Concerns of chaos in Thailand if Samak returns Sep 10, 2008
The ruling marked the first time in Thai history that a prime minister had to leave office by a court order. The English-language Bangkok Post poked fun at the circumstances with a political cartoon that showed Samak being poisoned by a plate of steaming food, as two pigs commented, "You are what you eat.". (International Herald Tribune)
What Sondhi reallywants for Thailand Sep 9, 2008
BANGKOK - Whether one is for him or against him, media mogul and anti-government protest leader Sondhi Limthongkul has indelibly changed the course of Thai history. Now encamped at a swelling protest site around Government House in Bangkok, he is trying to redefine the way Thailand's fragile and flawed democracy works. (Asia Times Online)
The last act for Thailand's PAD Aug 29, 2008
That it is was apparently rebuffed by Samak's and his security forces' restraint and temperance will go down as an irony in Thai history and help to rehabilitate the premier's controversial history. Despite the PAD's and media's criticism, Samak has navigated a deft path between pro- and anti-Thaksin forces. (Asia Times Online)
Thai Protesters March to U.K. Embassy in Bangkok, Demand Thaksin's Return Aug 19, 2008
Thaksin, the longest-serving elected leader in Thai history, spent almost 18 months in exile, mostly in London and Hong Kong, after a 2006 coup, before returning to Thailand in February. To contact the reporter on this story: in Bangkok at. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Trouble brews in two Asian democracies Jul 2, 2008
For Samak, the shadow is cast by Thaksin, a billionaire businessman who became the first elected leader in Thai history to complete his term. In 2005, his party won a majority in parliament another first but drew flak for alleged corruption and interference in independent state agencies designed to check the power of the executive. (Christian Science Monitor)
Thai PM Fights for His Political Life Jun 28, 2008
In elections last December, voters, who had once handed Thaksin the largest mandate in recent Thai history, brought to power right-wing firebrand Samak, who through his People Power Party (PPP) openly campaigned as Thaksin's proxy ... But Thaksin is the only elected Prime Minister in modern Thai history to complete a full term. (Time.com)
Help in the 'slaughterhouse' May 28, 2008
At these pre-schools, children get their first education in Thai, English, Thai history, folklore, dance, song, sports, arts and hygiene from teachers who also are from the slums. Milk, lunch and snacks are provided. (CNN -- International)
Thaksin Shinawatra in court Mar 18, 2008
The generals who overthrew Mr Thaksin claimed as justification for their coup that his administration had been the most corrupt in Thai history. Mr Thaksin's wife, Pojamarn, also faces corruption charges. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Ousted Thai premier returns to face charges Feb 28, 2008
Thaksin took office in 2001, and his party, Thai Rak Thai, enjoyed the first outright majority in Thai history. He won the allegiance of Thailand's rural majority but alienated its urban elite with populist policies that upended the established political order. (International Herald Tribune)
Thaksin returns to cheering fans Feb 28, 2008
Thaksin took office in 2001, and his party, Thai Rak Thai, enjoyed the first outright majority in Thai history. He won the allegiance of the rural majority but alienated the urban elite with populist policies that upended the political order. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
The politics of Thai revisionist history Feb 27, 2008
Samak has said, "I won't object to anyone doing anything, but for me, I'll stop talking about this." The events of October 14, 1973, October 6, 1976, and May 1992 remain unsettled incidents that largely live on in the memories of participants and witnesses, but are often glossed over in Thai history books. Tackling taboos A "truth commission" may not, however, be something everyone wants, as too much dirty laundry may be aired in the debate. (Asia Times Online)
Thaksin party win may continue Thai political uncertainty Dec 24, 2007
Short-lived parliamentary coalitions plagued Thailand in past decades, until the rise of Thai Rak Thai, the party founded and led by Thaksin, which became the first in Thai history to lead a government for a full term. It subsequently won a landslide majority in 2005. (AZCentral -- News)
Time to decideDemocracy moves a step forward in post-coup Thailand Dec 21, 2007
