Showing 1 - 10 of 419
For China, Europe visit part of a wider confrontation
News, Peter Apps, Published on 14/05/2024
» In the Serbian village of Budjanovci outside Belgrade, people have talked for years about the Chinese teams that descended on the area following the shooting down of a US F-117 stealth fighter in March 1999, offering to buy pieces of wreckage taken by villagers as souvenirs.
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.
Kyiv faces 'difficult' May as arms supply faces delays
News, Peter Apps, Published on 08/05/2024
» Shortly after the US House of Representatives signed off its $61 billion (2.2 trillion baht) deal of military support for Ukraine last month, social media feeds run by the government in Kyiv showed US-supplied HIMARS batteries firing 16 rockets in quick succession into nearby territory held by Russia.
Blinken's diplomatic dance in China
Oped, Published on 01/05/2024
» US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China for whirlwind discussions with the People's Republic political grandees in Shanghai and Beijing with the hope of "stabilising the relationship" between both countries. So into the Beijing/Washington political turbulence, Mr Blinken flew to smooth the Sino-American political rivalry, especially over China's military assertiveness towards the South China Sea, Taiwan, the Ukraine war, and naturally two-way trade.
Airport flops prove dreamers wrong
News, Saritdet Marukatat, Published on 22/04/2024
» Bringing an airport to a province isn't always a boon. It can be a burden too.
US readiness for war -- watch its Navy missile policy
News, Peter Apps, Published on 19/04/2024
» In October 2022 a US destroyer and supply ship pulled alongside each other in San Diego harbour to attempt something the Pentagon had never tried before -- reloading missiles on a US warship at sea rather than tied up alongside a pier.
Dealing with Myanmar
Oped, Editorial, Published on 10/04/2024
» As the civil war between Myanmar junta forces and ethnic rebel groups builds, Thailand will be a focal point for providing humanitarian support to large numbers of refugees expected to flee across the border. Thailand -- as an Asean member and Myanmar neighbour -- is also expected to play a role in fostering negotiations and helping Myanmar return to peace.
Western armed forces facing a recruitment crisis
News, Peter Apps, Published on 01/04/2024
» Every morning on the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower, an unsuspecting crew member is called to the bridge, presented with a cookie and asked to sit in the captain's chair.
Making exports for a low-carbon era
Oped, Published on 27/03/2024
» Exports have been Thailand's important growth engine for many decades. A number of Thailand's export destinations have shown increasing interest in and support for low-carbon products. Failure to meet global demand for low-carbon products risks Thailand's competitiveness in international trade.
Sleeping on the job at 36,000 feet
Roger Crutchley, Published on 24/03/2024
» There was a rather bizarre story which emerged recently of an Indonesian domestic flight on which for half an hour both pilots were fast asleep at the same time.