Showing 1 - 10 of 13
Asean role stuck on Myanmar coup
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 25/08/2023
» President Joe Biden's decision to skip Asean-related summits in the Indonesian capital Jakarta on Sept 5-7 in favour of the G-20 leaders' meeting in India just two days later has been greeted with howls of disappointment and criticism around Southeast Asian capitals and elsewhere that are concerned about America's role in the region.
Thailand's policy on Myanmar stinks
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 23/06/2023
» The latest move to coddle and recognise Myanmar's junta government by caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's outgoing regime does not add up. Sanctioned and supported by Gen Prayut, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai arranged an Asean-wide ministerial meeting in Pattaya on June 18 with Myanmar's junta-appointed Foreign Minister Than Swe with unusual haste. Shrouded in controversy and desperation, both the PM's and the FM's clichéd explanations just do not wash. It begs the question of whether there are vested interests involved, above and beyond Thailand's national interest, in the outgoing government's seeming acceptance of Myanmar's military regime that took power by force on Feb 1, 2021.
An unfolding tragedy
Oped, Postbag, Published on 22/12/2022
» Re: "Myanmar and two new game changers", (Opinion, Dec 20).
Quiet or loud diplomacy?
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/10/2022
» Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced countries around the world to make tough economic and diplomatic decisions. But in the latest vote on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on a resolution to condemn Russia's recent annexation bids in eastern Ukraine, Thailand abstained, a move that raises questions about the kingdom's stance.
Myanmar sets new low
Oped, Editorial, Published on 28/07/2022
» After 18 months of tap-dancing about the world community's demands for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations since its coup, Myanmar's military government has portrayed its dark spirit by executing four political activists. They were among 114 opposition activists given the death sentence by the junta court since early this year.
Plan doesn't rate
Oped, Postbag, Published on 09/07/2022
» Re: "Govt plans to charge foreigners more than Thais for hotel rooms", (BP, July 6).
6 reasons to recalibrate Thai-US ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 28/06/2022
» After years of benign neglect, Thailand is seeing some earth-shaking developments from the US, with the Biden administration apparently suddenly realising that Thailand remains a key ally in the region that has not yet been fully utilised. At this juncture, the time is right. Both countries are planning to commemorate the 190th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year. Across the world, the war in Ukraine has already generating long-term regional repercussions, helping to highlight the state of the Thai-US alliance.
Thailand's bankrupt Myanmar policy
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 17/06/2022
» Few signboards foretell the global issues of our time better than what is addressed at the annual meetings of the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) in Singapore. After a pandemic-induced two-year hiatus, the most recent SLD covered the gamut on the main stage, from the United States-China geostrategic competition and military modernisation to security cooperation and climate change. The only anomalous single- and small-country focus in a special session was Myanmar.
Personal convictions
News, Postbag, Published on 01/05/2022
» Re: "New special Thai envoy for Myanmar", (BP, April 27).
Motorcycles key to solving road deaths
News, Nichamon Thongphat & Pornpimol Tinanoi, Published on 13/02/2019
» In 2015, Thailand’s road traffic death toll was the second highest in the world. Over 24,000 people were killed in road accidents, that's 66 deaths every day. The tragedies plunged over 24,000 families into shock, grief, and anger over why so little has been done to make Thailand’s roads safer.