Showing 1 - 10 of 12
Time to tackle VAT
News, Editorial, Published on 29/08/2023
» It has become the pattern that every time the Ministry of Finance floats the idea of raising value-added tax (VAT) or making any changes at all, critics come out to bombard the plan, sending officials running for cover.
Senate likely favours Prawit
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/08/2023
» Now that the Constitutional Court has decided against the renomination of Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat as the next prime minister, parliament can resume the selection process for a new premier.
No more casual sexism
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 17/06/2022
» Last Friday, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha made another insensitive verbal blunder. You may say, "Hey, Pornchai, aren't you used to this by now?" but I would argue that this latest (and hopefully last one) merits a response from yours truly, delivered with the utmost respect as always.
Poor 'guidance'
Oped, Published on 22/03/2021
» Re: "Don't shoot down a child's dream," (Guru, March 19).
How to Name Your Car Like You're One of the 0.1%
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 19/02/2021
» The 0.1% of Thais (not 1% 'cause Thailand has the highest wealth inequality in the world, you see) may rejoice at the recent news that soon you can pay an extra fee to give your vehicle a real name on a licence plate instead of the two-alphabets-and-numerals combo the 99.9% are familiar with. The new rules will allow a combination of more than two alphabets, vowels, tone marks and numbers in a vehicle registration plate for a personal car with no more than seven seats. In short, you can name your car after you or give it a person's name. For example, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha can name his "ประยุทธ์ 2 กรุงเทพมหานคร (Prayut 2 Bangkok)" to commemorate his second term. The plan is expected to be implemented around the middle of this year and you can bid for such a plate with starting price of B1 million. Money raised this way will be spent to improve road safety.
Money just does not fall from heaven
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 21/01/2021
» It is a pitiful dilemma, isn't it? When the economy is in a bad shape, you want the government to spend money (more money, and lots of money) to help shore up the economy. Like we are seeing in our country now. Alas, by spending money (more money, and lots of money), the government itself induces another kind of economic crisis -- a liquidity crisis.
Travel Struggles Thais Can Relate To
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 01/11/2019
» If you're fortunate enough to travel on a regular basis, you may start to pick up on little quirks that come with it. While I don't consider myself consumed by wanderlust, I would like to think that I've travelled enough to be able to share a few amusing quirks and struggles I discovered along the way. For your entertainment (and in some cases, our common commiseration), here are travel titbits Thai can relate to.
Check his credentials
News, Postbag, Published on 14/09/2019
» Re: "Thamanat wins PM's backing", (BP, Sept 11). As a reformist, Prime Minister Pra-yut Chan-o-cha should quickly verify Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow's claims that he didn't (a) plead guilty to charges of drug trafficking in Australia and (b) didn't serve a four-year jail sentence for his crime, thus disqualifying him from office.
Riding the waves of the pot rush
News, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 15/04/2019
» Daycha Siripatra, founder of the Khaokwan Foundation, would have remained largely unknown had the police and anti-narcotics officials not raided the foundation's premises in Suphan Buri province and seized 200 cannabis plants, some marijuana extract, oil and seeds.