Showing 1 - 10 of 144
Co-pay scheme misses mark
Editorial, Published on 05/04/2026
» A newly elected government following through on its campaign promises is usually a cause for praise. However, the Anutin Charnvirakul administration's vow to resurrect its flagship "Khon La Khrueng Plus" or Half-and-Half co-payment scheme is instead being met with trepidation.
Poll is a test of courage
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/01/2026
» Thailand has now entered election campaign mode, with barely a month before the next general election takes place on Feb 8.
Grasping the VAT nettle
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/11/2025
» The proposal to raise value-added tax from 7% to 8.5% in 2028, and to 10% in 2030, by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas is a display of political courage rarely seen in a political landscape where politicians are quick to spend money in the name of "economic stimulus" but stay mum when asked how to finance the schemes.
Unholy identity crisis
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/08/2025
» Allegations against Phra Alongkot -- the former abbot of the famous Wat Phrabat Namphu in Lop Buri -- have not only revealed a crisis of faith in Thai Buddhism, but have brought the issues of identity theft and impersonation to the forefront.
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.
Travel scheme farce
Oped, Editorial, Published on 07/07/2025
» The rollout of the "Tiew Thai Khon La Krung" campaign, or Thailand Travel Co-pay scheme, last week has proved to be unmitigated disaster, with no resolution in sight. This embarrassing episode reflects not only gross incompetence, but entrenched political pettiness among policy-makers.
New road safety shock
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/06/2025
» A new report on deaths among footpath users is shocking and unacceptable.
No more Social Security Fund secrecy
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/06/2025
» The latest finding showing the Social Security Fund (SSF) purchased the SKYY9 building in Bangkok at double the market value has put a huge question mark over the governance of the country's biggest pension fund.
Spend plan looks rushed
News, Editorial, Published on 16/06/2025
» The government's 157-billion-baht economic stimulus plan is drawing mass attention and its share of critics. The government is to blame for the unwanted criticism because it has failed to convince the public that the huge budget will be spent wisely and transparently.
Reform temples, or lose public faith
Editorial, Published on 08/06/2025
» Temple corruption no longer raises eyebrows. The Wat Rai Khing scandal is just bigger, louder, and harder to ignore. It demands serious reform before public faith erodes further.