Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Time for a flood remedy
Oped, Editorial, Published on 10/09/2022
» Fears of a repetition of the 2011 epic flood will haunt city residents in the coming days as heavy rain leads to massive floods in the northern part of the capital and adjacent areas. While the current conditions do not match 2011's huge proportions, the reaction of City Hall does not inspire much hope. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) -- regardless of who is the elected or appointed governor -- has reacted to the flooding in the same manner that it did in past years.
Flood ritual dies hard
Oped, Editorial, Published on 02/08/2022
» Fears of flooding have returned again with news the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) will discharge more water from the Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat to accommodate run-off from the North.
Pandemic no time to play favourites
News, Editorial, Published on 31/01/2021
» A pandemic, by its very definition, affects the entire world without exception. After all, viruses -- be it the novel coronavirus, polio, or HIV -- do not discriminate on the basis of background.
Army chief a fearmonger
News, Editorial, Published on 03/01/2020
» As the army chief, Gen Apirat Kongsompong should stay out of politics. But he has always found it hard to resist the temptation of spreading or stirring biased and provocative political messages. His latest remark, which suggests possible arms robbery and associated street violence, is as weak and bewildering as ever because it is not accompanied with even a shred of evidence. It also lacks a sense of certainty. What is certain is that it is a disservice to the nation.
Time to lift rights bans
News, Editorial, Published on 17/09/2018
» The best thing that can be said about last week's action by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is that the all-male group understands it has created a problem. It has returned to the public a tiny bit of the civil and human rights it removed 52 months ago. On Friday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha used his extraordinary powers under Section 44 to give some small but important freedoms to political parties. While the order restores the right to organise party affairs, it falls lamentably short of restoring basic and constitutional rights to all Thais.
Lack of unity in drug sweep
News, Editorial, Published on 28/02/2018
» The government has launched yet another series of anti-drugs sweep aimed at taming the North. They are part of the decades-old campaign to wipe out trafficking in illicit drugs. Authorities came up with reports to the public that had a very tired look and feel. A one-month "massive" suppression campaign resulted in the arrests of 63 suspects, the seizure of many kilogrammes of drugs and the unsurprising discovery of some 241 million baht of "assets" -- cash, gold, cars and motorcycles, up-scale homes, land and condominiums.
Stop press intimidation
News, Editorial, Published on 02/01/2018
» The Thai Journalists Association wound up the year by issuing a depressing statement. It rated 2017 as yet another year where the free press was regulated and intimidated by the military government. The TJA said the regime hinders the media by restricting freedom of expression. And it says this causes public harm by not allowing examination and by barring criticism of the junta, collectively and individually.
Food safety must get top priority
News, Editorial, Published on 26/11/2017
» News reports that over 60% of samples of popular vegetable and fruits taken at shopping malls and markets are contaminated with pesticides -- some are highly toxic farm chemicals banned in several countries -- are too hard to swallow. It merely shows a failure of the state, despite an ambition to become the kitchen of the world, to come up with and implement measures to ensure food safety, and the dilemma for customers who have limited options to live healthy lifestyles.
Hypocrisy on abortion
News, Editorial, Published on 21/11/2017
» The arrest of a nurse for providing abortions in Nakhon Ratchasima should serve as a wake-up call on this important social issue. Suwanna Kaewsawang, 56, a certified health care professional, was charged with operating an abortion service in her converted apartment. While her legal case continues, it is clear that officials of the Ministry of Public Health -- who directed the police raid -- are far behind the curve on a subject no one really wants to talk about, but must.
Avoiding a religious row
News, Editorial, Published on 20/01/2016
» It is unclear why authorities in the South have pushed a project for a new Buddhist park in Pattani province. Indeed, as of yesterday at least, provincial officials had provided no specifics. The central government seems confused but it is crystal clear that local people have grave doubts, and have spoken about them clearly.