Showing 61 - 70 of 71
Hemp plan won't work
News, Editorial, Published on 02/01/2017
» The effort to reform drug laws and bring them into the 21st century continues to sputter. No doubt the departure of Gen Paiboon Koomchaya from the Justice Ministry portfolio will make it even more difficult. Gen Paiboon, who now sits on the Privy Council, at least had a vision of how to turn the "war on drugs" into rational justice. The latest policy announced last week by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) seems, to the contrary, more of a shot in the dark than a logical plan.
Drug reform path unclear
News, Editorial, Published on 14/09/2016
» The government has a hard job ahead of it trying to sell the need for drug reform. A survey conducted a week ago by the Nida Poll shows just about half the country is opposed to any move to ease access or punishment for any currently illegal drugs. More than that, 60% want to keep mandatory imprisonment for possession of any methamphetamines, or ya ba. Governments have done such a terrific job of convincing Thais of a no-sympathy "war on drugs" that change is going to be difficult.
Injustice of death penalty
News, Editorial, Published on 03/08/2016
» Indonesia is right to make examples of foreign drug runners and smugglers. These pernicious criminals have tried to exploit Indonesian hospitality and turn an illegal profit. The government in Jakarta takes drug smuggling extra seriously, and steps to deter traffickers are welcome. But if the country is right to pursue the smugglers, it is wrong in applying the death penalty as it is currently doing.
Yes to drug policy mend
News, Editorial, Published on 21/06/2016
» Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya caused a major uproar with a statement out of the blue about the country's leading drug problem. The statement in question featured a proposal he presented at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on drugs, known as UNGASS, in New York to demote methamphetamines from Category 1, the official designation of the most harmful and banned drugs, to the far more tolerant category.
Tense nerves hurt US ties
News, Editorial, Published on 19/05/2016
» In diplomacy and bilateral relations, using the right word or words, could mean warm embraces and mutual compliments or sharp barbs and rebuke between ministers and diplomats. Last week, two words -- concerned and condemned -- prompted stinging criticism of US Ambassador Glyn T Davies.
Grasp drug policy nettle
News, Editorial, Published on 10/02/2016
» The United Nations is aiming to set a new macro policy on recreational drugs worldwide, starting Wednesday. It has taken almost a generation even to get to this point, which is the token beginning of a UN General Assembly Special Session on drugs. There are strong feelings emerging that the UN itself might even take a stand leaning towards legalisation of such drugs. A kickoff meeting this evening in New York will hear testimony, mostly from the pro-enforcement side.
Come clean on Anocha
News, Editorial, Published on 27/01/2016
» The Sundance Film Festival, currently under way in the US state of Utah, has two items of strong interest to Thailand this year. The first is the presence on the jury of Apichatpong "Joe" Weerasethakul, the film director who has won top awards abroad and the ban of the censor at home. This latest, notable achievement deserves praise, but the premiere of a British-made documentary is arguably even more important.
Safety for cyclists is key
News, Editorial, Published on 13/08/2015
» Cyclists across the country will jointly make history by taking part in this coming Sunday's "Bike for Mom" extraordinary cycling event, as a tribute to Her Majesty the Queen marking the auspicious occasion of her 83rd birthday, which fell on Wednesday.
Crackdown shows enforcement woes
News, Editorial, Published on 26/07/2015
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha late last week invoked his special powers under Section 44 to suppress illegal street racing — a move that would have been unnecessary if police had done their job of enforcing the laws.
Light years of learning to do
News, Editorial, Published on 18/07/2015
» The disruption of a live stream by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Nasa) during the New Horizons spacecraft’s flyby of Pluto on Tuesday by a group of Thai trolls was a shameful act.