• OPINION

  A free and fair Senate

  Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/03/2024

  » With the election of a new set of senators on the horizon, curiosity is growing to see if past blunders can be avoided so as not to stigmatise the Upper House.

• OPINION

  Lifting Asean's efforts with Myanmar

  Oped, Published on 27/04/2024

  » About three years ago, Asean leaders gathered in Jakarta for an emergency summit on Myanmar at which the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) -- entailing the cessation of violence in the country, constructive dialogue among parties to the conflict, the appointment of a special Myanmar envoy and the provision of humanitarian assistance -- was agreed upon with the State Administration Council's (SAC) senior general Min Aung Hlaing.

• OPINION

  The general's watches

  Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/04/2024

  » The latest assets declaration report of former deputy prime minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon -- an ex-junta "big brother" -- released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reminds us of his notorious watch saga and how the anti-graft agency failed the public in clearing the controversy.

• OPINION

  Saving the Senate

  Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/04/2024

  » The 250-member Senate's five-year term will end on May 10. Hand-picked by the junta, when it was known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), and appointed by HM the King in accordance with Section 113 of the Constitution, it is little surprise the Senate will be remembered as the legacy of the former military government led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

• OPINION

  All in to fix charter

  Oped, Editorial, Published on 25/04/2024

  » Through its endorsement of three referendums that would amend Thailand's entire charter, a proposal that was forwarded by a study panel under Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the government has now set in motion the charter drafting process. It is looking like it will proceed at a snail's pace.

• OPINION

  Myawaddy's fall should concern region

  Oped, Paskorn Jumlongrach, Published on 20/04/2024

  » As the battle against the Myanmar junta intensifies, the allied resistance forces have gained momentum with the seizure of the border town of Myawaddy.

• OPINION

  Dealing with Myanmar

  Oped, Editorial, Published on 10/04/2024

  » As the civil war between Myanmar junta forces and ethnic rebel groups builds, Thailand will be a focal point for providing humanitarian support to large numbers of refugees expected to flee across the border. Thailand -- as an Asean member and Myanmar neighbour -- is also expected to play a role in fostering negotiations and helping Myanmar return to peace.

• OPINION

  Govt bruised but not undone by debate

  Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 06/04/2024

  » No sooner had the two-day general debate come to an end on Thursday than there emerged speculation about a possible cabinet reshuffle, which seems inevitable given the dire need for the Srettha Thavisin government to shore up its popularity.

• OPINION

  People-to-people diplomacy a better fit

  Oped, Paskorn Jumlongrach, Published on 03/04/2024

  » A large crowd gathered near the 2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot district on the morning of March 25 as the Thai government, through the Thai Red Cross Society and its Myanmar counterpart, released the first batch of humanitarian aid to those affected by fighting between Myanmar army and ethnic resistance forces.

• OPINION

  An ethical fisheries law

  Oped, Editorial, Published on 29/03/2024

  » This week, the Lower House MPs are beginning their second reading of a new Thai fisheries law that, if passed, would replace the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries (2015) -- a heavy-handed law prescribed by the junta government in 2015.

1 2 Next Last