Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Malaysia's Asean chair with a twist
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/12/2024
» Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has displayed his political astuteness by appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to his advisory team. The decision reflects his understanding of regional traits and dynamics, where former leaders and influential figures can hold sway over multifaceted regional outlooks.
Thailand-South Korea dual narratives
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/12/2024
» Thailand-South Korea relations are paradoxical. The countries share a dynamic that boasts both heroic achievements and glaring challenges. While their cultural and economic ties have progressed over the decades, they are black-eyed by labour and immigration issues. Solving these irritating issues can elevate friendship and unleash the potential of bilateral cooperation.
Debt bailout warning
News, Editorial, Published on 25/11/2024
» The Paetongtarn government has announced a bold policy to address Thailand's mounting household debt crisis. The initiative includes a three-year suspension of interest payments for mortgages, vehicle loans and loans for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), among other items.
End dangers to Thai workers in Israel
News, Matan Kaminer, Published on 13/11/2024
» The deaths of Akkhaphol Wannasai, Prayad Pilasram, Thana Tichantuek and Kaweesak Papanang, killed together with their employer on an Israeli farm near the Lebanese border on 31 October, were foretold. These workers, who came to Israel from Isan to provide a better future for their families, were killed by a rocket fired by Hezballah -- an indefensible attack on civilians by the Lebanese organisation. But they were exposed to danger by the Israeli and Thai states, both motivated by cold economic calculations.
Embracing a greener economy
News, Muthukumara Mani, Published on 11/11/2024
» Thailand stands at a pivotal crossroads. While it has progressed from a low-income to an upper-middle-income economy, its path to high-income status faces formidable obstacles.
Hope for land protesters
Oped, Editorial, Published on 29/10/2024
» The Paetongtarn Shinawatra government has reassured the People's Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) that it will take care of displaced villagers' plight, ending its almost three-week street protest. Now, the ball is in the government's court.
Open up reserved jobs
News, Editorial, Published on 28/10/2024
» The recent mass arrests of over 2,000 undocumented foreign workers -- including 1,289 Myanmar nationals, along with Cambodians, Lao, Vietnamese, and others -- have spotlighted a pressing issue in the labour market.
Thai tongue twisters
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 29/07/2022
» Happy National Thai Language Day! July 29 has been designated by the Cabinet as Thailand's National Thai Language Day since 1999. Although it isn't a day off, we should take some time off to appreciate how rich and beautiful the Thai language is. And to celebrate Thailand's mother tongue, here are a few Thai tongue twisters to practise with friends for some guaranteed fun, from noob to god level.
If Thai Politics Were Good...
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 24/07/2020
» A new round of student-led protests against the government erupted last Saturday in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. They demanded the dissolution of parliament, no harassment of government critics and amendments to the military-written Constitution, which they deem to secure premiership for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in elections last March. They gave the government two weeks to respond or else they would ramp up their protests.
#BehindTheHashtags
Guru, Pornchai Sereemongkonpol, Published on 06/03/2020
» Many student protests that were partly set off by the dissolution of Future Forward Party over the past two weeks has also ushered in new hashtags into the lexicon of Thai social media. At the time of writing, it has been reported that there are 28 hashtags associated with campus protests. Some are humourous while others carry strong political stances and sharp gibes. Whether you agree with these students who've chosen to make their voices heard, it's better to get used to their protest hashtags as more student flashmobs are on their way (but many speculate that the designation of Covid-19 as a dangerous communicable disease may be used as a tool to suppress them). Not to mention, an online campaign calling for people to wear black on Fridays as a symbol to oppose dictatorship began last Friday.