Showing 1 - 10 of 507
China should allow its migrant workers to roam free
News, Michael Pettis, Published on 19/12/2017
» Over the past few weeks, people here in Beijing have been riveted by the so-called migrant "clean-out" -- the government's attempt to evict tens of thousands of migrant workers from their homes in the poorer parts of the city. What's not being discussed, however, is how the crackdown could threaten one of the government's other main priorities: managing debt.
Parnpree to diplomats: 'Don't give up'
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/11/2023
» 'Do not take no for an answer" could be the new hashtag for all Thai diplomats from now on. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahidha-Nukara instructed his lieutenants not to give up or allow themselves to be turned down too easily when they are pursuing a "proactive economic policy".
Combatting fake news the Asean way
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/06/2023
» Three weeks have passed since the general election, and the Thai media is still flooded with fake news and disinformation of all kinds. Essentially, these are designed to harm a particular individual, a political group or the country. Overall, the country's domestic environment is very fluid. Aside from efforts to form a new coalition government, the most important issues are related to national security and diplomacy.
The tragic misbehaviour of big business
Oped, Published on 07/10/2022
» Are successful businesspeople more like heroes or villains? In fictional accounts, one can find plenty of examples of each, from Charles Dickens's miserly Ebenezer Scrooge to Ayn Rand's rugged individualist entrepreneur John Galt. In F Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan represents privileged old money, with its ruthlessness and incapacity for empathy, whereas Jay Gatsby is a self-made millionaire with no shortage of sentimentality and idealism.
Public trust in govt is quickly eroding
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 05/07/2021
» The Covid-19 pandemic chaos has worsened in Bangkok and its vicinity in the past week. With the rise of cases, the arrival of new variants, dubious vaccine deliveries and a lack of hospital ICU beds, people are becoming more infuriated about how the government is handling the Covid situation.
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.
Failing over rights, failing ourselves
News, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 08/09/2017
» As they posed before the media cameras, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen were all smiles. According to their official statement, they were both looking for joint prosperity as the two countries aim to boost cooperation.
Talking about sex, meth and other 'taboos'
News, Surasak Glahan, Published on 23/06/2016
» How comfortable are we letting our teenage children sit next to a former drug addict in a classroom, or socialising with a female colleague who openly speaks of having an abortion, or congratulating our former high school for installing condom dispensers? No, many of us would not be at ease with such ideas.
Migrant workers face heatwave risks
News, Published on 15/05/2024
» As extreme heat becomes more common, Thailand needs a comprehensive labour protection law to safeguard at-risk migrant workers from the hotter climate.
Migrants seek better times close to home
Oped, Thana Boonlert, Published on 07/01/2022
» Carrying a large rucksack, I bought a ticket and walked into a crowded bus terminal in Ekamai where thousands of passengers, wearing face masks, were counting down the clock to return home for the long holidays. The vast station was packed as New Year drew closer. When I got on the bus, a familiar luk thung song was being played, evoking memories.