• OPINION

  7 secrets of Thai Covid-19 success

  News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/06/2020

  » When the first coronavirus infection was detected on Jan 13, there were fears that Thailand would be the hardest hit by the pandemic, and that the country might not survive due to the onslaught unleashed by a faceless enemy.

• OPINION

  Myanmar eyes return to Asean fold

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/02/2024

  » To understand the current game plan of Myanmar's military regime, it is perhaps a good time to remind ourselves of the letter written by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Aug 19, 2022. The rather blunt personal letter urged the junta leader to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), saying that if he fails to do so, his Asean colleagues might ban Myanmar from all meetings and recognise the National Unity Government (NUG). In short, Asean would give the seat to the NUG. The letter angered the general, and Hun Sen's practical advice was ignored, including his call for amnesty for four activists who had been sentenced to death. For the past three years, Myanmar's seat at Asean's high-level meetings has been left vacant. Then, on Feb 29, the seat was occupied temporarily.

• OPINION

  Asean summit forges fresh strategies

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 05/09/2023

  » With its theme "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of economic growth", the Indonesian chair has raised the Asean playing field to an unprecedented level, especially as the bloc has to engage with a new geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. That helps explain why Indonesian President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has to reiterate that Asean needs an extraordinary tactical strategy to face the current global turmoil when he met on Friday with a group of high-level Asean businessmen and investors.

• OPINION

  Cambodia and the rise of a small power

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/04/2023

  » For Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, timing is everything. Therefore, it was not surprising that the world's longest-serving leader signalled recently that he would step down from politics. Unbelievable, right? He used to say he would remain in power until he was 90. If it had not come directly from him, nobody would have believed a word. His carefully calibrated decision comes at a critical time due to current domestic and external conditions and their likely long-term repercussions.

• OPINION

  G20-2023: What is India's agenda?

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/12/2022

  » The success of the G20 in Bali has turned President Widodo Joko into a global leader for overcoming divisions regarding the war in Ukraine. The G20 leaders' declaration was issued, surprising everyone. Behind the scenes, however, kudos went to India which helped draft the communique. Now, India, as the current G20 chair, will be out right in the front row with all eyes watching. What will India's agenda be? What is India up to?

• OPINION

  Hun Sen juggles global, regional politics

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 08/11/2022

  » Who could have imagined that the world's longest reigning prime minister, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen -- or Prime Minister Hun Sen as he is more commonly known -- would stand in the front row defending Ukraine against Russia as the biggest war in Europe since World War II rages on?

• OPINION

  Time for Myanmar to face the music

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 11/10/2022

  » Since its inception in 1967, Asean has survived a myriad of challenges -- some it has passed with flying colours, others less so.

• OPINION

  Apec 2022: Miss it at your own peril

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/10/2022

  » After dilly-dallying for some time, President Joe Biden informed the Thai government that he will not attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' meeting (APECLM) on Nov 18-19. The reason is quite simple: He is attending the wedding of his granddaughter at the White House. Instead, he is sending Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the US at the two-day meeting in Bangkok.

• OPINION

  Asean hardens position on Myanmar

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/08/2022

  » The crisis in Myanmar has dominated this year’s Asean annual ministerial meeting in Phnom Penh due to Nay Pyi Taw’s growing intransigence as well as frustration among the bloc’s key members.

• OPINION

  Upcoming AMM facing uphill tasks

  Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/07/2022

  » The Asean Foreign Ministerial Meeting (AMM) next week will be a test of its centrality and relevancy as never seen before. The annual meeting has to confront sensitive new and divisive issues that will require the 55-year-old bloc's collective wisdom, commitment and foresight.

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