Author: Pavin Chachavalpongpun, ISAS
The increasing frequency of lèse-majesté cases over the past few years suggests that Thailand’s claim to be the ‘land of the free’ no longer rings quite true.
There are many reasons behind the law’s application. Propping up a weakened monarchical institution and disguising the uncertainty of the royal succession is one rationale. Attempts to control society, conserve elitist privileges, prolong the military’s role in politics, obstruct democratisation and cope with the technological revolution in cyberspace also play a significant role. Read more…
Author: Pavin Chachavalpongpun, ISEAS
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has given his word: the nation, submerged in growing political uncertainty, will go to the polls in the first half of this year.
The election is likely to be held in June. Read more…
Author: Pavin Chachavalpongpun, ISEAS
The second US-ASEAN Leaders Meeting ended in New York on 24 September 2010. After much anticipation, particularly from the ASEAN countries, the meeting produced a 25-point joint declaration which covered almost everything under the sun, but did not discuss the real strategic concerns that have complicated US-ASEAN relations in the first place.
One of the main points of the joint declaration is that ASEAN and the United States will set up an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) in order to offer recommendations for the elevation of their partnership to a strategic level, through the adoption of a new five-year Plan of Action for 2011-2015. Read more…
Author: Pavin Chachavalpongpun, ISEAS
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to invite the United States and Russia to participate in the region-wide forum, the East Asia Summit (EAS), which encompasses ASEAN plust six: Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India. The invitation immediately met with a favourable response from Kurt Campbell, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, emphasising the US’s renewed interest in its relations with Southeast Asia.
It is generally believed US’s participation will minimise China’s increasing domination of the EAS. Long years of US disengagement with ASEAN, particularly during the Bush administration, allowed China to take a leading role in ASEAN-led regional platforms. This situation coincided with the rise of China, both economically and militarily. Read more…
