Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Anutin should use his time judiciously
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/11/2025
» One month has passed. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul now has three more months to go.
Time to integrate Myanmar's displaced
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/03/2024
» In the bustling border town of Mae Sot, Julia smiled when I asked her about her new job. "I am very happy with my position," said the young woman who recently completed her Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts from Bangkok University.
8 Thai hostages must not be forgotten
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/01/2024
» The singular most important event of 2023 in Thailand was the Thai hostage crisis that began on Oct 7 when Hamas launched its surprise onslaught on Israel from the Gaza Strip. Several thousand Thai workers were caught up in the crisis, and several dozen were taken hostage along with over 240 men, women and children of almost two dozen nationalities. Apart from Israeli citizens, the number of Thais taken prisoner was the highest among foreigners, and at least 39 were confirmed killed. At the end of November and in the weeks that followed, a total of 23 Thais were freed. Today, eight remain in Gaza, and their fate is unknown. In modern Thai history, this is the first time such a huge number of Thai citizens have been abducted.
Apec 2022: Miss it at your own peril
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/10/2022
» After dilly-dallying for some time, President Joe Biden informed the Thai government that he will not attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' meeting (APECLM) on Nov 18-19. The reason is quite simple: He is attending the wedding of his granddaughter at the White House. Instead, he is sending Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the US at the two-day meeting in Bangkok.
Asean: Where US, China can reconcile?
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/06/2022
» Southeast Asia is unenviably the region to which the major powers, be they the US, China, the European Union, India, Russia, Australia or Japan, are according to the highest priority at this juncture. All of these countries are on the same page as far as Asean is concerned. An Asean that is stable, peaceful, and focused on regional economic integration would be beneficial to the international community. This trend is in reverse in other parts of the world.
'Sceptical' Asean vis-a-vis 'maverick' US
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/05/2022
» The timing and venue of the upcoming special summit between Asean and US leaders later this week are extraordinary. However, the ways in which the unusual strategic circumstances and tensions could further shape the trajectory of Asean-US relations remain to be seen. With the new schedule of the May 12-13 summit in Washington DC and the fresh developments on the ground at home and abroad, the summit will be conducted in a very cautious manner to prevent any spill-over effects or unintended consequences. Indeed, there is a high level of scepticism among the Asean members as to what the US has up its sleeve. The American gung-ho rhetoric has been quite worrisome.
Thais split over Russia-Ukraine conflict
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/03/2022
» The Russia-Ukraine war has managed to divide the Thai public with three different outlooks on the crisis -- strong condemnation, non-partisan, or support for the UN charter. For the first time since the Cambodian conflict four decades ago, Russian military action has caused divisive debates among Thai intellectuals, diplomats, and media personalities about the country's position on the situation.
Thailand plans cultural centre in China
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 07/09/2021
» Sixteen years after the idea was first broached, Thailand is planning to set up its first ever cultural centre overseas. Culture Minister Ittiphol Khunpluem revealed last week that the centre would be in China. This new move comes at a time when Thai-Chinese relations are in an excellent shape, moving at a fast pace even in the time of the pandemic. Since last year, the Chinese Lunar New Year is now a national holiday.
7 secrets of Thai Covid-19 success
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/06/2020
» When the first coronavirus infection was detected on Jan 13, there were fears that Thailand would be the hardest hit by the pandemic, and that the country might not survive due to the onslaught unleashed by a faceless enemy.
Vietnam is powering full steam towards the future
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/10/2019
» These days, I get nostalgic every time I make a trip to Hanoi. This time around, it was about Vietnam's street food scene. When I first came to Hanoi in 1986, my favourite eating place was at the corner of Ly Thuong Kiet and Pham Chu Trinh streets, where one could have bun cha on the pavement of the street, which was lined with numerous haircut booths.