Salvage operations underway after Malaysia naval vessel sinks off coast of Johor, no injuries reported
After a Malaysian naval vessel went down off Johor on Sunday ( Aug 25 ), salvage operations are currently in progress. All members of the crew are secure.  , The ship, KD Pendekar, sank at , 3.54pm, two nautical miles southeast of Tanjung Penyusop in Kota Tinggi, the Royal Malaysian NavyContinue Reading
For Japan’s defense, it matters who’s prime minister – Asia Times
After a long three years in office by modern standards, Fumio Kishida wo n’t be Japan’s prime minister after September. With the exception of the late Shinzo Abe, Japanese prime ministers seem to come and go so frequently that one might assume it is n’t important who is actually the country’s leader.
But it does problem, especially when it comes to Japan’s security, which has made strange progress in recent years. One concerns that with a unique prime minister, Japan’s efforts to boost defence will drift, while has historically been the situation.  ,
There have been a couple instances of comparatively quick and easily quantifiable progress, but overall, things are not moving as quickly or slowly as Japan would like to.
And nothing that might provoke too much Asahi Shinbun criticism, or that might upset the ruling Liberal Democratic Party ( LDP )’s coalition partner, Komeito, or even the “leftist” factions in the LDP itself.
Despite local conditions and rising risks merely outside Japan’s edges, it ultimately chooses to do what is simple rather than what it needs to accomplish.  ,
As the People’s Republic of China prepares to teach Japan a lesson, and finally has the methods to do so, these challenges have been undeniable for the past ten years or more. Not to mention its Russian and Pyongyang pals who are likely to be helpful.
Japan’s security progress over the last few decades has been excellent, even if it could have been faster. Even if he only had the great feeling to not overreach himself, Kishida deserves praise.  ,  ,
These changes did n’t happen by accident. Minoru Kihara and Nobuo Kishi, two of Kishida’s defense ministers, were among the best of the roughly 40 defense ministers ( or Defense Agency heads ) who have served since I first got involved with Japan in the early 1990s.  , For instance, both were interested in learning their portfolio, setting them aside from 90 % of their forebears.
Kihara has some excellent officials, and there are other trustworthy officials who have silently supported protection initiatives all over the government. The chief of staff of the JSDF Joint Staff, General Yoshihide Yoshida, is likewise excellent, with a good understanding of Japan’s security requirements.
If the new prime minister cleans the house and employs a new crew, however, this might not proceed. The target could well be on domestic issues, which are more important than protection issues to keeping Japan healthy and independent, even more than before.
Defense has never been a concern for most of Japan’s social group or the public at large, even though the Chinese government assumes that” guy” is looking after Japan’s protection. Yes, many politicians and the majority of the populace are wary of China, but that does n’t mean that they ca n’t defend themselves as a vote-getter that necessitates focused effort and reasoned judgment.
That’s the situation in many, if not most, governments. With a couple of exceptions, Sanae Takaichi ( currently minister for economic security ) and Diet member Takayuki Kobayashi, it is unclear that defense is a priority for most of the candidates for prime minister.  ,
But what about Shigeru Ishiba? He previously served as defence minister and head of the original Defense Agency; he’s the front-runner for prime secretary.  , He’s remarkable on paper, but one is never convinced he’s the pro he thinks he is.
Japan also has “do n’t provoke China” and “must do business with China” constituencies in its business and political groups, including within the LDP itself.  , And China’s wealthy record has been as effective in Tokyo as it has been in Washington, DC.
So one should n’t be surprised to see a push for a “reset” with the People’s Republic of China to “dial things down” . ,
It’s not that Japan’s protection may be ignored. A certain amount of speed will continue, but it might be slower and with poor target. Some would contend that the bare minimum will be required to maintain the Americans liable to pay for Japan’s protection and replace any gaps.
