Showing 1 - 10 of 23
Cambodia starts to flex its muscles
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/07/2024
» The Funan Techo Canal -- a US$1.7 billion (62 billion baht) waterway -- reflects Cambodia's growing confidence and assertiveness in pursuing national interests. This water infrastructure projects Cambodia as a viable and dynamic little tiger, no longer a war-torn nation. Under Prime Minister Hun Manet's leadership, Cambodia is taking a more proactive stance overall despite facing objections from neighbours like Vietnam that stand to bear the direct impact of this naval logistics scheme.
Towards strategic Thai-French ties
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/05/2024
» In April 2022, Thailand learned that French President Emmanuel Macron was keen to engage with the Asia-Pacific region in person. As the host of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Leaders' Meeting (Apec) in October of that year, former deputy prime minister and foreign minister Don Pramudwinai quickly issued an invitation to the president to attend as a guest. The rest, as they say, is history.
Thai geostrategic value to woo Biden
News, Published on 08/12/2020
» Even before President-elect Joe Biden is officially anointed as the United States' president, a curse has already been cast on Thailand by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who on Dec 3 passed a resolution regarding the ongoing political unrest in the kingdom. Before spreading this false impression far and wide, the incoming Biden administration should pay full attention to the realities on the ground in Thailand, beyond political correctness reserved for a typical human right and democratic struggles. Otherwise, it could lead to unintended consequences on Thai-US relations as well as the US policy towards the region.
EEC is our only gateway to developed-nation status
News, Wichit Chantanusornsiri, Published on 03/10/2019
» The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has been harshly criticised by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, leader of the Future Forward Party, for its "lack of people's participation". On the contrary, I believe the EEC will help boost the livelihoods of Thais and transform Thailand from a middle-income country to high-income status.
Mekong countries eye bold new future
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/01/2018
» When lead characters in a Chinese kung fu movie drink wine from the same cup, they are considered sworn brothers. They will fight and die together. Will all six riparian countries of the Lancang, or Mekong (Lan-Mei), share the same spirit of camaraderie as they all live on this magnificent river? There may be ominous signs during the Second Summit of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) on Jan 10-11 in Phnom Penh.
All aboard the train to Thailand 4.0
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 05/02/2017
» To the world's joy, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has finally gone online for its booking and passenger seat selections -- a small step, one may think, but a giant stride for the antiquated bogies running around Thailand.
Make rail pay for itself first
News, Editorial, Published on 07/06/2016
» Thailand prides itself as being the infrastructure centre of mainland Southeast Asia, if not Asean. Our geographic location, our developed transportation and road network outstrips many of our neighbours, giving us an advantage as a logistics hub.
Thailand must prepare for challenges ahead
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 18/05/2016
» In February, I discussed, with cautious optimism, the reality of our transport megaprojects and the sizeable impact on businesses. In particular, the service sector would subsequently flourish. As urbanisation accelerates from better connectivity, property and retail developments will quickly follow. Tourism businesses will expand to these new urban cities. Relatively new service businesses, such as transport maintenance, would be established in key junctions and pit-stops, as trains, planes and ships multiply.
Mega-investment is no longer a choice
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 27/01/2016
» As the year of the monkey kicks off, anxiety abounds. For the first time in nearly half a century, no single economic power enjoys bullish prospects. In the 1980s, Japan was at the height of its "miracle" with record salaries and employment. In the 1990s, the United States rode the success of rapid technological change that created waves of new jobs as well as the dot com bubble. At the turn of the millennium, the European Union was exuberant with the promise of growth driven by a streamlined internal market and single currency. Then China's accession to the World Trade Organisation helped it re-emerge as one of the world's great economic powers, marching briskly forward even during the global financial crisis of 2008. Today, there is no comparable big winner.
Govt needs to plan for long-term growth
News, Pavida Pananond, Published on 13/10/2015
» Thailand's economic growth forecast has been on a slippery slope. From official estimates early this year of upwards of 4%, the World Bank's latest projection now pegs economic expansion at just above 2%. This steady descent is underpinned by a global economic slowdown, especially in China. More disconcerting, it also points to Thailand's fuzzy politics and structural shortcomings that only clear policy direction with measured political predictability can address.