongoing pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong are taking a toll on visitor numbers, with a drop in the number of Thai visitors staying overnight in the territory, according to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The Bangkok Post reports that the number for July has dropped by 6.6% compared to July 2018. However, the number of single-day visitors…

  • Politics NewsFuture Forward’s Thanathorn on European and US lecture tour – VIDEO

    Future Forward’s Thanathorn on European and US lecture tour – VIDEO

    The Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit spoke with American NBC’s Andrea Mitchell about his hopes and aspirations for Thailand’s future. He also addresses his own current situation in regards to charges he is facing over alleged media shareholdings. Thanathorn is currently suspended from participating in the new Thai parliament as an MP as he awaits the Constitutional Court to hear…

  • Thailand Election NewsThai PM’s book recommendation backfires

    Thai PM’s book recommendation backfires

    Literature 1.01. Most people have read George Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. It’s the tale of a ‘democratic’ and utopian farmyard until the pigs get hungry for power and end up running the place as a dictatorship, dressed up as a democracy. The book resonated the fears of a post-WWII Britain and the rise of Stalinism. “All animals are equal, but some…

  • World NewsAsia’s struggle with democracy – Thailand ranks #107 in the world

    Asia’s struggle with democracy – Thailand ranks #107 in the world

    by By DataLEADS In the wake of the confirmation from the Thai Government about a firm date for the next election, a survey has been released which measures the Asian democracies. Thais go to the polls to elect a new government on February 2019, the first time since they elected Yingluck Shinawatra’s Pheu Thai party in 2011. The report says that…

  • Thailand NewsThe 2019 election clock is revealed

    The 2019 election clock is revealed

    The countdown is now ticking as the pieces click together for next year’s election – the first since the Thai army took control in a peaceful coup in May 2014, ousting the elected Yingluck Shinawatra government. Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngarm has presented the clearest political timeline yet that will lead to a general election on February 24, 2019, the appointment…