Everybody jumps on the Lisa Blackpink bandwagon, including General Prayut Chan-o-cha. Yesterday, the general said Thailand should take the example of the K-pop sensation and create “soft power” and a “creative economy,” inspiring Thai youths to shine globally. The general neither understand soft power, creative economy, nor who Lisa is.Continue Reading
Pranpriya Manobal or Lisa Blackpink is one of the biggest K-Pop stars in the world. She’s also Thai. On 10 September, she released her much anticipated solo single “Lalisa.” It already has some 117 million views. And, of course, controversies ensued. The single features the chorus line, “Protect it likeContinue Reading
What’s next for Thamanat Prompow? He has approximately 30 to 50 MPs in his hand, depending on who you ask, and is still Party Secretary. He can stay with the dysfunctional Palang Pracharat, form his own party, or rejoin Pheu Thai. He can lead an immediate exodus or wait nearerContinue Reading
Call it elitist mentality.Call it feudal mentality.Call it a narcissistic obsession.Call it by any other name; it’s Thailand all the same. The rigid social hierarchy expects the poo-noi (social inferior) to slobber at the feet of the poo-yai (social superior). This backward belief system does not recognize the rights ofContinue Reading
Sinovac is not ineffective but has lesser efficacy than mRNA vaccines. With Thailand’s Delta variant pandemic, Sinovac also isn’t ineffective but still has lesser efficacy. Logic has it then that the government should move mountains to procure mRNA vaccines. But reality has it otherwise, as yesterday, the cabinet approved anotherContinue Reading
General Prayut Chan-o-cha came to power because of tanks; remains in power because of a rigged constitution; escapes no-confidence votes because of unscrupulous politicians. He has managed to convince a sizeable portion of the Thai population that without him, evil traitors and ungrateful nation-haters will overthrow the institution. No matterContinue Reading
Forget “love the monarchy” or “monarchy reform” for a moment. Forget Sa-lim versus Saam-geeb for a moment. Take a moment to ask ourselves: Are five more years of General Prayut Chan-o-cha the solution to Thailand’s problems? Because this is what we are looking at given the rigged constitution and 250Continue Reading
“There’s a claim that the ‘High Institution’ wants to replace the prime minister. This is gravely wrong! I’m the only one who can make official requests! No one else! Is this clear?” General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday. But no one ever made that claim. In the latest nausea of Thailand’sContinue Reading
What happens in parliament is exciting, but General Prayut Chan-o-cha still has the votes. What happens behind the parliament is riveting, because it’s allegedly a bid to remove the votes from the general. Of course, MP Thamanat Prompow denied everything, saying bootlickers slobbering over the boss’s feet are spreading aContinue Reading
The 31 August no-confidence debate saw a war of words between General Prayut Chan-o-cha (nicknamed Tu) and Thai Liberal Party’s Police General Sereepisuth Temeeyaves (also nicknamed Tu). These are the choicest quotes from General Prayut in replying to Police General Sereepisuth’s accusation of his alleged corruption, dishonesty, incompetence, lack ofContinue Reading
