Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Flood woes are systemic
Oped, Editorial, Published on 21/09/2024
» The severe floods in Chiang Rai and Phayao provinces raise questions about Thailand's early warning systems. Are there sufficient early disaster warning systems in place? If so, why were hundreds of thousands of villagers in flood-hit areas left to fend for themselves?
Act to defuse depopulation timebomb
Oped, Somchai Jitsuchon, Published on 14/08/2024
» Low birth rates and a rapidly ageing population pose significant socio-economic challenges for Thailand. This year, the number of elderly people has surpassed 13 million, accounting for over 20% of the total population. This figure is expected to reach 30% soon. As the number of centenarians rises, fewer babies are being born.
City's anti-rat crusade has never been this normal
News, Stephen Mihm, Published on 13/08/2024
» New York City's mayor, Eric Adams, has opened up a new front of his war on rats. Mr Adams, who already made headlines for appointing a "rat czar" last year, has escalated his campaign against the city's ubiquitous rodents. Last week, he announced the creation of the "Rat Pack", which he billed as an "elite squad of anti-rat activists" who will take the fight to the enemy.
Digital wallet tokens could hit scheme
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 08/08/2024
» I bet the government never thought of this when they thought of the Digital Wallet scheme. It probably does not make sense to it that there could be millions of people shunning pseudo money, namely Digital Wallet Tokens (DWTs). Perhaps, in the government's mind, a DWT is almost on a par with genuine money -- fiat money.
Sex content spurs debate
News, Editorial, Published on 29/07/2024
» The recent proposal by the Move Forward Party (MFP) to amend the Criminal Code and legalise the adult entertainment industry in Thailand has ignited a nationwide debate. The proposal, which aims to regulate and decriminalise adult materials and sex toys, reflects the changing dynamics of technology and society.
Digital wallet scheme poses credit risk
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 25/07/2024
» During the debate on the extra-fiscal budget for 2024 of 1.22 billion baht to fund the digital wallet (DW) scheme, the government presented the bright side of the figurative coin. This article will present the dark side of the scheme.
Nato's Washington summit deepens spat with China
News, Peter Apps, Published on 16/07/2024
» During Nato's 75th anniversary summit held in Washington last week, China's defence ministry made a surprise announcement.
Early education helps shape future
News, Published on 15/07/2024
» During the first five years of a child's life, the brain increases 300% in size but more importantly, the neural connections which allow the brain to function increase even more. During the crucial first three years, synaptic linkages surge from zero to 1,000 trillion, far more than at any other time in life. One can therefore make the case that supporting early brain development is one of the most critical investments a society can make. In fact, Nobel Laureate James Heckman found that there is a positive 13% return on investment for early childhood education programmes.
Thailand's era of economic stagnation
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 05/07/2024
» After two decades of political instability and turmoil, it was a matter of time before the Thai economy would exhibit signs of distress and desperation. For decades, the Thai economy has proved resilient with an uncanny knack for bouncing back. But Teflon Thailand may have become a thing of the past. Headlines on the Thai economy have been heading south precipitously. Unless fundamental political reforms take place, Thailand will likely enter a period of low and plateaued growth with risks of grinding stagnation.
How South Korea broke the mould
Oped, Published on 02/07/2024
» South Korea is one of just a few countries to transform itself from a low- to high-income economy and the only country to go from a recipient of aid from the OECD's Development Assistance Committee to a DAC donor. It achieved this not by blindly following a pre-designed development path but by taking the right detours.