But is n’t Japan developing ships and boats, as well as acquiring cutting-edge fighter jets, including working with the American and Italians?  ,
It is. There does n’t seem to be a serious plan to address this problem because the Japanese navy and air force are only about half the size they need to be. However, recruiting shortfalls contribute to the problem.  ,  ,
And what of getting the Japan Self Defense Force, and Japan petition big, ready to fight a conflict? Despite some improvement, it seems clear that this goal has been met, but progress has been made.  , Points may be even harder if Kishida’s leader has different priorities.
So it very much things who is Japan’s future prime minister.  ,
A Japanese prime minister, no matter who it is, has the power to do whatever needs to be done defense–wise—if there’s also the muscle. Only leadership and will are required, as well as explaining what needs to be done and why to the public.  ,
That’s painful.  , It’s easier just to fall, but Japan’s future president may afford to.
Former US minister and previous US Marine official Grant Newsham. He is a colleague at the Yorktown Institute and the Center for Security Policy, and he was the first Sea liaison officer to join the Japan Self Defense Force.  , He is the author of the book ,” When China Attacks: A Warning To America” . ,
Signs of life as rescue continues at collapsed train tunnel
PUBLISHED: 26 Aug 2024 at 11: 03
In this northern state, recovery efforts continued on Monday to accomplish three people who had fallen from a hole being constructed for the new  high-speed railroad.
Around 4am on Monday night, a detector picked up what appeared to be body temperature and heart beat from the missing men, giving hope for their resurrence.  ,
About four kilometers from the doorway of the eight-kilometer hole in the Pak Chong district’s tambon Chan Thuek, the tunnel’s planned eight-kilometer closure occurred on Saturday evening.
A Chinese structure officer, a Chinese shovel operator, and a Myanmar vehicle driver are being properly rescued using a backhoe to reach the buried workers. Their efforts were hampered by heavy mud and stone falls.
The hole is a part of the Sino-Thai high-speed rail being built between Bangkok and Nong Khai state, which borders Laos.
Areas of a rescue rod may be slowly pushed through the blocked portion of the hole as it was opened up, according to Krichanon Aiyapanya, spokeswoman of the Transport Ministry, on Monday. It was anticipated that the people who had been trapped may become evacuated through it.
Each part of the evacuation tube is six meters long and has a diameter of about 1.20 meters.  , When contact is made, weather can also be pumped through it, and emergency products, until the beginning is big enough for volunteers to reach the guys.
The entry of the hole. ( Photo supplied )
Australians get ‘right to disconnect’ after working hours
A “right to connect” law has been put into effect in Australia, which can help those who feel forced to answer calls or read information from businesses after their day’s job.
People can overlook communications after work if they choose, without fear of being punished by their leaders, under the new rules.
According to a poll conducted last year, Australians worked an average of 281 hours of unpaid time per year.
More than 20 countries, mainly in Europe and Latin America, have similar rules.
Companies are not prohibited from contacting employees after hours by the rules.
Rather, it gives employees the right not to reply unless their rejection is deemed ridiculous.
Under the laws, employers and employees may try to resolve disputes among themselves. If that is unsuccessful in bringing about a solution, Australia’s Fair Work Commission ( FWC ) can intervene.
The FWC may then direct the company to stop reaching out to the staff after hours.
It has the authority to require an employee to answer if they find their refusal to do so absurd.
Failure to comply with FWC orders can result in fines of up to A$ 19, 000 ($ 12, 897, £9, 762 ) for an employee or up to A$ 94, 000 for a company.
Organizations that represent staff have praised the action.
The American Council of Trade Unions stated that it” does empower workers to refuse absurd out-of-hours work call and promote better work-life stability.”
A business analyst claimed that the new regulations may also benefit employers.
According to John Hopkins from Swinburne University of Technology, “any organization that has employees who have better sleep and who have better work-life balance is going to have personnel who are less likely to include sick days and less likely to leave the organization.”
” Anything that benefits the individual, has advantages for the company as well”.
However, there was a mingled reaction to the new rules from people.
