Showing 1 - 10 of 15
A temple graft turning point
Editorial, Published on 26/04/2026
» The 50-year jail term handed down last week to the former abbot of Wat Rai Khing is as harsh as it is telling. The court rightly called it a grave offence.
Reform clergy with your wallet
Editorial, Published on 03/08/2025
» The recent sex scandal involving high-ranking monks has shaken public faith to the core. But the responses from the clergy, the state, and the public all miss the point. This crisis in Thai Buddhism is not about monks and sex -- it's about monks and money. Address the problem incorrectly, and the sex scandals and temple corruption will never end.
Clergy in need of control, not reform
Editorial, Published on 20/07/2025
» After a long silence during Thailand's biggest sex scandal in the clergy, the Ecclesiastical Council and the National Office of Buddhism (NOB) have finally spoken out. Their big idea? A new law to imprison the offending monks and women involved in the scandal.
Crunch time for Phumtham
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2025
» New interior minister, and current acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, is a man who can make tough decisions. His recent record includes the decision to return Uyghurs to China early this year, as demanded by Beijing. Last month, he approved a long-delayed, controversial submarine procurement from China -- a call that even junta leader-cum-prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha shied away from.
Power politics
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/05/2025
» A recent row that saw a policeman beaten for warning a politician not to take photos inside a polling booth confirms that local politics still wields significant influence over law enforcers.
Which way for MotoGP?
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/03/2025
» It is music to the ears as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra vows that she will put politics aside and think business in deciding whether to renew a contract to host the MotoGP.
Better way to boost morale
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/05/2024
» The new "Cops Combat" martial arts competition of the Royal Thai Police may have drawn criticism for potentially undermining the chain of command. Yet, the competition, which promises to be a "test of valour beyond the badge", is a good start as the RTP is acknowledging problems of morale on the ground.
Military largesse
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/03/2024
» The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) on Monday agreed to hand over its 360-rai Kantarat golf course to the Airports of Thailand Plc so it can be developed as an extension of Don Mueang airport.
National Defence College course sparks buzz
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/12/2023
» A new course launched by the National Defence College (NDC) that fosters networking among middle-level military personnel, state officials and businesspeople has caused a stir with critics saying it deepens patronage culture.
Get tough on footy betting
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/11/2022
» As the World Cup 2022 kicked off in an air-conditioned Qatar stadium on Sunday, so did football betting across Thailand -- which, despite being illegal, has unfortunately become a part of the country's football culture.