Showing 1 - 10 of 27
Singapore turns 60 with much to show
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 08/08/2025
» No country turns 60 like Singapore. In a neighbourhood of political dynasties and varying shades of autocracies and flawed democracies, the little island state of six million got lucky with its strongman rule. When he died in 2015, Singapore's patriarchal founder Lee Kuan Yew left a great country behind. This weekend, Singaporeans can take stock of what's gone by and rightly celebrate its milestone with much to show for.
Keep Muay Thai's roots alive
Oped, Somsak Wiwatpaisal, Published on 27/03/2025
» For decades, most people have known Thai boxing, or Muay Thai, through televised matches, unaware the sport has an ancient legacy of diverse traditions that are obscured in the familiar ring fights.
The cost of speaking up
Oped, Editorial, Published on 13/02/2025
» Many have rightly been shocked by the jail sentence handed down to National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) member Prof Emeritus Pirongrong Ramasoota for her legal battle with the True Digital Group.
Inside rightist YouTube world embraced by Yoon
News, Ju-min Park and Tom Bateman, Published on 17/12/2024
» When South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol cited claims of election hacking and "anti-state" pro-North Korean sympathisers as justification for imposing a short-lived martial law, right-wing YouTuber Ko Sung-kook had heard it before.
Thaksin's comeback fuels media chaos
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/09/2024
» Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's return to the Thai political scene has sparked a frenzy across all media spectrums. Such a brouhaha is understandable. Thaksin is a political figure associated with multiple scandals, an ideal target for investigative journalists. Interestingly, this time around, the exposés are not coming from journos. Instead, they come from Thaksin's inner circle -- his close friends and former aides.
Thaksin undermining premier's role
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 24/02/2024
» The release of convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from detention will present a dilemma for the Pheu Thai-led government. Sooner rather than later, Thaksin, who is now on parole, will outshine Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and that does not bode well for the latter and the Pheu Thai Party.
Vladimir Lenin's lesson for Israel and Ukraine
News, Slavoj Žižek, Published on 08/02/2024
» It is a century since Vladimir Lenin's death and more than three decades since his Bolshevik project collapsed. But while much of his political life was highly problematic from today's perspective, his remorseless pragmatism, as one might call it, still has purchase.
No special care for ex-PM
News, Editorial, Published on 04/09/2023
» Thaksin Shinawatra and his family members must express their heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty the King for his truly gracious act in granting a royal pardon, reducing Thaksin's jail term from eight years to just one year.
On Thaksin's return plans
Oped, Editorial, Published on 06/06/2023
» Self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has once again vowed to return home next month after 17 years of living abroad.
Where have the media reformers gone?
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 18/02/2022
» After two decades marked by two military coups in 2006 and 2014, Thailand is supposed to be a "reformed" country by now. While all kinds of reforms were promised with each military takeover -- from political parties, parliament and constitution to the bureaucracy, military and police -- none has taken place. In fact, pledged reforms have gone in the opposite direction in the past. Nowhere is this reaction and restoration of old power and interests more evident than in Thailand's media industry.