Showing 111 - 120 of 145
Queue for accountability
News, Editorial, Published on 09/08/2017
» Last week saw one of the most disgraceful scenes put on view for the world to mock and gasp at in astonishment. Through what can only be described as gross incompetence, visitors and tourists arriving at Don Mueang International Airport were greeted by four- and five-hour waits in immigration lines. Government ministers responsible for this travesty have been unavailable for comment, and the head of the Immigration Bureau claims a "staff shortage" and therefore unacceptable planning and personnel training.
True reform must involve people
News, Editorial, Published on 30/07/2017
» After their last day in office tomorrow, members of the military-appointed National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) will not leave much of a legacy, let alone be remembered for any progressive changes. And after spending almost two years and roughly 1 billion baht of taxpayers' money, mostly on their salaries, the NRSA members have little to prove they are worth the bill.
'Death island' lawsuit a farce
News, Editorial, Published on 06/07/2017
» Instead of encouraging concerted efforts from all sides to dig deeper for the truth surrounding the death of 30-year-old Belgian tourist Elise Dallemagne on Koh Tao, authorities in Surat Thani choose to proceed with a disgraceful act -- a lawsuit against a local English-language news website which broke the story.
Pursuing a lost war
News, Editorial, Published on 26/06/2017
» Monday's annual event in Ayutthaya marks a great setback in a campaign to bring sanity to the 46-year-old "global war on drugs" instigated by ex-US president Richard Nixon. Officials will stage their usual torching of tonnes of drugs seized in raids, highway searches, street-corner arrests and home invasions. But for the first time in years they will be working under orders to step up the suppression. The prime minister "expects to see better results", meaning more arrests in the so-called war that that was lost years ago.
US climate U-turn sets bad example
News, Editorial, Published on 04/06/2017
» US President Donald Trump's decision to exit the Paris climate accord last week deserves condemnation from all corners of the globe. His announcement comes less than 18 months after the climate pact was adopted, the result of a hard-fought agreement between Beijing and Washington under Barack Obama's leadership. In making such a drastic decision, the US leader might have wanted to see the collapse of the landmark treaty.
Fingerprint plan dodgy
News, Editorial, Published on 29/05/2017
» The secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has escalated his threats to gather a private collection of citizens' fingerprints. Takorn Tantasith began by touting a "touch your smartphone" project for mobile banking, based on fingerprints. That sold poorly, and the NBTC chief then pronounced an effort whereby all mobile phone owners could give their fingerprints voluntarily for vague promises of benefits. Now he says every phone owner must give him their fingerprints, no exceptions.
Crackdown out of control
News, Editorial, Published on 24/05/2017
» As was virtually assured from the start, authorities now have gone unacceptably overboard in their censorship. Last week, the chief of the police Central Investigation Bureau said his force will begin action against internet users who even view a forbidden web page or social media post. Pol Lt Gen Thitirat Nongharnpitak seems to want to warn Thai people against the spread of lese majeste material. Still, he should withdraw this threat, as it is the wrong way to proceed.
The moral high ground
News, Editorial, Published on 17/03/2017
» The standard of responsibility and ethics set by Thai PBS director Krisda Rueangareerat and National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commissioner Supinya Klangnarong should be one that state officials, politicians and public figures strive to attain.
No painting over 'sin city'
News, Editorial, Published on 25/02/2017
» The bold declaration by a sustainable tourism organisation to turn Pattaya from "sin city" into a family entertainment destination has been greeted with disbelief. Some people told the organisation to be more realistic while others simply dismissed its vision as an April's Fool joke that came early this year.
Dirty tactics blight anti-coal protest
News, Editorial, Published on 19/02/2017
» The government's decision to go ahead with the controversial coal-fired power plant in Krabi is a disappointment. But what is far worse is the way it has allowed police to treat anti-coal demonstrators with cold blood and heavy-handed measures. The peaceful demonstrators, led by the Network of Saving the Andaman, began their protest on Friday as the National Energy Policy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, met and finally gave approval to the 800-megawatt coal-fired power plant, fuelling the demonstrators' anger. They vowed to keep protesting until the government reviews the approval.