Showing 1 - 10 of 10
We don't need 'Seven Dangerous Days'
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 27/02/2026
» Every Thai driver recognises the moment. The light turns green. Naturally, you can move; yet in Thai-style traffic, your instincts tell you to be hesitant. Despite the traffic light, a reckless motorcycle may still cross. A pickup may not stop. Drivers behind start honking as they wait to pass through the intersection. For a brief second, drivers just cannot afford to be certain about how others will behave.
Thailand must redefine FDI for future
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 14/08/2025
» Thailand's economic future looks increasingly uncertain. Once a rising star among emerging markets, the country now faces persistent stagnation. A key reason lies in how we have treated foreign direct investment (FDI) -- not as a strategic lever for national economic development but as a short-term fix driven by rent-seeking behaviour, bureaucratic collusion, and a failure to safeguard the nation's long-term economic interests and its goals for equitable development.
Drug crisis deepens our economic woes
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 11/12/2024
» Thailand faces a dual crisis that threatens the foundation of its future economic development: declining fertility rates, leading to a shrinking population and a simultaneous surge in drug addiction rates.
Harnessing Thailand's human capital
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 28/06/2024
» Thailand is currently on a distressing trajectory towards depopulation, with the number of deaths each year surpassing the number of births. The latest available data from the Department of Provincial Administration paints a grim picture, showing over 48,000 more deaths than births last year. This number is set to escalate as the number of births continues to plummet and death rates surge. Should the current trend persist, by 2083, Thailand's population is projected to shrink by half to 33 million. The leading cause of this demographic dynamic is the decline in fertility rates among Thai women. These declining fertility rates have severe repercussions and thus warrant the attention and actions of national leaders.
On why Thailand is politically unstable
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 15/11/2023
» Since the 1932 revolution -- triggered by a coup by progressive elites that replaced the absolute monarchy with a constitutional monarchy -- Thailand's politics have been marked by persistent conflict and instability.
Rescuing Thailand from the middle-income trap
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 07/07/2022
» Eleven years ago this month, Thailand made a laudable achievement by moving from the category of a lower middle-income country to an upper-middle-income country.
Where did we go wrong in the battle against Covid?
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 04/08/2021
» In January, a mere seven months ago, I and two of faculty members at the College of Local Administration, Khon Kaen University, co-authored a paper titled, "Locally-Driven Action in Pandemic Control: A Case of Khon Kaen Province". This article presented the results of a study that examined the local action taken in Covid-19 control and prevention measures in Khon Kaen. At that time, Thailand was among the leading nations in the world in Covid control.
Participatory democracy: A way forward for Thais
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 25/06/2021
» A functional parliament is a strong foundation of a participatory democracy. Globally, the governing bodies of the socio-economically and politically advanced countries operate under some form of participatory democracy.
Can Thailand ever move forward?
Oped, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 28/04/2021
» In 2013, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) was formed, with members branding themselves as true patriots who maintained that the majority of those who were in the opposition came to power through vote-buying. They pushed for heavier legal punishments and removing the statute of limitations in cases involving corrupt politicians. They organised political rallies, obstructing many polling stations. The leaders were arrested and tried. The court saw this as a disruption of public services, which they saw as tantamount to terrorism and insurrection. On Feb 24, 2021 they were sentenced to imprisonment but released on bail.
The quest for equity in Thai university rankings
News, Peerasit Kamnuansilpa, Published on 15/10/2018
» In his recent article, "Rankings not be-all, end-all for Thai unis", Mike Hayes astutely addressed the problems in the international university ranking systems vis-à-vis Thai universities, and there is little point in rehashing the faults he correctly brought to light. In his final paragraph, however, he offered an alternative ranking system that would incorporate official rankings but seems to be far more applicable to Thailand by incorporating Thai universities' contribution to local communities, national development and a democratic society.