Showing 41 - 50 of 809
Cambodia and the rise of a small power
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/04/2023
» For Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, timing is everything. Therefore, it was not surprising that the world's longest-serving leader signalled recently that he would step down from politics. Unbelievable, right? He used to say he would remain in power until he was 90. If it had not come directly from him, nobody would have believed a word. His carefully calibrated decision comes at a critical time due to current domestic and external conditions and their likely long-term repercussions.
Dialogue: A step in the right direction
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 21/03/2023
» There were more divergences than convergences in views that emerged from the Track 1.5 Dialogue held between Asean members and dialogue partners, including representatives from Myanmar, in Bangkok on March 13.
Lush forests mean healthy people
Oped, Published on 21/03/2023
» Today, more than half of the world's population live in urban areas. By 2050, this is expected to increase to almost 70%. Yet even people living in cities have begun to realise how vital access to forests, urban parks, and green spaces is for our mental health and well-being.
'Forever chemicals' deserve far more scrutiny
News, Published on 20/03/2023
» Most of us are walking around with an array of poorly understood chemicals in our bloodstreams and livers -- an unintended consequence of the great 20th century heyday of chemical innovation. They're so stable they've been dubbed "forever chemicals". That means that even if we stop producing them today, some might still course through people's veins centuries from now. We're barely regulating them, even though their harms have become better-known.
The molecular line between life and death
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 01/03/2023
» 'We are but one very small company [among] many hundreds of companies using AI software for drug discovery and de novo design. How many of them have ... the know-how to find the pockets of chemical space that can be filled with molecules predicted to be orders of magnitude more toxic than VX?" This is a warning that requires a little explanation.
Drowning reminder
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/02/2023
» This week marks the first anniversary of the most reported drowning accident in Thailand's modern history. A year (and a day) ago on the night of Feb 24, actress Nida "Tangmo" Patcharaveerapong died after falling off a speedboat in the Chao Phraya River.
Thai HIV response faces setback
Oped, Published on 21/02/2023
» Thailand was a model for how a country should respond to the HIV epidemic. Whenever there was an HIV innovation -- whether it be a drug or a behavioural approach -- Thailand would be one of the first countries to adopt it. This began with the 100% Condom Programme in the early 1990s and continued all the way to 2016, when WHO declared that Thailand was the first country in Asia to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis, an impressive feat many countries are still hard-pressed to mimic. Thailand became one of the first middle-income countries in 2014 to embrace pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by supporting community-based organisations (CBOs) to test key populations, such as men who have sex with men and transgendered individuals, for HIV and provide this critical drug to them.
Thai global standing at all-time low
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 17/02/2023
» Although it will not lead to a no-confidence vote, the general debate in Thailand's parliament this week has further weakened the coalition government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, undermining its chances of re-election as the next general election looms. Among the many bombshell allegations of corruption, cronyism and sheer incompetence tabled by opposition parties, Thailand's international credibility and reputation have come into focus. Compared to its past role and performance, it appears that Thailand's global standing is at an all-time low.
Reversing Myanmar's internal strife
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 10/02/2023
» This month marks two anniversaries of ongoing conflicts in Europe and Southeast Asia, namely 12 months after Russia invaded Ukraine and two years since Myanmar's military seized power by toppling a democratically elected and civilian-led government under Aung San Suu Kyi.
Weed bill sees rivals take high ground
News, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 23/01/2023
» The fate of the Cannabis Bill appears to be sealed now. This means the bill, which seeks to decriminalise hemp and cannabis in particular, for medical, commercial and industrial purposes, will not pass the second reading of the House during this parliamentary session.