Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Grasping the VAT nettle
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/11/2025
» The proposal to raise value-added tax from 7% to 8.5% in 2028, and to 10% in 2030, by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas is a display of political courage rarely seen in a political landscape where politicians are quick to spend money in the name of "economic stimulus" but stay mum when asked how to finance the schemes.
US fiscal state is everyone's issue
Oped, Paola Subacchi, Published on 28/05/2025
» As Donald Trump's "big, beautiful" tax bill heads to the US Senate, investors everywhere are growing increasingly uneasy. On May 16, the credit-rating agency Moody's downgraded US sovereign debt from its long-held triple-A status to Aa1 -- following similar decisions by Standard & Poor's (in 2011) and Fitch Ratings (2023). Given the sheer volume of US debt -- which now stands at $36 trillion, or 124% of GDP -- and rising interest costs, these institutions have concluded that US debt metrics are no longer in line with those of similarly rated sovereigns.
Untangling bond market credit ratings
Oped, Pichamon Keakij and Dollada Kasarn, Published on 07/05/2025
» The Thai bond market now averages 65 billion baht in daily transactions -- a remarkable increase from just 1 million baht in 1994.
The Senate's image takes another hit
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 22/03/2025
» The rejection of two high-profile picks for the charter court, Siripan Noksuan Sawasdi, a renowned political scientist at Chulalongkorn University, and Chatri Atjananont, a former ambassador, has cast the Senate in a bad light and raised questions about its impartiality.
Credit ratings and climate chaos
Oped, Emily Wilkinson & Kanni Wignaraja, Published on 13/12/2023
» The sun-drenched coral islands and reefs of the Maldives are in existential danger. With 80% of the country's population living just one metre above sea level, many islands could become uninhabitable as climate change causes the ocean's level to rise. By the end of this century, half a million people could be displaced. The Maldives is confronting this threat with a range of innovative adaptation initiatives, from restoring coral reefs to floating solar-power systems. But survival does not come cheap.
Favourite phrase
Oped, Postbag, Published on 26/08/2022
» Re: "Lop-sided justice", (PostBag, Aug 23).
City heritage needs new conservation law
Oped, Yongtanit Pimonsathean, Published on 18/08/2022
» Bangkok's claim to fame is undoubtedly its cultural heritage. Magnificent sites like the Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn and Temple of the Golden Mount delight visitors and make Thais proud.
Poll-delaying ruse must end
Oped, Editorial, Published on 09/12/2021
» Claims by the Prayut Chan-o-cha government that it has to delay the long-awaited Bangkok governor election out of concern over possible political turmoil are utter nonsense. Prime Minister Prayut recently told the media the government is "still looking for an appropriate time" for the pivotal election, which has been put on hold since he staged a coup in 2014.
Heritage must be guarded
Oped, Editorial, Published on 05/11/2021
» The demolition of the historic Scala theatre to pave the way for another high-rise in the Siam Square area has kicked off a public frenzy.
Thailand's murky jab considerations
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/01/2021
» Thailand is off to an unpromising start in 2021. As the global coronavirus pandemic rolls into its second year, much of the country is gripped by a new wave of Covid-19 infections after nearly nine months of minimal cases. As case numbers have more than doubled in recent days, the fresh wave has revealed the gross incompetence and corruption among Thai authorities. More alarmingly, while other countries are seeing light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel with expanding vaccination, Thai people's vaccine accessibility and affordability appear murky.