Showing 1 - 10 of 3,156
Diplomacy over silence
Oped, Editorial, Published on 24/02/2026
» Caretaker Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow is garnering praise for his open diplomacy aimed at re-engaging with Myanmar. Last Wednesday, he formally met his counterpart Than Swe in Phuket. There, Mr Sihasak was quoted by international media as saying that Thailand will serve as a "bridge" to bring Myanmar back into Asean.
The fuss about Thailand and Trump's Board of Peace
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/02/2026
» Thai media were perplexed by the appearance of the Thai flag in the background at the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace (BOP) in Washington, DC last Thursday. After all, Thailand is not a BOP member. In a swift response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country was attending as an observer.
Killing the goose that lays the Olympic gold medal
Oped, Nancy Qian, Published on 24/02/2026
» The Olympic Games have always been about more than sports, with the medal count serving as a measure of national vitality. The 2026 Winter Games in Milan and Cortina are no different. The Americans, like everyone else, want confirmation of their preeminence. So important is that outcome that even US Vice President JD Vance briefly acknowledged the value of non-white immigration to the United States when he complained that Eileen Gu, the US-born medal-winning skier for China, should be competing under the American flag.
People's Party needs to sort out its mess
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 23/02/2026
» Two weeks have passed since the election on Feb 8, and yet no one has come up with proof that the barcodes and QR codes printed on ballot sheets used on the day can be traced back to individual voters, showing for whom and which parties they voted for.
Minilateralism's necessary rise
Oped, Prabhat Upadhyaya & Saliem Fakir, Published on 23/02/2026
» If there was any doubt remaining about the return of great-power politics, it has been dispelled by US President Donald Trump's attack on Venezuela, threats to annex Greenland, and refusal to extend the New Start treaty limiting the nuclear arsenals of the United States and Russia. Such geopolitical upheavals are driven by "the will to power", as Adam Tooze has pointed out -- including "power over resources, purchasing power, the ability to resist the influence of others."
When voters look beyond credentials
Oped, Anucha Charoenpo, Published on 20/02/2026
» Many observers of Thai politics may be wondering why the following individual of such distinguished standing failed to secure a seat in parliament in the Feb 8 election. He holds the title of professor and earned a doctoral degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the world's most renowned universities. He previously contested the 2022 Bangkok gubernatorial election, securing more than 250,000 votes. He has also achieved notable academic success and served as president of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang. With credentials such as these, his electoral defeat has come as a surprise to many.
Fix Thailand's data confusion
Oped, Jompon Pitaksantayothin, Published on 20/02/2026
» Thailand has made significant strides in building a data governance framework, most notably through the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2019. Data now underpins how citizens exercise their rights, how governments deliver services, how businesses innovate, and ultimately, how democracy is sustained.
The gist of Thai politics over 20 years
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/02/2026
» Thailand's democratic institutions have been repressed and kept weak to the point that confusion still prevails almost two weeks after the Feb 8 election, which purportedly showed a clear victory for the ruling Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. On the one hand, Mr Anutin and BJT stalwarts are busy forming a coalition government with other parties. On the other hand, fraud allegations from civil society groups and the opposition People's Party have reached a critical mass with the plausibility that the recent vote might be nullified to pave the way for a new poll.
For buses, safety first
Oped, Editorial, Published on 19/02/2026
» The government's attempt to raise the standards of public buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) by means of a "safety rating list" is welcome news, despite being long overdue.
Why communities pay for mining
Oped, Christopher Rutledge, Published on 19/02/2026
» Last week, policymakers and industry executives of mining companies gathered in Cape Town for the annual African Mining Indaba. They followed a familiar script: governments would court investors, companies would promise jobs and growth, and champagne would flow as speakers tout Africa as indispensable to the global energy transition.