Showing 1-10 of 313 results
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Debasing the US TIP report
News, Editorial, Published on 14/07/2015
» Alarming reports are coming from Washington about the highly anticipated Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report. It seems that US officials have been ordered to promote Malaysia from Tier 3, the bottom ranking where Thailand was controversially placed last year. The reports - not denied by US officials - say Malaysia's rise back to Tier 2 was for purely political reasons, because President Barack Obama needs Malaysia's support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations.
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NACC sparks death debate
News, Editorial, Published on 15/07/2015
» The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has done the country a disservice by secretly changing the law and instituting the death penalty as the maximum punishment for graft. The commission claims it discussed the law at length and agreed the death penalty is appropriate for such a severe offence as corruption. The NACC has acted in a disappointing and a high-handed matter. The legislature and government should act to rescind the NACC's secret decree and start over again. A new corruption law is needed, but it must undergo public debate, including the decision to extend the use of capital punishment.
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A battle only half won
News, Editorial, Published on 28/07/2015
» Whether the United States' views on Thailand and human trafficking remain the same or improve, the government must continue its battle against this despicable scourge.
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Crisis panel is undemocratic
News, Editorial, Published on 14/08/2015
» The Charter Drafting Committee (CDC) should drop its plan to set up an all-powerful body with special constitutional authority to override electoral democracy and parliamentary politics in a political crisis.
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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.
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Democracy still a dream for Myanmar
News, Editorial, Published on 08/11/2015
» There is a perverse irony in watching Myanmar go to the polls today from Thailand. The country which has endured more than half a century of oppression under military rule is inching further towards democracy, while the country which has long been perceived as a liberal part of the modern world is being ruled by diktat. It is tempting, if over-simplistic, to view this as the moment Myanmar overtook Thailand among the ranks of democratic nations.
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Early days in Myanmar
News, Editorial, Published on 11/11/2015
» There is excellent news still coming from our neighbour to the west. Myanmar held an election on Sunday that has been described by neutral outsiders as generally fair; certainly credible. The voting was orderly and peaceful. Similarly, the post-election celebrations have been huge, but free of violence and retribution. It has been a rare time in Myanmar. The country as a whole has been not just free to vote, but free from fear.
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Anti-graft talk not enough
News, Editorial, Published on 10/12/2015
» Thailand joined many other countries in observing International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday. In Bangkok, National Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Panthep Klanarongran and the other commissioners led a few hundred people representing the government and private sectors in a short march from TOT Public Company to the government office centre in the Chaeng Watthana area to highlight the importance of the day.
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Strategy bill is misplaced
News, Editorial, Published on 20/02/2016
» The national strategy bill and the centralised 25-member body it proposes to set up will contribute nothing to the country but reel together more layers of red tape to last as long as 20 years.
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Law has teeth and nasty bite
News, Editorial, Published on 12/03/2016
» The recent shooting to death of a stray dog by veteran politician Tawee Kraikupt captured the public's attention and provoked angry reactions from people who viewed the act as "brutal".
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