Showing 1 - 10 of 231
Sam Yan shows need to save history
Oped, Published on 23/05/2024
» What distinguishes Thailand from many other countries is our rich diversity in culture and history. Yet slowly but surely, the distinctive heritage of our local communities is disappearing. Often property developers destroy historic buildings in pursuit of profit. But why do their rights always seem to come first? Why do we have to beg to protect our cultural assets?
Journo arrests hike tensions
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/02/2024
» As fears grow that the furore over royal motorcades and the fierce reaction from royalist groups might become the catalyst for further polarisation in Thai society, our policemen's storm-in-a-tea cup arrest of two journalists over their coverage of the campaign for reform of the monarchy has only heightened tensions.
Schrödinger's Island: Taiwan election 2024
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 12/01/2024
» Taiwan's fate is as unknowable as usual, even though we know who the next president will be. The Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) William Lai, vice-president under outgoing President Tsai Ing-Wen, will almost certainly win the election tomorrow because the two opposition parties failed to agree on a joint candidate and will split the slightly-less-anti-China vote between them.
King Charles' blue tie speaks volumes to Greeks
Published on 05/12/2023
» NEW YORK - Can a tie really bind you to an opinion? Greek and British journalists traded flurries of speculation last week after King Charles III wore a bright blue cravat (and matching pocket square) as he addressed the COP28 climate conference in Dubai.
practise positivity
Pattarawadee Saengmanee, Published on 09/10/2023
» When life is perceived as a journey, each person has a unique narrative to share. It's always a good thing to explore new places and get to know new people. On a recent media trip to Hong Kong, I had the pleasure of meeting blind talent Sophon "Toffy" Thapklong, who always spreads his unfailing optimism.
Protect Si Thep's people, not just site
Oped, Published on 28/09/2023
» The deal is done. Si Thep has officially become Thailand's seventh official Unesco World Heritage Site. However, the Unesco listing is only half the battle. Now, work must start on rolling out the government's conservation plan, which should be improved.
The power of boycotts
Thana Boonlert, Published on 24/07/2023
» Soon after Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to gather enough support for the premiership, some voters launched retaliatory campaigns with the hashtag #senatorbusiness to boycott business networks of handpicked junta senators who rejected him or abstained. Senators then took legal action against those who they believe harass them and their families. Voters are not only cutting off social relations but also punishing senators for committing crimes against democracy.
What the Global South thinks of the Ukraine war
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 28/04/2023
» There is a deep and growing rift between "the West" and "the Rest" about the need to resist and defeat the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is because it is really a war in defence of sovereignty, which ought to be something every sovereign country can buy into -- but Western governments publicly insist that it is a war in defence of democracy.
Prioritising Kanchanaburi conservation
Oped, Published on 27/04/2023
» 'If you build it, they will come." That's often the thinking behind big projects like amusement parks, shopping malls, tourism venues and sports arenas. Sometimes a new facility attracts many visitors, investors make a profit, or a government agency delivers substantial benefits to the public. Sometimes not.
Opening an old wound
News, Editorial, Published on 06/10/2022
» Today the nation again commemorates the Oct 6, 1976 massacre of leftist protesters on a college campus during a violent crackdown by police and right-wing paramilitaries, one of the most tragic incidents to blight Thailand's history.