prayuth chan-ocha



STORY OF THE DAY • Aug 27, 2021 • 8 min read

Analysis Top-secret list shadows Thailand’s never-ending battle against its ‘enemies’

By Mark S. Cogan • Aug 27, 2021
This month, a top-secret document emerged in Thailand. It revealed not only a list of 183 people deemed enemies of Prayut's military-backed government – among them a monk, a journalist and two 15-year-old girls – but also a paranoid state's long-standing urge to purge 'unThai' elements

Mar 16, 2021 • 6 min read
Opinion

Hand sanitiser and banana peels: Normalising Prayut’s bizarre behaviour

Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha has a history of bold antics towards reporters, most recently spraying sanitiser when confronted with awkward questioning. But far from harmless fun, Mark S. Cogan argues these gestures point to a deeper contempt for the media
By Mark S. Cogan • Mar 16, 2021

Mar 04, 2021 • 7 min read
Analysis

Thailand and Myanmar’s militaries get cozy, but at what cost?

The outsized roles played by the Thai and Myanmar militaries in the affairs of their respective countries has led to a close bond between the two. Now, the Myanmar coup has brought them closer than ever – but at what cost to Thailand's standing at home and abroad?
By Mark S. Cogan • Mar 04, 2021

Dec 16, 2020 • 7 min read
Opinion

Corruption should be the issue that binds Thailand together

Thailand's military generals seized power in 2014 vowing to end the kingdom's endemic corruption, but what has followed has been a weakening of the very institutions needed to combat graft. Professor Mark S. Cogan argues the antidote lays in a thriving democracy
By Mark S. Cogan • Dec 16, 2020

Oct 23, 2020 • 8 min read
Thai democracy

Live streams and citizen journalism defy Thailand’s media crackdown

In recent days, Thailand’s government has attempted to crackdown on several outlets offering coverage of the ongoing pro-democracy movement. But while efforts are made to muzzle traditional media, live-streaming and citizen journalism is ready to fill the void
By Wanpen Pajai and Tara Abhasakun • Oct 23, 2020

Oct 14, 2020 • 6 min read
Analysis

The age of government (dis)information in Thailand

When social media giant Twitter blocked nearly 1,000 accounts last week linked to the Royal Thai Army for spreading disinformation, few familiar with how the government of Prayut Chan-o-Cha operates would have been surprised
By Mark S. Cogan • Oct 14, 2020

Aug 14, 2020 • 3 min read
Thai democracy

Thai premier appeals for unity as protests continue

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said on August 13 the majority of the kingdom find its ongoing pro-democracy protests "unacceptable", as the youth-led movement grows bolder in targeting Thai power
By Agence France-Presse • Aug 14, 2020

Jul 24, 2020 • 8 min read
Thai democracy

Thai youth prepare for hot summer of protests

Thai youth protesters resumed their pro-democracy movement with a bang in last weekend's protest. As disparate youth groups jostle to raise their voices, this summer could be a busy one in Thailand.
By Tara Abhasakun • Jul 24, 2020