Showing 41 - 50 of 57
The US-Asean summit put in perspective
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 19/02/2016
» It is easy to read too much into the first-ever United States-Asean summit. True, the just-concluded top-level gathering between the 10 Asean leaders and President Barack Obama was a watershed in many ways. It underscored America’s attention and intention behind the Obama administration’s geo-strategic “rebalance” to Asia. While the inaugural US-Asean summit was a boon for America’s role in Asia and a mixed bag for Asean’s overall standing, it should have transpired before Mr Obama’s last year in office. Whether it has been too little and has come too late will depend largely on American domestic determinants beyond Asean’s reach.
NE Asia summit shows SE Asia weaknesses
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 13/11/2015
» Although it papered over differences, the recent resumption of a summit meeting among China, Japan and South Korea has cooled bilateral tensions in Northeast Asia with longer-term implications for Southeast Asia.
Divisiveness of the Trans-Pacific Partnership
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 16/10/2015
» Although the full text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has yet to be publicly released, the recently announced trade pact among 12 nations in the Asia-Pacific has already caused shockwaves around the world.
AC limps to year-end deadline and beyond
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/05/2015
» The aftermath of the 26th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur last week indicates that the 10-member regional grouping is increasingly challenged in its efforts to cohere into an Asean Community (AC) by the end of this year.
A well-intentioned but problematic charter
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 24/04/2015
» Thailand's draft constitution of 2015 appears to be full of good intentions that may end up in futility.
Deft diplomacy needed for coup period
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 06/02/2015
» The recent brouhaha over controversial comments by visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel has further complicated the bilateral treaty alliance between Bangkok and Washington.
China has global leadership in its sights
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 21/11/2014
» This geopolitical summit season has consolidated ongoing megatrends in international affairs. A still-rising China with global leadership aspirations and a resurgent Russia bent on imperial restoration in view of dysfunction in Western countries will dominate international politics for at least the next 20 years.
There’s no cure-all for political quagmire
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 16/05/2014
» As its political environment remains murky in the wake of the Constitutional Court’s ouster of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand now stands at a dire crossroads with deepening rifts and growing risks of turmoil and mayhem.
Changing our education timetable is a really dumb idea
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/09/2013
» It has become a cliche to say that Thailand's education system needs an overhaul. From the coloured political divide and industrial upgrading to broader economic competitiveness, it is said that education is the root cause of the country's political and socio-economic ills. This is not untrue. Symptomatic of these education woes and defects are the confusion and contradictions among bureaucrats and administrators over the timetable for the next school year. Thai kids are not only being taught poorly but they are not even sure when to go to school again after the summer recess.
Thailand fits bill as tough broker on South China Sea
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/09/2013
» Over the past several years, tensions in the South China Sea over conflicting territorial claims between Asean states and China have become Southeast Asia's thorniest obstacle for regional peace and prosperity.