” I think it’s actually really important that we have regulations like this”, advertising business employer, Rachel Abdelnour, told Reuters.
We spend a lot of time all day using our telephones and letters, and I find it difficult to leave them off.
Some, however, do not think the new rules will create much of a difference to them.
” I think it’s an excellent idea. I’m hoping it spreads. I doubt it’ll get on in our market, to tell the truth though”, David Brennan, a contractor in the financial market, told the news organization.
” We’re properly paid, we’re expected to deliver, and we feel we have to offer 24 hours a day”.
After joyous Chicago, Kamala faces ten weeks of fire – Asia Times
The Democrat National Convention in Chicago had a fantastic achievements, full of stars, shouts, unity, and excitement.
But Kamala Harris faces a much more challenging task as she battles her way through the final 72 days of what will be a harsh but nail-biting campaign to get elected president of the United States on November 5. And unlike last week, she wo n’t have any influence over the election narrative.
Even so, we should not underrate her ( and her party’s ) achievement. Harris has quickly risen from the opponent to the frontrunner after just one month since she withdrew as the Democratic Party’s candidate and having struggled for three and a half years as his vice-president due to low public approval ratings.
She is away of Donald Trump both in national opinion surveys and in the key state that will probably decide the election, especially Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Her guide is very low to inspire confidence, unless fresh polls show a remarkable change following the Democratic National Convention.
It is less powerful than Hillary Clinton’s result, which was held at the same time the 2016 presidential election. Harris’s direct has room to grow, but this still looks likely to be a strong challenge.
Last year, at the agreement, she and her group had to achieve three main things:
- Initially, they had to avoid discord over Harris’s election or, more precisely, over the Biden administration’s major foreign-policy horror, the war in Gaza.
- They had to begin to establish what she and the group believe in terms of both domestic and international affairs.
- Above all, they had to demonstrate that Harris and her running-mate Tim Walz, the chancellor of Minnesota, are a reliable team to hold the White House for the next four decades.
On the first job, the agreement was more powerful than most observers had anticipated a month ago. There were some protests against Gaza, but they were insufficient to distract attention and show no signs of gathering unity.
Events in the Middle East are uncertain enough that they could also cause Harris headaches in the run-up to the vote, but her remarks about how the “scale of human enduring” in the fight is “heartbreaking” established the right tone.
On the other side of the equation, voters rarely make up their minds in presidential elections based on particular policy positions. It is all too technical, abstract and probably tendentious for most people: some wo n’t understand policy stances, others wo n’t believe them.
What’s likely to matter is what these stances convey about the candidates ‘ fundamental attitudes and the apparent coherence of their thinking.
When analyzed in that way, the team has probably succeeded in conveying the idea that the primary Harris-Walz concerns will be the government will be the most, even though many proposals were at best half-baked.
- lowering the cost of living for regular people,
- curbing the excessive power of big, quasi-monopolistic corporations, and
- restoring fundamental rights, particularly those over abortion.
No one will be persuaded that illegal immigration is their magic formula, and many people are likely to be unsure whether or not they will succeed. Their best chance at resolving the border security issue will be to neutralize it, removing any advantages Trump might think he has.
Foreign affairs are infamously a sideshow in American elections. When I was at , The Economist , we would lament every four years about how little time and attention was given to America’s huge global role.
In terms of specific policy positions and countries, this year will be exactly the same. However, it does promise to be unusual in terms of the significant role that foreign affairs may play in defining the character of the opposing candidates, and it is likely that voters ‘ perceptions of character and behavior will determine the outcome.
By their words and performances over the past month, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz have succeeded in presenting themselves as positive, optimistic and, in American terms, “normal” – all of which are key electoral attributes.
Their message that Donald Trump and his running-mate JD Vance are “weird”, “unserious”, deeply negative and in a variety of senses dangerous has proved to be both powerful and convincing.
Democrats have succeeded in capturing a word that is typically owned by Republicans, namely “freedom,” by focusing on the threat to reproductive rights, personal liberty, and democracy itself.
