Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Thai diplomacy amid global turmoil
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/01/2026
» How do we know which way the wind is drifting? This is a frequently asked question amid the tectonic shifts in international politics. Answers vary. Some say the wind blows from Washington, others from Beijing. Some insist it comes from the market, others from geopolitics. Regardless of the answers, Thailand -- thanks to its nimble diplomacy -- has managed to go with the flow without much difficulty.
A year of shocks, but Thailand endures
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/12/2025
» The year 2025 is not just your typical annus horribilis. Some may say that an appropriate term to describe the year is "hell on earth," or narok bon din in Thai, when many bad things happen all at once.
Paetongtarn and the price of weak govt
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/09/2025
» The Constitutional Court's dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet last Friday has plunged Thailand into a political poly-crisis.
Asean centrality in a changing world
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 30/04/2024
» What is Asean centrality? It can mean different things to different people, but broadly, it can be seen as a regional framework that supports Asean's role as the dominant regional platform to overcome common challenges and engage with external powers.
UN envoy and SAC: more than tit for tat
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/08/2022
» When the United Nations Secretary-General's special envoy met recently with the military junta leader of a pariah state, the expectation was probably that it would start with an exchange of pleasantries and then be followed by some serious discussion. Of course, nobody would know what the two touched upon during their closed-door meeting. That was not to be.
Can Hun Manet deliver in the top job?
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 14/12/2021
» It has taken Prime Minister Hun Sen almost a decade to announce his political successor, which he did on Dec 2. At first, he has in mind at least four choices -- the first pair comprising his two sons, Hun Manet and Hun Many and the second pair of senior colleagues, Sar Kheng and Say Chumm of Cambodia People's Party. Then, he decided to focus on the first pair.
Biden's fault lines in SE Asia
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 31/08/2021
» Vice President Kamala Harris was right in stating that when the history of the 21st century is written, most of it will be centred right here in the Indo-Pacific. But she forgot to add that the approach taken by the US will also be mentioned because of its many fault lines. Three points can be discerned when it comes to the Biden administration's attitude towards the region.
Thailand tightens information law
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 25/05/2021
» In September 1997 Thailand became the first country in Asean to enact a freedom of information law. The Official Information Act (OIA), as it is known here, became a new benchmark for a free society as well as its openness and transparency. For the first time, the public had the right to access information, especially that previously held by the government.
Repatriation of Thais needs ramping up
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/05/2020
» In recent weeks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has accelerated efforts to bring Thai citizens stranded overseas back home. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the one issue that has tarnished the Thai government's positive image both inside and outside the country has been the stringent measures adopted by the Prayut administration with regard to the repatriation of Thais stuck overseas.