Showing 1 - 10 of 17
China ties challenge
News, Editorial, Published on 03/07/2023
» On July 1, Thailand and China marked the 48th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, amid efforts by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties across various domains.
UK pivot could be good for Thais
News, Editorial, Published on 25/07/2021
» This weekend the UK's HMS Richmond has entered Thai territorial waters to conduct a joint military exercise with the Royal Thai Navy. It represents the first visit of a Royal Navy ship to Thailand since HMS Daring visited in 2014. Notably, it is the first engagement of the UK Carrier Strike Group with an Asean nation as part of the UK government's commitment to becoming "a persistent, credible and reliable presence in the Indo-Pacific".
Time to settle mine dispute
News, Editorial, Published on 07/09/2020
» Now is a critical time for the government to fight tooth and nail in the Akara gold mine case saga that was brought to an international arbitrator. If defeated, the country will have to fork out 30 billion baht in compensation as demanded by the Sydney-based firm.
Hun Sen's big gamble
Oped, Editorial, Published on 13/08/2020
» The arrest of prominent Cambodian unionist and long-time government critic Rong Chhun at the end of last month at his home in Phnom Penh sends a clear message to the world that Prime Minister Hun Sen and members of the ruling-Cambodia People's Party (CPP) will never tolerate opposition voices in the country.
A summit to prevent war
News, Editorial, Published on 31/05/2018
» It is taking feverish preparations to bring about the June 12 Singapore summit between the two most extroverted world political leaders. Presumably, US President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un are back on schedule for their meeting. It is necessary to say "presumably" because this summit has gone from impossibility to certainty, then from unlikely to cancelled, and now "back on schedule". Two weeks out, the summit offers some promise of being the most important such meeting of our age.
Avoid trade pact for now
News, Editorial, Published on 05/05/2018
» The military government maintains sovereign power to resume efforts to get the country to join the new version of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. However, it still lacks the social mandate needed to press ahead with the move.
Time for EU to up pressure
News, Editorial, Published on 14/12/2017
» Beyond the political rhetoric of normalising ties, both the Thai government and the European Union (EU) still need to do more to make that process meaningful. Neither party should take the prospect of improved relations too lightly.
Commuters lose out again
News, Editorial, Published on 22/08/2017
» It has not been a great week for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). The agency responsible for everything about Bangkok buses took two steps -- backwards. Eight new routes with gaudy vehicles and incomprehensible route signs were instantly judged more appalling than appealing. The BMTA then announced early details of its new effort to procure new, modern buses. That brought instant controversy from both the public and important places.
Timid Thailand may miss the boat
News, Editorial, Published on 21/05/2017
» It was not clear why Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was not invited to the One Belt, One Road summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping from May 14-16. The Chinese leader may simply have forgotten to extend an invite to the Thai premier or it could reflect the level of importance that China has attached to Thailand for this massive infrastructure development.
US IP report makes a point
News, Editorial, Published on 02/05/2017
» The US government last week released its annual opinion of how every country on Earth handles intellectual property. It was barely news that, for the 10th year in a row, Thailand was among the "dirty dozen" nations in the 2017 Special 301 Report. Named for a section of US law, the report is a relic of the 20th century, bringing momentary interest only. However, the issues it raises are important.