Showing 1 - 10 of 32
Cute posts, cruel trade
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/11/2025
» For years, CITES -- the United Nations' multilateral treaty aimed at protecting endangered plants and animals from threats posed by international trade -- has focused on combating wildlife trafficking networks that smuggle exotic animals from forests and breeding centres to meet demand from private zoos and the traditional medicine trade.
Crime still thriving
News, Editorial, Published on 16/10/2025
» The government's self-congratulation over Thailand retaining its Tier 2 ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is misplaced. Remaining at Tier 2 -- for the fourth consecutive year -- is not an achievement. It's an alarm bell signalling that the country is standing still while crime spreads beneath its feet.
The baht's troubling rise
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/09/2025
» The Thai baht, since the beginning this year, has appreciated nearly 8% against the US dollar. Such an escalation makes baht the strongest among Asian currencies. While a rapid currency appreciation should have been taken a signal of economic strength, the underlying realities paints a far more complex and worrying situation.
Taking on parks graft
Oped, Editorial, Published on 21/07/2025
» For a decade, Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park, especially the world-famous Maya Bay, has stood as a jewel of natural heritage tarnished by corruption. Despite repeated public outcries and half-hearted reform efforts, fee leakages and graft run wild.
Border wall won't work
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/03/2025
» If a border wall could keep all criminals at bay, all countries across the globe would have encircled themselves with such a barrier, and the world would be a safe place.
Marine life under threat
Oped, Editorial, Published on 28/12/2024
» Parliament has handed the nation a troubling gift this holiday season by passing a law that threatens Thai seas and puts the country at risk of a fisheries export boycott.
Let the debate begin
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/12/2024
» A proposal that the 2001 Thailand-Cambodia memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand be debated in parliament warrants support.
Put weed plan on hold
Oped, Editorial, Published on 20/07/2024
» The government, especially Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, needs to immediately put on hold the plan to put cannabis back on the narcotics list and engage in dialogue on the issue with all stakeholders.
The general's watches
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/04/2024
» The latest assets declaration report of former deputy prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon -- an ex-junta "big brother" -- released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reminds us of his notorious watch saga and how the anti-graft agency failed the public in clearing the controversy.
Hidden realities of carbon credits
Editorial, Published on 31/03/2024
» Thai governments -- be they Prayut Chan-o-cha's or Srettha Thavisin's -- have hailed carbon credit programmes as vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, they can become wolves in sheep's clothing if they favour businesses, leaving local communities and nature vulnerable to exploitation. Despite promises to mitigate greenhouse gases, carbon credit programmes often sideline local communities and worsen social and environmental injustices.