Showing 1 - 10 of 15
Hun Manet's high-stakes scam pledge
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/03/2026
» With international criticism mounting, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has launched a major effort to repair Cambodia's reputation, promising that all online scam centres in the country will be eliminated by next month.
Timor-Leste's membership divides Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/05/2025
» Timor-Leste's long-awaited bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is in jeopardy. It has encountered unexpected headwinds -- this time from the Philippines. The sudden diplomatic friction stems from Dili's refusal to extradite Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr, a former Filipino congressman accused of terrorism and multiple murders, back to Manila.
Meaningful policy on Myanmar needed
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/01/2024
» The fall of Laukkai in Myanmar's Kokang Self-Administered Zone to rebel forces is one of the most significant developments in the conflict in Myanmar since the coup took place in 2021. Why? It shows the State Administration Council's (SAC) inability to protect its territory from the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which launched a fierce offensive dubbed "Operation 1027" at the end of October last year, threatening the junta's hold on the northern Shan state, which borders China, and other remote areas in the region.
Myanmar and two new game-changers
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/12/2022
» The recently passed bill by Congress, known broadly as the 2022 Burma Act, which allows the US government to provide technical support and non-military assistance to engage with the opposition groups against the military junta in Nay Pyi Taw combined with the incoming Asean chair, Indonesia, could be a game-changer with the Myanmar crisis soon to enter its third year.
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.
Aussie ties out of the woods, raring to go
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/09/2022
» 'Thais that bind: secret mission ends Aussie's torment," read the front page headline of The Australian on Nov 22, 2020. It was referring to Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, the British-Australian academic arrested in late 2018 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard as she was about to leave Tehran over an espionage charge. She was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in jail in a secret trial.
Thai 3Rs secret to handling US, China
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/07/2022
» Recent visits by the foreign ministers of China and the US created lots of buzz among the Thai public and diplomatic community regarding the direction of Thai foreign policy. Many questions were raised but no satisfactory answers were given.
We must end torture in all its forms
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/09/2021
» The whole country has been shocked by a video clip of a rogue police officer torturing a drug suspect to death last month. The Thai public generally know and accept that the Thai police are not good cops but to watch them from their living rooms so blatantly torturing a man was a bit too much. The drama helped lawmakers pass the draft bill on prevention and suppression of torture and enforced disappearances last week without any objection; that same bill that was quickly dismissed in the parliamentary debate some six years ago.
Can we build back better by Oct 15?
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 22/06/2021
» By Oct 15, Buddha willing, Thailand will be ready to welcome visitors from abroad including domestic travellers. Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha bet his political career and reputation on a pledge that Thailand will be back in business once again in four months' time.
Implications of new draft law on NGOs
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/05/2021
» Thailand's long-standing business-as-usual approach to local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), will soon be a thing of the past. After nearly three decades of flexible engagement with the so-called "not-for-profit organisations", the Thai government has recently come up with a draft bill on Operations of Not-for-Profit Organisations, which is now being vetted by the Office of the Council of State.