Showing 51 - 56 of 56
South peace suffers blow
News, Editorial, Published on 02/05/2016
» On Friday night, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha unexpectedly brought up the situation in the South during his weekly address to the nation. He was terse and he was blunt. He called the 12-year war "a sad and terrible waste of lives", and in that one sentence criticised attempts over the past year and a half under his regime to renew peace talks with Malaysia-based separatists. Dialogue appears interrupted for the time being.
Military must open up
News, Editorial, Published on 12/11/2015
» Four years after the mysterious death of a conscript, Private Wichian Puaksom, at Peeleng army camp in Narathiwat, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) has finally decided to find an army lieutenant and 10 other drill masters guilty of malfeasance in office and causing Private Wichian's death.
Asean chokes on haze crisis
News, Editorial, Published on 23/10/2015
» Asean leaders must seek an opportunity from the worsening haze crisis to tackle the problem at its roots and show the way to sustainable development. The smoke haze and accompanying pollutants that have blanketed several countries in the region is primarily caused by the burning of forest and peatlands on Indonesia's Sumatra island to make way for oil palm plantations.
Tackling haze a joint effort
News, Editorial, Published on 08/10/2015
» This coming Saturday marks the 13th anniversary of the signing of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. All Asean members ratified the agreement the following year except Indonesia which, after waiting for 12 years, ratified the document last year. It is not difficult to understand why.
Taking eyes off the ball
News, Editorial, Published on 09/09/2015
» Recent events have shown that two of the country's biggest problems remain interconnected and festering. Earlier this year, driven by domestic crime and foreign pressure, the government began at last to try to clean up the vicious gangs and weak law enforcement responsible for human trafficking and slavery. After short and effective steps, however, leaders took their eyes off the targets. Some of the worst activities have resumed and expanded, exactly at the worst possible time.
All South must talk
News, Editorial, Published on 31/08/2015
» The decision to resume official contact with separatists is good news for the Deep South and the country in general. Last week, a government-authorised team led by Gen Aksara Kerdpol met a number of representatives of well-known military groups. The public ceremony took place in Kuala Lumpur, and was largely organised and arranged by the Malaysian government. The contacts are tentative, and not yet even called peace talks. There is an essential ingredient missing before the contacts can make significant progress.