Showing 1 - 10 of 15
The unseen human cost of cheap power
Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 29/07/2020
» On July 23, 2018, the villagers of Attapeu, a sleepy town in southern Laos, suffered their worst nightmare when the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy hydropower dam suddenly burst, unleashing massive torrents of water that swallowed local villages, killing 71. More than 7,000 were made homeless.
Keep missing activists in public memory
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 15/06/2020
» Nearly two weeks into what is believed to be the forced disappearance of self-exiled activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the investigation into the case seems to be going nowhere.
Thai TV series give ugly truths a rosy hue
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 25/05/2020
» As I've been following progress of the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Myanmar, I can see the project receives little attention from the mainstream Thai media, despite the fact the contentious project involves a big investor, the Thai government -- and human rights violations.
Greed for sugar profits worsens PM2.5
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 27/01/2020
» Residents of Bangkok were able to enjoy a brief respite from the haze as cleaner air and blue skies returned to the city over the weekend after the hazardous ultra-fine PM2.5 dust particles -- which had amassed in the capital since the start of the month -- were blown away by the wind.
Lust for power drying up local communities
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 22/07/2019
» Some fishermen in Loei province once told me that Buddhist Lent Day was a mark for the rainy season and the time to enjoy high water on the Mekong River. But last week gave a starkly different picture. Water levels on the river were at their lowest in 57 years.
Region's businesses lag on rights issues
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 24/06/2019
» Even though economic development was one the key agenda items at the 34th Asean Summit held in Bangkok last week, human rights protection in the context of business operations seemed to not get sufficient attention from Asean leaders.
Reckless development sows seeds of disaster
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 09/08/2018
» As monsoon rains have struck the Mekong region recently, some countries have been hit hard by flooding. These disasters reflect the fact that the region's development projects have not fully recognised climate change impacts and so lack plans to deal with them.
Is Ma's 'magic' really worth weaving?
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 26/04/2018
» Jack Ma makes a phenomenal success again. During his high-profile trip to Thailand which gained heavy media attention, the businessman announced he would invest more than 11 billion baht in the country.
Law is an ass when dealing with the elite
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 09/03/2018
» Expressed through graffiti and drawings, pictures and words on social media, a slain black leopard, a rare and protected species, has become a symbol of victims of the wealthy and powerful at the hands of the seemingly impotent justice system. It is used to remind people that the rich often have privileges to escape charges and jail while being able to keep their business empires intact.
Rappler not the only victim of state bullying
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 18/01/2018
» The revocation of Manila-based independent news website Rappler's licence in the Philippines is just another case showing the state's attempt to silence the media.