Showing 1 - 10 of 1,884
When will the IMF ever learn?
Oped, Timothy Kaldas, Published on 16/04/2026
» This year's International Monetary Fund Spring Meetings come at a time of heightened economic uncertainty and intense scrutiny of the institution's capabilities and approach. Critics on the left argue that the IMF imposes regressive austerity measures on borrowers, exacerbating poverty, hampering economic growth, and undermining their ability to achieve debt sustainability. On the right, US President Donald Trump's administration has accused the IMF of "mission creep," claiming that it has strayed from its core mandate of maintaining macroeconomic stability.
Oil shock risks wider chain reaction
Oped, Chartchai Parasuk, Published on 16/04/2026
» There is no such thing as a free lunch. When global oil prices rise sharply, as they are doing now, someone must bear the cost. Some countries choose to absorb it through government support, as in Japan, while others pass the burden on to consumers, as in Thailand. Neither approach is inherently right or wrong; each carries different economic consequences. Policymakers must decide which set of outcomes is more acceptable and act accordingly.
Orban's fall seen as a populist turning point
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 16/04/2026
» Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk sent a message congratulating Hungary's newly elected prime minister, Peter Magyar, for having evicted long-serving populist leader Viktor Orban (aka "The Viktator") from power. All the usual welcoming words, but Mr Tusk's message ended with two slightly mysterious words in Hungarian: "Ruszkik haza" -- Russians go home.
OECD bid looks far off
Oped, Editorial, Published on 16/04/2026
» When Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul declared in parliament last week that Thailand must become a member of the OECD, his statement reflected both ambition and urgency.
Clean Air Bill unites rivals
Oped, Editorial, Published on 10/04/2026
» It is encouraging news that opposition parties -- political rivals who rarely see eye to eye -- have launched a campaign this week to push for clean air legislation. This move comes after the former Clean Air Bill was killed off in its final reading last week by lawmakers led by the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), which controls the Lower House.
It's a revenue grab
Oped, Postbag, Published on 09/04/2026
» Re: "Thailand plans mandatory accident insurance for foreign visitors", (Business, April 8).
Modern-day mispricing of war
Oped, Antara Haldar, Published on 09/04/2026
» In the space of just a few weeks, the throttling of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has revealed the true nature of the US-Israeli war with Iran. This is no regional conflict, because the entire world is being invoiced. While the size of the bill remains to be determined, it is already obvious that the belligerents won't be the only ones paying the tab.
Isoc role under scrutiny
Oped, Editorial, Published on 08/04/2026
» The shooting of Kamolsak Leewama, a list-MP from the Prachachart Party in Narathiwat on March 20, is not just an ordinary criminal case nor political revenge, as the media has widely speculated. Police investigations have revealed shocking evidence linking the gunmen to a national security office operating in the deep South.
Asean banks face climate pressure
Oped, Rachel Ho, Published on 08/04/2026
» The global oil and gas crisis is worsening. Amid the Middle East war, the central banks of countries in Southeast Asia must address a perfect storm of rising fuel prices, cost-of-living pressures, and worsening impacts of climate disasters.
Rein in Gun's influence
Oped, Editorial, Published on 03/04/2026
» Influencer Guntouch "Gun" Pongpaiboonwet needs little introduction. Rising from being a noodle seller, he built his reputation through philanthropic activities -- fundraising, providing aid, and rescuing victims -- roles that also highlight systemic flaws in Thailand's bureaucracy.