Showing 61 - 70 of 87
Asean media under attack
News, Editorial, Published on 22/01/2018
» A free press is the key test of whether a nation has true freedom of speech. Across the region, every country is failing the test. In communist Vietnam and all the way to the resurgent army controllers in Myanmar, governments are arresting, imprisoning and strongly intimidating the media.
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.
Lowest bid isn't best bid
News, Editorial, Published on 05/10/2017
» Thai travellers had a legitimate complaint recently when they found themselves standing in front of useless passport scanning machines at the two main Bangkok airports. Hundreds of passengers on dozens of flights had to submit their documents "the old-fashioned way" to immigration officers. Of course there were a tiny number of them. The point of automated passport control is to reduce or eliminate the familiar officer armed with stamps, pens and a stern attitude towards fake travel documents.
Stop silencing the people
News, Editorial, Published on 22/07/2017
» Army chief Chalermchai Sittisart's recent decision to dismiss a call by 176 Thai and foreign academics for a relaxation or cessation of the rules that stop people from expressing their civil rights -- for example the ban on political gatherings -- comes as no surprise.
Myanmar must open up
News, Editorial, Published on 04/07/2017
» Myanmar authorities continue to take actions that ultimately harm both the country and its image. Last week, the army, which is behind the times in helping the country to democracy, arrested three journalists for doing their jobs. Then the government, which should know better, issued a defiant statement that it was banning all United Nations investigators. There was no good reason for either action, and they are black marks on democracy hero Aung San Suu Kyi's government.
Strict controls hurt roadmap
News, Editorial, Published on 07/04/2017
» As the new constitution came into effect with royal blessings yesterday, Thailand formally kick-started its roadmap, drawn up under the guidance of the Prayut Chan-o-cha military government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
Kill all coal energy plans
News, Editorial, Published on 14/02/2017
» The military regime has failed to produce the coherent, forward-looking national energy policy it promised. But it has been consistent on one point -- the South needs more electricity, and it is going to get it from coal-fired power plants. It is time to drop this backward, ultimately harmful and massively unpopular plan and look ahead.
NBTC must abide by law
News, Editorial, Published on 03/01/2017
» In the 31 months since the military takeover, and amid progress both real and asserted, one of the biggest setbacks has been to freedom of speech and information. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a clampdown on the media on the day of his May 22, 2014 coup. Since then, no relaxation of censorship has occurred, and many other steps have been ordered. Expressing opinions in public can prove dangerous, and laws such as the recent Computer Crime Act amendment continue to restrict or inhibit both personal and media freedoms.