Word: wattanayagorn
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Analysts say the verdict, which is by law not open to appeal, could put an end to any hopes the still-influential Thaksin has for a political comeback in his homeland. But it would not necessarily put an end to his legacy, says Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political analyst at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University - or the current divisions over him that have Thailand's people on the edge of violence. Sometimes said to be the most divisive political figure in Thailand's history, Thaksin remains enormously popular with the rural poor for his populist policies like cheap health care and easy...
...impact of Thaksin's flight on the country's ongoing political tensions isn?t yet clear, but the Stock Exchange of Thailand's main index shot up 1.77 percent after his statement aired. "In the short term, this might contribute to stability," says Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political analyst at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. He says Thaksin's exile could give Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej - who is closely allied with the former PM and once declared himself Thaksin's "nominee" - more flexibility to negotiate with the forces lining up against his government in recent months, including street protesters, the opposition Democrat...
...living in self-imposed exile in Hong Kong. And that's where high-level members of Samak's People Power Party - widely regarded as Thaksin's proxy political vehicle - flocked over the weekend to start lobbying for Cabinet posts. "Samak faces real credibility problems," says Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "Of course, he's not the one in charge...
...aftermath of his victory, Samak said Thaksin "must stay away from politics for a while" while he fights to have the cases against him resolved in the courts; other members of the PPP have predicted Thaksin could return by Valentine's Day. But Panitan Wattanayagorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, says that Samak will have to keep Thaksin off the agenda - and out of power - if he wants to win over parties to join his coalition. "Samak will need to be pragmatic and flexible. He may have to listen to Thaksin, but he also has to listen to civil...
...many Buddhists in Thailand have no wish to see their faith enter politics. And Thai Muslims, most of whom already feel marginalized in this overwhelmingly Buddhist nation, will read any such move as more evidence of their second-class status. "It will inflame the south," says Panitan Wattanayagorn, a security specialist at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "Muslim countries will believe we are against minorities." That would be a shame, since historically Thai culture has shown tolerance toward other cultures and religions. "Most Thais would like to find a compromise or middle path on this [constitutional] issue," says Panitan. A Buddhist...