Showing 1 - 10 of 8,684
PM's drug reforms echo past errors
News, Published on 24/05/2024
» When Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to reschedule cannabis as a narcotic and reduce the threshold for possession of methamphetamine for personal use (not for supply to others) from five pills to one, he signalled a return to drug policies championed over two decades ago. He called for crackdowns on people in the drug trade, for people who use drugs to be placed into rehabilitation facilities and demanded results in 90 days.
Has crunch time arrived for 'Bibi' Netanyahu?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 24/05/2024
» It has not been a good week for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, chief decision-maker in the war in the Gaza Strip that has already cost at least 35,000 civilian deaths. (Some thousands of those 35,000 may have been Hamas fighters.)
Even the stars favour Modi for third term as PM
News, Published on 24/05/2024
» In the realm of astrological predictions, deciphering events such as sporting outcomes or political elections often entails scrutinising the birth charts of all contenders involved. When it comes to forecasting the outcome of elections in a vast democracy like India, the birth chart of the potential leader must be extraordinary to ascend to the highest office.
Better way to boost morale
News, Editorial, Published on 24/05/2024
» The new "Cops Combat" martial arts competition of the Royal Thai Police may have drawn criticism for potentially undermining the chain of command. Yet, the competition, which promises to be a "test of valour beyond the badge", is a good start as the RTP is acknowledging problems of morale on the ground.
Thailand's judiciary faces challenges
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 24/05/2024
» Thailand appears to be a country of 70 million, ultimately ruled by an unelected few. This sobering reality was on display when two connected groups of top generals seized power from democratically elected governments in September 2006 and May 2014. Unlike these blatant military coups over the past two decades, at issue now is the power and role of the judiciary. While Thailand has another democratically elected civilian government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the question that needs to be asked is whether the country is effectively under judicial rule.
The 'billions to trillions' charade
Oped, Published on 23/05/2024
» The international development sector has become fixated on calculating financing gaps. Hardly a day goes by without new estimates of the funds low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) need to meet their climate targets and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sam Yan shows need to save history
Oped, Published on 23/05/2024
» What distinguishes Thailand from many other countries is our rich diversity in culture and history. Yet slowly but surely, the distinctive heritage of our local communities is disappearing. Often property developers destroy historic buildings in pursuit of profit. But why do their rights always seem to come first? Why do we have to beg to protect our cultural assets?
Ethics case plagues PM
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/05/2024
» Even though PM's Office Minister Pichit Chuenban has suddenly resigned from the cabinet, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin -- who appointed him in a controversial reshuffle -- still finds his fate hanging in mid-air.
Asia-Pacific's loss of biodiversity
Oped, Published on 22/05/2024
» In recent months, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and others have pointed to an increase in food insecurity and "hunger hotspots" in various parts of Asia and the Pacific. While conflicts and climate crises can carry some of the blame, we must acknowledge that the slow but steady erosion of our region's biodiversity is an equal or even greater threat to our future food security.
Securing Thailand's energy future
Oped, Published on 22/05/2024
» Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, foreign governments -- in particular the European Union and the United States, have issued travel bans and frozen the financial assets of corporate entities and individuals involved with the military regime. The most recent US financial sanction on the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (Moge), a major source of foreign currency revenue for the military government, which took effect in November 2023, is a potential risk to Thailand as it is reliant on gas from Myanmar for electricity generation.