Showing 571 - 580 of 584
Politics of regional trade liberalisation
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/09/2019
» As multilateral trade negotiations have become unworkable, regional and bilateral alternatives are on the rise. In Thailand's neighbourhood, the most consequential of these trade vehicles is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). As it missed the boat on the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Thailand as Asean chair this year should finalise the RCEP expeditiously and find a way to accede to the CPTPP in the near future. Although the Thai political situation remains murky and contentious, there is enough domestic policy consensus on low-hanging fruits, such as regional and bilateral trade liberalisation, that should be reaped without further delay.
Graft panel an oddity
News, Editorial, Published on 16/09/2019
» Last week, as the Senate rolled out an anti-corruption mission, its appointment of a panel to handle the task appeared to be somewhat of an anti-climax.
Abe takes aim at pacifist charter
News, Published on 10/09/2019
» The ongoing trade dispute between Japan and South Korea should by no means hinder Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ambition to change his country's pacifist constitution. Mr Abe will soon break two records as leader of the world's third-largest economy. On Nov 20, 2019, he will become the country's longest-serving prime minister, surpassing Katsura Taro, who served a total 2,886 days over three terms from 1901-1906, 1908-1911 and 1912-1913. Mr Abe's first term as prime minister lasted only a year, from September 2006-Oct 2007, due to health reasons.
China's fast-track solutions in Myanmar fail to take off
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 07/09/2019
» The stand-off between Myanmar and Bangladesh over the planned repatriation of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees continues. But things have just got a bit more complicated with China's intervention. Beijing -- with all good intentions -- is now trying to soothe the troubled waters, in part, a result of their earlier misjudged involvement, having proposed a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in New York in the coming weeks -- sponsored by the UN secretary-general -- to try to find a way out of the growing impasse.
Taking up the fight against 'fake news'
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/08/2019
» The Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE) Buddhipongse Punnakanta has rolled up his sleeves in his fight against "fake news that is rampant on social media and the internet". Under his plan, the ministry is to launch the "anti-fake news centre", which is expected to be operational in October.
Learn from past visa-waiver mishap
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/08/2019
» In September 2003, the Thai government undertook the most incredible step by signing a visa-waiver agreement with Russia. No other Asean country had dared to do that before.
The trade war could be fuelling the Amazon fires
News, David Fickling, Published on 26/08/2019
» The fires currently consuming Brazil's Amazon rainforest seem a world away from the tense diplomacy in the US trade war with China. In truth, they're more closely connected than you might suspect.
Planned Rohingya repatriation stalled
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/08/2019
» The repatriation of some 3,000 Muslim refugees back to Myanmar, who have been in camps in Bangladesh for nearly two years, is due to start today. But widespread fear and confusion in the camps, according to sources in Cox's Bazar -- currently home to nearly a million Rohingyas who have fled excessive violence at the hands of the Tatmadaw, or Myanmar army -- have left the repatriation plans in limbo.
Time for Japan and S Korea to end spat
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/08/2019
» Japan and South Korea must stop their tit-for-tat measures before their worsening relations reach the point of no return. The ongoing spat between Asian's two economic giants has sent chills down the spines of regional leaders, who are very concerned that it could spiral out of control and break down the longstanding spirit of East Asian community-building. If that happens, the post-war stability and prosperity of the past seven decades would quickly disappear. Difficult as it is, now is the time to mend fences.
Asean needs a viable Rakhine agenda
News, Published on 19/08/2019
» When Asean's Foreign Ministers met in Bangkok on July 31, they "reaffirmed their support for a more visible and enhanced role of Asean to support Myanmar in providing humanitarian assistance, facilitating the repatriation process [of the Rohingya] and promoting sustainable development".