The frequently-made claims that his was the most corrupt administration in Thai history now look hollow. Strong loyalties. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
Thailand celebrates king's birthday Dec 5, 2007
Bhumibol's birthday is a national holiday in Thailand and has increasingly become a day of tribute to the perhaps the most influential figure in modern Thai history. Across the country people planned to show respect for the monarch by saying prayers and performing merit-making ceremonies that typically involve freeing captive animals, including birds, turtles and fish. (Aljazeera.Net)
Thai King Celebrates 80th Birthday Dec 5, 2007
Bhumibol's birthday has increasingly become a day of nationwide tribute to the man who is regarded the most influential figure in modern Thai history and the key to the country's stability. This year's celebration was clouded by nationwide anxiety over Bhumibol's declining health, concerns about his eventual successor and a chaotic political situation ahead of divisive elections later this month. (CBS News -- World)
Thai court issues arrest warrant for ex-leader Aug 15, 2007
Football-mad Thaksin Shinawatra became the first prime minister in Thai history to win two terms of office. The ex-policeman, born in the northern city of Chiang Mai, studied in the US and holds a PhD in criminal justice. (Guardian Unlimited)
Tim Lewis profiles Thaksin Shinawatra Aug 12, 2007
Best of times The only elected Prime Minister in Thai history to serve a full term, he was returned with a landslide in 2005. His economic policies ('Thaksinomics') are credited with drastically reducing poverty in five years. (Guardian Unlimited -- Sport)
Post Coup Thai Politics Aug 2, 2007
The military coup in September 2006 brought to an end the most successful period of democratic government in Thai history. Not only was the Thai Rak Thai party led by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra the first to be elected and serve a full term, it was then re-elected and served a second term and was then elected for a third time. (Suite101.com)
Adventures in Bangkok Jun 26, 2007
Visitors can take in Thai history, culture and cuisine with ease. Rungroj Yongrit / EPA fileA Thai couple loaded with goods ride on a motorbike in central Bangkok, Thailand. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Thai Election Won't Reduce Risk for Investors Jun 26, 2007
The most successful political party in Thai history, it enjoyed considerable support in towns and villages across the country. Hopeful Investors. (Bloomberg -- Columnists)
Thai Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Banned From Politics, Party to Be Disbanded May 31, 2007
The ruling destroys the most successful political party in Thai history and probably enables the Democrats to return to power, said Michael Montesano, who teaches Thai politics at the National University of Singapore. With the court decision, it appears the junta will feel no pressure to create a political order after they step down,'' he said. (Bloomberg -- Asia)
Thai court orders dissolution of ex-prime minister's party May 31, 2007
Thai Rak Thai, which Thaksin formed, is the most popular in Thai history. After taking power in 2001, it won re-election in 2005 by a large margin. (International Herald Tribune)
Exiled Thai leader urges calm over political crisis May 31, 2007
"I would urge everyone to stay calm and don't make any moves," said the billionaire telecoms tycoon whose Thai Rak Thai (Thais Loves Thais) party was the first in Thai history to win an absolute parliamentary majority. Protesters shout anti-coup slogans during a demonstration in Bangkok. (Globe and Mail -- International)
Thaksins Party's Over in Thailand May 31, 2007
TRT stormed to power with a win in the 2001 general election and became the only party in Thai history to complete a full term in office. The Constitutional Tribunal's decision to dissolve the party finally revealed after the judges read the ruling for an excruciating nine hours was just one part of the plan to remove Thaksin from the political scene. (Asia Sentinel)
Thais await court's rulings on political parties - International Herald Tribune May 30, 2007
In 2005, Thai Rak Thai, which Thaksin formed as a political vehicle, was the first party in Thai history to win an absolute majority in Parliament. With populist policies, it won wide support among rural voters, and most political analysts say it would still probably win an election. (Nogales International, AZ)
Top Thai political parties await court ruling on their fates May 29, 2007
