Showing 1 - 10 of 111
Is Asean ready to abandon coal?
Oped, Published on 14/06/2024
» Coal remains critical for providing secure and affordable energy, supporting economic growth, and enabling a just energy transition in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Scrapping coal without prudent energy planning could drag Asean member states (AMS) into a self-inflicted energy crisis.
Securing Thailand's energy future
Oped, Published on 22/05/2024
» Since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, foreign governments -- in particular the European Union and the United States, have issued travel bans and frozen the financial assets of corporate entities and individuals involved with the military regime. The most recent US financial sanction on the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (Moge), a major source of foreign currency revenue for the military government, which took effect in November 2023, is a potential risk to Thailand as it is reliant on gas from Myanmar for electricity generation.
Solar geoengineering won't help
News, Published on 15/04/2024
» At the most recent United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), held in Nairobi, African countries took a strong stand against potential new technologies that, if developed, could tip an already disrupted climate into chaos.
Soft landing likely for this dragon year
Oped, Published on 31/01/2024
» The Year of the Dragon brings with it the expectation that the direction of the global economy will be better than that of 2023. Despite earlier concerns about a sharp global economic downturn, recent developments suggest a soft landing for 2024.
Vietnam's bamboo diplomacy in effect
Oped, Published on 20/01/2024
» During a New Year briefing, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Sơn told the media that the diplomatic sector will continue to focus on strongly developing the identity of Vietnamese "bamboo diplomacy" in 2024.
8 Thai hostages must not be forgotten
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/01/2024
» The singular most important event of 2023 in Thailand was the Thai hostage crisis that began on Oct 7 when Hamas launched its surprise onslaught on Israel from the Gaza Strip. Several thousand Thai workers were caught up in the crisis, and several dozen were taken hostage along with over 240 men, women and children of almost two dozen nationalities. Apart from Israeli citizens, the number of Thais taken prisoner was the highest among foreigners, and at least 39 were confirmed killed. At the end of November and in the weeks that followed, a total of 23 Thais were freed. Today, eight remain in Gaza, and their fate is unknown. In modern Thai history, this is the first time such a huge number of Thai citizens have been abducted.
The risks that are threatening India's rise
News, Published on 23/11/2023
» A few decades ago, India was a relatively minor player on the world stage. Despite its size and vast population, it grappled with what became pejoratively known as the "Hindu rate of growth," with GDP increasing at a tepid annual pace of 4%, or 2% per capita from 1947, when it gained independence, until the 1980s.
Risk vs reward
News, Editorial, Published on 20/11/2023
» In the stock market, emotions often take over, and recent events that have affected the Thai bourse exemplify this.
Tolerating populism for democracy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 13/10/2023
» The so-called “super deal” in August that resulted in the return of Thaksin Shinawatra and the formation of the Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government under Srettha Thavisin evidently has its limitations. It appears to be rejected by sections of the conservative old guard who still wants to resort to extra-parliamentary ways and means to undermine Thailand’s delicate parliamentary democracy. Reminiscent of past protests against Mr Thaksin’s brand of populism, a new round of extra-parliamentary political movement has begun in earnest with the petition launched by 99 prominent economists, including former central bank governors, against the Srettha government’s 10,000-baht digital wallet policy.
Protectionism started the geopolitical fire
Oped, Published on 04/10/2023
» It has been puzzling to see many prominent economists decry the Trump administration's tariffs as welfare-reducing protectionism while approving of the Biden administration's even more drastic steps to reshore, friend-shore, and decouple from China.