Showing 1 - 10 of 46
Why solar and wind are not winning
Oped, Bjorn Lomborg, Published on 20/04/2024
» Despite us constantly being told that solar and wind are now the cheapest forms of electricity, governments around the world needed to spend US$1.8 trillion (66.3 trillion baht) on the green transition last year. "Wind and solar are already significantly cheaper than coal and oil" is how US President Joe Biden conveniently justifies spending hundreds of billions of dollars on green subsidies. Indeed, arguing that wind and solar is cheapest is a meme employed by green lobbyists, activists and politicians around the world. Unfortunately, as the $1.8 trillion price-tag shows, the claim is wildly deceptive.
Crisis in waste management
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/04/2024
» The sight of our officials and ministers frantically searching for carcinogenic cadmium tailings is a reminder of how hopeless the state's toxic waste policy management has been. Without a major revamp, similar problems will only recur.
Pakistan again lands itself in political strife
Oped, Published on 17/02/2024
» Pakistan is politically on the brink again in the aftermath of fractious but inconclusive national parliamentary elections, which ended with a question mark hanging over this land of 241 million people like a political Damocles sword. Two former prime ministers, both bitter rivals and equally mired in alleged corruption, are vying for the top spot.
Imran Khan: from cricket star to jailbird
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 06/02/2024
» Pakistan's former prime minister, former cricket superstar and latter-day populist politician Imran Khan was having a quiet week in jail, six months into his three-year sentence for corruption, and suddenly all hell broke loose.
Govt must plug its leaks
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/01/2024
» The ambition of the Srettha government is not limited to megaprojects such as the Land Bridge or promoting the value of so-called "soft power".
Those elusive influential persons
Roger Crutchley, Published on 29/10/2023
» Most intriguing news of the week is that according to a parliamentary House committee there are only 180 "influential people" in the kingdom and in 10 provinces there are none at all. For those unfamiliar with the term "influential person" in Thailand, it is usually interpreted as someone who is powerful enough not to worry about the "long arm of the law" and can go about their sometimes shady business without fear of arrest.
Mine faces big test
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/03/2023
» The Akara gold mine reopened on Monday after a six-year hiatus. In 2017, the now-dissolved National Council for Peace and Order issued an executive decree suspending operations after government agencies accused the mine of causing negative environmental and health impacts on local communities.
BCG Economy and Apec: Just empty rhetoric?
Oped, Published on 19/11/2022
» The Apec Leaders' Summit in Bangkok this week includes an agreement to work toward the "Bangkok Goals" on Bio-economy, Circular Economy and Green (BCG) Economy beyond national borders. Many have raised the question of whether the Thai government, as host to the summit, genuinely aims to push forward this goal. Or is it just a greenwashing policy in support of business as usual?
Support pollutant law to curb leaks
Oped, Published on 01/10/2022
» During the morning of Sept 22, many residents in Nakhon Pathom province awoke to a foul smell they were unfamiliar with, irritating both their eyes and noses. In neighbouring Nonthaburi, some people were reported to be coughing and sneezing after noticing a "burning-like" smell.
Joke or corruption?
Oped, Editorial, Published on 20/04/2022
» The resignation of an aide to the Prime Minister on suspicion of having a vested interest in the government's lottery quota system should not be the end of what is now a very public -- yet still alleged -- scandal.