Showing 1 - 10 of 20
Tackling Asean's corporate cronyism
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 03/10/2019
» Many Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand and Malaysia, have been breeding grounds for unchecked and unregulated relations between government and big conglomerates, which have kept a handful of crazy rich Asians increasingly wealthy and widened the income gap between them and the rest of the population.
PM lacking confidence despite loaded deck
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 17/12/2018
» In the upcoming Feb 24 general election, one retired general does not need a big win if he wants to become prime minister. Under the current constitution, he just needs a small share of votes, 126 out of the 500 MP seats up for grabs. Yet, there have been an endless series of (presumably dirty) tricks and (shrewdly planted) traps to emerge over the past month which have been seen as efforts to help him gain this small win. Why?
Plagiarism is innovation's cul-de-sac
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 07/09/2018
» What's new? That's what my reaction was when I learnt about the plagiarism allegation levelled at Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag over the winning design for Suvarnabhumi airport's new terminal that has been ongoing over the past week.
Anti-populism law not for greater good
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 09/05/2018
» Raising one finger during her campaigning to symbolise her party's ballot number ahead of the 2011 election, Yingluck Shinawatra rode a wave of popularity all the way to victory. And now the man who threw her caretaker government out of office in 2014 by force has demonstrated he is not shy of using a similar gimmick.
Put an end to conscription for good of all
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 23/04/2018
» Last week, I believe it must have been heartbreaking for many Thais who watched a video clip of a young man weeping and almost fainting upon learning he was drafted to serve in the army for two years via the annual conscription round. Yet, I also believe that many of them would oppose any proposal to abolish military conscription, a phenomenon that has long existed by default.
'Stupid' locals label mocks Thai-ism aims
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 19/03/2018
» How do you feel if the state says it wants to hear about your plight in order to offer you help, but still holds a view that you are too "stupid" to think for yourself and continues to strictly forbid you from expressing your grievances unless it approves of the platform where you have your say?
Let's hear it for the year's real heroes
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 25/12/2017
» With the constant chilly breeze in the evening and nice temperatures during the day, the cold spell this year has been more generous to Bangkokians than the increasingly suppressive political climate (We have been through many rounds of political turmoil for years, but had rarely experienced this kind of pleasant winter.)
Litter louts, not drinkers, the real park pests
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 05/12/2017
» At national parks during the festive season every year, do you know what human behaviour I think is arguably far more disturbing than loud noises made by "drunken" visitors?
Consumers made to pay for government sins
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 14/09/2017
» Is this government becoming broke and hatching a new "sin tax" plan to force allegedly sinful consumers like us to pay more? I couldn't help but raise this speculation with a friend over possible price hikes in alcohol, cigarettes and coffee, when new excise tax rates take effect this Saturday.
Prosecuting a country's 'CEO' a risky move
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 27/07/2017
» Should chief executive officers (CEOs) who inflict losses on companies be jailed for mismanagement and then be forced to compensate the firms? If so, national leaders -- like ousted premier Yingluck Shinawatra who is undergoing a criminal trial for implementing the supposedly loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme -- could face the same prospect of punishment for a flawed project.