Showing 291 - 299 of 299
Asean chokes on haze crisis
News, Editorial, Published on 23/10/2015
» Asean leaders must seek an opportunity from the worsening haze crisis to tackle the problem at its roots and show the way to sustainable development. The smoke haze and accompanying pollutants that have blanketed several countries in the region is primarily caused by the burning of forest and peatlands on Indonesia's Sumatra island to make way for oil palm plantations.
Sexual harassment is not the new norm
News, Editorial, Published on 11/10/2015
» Once again, the State Railway of Thailand is attracting attention for all the wrong reasons after another case of sexual assault against a young passenger. A 15-year-old girl alleged a ticket officer harassed her and assaulted her, although she managed to raise the alarm before her attacker grabbed her phone.
Mr Xi goes to Washington
News, Editorial, Published on 22/09/2015
» Chinese President Xi Jinping is to arrive in the United States today on a visit that will last a week. The lengthy stay will include time at the United Nations, where the General Assembly is starting its 70th annual session. Still, such a long visit should provide time to talk over relations with President Barack Obama and other top officials. US-China ties are among the most-watched and most important diplomatic relations in the world, and they have important implications in our region.
Kick-starting the economy
News, Editorial, Published on 16/09/2015
» The new man in charge of the nation's economy has made a big impression. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, also known as the economy czar, got full authority from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to seize the reins, and he has quickly shown his no-nonsense approach.
Blast probe needs a hand
News, Editorial, Published on 15/09/2015
» It is fair to say that authorities floundered for two weeks after the Aug 17 Erawan shrine bombing. Most of the leaders and officials in charge were clearly caught flat-footed. The military regime's deputy spokesman declared within hours of the blast, without any evidence, that it was clearly an evil act by the political forces ousted by last year's military coup. Credit police and supporting security forces, then, for so quickly turning investigative chaos into crackerjack detective work. Now comes the really hard part.
A battle only half won
News, Editorial, Published on 28/07/2015
» Whether the United States' views on Thailand and human trafficking remain the same or improve, the government must continue its battle against this despicable scourge.
A little taste of freedom
News, Editorial, Published on 20/07/2015
» Two tiny steps last week showed that the hopes for freedom of expression will not be easily extinguished. Each took place in a courtroom. In Bangkok, the Administrative Court allowed Peace TV back on air, and agreed to study the claim by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) that it has the right to censor the content of media broadcasts. In Phuket, prosecutors failed to show up for two of the three days of the navy's defamation lawsuit against local journalists. Apparently they share the public's distaste for this trial.
Debasing the US TIP report
News, Editorial, Published on 14/07/2015
» Alarming reports are coming from Washington about the highly anticipated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. It seems that US officials have been ordered to promote Malaysia from Tier 3, the bottom ranking where Thailand was controversially placed last year. The reports - not denied by US officials - say Malaysia's rise back to Tier 2 was for purely political reasons, because President Barack Obama needs Malaysia's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations.
Biodiversity gains await
News, Editorial, Published on 10/07/2015
» Thailand's rich biodiversity has been largely untapped. To blame is a consistent lack of policy support for research and development into Thai plants and herbs for their medicinal values. Such R&D could yield huge economic benefits for the country.