Showing 141 - 150 of 166
Make the South safer
News, Editorial, Published on 09/08/2016
» A thwarted attack in the deep South last week emphasised a problem that has been ignored by both military authorities and previous governments. A petrol station owner in rural Yala province became suspicious and called 191 after a man parked a pickup beside her pumps and fled on a waiting motorcycle. Sure enough, there was a large unexploded bomb in the truck. An Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team rushed to the scene.
PM must act on lawsuits
News, Editorial, Published on 02/08/2016
» Authorities moved ahead on lawsuits last week that never should have been accepted. Three of the country's leading human and civil rights defenders have been charged with criminally defaming the armed forces, specifically the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc). Coincidentally, a similar case saw the formal arrest of a determined young woman protesting against the brutal killing of her uncle during army training.
New plan for the South
News, Editorial, Published on 27/07/2016
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday made a quick trip to the deep South. It was his first visit to the strife-torn region since he took the power in May, 2014. The trip indicates the prime minister is taking a different tack after unsuccessful attempts to end the country's most serious security threat.
Terrorism is all too real
News, Editorial, Published on 06/06/2016
» The new US report on world terrorism offers some positives for Thailand, which makes a nice change by Washington. The Country Reports on Terrorism 2015, however, does show some weaknesses in security that the government would be wise to take action to address. These apply to the detection and prosecution of would-be terrorists. The report lauded Thailand for its continuing support in the fight against international terrorism, but suggested both the government and specialist units could do more.
High alert for terrorism
News, Editorial, Published on 03/05/2016
» The savage murder last week of a Canadian hostage by self-styled Filipino Islamists was a reminder of the terrorist threat in this region. Authorities have said on several occasions they have not uncovered any case of an active Islamic State network or agent in Thailand. The need for constant alert is clear.
South peace suffers blow
News, Editorial, Published on 02/05/2016
» On Friday night, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha unexpectedly brought up the situation in the South during his weekly address to the nation. He was terse and he was blunt. He called the 12-year war "a sad and terrible waste of lives", and in that one sentence criticised attempts over the past year and a half under his regime to renew peace talks with Malaysia-based separatists. Dialogue appears interrupted for the time being.
A less rigidly military approach is needed
News, Editorial, Published on 24/04/2016
» Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's decision to change the personnel in charge of security in the southern provinces has the potential to disrupt the continuity of the effort to bring peace to the region.
Avoiding a religious row
News, Editorial, Published on 20/01/2016
» It is unclear why authorities in the South have pushed a project for a new Buddhist park in Pattani province. Indeed, as of yesterday at least, provincial officials had provided no specifics. The central government seems confused but it is crystal clear that local people have grave doubts, and have spoken about them clearly.
IS threat is very real
News, Editorial, Published on 18/01/2016
» Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has not entirely convinced the country that Islamic State is ignoring Thailand. There are logical reasons for this. Among them is last Thursday's murderous attack in Jakarta -- a strong reminder of the group's presence. Experts throughout the region, including from Thailand, warn that the IS intends to expand further within the Asean region.
Farmers' call unrealistic
News, Editorial, Published on 14/01/2016
» Belatedly, the cabinet's decision on Tuesday ordering the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) to buy 100,000 tonnes of all types of rubber products at above-market prices directly from rubber growers has managed to head off threatened protests by rubber growers, especially those in southern provinces. The decision was accepted by most rubber growers although many still want the government to subsidise the rubber sheet price at 60 baht a kilogramme.