That should provide a solid foundation for the fierce combat of the upcoming seven weeks. What it has n’t yet done is to firmly and convincingly state that the Harris-Walz team is likely to provide strong leadership and credibility in the face of the unavoidable crises that will arise during any administration.
Harris addressed this by addressing the country’s difficult stance she would adopt toward China and Russia in her acceptance speech, as well as by bringing up Trump’s friendships with brutal dictators like Kim Jong-un in North Korea.
By doing so, she was attempting to demonstrate that she would be a strong, determined leader when she was sitting behind the president’s official desk, which is known as” the Resolute desk,” not because its user necessarily qualifies it as such, but because it was constructed in 1880 from the timbers of a British naval ship, the , HMS Resolute.
Using strong, even resolute words will not, however, be enough. Harris now must show that she can be strong and resolute when under daily fire from the Trump team, when questioned by journalists, and, in particular, in the one face-to-face TV debate that the two sides have so far agreed to hold, on ABC on September 10.
If I had to choose who will win on November 5, I would undoubtedly wager on Tim Walz and Kamala Harris, as well as on a vote for freedom, normality, and optimism. However, I would n’t want to take a chance too much on that outcome. There is plenty of room for new upsets and earthquakes along the way, and the race is expected to be close and tense.
Formerly editor-in-chief of The Economist, Bill Emmott is currently chairman of the , Japan Society of the UK, the , International Institute for Strategic Studies , and the , International Trade Institute.
Previously published on his Substack, Bill Emmott’s Global View, this is the English original of an article published on August 25 in Italian by La Stampa. It is republished here with kind permission.
SUSS, WiseNet Asia launch Success Academy in Malaysia to foster entrepreneurship, innovation & regional social impact
- Collaboration and the development of potential leaders will be promoted by the club.
- Within 3 times, 4 more schools will start in Jakarta, Manila, and Mumbai
The SUSS Success Academy in Kuala Lumpur, a talent solutions and consulting firm, has been launched by the Singapore University of Social Sciences ( SUSS) and WiseNet Asia, a talent management and consulting firm. This will open up new learning and training opportunities for students in Singapore and Malaysia.
The Academy will serve as a key nexus for academic and industry lovers from both places, fostering alliances and grooming well-rounded potential leaders worthy of excelling and making positive contributions to society. It will be grounded on SUSS’s commitment to learning for life and creating cultural influence.
Through the Academy’s two different paths, Personal Success and Professional Success, SUSS may provide opportunities for students from SUSS and various Singapore pre-tertiary and secondary to collaborate with Malaysian students to learn and create original content. This will include a number of complete programs, including student exchanges and multidisciplinary global learning programs. Also, SUSS students will have the opportunity to work at the same location and work as interns.
Important efforts include:
Student Leadership Development in Social Sustainability: In relationship Belum Eco Resort, SUSS will utilize the hotel’s facilities to produce a place-based learning programme and experienced site, known as Camp R. A. I. S. E. This programme will help students learn about economic stewardship and green practices, eco-preneurship, and well-being and mindfulness strategies.
More than 80 SUSS student-athletes may host games and coaching sessions with Indonesian athletes from various sporting groups in order to enhance their sports and cultural ties with the country. Beyond its undergraduate emphasis, the Academy, anchored on SUSS ‘ skills in adult and workplace learning, will also provide its dual purpose of creating specialized training and development solutions for industry partners, organisations, and institutions.
The ISC is a credit-bearing course that provides a platform for students from Singapore and Malaysia to collaborate on ideas, test, and pivot their proposal in a practical setting. The first of these partnerships, with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, gives Singaporean and Malaysian students the opportunity to study and explore business concepts that are related to sustainability.
