Showing 1 - 3 of 3
Late King's wishes for Thai children
News, Published on 12/01/2019
» As Thailand celebrates National Children's Day today, I wish to share my recollection of a memorable audience with His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and his profound message and wishes for the children of Thailand and the world. I had the great honour to meet the late king on Nov 12, 1998. I was then serving as Unicef's regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, based in Bangkok. The occasion of my audience with the late king at Chitralada Palace was to accompany visiting Unicef executive director Carol Bellamy. Also accompanying us was the late Thai foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan.
The long, distant echoes of World War I resonate
News, Published on 12/11/2018
» A hundred years ago yesterday, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I in Europe ended. It had cost tens of millions of lives, utterly destroyed the existing political order, and paved the way for the rise of fascism and a repeat performance of global conflict in the form of World War II.
Public apathy feeds high-level graft
News, Published on 15/06/2015
» Ours is a world of impunity. Allegations of corruption swarmed around Fifa for decades, culminating in mass indictments of Fifa officials last week. Yet Fifa president Sepp Blatter was re-elected four times, including after the indictments were filed. Yes, Mr Blatter has finally resigned, but only after he and dozens of federation members once again showed their scorn for honesty and the law.