Showing 1 - 10 of 27
Floods 'a recurring nightmare'
Oped, George G van der Meulen & Chamniern Vorratnchaiphan, Published on 16/09/2025
» Thailand has faced floods for more than a century. Some years are worse than others, but the pattern is consistent. The catastrophic 2011 floods remain the most painful reminder: according to the World Bank, they caused US$46.5 billion (1.5 trillion baht) in economic losses, displaced 13 million people, and claimed approximately 800 lives. Much of the country's industrial heartland was submerged for months, severely impacting global supply chains.
Fish crisis needs action
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/03/2025
» It is a positive development for local fishermen that the problem of invasive blackchin tilapia has returned to the public's attention courtesy of the censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Thai waters in peril
Oped, Editorial, Published on 15/01/2025
» Thailand's waterways and seas both face ecological crises that could devastate ecosystems, food security, and millions of livelihoods if left unchecked. Two protests this week reflect the urgency of these issues. Small-scale fishermen and environmentalists have gathered at the Senate to oppose an amendment to the Fisheries Act allowing trawlers to sweep clean the sea. Meanwhile, fishermen and aquaculture farmers from 19 provinces have rallied at Government House, demanding the government address the spread of the invasive blackchin tilapia, or pla mor khang dam in Thai, a fish wreaking havoc in river ecosystems across the country.
Thaksin looms over Thai foreign policy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/01/2025
» Thai diplomacy has recently reared its ugly head. Two approaches are at play -- the official one pronounced in parliament in September and the informal one made by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at any given moment. Truth be told, the latter seems to overshadow the former. The Thaksinisation of Thai foreign policy is coming back with a loud bang.
Marine life under threat
Oped, Editorial, Published on 28/12/2024
» Parliament has handed the nation a troubling gift this holiday season by passing a law that threatens Thai seas and puts the country at risk of a fisheries export boycott.
Assad's fate haunts Myanmar junta
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 17/12/2024
» The recent overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad provides insights into the potential undoing of Myanmar's military regime in Nay Pyi Taw. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing must take note and study why even a strong 55-year-old family empire with heavyweight outside backing still crumbled like a house of cards.
Securing the Mekong's water future
Oped, Anoulak Kittikhoun, Published on 18/09/2024
» Today, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Mekong River Commission (MRC) kick off a second round of talks about water security.
Invasive fish battle goes on
Oped, Editorial, Published on 10/09/2024
» Last Wednesday, over 1,400 fishermen in Samut Songkram province initiated legal action against government agencies and agro titan Charoen Phokphand Foods (CPF) over the invasive fish species blackchin tilapia.
Fishy solutions
Oped, Postbag, Published on 23/07/2024
» Re: “Govt seeks source of alien fish influx”, (BP, July 21). It was with incredulity that I read, “Govt seeks source of alien fish influx”. The source will never be found of course, since a predatory bird could have dropped a pregnant tilapia from high in the air — any newly formed body of freshwater in Thailand will soon be populated with fish in just this manner.
Time to solve fish invasion
Oped, Editorial, Published on 19/07/2024
» The invasion of blackchin tilapia -- an alien fish species banned in Thailand -- speaks volumes about a lack of protection of biodiversity, which negatively impacts the local fishery business.