Showing 1 - 10 of 18
Breaking men: a conscript's tale
Oped, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 19/01/2026
» His face looks tired and strained. His voice trembles, carrying the pain and bitterness from the dehumanisation he endured as a conscript.
Alaska talks will test the desire for peace in Ukraine
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 13/08/2025
» Is there now a chance to end Russia's war in Ukraine? Are both sides in this bloody stalemate finally willing to give peace a chance, despite real reservations by both Moscow and Kyiv to keep the fighting going just a little longer? More importantly, are Ukraine's backers, notably the US and European countries such as the UK, Germany and Poland, able to exert enough pressure on Vladimir Putin to make a deal?
Army culture of impunity
Oped, Editorial, Published on 23/07/2025
» The Military Court delivered a ruling yesterday over a fatal assault at a cadet school in 2017. Despite the verdict finding the defendants guilty of assaulting the young cadet, it is unlikely to deter a culture of hazing and impunity within the Thai military.
NK troops sent to the Ukraine: cannon fodder?
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 24/10/2024
» The rumours were true. The apparent dispatch of elite North Korean military units to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine appears at first surprising but actually is quite logical given the historic and comradely ties between Pyongyang and Moscow. After all, North Korea's isolated Kim Jong-un regime has forged increasingly close ties with Vladimir Putin's Russia and the cash-strapped North Koreans have shipped more than eight million 122mm and 152mm artillery shells to Russia during in the past year.
Army abuse still with us
Oped, Editorial, Published on 22/06/2024
» The latest scandal involving salary deductions for conscripts in the Thai army is a distressing reminder of the persistent abuse and exploitation within our military ranks. What is more worrying is the response from the Ministry of Defence, which only addresses the problem superficially.
Return of Russia warlords stokes memories of China
Oped, Rana Mitter, Published on 05/07/2023
» The turmoil in Russia unleashed by Yevgeny Prigozhin's Wagner Group has drawn rapt attention in capitals throughout the world, but probably nowhere more so than in Beijing. The reason is not only that Russia is a trusted partner for China, but also that there are clear historical parallels between Russia this insurrectionary weekend and events a century ago that weakened China and left it vulnerable to invasion.
Soldiers are not servants
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/05/2023
» The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has done the country and the Thai armed forces a great service in recommending that the military brings to an end the use of conscripts as personal employees of higher-ranking officers within 90 days. Rights commissioners made a loud and clear official statement last week that the practice is a human rights violation.
Diluting language
Oped, Postbag, Published on 02/05/2023
» Re: "Language travails", (PostBag, April 30), and "Spelling it out", (PostBag, May 1).
Prioritising Kanchanaburi conservation
Oped, Weeraphan Shinawatra, Published on 27/04/2023
» 'If you build it, they will come." That's often the thinking behind big projects like amusement parks, shopping malls, tourism venues and sports arenas. Sometimes a new facility attracts many visitors, investors make a profit, or a government agency delivers substantial benefits to the public. Sometimes not.
Rethink 'soft power'
Oped, Postbag, Published on 20/04/2023
» Re: "Body art 'can boost Thai soft power,' " (BP, April 16) & "Ministry details soft power initiative," (BP, April 17).