Showing 101 - 110 of 114
Asean must tackle China
News, Editorial, Published on 22/02/2016
» China continues to push its presence in the South China Sea in unnecessarily provocative ways. Last week, while Asean leaders were in California for a rare US-sponsored summit, evidence of a new escalation in its muscle-flexing emerged. Satellite photos show Chinese troops finishing the installation of missiles in the Paracel Islands, one of the region's flashpoints. China confirmed the fresh military build-up, and then tried to justify it.
Diplomacy at the summit
News, Editorial, Published on 17/02/2016
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha left on Sunday and arrives back home tomorrow from California. He is attending the first formal meeting between US and Asean leaders ever held outside the region. President Barack Obama hosted the meeting so he could get across his thoughts on China's actions in the South China Sea and also on the fight against rising terrorist threats in the region. It was such a good idea it should go on the diplomatic calendar.
IS threat is very real
News, Editorial, Published on 18/01/2016
» Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has not entirely convinced the country that Islamic State is ignoring Thailand. There are logical reasons for this. Among them is last Thursday's murderous attack in Jakarta -- a strong reminder of the group's presence. Experts throughout the region, including from Thailand, warn that the IS intends to expand further within the Asean region.
Unnecessary flight risks
News, Editorial, Published on 12/01/2016
» Tensions are ramping up in the heavily disputed South China Sea once again. For all its claims to ownership of virtually the entire area, China must bear the responsibility for creating and maintaining unnecessary and indeed risky conflicts. Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries have pointed out that China is making dangerous light of the territorial quarrel. Beijing should step back and prevent a possible tragedy with sensible and sensitive actions.
Climate change: we need to do more
News, Editorial, Published on 06/12/2015
» Prayut Chan-o-cha’s trip to Paris last week had a certain elegance that has rarely been seen since he seized power, at least in terms of public relations. He was on message, was pictured seemingly statesmanlike laying flowers in tribute to the victims of last month’s terrorist attacks, and avoided making any embarrassing blunders. At the main event, the UN’s climate change conference, he delivered Thailand’s pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 20% and 25% by 2030, which received positive coverage at home and was even welcomed in some quarters as ambitious.
Plans to fight terror lacking
News, Editorial, Published on 25/11/2015
» The wave of terrorism in recent days has been horrific. The Paris attacks killed at least 129 and shattered many hundreds of lives of the wounded and the victims' families. Similarly, a bloody attack on a hotel in Bamako, Mali, killed 27 but harmed far more. In the Middle East and in the Philippines, extremist groups beheaded a Norwegian, a Chinese citizen and a Malaysian because their families could not raise the money to ransom them.
Apec a chance to discuss big issues
News, Editorial, Published on 15/11/2015
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to join 20 other leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit this week to discuss how regional cooperation can contribute to the well-being of the member countries and stay relevant. During the meeting from Tuesday to Thursday in Manila, Gen Prayut is expected to summarise Thailand’s roadmap towards elections and the country’s commitment to enhancing regional economic cooperation.
Bangkok can help Spratlys
News, Editorial, Published on 02/11/2015
» It is said that every crisis presents an opportunity, and the turn of events in the South China Sea represents both -- a crisis and an opportunity. The crisis is China's development of islands and shoals within the Spratlys group, followed by last week's US navy trip through the area. The opportunity is one that Thailand can grasp, if it dares. Next week, the Chinese air force will be at the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base for a three-week military exercise. The challenge for the government is to inject some diplomacy into the Thai-Chinese war games with talk about regional security.
Bomb probe cannot stop
News, Editorial, Published on 26/10/2015
» Police, and presumably other authorities including the government and the military, have made a poor decision to create an exit strategy for the Erawan shrine bombing investigation. It must be hoped this decision does not come back to haunt them in the form of more violence.
Tackling haze a joint effort
News, Editorial, Published on 08/10/2015
» This coming Saturday marks the 13th anniversary of the signing of the Asean Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution. All Asean members ratified the agreement the following year except Indonesia which, after waiting for 12 years, ratified the document last year. It is not difficult to understand why.