Showing 1 - 10 of 51
Paetongtarn and the price of weak govt
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 02/09/2025
» The Constitutional Court's dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her cabinet last Friday has plunged Thailand into a political poly-crisis.
Thai-Cambodian feud is Asean's worst
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 15/08/2025
» The border dispute and consequent military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand in recent weeks have become Asean's worst crisis in its 58 years of existence. Ironically, it was an intra-regional war between Indonesia and Malaysia that gave rise to Asean in 1967, but now an intra-Asean military clash is undermining the Southeast Asian organisation's core reason for being and its main claim to credibility and prominence. Unless Asean, under Malaysia as its rotational chair this year, moves fast to contain the bilateral dispute and reinforce a delicate ceasefire agreement, Southeast Asia will be looked upon increasingly as a region and less as an organisation of member states.
PM's crisis and Thai political directions
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/06/2025
» What began just a month ago as a minor border dispute with Cambodia has spiralled into an existential political crisis in Thailand. In what she understood to be a private phone conversation with Cambodia's former prime minister and Senate President, Hun Sen, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra compromised her premiership and undermined Thai national interests. While she tries to ride out the storm, her tenure appears wobbly and unworkable. What comes next will likely proceed in one of three directions revolving around the Thai parliamentary processes, each with its own scenarios and considerations.
Rethink the South
Oped, Postbag, Published on 10/05/2025
» Re: "Govt 'ready for new talks' on peace in deep South", (BP, May 7).
Nail on the head
Oped, Postbag, Published on 19/04/2025
» Re: "Backing Trump on tariffs, not on tone", (Opinion, April 17). The article by economist Chartchai Parasuk shows a rare practitioner of the dismal science who writes eloquently. However, I do get the impression the good economist risks missing the forest for the trees because he put too much focus solely on the trade balance.
Don't let governments break encryption
Oped, Jessica Dickinson Goodman and Ezequiel Passeron Kitroser, Published on 03/04/2025
» Imagine that some strange man wants a picture of your child. If it were the year 1750, he might commission an artist, who would then knock on your door and ask to paint a portrait. You could say no.
Fortress North America? My brain hurts
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 08/03/2025
» 'Today the United States launched a trade war against Canada, their closest partner and ally, their closest friend," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on March 4. "At the same time, they're talking about working positively with Russia. Appeasing Vladimir Putin, a lying, murderous dictator."
Bold stance by judges
Oped, Editorial, Published on 28/01/2025
» In a rare and commendable display of courage, two Supreme Court judges have written to the president of the Supreme Court, calling for the cancellation of an executive-level course organised by the Judicial Training Institute. They also urged the judiciary to refrain from enrolling judges in executive courses conducted by other institutions, such as the National Defence College, the Capital Market Academy, and the King Prajadhipok's Institute.
Networking that puts judiciary at risk
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 25/01/2025
» A callout by senior judges for the Supreme Court to scrap a study course, organised by the Judicial Training Institute, aimed at fostering connections between judicial authorities and those from other sectors, including senior business executives, has shed light on some of the problems facing study programmes in this country.
Frigates beat subs
Oped, Postbag, Published on 04/01/2025
» Re: "Sub deal 'complete in six months'", (BP, Dec 31, 2024) and "China agrees to supply ship instead of sub to navy", (BP, March 28, 2024).