Showing 1 - 5 of 5
No easy way home for Thais in exile
Spectrum, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 21/06/2015
» The exiles sat on one side of the gymnasium, the military men and government officials on the other. There was an air of conciliation. But not all of the 467 displaced Muslims who attended Monday’s unprecedented meeting at a military camp in Narathiwat felt reassured after hearing the sympathetic words of government officials.
Kitakyushu leads the eco-metropolis pack
News, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 07/03/2015
» Once a grey industrialised metropolis that sat unheralded for decades on Japan’s southern island, Kitakyushu has been reborn as a green city that has rocketed to prominence as a "smart" role model for Asia.
Embracing militias with open arms
Spectrum, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 23/11/2014
» Two village defence volunteers stood timidly, holding unloaded M1 carbine rifles, with a group Ban Paku primary school students when a group of Bangkok journalists visited last week. The Pattani school had been torched a month earlier.
NHRC under fire for being 'partial to impartiality'
Spectrum, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 18/08/2013
» The report from the National Human Rights Commission on violence surrounding the 2010 red shirt demonstrations drew intense criticism almost as soon as it was put on the NHRC website on Aug 8.
Amid change, Rohingya remain Myanmar's 'elephant in the room'
Spectrum, Achara Ashayagachat, Published on 21/07/2013
» Approaching the second half of his four-year term, President Thein Sein has seemingly managed to steer the country forward on the path to democratisation and reconciliation, and shown good faith in resolving several bitter issues. Early last week, his announcement in London of his government's intention to release all political prisoners and achieve reconciliation with all ethnic groups was welcomed internationally and at home. Hundreds of exiles who fled the country in separate waves since 1988 have returned to check out the new air of optimism on the ground. Problematic issues impeding the civilian parliamentarian system have been open for debate and some have been partially addressed.