Showing 71 - 80 of 107
NACC sparks death debate
News, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2015
» The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has done the country a disservice by secretly changing the law and instituting the death penalty as the maximum punishment for graft. The commission claims it discussed the law at length and agreed the death penalty is appropriate for such a severe offence as corruption. The NACC has acted in a disappointing and a high-handed matter. The legislature and government should act to rescind the NACC's secret decree and start over again. A new corruption law is needed, but it must undergo public debate, including the decision to extend the use of capital punishment.
Shackling the press
News, Published on 17/06/2015
» Officially, Myanmar is in the fifth year of political reform leading to a more democratic system. In truth, the country is well into the second year of reversal and backsliding on promises made and commitments to citizens and neighbours.
Police chief lends tin ear
News, Published on 10/06/2015
» The national police chief has shown lately that while he can battle the criminals to the sound of public applause, he can also show a tin ear to the same public. Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang effectively came came to power in the massive shifts of personnel that followed the May 22 coup. It was generally assumed both his heart and mind belonged to the junta. But the chief has shown interesting and entirely laudable streaks of independence that benefit the country.
Lacking education is prison without the bars
Life, Arusa Pisuthipan, Published on 05/06/2015
» The mass arrest of young motorcycle racers in Bangkok earlier this week once again put the issue of parental responsibility into the public spotlight. Whenever minors commit crimes, parents are suddenly left being held to account. Not friends. Not schools. Parents alone.
For drug offenders, prison is no solution
News, Published on 07/04/2015
» Thailand is ranked sixth in prison population, with more than 330,000 prisoners. In Asean, following closely is Indonesia ranked 10th, Vietnam 12th, and the Philippines 14th.
The big issue: The TIP-ping point
Alan Dawson, Published on 29/03/2015
» The annual March campaign to pass laws, speak sternly and promise sincerely began last week. It will run until the April announcement by the United States to cut the talking and start writing the new human trafficking report. That will be published in June.
The big issue: Swaying bamboo
Alan Dawson, Published on 01/03/2015
» Pisan Manawapat has one general job and one specific job in his new role as Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States of America. Both could serve as plots for Mission Impossible, although a Hollywood happy ending is not assured.
Drug policy needs clarity
News, Published on 28/01/2015
» Far too slowly, plans are being formulated for a new, properly up-to-date policy to fight use, abuse and trafficking in illegal drugs. Offices as diverse as the Ministry of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) are slowly bringing a viable plan into the public arena. It will come to naught unless government, at the highest levels, affirms it is past time to bring the battle against dangerous drugs into the 21st century.
Paiboon's effort to clean up prisons deserves support
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 28/10/2014
» Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya has every reason to feel frustrated with the Corrections Department for its failure to stop drug trafficking from prisons and the smuggling of cellphones for use by imprisoned drug kingpins.
Signed, sealed, undelivered
Alan Dawson, Published on 31/08/2014
» The United Nations and Myanmar are in the process of proving that a nation on the tipping edge of being controlled by criminals can be rescued and brought back to the road to democracy.