Showing 1 - 10 of 78
Curb S112 abuse
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/09/2025
» Re: "Thaksin acquittal sparks debate", (BP, Aug 31). To prevent abuse of our lese majeste law, S112, we should follow law Professor Olarn Thinbangtieo of Burapha University's suggestion that all lese majeste complaints be vetted by a body of prosecutors, judges, academics, and civil society representatives, operating like a prosecutor's screening panel but with broader representation, before proceeding to court.
Southeast Asia facing hidden extremist threat
Oped, Muhammad Makmun Rasyid, Published on 07/07/2025
» In May, Indonesia's counter-terrorism unit arrested an 18-year-old man in Gowa, South Sulawesi, on charges of spreading Islamic State (IS) propaganda and inciting bomb attacks on social media. Identified only as MAS, the suspect represents a deeply troubling development in Southeast Asia's struggle against terrorism: the rise of youth radicalisation driven entirely by online exposure.
New weed stance misses the mark
Editorial, Published on 29/06/2025
» The Public Health Ministry's regulation requiring a prescription to purchase cannabis buds for medical use has triggered an outcry.
Respectful intention?
Oped, Postbag, Published on 27/06/2025
» Re: "Clip scandal grows by day", (Editorial, June 23). The Thai government is hanging by a thread after a leaked call shredded the credibility of 38-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The respectful term "uncle" is not inappropriate for the elder Hun Sen, the 72-year-old, longest-serving former PM and father of the current leader of Cambodia.
Bridge-building for ethnic concerns
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 08/05/2025
» Recent months have witnessed intense negotiations in Thailand's parliament concerning the proposed new law on the protection and promotion of the livelihood of ethnic groups. Can the various gaps be truly bridged?
Questionable governance
Postbag, Published on 24/03/2025
» Re: "Premier laments debate timing", (BP, March 22).
Raise the bar
Oped, Postbag, Published on 28/01/2025
» Re: "Trump's cabinet picks come under US Senate spotlight", (World, Jan 14) & "US Senate confirms former Fox News co-host as Pentagon chief", (World, Jan 25).
Casinos in bad taste
Published on 20/01/2025
» Re: "Thaksin backs casino licence bidding", (BP, Jan 19).
Thailand has human rights role to play
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/11/2024
» The recent election of Thailand to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is, in a sense, a cause for elation. Yet it also comes with the responsibility of proving to the global/local community that the country can set an example for good practices and propel the HRC to take effective action on key matters based on international standards. This is daunting in a world of multi-and-mini polarities and poly-crises.
Shift from elections to governance
Oped, Adam Nelson & Kristen Sample, Published on 01/10/2024
» With half of the global population having already voted or preparing to do so in 2024, the "year of elections" has had a profound impact on democracies worldwide. Now, as the year enters its final quarter, it is becoming increasingly apparent that 2025 will be an equally transformative "year of governance".