Showing 1 - 10 of 190
Crunch time for Phumtham
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2025
» New interior minister, and current acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, is a man who can make tough decisions. His recent record includes the decision to return Uyghurs to China early this year, as demanded by Beijing. Last month, he approved a long-delayed, controversial submarine procurement from China -- a call that even junta leader-cum-prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha shied away from.
Thailand's export-led model needs rejig
Oped, Pavida Pananond, Published on 03/07/2025
» Time is running out for Thailand, and the stakes have never been higher. As Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira arrived in Washington this week for critical trade talks with the US negotiation team, Thailand confronts not just a tariff negotiation but an existential challenge to its export-dependent economic model. With US President Donald Trump's 90-day grace period expiring on July 8, Thailand must secure a deal or face a punishing 36% tariff that threatens to unravel decades of export-led development strategy.
Thailand needs a geostrategic rebalance
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/06/2025
» With two military coups and multiple judicial interventions that combined to subvert election results and weaken democratic institutions over the past two decades, it is unsurprising that Thailand's geostrategic position has leaned increasingly towards China. Naturally, the more Thailand becomes autocratic, the more it will be estranged from established democracies in Europe and North America, as well as Japan and South Korea, with nowhere to turn but to Beijing. But this China orientation is a geostrategic mistake at this time. Thailand should correct its course until clearer signs emerge as to which side of the superpower struggle will come out on top.
Pundits upbeat on US tariff agreement
Business, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 22/05/2025
» An international affairs academic and a leading economist are partially optimistic Thailand can reach an agreement with Washington over the latter's stiff reciprocal tariffs, though challenges remain as the levies have already affected the global trading system.
When non-interference becomes policy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/05/2025
» What US President Donald Trump said in Saudi Arabia on May 14 resonates very well in Thailand. Last week in Riyadh, Mr Trump reiterated that the Middle East had changed because "local people did it", and not because "Western countries interfered and told you how to live or run your countries".
US academic in limbo in Thailand over royal insult case, family says
Published on 16/05/2025
» An American scholar remains in Thailand after prosecutors dropped charges against him of insulting the monarchy, his family said, as his legal jeopardy continues in a case that has raised concern in the US government.
Immigration needs reform
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/05/2025
» Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's initiative to launch a new department to tackle immigration issues is welcome, if not long overdue.
UN role can spur rights push
News, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 05/05/2025
» Despite recent progress on LGBTQ+ rights, Thailand continues to grapple with persistent human rights violations and must leverage its new role on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) better to address these issues.
Property win-win
Oped, Postbag, Published on 02/05/2025
» Re: "Down with bad laws", (PostBag, April 27) & "Illicit foreign stakes in firms 'widespread'", (BP, April 25).
NGO head checks up on Uyghur detainees
News, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 29/04/2025
» The People's Empowerment Foundation has expressed serious concerns over the plight of seven Uyghur people who are currently in jail in Thailand.