Thai Rak Thai in 2005 became the first party in Thai history to win an absolute majority in Parliament, and by all accounts remains popular with rural voters for its populist policies. But last year the military overthrew Thaksin in a bloodless coup d'etat after demonstrations calling for his resignation for alleged corruption and abuse of power. (PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung))
Arm thy neighbor May 11, 2007
Desmond Ball and David Scott Mathieson, two Australian academics, have written the first in-depth English-language account of these forces, and Militia Redux is an impressively detailed study of a little-known but significant subject in Thai history and contemporary politics. They track the origin of Thailand's paramilitary forces back to the Wild Tiger Corps, which was established by King Vajiravuth in 1911. (Asia Times Online)
Draft Thai constitution faces uphill battle Apr 25, 2007
At the same time, it will make it easier for individual politicians to switch political parties in the lead-up to an election, which Thai history has shown undermines the influence of the political-party system. Political analysts say the new charter clearly aims to prevent a recurrence of the concentration of political power that occurred under Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party, which built up a massive majority in Parliament. (Asia Times Online)
First draft of new Thai constitution is aired Apr 19, 2007
After public consultations, the constitution will be submitted to a referendum, the first in Thai history. It is scheduled for September. (International Herald Tribune)
Thai coup leaders press for emergency crackdown Mar 29, 2007
"Almost out of the blue, the CNS chairman wants Bangkok placed under the most draconian law in Thai history," the Bangkok Post newspaper said, referring to the Council for National Security, the name the coup leaders have given themselves. Even if some of the anti-coup rallies involved Thaksin supporters, they had a right to speak out in a peaceful manner, the Bangkok Post said. (Reuters AlertNet)
Thai politics and SE Asian power paradigm Mar 6, 2007
Military coups have been a common part of modern Thai history, going back to the days of the constitutionalist premier Pridi Bhanomyong in the 1930s ... Thai history is notably remarkable because of the excellent capacity of its protagonists, the Thai people, to adjust to new challenges and opportunities. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Editorial)
Thailand fights to save elephants Mar 2, 2007
But if all goes well, Kod will make Thai history next month when she gives birth to the nation's first elephant produced by artificial insemination. A successful birth would be a milestone for a country scrambling to save its most treasured animals from an alarming decline. (FOX59, IN)
Union Oyster House restaurateur balances worlds of Boston and Thailand Feb 19, 2007
"And did you know," he says excitedly, "that the king is the only living monarch who is a US citizen?" He's as up on his Thai history as he is his Boston history, and he is a serious student of both. Milano's interest in Southeast Asia began when he served in Vietnam. (Boston Globe -- Living)
SCCCI commemorative book captures Singapore's economic transformation Feb 8, 2007
"Our relations with Thailand go back a long time. For instance, outside the Parliament House is a statue given by King Chulalongkorn a long time ago. Over different Thai administrations and the various ups and downs of Thai history, we have kept very close links with Thailand - business links, political links and even blood links. And I am quite sure that whatever difficulties we face now will be overcome," says the Foreign Affairs Minister. "The important thing is to maintain existing links as... (Channel NewsAsia, Singapore)
Thailand: Thaksin's Giant Shadow Feb 3, 2007
"My new party will be called the Enjoy Life Party," declared Thaksin, who in 2005 commanded the largest-ever electoral mandate in Thai history with his old party, Thai Rak Thai, or Thais Love Thais. The new Enjoy Life Party's platform. (Time.com)
The case for royalty in Myanmar Jan 5, 2007
These were dark chaotic years barely remembered in Thai history because they were succeeded by the establishment of a new royal line, the current Chakri dynasty, which built a shiny new capital on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, restoring the old ritual and order of the kingdom and even using bricks from the ruined capital of Ayudhya. Fast forward to 1990 and the end of the long civil war in Cambodia; who knows what the final death toll was after the 1975-1979 period of tyrannical Khmer... (Asia Times Online)
