Showing 21 - 30 of 43
Air safety needs work
News, Editorial, Published on 18/01/2017
» Civil aviation has given Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha fits almost from the day of the 2014 military coup. He has appointed three directors, and when new blood failed to do the job, he tried full reform. He even took a figurative broom, swept out years of dirt and sloth and gave a new name to the Department of Civil Aviation. But while the new Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has made progress, it is still left wanting.
Burkini ban is ridiculous
News, Editorial, Published on 05/09/2016
» The French government's decision to create an uproar over women who cover up on the country's beaches was always going to be trouble. In a way, the ban on the so-called "burkini" bathing wear is reminiscent of the equally misguided attempt by our own government to ban Islamic head wear in schools. Such state interference is not just unnecessary but divisive. The Paris government would be wise to consider the lessons learned in Thailand, accept they were wrong and abandon this poorly conceived law.
Bomb probe in disarray
News, Editorial, Published on 22/08/2016
» It is almost two weeks since the Mother's Day bombings in Prachuap Khiri Khan and six provinces in the South and the investigations are not going well. Many of the errors in the Erawan investigation that drew widespread criticism are being repeated. Diverse agencies of the police, the armed forces and even the intelligence community are giving the impression they are competing to solve the case.
A blow to Thai unity
News, Editorial, Published on 15/08/2016
» The Mother's Day bombings came as a shock in so many ways. The attackers not only attacked multiple sites throughout the South, they conducted their killing spree at one of the most auspicious times of the year. They chose not just to kill and maim innocent people, but to desecrate the birthday celebrations of Her Majesty the Queen and Mother's Day. Every civilised person must condemn such despicable assaults on decency and happiness.
SIM tracking needs rethink
News, Editorial, Published on 13/08/2016
» The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) seems to have caused undue panic among foreign visitors to the country with its seemingly half-baked plan to track them with special SIM cards.
Forgers feel the heat
News, Editorial, Published on 26/07/2016
» Credit is due the Immigration Police Bureau (IPB) and its dynamic chief Nathathorn Prousoontorn for arresting one of the region's top forgery suspects. Abdullah Ghani Bhori, known as "Baboo" in certain quarters, is helping police investigate the dirty and dangerous business of fake travel documents, especially passports. After many years of paying lip service to this crime, it now appears authorities are taking it seriously. It is certainly time to remove the stain from Thailand being known as a "hub of passport forgers".
An atrocity in Florida
News, Editorial, Published on 14/06/2016
» The barbarous butchery carried out by one man in a Florida gay nightclub indicates failures on several fronts. Omar Mateen, son of an Afghan refugee and salesman and consumed by hatred, opened fire and killed at least 50 people on the spot. By all accounts, he was motivated by two things. First was his growing and finally overwhelming hatred of the gay community, particularly gay men. Second was the call by the Islamic State (IS) for "lone wolf" terrorist attacks during Ramadan.
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.
Peace efforts bear no fruit
News, Editorial, Published on 03/03/2016
» The country is now into its fourth year of peace talks to end the deadly conflict in the deep South. Except that it is clear that peace talks have not really begun.