Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Thailand's policy on Myanmar stinks
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 23/06/2023
» The latest move to coddle and recognise Myanmar's junta government by caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's outgoing regime does not add up. Sanctioned and supported by Gen Prayut, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai arranged an Asean-wide ministerial meeting in Pattaya on June 18 with Myanmar's junta-appointed Foreign Minister Than Swe with unusual haste. Shrouded in controversy and desperation, both the PM's and the FM's clichéd explanations just do not wash. It begs the question of whether there are vested interests involved, above and beyond Thailand's national interest, in the outgoing government's seeming acceptance of Myanmar's military regime that took power by force on Feb 1, 2021.
Picasso's 'Guernica' still relevant today
Oped, Published on 29/04/2023
» This month marks the anniversary of one of the many atrocities of the last century carried out in the cause of nationalism. On Monday, April 26, 1937, less than a year after dissident Spanish generals launched a coup d'état against a democratically elected coalition government, German and Italian airplanes bombed Gernika, in the Basque Country of Spain.
Asean and the Myanmar morass
Oped, Published on 01/02/2023
» Two years ago, on Feb 1, the day that Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy were set to sit in a new parliament, the Myanmar military shocked the world by staging a deeply unpopular coup.
Response to coup requires look at China, military
Oped, Published on 04/02/2021
» In the early hours of Feb 1, the day Myanmar's newly elected parliamentarians were to take their seats, the armed forces arrested senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), including State Counsellor and NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Myanmar President Win Myint. The military declared a state of emergency, announcing it will govern the country for one year, after which it promises fresh elections. Understanding this political crisis requires unpacking the role of the military in Myanmar's beleaguered democratisation, the calculus of Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, and a geopolitical context dominated by China.
Turkish forces are shielding Syrians and Kurds
News, Published on 21/10/2019
» I would like to set the record straight regarding Operation Peace Spring as some of the pieces in the Bangkok Post over the past few days have especially been concerning in terms of facts.
America's waning Middle East clout
News, Peter Apps, Published on 19/10/2018
» When it comes to defining America's quandary on Saudi Arabia, US President Donald Trump's description is mercenary in the extreme. If Washington doesn't stay close to Riyadh and sell it arms, he told reporters in the Oval Office this weekend, the Saudis will turn to Moscow or Beijing instead. Given that, he seemed to be suggesting, the United States should just keep its plans for a US$110 billion arms deal and the 450,000 jobs he says it would bring.
Khashoggi saga packs punch
News, Maysam Behravesh, Published on 12/10/2018
» The disappearance and possible murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has cast a long shadow over Saudi Arabia's global image. If the Saudi government did in fact kill or kidnap him, the crime would have significant implications for Middle East politics.
Regime wary of Yingluck martyrdom
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 30/07/2017
» The political temperature is set to soar in August and it could be the hottest month since the coup staged by then army chief and incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in May 2014.
To build one community, bloc needs to engage media
News, Anuraj Manibhandu, Published on 08/08/2015
» With the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) entering its 48th year, the question media specialists ask is how can media help Asean bring the 10 member states into one community.
CDC needs to take note
News, Published on 25/04/2015
» In a week or so there will be a general election in the UK. It looks doomed to end with a coalition government. The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) should monitor how that progresses. I moved to Thailand just before Tony Blair became prime minister. During the Labour versus Conservative elections, I had several choices to make. There are questions of regional autonomy (Scottish and Welsh nationalists). UKIP wants to leave the EU and migration policy within the EU has seen a lot of opposition.