Showing 91 - 100 of 104
Mars revelations just the beginning
News, Editorial, Published on 04/10/2015
» We know what Mars looks like from Earth. When the sky is clear of light, clouds and pollution, it can be seen with the naked eye. It’s the red one, a lonely ruby among scattered diamonds, and often appears close to Jupiter even though their orbits are 550 million kilometres apart.
Media not to blame for police failings
News, Editorial, Published on 20/09/2015
» If violence is the last refuge of the incompetent, blaming the media for your failings is the next most desperate place to take shelter. It is a stance that is rarely defensible; those waging a war of words with the messenger look as though they are petty, deflecting uncomfortable truths or unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. Lately, it has become a common refrain for authorities, from junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha down, to lash out at reporters whenever difficult questions are asked or anything remotely controversial is up for discussion.
Blast probe needs a hand
News, Editorial, Published on 15/09/2015
» It is fair to say that authorities floundered for two weeks after the Aug 17 Erawan shrine bombing. Most of the leaders and officials in charge were clearly caught flat-footed. The military regime's deputy spokesman declared within hours of the blast, without any evidence, that it was clearly an evil act by the political forces ousted by last year's military coup. Credit police and supporting security forces, then, for so quickly turning investigative chaos into crackerjack detective work. Now comes the really hard part.
Recognise refugees now
News, Editorial, Published on 11/09/2015
» The recent arrest of a group of Syrian refugees who are waiting to be resettled in a third country is yet another policy blunder that further taints the country's reputation and underscores the need for Thailand to formally recognise refugees and asylum seekers.
Reward is undeserved
News, Editorial, Published on 02/09/2015
» The national police chief took a shocking step on Monday. Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang went before the media and on live television to wave around blocks of 1,000-baht bills he said totalled three million baht.
Tell truth on terrorism
News, Editorial, Published on 01/09/2015
» Last week's arrest of a suspect in the Ratchaprasong bombing murders also rekindled a recurring controversy. It is the use and actual definition of terrorism. Serious and informed minds have tackled this argument for decades. Some senior authorities have argued since the bomb exploded at the Erawan shrine on Aug 17 that the atrocity was not terrorism. This only raises another question: If it was not terrorism, what was it?
Time to fix the cameras
News, Editorial, Published on 29/08/2015
» Many times when high-profile crimes are committed in Bangkok, police trying to solve them are frustrated by CCTV cameras that either don't work or, when they sometimes do, provide blurred, useless footage.
Facts will end rumours
News, Editorial, Published on 24/08/2015
» The national police chief has warned every citizen and resident to stop spreading rumours about last Monday's bomb attack, or face arrest. Given the lack of progress in finding out who is responsible for 20 murders and a Thai tragedy, it is understandable Pol Gen Somyot Poompunmuang is frustrated, tired and possibly testy.
Authorities must face a new reality
News, Editorial, Published on 23/08/2015
» The Erawan bomber ghosted into the heart of Bangkok on Monday evening — took 20 lives in the blink of an eye — and disappeared just as swiftly into the night on the back of a motorcycle.
End rumours at the top
News, Editorial, Published on 22/08/2015
» A request by the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for people not to spread unsubstantiated information would be more reasonable if the powers-that-be led by example.