Showing 1 - 10 of 137
An Asean free from 'wars on drugs'
Oped, Published on 19/09/2025
» Asean governments recently met in Singapore for a regional meeting about drugs, where the host nation urged renewed commitment to a "drug-free region". The problem isn't simply the recycling of an outdated mantra first declared in 1998, nor the fact that the region's drug markets have only expanded since then, but that this approach ignores how government policies themselves shape those markets -- and the devastating harms that follow.
1% GDP growth impacts will be severe
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 21/08/2025
» Where did I get the idea that GDP growth in the second half of 2025 would only be 1.0%? The answer is the government, as the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) told me so.
Trump's deals are weakening the rule of law
News, Published on 09/08/2025
» European Union trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic described the recent US-EU trade agreement in unvarnished terms. Agreeing to a 15% tariff on most exports to the United States and promising to purchase $750 billion (24 trillion baht) worth of American energy over three years and to invest another $600 billion in the US (not including an unspecified amount in additional orders of US-made military hardware) was "clearly the best deal we could get."
Holidays take toll
Postbag, Published on 02/08/2025
» Re: "Thailand still has chance to shine", (Opinion, July 31).
The climate challenge as a development opportunity
Oped, Published on 06/06/2025
» When climate change is framed as a global problem requiring collective regulation of greenhouse-gas emissions, developing-country governments see little reason to prioritise the issue over others. After all, the rich, industrialised countries who contributed disproportionately to the problem are themselves backing away from decarbonisation and climate-finance commitments, while low-income countries bear the brunt of the costs of climate change. Decision-makers in developing countries understandably conclude it may be more rational to hunker down and focus on climate resilience rather than emissions reductions.
Asean countries are facing their own 'China shock'
News, Published on 20/05/2025
» As the United States and Europe have sought to loosen their economic ties with China in recent years, Beijing has focused on expanding its export markets across the "Global South", particularly in Southeast Asia. But this could create significant economic risks as the region's manufacturers struggle to compete. Regardless of the contours of any eventual US-China trade deal, Beijing's exports to America seem destined to continue falling, as do those to the European Union. The bloc has been seeking to "de-risk" from Chinese imports and supply chains, particularly when it comes to electric vehicles, batteries and solar power equipment.
Jets can't fix trade
Oped, Postbag, Published on 03/05/2025
» Re: "Arms deals tied to US tariff talks", (BP, April 22).
Taliban rule dims Afghan women's rights
News, Published on 17/03/2025
» The darkening rule of the Taliban regime over Afghanistan continues to dim prospect women's rights as well as any chances for the war-torn country to overcome an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe. Currently more than 50 percent of the population, some 23 million people in this South Asian land, require humanitarian assistance and that aid is now decreasing.
Movie idea
Postbag, Published on 10/02/2025
» Re: "Refugee's death in Thailand blamed on US aid freeze", (World, Feb 7).
Beyond the world's favourite hippo
Oped, Published on 02/01/2025
» The news from Asia at year-end 2024 that dominated headlines here in the United States included the tragic crash landing of Jeju Air flight 2216 flying from Thailand. As hundreds of millions took to roads and to the air for the holidays, the news seemed especially close to home, even thousands of miles away.