Showing 1 - 10 of 10
It's time for regime to relax grip
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 03/12/2017
» Once again the military government seems to be finding every excuse to try to curtail political parties and their ability to start mustering support ahead of the planned elections in less than a year from now.
Longevity in power is no cure-all
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 19/11/2017
» A common theme of two elder statesmen who were in Bangkok on Thursday to attend the Bangkok Post's first international forum was that leaders need to be in power longer than just one term of 4-5 years so that the policies they implement are longer-term in nature and can help countries move forward.
Thailand must pass English test
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 12/11/2017
» It would not come as a surprise to anybody that the latest English proficiency index showed that Thailand's standing remained close to where it was a year ago. Thailand was ranked 53rd out of 80 non-native English-speaking countries and territories in the EF English Proficiency Index 2017. This was a slight improvement from its 56th position out of 72 countries in 2016 and 62nd place out of 70 countries in 2015.
Clampdown on migrants an own goal
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 09/07/2017
» The government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha seem to be back in the limelight once again but all for the wrong reasons as businesses and households brace for the impact of a decision that came as a bolt from the blue.
Bombing no excuse to delay polls
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 28/05/2017
» Sitting in what is considered to be the heart of Asian democracy, India, the thought of how we Thais have come to live with the threats of military leaders when it comes to the return of democracy makes me wonder how and why have we become so timid.
Rethink due on laws of surrogacy
News, Umesh Pandey, Published on 23/04/2017
» The recent arrest of a 25-year-old man trying to smuggle a yet to be determined substance into Vientiane, Laos, is a case that highlights the need for laws to be more comprehensive when they are passed.
The lessons of Brexit
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 27/06/2016
» The world held its breath last week for one of the most widely anticipated events in years as nearly 33 million Britons went to the polling booths to decide on the fate of their country and possibly the 60-year old European Union.
Our long holiday from reality
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 09/05/2016
» This week's cover story in Asia Focus started with a simple question prompted by the endless string of holidays Thailand has been having. Can there be too much of a good thing?
Export slump a big wake-up call
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 30/03/2015
» It's been an eventful week in the region, from the passing of Lee Kuan Yew to renewed sparring over the South China Sea. Either subject would be well worth a column. Certainly the outpouring of praise for Lee should be tempered with a realisation that Singapore's admirable success has come at the expense of freedom of expression.
Welcome to the puppet show
Asia focus, Umesh Pandey, Published on 25/08/2014
» Yet again Thailand has made itself the laughing stock of the region with its attempts to apply a respectable veneer to total military rule. What else can we expect from a group of men in uniform with little respect for people's wishes for greater transparency?