Showing 1 - 10 of 1,184
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.
Fiscal deficit will trigger 2026 crisis
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 19/02/2026
» If readers want to be fully convinced that there will be a financial crisis in 2026, I can do that in three minutes. Readers need only look at the last two columns of the attached table, which depict the financing situation of the Thai economy in 2025 (actual) and 2026 (projected).
Blind to the truth
Oped, Postbag, Published on 19/02/2026
» Re: "DLT to allow online licence renewals", (BP, Feb 17).
Could a Brics currency rival the dollar?
Oped, Jim O'Neill, Published on 18/02/2026
» Could the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) ever launch a shared currency to challenge the US dollar's dominant position in the world economy? Like many conventional international economists, I have generally dismissed the idea, despite my own role in coining the Brics acronym, which led to the creation of a formal Brics club (since expanded into the Brics+, with the addition of five new members).
Asean's role in a new world order
Oped, Chartsiri Sophonpanich, Published on 16/02/2026
» Profound shifts are reshaping the global economy as political uncertainty, geopolitical rivalry and changing trade patterns disrupt the old world order, while a new one has yet to fully emerge.
In an uncertain world, gold is a comfort
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 05/02/2026
» With Thai citizens heading to the polls this Sunday to decide which party will form the next government, I have decided to postpone my article on the economic crisis for another two weeks.
Decriminalising sex work needs clarity
Oped, Poramet Tangsathaporn, Published on 04/02/2026
» The world's oldest profession has always been a taboo subject in Thai society, even in our politics so it was encouraging to see at least five political parties -- the Pheu Thai Party, the People's Party, the Movement Party, the Thai Sang Thai Party, and the Democrat Party -- agree that the current Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act B.E. 2539 (1996) needs to be repealed.
Thailand's responses to Board of Peace
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 27/01/2026
» US President Donald Trump's invitation to Thailand to join the Board of Peace (BOP) has elicited three distinct responses. The first two are succinct and clear in their rationale. The third, however, is more nuanced -- and notable for its ambivalence.