Showing 11 - 20 of 91
The perils of populism
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/03/2023
» The upcoming election isn't only inducing the spirit of democracy as well as sheer excitement over the pending political dramas and rivalries. It is also taking us back to populism -- a political approach that tries to win over the hearts of ordinary people who feel their concerns have been sidelined by the established elite groups. In populism, personable politicians offer generous welfare policies to cater to the needs of their voters.
Pass cannabis controls now
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/01/2023
» Since December, MPs have been working on getting the long-awaited cannabis and hemp control bill to pass its second reading. This push is a breath of fresh air not only for patients and medical practitioners but also investors looking to export cannabis as a cash crop.
Drunk on power
News, Editorial, Published on 02/11/2022
» The Progressive Liquor Bill -- legislation touted to break the oligopoly in the lucrative liquor industry -- is expected to be debated at its second and final readings in the House of Representatives in early November when the House reopens after a recess.
Cleaning up the kitchen
Oped, Editorial, Published on 21/10/2022
» Thailand is not shy about promoting its farm products and national cuisine -- a perhaps over-sized sense of pride that has emboldened the government to position the kingdom as the "kitchen of the world" and enshrine our gastronomic heritage as "soft power".
Hemp needs more support
News, Editorial, Published on 02/10/2022
» Marijuana is a drug. It needs proper control. But hemp is not pot. It is a valuable crop for diverse industries, and it needs policy support.
Support for nuns long overdue
News, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2022
» The constitution guarantees gender equality. Why do female monastics not receive state support as monks do then? The Thai Nuns Institute raised this question last month at parliament. They are still waiting for an answer.
Facing up to dope changes
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/09/2022
» Delays to the second reading of the cannabis and hemp bill are just disheartening. Instead of giving the bill a chance, MPs, most of them from the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties, on Tuesday voted to suspend debate at the second reading. The bill now goes back to the committee that has already spent three months revising the bill, for another round of changes.
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.
Reforestation rethink required
News, Editorial, Published on 24/07/2022
» The military was given an earful early this month for using invasive alien species in their aerial reforestation mission, and rightly so. The blunder, however, is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Thailand's reforestation policy, which puts dictatorship and money before ecological health. To save the forest, this self-serving mindset must end.