Showing 1 - 10 of 102
Reinvent Thailand to revive growth
Oped, Boonwara Sumano, Published on 11/02/2026
» In the 1990s, Thailand ranked second in Asean for state performance, behind only Singapore. Today, we trail several neighbours. This decline has unfolded gradually over three decades -- through repeated economic crises, institutional stagnation, and reforms that never quite went far enough. What is different today is that the cost of inaction has become far more dangerous.
Report cards in
Oped, Postbag, Published on 12/04/2025
» Re: "Phuket beach inspected", (BP, March 13).
Education priority
Oped, Postbag, Published on 25/03/2025
» Re: "'Back of the Class' graphic", (BP, March 22). The Bangkok Post graphics frequently shake up one's fixed thoughts. From the latest graphic of the World Population Review ranking the education of 203 countries, there are the following shocking and surprising revelations.
What would Nelson Mandela say?
Oped, Darkey Africa, Published on 30/01/2025
» 'African people, who have black skin and flat noses that make it difficult to breathe, are hired for millions of baht to be models. Thai people look much better. There is no need for our people to get nose, jaw, or breast augmentation. It is time to encourage more Thais, including ethnic groups like the Karen, who possess natural beauty, to become international models." (Bangkok Post, Jan 7)
Why do some countries prosper while others falter?
News, Jeffrey Frankel, Published on 06/11/2024
» Why have some countries grown rich and others not? The three winners of this year's Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences -- Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James A Robinson -- offer a simple answer: institutions. Countries with "inclusive" institutions -- which underpin an open society, accountable government, economic freedom, and the rule of law -- do better than those with "extractive" institutions that reward those in power.
Democracy isn't declining; it's the nation-state
Oped, Joe Mathews, Published on 19/10/2024
» Democracy is not in decline. The nation-state is.
Former Merkel rival aims to become chancellor
News, Sarah Marsh, Published on 24/09/2024
» Squeezed out of top-level politics by his arch-party rival Angela Merkel more than two decades ago, Friedrich Merz is on course to land his first-ever government job as Germany's next chancellor. The conservative Christian Democrat Party (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, which together are topping nationwide polls, last Tuesday agreed to nominate Mr Merz, 68, as candidate for chancellor in next year's federal election.
Many faces of Olympic triumph
News, Howard Chua-Eoan, Published on 15/08/2024
» I was a messy Olympics fan. During the Games in Paris, I rooted for several national delegations. Because I was born in the Philippines, I cheered for the Filipinos. I'm ethnic Chinese, so I was thrilled by the achievements of China, Hong Kong and, uhm, Chinese Taipei. I'm an American citizen, so I'm happy when Team USA is No 1 (or 2 or 3). I live in London, so whenever the UK medalled, I experienced frissons of delight.
Ranking a distraction
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/07/2024
» Thailand was recently named the world's fourth most beautiful country by the World of Statistics, and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin couldn't hide his excitement.