Showing 151 - 160 of 160
China, Taiwan must co-exist
News, Editorial, Published on 17/05/2016
» Beijing officials say that if any crisis occurs between China and Taiwan in the coming weeks and years, it will be Taiwan's fault. That is a little pat, seeing as there is no current crisis at all. But China is either apprehensive or wants to seem worried by Tsai Ing-wen. Her inauguration as Taiwan's first female president will take place on Friday.
Cultivating risky business
News, Editorial, Published on 07/04/2016
» For the government, and many of us, the conflict over water between residents in tambon Phaya Mengrai in Chiang Rai's Phaya Mengrai district and Hongta International Co, a Chinese company which operates a 2,700-rai banana plantation in the area, is a minor and insignificant issue not worthy of public attention.
Fighting the Zika threat
News, Editorial, Published on 08/03/2016
» 'The most dangerous animal in the world", declares a website focusing on science, is less than 1.5 centimetres tall on its back legs, and hums. The mosquito kills more than 600,000 healthy people a year; many experts put the toll at one million. These pests carry and transmit bacteria and viruses that sicken millions more. Malaria is the world's greatest killer disease. Dengue and chikungunya sicken tens of thousands in Thailand alone. And now, another mosquito-borne virus has arrived which is even more frightening.
Officials in a haze
News, Editorial, Published on 23/02/2016
» February is such a predictable month. A few days of winter linger here and there, but it is the beginning of the hot season. Warnings of water shortages come from several departments. This year, the warnings are stronger and more alarming than usual, as El Nino promises an even more dire, drier drought. And in February also comes the dangerous, choking, ever-worsening haze as farm land and forests are burnt down to make way for the new planting season.
Police reform needs to start from within
News, Editorial, Published on 07/02/2016
» The tragic suicide of Police Captain Thawee Meunrak is only the tip of the iceberg in the chronic problem within the Thai police force. The real issue is the need to reform the force, which is long overdue. In the past few years, many police have committed suicide. Pol Cap Thawee, for instance, is believed to have killed himself because of stress related to his work.
Biosafety bill must wait
News, Editorial, Published on 17/12/2015
» The government has made the right move in shelving the biosafety bill, better known as the genetically modified organism (GMO) bill.
Climate change: we need to do more
News, Editorial, Published on 06/12/2015
» Prayut Chan-o-cha’s trip to Paris last week had a certain elegance that has rarely been seen since he seized power, at least in terms of public relations. He was on message, was pictured seemingly statesmanlike laying flowers in tribute to the victims of last month’s terrorist attacks, and avoided making any embarrassing blunders. At the main event, the UN’s climate change conference, he delivered Thailand’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 20% and 25% by 2030, which received positive coverage at home and was even welcomed in some quarters as ambitious.
Satun penalty well deserved
News, Editorial, Published on 28/11/2015
» The three-year ban against Satun United after their fans attacked match officials last weekend is a steep price to pay for the football team. The severity of the sanction, however, should remind everyone of how important it is to play by the rules.
Don't punish at-risk girls
News, Editorial, Published on 21/08/2015
» Measures to prevent teen pregnancy should not punish the girls at risk. But the draft bill by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) is doing just that.
Support sex worker rights
News, Editorial, Published on 18/08/2015
» It has become more clear in recent years that the sex industry is to some extent a manufactured "problem". Much of this large business involves private and voluntary transactions by adults. On its darker side, the sex industry involves or even promotes extremely harmful acts, often involving force and usually violating human rights. A new approach has long been needed, and just such a step is being promoted from a most unlikely source.