Showing 1 - 10 of 55
Army abuse still with us
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/06/2024
» The latest scandal involving salary deductions for conscripts in the Thai army is a distressing reminder of the persistent abuse and exploitation within our military ranks. What is more worrying is the response from the Ministry of Defence, which only addresses the problem superficially.
A rice old business
Oped, Editorial, Published on 10/05/2024
» The government's plan to sell old rice that has been kept in warehouses in northeastern Thailand for a decade has stunned the public, with fears growing over the potentially adverse impact on people's health and also the domestic rice market if traders export it.
End hazing peril, reform military
Editorial, Published on 03/09/2023
» Army conscript Wichian Phueksom was tortured to death in an army camp over 12 years ago. Today, justice has still not been served.
Return of Russia warlords stokes memories of China
Oped, Published on 05/07/2023
» The turmoil in Russia unleashed by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Group has drawn rapt attention in capitals throughout the world, but probably nowhere more so than in Beijing. The reason is not only that Russia is a trusted partner for China, but also that there are clear historical parallels between Russia this insurrectionary weekend and events a century ago that weakened China and left it vulnerable to invasion.
Soldiers are not servants
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/05/2023
» The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has done the country and the Thai armed forces a great service in recommending that the military brings to an end the use of conscripts as personal employees of higher-ranking officers within 90 days. Rights commissioners made a loud and clear official statement last week that the practice is a human rights violation.
Conscription needs to go
Oped, Editorial, Published on 12/04/2023
» The Thai military is facing increasing pressure to change its conscription system to a voluntary one.
Conscription's days numbered
News, Editorial, Published on 11/12/2022
» Late last month, 23 high school students in Narathiwat were rushed to hospital after harsh military training. Eight needed dialysis due to life-threatening dehydration and kidney failure.
Junta brutality triggers desertions
Oped, Paskorn Jumlongrach, Published on 01/02/2022
» Becoming a commissioned officer in the Tatmadaw was a dream for many young men in Myanmar. Among them, was Captain Zero (real name withheld for safety reasons), an army officer who was once stationed in Magway, which lies northwest of Nay Pyi Taw.
Why Thai student movement can't exist
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 28/08/2020
» Thailand's new round of political confrontation in the 21st century -- the first under a new reign -- is showing signs of déjà vu with fundamentally different dynamics. Earlier rounds of the Thai drama from 2005 to 2014 went through three major acts, each beginning with an election, followed by a problematic government and street demonstrations, ending with military or judicial interventions. Even though its electoral allies lost in these three polls, the pro-establishment side won each time it went onto the streets citing the monarchy as legitimacy and moral authority.