Participants in the SUSS Ecopreneur Innovation Programme ( EIP ) made a study trip to Perak in July. The trip aimed to facilitate interactions between the ecopreneurs and local businesses, as well as key players in the startup ecosystem, to explore potential collaborations.  ,
To further advance its work and partnership in Perak, SUSS announced its MoU with Bonanza Educare and Perak Academy to promote knowledge exchange and innovation, internship opportunities, and co-design and co-delivery of experiential programmes.
According to the university, over the past two years, more than 60 SUSS students have engaged in collaborative learning with their Malaysian counterparts. In order to broaden intercultural skills, this initiative, in collaboration with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman and Universiti Sains Malaysia, aims to train students to become responsible and capable citizens of a diverse and inclusive world.
SUSS has also collaborated with the Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute and the SUSS Center for Applied Research to create specialized training programs for union leaders in the transportation industry. These programmes focus on skills development and are being implemented in Kuala Lumpur, Manila, and India.
The SUSS Success Academy in Kuala Lumpur was inaugurated by Professor Tan Tai Yong, the organization’s president, as it was referred to as” Our collaborative spirit and commitment to providing our students and businesses with meaningful opportunities.” Our partnership with WiseNet Asia will give students in both countries a variety of opportunities to advance their mindsets and skills as part of our goal to be a university that inspires learning for life and has an impact on lives. The beneficial effects that this will have on both countries are exciting to us.
Meanwhile, Wesley Hui, founder of WiseNet Asia Pte Ltd, said:” The collaboration with SUSS is a pivotal step towards shaping the future of young talents, providing them with opportunities for early-stage development. It will allow us to cultivate and mentor young executives, equipping them to thrive in a dynamic world driven by innovation, cutting-edge technologies, and groundbreaking discoveries”.
The Success Academy in Kuala Lumpur marks the latest of a line of academy openings as SUSS continues to expand its educational reach throughout Asia. Last year, SUSS established three academies in Ho Chi Minh City, Beijing, and Shenzhen. In conjunction with Orange Cap Innovative and other partners, SUSS recently established an experiential learning facility for student leadership development with a focus on social sustainability in Bangkok. In the next three months, the university will inaugurate four more academies in Jakarta, Manila, and Mumbai, bringing the total to eight regional academies.
Driver accused of taking photos, videos at Woodlands Checkpoint to plead guilty, unaware it was ‘so serious’
A driver who is accused of photographing and recording an immigration officer at Woodlands Checkpoint in Singapore claimed he intends to plead guilty and that the crime was” but serious”  ,
More than a week after being first indicted under the Infrastructure Protection Act, Wong Jeo Wah, 37, was charged again on Monday ( Aug 26 ).
At Woodlands Checkpoint withdrawal lane’s shop at around 12.30pm on August 12, the Singaporean is accused of taking photos and videos without authorization.  ,
Without the proper permission from the government, it is illegal to take photos and videos within convoy grounds, which are considered to be protected areas.  ,
At Monday’s reading, the trial applied for four days ‘ injunction to full studies and for a deputy public attorney’s information to be obtained, with a chance for further charges to be tendered.  ,
A criminal modern screening of Wong’s phone will be a part of the investigations.  ,
According to court records, Wong, who appeared , without a lawyer, told District Judge Lorraine Ho: “( I ) did not realise that the offence was so serious that I was in remand” . ,
He claimed that he would not get retaining a attorney and that he intended to plead guilty.  ,
Wong’s event will return to court on Sep 23. He is on bail of S$ 10, 000 ( US$ 7, 686 ).
A day after the incident at Woodlands Checkpoint, photos and videos of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority ( ICA ) officer, along with his name, were uploaded to Facebook group Complaint Singapore. The official was allegedly harsh, according to the article.  ,
The pilot made “uncalled for remarks” when the agent told him to remove a shade from the appropriate traveler window during immigration clearance, according to ICA in a Facebook post on August 15.
After admitting to taking photos and videos on station property, the driver was directed to the work company and given a strict alert, according to ICA. He had agreed to have them deleted.
But, they were uploaded online and ICA referred the case to the authorities.
