Showing 1 - 10 of 178
Thailand must take virus fight abroad
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 10/03/2020
» As the new virus known as Covid-19 spreads throughout the world, the headlines are focused on China, Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea. Beyond Thailand, Southeast Asia rarely gets a mention, even though our region is struggling to contain the deadly disease, too.
Thailand needs firmer Covid-19 action
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/03/2020
» While being on the right track, the government's latest response to the new coronavirus (Covid-19) by closing schools and entertainment venues, as well as putting off the Songkran break, is likely to prove too little, too late, once again. As other countries have shown, the sooner firm and hard measures are put in place, the better and likelier efforts to contain and remedy Covid-19 will be successful. An early global lesson from the fast-spreading virus is to be pre-emptive and pro-active, "front-loading" the pain of social adjustments and economic damages rather than playing catch-up and ultimately paying a higher price.
A Wuhan in the making?
News, Editorial, Published on 21/03/2020
» The Chinese government may have closed down the wet market in Wuhan where the coronavirus is believed to have originated. But in the heart of Bangkok, a "Wuhan in the making" continues to operate as usual at Chatuchak Weekend Market, where trade in wild animals has taken place for years.
Stay distant
News, Postbag, Published on 22/03/2020
» For the past two months, I have been closely following news about Covid-19.
Covid-19: Asean must act more boldly
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/03/2020
» The past 12 weeks have displayed Asean's strengths and exposed weaknesses when the grouping has had to respond to an unprecedented common catastrophic crisis, the coronavirus pandemic.
Asean must unite to resolve Covid-19
News, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/03/2020
» As the Covid-19 pandemic runs its course and wreaks havoc worldwide, the numbers look bleak. Nearly 500,000 people have been infected, and more than 21,000 had died as of Thursday. The international system has reverted to every country for itself, as borders have gone up and globalisation has come down. The world as we knew it is unlikely to be the same, but regions as they were remain relevant. Here, Asean, as Southeast Asia's regional bloc, must face up to the crisis together or risk being torn apart by it.
Coronavirus and democracy in Southeast Asia
Oped, Published on 01/04/2020
» In Southeast Asia, as the health crisis escalates and countries go into different variations of a lockdown, it is affording regimes with authoritarian tendencies the opportunity to suppress political expression, enforce strict obedience and consolidate their rule. Unless this is called out and actions taken to address these measures, a post-Covid-19 Southeast Asia will put democracy on the backfoot in the region.
Toxic control
Oped, Postbag, Published on 03/04/2020
» Re: "Forests doomed by power and prejudice," (Opinion, April 2).
Covid-19 restrictions are part of life for refugees
Oped, Published on 04/04/2020
» As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread to the furthest reaches of the globe, with infection cases and the death toll soaring, many governments were caught flat-footed, leaving them simply unprepared for a health emergency of this magnitude.
Anti-virus measures hurting migrants
News, Published on 06/04/2020
» In this time of Covid-19, the migrant and refugee population living along the Thai-Myanmar border have encountered an ordeal, not only from fears of virus spread, but from the tough state measures imposed to contain the disease. There is also an increased risk of exposure.