Showing 1 - 9 of 9
Homemade guns a genuine threat
News, Editorial, Published on 17/07/2022
» The assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe should ring alarm bells for governments around the world, including Thailand's, about the threat posed by homemade guns such as the one used in the crime.
'New normal' needs clarity
Oped, Editorial, Published on 30/05/2020
» With the latest round of reopenings set for Monday, the time has come for the powers that be to lay out a longer-term roadmap for the future of the country in the post-Covid-19 era.
Justice failing ethnic groups
News, Editorial, Published on 25/05/2019
» For ethnic people, trying to get a shred of justice from authorities can be an ordeal. But it can be even more difficult when the judicial process is handled exclusively by military courts. That says a great deal about the quest for vindication by the families of a Lahu activist, Chaiyaphum Pasae, and a Lisu man, Abe Sae Mu, who were gunned down in broad daylight by army rangers in separate incidents in Chiang Mai more than two years ago.
Good start at nuke summit
News, Editorial, Published on 13/06/2018
» It's a long road from a handshake to peace with nuclear disarmament. That said, the first meeting ever between a sitting US president and the leader of North Korea Tuesday seemed the best first step possible on that road. Neither Donald Trump nor Kim Jong-un has been kidding during the month-long lead-up to their summit. This meeting alone makes war in the region unlikely. The mood between the two men and their advisers spoke well for a peaceful future.
PM must calm public fears
News, Editorial, Published on 28/03/2018
» The capricious responses by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha about the general election, now expected next February, have sown confusion and caused consternation among the public.
Lost opportunity on human rights
News, Editorial, Published on 12/11/2017
» Once US President Donald Trump lands in Manila to attend the East Asia Summit on Sunday, national leaders from half the Asean member states can be at ease without worrying about being chided by the US leadership over human rights abuses and waning democracy in their countries. During the 31st Asean Summit and related meetings that end on Tuesday, leaders from Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines are unlikely to be pressed on issues that have traditionally concerned the US.
The trouble with Korea
News, Editorial, Published on 01/11/2017
» The North Korean crisis continues to escalate, without any sign of imminent relief. Japanese voters have renewed the mandate of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, this time to amend the national constitution's prohibition against war. US Defence Secretary James Mattis said last weekend Pyongyang engages in outlaw behaviour. He vowed the US will never accept a nuclear North Korea. South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo was at his side.
Duterte fails credibility test
News, Editorial, Published on 26/10/2016
» Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has once again caused massive and unnecessary diplomatic upheaval. During a trip to China last week, he announced a new policy to "separate" from the United States, in both military and economic fields, only to soften his stance three days later when he was back in Manila. His remarks, however, left his cabinet, his country, Washington and the region in complete confusion.
Japan policy riles critics
News, Editorial, Published on 23/09/2015
» The decision by the Japanese government to give itself new defence privileges has advantages but they are outweighed by the negative. On one hand, the new security package will allow Japan to better assume a balanced role in the world. For 70 years since World War Two ended, the country has been unable to take part in conflicts. Yet Japan remains a very special case, particularly in Asia. Overall, Tokyo's long-time refusal to address its war-time actions honestly will now turn the new defence policies against the country.