If convicted, Wong may remain jailed up to two years, fined up to S$ 20, 000, or both.
Thailand approves Western Digital’s US$693 million investment project
BANGKOK: Thailand has approved Western Digital’s 23.5 billion baht ( US$ 693 million ) project to expand hard disk production in the country, Thailand’s Board of Investment ( BOI ) said on Monday ( Aug 26 ), as cloud technology and data centre demand grows. The investment may increase theContinue Reading
CelcomDigi, Huawei Malaysia to elevate network productivity with AI-driven 5G network
- Collaboration does investigate AI software in CelcomDigi’s” IntelligentRAN
- Celcom to utilize Huawei’s information for client insights, modern transformation
CelcomDigi Bhd and Huawei Technologies ( Malaysia ) Sdn Bhd have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) to work together on integrating artificial intelligence ( AI ) into CelcomDigi’s network, paving the way to establish one of Malaysia’s most intelligent 4G and 5G-ready networks in the country.
The collaboration will explore applying AI capabilities to CelcomDigi’s Radio Access Network (RAN ) also known as” IntelligentRAN”. This includes the use of a digital baby system to facilitate the quick testing of novel network models, as well as the use of strategic network management capabilities through superior analytics, and the use of multiple support systems to carefully provision network services to enhance the customer experience.
Yet as network infrastructures become more sophisticated, AI and robotics can significantly increase network productivity and innovation. The company will be able to conduct extensive simulations in a virtual network replica due to dwell implementation, accelerating development at lower costs and causing little disruption to customers. Strategic system management, powered by forecast techniques, ensures a consistent and reliable client experience. Furthermore, customers will have access to more personalized and superior wireless services thanks to smart orchestration of 4G and 5G sources.
CelcomDigi’s CEO Idham Nawawi said”, The land is in a perfect place to be a local leader in both 5G and AI growth. In the midst of a fresh 5G-AI-powered era of “digital-everything,” we are actively investing to create the most advanced 4G and 5G system in the nation to realize this goal. With a strong AI-driven community, we believe we are best positioned to build a high-performance 5G system to power Malaysia’s online potential. ”  ,  ,
However, Simon Sun, CEO of Huawei Malaysia, emphasised that Malaysia is at the level of pronunciation for deploying system intelligence as AI systems advances.
Huawei Malaysia is evolving from being an It solutions provider to a collaborative engineer of AI-driven networks in order to accomplish this.” Our vision is to create brilliant networks across Malaysia. By combining the IntelligentRAN and CelcomDigi, we will unlock significant business value by enabling the full integration of AI capabilities across all wireless network layers and ensuring the success of the 5G business, he said.
In addition, in the collaboration, CelcomDigi and Huawei Malaysia will look at how to use cross-domain data convergence from Huawei platforms to gain a comprehensive view of the customer and service lifecycle, foster proactive user experience management, and facilitate seamless digital transformation across the company’s network operations.
Why Thailand’s Thanathorn isn’t headed to the streets – Asia Times
Bangkok – Two weeks after the Thai Constitutional Court dissolved the famous liberal movement’s Move Forward Party in protest of royal reform, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit insists that everything will go according to prepare for his favorite progressive movement.
As the now-banned chairman of Move Forward’s dissolved origin, Future Forward Party, Thanathorn was widely seen as the architect behind Move Forward’s social giant and is also seen as the guiding hands behind the recently formed third-generation People’s Party.
Some wondered if Thanathorn and Shift Forward’s leaders had mobilize their masses and get to Bangkok’s streets in protest against the judge’s August 7 breakdown decision, probably opening a new orange-garbed chapter in the kingdom’s destabilizing street politics.
Thanathorn declared victory in battle on August 23 in a presentation titled” Sustaining the Pushback against Autocratization” at Bangkok’s Thammasart University, his old school and a historically rife with student animosity. This is forbidden because it could put opponents in 15 years of prison sentences.
