Showing 501 - 510 of 512
BMA's traffic snarl blues
News, Editorial, Published on 05/10/2015
» Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra made some solid points about traffic last week. It boiled down to facts that others have made for decades, but with some new ideas on what to do about them. The undeniable truth is that no matter what statistics one wields -- the governor had an attention-grabbing new one -- there are more cars in Bangkok than can fit on its streets.
Forest policy off track
News, Editorial, Published on 02/10/2015
» Natural Resources and Environment Ministry deputy permanent secretary Supoj Towichakchaikul has described his ministry's mission to expand forest areas as an uphill task. He is right about this.He blamed the difficulties on a lack of resources and personnel, local resistance, and a lack of inter-agency co-ordination. This is where Mr Supoj went wrong.
Future of Krabi's power plant unclear
News, Editorial, Published on 27/09/2015
» The debate over the planned construction of a 800-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the tourist province of Krabi reveals the dilemma over Thailand’s energy policy direction. Despite activists’ protests against the construction of the coal-fired power plant due to environmental concerns, it is undeniable that the southern tourist provinces need an additional source of power to cater to rising demand.
Credibility on the line
News, Editorial, Published on 21/09/2015
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha heads to the United Nations this week where he will join government leaders from around the world for the opening of the 70th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly. Gen Prayut said he will not address current Thai politics in his UN speech. Instead he will outline his government's efforts to balance development and growth with social and environmental protection. It's a great opportunity.
Call halt to mining bill
News, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2015
» The Industry Ministry's recent decision to expand gold mining surveys and concessions in 12 provinces is facing fierce protests from locals, and rightly so. Unless the plan is halted, the country is set to experience many tragedies from deadly pollution.
Summonses divide society
News, Editorial, Published on 12/09/2015
» It is impossible to create an atmosphere of reconciliation as long as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) maintains its policy of summoning people who disagree with its policies for so-called attitude adjustment sessions.
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.
Time for new ideas to help rice farmers
News, Editorial, Published on 30/08/2015
» Farmers’ debts have become so severe and chronic that every government in recent memory has been forced to make it a priority. The military-led administration of Prayut Chan-o-cha is no exception, and earlier this month the Prime Minister expressed concern over the nation's 1.9 million indebted farmers. He has ordered several ministries to find urgent solutions to the problem and emphasised farmers should be saved from losing their farmland.
End rumours at the top
News, Editorial, Published on 22/08/2015
» A request by the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) for people not to spread unsubstantiated information would be more reasonable if the powers-that-be led by example.
Time to rethink our economic strategy
News, Editorial, Published on 09/08/2015
» Hampered by sluggish exports which have been the engine of Thai growth, consumers have been reluctant to spend due to concerns over slow domestic growth and a global economic recovery. As a result, Thailand’s consumer confidence index fell to a 14-month low in July.