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Panarat Thepgumpanat
For Panarat Thepgumpanat's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gestures while flanked by his son Panthongtae Shinawatra and daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok in August 2023.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Apr 10, 2024
Thailand yet to decide on indicting former PM Thaksin, lawyer says
The royal insult complaint against the former leader and tycoon stemmed from an interview he gave to foreign media in 2015.
Pita Limjaroenrat at the Thai Parliament complex in Bangkok on Wednesday
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 31, 2024
Thai court rules against opposition's view of royal insults law
The nine-member court said in a unanimous ruling that Move Forward’s push for changes amounted to an attempt to overthrow the constitutional monarchy
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Jul 11, 2023
Role of Thailand's monarchy looms over battle to appoint prime minister
A deadlock over the appointment could tip Southeast Asia's second-largest economy into crisis, with reformers vying to dislodge the grip on power of the royalist military establishment.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
May 11, 2023
Thailand's ex-PM Thaksin shakes up election with talk of return
If Thaksin is serious about coming home, it could complicate an expected post-election scramble by Pheu Thai to try to form a coalition with other opposition parties.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / ANALYSIS
Mar 22, 2023
Some new faces but old divisions to haunt Thailand's May election
The confrontation between the military-royalist establishment and popular opposition parties has shaped a tumultuous two decades of street protests, judicial intervention and coups.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Society
Mar 7, 2022
Thailand bids to avert 'population crisis' as birthrate crashes
While Thailand's demographic path is similar to other Asian economies, as an emerging market relying on cheap labor, the implications are far more profound.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Aug 3, 2021
A year after taboo on Thai king broken, 103 face prison for royal insult
Human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, one of those charged, says he has no regrets and vows the prosecutions won't crush the country's anti-government movement.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Apr 3, 2021
Strong relations likely to keep Thailand from toughening stance on Myanmar coup
Military ties and fears of a flood of refugees mean Bangkok is unlikely to go further than saying it is 'gravely concerned' over bloodshed in its neighboring country, analysts say.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Dec 25, 2020
Anti-Myanmar hate speech flares in Thailand over virus
The rhetoric reflects a global pattern since the start of the pandemic of foreigners being blamed for spreading the virus.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC
Jun 24, 2020
In Thailand, it's statues of democracy leaders that are disappearing
Certain historical statues have been disappearing in Thailand, but they are not effigies of colonialists or slave owners torn down by protesters.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Feb 6, 2019
From coup-maker to candidate? Thailand junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha considers election run
Thai junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is known for losing his temper in public, but recently he has displayed a softer side amid speculation he may run for office in the first elections since the army seized power in 2014.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jan 31, 2019
Tired of army rule, Thai youth are a rising force ahead of March election
Standing atop the stairs outside his university auditorium, 20-year-old activist Parit Chiwarak led a protest of hundreds of people calling for an end to Thailand's ruling military junta.
Japan Times
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jul 2, 2018
Thailand's political tough guy back in the fray to support military as vote nears
The last time most Thais saw politician Suthep Thaugsuban was in 2015 when he entered the Buddhist monkhood and announced his retirement after spearheading protests that culminated in a military coup against a government he detested.

Longform

Later this month, author Shogo Imamura will open Honmaru, a bookstore that allows other businesses to rent its shelves. It's part of a wave of ideas Japanese booksellers are trying to compete with online spaces.
The story isn't over for Japan's bookstores