He told the audience that his movement aims ultimately for a” soft landing” for the monarchy while insisting “radical problems require radical solutions” and that his “peaceful” vision for Thailand’s transformation “might take decades” rather than years.
In an exclusive interview with Asia Times Southeast Asia Editor Shawn W. Crispin in a rickety school house overlooking the city’s Chao Phraya River, Thanathorn explained why it is time for Move Forward’s disillusioned voters and young supporters to get to the streets and outlined his long-game perspective for Thailand’s transformation.  ,  ,  ,
Asia Times: What effects will the Move Forward party’s recent court-ordered dissolution have on your progressive movement?
Thanathorn: For us, I think the administrative work in setting up a new party is huge. Before the dissolution, the party had like 100, 000 members. Therefore, it will take time to return to the same level.
But otherwise, the court verdict has united us – I think it makes us stronger. I ca n’t recall exactly how many cobras ( MPs who switched to new parties ) there were after the Future Forward party’s dissolution. This time there are zero cobras.
So I think the organization, the movement as a whole has solidified over the years. It’s stronger quantity-wise and quality-wise. Quantity-wise, I mean the numbers of supporters. Quality-wise, I mean the understanding of our ideologies, our ideals and ideas – people understand us more.
Asia Times: It’s happened twice now. Who exactly is dissolved by your affiliated parties, and why?
Thanathorn: I think the’ why’ is clear. The why is that we are a threat to the system of too many individuals, not to any specific organizations, but to the system as a whole. So I think that’s the’ why’ – we are a threat. The’ who’? It’s difficult to say, I do n’t really know.
Asia Times: MFP won 32 of 33 Bangkok seats at last year’s election. What does the outcome say about the closet elite’s support for MFP as the heart of economic and political power?
Thanathorn: Well, I think not only in Bangkok. If you look at other provinces, many provinces, we won the party list vote even though we did n’t win many constituency MPs. That demonstrates how widespread is the need for change. People still voted for this party despite the fact that it is accused of overthrowing the monarchy. So people demand change.
It’s safe to say not only Bangkok, but yeah, of course, the sentiment of people in Bangkok is the sentiment of
Thailand, right? That’s what they say. So I think when we won hugely in Bangkok, it terrifies them.
Asia Times: Do you believe that the election results indicate that members of the royal family secretly support your cause? That people in the royal family still support the changes you’re calling for?
Thanathorn: People understand that we have no … that, that reforming the monarchy is the soft landing, the best way to go for Thailand. People put their trust in us because they know that, and I believe they do so.
Asia Times: Do you believe you have more backing from those who were more in tune with the previous monarch than perhaps the current?
Thanathorn: Difficult to say, difficult to quantify. However, we can see that many royalists who are educated believe that a soft landing is the best course of action.
Asia Times: So with all the support you have in Bangkok, why has n’t there been a popular response to the MFP dissolution decision? Why have n’t we seen anything on the streets?  ,
Thanathorn: Because, on the one hand, I believe the party has planned this in advance and mentally prepared the electorate for the election of 2027. So we sort of agree on that now.
Because at the time, we did n’t prepare the people’s mentality, the Future Forward party and the Move Forward Party are totally different from one another. So people were angry. And people were not sure if we could survive the dissolution, but we did.
And now, talking many months in advance]we prepared the people for possible dissolution]. And if it occurs again, we’ll form a new party and hold elections until 2027. And I believe that in 2027, the direction will reach its peak. So people did n’t lose faith, did n’t go to the street in protest.
Asia Times: Do you believe that the protests could occur naturally as they did in 2021 with the student protests against the monarchy, even if Move Forward/Future Forward does not organize them?
Thanathorn: If in 2027 the People’s Party wins the election and cannot form the government, you know it’s gonna break.
Asia Times: Given the threat it poses to democracy, why has the party shied from publicly organizing protests against the dissolution decision for royal reasons?
