Showing 81 - 90 of 749
Will city's pavement madness ever end?
Oped, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 20/03/2021
» Navigating Bangkok's pavements is like walking in a mine field or an obstacle course. But everybody who has ever travelled in the city on foot knows that.
Interpreting what's behind the 'veto' coup d'etat
Oped, Published on 20/02/2021
» Military "veto" coups have been prominent in countries where armed forces have played leading roles in society like Myanmar and Thailand -- the two countries which have experienced their fair share of coups. The latest putsch occurred on Feb 1, in Myanmar. With Myanmar's military having had a long and close relationship with Thailand's armed forces, and both countries' militaries prone to staging coups, one wonders to what extent Myanmar's putsch can be explained in the context of the history of coups in mainland Southeast Asia. Does Myanmar follow the Thai model?
Fairer welfare threatens the status quo
Oped, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 20/02/2021
» Early this week, Krungthai Bank branches throughout the country were swarmed by large mobs of people wanting to register for the Rao Chana assistance programme.
How to Name Your Car Like You're One of the 0.1%
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 19/02/2021
» The 0.1% of Thais (not 1% 'cause Thailand has the highest wealth inequality in the world, you see) may rejoice at the recent news that soon you can pay an extra fee to give your vehicle a real name on a licence plate instead of the two-alphabets-and-numerals combo the 99.9% are familiar with. The new rules will allow a combination of more than two alphabets, vowels, tone marks and numbers in a vehicle registration plate for a personal car with no more than seven seats. In short, you can name your car after you or give it a person's name. For example, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha can name his "ประยุทธ์ 2 กรุงเทพมหานคร (Prayut 2 Bangkok)" to commemorate his second term. The plan is expected to be implemented around the middle of this year and you can bid for such a plate with starting price of B1 million. Money raised this way will be spent to improve road safety.
Thai army still region's top usurper
Oped, Published on 06/02/2021
» In less than a month, we have witnessed two intriguing -- or one could say diametrically opposite -- political events.
Corruption without a moral backstop
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/01/2021
» For Thailand, Covid-19 has become an unwitting spotlight that has exposed shadowy closets and drawers where corruption and graft have long festered. In the past, Thailand's dirty deeds and illegal wrongdoings operated within certain parameters set by a semblance of moral authority at the top echelons of Thai society. But in recent years, moral turpitude has set in while the sense of moral backstop has faded. As this trend intensifies, Thailand risks suffering political decay, social decadence and economic stagnation, while impunity and immorality reign without boundaries.
Happiness gap in the Land of Smiles
Oped, Worawan Chandoevwit, Published on 13/01/2021
» How happy are people in the "Land of Smiles?" Not too happy. In fact, the Thai people's spirit was at its lowest last year, and things don't look much brighter in 2021.
You can't escape a rural soundtrack
News, Roger Crutchley, Published on 03/01/2021
» Admittedly it's is not exactly earth-shattering news, but for the first time in 20 years I haven't spent the New Year holiday in Isan (the Northeast). This was not due to any dramas, but simply a combination of factors that made it more sensible to stay in the Big Mango.
Empathy is needed to bridge conflict
Life, Tatat Bunnag, Published on 21/12/2020
» Despite all the conflicts brewing in the country at the moment, there is no denying that this is an exciting time as several changes have provided us with a glimpse of the Thailand of tomorrow. Whether the demands are social, political, or regarding basic rights and equality in society, one of the most interesting developments is how the young generation is speaking up and making themselves heard.
Moon mission moonshine?
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/12/2020
» It could be a dream too far. It could be a case of mismatched priorities, a casual discussion about a momentous project or merely an attempt to seek publicity from an otherwise forgotten minister.