Showing 1 - 10 of 22
Thai police graft highlights bigger issues
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 26/04/2024
» There is no bigger news on the current Thai political scene than corruption among the top echelons of the police force. At issue is the tussle between Thailand's two senior-most cops, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn and Pol Gen Torsak Sukvimol, both accusing each other of being on the take. Their high-stakes feud would normally be a run-of-the-mill story for the infamously shady Thai police but this case has become a mirror and microcosm of structural graft that is corroding the highest corridors of politics, economy, and society.
Thailand's Big Brother is upping the ante
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 06/08/2022
» In the late 18th century, British philosopher Jeremy Bentham visited his younger brother, Samuel, in Russia, who arranged unskilled factory workers in a circle so that he could supervise them. Inspired by this principle, Bentham developed "the panopticon", an inspection tower surrounded by cells. Its uniqueness was that it enabled a watchman to monitor prisoners without them knowing they were being watched.
Rush to Riyadh may harm workers
News, Published on 31/01/2022
» Last week, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returned from Riyadh with big news for workers -- Saudi Arabia has high demand for labour, and eight million jobs are now up for grabs.
Syria's suffered enough: End the sanctions
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 19/03/2021
» The Syrian civil war is 10 years old this week, and it's time to stop it. At least half a million Syrians are dead, a quarter of the pre-war population are refugees abroad, and another quarter are refugees inside Syria. Thirty percent of the country's housing stock is destroyed or badly damaged -- and we have known who won the war for at least four years now.
Khashoggi and MBS's blunderers
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 03/03/2021
» If Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, were a burglar, he wouldn't be George Clooney in Ocean's Eleven. He'd be a cartoon burglar in a carnival mask and a top with black-and-white horizontal stripes, carrying a sack labelled "SWAG".
Pompeo's one landmine a day foreign policy
News, Published on 17/01/2021
» When defeated armies are retreating, they always lay mines behind them if they have time. The mines slow pursuit, they may inflict casualties on the victors, and they give the losers something purposeful to do amid panic and despair. That's what Mike Pompeo has been doing just before time is called on his ideologically driven term as United States Secretary of State.
Journos under threat as world marks Press Day
News, Jeremy Walden-Schertz, Published on 04/05/2019
» As the globe marked World Press Freedom Day yesterday, journalists were commemorating the one-year-anniversary of dual suicide bombings in Kabul which killed nine of their colleagues. Meanwhile, separate attacks in Khost and Kandahar at about the same time killed another two journalists as well as dozens of civilians. In addition to mourning, the media community also conveyed its enduring respect for these journalists who had risked their lives on a daily basis to report the news.
Saudi teenager's bid for asylum must be respected
News, Jeremy Walden-Schertz, Published on 10/01/2019
» The Saudi diplomat has given away any pretense that it is a "family matter".
One attack, one setback
News, Editorial, Published on 26/11/2018
» The murderous attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi highlights the troubles that Beijing faces in selling its keystone international development programme. "One Belt, One Road" began with much scepticism, and 2018 has seen setback after setback. Friday morning's assault on Chinese interests killed two policemen guarding the consulate. The Pakistani separatist group behind the deaths said the Chinese are "exploiting our resources".
A nation of millions can't hold them back
News, Kong Rithdee, Published on 29/10/2018
» Rhymes and misdemeanours. Yo, yo. Rappers are threatened to be thrown in a slammer.