Thanathorn: You talk about change. I want to see a peaceful transition. It has to be peaceful, right? So we will continue to do this unless and until we are completely convinced that the parliamentary approach cannot result in a peaceful transition.
Asia Times: Does the inability to act on the backs of the majority of voters only serve to stifle anti-democratic forces that defend establishment interests? That as long as there is no response, they will continue to dissolve your parties. Do n’t you eventually have to respond?
Thanathorn: No, because I think if you look back at what happened, we prepare for this. People had their minds set aside for this. There’s anger, of course, on]dissolution ] day. There was anger, there was sorrow on that day. However, others are aware of what we’re going to do.
We made it clear that we would form a new party and that we would run in the 2027 election. So I think that’s that’s why there’s no student protest this time around, because we communicated months earlier in advance.
Asia Times: Because the dissolution was for royal reasons, protests could target palaces or royal symbols?
Thanathorn: Potentially.
Asia Times: Is there a chance that your affiliated parties will outshine your party’s leadership if they start using salami-slicing tactics gradually to erode support for FF/MFP/PP and its third-string generation of leaders? That the third generation may not have the same level of support and resonance as you did, which has also outlawed Pita Limjaroenrat?
Thanathorn: I have total faith in the third generation leadership. I believe that time strengthens them. For example, Tang, ( Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the new People’s Party leader ), he will be 40 at time of the 2027 election, the same age when I set up the Future Forward party.
He’s really, really bright, smart – and very firm ideologically speaking. Very firm. So that’s one of the things I’m proud of: To be able to take/bring this new generation of politicians into the spotlight.
Could a youth-focused Peua Thai replace Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( 38 ) as the country’s youngest prime minister ever?
Thanathorn: No. It’s about organization structure, the way they recruit MPs is totally different from the way we recruit
MPs. ]For Peua Thai] you have to have family names. You have to be somebody.
But for us, show me if you are good enough to get the position. For example ,]PP spokesman ] Parit]Watcharasindhu], you know Parit. He’s 30 years old, and he’s the chairman of political development, commission of development.
At the age of 30, he did n’t contribute financially, He got this position because of his capability, because he’s hardworking, because he has proven himself to the people inside the party. So he gets this position.
Or Rangsimon Rome. He’s 31 and he’s the chairman of the parliamentary border issue commission. So here in this party, it’s all about your capabilities, your potential, your contribution to the party. It’s not about your family names. It’s not about your chip amount.
So that’s why I think organization structure is very important. We set it up in this manner, and doing so makes us capable.
Asia Times: Imitation is the most flattering flattery: Is Peua’s use of a young leader at the top not an attempt to copy your model?
Thanathorn: It’s not about being youthful or not being youthful. I think the content is more important than the presentation. What do you offer the Thai people, in terms of content? And is it novel or novel?
It’s not about age of the leadership. It is about the content, about offering the right policies to the Thai people. What kind of Thailand do you want to create for the Thai people? And I think that defines forward thinking.
Asia Times: Some feel]Peau Thai party patron ] Thaksin Shinawatra is as part of the system, the oligarchs, the big business monopolies, you want to change. Is it even possible for a member of the Shinawatra family to influence the change, taking into account their past, where they came from, and who they are?
Thanathorn: If theywanted to do it, they would have done it by now. It’s how many months now? A year?
Asia Times: How long can you really play the long game? You received the news that you had purchased Pridi Banomyong’s [revolutionary who overthrew the absolute monarchy in 1932 ] old house in France. Are you getting ready for the day so Thaksin can leave?
Thanathorn: No, no, no – that was symbolic … The future is interesting. I’m not sure how and when. However, I think things will change. When you talk to the people on the street, you ca n’t resist the change, the opinions of the people. It’s tangible, the view of change, its very tangible.
Asia Times: And history demonstrates that the spark frequently comes from an unforeseen circumstance?
Thanathorn: I think the people at the very top, they are very detached from ordinary people. They do n’t understand what ordinary people are thinking. They reside in a different world. They do n’t respond to people’s calls.