Showing 1 - 10 of 660
A sinking strategy
Oped, Editorial, Published on 13/09/2024
» The heavy flooding in northernmost Mae Sai district in Chiang Rai province is not just another serious flood -- it is a warning sign that our country lacks an adequate flood warning and monitoring system.
Tackle plastic waste now
Oped, Editorial, Published on 07/09/2024
» The death of a pregnant whale from consuming plastic waste has brought tears to many animal lovers' eyes and sparked anger over the government's failure to manage plastic pollution.
Keeping politics in the family
News, Published on 28/08/2024
» Politics is increasingly returning to being a family business in Southeast Asia, despite its large and vibrant democracies. It's a worrying trend. Power is at risk of being concentrated in the hands of an exclusive club of entrenched clans. That will disproportionately disadvantage the region's dynamic youth who are getting more frustrated with nepotism.
Does 'slacktivism' deserve its bad reputation?
Oped, Published on 23/08/2024
» Earlier this year, activists opposing the war in Gaza marched onto the Golden Gate Bridge and Interstate 880 in Oakland. They blocked traffic for hours, some chaining themselves to vehicles or cement-filled drums. Twenty-six were arrested and charged.
Climate risks threaten Thai economy
Oped, Rapeepat Ingkasit, Published on 21/08/2024
» Last month, our Climate Finance Network Thailand (CFNT) network hosted a webinar titled "Time to Act: Looming Climate Impacts on Thailand's Financial Sector". Our highlight was our guest, Dr Kannika Thampanishvong, section head at the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research, who told us about how finance professionals view climate change and how economists prepare to deal with natural disasters.
The deepening political turmoil in South Asia
Oped, Brahma Chellaney, Published on 15/08/2024
» Violent student-led, Islamist-backed protests in Bangladesh have toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, and mob attacks targeting those viewed as supporters of her secular Awami League party -- in particular, the country's dwindling Hindu minority -- are proliferating. At a time when neighbouring Myanmar is engulfed in violence and the Pakistan-Afghanistan belt remains fertile ground for cross-border terrorism, political upheaval in Bangladesh, two years after the overthrow of Sri Lanka's government, is the last thing India, the regional power, needs.
New realities in Japan-Thailand ties
Oped, Kasit Piromya, Published on 15/08/2024
» If one were to review the existing relationship between two developed and developing countries throughout the world to determine which one was the most successful in terms of donor–recipient relationship, mutual respect, goodwill, and friendship, the Japan-Thailand partnership should be an answer that is most commonly cited.
Cambodia starts to flex its muscles
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/07/2024
» The Funan Techo Canal -- a US$1.7 billion (62 billion baht) waterway -- reflects Cambodia's growing confidence and assertiveness in pursuing national interests. This water infrastructure projects Cambodia as a viable and dynamic little tiger, no longer a war-torn nation. Under Prime Minister Hun Manet's leadership, Cambodia is taking a more proactive stance overall despite facing objections from neighbours like Vietnam that stand to bear the direct impact of this naval logistics scheme.
The UK's most working-class government
Oped, Published on 09/07/2024
» The United Kingdom has a new Labour government whose class composition are radically different from previous ones. According to our analysis of Labour's shadow cabinet, some 46% of Keir Starmer's cabinet members were raised by parents with "working class" occupations. That figure is well above average in terms of the broader working population, and it stands in stark contrast to the 7% who were of working-class origin in the last Conservative cabinet.
Army abuse still with us
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/06/2024
» The latest scandal involving salary deductions for conscripts in the Thai army is a distressing reminder of the persistent abuse and exploitation within our military ranks. What is more worrying is the response from the Ministry of Defence, which only addresses the problem superficially.