Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Parliament's costly legacy
News, Editorial, Published on 07/05/2025
» Many years ago, national artist Theeraphol Niyom was one of the architects who helped design the current parliament building, Sappaya-Sapasathan, which is situated on the Chao Phraya River, On one occasion, he told the media that the parliament's blueprint was drawn to inspire elected members and senators to do good things and fear bad deeds.
Review 5-pill drug limit
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/02/2024
» In response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's pledge to review a policy that lowers the punishment for ya ba users found to have no more than five methamphetamine pills, the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said it is considering reducing the limit to three.
Clear up city condo mess
Oped, Editorial, Published on 04/08/2023
» The Supreme Administrative Court ruling on Ashton Asoke, an upscale high-rise condominium, has sent shockwaves among Bangkok project developers.
Casinos need caution
Oped, Editorial, Published on 17/08/2022
» There is an old adage that says, if you cannot beat them, join them. This catchphrase well describes policymakers' attempts to open casinos in Thailand.
Niwat award a call to act
Oped, Editorial, Published on 27/05/2022
» After two decades of campaigning to protect the Mekong River, Niwat Roykaew, a local teacher and founder of the Chiang Khong Conservation Group in Chiang Rai, finally received the accolade he deserved. Mr Niwat was one of six recipients of this year's Goldman Environmental Prize, a prestigious award for grassroots environmental activism.
Mekong drowned in water politics
News, Editorial, Published on 10/01/2021
» The mighty Mekong River is the heart and soul of Southeast Asia. Millions of livelihoods are linked to it, especially in terms of food, energy and water security. Besides giving birth to one of the planet's most biodiverse river basins, the transboundary nature of the river -- which begins its journey in the Tibetan plateau and flows 2,140km through China before entering downstream Southeast Asia -- means it is facing a threat to its existence like none before: hydropolitics.
Mekong left starving
News, Editorial, Published on 06/12/2019
» Known for its signature reddish-brown waters, the Mekong River recently turned a bright blue in some parts. Its crystal-clear water may be beautiful to look at, but this change is a symptom of a sick and starving river. For ecologists and observers, it will be too naive not to point the finger at the usual suspects -- dams.
No sign of drug reform
News, Editorial, Published on 16/01/2019
» The Ministry of Defence has weighed in on drug trafficking but in the most familiar manner. Briefed by his boss, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantravanich repeated an official litany that is no longer impressive. In short, drug seizures are up, drug arrests continue to increase. As a reporter for this newspaper wrote, this combination of factors "will pave the way for more arrests".
Double-faced drugs policy
News, Editorial, Published on 20/11/2018
» The government has become somewhat schizophrenic about its policies on banned drugs. It has sent mixed signals about the path to legalising medical marijuana. Providing a programme leading to the needed reform of law on illicit drugs is even less clear. In just the past few weeks, senior officials and ministers have indicated, rather, that they expect to renew and redoubled the "war on drugs" policies that have failed so badly.
Myanmar's shirked duty
News, Editorial, Published on 08/10/2018
» Last Thursday, police arrested two men in Ayutthaya for possession of drugs. They were driving a pickup with 700 one-kilogramme bags of crystal methamphetamine, a so-called recreational drug without medical or social value.