Showing 1 - 10 of 42
Scams grow, as laws lag
Oped, Editorial, Published on 30/10/2025
» Last week, police in Chiang Rai province arrested a 35-year-old Chinese national as he went from one ATM to a multitude of others to withdraw cash. A subsequent search of his rented room showed he had in his possession 2,057 ATM cards, 537,900 baht in cash, 35 bank books, and 39 SIM cards. He was initially charged with illegally possessing ATM cards belonging to others in a manner that may cause damage, a charge carrying a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment.
Crime still thriving
News, Editorial, Published on 16/10/2025
» The government's self-congratulation over Thailand retaining its Tier 2 ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is misplaced. Remaining at Tier 2 -- for the fourth consecutive year -- is not an achievement. It's an alarm bell signalling that the country is standing still while crime spreads beneath its feet.
Border trade suffering
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/09/2025
» Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's decision to hand full authority to the military to act on Thai-Cambodian security matters has triggered fears about a loss of balance in terms of conflict resolution.
The baht's troubling rise
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/09/2025
» The Thai baht, since the beginning this year, has appreciated nearly 8% against the US dollar. Such an escalation makes baht the strongest among Asian currencies. While a rapid currency appreciation should have been taken a signal of economic strength, the underlying realities paints a far more complex and worrying situation.
Fraud sweep causes fallout
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2025
» In principle, any government deserves praise for efforts to tackle online fraud and mule accounts. However, the latest attempt by the Bank of Thailand (BoT), the cyber police under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the police, and commercial banks has drawn condemnation, rather than praise.
Unholy identity crisis
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/08/2025
» Allegations against Phra Alongkot -- the former abbot of the famous Wat Phrabat Namphu in Lop Buri -- have not only revealed a crisis of faith in Thai Buddhism, but have brought the issues of identity theft and impersonation to the forefront.
Risky business
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/07/2024
» The civil war in Myanmar has entered its third year without any sign that the situation will improve soon -- especially after a five-month ceasefire brokered by the Chinese government fell apart late last month.
Wheelchair quest spurs reform
Editorial, Published on 18/02/2024
» In a remarkable display of resolve, Monthon Phetsang manoeuvred his wheelchair through highway traffic for hundreds of kilometres to reclaim his rights as a disabled citizen. By doing so, the 48-year-old man has single-handedly exposed the bureaucratic hurdles endured by millions of disabled people in Thailand.
When scams turn deadly
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/09/2023
» Reports on the killing of members of a poor Samut Prakan family duped by online fraudsters have further raised concerns about the perils of online scams and the pain they can inflict on victims and society.
Support virtual banks
News, Editorial, Published on 24/07/2023
» Last week, the Bank of Thailand (BoT) decided it will grant only three virtual bank licences in the initial phase of introducing advancements in financial services. While this decision has disappointed other operators, many take this as a debut for virtual banking services in the country.