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The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand's political index drops to 3.86 amid border tensions, floods
A soldier consoles Kimdaeng Krajangthong (L) and Tin Krajangthong (2nd L), the parents of Royal Thai Army soldier Theerayuth Krajangthong, 22, who died in clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in Sisaket province, during funeral rites at a Buddhist temple in the Thai border province of Buriram on July 30, 2025. he recent survey found that one of the top government achievements was providing support to people along the Thai-Cambodian border. - AFP BANGKOK: Thailand's political index dropped to 3.86 in July, reflecting growing public concerns over a range of issues, including tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border and flooding in the North, Suan Dusit Poll reported on Sunday (Aug 3). The poll, conducted by Suan Dusit University, revealed that the index — based on 25 indicators — had declined from 4.13 in June, with almost all indicators showing a decrease. The survey was conducted among 2,171 respondents between 26 and 31 July. The results showed that only one indicator — the government's disclosure of public information — had improved, rising from 4.11 in June to 4.20 in July. Two indicators remained unchanged from the previous month: Overall performance of political parties: 4.20 Overall social situation: 4.08 The top five indicators were: Opposition performance: 4.36 (down from 5.15 in June) People's rights and liberties: 4.34 (4.58 in June) Public education development: 4.33 (4.45 in June) People's inclusion: 4.31 (4.38 in June) Overall performance of political parties: 4.20 (unchanged) Asst Prof Kanyakarn Sathiensukhon of Suan Dusit Poll said several incidents in June had affected public sentiment, including reports of sex scandals involving senior Buddhist monks, the Thai-US trade negotiations, an audio clip of a conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian Senate president Hun Sen, Thai-Cambodian border clashes, and flooding in the North. She noted that the indicator measuring the prime minister's performance fell from 3.97 in June to 3.43 in July — the lowest score so far this year — reflecting growing dissatisfaction with both the government's performance and its communication with the public. The survey found the top three government achievements were: 42.21%: Sending explanations to the United States regarding border conflicts 40.51%: Providing support to people along the Thai-Cambodian border 17.28%: Implementing the 20-baht flat fare policy for electric railways The top three performing government politicians were: 44.05%: Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security 29.85%: Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior 26.10%: Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister - The Nation/ANN
France 24
30-07-2025
- France 24
Thai family mourns soldier son killed just before truce
His funeral rites began Wednesday as Buddhist monks blessed his body with sacred chants, his remains in a shimmering silver coffin draped with Thailand's ensign and flanked by his neatly folded uniform. "He was brave -- brave until the very last moment of his life," said his sister, 26-year-old Hormchan Krajangthong, her voice breaking with emotion. "He gave his blood and body for our king and country," she told AFP in the village of Nong Yang Pong Sadao, just 27 kilometres (17 miles) from the border with Cambodia. Five days of clashes over ancient temples on the frontier killed at least 43 people on both sides, sending more than 300,000 fleeing as the countries battled with jets, artillery and ground troops. A truce deal took effect at midnight Monday and has broadly held despite scattered skirmishes. But it was not soon enough to save 22-year-old Theerayuth. He was killed by a shrapnel blast in Sisaket province late Monday -- after the truce was agreed, but before it began -- in one of the final artillery exchanges of the conflict. Theerayuth joined the Thai military just last year and was assigned the role of ammunition bearer. "He wanted to be a soldier since he was little," said his 60-year-old father, Kimdaeng Krajangthong, his eyes red and glassy. "I'm both proud and heartbroken." 'Don't worry about me' When shelling began, his family fled their Buriram province home for an evacuation centre, but Theerayuth was called up to the front. As he boarded the military truck bound for the border, his mother Tin Krajangthong, 61, gave him a patch of her sarong to tuck in his uniform pocket -- a talisman to shield him from harm. His regular calls from the front line reassured them. Even when they stopped on Friday night amid increasing strikes, his family did not worry -- assuming his silence was a safety precaution. "The last time we spoke, my brother told me and our parents, 'Don't worry about me. I'm safe'," his sister Hormchan said. The blow of grief only came after the guns fell silent. On Tuesday morning, Hormchan received a call from an unknown number -- her brother's commanding officer. "He said my brother was gone," she told AFP. "I couldn't believe it." "Everyone at the evacuation centre was in shock." Now Theerayuth's mother stands beside his coffin -- gently knocking it in a Thai custom meant to call back a departed spirit one last time, or let a soul know loved ones are still near. Thailand and Cambodia will spend the coming days tallying losses from the fighting -- the deadliest to engulf their border in years. After two more days of funeral ceremonies, Theerayuth's body will be cremated according to Buddhist tradition, his family's own personal loss sealed. As the monks began their chants on Wednesday, his father clasped his hands. © 2025 AFP
