Showing 161 - 169 of 169
Baby bonuses a fact of life
News, Published on 14/09/2013
» As taxpayers have learned to their cost, the Yingluck administration is a government of "firsts". Worsening traffic jams are a daily reminder of the "first-car" tax rebate scheme, even though it did allow commuters more freedom. Then there is the rise in household debt, part of which has been blamed on the "first-home" incentive scheme.
One-child idea destined to be still-born
News, Kamolwat Praprutitum, Published on 13/09/2013
» Quite a few friends I know have shared a link in their Facebook accounts poking fun at what is being called the "First Hubby scheme" (subsidised like the car scheme) and wishing it could be adopted as government policy.
Should single people subsidise a baby boom?
Life, Pichaya Svasti, Published on 11/09/2013
» Many were flabbergasted last Thursday to hear reports of a suggestion made by economist Terdsak Chomtohsuwan that the government should provide subsidies to parents having their first child while introducing a tax on single people. The academic reasoned that Thailand risks future labour shortages and a population-age imbalance and will have to spend huge sums of money to support the increasing number of elderly citizens. At the same time, the number of people in employment and teenagers soon to enter the workforce is on the decrease.
Army, NSC miles apart on peace talks
Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 15/03/2013
» There is a clear lack of unity between the army and the National Security Council (NSC) on two key issues relating to the first formal peace talk between the government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist organisation scheduled in Kuala Lumpur on March 28.
Foreign investment a double-edged sword
News, Published on 24/02/2013
» The finding of a report released on Thursday that the rise in foreign investment in Myanmar's ethnic regions risks exacerbating conflicts and environmental destruction should come as a surprise to no one. Throughout history and throughout the world the efforts of more developed nations to obtain the resources of less developed nations have exacerbated conflicts with indigenous peoples and led to environmental destruction. But the report by the Transnational Institute and the Burma [Myanmar] Centre Netherlands, titled "Developing disparity: Regional investment in Burma's borderlands", does serve as a timely reminder that the interests and wishes of ethnic groups in Myanmar must be taken into account by foreign corporations and the central government in order to promote peace, not to mention a good business environment.
A pictorial guide to navigating the skytrain
Guru, Sumati Sivasiamphai, Published on 13/07/2012
» If your personal chauffeur is currently on his annual holiday, then chances are you may have been forced to take the skytrain recently. If that's the case, then I'm so sorry you've had to experience the anguish of encountering pushy passengers with festering armpits who obviously don't heed the barrage of whitening deodorant commercials continuously blaring in the train.
Lawsuit tackles post-9/11 discrimination
News, Imtiaz Muqbil, Published on 10/06/2012
» In a move that could well have global ramifications involving the legal borders between national security and rule of law, a group of Muslim communities, businesses, mosques and individuals in the US last week filed a lawsuit against the New York City Police Department over allegations of unconstitutional surveillance.
Flood schemes ignoring vital local expertise
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 22/03/2012
» While everyone seems to agree with government plans to dredge rivers and canals as well as the need to obtain massive water retention areas to prevent a new round of mega flooding, Panya Tokthong is one person who is not convinced.
Anti-graft drive meets backlash
News, Published on 21/03/2012
» In Myanmar, bribery is a way of life. There seems to be no escaping it in all its many forms. From the tea or beer money paid to low-ranking officials to the car keys and cookie tins full of cash or gold reserved for those with real influence, corruption exists at almost every level of society.