Politics

Activist Panupong 'Mike Rayong' holds a sign reading '1,000-rai sea reclamation. What will Rayong people get?' ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister Chan-o-cha for a mobile cabinet meeting in the eastern province on Monday. (Photo by Pattarapong​ chatpattarasill​) An anti-government activist was arrested in Rayong province while waiting to greet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha who led a mobile cabinet meeting in the province on Monday. Police took Panupong “Mike Rayong” Jadnok of the Free Youth’s Eastern chapter at 100 Sao Market in Ban Phe, Muang district, before the prime minister arrived in the area. He was caught holding a poster reading: “1,000-rai reclamation. What will Rayong people get?” Mr Panupong was on an arrest warrant issued in connection with the Free Youth protest at

WASHINGTON - His face framed by the golden Oval Office curtains behind him, President Donald Trump stared straight into the camera aimed at the Resolute Desk. It was the night of March 11, 2020. And Trump’s presidency would be forever changed. Trump, whose improbable election ripped up the rules of American politics, had spent three-plus years defying history and orthodoxy in a chaotic spectacle that dominated the national discourse and fervently engaged both sides of a bitterly divided country. And now, essentially for the first time, he was confronted by a crisis that was not of his own making. It was the kind of test presidents inevitably must face, and Trump responded with trademark certitude. “The virus will not have a chance against us,” Trump told Americans that night. Five mon

Suu Kyi readies to win 'Covid election' Myanmar's ruling party -- the National League for Democracy (NLD) -- is in the final stages of preparing for parliamentary polls scheduled for Nov 8. These elections have taken an unexpected turn, largely as a result of the pandemic sweeping the world. Now, the country's civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, appears destined to be returned to power, albeit with a reduced majority. With a little under four months before Myanmar goes to the polls, it already appears that this is less of an election and more of a "Covid election". The crisis has served Ms Suu Kyi and her NLD very well as it has reinforced the party's essential narrative that she is the saviour of the country and that no one can protect Myanmar and its people as she can. "Covid has change...