Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Thailand has human rights role to play
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 04/11/2024
» The recent election of Thailand to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) is, in a sense, a cause for elation. Yet it also comes with the responsibility of proving to the global/local community that the country can set an example for good practices and propel the HRC to take effective action on key matters based on international standards. This is daunting in a world of multi-and-mini polarities and poly-crises.
China and fulcrum of peace, security
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 12/09/2024
» How sanguine should the international observer be towards the relationship between China, peace and security? While the country's integration into the international commercial system via the World Trade Organization has opened the door to rules-based discourse and a multilateral dispute settlement system, despite major commercial rivalries, the domain of peace and security presents a more precarious and ambivalent affair. Yet, here again, there is variability in that relationship, which militates against too broad of a generalisation.
Multilateralism in a fractured world
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 06/06/2024
» Multilateralism lies at the heart of international relations as an enabler of states to converge in an ever-changing world. It is closely linked with the United Nations (UN), setting in motion a rules-based system, embracing international peace and security anchored on international law.
Ukraine, the UN and the ties that bind
News, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 21/01/2023
» The United Nations (UN) represents the pinnacle of the post-Second World War system. But just how effective is it today in the face of the crisis facing Ukraine, triggered by its next door neighbour Russia?
Gateways for action on Myanmar crisis
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 11/01/2023
» The coup in Myanmar in 2021 brought back to power a junta-based regime and compounded grave violations, adding fuel to a recurrent crisis. A constructive gateway for action in December 2022 was thus the adoption of the UN Security Council (SC) Resolution 2669, the first substantive resolution highlighting urgently needed measures on the issue.
UN General Assembly must assert itself
Oped, Vitit Muntarbhorn, Published on 20/04/2022
» The recent vote in the UN General Assembly (GA) suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), due to its conduct in Ukraine, in early April 2022 is a rare instance of the GA asserting its powers with binding force. Generally, only the UN Security Council (SC) can adopt measures; these are exemplified by sanctions adopted by the SC periodically against errant states, non-government armed groups and individuals. Is there then room for a more assertive GA, especially when the SC is dysfunctional?
Paethongtan's big test with new Pheu Thai role
Oped, Atiya Achakulwisut, Published on 22/03/2022
» Will Thaksin Shinawatra's youngest daughter Paethongtan make history as the third Shinawatra to become prime minister of Thailand? The question must be on the public's mind as Ms Paethongtan took centre stage at a Pheu Thai party meeting in Udon Thani last Sunday.
UN-Asean cooperation deepens
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/04/2021
» Almost immediately upon her arrival here in Bangkok last weekend, the UN special envoy on Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, tweeted that she regretted that Tatmadaw was not ready to receive her. "I am ready for dialogue. Violence never leads to peaceful, sustainable solutions," she said.
What K-pop can teach us about politics
Oped, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 07/12/2020
» Tweets by Thai fans of the South Korean boyband BTS, or Bangtan Sonyeondan, over "happy birthday" signs for their idols on the back of tuk-tuks, instead of at mass transit stations, have gone viral.
Year in review: The winners and losers of 2019
News, Curtis S Chin & Jose B Collazo, Published on 04/01/2020
» As 2020 begins, we take one last look at the year that was. Whether in Bangkok, Singapore or New York, consumers and investors took note as US President Trump continued his disruptive approach to diplomacy and pushed back on China trade practices in 2019.