Showing 41 - 50 of 51
It's best not to forget lessons of 1991 coup
News, Ploenpote Atthakor, Published on 24/02/2017
» Feb 23, the day the military top brass toppled the government of Chatichai Choonhavan in a bloodless coup in 1991 (with a political bloodbath, known as the Black May uprising the following year) passed by almost without notice.
Burkini ban is ridiculous
News, Editorial, Published on 05/09/2016
» The French government's decision to create an uproar over women who cover up on the country's beaches was always going to be trouble. In a way, the ban on the so-called "burkini" bathing wear is reminiscent of the equally misguided attempt by our own government to ban Islamic head wear in schools. Such state interference is not just unnecessary but divisive. The Paris government would be wise to consider the lessons learned in Thailand, accept they were wrong and abandon this poorly conceived law.
Be it khon or khol, we share this heritage
News, Ploenpote Atthakor, Published on 09/06/2016
» The row over the khon/khol mask dance between Thailand and Cambodia epitomises the long-standing love-hate relationship between the two neighbours.
Seize the drugs nettle
News, Editorial, Published on 05/04/2016
» A recent series of arrests and seizures by anti-drug forces is a rare ray of optimism in the fight for a rational drug-control policy. But they also revived serious questions and brought more confusion to the problem. It is clear that some countries in the region are keen to take more responsibility while suffering more losses than others. And it seems while authorities have a somewhat tenuous handle on who is controlling drug trafficking, efforts to deal with the kingpins are ineffective at best.
Avoiding a religious row
News, Editorial, Published on 20/01/2016
» It is unclear why authorities in the South have pushed a project for a new Buddhist park in Pattani province. Indeed, as of yesterday at least, provincial officials had provided no specifics. The central government seems confused but it is crystal clear that local people have grave doubts, and have spoken about them clearly.
There seems to be little to smile about
News, Ploenpote Atthakor, Published on 11/01/2016
» Let's smile. It's something the state, in particular the Culture Ministry, is promoting in a campaign on decent Thai values -- it wants to see the younger generation smile properly.
Decentralise, or Pracharath bound to fail
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 23/09/2015
» When Thaksin Shinawatra was looking for innovative policies to launch his Thai Rak Thai Party, he looked for inspiration from activists leading social movements and was not disappointed. Universal health care and village funds became his landmark policy successes that subsequent governments could only try to outdo by pouring in more money to expand the programmes further.
Let Pakistan's ISI do its job
News, Published on 16/06/2015
» The Thai man who tried to carry a pistol and ammunition aboard an airliner last week is being held in custody in Pakistan. That country's top security agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency, (ISI) is serious about security threats. And rightly so, given the reality of Pakistan's problems with terrorism. When a supposed student from another country is involved in such an unsubtle case involving a weapon and an international airliner, any nation would be remiss if it failed to conduct a thorough investigation.
Face of pain must rid us of slavery sins
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 06/05/2015
» The photo of Rohima Khatun in the Bangkok Post yesterday should be on the desks of all officials who have promised to arrest trafficking kingpins and stop Thailand from being a slave trade hub.
Sometimes uniformity is no solution
News, Ploenpote Atthakor, Published on 28/11/2014
» A dear friend of mine, who is a civil servant, posted a message on his Facebook page voicing disagreement with a suggestion by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that civil servants wear their uniforms every Monday.