Showing 1 - 6 of 6
Decentralise, or Pracharath bound to fail
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 23/09/2015
» When Thaksin Shinawatra was looking for innovative policies to launch his Thai Rak Thai Party, he looked for inspiration from activists leading social movements and was not disappointed. Universal health care and village funds became his landmark policy successes that subsequent governments could only try to outdo by pouring in more money to expand the programmes further.
Divided families grieve severed ties amid slim reunion prospects
News, Lim Chang-won, Published on 23/09/2015
» 'I miss you so much," 70-year-old Kim Ik-je tells the long-lost brother he knows he will almost certainly never see.
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.
Can Xi-Obama summit salvage relations?
News, Minxin Pei, Published on 23/09/2015
» As Chinese President Xi Jinping begins his trip to the United States in Seattle, home to many of the world's leading technology firms, most observers are looking ahead to his subsequent meeting with President Barack Obama. Can the summit reverse the downward spiral in US-China relations that began with Mr Xi's accession to power in 2013?
Tackling child pornography on all fronts
Life, Yvonne Bohwongprasert, Published on 23/09/2015
» To stem the proliferation of child pornography in Thailand I believe it will take more than just a stringent set of penalties for offenders.
Silent ‘people’s state’
News, Postbag, Published on 23/09/2015
» Michael Setter questions how the Kingdom of Thailand could be called a “people’s state” when the people have no voice and no chance for their presence to be felt.