Chayut Setboonsarng | East Asia Forum

Thailand: politics of a flood

2nd December, 2011

This aerial image shows partially-submerged vehicles sitting stranded in floodwaters at a roundabout in the Thai ancient capital city of Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, 16 October 2011. Flood defences protecting the Thai capital held up 16 October, but the advancing waters that have swamped the inland still threaten to engulf Bangkok in a disaster that has claimed 300 lives. Thailand's worst floods in decades have inundated huge swathes of the kingdom, swallowing homes and businesses, shutting down industry, and forcing tens of thousands of people to seek refuge in shelters. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Chayut Setboonsarng, GWU

After torrents of water broke through makeshift barriers around Bangkok in the nation’s worst flood in 50 years, the Yingluck administration was slammed for mismanagement, weak leadership and fragmented coordination in handling the monsoon.

And the credibility of the Flood Relief Operations Center (FROC), led by Police General Pracha Promnok, deteriorated due to its inexperience. Read more…

Thai elections: The unseen hand

3rd July, 2011

A supporter rides past a poster of Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yingluck Shinawatra in the final hours of political campaigning in the Thai general election. (Photo: AAP)

Author: Chayut Setboonsarng, GWU

Despite the strong emotions of the current election campaign in Thailand, it is critical that the bureaucracy and institutions such as the judiciary, Election Commission, military and watchdog organisations remain nonpartisan and respect the election results on 3 July to ensure Thailand’s progress towards democracy and national reconciliation.