Showing 1 - 10 of 18
Stop deporting Cambodian refugees
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 01/12/2021
» The recent deportation of three internationally recognised Cambodian refugees provoked an international outcry, much to Thailand's embarrassment. The first two were deported from Thailand on Nov 9, while the third was sent back home on Nov 20 to also face the risk of political persecution. Such efforts to "push back" refugees have regrettably tarnished Thailand's generally commendable policy and practice of offering refuge to persons fleeing persecution and other dangers from foreign territories. This is all the more poignant since Thailand's human rights record is in the middle of being assessed in Geneva under the UN's Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
UNHCR: No one ever chooses to become a refugee
Oped, Johanna Son, Published on 22/05/2021
» Refugees, people fleeing air strikes by the Myanmar military, and those who are at risk of political persecution, have been the focus of attention in the months since the Feb 1 coup.
Thainess and surf-skating, a safe match?
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 01/04/2021
» The "Rattana Go Surf" surf-skating group, with the presence of a woman politician and luminaries who showcased their surf-skating skills on the city streets last Sunday caused a stir. It's no surprise. In contrast to the latest trend of surf-skating in Thailand, Sunday's crowd turned up in traditional Thai attire, while some women also showed up in Thai-style strapless tops and other participants put on royal-patterned shirts. I can only imagine how suffocating it would have been wearing costumes which are obviously not appropriate for sports. Not to mention, several joined the risky sport without protective gear, such as helmets, all while trying to balance themselves on a skateboard, side by side with moving cars and other motorised vehicles.
Popular CCSA stance costly for stranded Thais
Oped, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 30/07/2020
» Thailand couldn't be more proud having been hailed as one of the two countries to be documented by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a successful model for handling and curbing Covid-19. It's not often that we can match a developed country like New Zealand, the other country named.
'Bleach mum' exposes welfare failure
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 03/06/2020
» Had not the doctors intervened, a two-year-old toddler may have been poisoned to death by his mother. They could not save the boy's four-year-old sister, however. She was already dead from the same malady.
Covid crisis stifles political criticism in SE Asia
Oped, Published on 27/05/2020
» Covid-19 has spurred the use of fake news laws to censor political criticism in Southeast Asia.
Decree risks overreach
Oped, Editorial, Published on 07/04/2020
» Since the state of emergency was declared and the curfew imposed nationwide, hundreds of people have been arrested and charged for breaking the special laws.
Govt must focus on virus, not information
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 26/03/2020
» It was supposed to be a strong pill prescribed to contain the spread of Covid-19. But the chilling reality is the invocation of the Emergency Decree, which goes into effect from Thursday and will run until the end of April, is regularly misused by the authorities to curb freedom of speech and free flow of information.
Time to end the detention of children
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 29/01/2019
» The beginning of last week witnessed the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Determination of Measures and Approaches Alternative to Detention of Children in Immigration Detention Centres by seven key agencies in Thailand, namely: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labour and the national police (which deals with immigration).
Beef up slave trade battle
News, Editorial, Published on 09/06/2016
» The government's efforts to tackle human trafficking have been off the media radar screen this year compared to 2014 and last year when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha took the reins of government. This week -- on Stop Human Trafficking Day -- we are reminded that Thailand still has more to do to counter this scourge.